Up in the North, the ponies have successfully found who, or rather, what was damaging the mine. But their quest is not over, as they go to look for the source of the trouble. In Baltimare, Iron, Silver, and Dark Star enjoy the fruits of defeating the cultists, while Midnight herds the remaining rescues.
We welcome any new players to join
>>126999 →Who is Midnight speaking to?
Mala frowns
"I have to be... alone?"
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>>127001>whoAll of them in range
"No, you do not Mala. Just come with me."
the tired mare gives him a warm smile
>>127002He follows the pony at her heel, even as he is around her size
>>127003Midnight leads him to the room, and opens the door to see what the room is like.
>>127004This room is more or less the same layout, even as it looks lived in. There is a shirt on the floor, and the covers are pulled down on the bed, which looks disrupted
>>127005Midnight turns around and nods towards the bed
"You may have it Mala"
She smiles, but her eyelids are drooping at this point.
>>127006He gets up, and jumps in the bed, looking back to midnight while panting
There is a muffled sound coming from the dresser
>>127007Midnight turns towards the dresser and slowly steps towards it.
>>127008It sounds... almost like talking, or something moving inside it
>>127009Midnight wonders if she's ever gonna get to sleep as she opens it
>>127010Inside, is an unholy abomination like none she has ever seen before...
"Hello, will you donate to my patreon?"
It's like a spoon did some sort of unholy ritual that included being raped by a fork, and this was the result
>>127012"...."
Is there a window?
>>127013One at the very end of the room
Mala looks concerned
>>127014Hi pony!
Undertoe and Johann are inside the second part of the tavern, evidently wanting rooms
>>127015Midnight picks it up, marches to the window, and just fucking yeets that thing into the street
"By
LUNA is there anything else I have to do before I sleep?"
>>127016Before she tosses it out, Mala offers:
"I can eat it, if you definitely need it destroyed"
But there does not seem to be anything else
>>127015Dark Star walks over to Johann.
>>127017She still tosses it
"It can be somepony else's problem."
She steps over and pets Mala some
"But rest for now, you need sleep. And I will be right here if you need me."
>>127018He looks over
"There you are. Dark Star, right?"
>>127019Mala lays down, looking up at Midnight
>>127020"There, now just rest little one."
Midnight begins to hum as she pets him.
>>127021He rolls over ontp his side, kind of sprawling out. His belly is clearly distended
He licks his nose in a "mlem"
>>127022"D'awwwwwww, just relax. Midnight will take care of you"
She continues to hum and pet, gently rocking side to side as her eyelids droop lower and lower.
>>127020"That's Correct,yes. Are you having a nice time? How do you like the tavern?"
>>127023His ear twitches, and a hind leg scratches against the bed. He sticks out his tongue again in a sort of blep. He lets out a sighing whimper
>>127024“It is not too bad, no. That griffin is quite the charmer” he smiles in a sort of mischevious way
“Even if she is rather obstinate”
He relaxes his pose somewhat
“It is not very different from the taverns in Griffienhiem, although it’s a little bigger”
>>127025Midnight chuckles a bit before her eyes shut and she's asleep on the ground beside the pet, very softly snoring.
>>127026The floor is kind of hard and cold... but after everything, it may as well be soft feathers.
>>127024"I must say, it is a
much better time than I was having hanging upside down in that dark room"
>>127029EEEEEEEEEEEEE
Alright, Brie may execute his plan
>>127031The plan is,... excuse me.
"The plan is, we make up to the mining site all ready and carefully, and then stab whatever rears at us! Then we take very careful notes and compile it all together! Then, we take those compiled notes and place them in a professional-looking clear plastic binder!"
>>127032"Hopefully nothing too big will need stabbing this time around."
>>127032"I'll keep my stabbing at a distance and leave the notes to you two."
>>127033>>127034"Splendid! If there's no further adieu then,...." He seems eager to get this business over with.
>>127032Seb and Fun come out of the carriage. or they seem to at least, as big Saint Bernard dogs.
Brie may take note that while Zu Lang and Drie probably did not write down their exact misadventures, there are definite records of at least casualty reports
>>127035It's Ado reeeeeeeeeeOnyx stands ready to follow.
>>127036And why didn't... fuck, what was his name. You're gonna make me go back and read what his name was even though after this its never going to come up again aren't you?
>>127035Spark nods and follows the stab crazy bat.
>>127038In any case, yes, Brie would have wanted to see those reports to glean anything he might about what will be necessary to stab, before going to stab
>>127038Macrurus is the name of Zu Lang's replacement
I think he did mention it?>>127040Looking into the reports, Brie can see that the garisson did indeed report a number of Killed in action deaths in July - it says against "hold outs to changling rule," a death to wounds in August, and two deaths there after, one from being "crushed by mining equipment," and one from illness. Four drones have been sent back to Winnyapolis for wounds, two in July, and two in the fall and winter. One of those moved for wounds in July came back, the other was discharged. One of the serious wounds in september was reported as "from a chainsaw" and resulted in the drone being discharged.
>>127041How delightful.
"To the mine then!"
>>127041>>127040Reports sent back suggest as follows:
A native tribe that predates the Crystal Empire resides in the northern parts of Headwater County. After being beaten into submission by the Equestrian, and later Crystal empires, it used the opportunity to declare independence and venture South during the war. Wanting to clear the woods of any possible bitter-enders or rebels, the garrison ventured to the north, encountering the natives. The engagements were bloody and inconclusive, but resulted in the garrison staying around the Iron mines while the natives withdrew to the North. Zu Lang, naturally, suspected that rebels, runaways, bitter-enders, or poachers are living in the forest wilds, although this cannot be confirmed. Interestingly, there is no accusation - even by Zu Lang - that the natives are aligned with any faction
>>127042Do you mean the open pit mines where most of the action so far has taken place?
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>>127043No, I mean the site that appears to be the site from which complications started to emerge with Lang and Drie
>>127044Assuming you mean the exact area where
Brie watched them transform, that would be on the roadway that runs beside the open pit mine beside the railroad tracks, and between Blackwood and the Taconite mill
>>127045No, I mean that Brie's whole purpose of talking to Macrurus was to try and determine where Lang and co might have turned 'funny' and then investigate that location. I had assumed it might be in some way indicated on the map
>>127046Unfortunately, it is not indicated on the map
A helpful drone may offer speculation
>>127047Brie wants to talk to the medical drone he talked to earlier. He seemed like he would have noticed the change sooner anyway, and might be able to more readily differentiate the mission that might have caused the change.
Back,Had to deal with corona buisness>>127025"Yeah shes quite the Griffion. What was she being obstinate about?"
>>127027Who's this Johann?
>>127049YesDon't get infected>>127048Translated into Ponish, he says as follows:
"The first time we think they ever turned was on July 29. We don't know the trigger, we think it was stress, but it would only happen at Night. We never found the trigger, actually. Exactly how and when they got... 'infected,' I do not know. But if you think the natives had something to do with it, then the first drone was infected on the 21st, Zu Lang on the 22, and Drie and the second drone on the 24th. These occurred in a sortie up to Lake Headwater in the center and eastern part of the district, then in a sortie up north from there to where the camp was located. But really, if you think there was something else going on... some forest spirit, some poisonous creature or parasite... or ancient magic, I cannot say for certain. But I think it is a good bet it occurred in a grid of a few square miles with Lake Headwater and the river as it's eastern boundary. I can tell you they didn't report anything extraordinary. But I didn't go with them, and I'm not sure they would have told me if they did. Their wounds looked like mundane cuts, even though not all of them came back"
>>127049"Certain points of the history and destiny of the Griffonian Empire. Then again, she is far from the only one. There are many more who must be brought to heal to bring about the resurrection of the Empire"
>>127050"What points exactly?"
>>127051"Whether the loss of the Palladium was the true cause of the decline of the Griffonian Empire. Whether New Mareland had any right to invade Hellsword and the Host. Whether it has any right to administer it. The role of the River Ponies. The validity of democracy as a form of government. Not much disagreement on a few of the break away states though, or of the dangers posed by liberals."
>>127052"Well i might not know much about foreign politics. But Democracy Would never be used to truly aid Anypony."
>>127053"That's what I said! Well, 'anygriff'."
>>127054"Huh, I Knew there was a reason i liked you,Inquisitor."
He laughs
"Would you like a drink?"
>>127055He seems to smile back
"They are closing up the bar. But of course"
>>127056He waves Mr Glass over
>>127057Going into the bar area, he can see Glistening Glass is cleaning the bar area. He looks up to Dark Star
"Hello. Do you need anything?"
>>127058"Two Whiskeys,sir."
>>127059He frowns
"It's after 2 AM. I'm not legally allowed to serve alcohol"
Then he smiles
"I'm just fucking with you. Let me pour two of them. Apple whiskey, right?"
Unless Dark Star specifies otherwise, he pours and serves two in glasses
>>127060He Laughs at the joke
"Yes Sir."
>>127061He slides the two glasses over.
"For legal purposes, these are drinks for house guests, and not sales at the bar. It still goes on your tab, though"
Johann takes his trenchcoat off - indeed, he wears more clothing than any of the other resuces, it seems, and places it on the chair next to him. He wear a fedora and glasses, and his feathers are yellow in places and golden brown in others. His beak hooks down like a true raptor.
He takes a quick drink of the whiskey
"Decent enough strength. A bit sweet and fruity. It's about exactly what I should have expected from pony whiskey"
>>127062"I quite enjoy the taste. "
He Drinks some of the whiskey
>>127063It is indeed a bit fruity and sweet. Just a bit though
"I'll admit I've never had anything
quite like this before"
>>127064"What is Griffion whiskey like?"
>>127065"It can vary, but either a bit more grainy, more like wood, or more bitter. Not that there isn't mead, but that's... mead. And of course there's the blackjack whiskey out of Skyfall. That stuff is
strong"
>>127066"BlackJack whiskey? How strong?"
>>127067"It isn't quite up to vodka. But almost. It's got a kick to it I can tell you that. I can't quite describe the taste"
>>127068"Sounds like something i'd like to try."
>>127069"You may, though I'd hardly be surprised if those criminals had some"
>>127070"You know. now that you mention it."
He checks his bag
To see if he brought the whiskey
>>127071I'm pretty sure he has at least one bottle
>>127072He pulls the bottle out
"You mean this?"
>>127073He opens is beak, and his eyes go wide, as if Dark Star conjured the bottle from nothing
"Yes! Like that!"
>>127074"you want some?"
He holds out the bottle
>>127075"Oh yes, please"
He quickly drinks the remainder of the apple whiskey, and holds out his glass for Dark Star to fill with his claw
>>127076He opens the bottle and pours the inquisitor a glass.
>>127077"Shall we say cheers?" he asks
>>127078"Sure,why not. what should we cheers to?"
>>127079"To killing Maarists, of course"
>>127080Dark Star Laughs
"Perfect. To Killing Maarists!"
>>127081He holds up the glass and clinks it against Dark Star's
"To killing Maarists!"
clinkHe takes a drink
>>127082Dark star takes a sip
>>127083Yep, it's got a bit of a kick, but damned if nothing else he's ever tasted makes him feel like a lone gunslinger or gambler known 'round the towns
>>127084He Smiles
"This is fantastic."
>>127085"After all I've been through. Anything would be. But this is something special"
He takes another drink
>>127086As does Dark Star
"I Could only imagine."
>>127087He volunteers:
"Savages had me sucked by one of those 'Changelings,' and hung me up like a slaughtered cow in a room with no lights..."
He shudders
>>127088Dark Star looks at him knowingly
"I wouldn't wish that on the worst communist."
>>127089Ever so slightly narrowing his eyes
"I don't think you've met the worst communist..."
He sets his glass down with some force, in a 'clank,' and his lips furl back in what seems like a slightly malign smile
"Still though... watching that pony die... there is a certain joy to a job well done"
He lifts up his glass, and takes another drink
>>127090"Yea, I agree. he Was Sub-Pony Filth."
>>127091"If you want to disassociate him from your race..." he wraps his talons on his glass, a 'clang clang clang" as they tap on the glass from right to left
Then he says
"It is disturbing, however, to see a Maarite chapter run by an Equestrian native"
>>127092"That Was Quite Odd. what do you make of it? i don't know a lot about maarites."
>>127093"Maarite worship is an old form of worship... Older than the Griffonion Empire, older than the oldest Griffonian king, older even than the oldest orders of Arcturus... It started in the area that is now the Griffonian Heartlands. It was smashed by the tribes there, and by the knights of Arcturus. But that only shattered it into smaller pieces that slipped and hid among society. Grover the first established an order of His Most Holy Inquisition to scour and smash the remnants.... But the Griffonian Empire's representatives and traders spread it further, to Grieffenwald and to Whitebeak... In the times we live in now, creatures move further, and so too do the ideas and cultures they send. It may have originated from a particular culture, it is true. But there is something universal that it feeds on, and latches to. A darkness in the hearts of creatures. And so it can spread."
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>>127094"But what is it though? What do they believe?"
>>127066>>127068Dunno if you're talking about alcohol by volume but most vodkas and whiskeys have the same strength around 40% ABV
Also, I need to check if anyone got washed in the past 10000 posts but I'd imagine the rescuees probably smell horrid. My fault perhaps for not having caught up yet and forcing you to read this.
>>127095"Maarites follow an entity who asks that he be called 'Maar,' who alleges to be a deity from beyond the Lunar sphere. Unlike Boreas or Arcturus, who ask of their followers discpline and personal sacrifice, Maar offers powers. Power to obtain revenge. Power over others. Wealth, and knowledge of things known to no griffin nor pony. And in return, he asks for worship, and the sacrifice of others. Sapient creatures are preferred, though animals are not turned down, nor will he ever decline the sacrifice of his own followers. He communicates to his followers in the form of whispers. Auditory hallucinations. Sometimes visual as well, and these sometimes of scenes in the past, in the future, or of fantastic realms scarcely imagined. Chapters are decentralized where they must be hidden, and run by a central priest or two. They have their own ranks and hierarchies as well, though it may vary"
>>127096Mala has a natural smell that doesn't really go away, Keskoo and Meadows, perhaps also Johann, have been in changeling goop and are probably the worst, Undertoe is both bathed and groomed, Jubilosa and Khoi recently arrived - though they may not have been washed on the ships.I meant like the higher strength, ~60%
>>127097"....Beyond the Lunar sphere."
He looks a little spooked
"That is troubling for a few different reasons."
>>127098He nods
"As it should be. The boundaries of space and sky exist for a reason."
>>127099"So this may go back further than you think. i had a job where we had to destroy a pony who had turned himself into an undead abomination. and he had a book on these...entities."
>>127100He turns his head, and narrows his eyes
"What
kind of entities?"
>>127101"Ones from,Beyond the lunar sphere, As you put it. Apparently ponies from long ago talked to them."
Dark star looks a little uneased.
>>127102He is collected but most definitely concerned
"I cannot say I am entirely surprised. Ponies, as surely as griffons, have the desire to know their environment, to understand it, to expand it. To
command it. And in the process, sometimes... they stumble upon things best left unknown"
>>127103"What were they trying to do in that fort,inquisitor?"
>>127104"I don't know, precisely. I know they were smuggling in numbers of Maar worshipers fleeing the Inquisition in Griffonia. The process was disrupted by the naval blockade, sure, but it would have picked up again once the blockade ended. I know they were trying to recruit Baltimare's own alienated lower classes - natives and immigrants alike - into their numbers, and many of them did indeed join. I know they were trying to rebuild from when their numbers had been cut down before. I know that they were offering sacrifices to Maar. Sapient, talking creatures. They found an almost endless, untraceable supply of sacrifices in the great numbers of intercontinental migrants who enter Equestria unknown and unregistered to any local authority. They sought to gain followers the same way, and recruited criminal enterprises to aid in this process. I know they were going to sacrifice at minimum two tonight, likely three, ribs sawed through and cut open while still alive. I have to assume this is a regular process, at least every lunar cycle, and I have to assume it would have continued, perhaps growing as the chapter grew. I know that they were able to summon demons from beyond to fight for them, to raise the dead and to control the living as if they were puppets. I have no idea if they ended to summon some dark power to invade Equestria, or to subvert authorities. But I can say with certainty they were trying to grow their chapter. Two new inductees tonight, one from the Heartlands, one from Baltimare, and who knows how many new followers of Maar there would have been in the future, how many new sacrifices...."
He looks back to Dark Star
"Maar worship is an ancient practice and a very evil one. But this creature trafficking... this is a very new evil. And the two allied to compliment the other"
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>>127105Every time you say that name, i picture bill mahr as an interstellar demon making deals with ponies"I See....Are There Likly other enclaves of these degenerates?"
He Asks looking increasingly uncomfortable
>>127106"In Equestria? I don't know. Fillydelphia, Manehattan, and New Mareland have large populations of griffons and other non-pony creatures. If there aren't already chapters there, they may spring up later. There are almost certainly other chapters in Griffonia, especially in places that have driven out their Arcturian chapters. Equestria is well known to have its own native cultists - The Nightmare moon worshipers among its bat populations, and others. Equestria used to have its own Inquisition to that end, before eventually shutting down. I can say though, Boek's associates in that unhallowed chapter seemed to belong to traditions neither Griffonian nor Equestrian, but rather Zebrican. The devil worshipers of the Kaftar gnolls. The voodoo practitioners among the Zebras. All this, as well as a Maarite Black Knight."
\r
>>127107"A Black Knight? Whats that?"
>>127108He nods to Dark Star, before answering the question, as if to say "Yes, I will tell you"
"Most segments of Griffonian society, historically at least, have included a warrior class, usually military service given in exchange for title to land. A knightly class. And so too do religious monastic orders create their own military orders of knights. The Knights of Arcturus are well known throughout Griffonia. My paternal line comes from them, in fact. And the Maarites, in their desire create perverse mirrors of everything holy, and defile it... they create Knights of Maar. They have not been common as Maarites have not often held enough land and power. But they have persuaded knights to join them, and they have occasionally taken hold a fief or so, and when they do, the same tradition rears its head of wearing wicked heraldry and black iron armor. They keep it alive in hiding. And one of those alleged knights without a fief came over to here."
>>127109"Did you see him in the conflict? or is this...knight still out there?"
>>127110"No, he was there, fighting for Boek. He did quite a lot of damage on the young grey pony, before the latter tripped him. Then the old unicorn finished him off... Dark magic reanimated him. Made him a puppet of Boek. But he was put down a second time."
>>127111"Good."
He sips his whiskey
>>127112He nods again
"Very much so"
Blue Skies, who must have entered the room earlier, now quietly moves around Johann, and stands between the two
>>127113Dark Star offers to pour her a glass
>>127114She silents takes a glass, and holds it up
Johann turns to her and smiles
"Hello"
"Hello" she responds, with her mischievous smile. Then she looks back to Dark Star as she takes a drink
>>127115He smiles at her
"This stuff is amazing."
>>127116Are they still disguised? I'm autistic and I get confused whenever two posts go by without a physical description
>>127117Yes. Dark Star looks like a zebra, though I believe he has told every creature that he is a pony. Blue Skies definitely looks like a dark feathered Griffin>>127116"It's not bad"
She takes another sip, then inspects the liquid
"It's banned from import though. So enjoy your supply"
>>127119"Why's it banned?"
>>127120"Because it's made in the Republic of Skyfall to a company owned there"
She takes another sip
"And we don't trade with Skyfall"
>>127121"Thats too bad. Maybe a Brewery can recreate it."
He brings his hoof to his chin in thought
>>127120>>127121Hopefully you got the 11 other bottles from that den of thieves so you could be high-rollers. Booze also makes a perfect gift/bribe. Forget about deeds and jewelry, whiskey is true wealth.
>>127122"Maybe... if there is a market for it in the New Mareland Customs Union. And if someone had the recipe..."
She takes another drink, looks over to Johann, and smiles. He too, took a drink
>>127123>pic related>>127124"Im sure there's a market."
>>127125She shrugs, with her eyes closed
"Something to consider"
She smiles to Dark Star in her mischievous way as she takes another drink
>>127122>>127124Also, anyone with a basic knowledge of brewing/distillation can tell you that it's impossible. The reason why drinks from specific areas are prized for their flavor is because of a complex system of criteria involving climate, soil, and grain. Even if you were to replicate all these somehow then there's the issue of the process of making the mash (the ale-like yeasty substance which whiskey is made from) and of distilling. Finally the alcohol is kept in venerable barrels that impart the unique aroma of aged wood into the final product. This is why some liquor can cost ten times as much as other brands.
Glass would be well aware of all this as a bartender.
>>127127Interesting. i didn't know that.
>>127126Dark Star looks to johann..
"Its getting late. i think i'm going to retire."
He Looks over at mr glass
"Mr glass.i would like enough rooms for my friends that i brought in tonight."
>>127130Glistening Glass had retreated from the scene shortly after providing the apple whiskey, but he may be summoned again. Reentering the room from the back, he says to Dark Star,
"Well, the purple Pegasus pony bought a room. I gave him the one for my bartender, who hasn't come back and hasn't worked his shift. That red... hippogriff, I think she is, has wondered off. But I could get another room, for ya"
>>127131"Thank you,Mr.Glass."
He looks over at johann
"Have a Good night."
He shakes the Inquisitors Claw
>>127132He shakes Dark Star's hoof firmly
>>127133"Mr.Glass will bring you the key."
He Looks over at blue
"Ready for bed?"
>>127134She nods, with that malign grin
"Yes, I would say I am"
>>127136Okay, that's kind of funny
>>127138Hopes>>127139Griffin is cuddled
Btw, I'll make life easy for you. As of >>118276 → Dark Star has 3 bottles of that deluxe whiskey (1 he picked up and 2 he came back for, evading an inquisitive zebra). Silver picked up as many as he could, perhaps the whole case. >>118905 → Seems like most of it was wasted making firebombs, though they chugged it beforehand like college grads. It's enough to potentially make my future character throw a fit.
Is it a good idea to keep a text file keeping track of current inventory as well as health, etc.?Going back I found a lot of ugly drama. Oh lawdy the drama. I won't say any more about it, just that I hope it doesn't return (probably won't, because the players have matured).>>127139Two exhausted, biologically incompatible creatures who ought to be in a hospital cuddle each other
>>127141I should probably delete the dramaProbably should keep track of inventoryHey, I'm counting Midnight's health checks and the medical equipment they used as as good as a hospital, or almost
>>127141Next time there's a haul of whiskey, you'll be the first to have some.
>>127145Ironically I think my character will be the only one in all of Baltimare who doesn't suffer from severe PTSD.
>>127146For what it's worth, I don't think the fellows up North are doing much better
>>127147Maaaybe, but their type of horror is being isolated in essentially a hostile land with rumors of windigos. They're not being cut to ribbons every other day or seeing other creatures get horrendously tortured, and the friends they make don't have PTSD to the same extent. The Baltimare group's Dionysian attitude toward life is actually quite understandable when you realize what they've gone through in just a week (though it's been a year outside the game).
>>127148Well, maybe they haven't gone through quite what the southern group has, but I wouldn't discount the 'Purple Harvest,' nor the year or so long war of attrition, nor the repression afterwards. Or all of the events we see in the show, like Tirek and DiscordIron and Silver cashing in on the gratitude of the female rescues, I am pretty sure is typical for liberators in time of war
>>127149True and losing family and homes in the war seems to be a common, realistic theme. Even taking into account these common yet tough tragedies, we can count off what's gone on in the last week:
Pretty much everypony except Blue Skies, Meadows, and Undertoe (maybe I'm missing another major NPC) has been starved, shot, stabbed, shocked, scorched, socked, soul-sucked, or otherwise suffered severely enough to nearly have their lives flash before their eyes. I'm not too sure about how medicine canonically works: mechanically of course hitpoints can be instantly restored but, as we know from the show some injuries take a more realistic time to heal. Players of course act as if they're right as rain immediately, which is to be expected since role-playing limping and moaning gets tedious and a mechanical debuff would be frustrating if not dangerous. I personally lean towards a compromise between vidya health and "you broke a leg so you're now helpless for six weeks" by having first aid and health pots giving a "quick fix" but the wounds still requiring professional/magical attention afterwards to heal properly. That's just my headcanon I use to fit the "realistic" tone of the game.
Silver, who admittedly is the most solid mentally of the group has had to rescue colts from a pedophile, has gotten into an emotionally charged argument with said colts, has had some bad blood with his friend Dark Star probably some guilt too, has gone alone into a desolate cellar haunted with abominations that could kill him in one hit, has had demonic visions, and all this on top of both the Hoebuck shenanigans and reminders of losing his family. He's a tough pony but it's a little much even for him.
Iron who is mentally still somewhat of an adolescent was mentally raped, has had to deal with adult concerns of finance, romance and family for the first time, has a divinely-ordained mission that could spell disaster, and has witnessed the barbarity of see-vee-liz-ation that exceeds even the stereotypes of tribals.
Dark Star despite all his "woe is me" monologues ironically has had it the best, as he only got shot nearly to death once.
Midnight and Jubilosa had an emotional altercation where the former did an American cop maneuver on a fleeing suspect, which was quite not lawful good of her and which horrified poor Jubilosa. Fortunately that particular griffon didn't die, and despite her lack of a medical license she stabilized the would-be sacrifices, but what if things had turned out differently?
Jubilosa for her part was kept chained up in a corner opposite a colt and was treated quite poorly, though the realization of what could have happened to her should strike her. She's a member of a proud people and wrings her claws over how her kind is associated with Maarists as she dwells in an unwelcoming land. The graphic slaughter of griffons around her and the horrible secrets uncovered must haunt her for some time to come.
Meadows was drained to the point where she was confronted with apparently permanent damage until a pretty obvious quick fix was used. She was kept away from the worst of it all otherwise (along with Laputa) and is probably the happiest of the bunch.
"White Sands" was forcefed like a goose and sucked the love out of a ponies to an extent that disgusts even changelings. Although her thirst for revenge was sated she has to worry about her tender secret being uncovered.
Khoi Lua (great pun on Kahlua, btw) is as much a stranger to Equestria as anyone else and feels trapped between the horror there and failure back home. She unwillingly keeps silent regarding a hated changeling and has been generally neglected, even by Iron.
Undertoe has been heavily implied to be the unwilling consort of Maakie with all the implications and emotional baggage that entails. She's also burdened alone with this as the players have largely neglected her. Not that Silver or Iron likely have the finesse to handle her issues.
Mala has to deal with his past and the likelihood he's never going to be accepted by others anyway, and he likely is somewhat sociopathic.
Johann is Johann. He'll get over it as long as he has a gun, a cigar, and some whiskey from Griffonia.
The freed prisoners were stuck in dark, dirty tiny cells, often without plumbing. All the aforementioned characters had to witness secret murder that would impress even H.H. Holmes, cannibalism, griffon Satan being real, literal demons and possession, creatures burning alive, pony vivisections, and their new comrades practically turned into bloody heaps. Many of them had to fight and kill in a brutal fashion for the first time, some creatures they killed being accomplices but not willing combatants.
My personal recommendation is to let the players/characters unwind a little bit with a vacation and minor quests. It's both thematically accurate (with those results even Blue Skies would say they've earned it) and it allows time to be sped up a bit so there are a couple of weeks until the next mission (character development!). Maybe after Baltimare is "cleared" of its worst elements there can be transfer to a new city? Manehattan's been hinted at as an even wilder place. I'm sure whatever direction you take this next will be thrilling.
Btw, kudos for running the game with far more than the ideal number of players. It is undoubtably very high effort both in handling multiple parties and in balancing encounters yet it still looks fun and (mostly) discernible. I also like how you use the NPCs to provide IC moral pressure if the PCs act a bit irrational, but there are so many NPCs now that it's hard to for players to interact with them all adequately (I plan to help with this upon joining). Each character feels realistic and compelling which is highly impressive for a game of this scale.
>>127149I've finally caught up with everything. I'm probably the only anon who's read the whole story front to back in a relatively short time and so I probably have the best idea of the plot apart from the GM himself. I recommend lurkers to not read the 50000+ posts themselves but to ask questions instead. Where's Swedanon? We all miss him.
>>127150Wow...
That's quite a detailed analysis. Thank you for paying that much attention to everything I've written over this past year
>>127151Well that's very good. Are you sure you want to wait until summer to play? Couldn't hurt that much...As for Swedeanon, I guess he just decided not to play. I am pretty sure he's the guy who's commonly on the writing threads on the main board, and more likely than not he's the guy who mentioned something about wanting to start his own campaign. If I had to take a guess, the relatively frequent sessions scared him off.
>>127152You're welcome. That I want to sperg out over the nuances of your writing is a sign that it's good fiction. It may not be
formal fiction but it's good fiction. I may not know much about DnD but it's quite obvious that the bar for a campaign, particularly an imaginative one like this, is set by the GM, and that is by far the hardest role. Interesting players are as necessary as an interesting GM of course, but the latter is much harder and defined by the limits of storywriting and all the pressure's on him. I think you've earned a bit of appreciation for keeping this up for a couple of years.
Just don't let this get to your head.Very likely I'll join before summer, sometime in early May if I'm optimistic. I don't need to get all my schoolwork done, but I have a couple of reports that can be written either now or then and only so much procrastination is justifiable. This is also why I suggested an in-game vacation totally not for selfish reasons.Yeah, I wish writefags would join because it's the perfect atmosphere for creativity. I've actually considered making a crossover game of MLP and SS13 but that's overly ambitious if I've never played TT before.
>>127150Ooooh! Do Brie next!
>>127154Brie's either going to become a legendary spymaster or become pony Joker. However, he was compelled at one point to speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth and essentially swore allegiance to the changelings so how he'll do that and not come into conflict with the rest of the party will be interesting. Chaotic-neutral really is the best alignment. His character is something like Daud from Dishonored.
>>127155>Spymaster>Pony JokerCan't it be both? Besides, when one operates outside the law and social constructs, what can be seen as acting in the best interests of one or more groups (even those sworn to) is open to interpretation. Not into vidya so I'll have to look up Daud, but otherwise I agree. This is my first Chaotic-Neutral character ever (I've done varieties of Evil before tho), and I'm quite enjoying the 0-fucks given mentality
>>127150I'm admittedly quite surprised you've managed to extract so much more information out of the characters present.
Fuck, has Iron really neglected Khoi? Really didn't want it to come out that way, but bugs completely normal unicorns are a lot needier than I expected, meaning I'll have to keep her at forelegs length while I sort out the bugs' wants, needs and desires in a case-by-case basis for Iron to tackle...not particularly sure if I should say the above OOC, but your analysis does enlighten some facts for me, so I suppose I can excuse it as more of a direct appraisal of your compilation, regarding it as helpful.
>>127157I'd become a writer if socialism wasn't an existential threat.Don't feel bad, having so many NPCs makes it hard to interact with them all. Also Iron is behaving realistically in being enamored with a changeling who wants to hog him away from the others, especially Khoi. I think behaving realistically is the best way to play, as long as it doesn't permanently derail the GM's grand plan.Of course the other NPCs need attention but if the next couple of threads are more laid-back then it's not urgent and we'll get time for them. If I'm really needed then I could join early to fill the gaps in character interaction.
Alright, I'm'a make some responses
>>127150>Pretty much everypony except Blue Skies, Meadows, and Undertoe (maybe I'm missing another major NPC) has been starved, shot, stabbed, shocked, scorched, socked, soul-sucked...While the amount of time Meadows was in the cocoon is ambigious, and thus perhaps not within the "past week" requirement you set out, she's definitely been starved and soul-sucked recently. She also would likely have been one of the creatures on the altar had Dark Star and Silver not disabled the gnolls and griffins who would have carried her, forcing them to find replacements from elsewhere. While Undertoe didn't get burned like Khoi, Zwolf, or Jubilosa because she knows how to make use of cover, she was certainly shot at and was prominent in the shooting.
>Dark Star despite all his "woe is me" monologues ironically has had it the best, as he only got shot nearly to death onceDon't understate the importance of the one time. It's the closest any character - besides Iron in both the Run Through the Jungle and Hoebuck, has come to dying, with maybe 2 hit-points remaining and certainly a single bullet away. All of this down from full health in a single encounter.
>Midnight and Jubilosa had an emotional altercation where the former did an American cop maneuver on a fleeing suspect, which was quite not lawful good of her and which horrified poor Jubilosa. Fortunately that particular griffon didn't dieI'm glad you caught that one. The griffin was female, unarmed (though she probably had one of those knives) and was trying to run past Midnight, who indifferently stabbed her and struck her down, and did not want to do administer first aid thereafter. I placed this griffin in the group of possible savable enemies because I felt kind of bad for her. (Note that in D&D, and in real life for that matter, being downed doesn't mean an enemy is dead, it means that they are disabled and have a very real chance of dying of blood loss in the next minute or so, so it only makes sense that players have the opportunity to stop "downed" enemies from dying). Realistically, the griffin that Mala chased down and mauled for a minute or so should probably have been counted as still alive, albeit with a half-eaten face and bites on the neck, but I didn't exactly want to "take the kill away" from Mala. Being mauled is rarely fatal, or when it is, it's not instantly fatal.
> a member of a proud people and wrings her claws over how her kind is associated with Maarists as she dwells in an unwelcoming landThis is all true, but there is an additional layer to it beyond that. Not only are the Maarists not something she wants her griffin-hood associated with, but they come from a completely different culture - The Griffonian Empire, which invaded Jubilosa's country centuries before, was a hated occupier, and was eventually driven out through resistance, so she absolutely does not want the ponies to mentally associate her with griffins that she knows come from the Empire, even before Jubilosa knows that these Griffins are cultists
>Khoi Lua has been generally neglectedI know... And at the beginning I thought she'd be the most waifuable. I think her personality makes her a bit less likable than other creatures like Jubilosa or Meadows, which is why she's been passed up by every single character in favor of somecreature else
>Undertoe is burdened alone with this as the players have largely neglected herThis makes me sad
>Mala has to deal with the likelihood he's never going to be accepted by others anywayThis also makes me sad
>Johann is Johann. He'll get over it as long as he has a gun, a cigar, and some whiskey from GriffoniaThis makes me kek
>Maybe after Baltimare is "cleared" of its worst elements there can be transfer to a new city? Manehattan's been hinted at as an even wilder placeI'm wondering if I should comment on that...
>>127153D'aww. Thanks
>>127155>Brie swore allegiance to the changelings so how he'll do that and not come into conflict with the rest of the party will be interestingYes, this will interesting indeed
>>127155>>127156>Chaotic Neutral>>127157Leaving Khoi for the night seemed ill advised, as it left her vulnerable to be taken by both Dark Star and Silver. It turns out they both preferred other creatures, and neither of them said a single word to Khoi
>>127159If behaving realistically de-rails a GM's master plan, then something has gone very wrong
\r
>>127159Yeah, I don't really make Iron interact with most of the cast save if it serves an extremely straightforward route the native can see helping him, so I doubt that excuse works here. Completely Normal Unicorn being possessive is valid, however, so I'll go with that.Hopefully such a laid-back set of threads are coming soon, because he'll need all the calm he can get in order to properly set his keikaku in action.>>127160I suppose it's because Khoi's value isn't from who she was or is, but who she
could be. At least that's my perspective of her. A mare that can be shaped into most roles if enough investment is put into her.
Sands, too, if I was honest with myself,
but I need to rid that big, pesky secret so her full productive potential can be achieved....not to mention lewd capabilities, but that's just the icing on the cake.
>>127162Spark is in much the same position as he left. Everypony together. It’s early morning, and Brie was told the approximate grid of the locations ventured by the garrison
>>127163Spark continues as he was then, looking for answers to the monster situation.
>>127164Okay, but what does he do specifically?
>>127165Well... I didn't get a clear picture as to where we were going last time I played... so I don't know where to look for clues.
>>127166The relevant post is this one
>>127050Spark can also talk to NPCs
>>127167Hmm.... then Spark makes his way toward Lake Headwater.
I have come to commit war crimes
>>127169gaspsNot if I war-crime you first!
>>127168It is night outside, but under the light of a waning gibbous moon that is closer to setting than rising, Spark can see much. There is no activity in the mine nor the mill, and most surfaces are partly covered in a very thin layer of snow from as they were before. The bodies of the.... things have been removed, though the disruptions and blood they leave behind in the grass, dirt and snow can still be seen. Changeling blood rusts blue green rather than brown-orange-black, it seems.
Traveling past the mill, the dirt road continues, going through a set of pine forest. It continues after half a mile to a new pit, a little shallower and not as wide as the one under Blackwood. The edges of it can be made out in the moonlight, as well as a power shovel in the northern section. The road narrows to just a small dirt path, but Spark is told by the map that this leads to the lesser river. It's a decent walk, to say the least, as the road winds, requiring walking over a fallen tree at one point. The pine trees that line the road are tall and block much of the light, but above the canopy, the ponies can see a night sky far brighter and star-lit than any that can be seen in Canterlot, Baltimare, or the Crystal City. The trees sway in the wind, and the rustling of the trees provides a constant background noise, with the hooting of owls sometimes joining in. Eventually, the road comes down to the water, where there is an old cabin that looks uninhabited and a pier on the water. The flow of running water produces its own sound to compete with the wind-blown trees. It isn't a very large river. Indeed, your standard county road would have a trestle bridge to cross it. But this minor pathway has no bridge, and the water looks uncomfortable to ford. There is, however, enough space between the trees and the river to make walking along side the river possible
>>127170Spark walks up to the cabin.
Off in the distance, a wolf howls. Some seconds later, a second howl follows in reply, coming from a different direction
>>127171No lights. Small, wooden.
>>127172He tries the door.
>>127173The door is unlocked. It opens....
There is no pony inside. Just a bed with disrupted sheets, a couple dressers, at least two cut open empty cans, and a lantern
>>127174"Well... somepony was here at some point."
He opens the dressers.
>>127175Empty, empty....
And then a couple things. A blanket, food cans, and a clip of rifle bullets
>>127150Damn, that's one helluva deep dive into the game, I'll give you that. I really want to do more interactions with Mala, Khoi, and Undertoe (especially Undertoe...poor hippogriff), it's just that there's
so many new characters it's hard to balance time between them. Hopefully, when tomorrow (in-game) comes, Silver will get his chance to interact with them outside of a hostile situation.
>>127176"Somepony must have left in a rush."
Any damage in the cabin?
>>127170I'll war-crime YOU first!
[i][boop/i]
>>127179HISS!
>>127178Nothing is knocked over, nor are the front door or the few glass windows broken or visibly damaged
>>127177The Silver pony should (if he can find them)
>>127180Ok, so nothing in the cabin. He takes a look outside, behind the cabin.
>>127181There are a small number of cut logs next to the cabin. Not as much as a full winter supply. Next to the pier is fish trap. There is an axe near the cabin in a stump
>>127182Spark moves to the pier and takes in the view.
Spoilers that non-GM players might want to skip
Equestria at War has a lot of secrets that flesh out the world.
Apparently there is even a Masonic/Illuminati faction that can be created: www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3YGb5hmjdk
Don't ask me why it's classified as "harmonist" though.
Also whatever happened to Zebrica being added? It was leaked a year ago.
>>127184Is this going to be a level of We Wuz Kangz never seen before in the history of fiction?
Spoilers: No, because zebras are not blacks.
>>127184>>127185Equestria st War does indeed have quite a few great secrets in it.
Zebrica is allegedly slated for a 2021 release date. One if the developers did a livestream showing off part of one of the new nations.
I have a few problems with Zebrica as planned, the biggest being that it is needlessly larger than Equus and Griffonia combined, and most nations are vastly larger than the average nations in Griffonia. Saddle Arabia is alone is at least as large as the equestrian southeast, and much larger than Wingbardy. The continent really looks like it ought to be 30% smaller.
>KangsThe developer mentioned that the most common question he is asked is about colonialism. He denied fervently that they would do any kind of “Hearts of Darkness” storyline. He said “there is so much more you can do with a fantasy world [than colonialism]. I really have to ask “like what?” According to him, Zebrica is “so large” that unlike Griffonia and Equus, which each have a single story uniting most of the events in the continent, Zebrica will not have a single story. So I really have to wonder what the point of making it so big is.
He and other developers have said that the biggest nations on Zebrica will be modern nations that are more modern and less suited for colonization than Griffonia.
Uh... that’s all of the negative things I wanted to say, anyways
>>127186>needlessly largerWell, I don't have a problem with that considering that Zebrica is supposed to be Africa + Asia and it has to squeeze in all the creatures that aren't native to either Equus or Griffonia. The issue is how they did it so willy-nilly without rhyme or reason, at least one I could see. I believe there's a Youtuber who nitpicks the issues of worldbuilding in fictional works and he could tear this apart.
The problem with size is that Equus and Griffonia are both colossal, essentially Middle-Earth sized on their own as they have their continent-specific storylines. Being so big there's not enough room for another fully fleshed-out continent, maybe a narrow continent in the extreme orient/occident or an Antarctica-type continent but these wouldn't fit the purpose the devs (or players) want. Clearly there wasn't initial thought when the mod was created in regards to global geography, certainly not in a professional sense. It's really impossible to gauge how big the globe is and that damages immersion. The only solution would be to completely redraw all three continents to be smaller in landmass and arranged to fit the desired climate. Personally I would like Griffonia to be smaller with its existing countries being practically micro-nations, and Zebrica having competing nations of the same race rather than merely singular ethnostates (something like the division of the yaks, but over smaller territories). These blobs look lazy as if the mappers went "Well, camels have to go somewhere so they live here in the middle. Let's have a Tibet but in the north instead." It's disappointing how very few fictional maps approach the interesting nuances that exist in irl geography.
Perhaps it is disappointing that we don't have any real colonialism, seeing as how EaW has embraced a darker timeline anyway, but on the plus side at least there won't be a "muh colonialism is evil" subtext in the mod.
The worst I've seen in that regard is portraying batponies as oppressed in Equestria and having coercive integration through bureaucracy be the "good" option in events. Other storylines in the game, such as the Macbeth parallel in Darkclaw more than make up for these minor pitfalls. I still don't get why New Mareland exists as a colony yet there aren't other colonies, considering that its location certainly does not suggest being less modern and more "suited for colonization."
>>127187The continent of Zebrica is going to be placed on the bottom of the map, beneath Equestria, Griffonia and the ocean that seperates them, leaving no real room for any continent on the left side of the map under Equestria. I have tried to guage how big the continents are in terms of miles, but couldn't quite guess it. I think Equestria is around about 3000 miles across, or near the width of the continental United States. I think that with continents this big, realistically they should have giant deserts in the center for want of rain penetrating that deep in.
One thing the Equestrian and Griffonian continents do that I absolutely adore, and I sincerely hope is intentional, is that they appear to fit together like puzzle pieces in continental drift. All of the large islands, as well as most the peninsulas look as if they broke away from the larger land masses. So I have to hand that to them.
Don't put too much stock in what the name of the states implies in terms of races, because they can and have changed names of states between screenshots.
In the first screenshot of the continent I saw "Hyenia," which I disliked because it seemed to needlessly increase the number of races in a world that already had too many. Then I saw Puffin Forest's video on Captain Morgan, including cute little cartoon D&D gnolls. Then I went all in and added them to my campaign. And now in a more recent version, Hyenia has been replaced with "Qualidi Dervishes." Lovely.
Despite what that developer was saying, there definitely is some colonialism. Maregypt is supposed to start the game as a pony nation on Zebrica that is a vassal of Equestria. "Abyssinia," which in the comics is the homeland of the Kajit (and the name of a continent in the My Little Pony World), is invaded by Wingbardy, [because of course Beakolini was going to invade it with a name like that/i]. At the bottom of the map is a "Feathesian Indies," a clear reference to the Dutch Indies, and most of all, there is a clear Boer parallel in one nation in south Zebrica, with Feathesian Griffins as Afrikans. I also want to note that there is Nova Griffonia as a colony in Equus, the small deer nation as a colony, the zebra colony (that will be replaced in an update by something less interesting), and the Free Towns of Gryphus are basically a colony in the style of the Hansietic League and the Teutonic Knights in Prussia and the Baltic.
It's funny that you should mention the bat pony racism, because the stream I saw centered on a nation in Zebrica that is founded by Nightmare Moon worshipers who flee to the south. He said that they got a lot of feedback that the ponies rejecting thestrals didn't seem to make much sense, so this nation was added in some part to justify the ponies' attitudes towards thestrals.
Also, if you are going to complain about woke things in the mod, [i]nothing quite equals a few likes in "Twinkle Sprinkle's Guide to the World" in Manehattan: "As the premiere seaport of the continent, centuries of continuous foreign immigration has meant that alongside ponies of the Three Ties there exists substantial communities of threstrals, hippogriffs, zebras, kirin, and griffins within the metropolis. Canterlot may be the seat of the Diarchy, but it is the melting-pot of Manehattanite society that truly embodies the Equestrian spirit - that is harmonious coexistence, strength in diversity, and friendship free of prejudice." Jesus, it makes me want to vote AfD, Brexit Party, Trump and NDSAP all on the same ballot. Thank god it's tucked away in some place you have to basically go looking for it to find.
Another extremely obnoxious moment comes to mind in an event that pops up after the Herzlands update when playing as the Griffonian Empire, where a pair of pony tourists try to warn the Griffins of Changelings, just for the griffins to laugh, call them racists or something, and say that the Changelings are a part of the attache. It's just hammering in the fact that the mod completely overlooks the fact that Changelings are very literal parasites that feed on the emotions of others, and that, alongside their perfect ability to get away with crime or espionage, is why they are disliked. But nope! The mod even says that one of the generals in the attache "acquires a liking for Griffonian cuisine." Stupid bigoted ponies! Changelings aren't parasites! They eat whatever it is that Griffins eat
>>127189>realistically they should have giant deserts in the center for want of rain penetrating that deep in.It does look to be the case for Zebrica at least. The continental U.S. is lucky enough to have the Mississippi River Basin and the Gulf of Mexico to carry moisture through North America's interior, but I don't know if Equus has anything similar. The devs' hands are tied to show canon in this respect while Griffonia at least has that Erie/Eyrie lake and mountain ranges. It does bug me (pun not intended) that the Changelings live on the same latitude as Yaks and polar bears despite being cold blooded; there may be a western Gulf Stream going on there.
They can change the names of the states all they want, but they still mostly look like Mongolia-esque blobs with relatively few natural contours. Mongolia looks the way it does because it is a formerly nomadic nation in the middle of steppes and deserts; one blobbish country is okay but when half of them are like that it's border gore to me.
Good point, I do like the smattering of colonies and had forgotten about them
I can't actually play the mod because my graphic card is terrible though it would be interesting if there had been one dominant colonial empire like the British or Spanish.
A breakaway country of essentially pony satanists adds some nuance to that attitude towards bat ponies though it doesn't really excuse everything.
>wokenessIt's actually a relief that the worst offending parts of the mod are very minor events. When you get six or more people working on a project chances are one is a progressive who thinks pushing his ideals is acceptable, in a way that if one were doing the inverse (such as implying Beakolini has a lot of justification or praising Blue Skies' view of Nimbusia) it would meet protest. And because N
Jew York has always been considered a "melting pot" it appears acceptable to the casual observer, nevermind that in the 1940's it was still diverse mostly in the European sense only. I'm just worried about the future because O'Sullivan's Law dictates it can get only worse once just one leftist gets a foot in the door. It's clear that the devs overall intend the mod to be fun and apolitical, but vigilant and influential members of the community have to make sure they stick to that.
>>127189Also a glaring issue I see lorewise is that of ideology. No one seems to know what Harmonism
is and it is even less defined and understandable than democracy irl. "Harmonic" countries include the theocratic monarchies of Equestria and Crystal Empire as well as some other nations (I could swear that it includes the libertarian-esque merchant republic of Skyfall, various democracies, and
the aforementioned Prywhen Masons/Illuminati, but the wiki says otherwise). I believe the mod sometimes uses Harmonism as synonymous with "democracy" though that makes zero sense due to Equestria/Crystal Empire being canonically undemocratic. The only thing substantial in the mod regarding Harmony that I know of is that it advocates peace which, due to typical public school education claiming democracy = peace, may result in that confusion. And of course progressives really do believe that Harmony = multiculturalism which is how we get such cucked flavortext, and it's in line with the later show which had the Diversity Six. It's at odds with /mlpol/'s take on harmony which is in line with the earlier seasons: harmony involves living unmolested with your own kind, using your talents for society's betterment, and staying out of each other's hair. You have your own spin on harmony by presenting it as a religion which, except for the organizational aspects, also follows from the show's lore, and it's a refreshing break from "harmony = democracy in MLP." Because harmony is so poorly explored as a concrete "ideology" fans just insert what they want. My personal hypothesis is that the divide arises from the difference between the Western/Christian concept of harmony and the Eastern/New Age concept. Christian harmony is pretty much as you show it, while the New Age definition is "there is no right or wrong, only oneness" in a very hippie sense.
If you want to carry this over into the lore as a modernist heresy of Harmonism, you have my blessing. To know more about New Age stuff, which existed long before the 60's, I recommend listening to Fr. Mitch Pacwa's series of lectures"Fascism" also has a similar problem. In WW2 you could describe one side as "fascist" though their ideologies were far from uniform, since all members opposed both democracy and communism and could rely only on each other. It was a contest to survive in a world of increasing global alliances. In-game said alliances do not exist and presumably the same conditions that predicated the rise of fascism irl do not exist. Moreover, there's no real reason why the fascist countries in EaW ought to team up at all (and they rarely do); Germany and Japan diverged politically (the former aided Nationalist China at one point) but signed an alliance because they were up against the same enemies. Beakolini and Chrysalis do not even have this excuse. The changelings may be classified as "fascist" in the sense that Independence Day aliens and the Combine could be called "fascist" but they're essentially just militarized aliens invading, whereas fascists elsewhere in the world are merely an ideological movement (again, to my knowledge without real background or cause). At least you can ascribe the existence and spread of communism to being a mind-virus feeding on envy, but fascism arises usually when there is a real or perceived threat and democratic or monarchical institutions are feckless to stop it.
This is a natural consequence of transplanting WW2 politics into a different timeframe or universe. In WW2 there were three clear ideological fronts: nationalists/NatSocs/actual fascists, socialists of various stripes, and liberal or even illiberal democracies. They of course blended into one another (France was and is much closer to communism as a democracy whereas South Africa at the time was closer to nationalism even as it was loyal to Britain) but you could easily identify the blocs vying for control with "non-aligned" being those who existed outside (traditionalist and monarchist nations). Good mods set in different times change it up because they realize they have to. Kaiserreich has broken the back of democracy as a superpower with "paternal autocracy" taking its place, while ideological movements like socialism splinter into subsets familiar irl to those knowledgeable of it. Millennium Dawn necessarily splits "democracy" into a number of different ideologies because almost every country is "democratic" nominally, with democratic socialism and social democracy on the far left and reaction/nationalism on the far right within democracy. Gameplay wise Kaiserreich works better because its setting has factions and alliances founded out of ideology, whereas the modern-day real world has its factions based almost solely upon
realpolitik, but because HOI4 faction-making uses ideology as its basis you get hilarious results with Millennium Dawn. I guess this thread has been derailed from gameplay to ranting about the mod, but technically speaking it
is the official EaW thread.
How do I spread the reply box vertically, this update is so annoying>>127189I always thought gnolls were the underlings of the Storm King, what are those guys called then?
As morning comes, the old unicorn starts to stir awake, feeling *very* sore from last night's events. He lets out a low groan.
>>127192He is indeed very sore, particularly on his back - he can feel the gnoll bite still, and at several points along his belly. He feels as if stretching is inadvisable, lest a stitch be pulled out, and he has a groggy feeling. Not a hangover, but neither does he feel fine. Still, he feels more rested and "back to normal" than the night before. Judging by the light in the room it is well past sunrise. The space in the bed next to him is empty
>>127193His eyes shoot open upon the realization of the empty space on the bed. He rolls over onto his stomach putting his forehooves beneath him, and looks around the room to see if his cuddly griffin is anywhere to be seen.
>>127194Yes. She is sitting down at the end of the room, staring out the window. One cloud is visible from his perspective, but near-blue skies.
>>127195He slowly scoots off of the bed, feeling a little stiff and uncomfortable. He speaks out to her.
"Sleep well?"
>>127196She takes a moment to respond, Then without turning back, and in a hollow voice
"Not really"
>>127197He gives her a concerned look, and waddles over to be next to her.
"What is wrong?"
>>127198She does not look back, but sits there
"I fell asleep. At first. Then I woke up from a nightmare, and I couldn't quite go back to sleep, turning around. After a while I did... but I woke up again."
>>127199He puts a forehoof on her shoulder.
"Would you like to talk about it?"
>>127200"I don't know... It's nothing you don't already know, anyways"
>>127201"You do not think it would help to get it off your chest, even if I already know? I am always here if you need support."
>>127202"Alright then. I may have killed someone last night, or helped in it anyways. I certainly saw it happen. I saw griffins burned alive. And I helped in the process. I did it, and in doing so I helped along not one but two governments that have tried to or are currently oppressing my people. I saw demonic.... things. I was stabbed. Stabbed pretty badly actually. It still hurts, especially when my chest moves in certain ways like when I twist my body to the right. And so much worse could have happened... That I don't want to think about. I had sex with someone I had only known for five hours... and a pony, no less..."
>>127203Although it stings to have himself and what they did before bed among that list, he still stays there. He gives the griffon a hug, if she needs it.
>>127204For a moment, she stays sitting upright, resisting the hug. Then she leans into him, turning her head into him, and shedding a few tears.
>>127205He pats and rubs her back with a hoof.
"I am truly sorry you were put through all of that. No one deserves to be. I hope you know I am always here for you, if you need it."
>>127206Her head and neck stretch out, and are fairly long. She presses up against him
"I'll have you know. I am not 'easy'."
>>127207He holds her tight in a hug.
"Then I will have to work just that much harder if I want you."
>>127208The griffin is hugged, and she seems to smile, as she keeps her eyes closed, and sniffs
"I will admit. I did have fun last night. Dancing with you. Trying whiskey for the firs time. Trying the other thing... Really helped to take my mind off of things. I just didn't do so well after it ended"
>>127209"I am glad you feel that way. I had much fun with you, too. Most fun I have had in long time."
He looks up at her.
"I hope we can do more fun things while you are here in Baltimare."
>>127210She looks back at him
"When you say you 'want' me... When I was in Midora you could see it sometimes. Not that common, but certainly not rare. Pony stallions from the occupation force with female griffins. They were like war prizes. Trophies. Part of the spoils of conquest. I had contempt for them. I do not want to be a prize. I would like to do fun things... I just... don't want to be a prize"
>>127211He gives her another squeeze.
"I would not want to be, either. I do not want you as prize, or trophy, or anything like that. I value you far more than that. I want to get closer to you, as person."
>>127212She is squeezed with a little "gack!" No squeaky sound like in a pony
"I guess I... wouldn't mind staying around you. While I am here at least. In Equestria. You've been pretty nice. I would ask what you're getting out of it but... I guess I know the answer to that. Just.... don't think any lesser of me. Last night I was under a lot of stress and I needed an escape. I still do. Let me stay with you for now, but don't think of me as a whore, or a war prize, or anything like that."
>>127213>don't think of me as... a war prizeFor some reason, this sentence sounds... weird in a contextual way. A funny idea that she has a creeping notion that she's an object to her liberators.or maybe she doesn't feel free just yet.
>>127213He smiles at her.
"I can agree with that. I would rather think of you as friend."
>>127214Iron can wake up too, by the way>>127215She smiles at him, and then hugs him back, with her claws
"Thank you... You'll be a good friend, I know it"
>>127216The real pondering is... would Sands actually escape the sleep grapple?
>>127217Of course, when Iron totally naturally fell asleep, she was ontop
>>127216He's content to stay there for a few seconds, before releasing his hold on the griffon.
"Well, want to get started on this day? We do still have Maakie's house on waterfront to look at. I imagine it would make for better housing for both of us than this room."
>>127218Oh. Completely missd that.Iron's eyes groggily open, body and mind feeling number than he'd like judging by the sprawled limbs and slightly opened, lazy mouth, and lets out a long groan.
>>127221She is silent for a moment, shakes her head, and blinks
"There's a house?!"
>>127222Iron opens his eyes. He feels.... not good, really. Like he has slept nearly enough. He has a bit of a headache and feels very sore, with multiple pains in his body. He is positioned in exactly the way he fell asleep, on his back, with a few limbs up into the air. He can see someone moving over him. It can only be White Sands, from her coat color. She places a hoof on him and taps him. It feels almost as if she is releasing him, letting him go from some ordained position, though in that moment Iron feels like he is paralyzed and unable to move. The slightest attempt to move his hoof reveals that this is nothing other than an illusion, and he can in fact move freely. She speaks to him:
"Iron? Sweetie? Yes. Where are those jewels again? I tried to go get them this morning, but it seems I remembered the wrong street address. That, or the taxi took me to the wrong place, but... what was it again?"
>>127223He nods, and shows her the deed.
"Yes, like I told you last night when I showed you this room. I had not chance yet to look at it."
>>127224She looks at it, stretching out her head closer to the paper
"Did you.... take that griffin's house?"
>>127223Iron feels himself blink once or twice at the sudden freedom, slowly craning his neck as he groans further. "Nngh... why are you asking me this now?" he asks groggily, haven't fully shaken off that tired feeling. "What time is it?"
>>127226"It's a.... it's a bit past 10. I just wanted everything to be alright for you this morning is all"
>>127225He nods again.
"It was inside Maakie's safe, if nothing else."
>>127228She looks at him more
"I see... I wonder if they will let you keep it. But if you can, that's pretty neat"
>>127227Iron smiles, shaking his head at her worry. "Ah, do not worry," he said dismissively "Things should go alright. No tens will disrupt the results."
The native proceeds to try to roll side to side, warming up his body. "Have faith, love," he sweetly continues, deciding to plant a kiss on the hoof at the end of his side swing.
>>127229"I hope so too. It would be nice to have actual house, again."
He turns around and starts grabbing his stuff to take with him.
"You and Khoi were bonding little bit last night, yes? Would you mind if she stayed with us as well, since I do not know where else she would stay?"
>>127230???
>>127231She smiles
"I can go fetch it for you, if you want to sleep more here. No need to get up, sweetie"
>>127232"Yes, that is alright"
Silver is able to fetch his saddlebag, the sword he found, all of the drugs, potions, and bottles of whiskey he took, and bed sheets
>>127233He motions to some of the other supplies he can't carry, like his old heavy armor, a bunch of coffee cans with nails sticking out of them, construction tools, and some 4x4/2x4s.
"Can you help carry these to my cart outside?"
>>127234"Uh... sure"
She tries to grab items with her beak and claws, carrying wood.
Presumably, she helps to carry these to a waiting cart outside... assuming the cart has not been stolen
>>127235I sure hope it wasn't.
After that, he checks inside the tavern with Glass to see who of their party and the rescues are still there.
>>127233Iron keeps on rolling from side to side, now gaining a bit more traction. "No need," he answers "this jewelry you speak of isn't really important by itself, but they will be the fuel to boost us forward."
>>127236For sure: Mala, Khoi, Meadows, and Midnight
Questionable: Dark Star, Johann, and Blue Skies
Undertoe ought not be there at all
>>127237"I... I see. Well I hope it doesn't get stolen, or raided or anything"
>>127238Iron cocks his head, wondering what in the heck was she talking about. "What do you mean?" he asks curiously "Is something biting you on the tail?"
>>127239"No, don't be silly"
She smiles anxiously
"Just... I guess everything will be fine"
>>127240Iron raises an eyebrow, rubbing one of his eyes. "You can tell me what's gnawing at you," he promptly responds, poking her hoof with his free hoof in an attempt to hold it. "We are together, after all, there is no need to hide anything from me."
>>127241"Nothing, it's just... i can be anxious with so much money in some zebra's apartment"
>>127184>>127186>>127187>>127189>>127190>>127191CiaoAs a matter of fact it's not difficult at all to get in contact with the dev team. Just set up a EaW livestream with 50 or so people watching and you're practically guaranteed to get a couple of devs to talk directly to. That's less impressive than it sounds since the mod has over a hundred different contributors so someone's bound to jump in. If you're sticking to your hypothesis that means "muh diversity" flavortext is indeed inevitable. Mod developers also tend to overlap across mods so it's somewhat of a cohesive community. You'll be disappointed to learn that Zebrica borders are set in stone and won't be changed. Hope this helps.
>>127242"What bothers you in particular about that statement?" he asks innocently, shifting his body towards hers as he strains himself to sit up.
>>127243Who are you?
>>127244"Just... it could be lost, or raided, or stolen. Or something" She replies
>>127245I saw those lengthy gameplay posts so I decided to ask the devs a few choice questions (politely) when I got the chance.
>>127245"I doubt it," Iron replies calmly, deciding to stand up on the bed and starting to stretch tiredly. "She knows what she's doing."
>>127246Oh... I actually have talked to the devs before. They were
not terribly receptive to the criticism of Zebrica's size.
Hoi4, as it is, is hell on computers that are not specifically built for the express purpose of running Hoi4, and I can't imagine that will get any better when the size of the map is more than doubled. But whatever I guess.
>>127247"Oh... okay then."
She lays down on her belly on the bed
>>127243Are you a livestreamer I might know?
>>127248Seeing Sands' choice of pose, Iron decides to reciprocate with his own laying down in front of her, nuzzling her tenderly. "Did you sleep well?" he asks, tired voice still apparent.
>>127250She smiles, and bats a hoof at him
"Not bad, if I may say. It's a rather nice bed"
She presses down on it to demonstrate her point, as the mattress gives where her hooves press
>>127248Ah, nvm then.
>>127249Heavens no, I was just a viewer.
>>127252Well still, Hi! It's good to see someone else here who likes EaW.
I just contacted them on discord, and that was many months ago
>>127251Iron, snout pressed against fluffy unicorn, closes his eyes slightly. "Bed...," he mumbles happily, blinking slowly with a half-lidded look between tired and playful. "How are your wounds coming along?"
>>127254She pauses for a moment
"I feel better... It's still very much unpleasant, though"
>>127255Iron's chin proceeds to reside on Sands' tuft, looking up at her with a little smile on his face. "That is good to hear," he replies sweetly "Sorry for not taking the fireball for you, love." His happy expression turns mildly playful once more. "I guess I am too hot for that according to that bastard."
>>127256He feels cooler than usual at the moment though, and so does she
"It's alright."
She pets his head, a hoof knocking his right ear down
"He got what he deserved"
>>127238What about Keskoo?
>>127258Keskoo is present as well
>>127259Great, Silver grabs Khoi and Keskoo. Keskoo isn't going to be living in the same house as Silver, Khoi, and Jubilosa, but he has other ideas in mind for her. He also makes sure to visit Mala so he can reassure him that Silver hasn't forgotten about him and his promise to take him out for food. He just has a couple things to do first.
>>127260She's a dead ringer for White Sands, minus the darker eyes, no evidence of burns, ruffled and disheveled mane and fur, and a general silence. Snow white with long flowing desire red mane and tail, emerald eyes. She is found sleeping on her belly on the floor in one room near the window. Khoi is in the same room, sleeping on her belly in bed with Meadows, who is on her side, and "cuddling" Khoi
>>127261After silently squeeing over the adorable sight of Khoi and Meadows, Silver gently shakes Keskoo and Khoi awake.
>>127257"Indeed," was all Iron could say as he embraced the unicorn once more, beaming despite the mental weight on his mind that is drowsiness.
"...I sure hope that changeling is alright," he muses aimlessly, probably daydreaming "I would have totally given it a hug to see if they were as cold as the elders taught me."
>>127262Khoi opens her eyes instantly, as if she had been laying there awake, and raises her head. Keskoo takes more of a shake, and looks around before looking up to Silver with a "what." Khoi is delicate enough to get out of bed without waking Meadows. She covers Meadows with the blanket after she gets up. In all of this time, Khoi does not speak without being spoken to, and Keskoo says nothing beyond her initial bout of confusion
>>127263She is like a pillow or stuffed animal when grabbed
She gives Iron a skeptical look
>>127264He urges them to follow him out of the room, where he talks to them.
"Sorry to wake you, but I am getting ready to leave. I have solutions, or at least potential solutions, for housing for both of you, if you are interested."
>>127264Iron sighs gently, encompassing himself in pillowy-flesh goodness. "Smooth, cool chitin..." he mumbles some more "I wonder if someday they would not have to resort to disguising themselves to get that love they need to survive with. I bet they do not need it."
>>127265Khoi nods
"Yes, very much so"
Keskoo has some hesitance to her
"Are you from government? Is this I get assistance?" she asks, often putting her hoof in the air as if afraid to step forward
>>127266She narrows her eyes
"What are you implying?"
>>127267Iron, being too busy with coddling himself with unicorn fluff, just continues on. "Sure, the power to turn into anyone can spook anyone out," he ponders "but is it not tiring for them to simply be someone who they are not all the time?"
>>127267He smiles awkwardly at Keskoo.
"Sort of. I will find place for you to stay, both of you. Go by my cart outside. I will be there in second, I will just leave note for Meadows explaining where you two went for when she gets up."
>>127268"You don't need to trouble yourself with that"
She pets him
>>127269"Oh... okay"
She starts to goes outside
Khoi:
"I need to talk to you in private"
>>127270"But I do want to," Iron counters, somewhat frustrated as he huffs dejectedly in unicorn fluff "There is all sorts of over the top stories of how changelings can do this or that from elders to these concrete jungle dwellers, and I cannot help but wonder incessantly abou them, specially after losing the chance I will most likely ever get to meet one."
>>127270Silver nods to her, as Keskoo goes outside.
>>127271She pets him again
"I know. They said that they make the most magical honey. Just a taste will send anypony into escatasy they say. Like the feeling of falling in love for the first time, all in a jelly form."
She pets one more time, for the last time
"And they say that they can shapeshift into the most beautiful of mares, and are experienced enough to perform the most pleasurable of sex acts. If only you can cow them into not biting afterwards..."
Her petting has slowed down, and she misses the beat, not petting Iron
"But do not worry. If you didn't get the chance to see her, she did not get the chance to be captured. To be crushed like a bloodsucking tick... or kept as a honey bee... Be happy for her"
>>127272When Keskoo goes away, she whispers to him
"Who is she exactly? Was she.... replaced by the Kuhimo? What happened to the Kuhimo?"
>>127273He whispers back.
"I believe that is pony she got disguise from. I do not know what happened to her, other than Iron took her with him."
>>127253Equestria at War really deserves a lot of attention even as popular as it is already. The EaW community is also less cancerous than the broader "brony" fandom. Do you think it's a good idea to attract people here by mentioning we have a whole DnD campaign built around EaW?
>>127274Silent for a moment, she breaths in, then breathes out. Her magenta eyes are wide in fear
"That is dangerous. I saw what it did to the poor mare, to the griffin.... to that pony. We can't let her do it again"
>>127275Sure. I haven't really talked to EaW people about the campaign, but others may as well know of the love letter to the mod here
>>127276"Hmm...yes, but it is...difficult. It is possible she is still with Iron. Perhaps she has settled on him as source of food?"
>>127277"I don't know... Should we be worried for him?"
>>127278"I do not know. Naturally, I am worried for anypony in that position. But...this is Iron, we are talking about. You may not know him personally, but if anypony would be alright in this situation, it would be Iron."
>>127279"He.... is very strong... But I do not know. The legends of the Kumiho never end well for the stallion..."
She looks worried
>>127280He pats her shoulder.
"I will look for him when I get chance, see how he is doing. Now, let me make note for Meadows, then we will leave for new housing."
>>127281She nods, with a worried look
>>127282He makes a note for Meadows explaining what's what, and leaves it in her room. He also motions for Khoi to go out to the cart while he does a checkup on Mala.
>>127283Midnight is sprawled out on the floor in the room that belonged to Onyx. Mala has migrated to laying up next to Midnight at her feet. Unlike Khoi or Jubilosa, Mala is definitely still asleep
>>127284Silver smiles at the sight, and decides to make a note for him, too, so he doesn't have to wake up. He writes in the note that he left to take care of some of the rescues' housing problems, and that he'll be back for lunch to take Mala out to eat.
After he's done, he returns to the cart and to the small party he's gathered.
>>127285He growls, and smacks his mouth, before batting a leg, and stretching his legs out. His stomach makes various sounds, and he places a leg over Midnight. Midnight is snoring. Loudly.
Keskoo stands near the cart, sometimes moving around as if she has difficulty staying on her feet. Jubilosa sits, shakes her wings, and tries to preen a feather or two. Khoi stands still, almost perfectly so
>>127286Silver joins them, and starts to hitch himself to the cart.
"Ready to go?"
>>127287Jubilosa comes up next to Iron
"Sure"
Khoi walks forward, slightly behind
"Yes"
Keskoo is less certain, and stays towards the back
"I will follow"
>>127288Silver nods to them, and leads the way to the waterfront house.
>>127289Silver goes along his way. Up Arabian Avenue through Eastside. Past Cowtown and its wharf where the warehouses at Blackbriar road are sectioned off. Silver turns onto the road that follows alongside the harbor bay, and onto the peninsula. For a while, Silver passes rowhouses that become newer and nicer the further north he goes, then to so many lots of small single family houses with little to yards, and finally he is on the road itself.
Silver is on the interior side of the peninsula, which rises with a small hill along its length, preventing any view of the ocean. But looking into the harbor over houses, Silver can see, off in the distance, houses, a cannery, and thick forest on the opposite side of Horseshoe Bay in the Darrien. Closer, he can see the small peninsula that has formed around the exit of the Hayseed River - Locust Promintory, and ontop of it, Fort Magnus at the end, the immigration facility and the passenger terminal. An ocean liner that must have been interned in the bay for so long as Ocean raiders swarmed the seas now has smoke coming out of its three stacks. Just down from Locust Promintory, Silver can see the Red Heart Neighborhood, including the Skynavian enclave that juts out into the water slightly, factories, then the wharf and warehouses of Red Heart, then even 33 Hoebuck itself, and closer to the Northside of the bay. Just past there begins Cowtown, which stretches along the water with small docks for yachts and fishing boats, some houses, the Curwhinny Mansion, and later more industrial buildings like the refinery, before ending in docks and a smoldering area, and finally wrapping around closer to Silver's position. Beyond these things, beyond the harbor, Silver can see a few buildings, like the Insurance building, the headquarters of the Tall Sails Shipping Company, sticking out onto the horizon.
Silver passes houses, a boardwalk with restaurants, then past a bay side park with a Ferris wheel, before entering still another area. To the left there are streets, houses, and commercial buildings, and the same to the right, although the buildings are further apart, and the line of development is thin. The top of the hill is lined with houses at some points, and covered in deciduous trees, or even grass, at others. Silver sees that he has entered "Cherry Hill," and though Silver may assume that it is a part of Baltimare, given that he hasn't seen a sign saying "now leaving Baltimare," it feels very different. Single family homes, more green, and absolutely no sign of shelling. At one point, Silver has to stop on the road for passing children crossing to an elementary school on the other side, and he can note the absence of any zebra colts or griffin chicks, although the percentage of unicorns and especially pegasi is much higher. To his right are mostly houses and occasional restaurants along the water, though Silver may note a long stretching park that has pegasi colts at play, with the bay beyond it.
Then Silver reaches his destination
>>127290Silver wonders at how strange this neighborhood is compared to those they just passed.
"It certainly is very...protected, here. Unlike much of rest of city."
Silver trots up to their destination, looking at its exterior.
>>127290>>127291Now Silver comes to the spot itself.
The road Silver is on follows alongside the waterfront, never more than 200 feet away if that. To the right is the water, and the road is not far above sea level at all, at least at hightide (which of course it is now), and to the right the land rises many feet sharply up the peninsula.
The lot is long and kind of narrow, stretching out to the water. There is exposed sand at points, but mostly it is covered in grass, although Silver sees a plot that was clearly intended to be a small garden, though it is not planted. The sides of the lot are marked by a stone wall that is no more than 3 feet tall and not really effective as a wall. There is a small driveway, entirely dirt, that goes to the house, and something like a place to park.
The house is located on stilts or columns that elevate it above the ground the equivalent of one floor. The area underneath the house is sectioned in by a lattice wood pattern that lets you see through, except on the left side, where there is space that would allow for an automobile, a cart..... maybe a boat to go through. To the right is a solid area underneath the house where there is a room for some purpose, and also on the right is a stairway leading up to a door.
The house itself is tall and appears to be a square or rectangular shape. It's two stories, although a triangular roof and it's placement on stilts make it look taller than three stories. The walls jetty out over the latice structure on the sides, and silver can see glass windows with drapes adorning the flat walls of the building. It is a brown color, and seems to be stucco or perhaps covered in a stone facade that gives it that color. Looking through the lattice framework, Silver can see that there is a staircase on the other side, and he can likewise see waves splashing against the shore just a hundred and fifty feet away
>>127292Hmm...can I make a request? Can we have it that Silver ended up with the keys Maakie had on him, after Iron unlocked his safe? It occurs to me one of those was likely the key to his house.
>>127293Oh now you think of it. Uh, I guess so, since he did ask for, and I think, get some items from Iron that came from the safe
>>127294Thanks!Moment of truth: Silver unlocks the front door, and enters into the house proper.
>>127293Nah, have Silver try to break into his own house like in a sitcom.
>>127295It is worth mentioning that there is a window on the area between the triangular halves of the roof, and the roof is covered in reddish terracotta
Silver climbs the stairs, tries more than one key, then opens the door to look inside
Hardwood floors, and a big staircase going up on the right, with some open area going up to the second floor. The darker colors of the floor contrast against soft tones on the walls, a white with pinkish hues. There is a painting of s light house to the right, s well as a coat hanger. To the left is wall that runs much of the length of the first floor, broken up by a door and an arch way, before what Silver can see is a kind of bar, and then an open area with a dining table. To the right of the wall is a large open area that is something like a living room, with coaches, something that may be a pool table under the stairs, a shelf made to look natural and made of branches, fancy rocks, a couple model ships. There is even a stuffed Tiger.
Upstairs, there is a railing and a hall that goes to the left, before coming to a hallway in the center that is just right of the wall with the wall on the second floor in the same place as that on the right, thus with the hallway over hanging into the open area. There are large windows letting in natural light into this area. Upstairs, Silver can see at least three doors. At the far end of the first level, glass lines most of the wall, letting him see a balcony with wooden railing, and the bay.
>>127296I know right?
>>127273Iron stills his heads on Sands' tuft, listening intently as the hoof pets on. "...is that all they are known for?" he asks gently in mild disbelief as his ears fold "Simply being either a source of a drug or sexual fantasy fuel?" The native tuckers himself further into her tuft, shaking his head as his breathing becomes slightly strained. "...so those foals..." he starts, solemn "...they were but sickening toys for him to exploit without mercy."
>>127298Her ears swivels, and she lifts her head to look back to him
"What?"
>>127299"...would you believe me if I told you I already met two changeling foals not too long ago in an underground house cavern filled with restraints and cages of a 'poh-lee-tea-cian'?" Iron asks tentatively, stirken with mild grief now that he realizes the foals' actual purposes inside there. "...I had hoped it was not something so... depraved... and disgusting."
>>127300She sits upright, with both ears upright
"That's terrible! .... What happened to them?"
>>127301"I believe they were sent back to the changeling lands," Iron surmises, head softly removing itself from her tuft, revealing a solemn, contemplating look from how his tired eyes were half-lidded and ears folded. "...I thought that... I could not make up my mind about changelings until I actually met some...ling to relay their species to me from their point of view." He looks up to Sands with a saddened, but hopeful look. "I know it is dangerous, as they would no doubt be hostile to me from what I am, but I am tired of hearing these...
stupid weaklings in this concrete town trying to jam what the chitinous folk are into me." The last words were left in a state of mild frustration, exhaling harshly, looking sideways "Deathly afraid of something they may as well not know about in the slightest."
>>127302She looks at him, and moves her head forward as she asks
"What
were the legends your elders told you?"
>>127303Iron glances towards Sands.
"Cold-hearted beings whose sole method to survive is to drain love from others by disguising themselves into something that the target can love," he responds, mildly upset "Mainly introduced it as a story about a colt that hastily married some random filly that popped up in the forest one day, ending in either physical or emotional death, maybe even with their heart ripped out depending on the elder." The native huffs remembering the story. "I bet not even one of them has actually met one, and have been panicking like the ponies here do because some young colt came back and told such a story to the tribe once or twice."
>>127304"That's.... more true than false, I suppose. But who can really say if they met one or not? If she is doing her job correctly, they wouldn't even know they met her at all."
She smiles at Iron
>>127305Iron pouts softly, looking at Sands. "But I want to meet one so I can actually dispel the truth from the myth," he answers dejectedly "maybe find something they can proudly parade it around without being called monsters for the action." That's when his eyes widened, imaginative mind turning itself on, as Iron looks up to the ceiling "Maybe they're innate silk masters, or they always know how one is feeling at all times, or actually prudes of the highest magnitude!" he proclaims before deflating slightly. "But all the distrust between changelings and ponies only filters out the bad..."
>>127306She places her hoof back on Iron
"All these are silly thoughts. Don't trouble yourself with it. Why did you even bring it up, anyways? These drugs must have messed with your mind. Think of the future instead"
>>127307Iron sighs, laying down in mild disappointment. "I would like to meet one..." he mutters softly before stretching himself on the bed belly down, grunting lightly. "Discovery is fun."
>>127308She pets him again
"For all you know, you may have"
>>127309Iron's pout only increases in intensity at the response. "...I want to know for sure," he mumbles, almost digging his snout inside the bed. "No illusions nor lies, but an honest heart-to-heart with one."
>>127310"Want to know what exactly?"
>>127311"Everything," he declares, muffled by the sheets "If a changeling's body is actually cold from lack of love, what sort of values they follow, how the ponies became deathly afraid of them, what sort of hobbies they do."
The natives pulls his head up, somewhat excited. "Do you not know how many things we do not know about them?"
>>127312"I suppose not" she says, evidently listening to Iron
>>127313Iron's limbs slowly retract in order to properly lay down on the bed. "So you understand how amazing it would be to actually meet one without the fear of it kidnapping either one of us for whatever they would want to do on a living pony, right?" he continues, almost bouncing lightly on the bed.
>>127314Turning her head to the side
"And...?"
>>127315Iron stops, somewhat stunned at the indifference Sands is currently expressing. "We are talking about the discovery of a mysterious, evasive species," he proclaims, giddy still "is that not exciting to know?" he pauses, looking at Sands curiously. "...or do you already know?"
>>127316"It's just... not what I expected to be taking about this morning. Is this.... your next big project, or something?"
>>127317Iron shakes his head. "Simply sharing interests," he responds smoothly, deciding to embrace Sands once more lovingly. "You are my love, after all. I should not hide anything from you."
>>127318Soft, if cool, to hug
"I just find it odd you obsess over this, of all things..." She looks back to him. "Did you say you were part of some sort of local gang?"
>>127319"Mhmm," Iron replies, engrossed over unicorn fluff, particularly attracted to the cool sensation of it.
>>127320A fluffy pillow"
Which one?" she asks
>>127321"There is no other one," Iron pratically coos at the sensation while still answering "but the Waterfront one."
>>127322"Did
they ask you to find a Changeling?"
>>127323"No..:" he answers dreamily "Like I said... It is simply to sate my curiosity."
>>127325Sense motive
[1d20+6 = 11]
>>127326Iron doesn't have any intentions to oust her for anything, if his nuzzling and caressing weren't clear enough. He seems genuine when speaking about his reasons to meet a changeling.
>>127327"Iron? Why did you bring up Changelings?"
>>127328Iron creaks open an eye to look up to Sands. "It is something that has been bugging me for a while, from how nopony really knows what is a changeling," he responds, tiredness creeping back in "only an embellished, demonized version of it. I am pretty sure I told you this not too long ago."
>>127329"Right.... But why this morning?"
>>127330"At what other time would I have mentioned it?" he asks curiously.
>>127331"Just... I had to wonder is all."
She pats him, and smiles
"What about me? Hmmm?"
>>127332Iron's ears fold at the petting, nuzzling Sands. "You have incredible passion," he answers dreamily, deciding to lightly peck at her neck. "Tangling myself with you will undoubtedly bring a lot of surprises for the future."
>>127333Pony is nuzzled"Hehe"
She giggles, and smiles to him in a mischievous way
"Have you not had enough already?"
>>127334Iron chuckles, getting his mouth off her beck to lightly kiss the tip of her snout playfully. "You underestimate my capabilities, love," he answers shortly after. "True stallions always need to be ready to please their mare at any time, you know?"
>>127335She flinches back, surprised by the act
>>127336Iron chuckles at the flinching. "You do feel a bit reserved, still," he continues "like you are worried about something in particular that I cannot quite place."
>>127337"It is not easy to be involved with so much.... I will feel safer when there is money and security"
>>127338"Aside from that aspect," he answers before humming softly "...I do not really know that much about you in general, aside from the passion and cunning you have shown me so far."
>>127339"I regard those as my finer features. As for my past... that's best not brought into the light."
>>127341Iron can't help but sigh at the response before shaking his head, replacing his disappointment with a curious smile. "Oh, how would you describe yourself?" he asks, interested.
>>127340:^)
>>127342>how would you describe yourselfThe most dreaded interview question
>>127342"Trying to survive, and thrive if possible, with what advantages I have." She answers, and not so playfully
>>127343Ironically enough, it may as well be it.>>127344Iron pouts at Sands' answer. "That is a pretty boring answer, honestly," he responds before huggling the mare some more, taking such an opportunity to double check Sands' cutiemark.
And.... that's enough for tonight. Or this morning
>>127346Happy Easter! I'm looking forward to joining this soon.
>>127297Silver lets out a long, low whistle at the sight of the interior. He trots over towards the center of the living room.
"Pretty fancy. Fancier than anything else I have lived in before."
>>127348Going into the living room area Silver can see that it occupied the entire half of the the first floor past the entry foyer and stairs. There is indeed a pool table located in part underneath the stairs, which is open. There is something like a wicker and white cushioned love seat on the far wall, and a couch against the right wall, with a hardwood table between them. On the right wall, to the left of the couch and to the right are narrow shelves decorated to look as if they were made of driftwood, the one between the couch and loveseat is shorter and adjacent to a small table with a lamp, and both are capped in model ships, the one between the couch and the loveseat in the corner looking like a yacht, and the one between the couch and the pool table looking like a naval wooden sailing vessel. On the shelves are wooden constructs that resemble totems, like a zebra’s head, and whether these are the artifacts of small seafaring civilizations or knockoffs of the same is hard to tell..
The left wall does not go all the way to the ocean facing wall on the far side, but rather stops with an exit from a room and a small bar. Between the bar and the far side is a dining area with a table and four chairs. On the side of the left wall closest to the street and adjacent to entry foyer is is a closed wooden door. Past this is an open arch with view of a countertop beyond into the room inside. Between the arch and the end of the wall, the left wall is packed with a taxidermied leopard, which looks rather large for the small stretch of wall, and besides it a wooden stand with a phonograph on it
>>127348>>127349Jubilosa, silent at first, runs about
"Ooh! This is nice here. What are these? Boats? And a view of the ocean!" She plops down on the
Keskoo at first remains cautiously behind, then goes halfway up the stairs, but comes back down when Silver and the other creatures do not go that way. Coming into the living room area, she stops besides the leopard, staring at it, inspecting it, and touching it with her hoof.
Khoi trots in calmly, looking around in all directions, looking through the archway, then coming forward with Silver. She makes a face of disgust at the pool table, looks with particular curiosity at the Leopard, and then comes forward to inspect the phonograph, touching its features with her hoof.
>>127349Silver almost gets on the couch to try it out...but realizes quickly that with everything he's gone through from last night, he needs a bath. He trots back to go up the stairs, looking at his current companions.
"I will be back soon, I am going to look for bathroom and wash up. Go ahead and have look around if you want."
>>127346>>127345Never forgetti/s]
>>127351Jubilosa looks back up to Silver
"Alright Silver, I'll check out things down here"
She stands up, and goes over to the dining area. He can hear her say "Neat, there's a bar!" when he is out of range.
Keskoo remains by the leopard, though she now takes interest in the phonograph as well.
Khoi answers "Very well," and then trots over around the leopard and through the arch into the other room.
Going upstairs, Silver can see that the hallway forms a sort of "T" shape. A corner of the second floor on the right and towards the street is open air, with the stairway going to the far right wall. A hallway hangs between the wall and the open air, going between the right wall and a left wall that mirrors the left wall on the first floor above it, with a dark wooden railing. Though the steps are wooden, the floor of the second floor is covered in a light blue carpet. The hallway that runs along the left wall over hangs into the foryer, with a door on that side, a small set of shelves at the end on the street side, and then forms a hall going between two rooms that ends in a door, and does not extend as far as the left wall on the first floor. There is a door at the end, a door on the wall that faces the street, a door closer to the street on the left wall, one in the center of the left hallway, and one at the very end of the hall on the left.
>>127352Uh...
>>127353"So many doors..."
Silver is faced with little option but to try them all and see which doors lead where.
>>127354The first door enters into a large bathroom with separate bath and shower (only porcelain sinks though)
The one on the left enters into an empty room with windows on the left facing the street, on the far side facing the property East, and two doors to the right, one sliding and the one closet to the hall a normal wooden door.
The door in the center opens to what looks like a bathroom, with a door on the left, another on the right, and past the entryway a combination bathtub and shower on the left, a small wall on the left that hides what is presumably a toilet, sinks on the right, and the farside has a window to the adjacent property.
The door on the right opens inwards into a bedroom, which has a queen bed, a seat, a door that goes into the same bathroom, windows on the far side and right, and then a door that opens onto what is visible as a wooden balcony, as well as a dresser and a nightstand.
The door at the end of of the hallway opens into a room with a king sized bed along the right wall as well as a night stand, a radio and a dresser along the left, and on the side that is closest to the street, a taxidermied medium sized brownish canine-looking creature with stripes on the lower back, and generally like nothing Silver has ever seen before, and a globe. There is a door that goes into what is presumably the first bathroom Silver saw, and a door and windows to the wooden balcony that faces the ocean.
Most rooms open up into high ceilings, with the ceiling having exposed though sparsely spaced wooden rafters from which lights and ceiling fans hang. In a few areas, there are no rafters, but rather the ceiling is open air, with skylights above letting in still more natural light
>>127355"Huh...three bedrooms, if I got furniture for empty one. Yes...this could work."
Silver chooses the first, large bathroom for his bathing needs.
>>127356Paradoxically, this bathroom, despite clearly being the master bath, is not even as fancy as the one on top of Hoebuck. The sinks are porcelain and the bathtub doesn’t even have subjects. Nevertheless, there is some attempt to make the tiles in the shower look like stone through choice of color, and it’s roomy enough. There is only one shampoo (no conditioner) and a bottle of oil, along with a sponge, luffa and soap
>>127357Silver wonders to himself as he readies the bath how much it would cost to improve the niceness of the master bathroom. It certainly isn't something to skimp out on, in his mind.
"Oh well, thoughts for another day."
He lets out a sigh of relief when he gets into the warm bath water. It's very relaxing after the hell he went through last night.
>>127358The water comes, though not wholly without issue, taking a moment to come to full pressure, and then almost a full minute for it to become warm. But there is, ultimately, enough warm water for the bathtub
Silver has bandages on, covering his wounds, and these still give some pain, including in contact with the water.
Dried blood washes off of him. His own blood, the blood of griffins, zebras, of Oreo, and of the gnoll. The dried remnants of blood in centuries old undead, and the blood of Jubilosa. He washes off saltwater, dirt, smoke particulates, fuel oil, and the dust of a long undisturbed cavern. Finally, he washes off the the remnants of his lovemaking.
>>127359Silver can definitely say he's far cleaner now than he was earlier. Even with the pain of his wounds, he feels far better. He gets out, drains the bathtub water, and dries off with a towel.
Feeling clean and now back to his normal floofy self, he heads back downstairs to join the others.
>>127360There are only four towels, but surely enough. Silver gets out, fluffier than before
Downstairs, the creatures seem to have separated. Jubilosa has placed a bottle of wine she found on the table in the living room, as she is laying on her back passed out, with her rogue hanging out of her open beak and her right foreleg on her chest.
Sounds come from the kitchen, the door to outside is partly open, and Keskoo is nowhere to be seen
>>127361Silver looks at Jubilosa on the couch, then trots over to the kitchen where Khoi presumably is.
>>127345She sits up, and throws her forehooves to the air, in a clear “I give up”
Iron can see her cutie mark: a needle and red thread
>>127362Silver goes over and sees Khoi placing pots and pans, as well as some food items on the counters. The kitchen looks fairly nice, with an electric stove and wide sinks. There isn’t much food at all, mostly fish and what looks like squid, and even that is low in quantity. A take out bag has been tossed in the trash, with the trash can being placed out in the open as well. There are not many pots or pans, but a few
>>127364Silver gives a curious look at what she's doing before speaking up.
"Would you like help with whatever it is you are doing?"
>>127365“I am almost finished. I am inventorying the kitchen. The people here before left ‘food’ here”
>>127366"I see that. We will have to shop for groceries sometime today."
He looks back at the open door.
"Where did Keskoo go?"
>>127367If Mint Marine were here, he could probably identify not only the fish but where it lives. Loputu could offer more useful information, such as whether it was caught in the bay or purchased. But this is Khoi, and she just knows she doesn’t want to eat it, setting it to the side with mild disgust. She points with a hoof past the bar and to the balcony
“Outside”
>>127368He smiles and nods at her.
"Thank you."
Following her direction, he checks up on Keskoo.
>>127369There is a double door between the dining area and the living area that opens onto a wooden deck, which has a wooden railing. A table and a couple seats, and extends a little further than the second floor balcony. A wooden staircase descends from the deck down to the ground. There is grass an sand on the ground, and as a whole, this property must not be more than 3 or so feet above the high tide mark. By the water is a string of rocks, and a little sand beyond that, as well as a small dock that extends into the water. There is a small white rowboat tied to the dock, bobbing on the waves. And next to the dock, on the rocks above the sand where the edges of the waves meet the land, is Keskoo. She sits there, staring out into harbor bay
>>127370Silver trots over to her.
"Mind if I give you some company?"
>>127371She looks over to him, up, and then nods. She turns her head back to the water, seemingly watching a smaller freight ship - probably not ocean going - move across the bay towards the harbor mouth
>>127372Silver sits down next to her, looking at the same ship.
"Remind you of home at all?"
>>127373"Not really. No. I was inland. And when I saw ocean, there were no big buildings like these. It was much colder. More trees. More rocky shore and less sand."
>>127374"It sounds like what I have heard about Skynavia. It sounds like hard place to make living."
>>127375“But I am not from Skynavia. I am from Cubria!” she protests, exhaling through her nose and turning her head. But then she inhales, and answers Silver’s question
“It can be, yes. The growing season is short and not all crops will grow so far north. Some, only further south. The soil is hard and thin. The winters are unforgiving. But we made a living.”
>>127376He bows his head to her.
"My apologies, I did not mean to offend. You are from Cubria."
He returns to looking at the harbor.
"It sounds little bit different from my own Motherland. I have heard, though, that *Cubria* has made ponies who are stronger and more resilient than most."
>>127377"I have not met most ponies. But I thought we were resilient. Strong..."
She looks out into the bay again. There are several moving objects. Looks like green water freighters and a couple fishing vessels. A naval ship - or more likely, a patrol ship owned by customs - hangs around near the mouth of the bay
>>127378"How are you holding up, with everything?"
>>127379"Not.... Good. But I am alive."
>>127380He nods.
"Anything you want to talk about, get off your mind?"
>>127381"I... don't know... They chained me up in the factory floor in there. Yelled at me. Barked at me and hit me. It was not as bad in the collective factory in Everfrost, but it was not so much better either. I am free of both now. And for that, I should be grateful"
She has tears in her emerald eyes
>>127382Silver nods.
"It is over. You are free now, and I will help you as much as I am able or as much as you want."
>>127383"I was told ponies coming to New Mareland get guaranteed jobs and housing" She says, turning back and looking to him
"Not that I am sure I want to be in another government factory"
>>127384He smiles.
"I cannot blame you. We can look for other work for you soon, something
you actually want to do. What is it you want to do, exactly?"
>>127385"Sewing and embroidery, mostly. My grandmother taught me how to make the gákti our ponies would wear. Take dyed thread and mix together blues and yellows. Or even sew metal to leather in the more traditional garb. I can do more, I am sure"
>>127386Silver strokes his muzzle in thought, before Keskoo can practically see a lightbulb go off over his head.
"I...think I have idea. There is neighborhood in city with more ponies of your culture. I would have to look at prices, but...perhaps I could help you open sewing and textiles shop there?"
>>127387"Maybe, if I can compete with factories. But at least I will not be visited by secret police for 'resisting collectivization' if I embroider a wedding dress for money."
>>127388"You have couple of things factories do not. You know how to make fabrics in your culture's traditional style, which factories cannot replicate, and you can get to know your customers on personal basis. I will do whatever I can to help you get started, even if I have to pay out of my own pockets."
>>127389She looks at him, blinks, and then says
"Thank you..."
>>127390"You remember young stallion from last night, Loputu? Perhaps we should go talk with him. He might know of good place for shop, and can show us around Redheart."
>>127391"Yes, I remember him, He said he was from Bluffhead. That was like a wholly different tribe back before the Griffin Socialists came. Not that I have much memory of that time. He was nice."
>>127392"He did seem to like having somepony to speak in his native tongue with. We can go see him whenever you want."
>>127393"Maybe I should... It's very new life here. Some time..."
She looks at him and blinks
"What are we doing
here?"
>>127394"I got this property deed from Maakie's safe. He was griffon behind how you and many others got tricked. I was hoping it would have space enough for some of those we rescued to stay, at least for time being."
>>127395She draws her lips back
"Good riddance to him... I didn't know griffins had big houses in Equestria"
>>127396"Sometime, free country has...problems. Anyways...there are three rooms suitable for bedrooms, but I need to buy furniture for one of them. Would you want to stay here, or should we find other place for you?"
>>127397"I... don't know. This is a very nice house. I would not mind staying here, if only for a while. And I would not mind talking to those from Bluffhead and Skynavia. Like Loputu."
>>127398He smiles again at her.
"Want to go take look around Redheart before making decision? Maybe we will find better place there."
>>127399She nods
"I should... yes"
>>127349>>127353>>127355I'm very sorry, maybe it was the Easter wine but I am terrible at spatial visualization despite your precise description. Is there a very basic diagram of the first & second floor layouts?
>>127358>Mercenary who used to be happy living just about anywhere isn't satisfied with a decent bathroom. Did his tavern room even have an attached bath?>>127359Is replacing bandages not a thing?
>>127400Silver stands up, and offers Keskoo a hoof for her to get up with, too.
"I just hope Khoi and Jubilosa do not get in
too much trouble while we are gone."
>>127401Damn it. I guess I should. I used to make floor plans all the time in Home ArchitectIt did not have it's own bathroomThey don't have bandages there to replace them with
>>127403Good thing characters have to use the restroom only when a player specifies it. Though, I guess the bar has a public bathroom
>>127402She looks down at the hoof, and waits a moment. Then she takes it, and stands up with Silver pulling her to help
>>127404True
>>127405He heads back inside, Keskoo presumably following. Before he actually leaves, he checks in with Khoi.
"Keskoo and I are going to Redheart. Do you need anything?"
>>127406She looks up, back at him
"This house needs lettuce oats, rice, curry, and a few other things. But I am fine."
>>127407"Can you make grocery list, or should we just pick up basics?"
>>127408"I will make list" She says
>>127409He nods, and waits for one.
>>127410Khoi tries to look for paper, finds a book page and a pen, and then looks confused
"I am not sure I am best to write one..."
>>127411"Oh, right, allow me."
He trots over, and takes the paper and pen.
"Tell me what we need, and I will write it down."
>>127412"2 kilo wheat, one kilo oats, two kilo rice, one container curry, chilli pepper, lemongrass, two limes, mint, ginger, basil.... scratch ginger, we have that... bean sprouts, onions. Do they have rice noodles? Buy rice noodles. If not, I must make them..."
She names a number of things
>>127413Silver writes it all down as she lists it off. He wonders what kind of dish she's going to cook up with all of this.
>>127414And it is so. She adds
"I am not sure if Jubilosa would want....
something else in her dish..." She looks over to the freezer overtop the refrigerator. "Though we may have it"
>>127416"Hmm...I do not know what griffon diet is, exactly. I will keep that in mind, though. Thank you, Khoi."
He takes the list and goes to leave out the front door.
"We will be back!"
>>127417Khoi: "Take care"
And Silver goes out
Pardon my asking, but how close is the party to leveling up to level 6? I'm pretty sure there was a lot of exp earned from Hoebuck.
And no, I don't mind starting a level behind. It actually fits with my character idea.
>>127418Out does Silver go, making his way to the Redheart neighborhood with Keskoo.
>>127419That's a huge topic all of it's ownYou wanna tell me about your character idea?
>>127421I'll tell you on Discord tomorrow. As for other players, I prefer they learn through observation and interaction like with your NPCs.
>>127422>I'll tell you on Discord tomorrow.
>>127420Silver goes along his way. The beach house, though nice, is located somewhat outside of the city, requiring some time to walk through Cherry Hill and Cowtown. But he goes into Redheart. The garbage bags, the partly collapsed shelled buildings, and the leafless appearance of the winter trees, do not make the neighborhood look much better in daylight. Silver goes down, until presumably he reaches the edge of little Skynavia. The shops are actually open in daylight, offering all sorts of wares, and there are no guards.
>>127422Alright
>>127425Silver decides to pass the time while they trot by asking her a question or two.
"If you do not mind my asking, I have heard horror stories about Communist factories before. Is it as bad as they say?"
>>127363Iron hums softly, surprised she hasn't talked about her cutie mark yet. Deciding to be a bit mischievious, he plants hoof right on it, trailing circles around it. "Seems you have something hiding back there," he answers sllyly.
>>127430His hoof presses into her flank, finding some give
“I told you, Iron, I worked in service. Elderly care was the last thing I did.”
>>127431Despite being informed that, Iron proceeds to circle her flanks some more. "Oh come on," he replies "Your cutiemark implies something more than simple elderly care."
>>127432She smiles at him in a somewhat mischievous kind of way
“Of course. Stitching ponies together. Making connections. Placing them in a web of sorts. It also helps that old ponies like to knit a lot too”
>>127433Iron smiles gleefully. "Ah, so you say you are a spokespony?" he asks tentatively as he plants both hooves on her flanks.
>>127434She scrunches as Iron presses her hooves on her
"Not a spokespony... Not like that, no. More of.... like a sales agent. Or a procurer. A spokespony is good with groups and masses. My specialty is more like individuals." she places her hoof up to add some flair to her words
>>127435Iron nods, accomplished enough to have gotten this much out of her. "Ooh, that is good to know," he answers, trailing his hooves back up again and giving her a quick peck on the lips, before hopping off the bed, still sagging slightly from a sense of tiredness. "Is there any food around?"
>>127436She volunteers
"But if.... well, if you need somepony to hide in plain sight..."
She is looking down
"I wouldn't say I am a spy. But I would say I am... unexpected"
She looks back up, directly at Iron
"No, I don't believe there is"
>>127437Iron hums softly, somewhat intrigued by her second offer, but simply nods, slightly more focused on ridding himself of his tired status.
"I suppose some water on our bodies should be good," he offers, considering the whole debacle last night.
>>127438"Like out of the bathroom sink?" She asks
"We can contact room service"
>>127439Iron cocks his head at the mention. "Wait, does room service wash bodies?" he asks, somewhat incredulously.
>>127440"Hehehe," She places a hoof on Iron
"No. Room service. They brought us the champagne last night. They can bring us other things as well"
>>127441"Oh," he mutters before shaking his head. "I would rather rid ourselves of fluids first, but feel free to ask them for some food for both of you."
>>127440"Well, I know this Kirin place that provides special services the more you pay. Interested?"
>>127442She just looks at him
"What?"
>>127443Is that a reference to that burlesque house Iron stumbled into?
>>127444Chinese bath houses/massage parlors in general and their reputation
>>127444Iron looks at Sands curiously. "You know," he continues "getting some water on the body and rub the coat a bit? The act of bathing oneself?"
>>127443Hue
>>127447Iron proceeds to enter the bathroom, before sticking his head out the door. "Order anything you would like to eat or join me if you desire," he promptly responds before shutting the door, making sure his belt was still in here before getting in the bathtub, trying to figure out what metal piece he had to move.
>>127448"I'm fine, thank you"
Pull the lever
>>127449Iron hums softly before pulling the lever.
(I wonder if Sands will order food for me while I am bathing,) he wonders to himself.
>>127450The water
is cold. At least it's better than the seawater last night
>>127451Shivering slightly in surprise, Iron shakes it off before sinking his coat under the water dispenser, rolling around and rubbing himself all over, making sure he pays special attention to his log.
>>127452Flaccid, unless he wants to change that. He's able to wash himself, though he's still mostly clean from last night. He's damned tired, though the water helps.
>>127453Feeling a bit refreshed and ensuring his body is mostly washed, Iron pushes the lever instead to shut the water off and starts to shake wildly inside the tub to rid himself of the droplets.
>>127454Partly effective, though he is still wet. Droplets fly everywhere, onto the floor and on the mirror
>>127455Iron blinks before doing some more pointed shaking before picking up one of the towels to properly rub himself off of water, then attach his belt into his body, checking the insides of his pouches just in case.
>>127456Iron thinks there might be a little less money than he remembers, but otherwise it's there. Iron is still.... moist, but probably good enough for the bed
>>127457Iron hums softly, wondering what sort of expenses he has paid yesterday before making sure to count what he does have right now just in case it warrants some actual panic.
>>127458A discrepancy that thus far does not exceed 100 bits
>>127459Nodding, Iron reattaches his pouch and opens the bathroom door, having cleansed himself somewhat of his tiredness, wondering what Sands could be doing.
>>127460She is carefully wrapping a bandage, with her muzzle turned around to her body
>>127461Sensing it's best to let her be for now, Iron proceeds to look for the magic 'call service' button, getting somewhat excited over trying new foods once again.
He sees the bronze device Sands used last night over on a dresser
>>127463Humming softly, Iron pokes the bronze device, wondering what he should do to get it to send food over here.
>>127464There's a slight "clack" sound as he pokes it, but it does nothing
>>127465"Hm..." Iron proceeds to poke it again in a different spot, wondering if it'll change anything.
>>127466He pokes a wheel, which spins slightly, before coming back into place
"Iron. What are you doing?"
Sensko has some interesting art regarding traditional or ancient ways ponies would have fought. Does this fit into the Nimbusia canon?
>>127467"Ooh," he lets out in wonder, fixated on the wheel before his ear flickers at Sands' question, turning his head. "Oh, I wanted to get something to eat before we head out to the Watering Hole," he responds before looking at the magic device "but the bronze object is not doing anything."
>>127469"You
call for it"
She sighs
"Do you want me to do it?"
>>127468I am not sure, but it is interesting
>>127470Iron pokes the magic device some more, content with the quirky sounds and movements it does for a bit before his stomach grumbles. "...please do," he asks.
>>127471Gold-diggers (in this case love-diggers) having to put up with a retard is always a great comedy dynamic
>>127472OI! HE'S TECHNOLOGICALLY IMPAIRED!Like amish folk, y'know?
>>127471“Ugh...”
She walks forward, and with magic aura takes the phone out of Iron’s hooves, staring straight forward. A separate aura moves the wheel, with a “ching ching” sound
She lowers the phone
“What was it you wanted?”
>>127473Okay grandma
>>127426"I do not know what you heard. I only know what I experienced.
After the communists invaded, they installed a puppet government. Though we were sad not to have pushed the griffins off our fraternal tribes’ homelands, we were grateful they left us free, and did not annex and colonize us as with Skynavia. It was a government of communist ponies. Some learned in university. Most only knew slogans, and basics. But hey had this idea of ordering society to 'science,' as we would learn later. For the first year, communism did not seem so bad, as little changed from how we had lived for centuries. Our farms were already collectives, owned by the village. The factories - scarce as they were - were big, and no one noticed the change in management. Everyone already had their own role. Our village council was renamed a ‘soviet’ to be in solidarity with foreign communists. When I finished my apprenticeship, I would make clothes and gaktis for others in my village. I learned from our tailor, and from my grandmother. I would make things for others in the village, sometimes for money, sometimes for payment in kind, and sometimes for free. I would venture into town to sell my wares. I lived with my family. All of this was in the first year of Communism.
Then the forced industrialization started. A government stallion came to our home and said that I should move to Frostbell to work in the factory there. I did not want to leave my family. He said he would come back in a week. My family encouraged me to go, saying there would be more pay, and so I agreed to go. I cannot tell you if I was free to tell him 'no.' So I moved to Frostbell, into a small apartment that was inhabited by several other young workers. And I worked in the textile factory there. As a tailor, even as an apprentice, I had some creative freedom to design things how I liked. And even when I was following specific orders, at least there was change. No such freedom in the factory, no such variety. The same few stitches on mostly bland clothing. Only three different positions in the time I was there. The managers changed things in the factory. Working hours, sometimes our positions... They implored for more production. I do not think they ever knew what was happening on the factory floor. Still, I took the pay, and every single weekend I rode the several hours back to my home, to see my grandparents and my home.
Then I learned of the war on the traditions. Most of the northern tribes made the Gakti. You would not want to be naked in the cold if you were working outside, and our garbs were used for ceremonies, and for special occasions. And each tribe had a different garb. Some had three yellow bands around the neck, some had curls, some had pewter sewn in. And the tribes, though united, were different. A Cubrian was not a Skynavian, nor was Northern Tribe’s pony from Frostbell the same as from Everfrost. Even as we all knew we northern ponies were very different from the ponies in the Riverlands, and more different still from the ponies of Equestria. All of this contrasted against the Griffins further south. This very idea of difference and diversity was the target of policies by the central government.
Fourteen months or so into the Communist puppet government, they said we needed to eliminate distinctions of tribal identity and nationality, and express solidarity with workers across the world. And to that end, they banned the Gakti. It took only a week for them to change their minds. Some griffin in New Skynavia must have decided differently, because they lifted the ban six days later. But now, the clothing was the same everywhere, for every tribe. More… plain, with only the colors of the flag. Only wool like what the griffins wear, no more leather. And of course, it looked more like the clothing of the griffin empire, and that became more common. The Gakti is just what I know best. They did this to music, to festivals, too. I know of a couple in my town who hired a musician for their wedding, who told them that he could only play songs approved by law, and that this list included certain traditional griffin songs, but did not include the most famous songs of our tribe. That is not the whole of it. Our village council was dissolved, and our village was ruled by a local pony chosen from Everfrost. Now, they enforced the laws."
>>127426>>127476"Sixteen months into the regime, they made a law that you could not buy or sell outside of approved channels. This was the law that affected me the most personally. While the money I made at the factory was more than I could at the village, prices were higher, and I wanted to send more money back to my family. So I started crafting items in my own time. At first, I was just repairing clothing for friends and coworkers. Then embroidery of small emblems. I did these for free. But then I started accepting payment. It was a way of expressing creativity I often could not in the factory. But more than this, it was a way of preserving our traditional garb. There were those from our village who wanted our three rings of yellow on their clothing where it could be hidden by a scarf. Then there were those from other tribes, who wanted their own designs in clothing they would only ever wear in private. And then I got caught. It was nothing especially bad. Only a large fine. But the fine was large enough that I did not send anything home for two weeks and lost my savings.
I did not make anything outside of my work for two months. Then I started it up again. This lasted six weeks, until I was caught again. I do not know who sold me out. The first time I assumed that somepony I sold something to was caught by police and told them I made their clothing. Almost inevitable, really, and nothing blameworthy. After the second time, I must wonder if there was an informant. But… In this time, they took “resistance to collectivization” more seriously. That I was also resisting monoculturalization only made my case worse in their eyes. And I was arrested…”
She looks down, and then away for a moment. When she looks back to Siler, she has some tears in her eyes.
“I thought I would never get out of there. But they did release me. And I knew then I would have to make the hardest choice I would ever have to make. Stay, or leave my family and my homeland. But I
knew I must leave. And so for the next few months, I saved any money I could, eating little. This was much harder now, as I was not selling anything. I did not even craft for myself, as I did not want secret police to raid my apartment in the middle of the night and find anything. My next big choice was how to leave. The best way was to find somegriffin selling fake passports, and travel to Bakara. But I did not want even this contact with government agents. Besides, it was expensive. So I found some griffins who would smuggle me in a freight ship to Free Equestria. I was skeptical of the regime in New Mareland, but they promised jobs and housing to immigrants, and the wages were higher than in Bakara. So I kissed my grandmother goodbye, said goodbye to my parents and siblings, and went to Everfrost, where I stowed away in a ship. I should have saved money the extra two months to go to Bakara…”
>>127476>>127477Silver takes her story in, his heart aching for her as she tells of how life in her motherland was destroyed, and what she lost. He lowers his head to her.
"It is just as I had heard of, and then some...I am sorry you had to go through that, and how you had to leave your family behind. And I am truly sorry that your first experience in Equestria was...
that."
He looks ahead of him.
"I am not friend of Communism. I have seen what it did to my own Motherland. It is insidious parasite, killing off host culture it attaches to. Hearing what has happened to even your people..."
>>127478She sighs and looks down with a definite frown as her ears droop.
"Yes..."
>>127479Silver looks back over at her, moves closer, and puts a foreleg around her for a supportive hug while they trot.
"Have faith, Keskoo. This Red invasion will not last. And in meantime, your people and your culture will continue to survive through you."
>>127480She seems reticent to accept the hug, but doesn't pull out of it
"I did not think it could, but they have not been pushed out of Skynavia.... I did not want to be the last survivor of it."
>>127481"Judging from how many ponies from Skynavia, Cubria, Frostbell, and Everfrost are here, it is safe to say you will not be last survivor. And with your talent, I am certain you will be able to bring little bit of home here to share."
>>127482She sighs
"That is good, at least. There will be others who will want their own, special garbs. And I should not be arrested for selling my creations. But I am unsure of bringing my family here so far... It does not seem like such a nice place"
>>127483"Perhaps...but we can make it safe. At least, I would like to. Starting with helping you. Come, let us find Loputu. He might know of good places where you could set up your shop."
>>127484"Very well."
She says, following Silver's lead
>>127484Err...replace "safe" with "nice" in that. I have terrible reading comprehension.
>>127485Silver leads the way to Loputu's house.
>>127487Silver can remember, well enough, the journey down the road, through the gate - which is open in daylight, through the courtyard, and around to the apartment on the bay road. There are some clouds coming in from over the harbor, and seabirds fly above them. Silver (presumably) knocks on the door, and a familiar large mare answers
"You again!" she has some excitement
>>127488He smiles at the familiar sight.
"Hello again. I was wondering if I could borrow Loputu for bit. I'd like to have him show my friend and I around Redheart."
>>127489And... She hugs him. Squuezes him, more like. She has some real strength to her
"Ohhh, thank you for bringing my son back"
Little bit more squeezing, then she pulls away and says
"He is apprenticing with Rohke Meri this morning down the road at his dock. I do not think they will be out in the Bay"
>>127490While she squeezes the life out of the poor unicorn, he gives her a hug back, releasing her as she releases him.
"Thank you so much. I will look for him there. It was nice seeing you again. I hope we can again, soon."
>>127491"Oh, but you must stay for lunch! I mean it's not lunch time yet, but you should stay and tell us all about you. I will get my husband from the factory..."
>>127492He gives her an apologetic look.
"I am afraid I cannot. I already promised lunch to one of my friends. Perhaps tomorrow, though?"
>>127493"Tomorrow it is! You simply must tell us all about yourself! -"
>>127494"That I will, thank you. I also hope to hear about you and your family too."
>>127495"Why yes, you must! -" She tries to go on
>>127496He smiles and lets out a good-hearted laugh.
"You will, do not worry! I do need to go find Loputu, however. I hope you have good day, and I will see you tomorrow."
#1:
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>>127500IT LIVES!
And Checked
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>>127474ree"Something... breakfast-y," he responds, unsure whatever foods were served in the establishment they're in.
Be warned, I'm now dreaming about the campaign. Spark had to make a check to demonstrate he's Italian and he wound up making a pizza with a mountain of olives and onions.
>>127504I see you've invited the changelings in and in turn coccooned you into a peaceful slumber. Happened to all of us.Joking aside, I see you're quite giddy to start your journey.
>>127504Well kudos. That's impressive. Even I don't think I dream about the campaign, although I think that might just be because my dreams can't render flash.Still, you may want to think about starting earlier
>>127506My dreams are always a bit vivid. Even if I wasn't familiar with this campaign I'd probably still dream about the hallways of architecturally odd urban buildings.
At least it wasn't about an older lady from my church who was creepily hitting on me.
>>127504I am surprised you dreamt about my character, as it is probably the worst played in the bunch, but I am flattered.
>>127508May have been Brie, I just know one of the characters was doing something crazy and was in an Italian restaurant.
>>127497"Oh... Okay! Have a good day and tell Loputu I love him when you see him!"
>>127510"That I will, thank you!"
Silver waves goodbye to her, and heads for the docks to look for Loputu and his master.
>>127511Silver goes down the road, the same road the apartment is located on, and finds soon enough what seems to be the address. A small shack next to a building that seems to be storage. Looking further around back, there is a single pier that goes out, with a diesel fishing vessel of perhaps 40 feet in the back. A wheelhouse in the fore, with a single mast with two booms and evident attached outriggers. White paint that is partly faded, flaking and fouling, and the name in blue lettering "Bluffheadi Au"
>>127512"'Bluffheai au'."
He looks to Keskoo.
"Can you read what that says?"
>>127513She nods, looking down at the scene. The barn-door-like entry on the small building is open, showing long white containers and a couple barrels inside of what is at least mostly one room, along with a cart outside. As in Hoebuck, there is a seawall, which curiously is slightly higher than this side, requiring a small ramp up onto it, and then a ramp down to the level of the pier.
She answers
"Glory of Bluffhead"
>>127514"Thank you. I suppose that means this ship is owned by somepony from northern pony tribes."
Silver decides to first check the storeroom for any signs of life, since it's open.
>>127515No pony seems to be there at the moment, but he can see a tool box, dirty rags, a doorway to a small room, and that the white boxes are massive refrigerators or freezers, open from the top and not turned on
>>127516Silver calls out into the building.
"Hello? Anypony here?"
>>127517From behind him
"Can I help you?"
It's a stallion with a white coat with a hint of pink, and short amber mane, who wears galoshes and a thick rubber suit that is somewhat covered in grime. He seems ever so slightly annoyed
>>127518The unicorn jumps a little, startled. He turns around once his heartrate goes back down to normal.
"Oh, yes. You would not happen to be Loputu's master?"
>>127519He pulls back ever so slightly at the Unicorn's reaction
"Loputu? Yes. I am Rohke Meri"
>>127520Silver offers him a hoofshake.
"It is good to meet you. I am Silver Sword. I was hoping I could borrow Loputu for little bit, have him show me around Redheart."
>>127521He looks down at the hoof for a moment. A moment that drags on awkwardly, longer, until he uses his other hoof to remove the galoshe on his right hoof, and gives a single weak shake
"But I have missed him for many days now, and he is helping clean out my boat for the next trip"
>>127522"It will not take long, I can assure you. He will be back to continue cleaning your boat before lunch."
>>127523He sways slightly
"Wait. Silver Sword you say? Loputu told me about you"
He smiles
"Yes, you can take him"
>>127524Silver smiles.
"Thank you. Do you know what section of boat he is cleaning?"
>>127525"Yes, he's in the hold"
>>127526He nods to Meri.
"Thank you again. As I said, we will nt be long."
He waves goodbye to Meri, and goes to the ship and down into the hold to look for Loputu.
>>127527He smiles back to him, and waves
Walking down to the pier, and by the [i][Bluffheadi Au/i], Silver must climb up into the trawler. However, as soon as he is on he can see that doors on the deck of the vessel are open, revealing a massive hold of stainless steel, which itself has a door at the bottom that is open exposing some pipes. Loputu is there, covered in grime and scrubbing the pipes. He is wearing a rubber suit and galoshes, like Meri. He does not immediately notice Silver, but instead scrubs
>>127528"Equestria to Loputu, are you there?"
>>127529"Woah" He jumps up, turns around and falls on his hind, his forelegs behind him to keep him up
"Oh, you what are you doing here?"
Keskoo jumps over, onto the boat, and now looks down along with SIlver
Loputu jumps up onto his hooves
"And her"
He smiles
"Tere, Keskööpäike"
>>127530"I was hoping you would show Keskoo and I around Redheart, maybe show us good spots where she might start her own shop. I already got okay from Meri to take you for little bit."
>>127531"Oh, well sure!" He goes over to the other side of the hold, jumps up on his hind legs and places his forehoovess over the edge, climbing out
"Just let me... ugh" he pulls a galosh of "get these off"
He removes the remaining pieces of his clothing, and smiles to Silver, then to Keskoo
"Setting up a shop eh? Where do you want to go?"
>>127532"I suppose that would be up to Keskoo, since it will be her shop. She used to sew and embroider in Cubria, so we are-or technically, she is, since I am just paying-going to open sewing, embroidery, and textiles shop."
>>127533Loputu: "Te õmblete asju, Keskööpäike?"
Keskoo, nodding and closing her eyes: "Õmblus ja tikandid. Tikkisin Gakti ja töötasin Everfrost rõivavabrikus"
Still smiling, "Oh, see on tõesti tore. Kas soovite poodi või tehase tööd?"
"Ma eelistaksin kauplust, kuid mul pole palju ressursse. Saan tehase tööd teha"
"Ponide jaoks on mitu võimalust. Neile, kes võtavad lojaalsuse lubaduse, antakse eelistus lepingulistes tehastes"
She kind of winces
"Olen skeptiline lojaalsuse ja suuremate tehaste valimise suhtes. Miks ma ei näe, millised on minu võimalused"
Loputu looks back to Silver
"She says she wants to explore, and know what her options are"
>>127534Silver smiles at the both of them.
"Absolutely. Mind leading us, Loputu?"
>>127535He smiles to the both of them, and leads them down the road
"Sure. This road, the local name is Pelican road, is the one closest to the sea. Along this road are several waterfront houses. Some are owned by Skynavians, but many are not. There are also many individual docks for smaller boats. You have seen one, the one owned by Rohke Meri, who I am fortunate to be an apprentice under. In Skynavia the boats were owned mostly by the village or larger tribe, but here they are owned by individuals, sometimes the captain, usually an absentee owner or a corporation.
The apartments on the otherside are mostly rented out to Skynavian families, like mine."
He takes them back to the garden
"Pelican lane goes through to a road that goes down Locust Promontory, but any of those buildings are clusters around a block. So we took a center of a block and turned it into a garden and play area for the community. There are other gardens like this. We made gates out of sheet metal to lock these areas in at night, since it can be dangerous."
He takes them through to what was the offshoot road Silver saw last night.
>>127536Silver follows along as he leads.
"Oh, what are dangers here at night?"
>>127537Answering
"Crime can be high. We don't accept gang protection, and try to push them out. So we have our own ways of trying to protect ourselves, like sectioning areas off, or the night watch"
>>127538Silver nods.
"Good, paying criminals off never goes well. They will take mile if you give them inch. So, what else is there here in Redheart?"
>>127537>>127539"This way"
Going down the road, he says
"This is the main road, going diagonally from Horseman Avenue to Locust Promintory on the landfill."
Silver can see it now in day light
"There are many shops in the first floor of these buildings. We have toys, hats, shoes, restaurants. To ponies in the community and those passing through. Not everypony who lives here is of the Northern Ponies, nor do all Northern ponies in Baltimare live here. But most are and very many do, and this is the cultural center.
Here you can see where our community council meets"
Silver may see a single story building with yellow-orange sides
"It is not a formal community council. We cannot levy taxes nor repair the roads, but we try to maintain something like the governments of the old world. We try to elect leaders to represent the various groups, and we organize our night watch, to keep out gangs and petty criminals. They used to use some smaller building, but then the Union Hall was vacated at the beginning of the occupation, and so we took it over."
Going further down, Silver can see the square he saw the day before. This time, however, there are ponies - mostly fluffy - who stand behind or infront of stands with vegetables, trinkets and other wares
"Here is the local square. Many ponies sell their good here in the open air market."
Going down further, they see a vaulted ceiling stone structure with a tower adjacent to the market
"This is an old Equestrian Church. We have arranged to use it for other worship on odd days of the week. Reverence of the Earth Godess, Rana Neide. Reverence of forest spirits and more. My closest spirit is Tjaetsieålmaj. Even the Equestrian gods have been adopted as the incarnations of Beaivi and Mano, goddesses of the Sun and Moon. That is what we tend to do in Equestrian mass, anyways. We have no natural features to call sacred, nor can we be next to our dead to give reverence to the spirits of our ancestors here. But we make do"
>>127540Silver looks over at Keskoo.
"What spirit is closest to you, Keskoo?"
>>127540>>127541Loputu's line should say "My closest spirit is Tjaetsieålmaj, the fishing spirit."
Keskoo:
"I suppose I should say Maderakka, goddess over mares and foals. But Laib Olmai, the forest spirit, was the most revered in my village. There was a Storjunkare upon a hill were we would leave vegetables and leaves in sacrifice"
>>127542Silver smiles.
"That sounds nice. It is good to hear you maintain your faith despite distance between here and your homeland."
He looks back, over to the fluffy ponies at the market.
"I heard there were also other Severyanans like me here in Redheart. Do you know of many?"
>>127543Keskoo sort of smiles in return
Loputu answers
"I think there used to be many more 50 years ago and during the famine. Now, most of the wealthier established Severyanans have moved out to wealthier neighborhoods further west in the City. Those who remain are either too poor to leave, or are recent arrivals, White emigres. I know a few, yes."
>>127544Silver nods.
"I see. What else is on this tour of Redheart?"
>>127545"Redheart? I thought you only wanted a tour of Little Skynavia?"
>>127546"Oh, my apologies, I did not know."
>>127547"Well, further down, we have the schoolhouse"
He walks further down to a two story building with a red roof, and a fenced in area to the side and behind it
"This is a local school we have tried to tale for our own use, for all of the children in the community. Even I have to take lessons during part of the week, as I am not fully done yet. We try to staff it with Skynavian ponies to teach our history and our language. The school has been the source of the biggest fighting with the city, over what is taught, who is teaching, and in what language. As it is, most classes are in ponish, and half the teachers are from the City, but we can still teach our language in the school, and history in odd ours"
Then he goes to Horseman Avenue, down a lane Silver did not see last night. The lane has some smaller plots and entries to row-houses along it
"Here is one of many through lanes in the neighborhood, and it leads to Horseman Avenue, a main street of Redheart that follows mostly closely to the water. Many of the docks and warehouses are along it further down. But here it is a part of Little Skynavia. We have more shops along the avenue for ponies passing through, less so for the locals. And more rowhouses. More non-Skyanavians live along this stretch than closer to the water. We also have a mechanics shop, and the city has a fire station along this road.
Little Skynavia has no industry save for a fish processing facility on the end of Pelican lane and a small brewery on the main road, but there are factories nearby. Most ponies here work elsewhere in the city on the docks or in the factories. Baltimare has long had more creatures living in it than jobs for them, but things have been especially bad since the war. We Skynavians tend to have better luck getting jobs in the contractor factories than the locals though, as we are seen as less subversive. Most of the apartment blocks are not owned by Skynavians, nor are many of the fishing vessels. The council would like to change that, and buy up more of where we live and work"
>>127548To the school:
"It sounds like schools in Severyana, before Communists took over. We were taught both Ponish and Cyrillic, and we learned history of both Equestria and Severyana. I would like to think we found balance between two."
To the lack of jobs:
"That is never good. It would be nice to see some investment in making jobs for Baltimare, whether private or public. It would go long way to alleviating troubles facing city."
You can ignore this for now.
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Methinks we could have a different thread purely for technical issues, or how to transfer DnD rules to a MLP setting. I have lots of suggestions in regard to this but I don't want to gum up the gameplay threads with OOC talk regarding mechanics. I'm sure others have done something similar but it's still worth looking into. Some MLP particulars haven't been smoothed over yet but it would be unreasonable to expect DM to revise a whole manual on his own.
>>127551Not particularly sure it'll be worth it, depending on the amount of threads that want to keep on a tab, but all it takes is a little initiative to get the ball going. I'd say you could go ahead, but the response rate would be significantly lower than anticipated.
>>127552It would be basically /qa/ for DnD and it wouldn't take a lot of board space compared to this series. I'm a complete newbie other than being an observer so I don't want to make it. I just think it's pretty necessary because we have 1) MLP setting and 2) modern setting and flipping through rulebooks is difficult enough as is. This whole game is pretty experimental and DM's building it as we go.Also, does anyone have this?
Probably would be helpful.
https://www.dmsguild.com/product/230312/Monstrous-Races
>>127549"Well, there are those in the community who think we will lose our culture, and the city must think we are not integrating. It used to be that I had to attend a city school a few streets over that had more creatures from Red Heart going there, and my parents dragged me to lessons in Skynavians on the weekends taught by an elder. It was kind of jarring going between the languages and I missed having the weekends... but there were good and bad things about it. Eventually they settled upon this agreement with the City.
As for Jobs, I think it is because there are more new creatures coming in than there are materials that need to be manufactured. But the war did not help. It really hurt trade and jobs on the docks, and many of the factories as well. In a way things are better now, because the old unions do not want to work at factories that support the war effort. We mostly do not care and take those jobs"
>>127554"Understandable, I suppose, considering it was New Mareland that annexed this land. It would be hard for many to work in place that would support them."
He looks over at Keskoo.
"Have you seen good place to set up your shop, yet?"
>>127554Isn't Skynavia a Griffon nation?
>>127502Looking at Iron she tilts her head, pulls her lips back, then places the receiver up to her head again. She's already dialed
"Yes? Room Service? Can you get us you breakfast? I don't know, muffins? Do you have pancakes? Fruit? Oranges will do fine. And oatmeal"
Looking back at Iron, looking him over
"Yes, give us two orders. Some coffee as well. No cream. Actually, cream on the side. Two cups of coffee. Add two teaspoons of sugar into the second cup, no cream. Yes. Send it up to the room if you can. Alright, bye!"
She hangs up
"Well, there you have it. I ordered"
>>127555"The Unions have tried to organize opposition to it as well."
Keskoo
"Well, it looks like there are shops around here. Of course I do not know I can afford to pay rent. In the past, I was only working out of home."
>>127557"We would have to look at prices, but I could cover your rent until you are able to make enough to support yourself."
>>127556Skynavia was originally a part of the Northern Tribes that was invaded and colonized by Griffin Communist forces in something like a "long march" north, during the counter-revolution. This was implied by the "Griffonian Empire" rule setting, where Skynavia is merged with the Northern Tribes, and was entirely confirmed by the "Northern Lights" update and Socialist Republic of Skynavia playthrough. Of course the game fluff seriously downplays the invasion and colonization of Native land, but that's exactly what it is. The fluff for the city of New Skynavia even says "built on an unnamed village," as if it is almost explicitly saying "the natives weren't putting it to good use, so it's okay to take it"
>>127559I see, makes a lot of sense.
>>127558"Huh.... Maybe I could then. Of course I don't know the locals, or what is wanted here... Perhaps I could learn in time"
>>127561"Indeed. You would have help learning, though."
Silver looks over to the young Skynavian stallion with them.
"I imagine Loputu would be more than happy to help you learn and adapt to living in Little Skynavia."
>>127562He smiles with a particularly wide set of teeth as his ears go down, before perking up again
"Sure, I know plenty of ponies and creatures in the community and outside of it! I can help"
Keskoo presses her lips together as she tilts her head and looks at SIlver
"Fund me? What are you getting out of it?"
>>127563He smiles at her.
"Nothing, essentially. It is simply right thing to do."
>>127564Still tilting her head
"What are your conditions?"
>>127565"Unconditional. Until you can support yourself, I do not have any issue with paying your rent or other bills."
>>127566She still looks at him skeptically
"If it is true..."
She is silent for more than a moment
"I would greatly appreciate it"
She looks back to Loputu, who is still smiling in an almost nervous sort of way
"And I suppose it is good to have someone who knows ponies around here"
>>127567Silver smiles.
"Well then, if you want, we can look around for place for you."
>>127568"I do need somewhere to stay...." She says
>>127569Silver looks to Loputu.
"Know of places open for rent?"
>>127570"Sure. There are many along all three streets. If you're just looking for a studio apartment, there are several. And there are families to stay with as well"
>>127571"It is up for Keskoo to decide."
Silver looks at the mare in question for an answer.
>>127572"I can take an apartment" She says
"If I can pay"
>>127573"Apartment it is. Know which street you want to live on?"
>>127574"Maybe... the main one?"
>>127575Silver nods to her, and turns to head back to the main street.
"Let us look for apartments for rent, then."
>>127576"Let us go!" Loputu says with a smile
Loputu makes a suggestion, but after hearing that it is partly rundown, Keskoo decides to push her luck for something newer
They go into a an apartment set along "Wintry Street" (The main street), and after talking to the landlord, go up to see a room on the second floor. The stallion running the block, a brown pony who looks most like a severyanan, explains that this particular set of apartments was renovated after being seriously damaged by artillery fire in the war, and thus looks new.
Openning the door, inside is a central area with a tiny kitchen off to the side, a bathroom, and a small closet
Loputu:
"And a view to a garden"
>>127577Silver trots around to look at the apartment. He might not be living there, but he wants to make sure Keskoo will be getting her money's worth.
"I think it looks nice, but...what does Keskoo think?"
>>127578"It is... not as good as the beach house earlier... but it is nicer than what I had in Everfrost. I mean, it's a little smaller, but I am not sharing it, and it is newer"
>>127579"You could still choose to stay in beach house, but it would be distant from Little Skynavia."
>>127580She sighs, and looks down
“There is no furniture here” she says
>>127581"I will buy you furniture, it is no issue."
>>127582She nods
"I am not sure of much, though I suppose I should live here"
>>127583"Alright, if you are sure."
He turns to the landlord.
"Can we have paperwork for this apartment?"
>>127584"Of course, let me get you an application"
Going down to an office, he comes back with a set of papers
>>127585"Great! Do you mind if I read through these real quick, make sure everything is there?"
>>127587Silver does so, making sure there aren't any surprises in the paperwork.
>>127588There is a fairly high deposit, a restriction of only two adults living in the apartment, separate fees for water and trash, restrictions on letting zebras stay for extended periods on the premises, restrictions against meetings of certain natures, a required one month notice period for leaving, and a month by month roll over period for rent that theoretically allows for changes in the rent between months
>>127589Silver goes over the terms with Keskoo to make sure she's okay with them.
>>127589I'm guessing Silver has a high enough wisdom/int score not to require a roll?
>>127590She seems ever so slightly confused and nervous
"I suppose... if the rent does not go up each month..."
>>127591Or, just repeat what I've seen in apartment rental contracts, and let the player sort it out themselves
>>127592"It looks as if there is
potential for it, but it is uncertain as to if it will be increased."
>>127594"Well, all that remains is for it to be signed, if you want it. As I said, I will pay rent for you."
>>127595She looks up to him with big eyes
"Really? For how long?"
>>127596"As long as it takes for you to be able to support yourself."
>>127597She looks to Loputu
"Are there other apartments worthwhile?"
"There are more. They can be bigger or cheaper. These ones have the advantage of being small, but more recently renovated. Most apartments in Redheart are old, but this is one of very few to be rebuilt after the shelling."
>>127597>>127598Loputu volunteers
"There are some apartments over shops, if you want to be next to your shop, if you get one. They tend to be bigger"
Keskoo:
"I suppose I do not want to be a burden. I will take this one"
>>127598>>127599"It is your choice, Keskoo. As long as it is not truly exorbantly expensive, if you want it, I will help you get it."
>>127600"Well, it would be nice to have a shop and an apartment over that... but I don't know if I can sustain that expense. I am after all, not set up
>>127601"Hmm...perhaps start with this, and later, if you decide you are ready to move, you can."
>>127602She looks up to him with big eyes
"Then I will take this one"
>>127603"Alright. Go ahead and sign, and I will deal with payment."
>>127604She looks up to him, then looks down, then back to him, and then with a glow of dark green light, she takes the pen, and signs the contract. Her face gives the impression she is not entirely convinced she hasn't signed away her soul and first born
>>127605He tries to give her a smile to disarm that feeling, and that he's not trying to exploit her or anything. He takes the paperwork to the landlord.
"Alright, how much to cover this?"
>>127606"It's 300 for a month, and 150 for a deposit"
>>127607Silver quickly produces 450 Bits for the landlord, and gives it to him.
"This covers first month's rent and deposit."
>>127608"Thank you, good sir"
He shakes Silver's hoof
Keskoo flat lips turn to a smile
"Thank you for doing this for me"
>>127609He gives the landlord a firm, friendly hoofshake before turning to Keskoo.
"Do not thank me
just yet. We still have to get furniture for you. Want to go furniture shopping?"
>>127610The Landlord nods, as he continues his smile, while Keskoo pulls her lips back a bit
Keskoo: "I suppose I do need furniture, yes. Though forgive me..." She looks away. "I am... I am skeptical of what is free. Or even what is cheap. Even those who believe they give out of the goodness of their hearts, give out of
their idea of good. A good they want to impose."
>>127617Silver smiles, though sadly, and nods to her.
"You are forgiven. I understand your skepticism. I am old pony, Keskoo. I have lived for many years, and I am ashamed to say that not every action in that time has been good, or moral. I want to do what is right, for what comparitively little time I have left."
>>127618Her lips are still down, and she still looks sad
"I know... It is just this is a big moment for me. Where I live will affect who I interact with, perhaps who I marry, if I am a victim of crime again... I cannot see my family here. Loputu I suppose is the only pony I know. It is big decision, while I know so little."
>>127619"And you will learn, Keskoo. And I assure you, if you ever need my help again, I will always be there."
>>127620She tries to smile again
"Again, thank you"
She stands up taller, and turns to her side
"At least it's only a month of two. So, what is this about furniture?"
>>127621He smiles at her.
"We should go get furniture for apartment. At least bed, if nothing else."
>>127622"Yes, I suppose we should. I would rather not sleep on the floor again"
>>127623The unicorn lets out a little giggle.
"Yes, it is not very nice thing."
Is the landlord still there?
>>127625Silver turns to the landlord.
"Know of good furniture shops?"
>>127626Nodding
"Why, I know a good stallion on Sorrel, just one block over from Horesman, twelve down"
Does Silver have his cart though?
>>127628Keskoo giggles
"So long as I have a bed to sleep in tonight"
>>127628>tfw you left your car parked somewhere and you can't remember whereThen again, the number of detours on even simple quests is very video-gamey
>>127629"Well...I might have forgotten my cart, but I think we can bring bed from shop up to apartment."
>>127631"Twelve blocks..." Loputu says
"We can do it"
>>127632"If you are all ready...let us go."
>>127632Oof, reminds me of when I was moving and I had to move a refrigerator down three floors and across a distance of about one and a half city blocks. Hopefully that quadruped carry capacity comes into play. I expect to see rolls!
>>127633Loputu
"Well if all you want is to buy some furniture we can get some used. I know a family whose son is moving off to join the Overseas and I'm sure they'll sell his stuff for cheap"
He blinks, and looks back to Silver
"Or sure, we can buy more expensive new furniture, if you just want to show off"
The ponies start their way down Wintry, then to Horseman, then over into Sorrel Avenue. In the process, they leave Little Skynavia and enter Red Heart. As before, many of the buildings look older, run down, or in disrepair. Loputu tries to fill the silence with quips and stories, evidently to humor Keskoo and maybe Silver
"After seeing how nice those apartments were after being rebuilt, I'm starting to wonder if maybe they should have shelled more of the neighborhood"
"Oh! You see that alley right there? Right behind the Dumpster? So you know how when you charge at pigeons, they fly into the air? So a friend of mine and I wanted to know if griffins will fly into the air when you charge them, like giant birds. Now of course, griffins aren't going to be scared of a few little colts. So what we did was we took these big burlap sacks they use to put potatoes in, covered parts of it in oil, added some leaves. I even took a paper cement bag and added it into the mix, made ourselves some kind of costume where we looked like slime monsters that come out of the sewers. So we waited until night fall, and hid behind dumpsters. Then we'd wait for griffins to pass by, and we'd jump out and scare 'em. Turns out some of them did! Just like pigeons! One of them stayed and chased us, that wasn't as fun. But we did again. We found out it also works on Pegasi. Birds, right?"
Keskoo seems to find this funny
"So there was this fancy stallion who was pretty well known in the community who would walk down this way just about every Sunday, and he would wear this giant top hat that looked like one of those a magician would pull a rabbit out of, and I tell you you could fit a rabbit in that hat it was so big. He would wear a fancy coat and walk with this even fancier mare. And I thought I would prank him by sitting up on the roof top of this building. That building, right there, as he was rounding the corner, since he always took the same route. And I would wait there with a fishing pole, and hook that hat right off of his head. So I tried to do that, let the hook down as they were walking past, hoping they wouldn't see the hook. And the hook went just a centimeter too close to me and missed the hat. So I tried to pull the hook back up. But when I did, it got stuck in his coat! So I got spooked, and tried to reel it in! So I pulled on it - really should have just cut the line but i wasn't thinking straight - and that hook went right through and cut half of his coat. Didn't even notice until he rounded the corner and it was sliding down on his shoulder. I thought it was pretty funny, until he told my mother later. It was worth it though, for the expression on that mare's face when she saw him with the ripped coat."
This one is not as funny to Keskoo
>>127635Silver laughs at the story about the scared griffons and pegasi, and shakes his head in amusement at Loputu's second story.
"I did not get into very many antics as colt. There
was time where my friends dared to me to swim across frozen river in winter. That was coldest I have ever been."
>>127636"Oh, well it doesn't get too cold here. At least the river never freezes over, or I haven't seen it freeze over, though there can be ice near the shore line. Harbor Bay doesn't either. We'd do all sorts of dares to go diving into the water though. Swim underneath some of the larger ships. Friend tried that once on a big ocean going freighter, swim under it. Lumine Põld was his name. He went under and was under a while, and when he came up again on the other side he was bleeding all over his back. Scraped the bottom of it and it was covered in barnacles. But there were all sorts of things like that. One time I was jumping between houses on the sea shore, failed to land on the other side and fell too floors. Broke a leg. My parents were not happy about that. Now if you want to talk about
cold there was this one time with the freezers they use for fish hauls...."
>>127637"Oh? Mind sharing story?"
>>127638>friend mangles himself and almost drowns
>Loputo fell two floors and broke a leg
I sleep
>the word "cold" is mentioned
Real s***
>>127638"Well yeah. They can be kind of big and long. Kind of like the freezer's they'll have at the market, but much longer. So you can actually get inside of them. So I was out with a friend, it was the same pony, Lumine, he had a brother who worked at a fish processor, so we went there and were playing around with the equipment. I got into one of the freezers and laid in it, closed the door. Kind of like a coffin. And it was very cold and completely dark. Which I expected because it was a freezer. But when I tried to open the door it wouldn't open. So I tried again and it wouldn't open. I was almost panicking when Lumine opened the door, and I bolted out of there. I wasn't in it for very long but I'm almost afraid of those freezers ever since."
>>127639shrugsI've heard kind of similar stories from my Boomer parents and Gen X older brother that were about equal, so I figured I would translate these stories into an industrial urban seaside setting. Maybe the imitation of past eras doesn't translate well to the younger generations who have never gone outside to play with friends, but I am trying to attempting to recreate a place and time that no longer exists, not trying to impress
>>127640Same, my father had all sorts of stories from his youth. Never broke a bone or witnessed a major injury like that, though. Makes sense Silver would be desensitized or would make a wry comment.
>>127641Oh, I misread that as your reaction, rather than Silvers reactionOf course Silver would be desensitized, he’s seen worse just last night
I hope Dark Star comes back, I want to know if he'll ever like birbs.
>>127640"Сладкая Селестия! That would be nightmare scenario."
>>127646"Oh, it would be. Maybe not as much as that other thing..."
Loputu and Keskoo look forward in silence
They approach the furniture store, which looks to be reasonably large with several styles, upon entering. No pony to great them immediately, but something closer in style, if not in goods sold, to a department store. Silver may recall that he has an additional, empty room at the beach house
>>127647"Hmm...this seems rather nice. I will have to remember this place."
The first place Silver looks is in the beds section.
>>127648This is a walk past a set of sofas to an area with several beds - queen beds, double beds, king beds, bunk beds, and fold out beds. Several styles of head boards as well
>>127649Silver turns to Keskoo.
"See anything you like?"
>>127650She looks around, walking slowly. She passes by the dark varnished Victorian style headboards, and pays more attention to the lighter colored wooden headboards.
"I suppose I should take one of the smaller ones."
Then she comes to a headboard that is not varnished in dark brown, but has intricate patterns, including trees and snowflakes
"This one is pretty"
>>127557Iron blinks, having witnessed a mare talk to the magical object with a tilt of his head. "...I do not see the bronze object moving to reach whatever sort of food items you have just said," he comments, lightly tapping the communication device again to see if it reacted.
>>127652To do this, Iron must come up to White Sands so close he is almost touching her. Not that this is problematic. Tapping the brass object yields a slight ringing sound.
White Sans giggles in a sort of nervous way
"heh heh, it's a phone, to call the ponies downstairs, darling. Have you never seen a phone before?"
>>127653Iron blinks, turning to her while still rubbing coats. "...'pone'?" he mutters, clearly puzzled by the name choice "That is one weird name." He pokes the pone once more, eyeing it curiously "So it sends words to others? Because I still do not see it moving to report what you have asked."
She gives a toothy smile at him, awkwardly
"Darling, it's called a telephone. From ancient Trot, meaning "distant voice." It's a device that lets you talk to others."
She stares back at him awkwardly
"Think of it like..... object assisted shouting"
Looking at the object, it's a brass tube that expands on each end, that is connected by a wire to a metal base that has a wheel with many little holes
>>127651"If I may, it
does look like something that would fit you."
>>127656She smiles in her weak, sort of way
"If it isn't too much to ask for... If I can get something like this for a double bed"
>>127655Iron widens his eyes, seemingly understanding such a concept, specially at her parallel example. "
Oh that makes sense," he happily concludes, nodding "so then the ponies should come here eventually, right?"
>>127658"Yes. And they will bring breakfast" She says, almost relieved
>>127659Iron proceeds to give Sands a little hug, nuzzling the side of her head. "Oh, you're the best, love," he proclaims confidently.
>>127657Silver smiles at her.
"Of course!"
>>127660Iron is easily enough able to place the fore of his body over the small mare, and she smiles back to him in an almost devious kind of way that seems so much nicer that her earlier, toothy smile. There is something kind of soothing in the feel of the fur on her head..
It doesn't take that long for a knock to be heard on the door
"Room service"
"Come in!"
And a zebra stallion - almost a colt, and if Iron checks, no he does not look to be one of Black Cauldron's brothers - comes in pushing a cart that has several trays, including one with two levels. It includes nice brown breaded circles, syrup, a bowl of oatmeal, four muffins, and a pair of oranges and another of apples
>>127661She closes her eyes and prances in place
"hehehe!"
Then she moves her legs apart in place
"I'll take it!"
>>127662Iron can't help but trail his eyes across the expansive number of options of the table, calculating from item to item as he proceeds to walk forward and inspect each and every food item as if he'd never seen most of the things, specially the fancy transportation they were brought in.
>>127663The zebra stallion wordlessly places the trays onto a table, and White Sands stands in her place. Iron can smell fresh baked pancakes, the sweet smell of syrup, and fruity smells from the muffins - both banana and blue berry. Coffee as well is placed on the table, next to the oatmeal, and the smell of it slowly starts to fill up the room
>>127664Iron sniffs deeply, enamored by all the smells, both old and new, as his eyes close to enjoy the prelude before the munching.
>>127665White Sands walks forward, picking up and sipping the lighter of the two coffees
>>127666Eyeing over what Sands is doing, Iron decides to reciprocate, moving his snout towards the other coffee before moving his vision along the container, glancing at Sands' sipping.
After a bit, Iron opts to simply sink his snout into the container, attempting to sip the contents gently.
>>127667Sticking his snout in, the smell is strong and fresh, rising with the steam. Sipping the dark brown liquid, it is... hot. Very hot. Not so hot that he burns himself, but hot enough that it is unpleasant. The taste is bitter.
>>127668Iron can't help but grimace slightly at the taste, scrunching his snout lightly before continuing to push through the unpleasantries in both bitter taste and uncomfortable heat, deciding to gradually drink the item as he glances at the edible options.
>>127669Oatmeal, muffins, pancakes and fruit
White Sands sips the coffee almost delicately
“There is cream if you want some. I don’t know, you seem like the sort of stallion who likes their coffee ‘black’”
>>127670Iron shakes his head. "Thank you, but it will not be necessary," he responds, stretching his back "I simply wish to rid myself of my tiredness more than feeling cream in my mouth."
With that being said, Iron proceeds to go for the safe route, munching lazily on an assortment of fruits first, then potentially decide on being more adventurous when his stomach started to wake up his mind.
>>127671“Well, the coffee is a stimulant, so it will help keep you stay awake. Not as much as the... Pervitin last night though, no.”
>>127672"I figured," Iron answers promptly, chewing on the fruit "so what were you planning to do today?"
>>127673“I don’t even know..... I suppose that’s the hard thing about freedom. You don’t know what choice to make. I was sure I wanted the cash and security... but other than that, no. But I can tell you what I will not be doing. I will not be serving any damned griffin criminals and their weird religions.”
>>127674"Understandable," Iron agrees before trying out the muffin absentmindedly and mixing it with a sip of coffee "I almost feel tempted to say the same thing in the offchance Cauldron has not managed to sell off the stuff yet." The stallion proceeds to gulp down and go for another bite and sip. "It would surely be a slow day for both of us if that were the case, that is certain."
>>127675Warm and fluffy with blueberries in it
“Just... I should really check in with done ponies I have not seen in a while. That is all”
She pauses
“Are you sure you trust that zebra to sell the items?”
>>127676"Yes," Iron answers without hesitation, smiling softly from the nice feeling of muffin in his mouth before raising an eyebrow at the comment "so you do know some ponies in the city?"
Following the question, Iron would soon finish all the muffins he could get his hooves on, obviously leaving one or two for Sands to eat if she so wanted to.
>>127677She does not touch the food, but instead goes to lay on the bed, at first carefully balancing the coffee cup between her hooves, then moving and placing the coffee cup on the night stand. She drinks it slowly
>>127678Iron, seeing she wasn't receptive to the question, simply shakes his head before munching on the rest of the breakfast, figuring he wouldn't be able to pierce whatever sort of vow of silence she has regarding her past.
>>127679“Hmmm? Oh. Yes, I know a few ponies”
>>127680"Nothing interesting nor worthy to mention about them?" he asks curiously, seemingly surprised at the vague nature of her answer.
>>127681“They can be interesting, depending on what you want to get yourself into” she answers
>>127682Iron looks expectantly, waiting for at least more than a teaser from Sands, nibbling on the pancakes.
>>127683Taking a sip, and responding casually
“Oh, a couple nightclub owners. And shall we say, a few ponies who would rather their names and connections to certain activities not be given away so easily”
>>127684"Ah," Iron lets out before munching on the pancakes "I understand."
Without further ado, the stallion finishes up his coffee combined with the rest of the food on offer, which concludes in him standing up. "I assume you would want to follow me for the rest of the day?" he asks
>>127685“What are you doing?” She asks
>>127686"I am standing up," he answers as he tilts his head, confused with the question presented. "Going to check out the Watering Hole, see if anything is happening."
>>127687She hangs her mouth and stares at him for a moment with an eye twitch, before composing herself and saying
"Well if you are not staying here another night, you should checkout"
>>127688Iron cocks his head slightly, looking at the mare in contemplation. "Do you... want to stay here for the rest of the day?" he asks tentatively.
>>127689"I suppose I can, or do my own thing. If that is going to happen, you need to rent out another night."
>>127657>Double bed
Despite the restrictions of the contract Keskoo is keeping her options open.>>127664I miss being able to go out for breakfastHe forgot to tip>>127689Imagine not finishing your gourmet breakfast, being dead-tired after a night of "work" but going to handle non-urgent business immediately. Maybe Iron is one of those workaholic types.
>>127690"Do you want to, however?" he asks once again, scratching his head at her choice of words.
>>127691He so ate breakfast.Although he began to forget to taste it after the muffins.
>>127691Perhaps I should have done research on bed sizes before posting. I just meant to convey that Keskoo has limited room in her apartment and thus does not want a king or queen sized bed, which she does not need, although she'd surely like the fancier headboards that are only available in the larger sizes. Maybe she'd only like a single bed>>127692"Well, I'm not much interested in going to a bar of all places so early. Unless there are special connections to be made, or work to be done. When are you liquidating those items, anyways?"
>>127693I understand. Honestly a double IS more comfortable. It's just that unless if Keskoo insists on creature comforts I don't see her getting the fancier option at others' expense, particularly when they're hauling it back 12 blocks.
>>127693"As soon as they can be," Iron promptly answers as he wipes his mouth with a foreleg "but I have a feeling it will take some time unless Cauldron managed to sell it all off at night."
With that, he promptly gives a wavy test trot before nodding to himself and looking back at Sands. "I'll add an extra night here for you to do... whatever you do," he starts "I will be sure to meet back with you here whenever there is something you can work on."
>>127695She finishes the last of her coffee
"Alright. I'll meet you here then"
>>127696With a nod, Iron approaches Sands, giving her a peck on the cheek before heading out with a wave, going over to the counter and doing the necessary transaction to extend the stay another night.
Following that, Iron trots lazily towards the Watering Hole, ready to see what the day had in store for him.
>>127697It's the price of one night, 75 bits, plus 20 bits for room service
And so Iron is on his way. He still feels a definite "crash," but at least he can keep his eyes open
>>127698"Ugh," he mumbles out as he trotted along. He had to wonder if Khoi would be waiting at the bar, considering what he told her, but he isn't fully expecting her to be there.
>>127699Going into the bar, he sees that it is almost empty at this time. Neither Cauldron nor Khoi is visible there
>>127700"Just my luck," Iron mumbles out before deciding to enter the bar anyways, having the need to sit for a bit and rub his temple.
>>127701Looking around, a waitress wipes down tables. It looks like they are open now at least
>>127702With that, he sits on a table, blinking heavily as he wondered what productive activity he could do for the day. He wasn't about to go meet Cauldron at her house, mainly because he doesn't quite remember where it was, while Khoi would be impossible to track unless he went out of his way to maybe ask the bartender over at the other tavern.
His main two pathways are now cloudy and he wasn't about to return so soon after he left so suddenly. "What to do, what to do..." he mumbles slightly.
>>127703From behind, a sound of loud and fast clopping, then a sudden stop
"Iron?"
He can recognize the voice
"I wasn't expecting you here"
>>127704Iron's ear flickers, turning around first to ensure he was talking to the pony he recognizes, blinking tiredly.
>>127705It is indeed Black Cauldron, wearing a light sweater
"You look..."
She grimaces her teeth as she pauses to search for the right word
"Tired"
>>127706"Mhm," Iron agrees before yawning softly "I definitely did not expect to wake up like this."
>>127707"Well.... you looked pretty bad last night. You must not have slept very well, or much at all"
>>127708"Most likely," Iron agrees before rubbing his eyes softly "last night was such a vine swing."
Shaking his head, he turns his head towards Cauldron with a tired smile. "So, how are you doing?"
>>127706>light sweater
Light as in color or in material? Also, cute zeeb waifu
>>127709She gives a "huh" and tilts her head after Iron's "vine swing" idiom. She does not immediately return the smile
"Well, I've been busy with... Our Thing. The situation is kind of escalating. Or at least there is fear that it could escalate, and that may end up being the same thing. I also had to help my father for the lunch hour rush."
>>127710Light material
>>127711What color? I'm guessing a grey or black if it's not important enough to mention
>>127711"Busy, speculating day, huh?" he comments absent-mindedly, thinking pose already forming "How bad are we talking about the 'fear' aspect?"
Think we can continue the northern party today?
>>127712I was thinking maroon or blue. The point is that she was wearing clothing while outside, either having only just arrived or was about to leave. Otherwise she'd be naked>>127713"That's kind of the question. At the moment, everyone is just waiting to see how everyone else will react. The crackdown in Manehattan has
everyone anxious, because no one believed a crackdown could be that severe. I mean, we heard things out of Las Pegasus, but that's the Changelings, and we kind of expected that sort of brutality out of them. But if it can happen in
Manehattan, of all cities, you have to wonder, were else can it happen? The Mayor of Fillydelphia is getting pressure from his political opponents, and while that probably won't amount to anything, who knows?
All of this makes the situation with Pransisco worse... You remember that thing on Black Briar pier? The thing that you... well, let's not talk about that, but there are those who say Pransisco set something up, or one of his lieutenants did something dirty when trading with foreign merchants, and it turned into a bloodbath. Even if they don't think he did it, they question who he is making deals with, and everyone is afraid that the Black Briar pier incident will be used by the city or the Fascists to justify a crackdown, which is what everyone is afraid of."
She droops her ears down, shuts her eyes, and bends her head down, before lifting it up, opening her eyes and resuming
"And that thing.... that thing last night, over at the old poorhouse. That thing you said you did. That was all over the papers this morning. Yeah. Those griffins were a real pain in the ass for us. But we can't even be glad they are gone because we don't know how the city is going to react, and how customs is going to react. It's going to be much harder to smuggle.... anything into the city now.
And... remember what I told you last night? About Manehattan gangs coming into the city? They will fill any vacuum they can find. And they are not as nice as we are. The Lady has done a remarkable job, balancing all of the various groups in Baltimare, and keeping the police off of us. You know in other cities, gangs are often chains of immigrant families, but that hasn't happened here, and it's because of her. But I don't know now. No one does. It is worrying."
>>127716Sure, little pony
Spark went to stand on the small pier. There is something like a fish trap, or some sort of fishing device next to it. The long, tall pines sway with the wind, and an owl can be heard hooting. Another wolf call, reciprocated somewhere else in the forest. The moon is nearer setting and the sun to rising, but it isn't there yet. There are few insect sounds. They must not like the cold
>>127718I believe last time I missed the hint I was supposed to walk along the river, so Spark, having taken in the scenery, trots along the river.
>>127719Packs of snow in some areas that crunch under hoof, mats of pine needles in others, Spark walks along the small river, further and further, until coming to a lake
>>127720What can Spark see around the lake?
>>127721No artificial structures around the lake, although one area looks as if the foundations or ruins of an old house or other structure are present. The lake is long and narrow, extending at least a mile, with largely rocking shores. Some areas by the shores are frozen over, but not most of the lake. There are occasional tracks by the water, but they don't look to be made by ponies
>>127722Where do the tracks lead?
>>127723To the water, and in and out of the forest
>>127724He follows the tracks towards the forest.
>>127717"How good were the gangs to the Manehattan population in general?" Iron asks, curious as he digests such a big load of information as he blinks slowly, ears slightly dropping at seeing Cauldron's distress "Would the crackdown really be such a powerful political move that could warrant breaking the previous agreements, or are they mostly worrisome due to the new, more ruthless clans?"
>>127725Along the shoreline there is more than one set of tracks. One is like that of a deer, or some kind of even toed animal, another is like that of a wolf or dog, and another is.... well, it's hard to say what it is like, really, but it must be a very large animal. The forest seems to stretch almost indefinitely past the lake, but the space between trees makes it traversable, even as it is dark under the canopy.
>>127726"There were highs and lows. Some gangsters, like Spring Valley Run, had popular profiles. And some like Gusto Gutierri had a dangerous but 'rugged,' reputation. And then some incidents, like the Hearts and Hooves Day Massacre - which took place in Bales, mind you - really hurt their reputation. But mostly it wasn't the population they could be brutal with. It was to other gangs, over territory and competition, or even power struggles within the gangs. Manehattan is.... larger, more diverse than Baltimare, and they don't have the Lady. They didn't have the same relationship with the authorities either."
She looks back to him
"Are you asking about the government cracking down here in Baltimare?"
>>127727Luckily Spark has spells that illuminate. He follows the strange tracks.
>>127728They go deeper into the forest, and though there are needles and snow covering sections of it it looks as if the mud and clay preserved them.
It would help if Spark could track
>>127727"The possibility, more like," Iron corrects slightly, but nods. "I am not particularly sure the population would be interested in such a thing, considering the self-centered nature I have witnessed so far." He ponders for a bit, scritching his chin to keep himself active as his mind processed the facts. "I doubt these 'fah-sheeshs' have better things to worry about than this, unless they believe they contribute to a bigger problem in their eyes."
>>127730*"I assumed these 'fah-sheeshs' have better
>>127730>>127731"Well, there are a few possible reasons. Partly it might be because they don't like the idea of sharing power over the city with gangs. Maybe they think the gangs 'exploit the people,' or something like that. Huh! They must be jealous... But they will use it as a basis for a moral crusade. Or they say they do, those lines are used in Manehattan, anyways... The businesses do not like protection racketeering or counterfiet goods, so they call in the Fascists to protect them. And the Fascists don't like these cutting into their tax base."
She turns directly to him
"But the real reason they would look to crack down, is if they are afraid the gang is supporting the resistance."
>>127732Previously sporadically and lazily nodding at the first three reasons presented, his ears flicker at the supposed real reason. "The resistance?" Iron asks, cocking his head slightly.
>>127733"Resistance to the Fascist Occupation. It's lead by the ELF in most places, but here it's by the Popular Front. Not that there aren't individuals who try to take matters into their own hooves."
>>127734"Huh," Iron muses "seems that would definitely be a cause for them to worry, considering the worst enemy always come from within." He pauses, poking his chin "Or at least that is what I heard."
Blinking once or twice, Iron turns his head towards the zebra mare. "I assume the Lady has not commented about the situation for the whole gang, right?"
>>127735"She's probably most concerned about Pransisco. As for any new arrivals from Manehattan... Don't give them an inch. But don't give the government any excuses either."
>>127736"I see..." Iron mumbles, having the slight feeling there isn't much he could do about that unless a fact he is forgetting about this ordeal suddenly revealed an opportunity. "So basically, we may be called to stop some of their operations or guard ours instead?" he asks, feeling at least there's something to do. "I hope they are not as twisted at the ones in the 'pee-err'."
>>127737"For the short term, of course," he adds.
>>127737>>127738"Yes, it is possible. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them are the same as the ones on the pier."
>>127739Iron nods, scratching his chin thoughtfully, flashing back at Sands' last proposal. "...maybe it could use one more spy to effectively watch their movements in order to counter them effectively, too," he suggests.
>>127740"That would be helpful," she says, almost absentmindedly
>>127741"I may have a candidate," Iron replies but tilts his head in mild doubt "but I have no clue if they would accept a random mare into the fold to spy on others willy nilly. Maybe if they take her time as a captive back at the 'pee-err' enough of an insurance..."
>>127742And... Iron is confusing Black Brier Pier with 33 HoebuckHer ears twist until they are facing him
"Huh?"
>>127743HECKING DANG IT. I just remembered what the pier she was talking about.Iron shakes his head. "...wait, no, not there," he mumbles as he rubs his eyes "it may have been a bad idea to get out of bed in my state."
He glances towards the zebra, one hoof still covered by his hoof. "Nevermind," he hastily adds "now I am even less sure."
>>127744Now she looks confused. She breathes, then backs down
"Oh... Okay..."
>>127745Letting a bit of time in order to properly set in, Iron cranes his neck slightly, popping some bones. "What about the stuff we gave you?" he asks
>>127746"It's still in my closet" She says
>>127747He nods, figuring she may not have had the time to sell off the stuff in the middle of the night before placing his body into the backrest with a disarming, still tired smile. "So, how was the lunch hour rush?"
>>127748"Oh it's just beginning. I helped prepare some spices and the soup."
Seeing that Iron is leaning back, she takes off her sweater
>>127749"Oh?" Iron replies, surprised tone quite apparent in his mumbly voice before he paused, staring ahead before nodding. "Impressive."
He turns to Cauldron "I figured you were helping him for the whole thing, but I suppose he is quite versatile."
>>127750"I suppose I could go back and help him cook more, I just wanted everything to be sorted out"
>>127751Iron can't help but chuckle heartily, playfully, gently and lazily pushing her body by a mere inch. "You know I did not mean it like that, Cauldron," he protests happily. "I was simply complimenting your father's productivity."
>>127752She smiles back, kind of awkwardly
"Yes, he and his hired help do a pretty good job. I don't know if I fully trust them with
every recipe, but that is why I prepped the soup and spices"
>>127753"Ah, I see," Iron answers, smiling softly still as he relaxed considerably "and I fully understand. No hired help could compare to your magic hooves."
>>127754She sits down next to him though not quite as relaxed. Then she smiles in a mischievous way, and raises her forehooves, and batting them almost like a cat as she shows them off
>>127755Iron can't help but snicker at her display before dramatically gasping slightly, covering his snoot with his hoofsies from being targeted by the flowing, deft forelegs of the master booper. "Goodness," he utters theatrically "do not go starting an assault on my snout in public." The stallion twist his foreleg to place it on his forehead, looking at the ceiling at an angle "I would not know how I would cope."
>>127756"I wasn't"
She smiles, if somewhat awkwardly
>>127729Well, I don't have track. Do I need to roll to avoid getting lost or something?
>>127757Iron snorts before shaking his head "I know, silly," he responds happily, smiling warmly as his potential eyebags would highlight at the crinkles "I frankly needed a bit of downtime after all that serious business last night, so forgive me if I go overboard with my usual antics."
>>127758Spark can make several roles. Survival to track or avoid getting lost, or listen or spot. All of these are Wisdom
>>127759Looks up at him, smiling with a look of almost concern
"It really looks like you do. I suppose it's my lunch break now. At least there is no big problem in my little area. Not yet, anyways."
[1d20 = 18]>>127760Alright then... track roll I suppose.
>>127761Even as the ground becomes harder and the needles thicker, Spark is able to follow the tracks quite a distance from the water. It seems to have traversed the wider spaces between trees with little underbrush, which helps
Roll listen, or spot
>>127760Iron can't help but smile wide at the mention, albeit he looks almost sheepish about it with a tiny blush on his cheeks. "Oh, you do not need to stay with me if you need to be somewhere else," he replies, waving his hoof dismissively, clearly flustered by the implication "I can understand you have much less free time than I do."
[1d20 = 14]>>127762Listen check
>>127763She looks back at him, and has a blank expression expression for a moment, as if caught by surprise on something or encountering some new problem she did not account for
"I mean... I figured... I thought that's what you came here for"
>>127764Light steps in needles distant
>>127765Spark sneaks towards the sound. Can he make out anything?
>>127766Only a silhouette in the low light. It's a quadruped and on the smaller side. Looks like a wolf or other canine, although a doe or even a pony can't be entirely ruled out. It is standing still, and is observing Spark
>>127765Iron twiddled with his hooves, a bit ashamed at her reaction. "I can help at whatever you are doing if you want to," he adds sheepishly, trying his best not to hinder Cauldron's routine by his presence and actions.
>>127767Spooky. Spark is unsure of what he should do. He holds his ground and listens more. Perhaps a clue of what is in front of him can be heard.
>>127769The creature is off to the side, and watches Spark. It has stopped moving or making any kind of sound. It's somewhat hard to see in the dim light, although no other creatures can be seen
>>127768"Well... I came back here to get accounts in order. You know, gambling debts, loans and so on. You've already proven yourself pretty good at collecting" She says
>>127770Well, if I'm not going to get any more clues, I slowly approach the thing.
>>127770Iron nods eagerly, his desire to be useful for his friend/crush being way higher than the creeping sensation of sleep. "I can help you, sure," he responds not soon after "I definitely can do that."
>>127771The creature moves back a little as Spark approaches. Spark can see in the light that it is a wolf, white head and tail, but with darker patches around its upper limbs and back. Judging from its behavior, it seems likely to flee if Spark approaches within a certain distance
>>127772She twists her mouth
"Have you ever... done math?"
>>127773Hmm... then Spark keeps his distance. He tries to pick back up the trail of the strange tracks.
>>127773Iron blinks once at the mention of math, thinking back. "...you mean the whole numbers thing, right?" he asks "Not the power booster drug."
>>127774The trail of footprints becomes harder to see, though now Spark can see that branches are disrupted, and in particular, a bush looks as if some of its berries have been picked
>>127775"...." She giggles "What?"
>>127776"You know," Iron leads on, tilting his head to the side as he leans in for a whisper "meth."
>>127778"What are you talking about?"
>>127776Hmm.... interesting. Spark continues the best he can.
>>127780Another dice roll!
>>127779"Were you not talking about 'meth' just a second ago?" Iron asks innocently, tilting his head to the side. "If I recall correctly, it either means number manipulation or drugs, so I figured it was one of the two."
Nice, Spark is back! Now we just need Brie, though he may have been scared off for an interminable time by the after-quest celebrations.>>127755>>127756I would have interpreted that scene as Cauldron having gotten her hooves done. Manicures/farriers may not exist in the jungle but still you don't want to miss a lady showing off her beauty.>>127778Don't do drugs, kids
>>127783From what I've seen so far, Caulron is more of a show off in the strength department.
[1d20 = 14]>>127782Dice roll.
>>127783Hi economic guy. How have you been?
>>127782She looks legitimately lost, having evidently never heard the word "meth" in relation to any kind of drug
"... I said math, and I don't know what you are talking about"
>>127785Well enough that I plan to join when the next day rolls around.
I don't know if Spark is currently on the same day as the rest of the party (Monday? morning) or the evening before but I'm going to Baltimare so it doesn't really matter.>>127786As for why Cauldron is confused, meth had been developed only a short time prior as a military stimulant and was a long way off from becoming a street drug.
>>127787Yay! Can't wait to see your character.
>>127786Iron can't help but smile sheepishly. "I suppose it was simply some overly complicated word assosiation I jumbled up," he admits, scratching his chin in embarassment. "Anyways, yes, I can do math."
>>127787For record keeping, the drug "Pervitin" has been introduced in game and is all but stated to be the drug N,α-dimethylphenethylamine, which in 21st century America is called by the colloquial shorthand "Meth," but in-world is used to keep military pilots awake on long flights. At no point in the entire campaign have the words "Meth" or even "Methamphetamine" been used to refer to any drug at all, except for a lone out of character description that calls it "methamphetamine.">>127789"Oh, good! Well I have some paperwork on how interest has accrued on gambling debts and loans."
>>127785Spark keeps going until he comes across an area of flattened needles and a bush, forming an oval seven feet at the longest and three and a half feet at the widest
>>127790"...paperwork?" Iron asks, mildly puzzled at the prospect "It might be better if you show me what you mean."
>>127791Hmm... he goes to the narrowest point and looks towards the center.
>>127793It's kind of pressed down, almost like a bed
>>127792"Well, why don't you follow me"
She goes down the Bar, and towards a back area, past a couple rooms, and into a room with a desk and papers
"Here is one. We lent this stallion 200 bits, and we are trying to calculate the interest on his loan"
>>127794Now I want to create a character with 8 ranks in Profession so I can just do the stuff I do irl in-game.Also, it's annoying that names don't stick around like they used to.
>>127795>namesWhat names?
>>127796If I leave this thread to lurk elsewhere and come back, my name field is empty. I have to keep a tab open.
>>127794Spark wonders what would make a bed like this. He steps inside the oval.
>>127794Iron follows her without question before glancing down at the paper Cauldron is talking about.
>>127798Extra needles have been set down inside the oval, but Spark can feel that the dirt and mud beneath are pressed and stamped down beneath
>>127799Looking at the paper, there is nothing more than a name, a number, and a date, along with an additional number at the top
"So, this stallion borrowed 200 bits from us what will be two weeks this tuesday. He's a '4', as we rate them, so he is charged 10% per week, and he doesn't have any property to use as collateral. Now, I know he has a job and is paid every two weeks. That would be last Friday, and he hasn't paid since. So! The task is to figure out how much he has to pay when he does pay, and interest compounds. It's 200 bits so that's 20 bits after the first week..."
She pulls up a piece of note paper that is rather messy, and grabs a pencil in her mouth and starts writing. She talks around the pencil, which she holds in her mouth almost like a cigarette when talking to Iron
"Which is 220 bits, then the next week after that the interest is 22 bits, so 242 bits... then it's... let's round that to 24 bits the next week, so 264 bits after three weeks... then the fourth week it's...."
She scribbles on her note pad
Two hundred and.... eighty bits..."
She finishes scribbling
"And... there! And if it takes more than four weeks then it's a broken leg, because he has no reason to not pay us after two paychecks!"
>>127800>>127799Black Cauldron looks back down at the notepaper and blinks twice
"Or would it be 290 bits after four weeks....?"
>>127800>>127801Iron, for his part, looked quite focused, even as he yawned at the end of her walkthrough, wildly shaking his head because of it and slowly counting in a whisper. "...going by what you said without accidentally butchering it is 286 bits, since the interest would be about..." he counts once again, looking up in the air before back at Cauldron "26...? Meaning the amount from the third week plus 26 equals 286."
>>127802"No no, it's 10% of each prior week. So if it's 264 bits one week then the next week it's 26 bits interest, which means...... 290 bits is the total amount"
>>127803She pauses again
"Wait. By the third week it is actually 242 plus 24... so 266... so 292 the fourth week"
>>127804>>127803"Uh..." Iron had to rethink this whole thing over. "So we start at 200... then take away a zero, letting us add 20 more for the next week..." he proceeded to count in the air looking up. "220... then we take the zero, leaving us with 22..." A pause filled with mumbling follows "242... then take... uh... the two, which would lead to 24, which... is 264... then take the four, which should finally leave us with 26, then we add it with 264... and we get... 290..."
>>127805"Wait, no..." Iron stops "...yeah, it is 292."
[YouTube] I'm afraid we need to use...MATH [Embed]>>127805"Yes, except I did the math wrong between the second and third weeks. It's actually 266."
She tries to smile at Iron
>>127806"There we go"
Now she's definitely smiling
>>127807Iron huffs slightly, smiling sheepishly
"Whew, that was a mind bender," he mutters out "but I bet the next ones will not be as bad."
>>127808She places away the simple sheet in a folder, and pulls out a new one
“Alright, this next stallion borrowed 400, With the first 200 at 5% but everything after that at 10%, and paid 139 bigs after the second week.... shit”
>>127809Iron tilts his head at the sudden curse word, looking at Cauldron expectantly to either continue or relay the news.
>>127810She looks back up to Iron with a big, toothy smile that looks more than a little nervous
"So that's... 430 after the first week... then... 33 interest the second week, for 463. But he paid 139, which brings it down to 324, which means.... 22 interest the third week for 346.... and this guy is probably going to want to pay more after that, so let's not bother with it for now"
>>127811"That does sound quite complex," he muses, listening intently before humming lightly "So for only 200 bits the interest is only... 5 parts out of a hundred... while the rest we can take a zero...?"He pauses "It is a weird way to paying it..."
>>127811It sounds like one of those weird minigames in video games that requires an unusual skill but rewards you for completing it successfully. Except, this is educational.
>>127812“This pony gets a discount because he has borrowed in the past, and he pays back on a reasonable timeframe. That’s why it’s different”
>>127813Kek
>>127814>>127811Nodding lightly, Iron muses on Cauldron's calculations, standing idle for a few tense, foucsed and awkward moments, mouth slightly moving as whispers of numbers could be heard from his lips. "...then the fourth week's total would be... 353 bits, right?" the native mutters out.
>>127815"Well, if it's 346 the thirs week, then it's.... 10 bits on the first two hundred, and 14 on the next 146....so that's 370, 24 bits interest"
>>127816Having two sessions a day 12 hours apart is a dream scenario
>>127816"Huh?" Iron's thought bubble pops at Cauldron's response. "Wait, did you not say only the first 200 had 5 hundredths of interest? Would that not lead to 353 bits?"
>>127818She blinks
"Huh? That's what I meant. 353 is too low, I think"
>>127819"Hm..." the native mumbles, starting to softly bonk his head. "So we are not directly taking 139 bits out of the 200 that is based on the 5 hundreths but instead take 200 bits from the total for the 10 hundreths..." Iron seemed deep into his thinking, seconds passing by in his head. "...which gives a 26 bits of interest..."
The stallion mumbled some more calculations, tapping his hoof against the floor. "So you placed the 200 into the 5 hundreths interest while the rest is on 10 hundreths interest, right? That is how I can reach the number you have gotten."
>>127820"So that means that it is the last 200 that gets the 5 hundreths interest rate, then," he concludes hesitantly, unsure himself if his calculations are correct.
>>127820"Uh.... yes? I got 24 bits interest, not 26."
She seems confused
>>127822Iron grumbles, rubbing his temple before tapping his hoof. "Oh wait," he mutters out before looking at Cauldron "I am mixing up your results for the fourth week with my results from the third week, which is 353 if we substract the 139 bits given to the 200 bits total from the 5 hundreth interest, then placing the remaining bits on the 10 hundreths interest rate, which is about 3 and 26 bits respectively, equaling 29 bits interest."
The native seems to muse this aspect a bit more, mumbling more numbers under his breath. "...if I were to substract 200 from the total and place it in the 10 hundreth interest while keeping the 200 bits on the 5 hundreth, then I would get 24 bits interest, which is what was bugging me, meaning the 5 hundreth interest rate applies to the last 200 bits. Not the first 200."
>>127823"Alright, let's go over this again. He borrows 400 bits, at 5% for the first 200, and 10% for all after that. So that's 30 bits interest the first week, for 430 bits. The second week interest is 5% on 200 and 10% on 230, so 33 bits interest, 463 bits total. However, he pays us 139 bits, which reduces his total to... 324 bits. So then the third week he pays 5% on 200 and 10% on 124, which is 22 bits interest, and 344 bits total.... So the fourth week is 24 bits interest, and 368 bits total...
I mean, you
can say his payment goes towards the bits with the lower interest rate"
>>127824"Ah!" Iron realizes, eyes widening with a smile on his face at having figured such a conundrum out "now I understand. You meant every week's first 200 bits were at a 5 hundreths interest rate, not the loan's first 200 bits."
A few seconds passes, as he maintains that pose but his ears start to droop slightly, cheeks reddening and sheepish smile forming. "Then yes, it is indeed correct what you said."
He averts his gaze slightly, pouting softly as he basically made a fool out of himself in front of Cauldron.
>>127825Her ears droop as well, as she does an awkward smile
"I.... got it wrong the first time as well..." Then she looks away
>>127826Seeing Cauldron display try to soften his blunder, he looks at her,
gently planting a hoof on her shoulder. "Well, we are the unbeatable duo," he starts calmly, giving Cauldron a warm smile "we are unstoppable as long as we work together. We did get it right eventually, right?" Amist the encouraging words, Cauldron could see his ears straighten slightly as his eyes exhude a deep level of confidence in her underneath all the platitudes.
>>127827Unbeatable in everything except math
>>127827Her smile softens somewhat
"I guess that is true. I just think collecting may be a bit less of a challenging for us than calculating"
>>127829Iron can't help but widen his smile, turning slightly mischievous. "Oh come on," Iron mutters out, chucking somewhat before looking at Cauldron "do you see me as a pony who backs down from a challenge?"
>>127830She smiles wider at him,
“I see you as a pony that didn’t do any better at math in school than I did”
She giggles
>>127831Iron chortles at the response, lightly tapping Cauldron's chest. "Hey," he mock protests after a bit "I will have you know my father made me study the magical number thingies or unless I sought to get spanked." He pauses, smiling widely "I admit my flank got beet red more than I would like to admit."
>>127832She gives a toothy, kind of awkward smile
"My father wanted me to do well in school, I just kind of... slacked off and did other things"
>>127833Iron cocked his head. "Oh?" he lets out, intrigued by her potential hobbies as a filly "What did you do before?"
>>127834"Well, you know. Talk to other fillies and colts. Play around."
She looks down at the notepad
"I would often ask the teacher when I would ever have to use math in life. I had no idea..."
>>127835Iron can't help but chuckle. "Me too, actually," the native admits sheepishly, rubbing his cheek "I did not expect to have to use them for all sorts of things either, even less that it would apply to something like this."
The native pulls up his foreleg, looking pensively "I thought we would simply be coercing ponies from the money they owed, nothing more."
>>127836"No, you have to get the money to lend out from a boss, find creatures that need money but can't get it from the bank or pawn shop, sell them the loan, keep track of where they are, how much they owe, and then collect on it. And this is on top of issues like the police, or if borrowers are borrowing to cover debts to a different lender"
>>127837Iron can't help but smile at Cauldron. "Seems you caught on pretty quick, I would say," he replies gingerly, wrapping a foreleg around the zebra "to nopony's surprise, of course."
>>127838As Iron places a foreleg around her, she at first pulls away from the movement, but then relaxes into it
"Well, you either catch on, or you fall behind. That seemed okay in school, but it isn't in life, so I caught on"
Her smile is subtle and confident
>>127839"I sure can tell," Iron confirms warmly, "from your snout poking prowess to this stuff we just went through, I bet you could do anything you wanted with enough time and effort."
Iron moves his head to stick by hers, glancing at her from her side. "Speaking of, do you think all of the goods I have gotten would be able to be invested in a trade you really want?" he asks
>>127840She stops, her eyes are focused, her ears go straight up, and her fur seems to stand up
"What do you mean?" She asks
>>127841Iron tilts his head. "What do you mean 'what do you mean'?" he asks in return. The native feels something is off, making sure he didn't miss anything in terms of her emotional state.
[1d20+2 = 8]<Sense motive roll
>>127842She seems surprised or excited
"What are you proposing?" she asks
>>127843"You know, the whole potion maker business," he clarifies, rubbing her back with his foreleg reassuringly "in order to boost your money making further up, help your family and be safer from this crackdown in the future, remember?"
>>127844"Yes. And?"
She is definitely excited
>>127845"Well, I
did create a lot of capital through the goods I have gotten," Iron suggests happily, excitement clear in his voice "meaning you could be able to invest in preparations for it. Not to mention I got a few extra hoooves as well if you need more hired help either at your father's place or with your promising enterprise."
>>127846".... For me?" She asks
>>127847"Yep!" Iron confirms happily, eyes closing and smiling at Cauldron.
>>127848And...
WHOMP!
Cauldron jumps on him, hugging him
"Thank you! Thank you!"
>>127849Iron's ears straighten, eyes widening at the glomp as he finds his body falling backward due to both unpreparedness and tiredness, but happily accepts the hug, now on the floor, belly up, wrapping his forelegs around her back. "O-oh it is nothing, Cauldron," he stammers out, taken aback by such a massive gratitude exhuding from the mare, clearly blushing hard "you did f-far more."
>>127850After finding she's knocked him to the ground, she stands back up, blushes and smiles awkwardly
"I mean... Thank you"
>>127851Iron blinks once or twice, still laid down on the ground, before looking back at Cauldron, laughing heartily, eyes closing as he waves his hoof dismissively. "Oh do not be worried about my personal space," he comments happily "I am glad I could help you after what you did for me."
He extends both of his foreleg, yet stays prone, smiling warmly "Besides, it is not like you could sour my mood after such a cute display," he comments.
>>127852She scrunches her mouth in a twisted smile, then walks over to Iron, over top of him, and hugs, or lets him hug him
>>127853Iron gladly reciprocates the hug, being overly gentle and caring, feeling all the Tartarus he went through back at Hoebuck and the Pier worth it. Her coat... her hugs... her smile...
her. It was all for her, for what she did for him so far.
He would suffer a million wounds, drown a thousand times, break all his bones and even hoof over his life.
All for that smile, that joy, that cheerful enthusiasm.
He closes his eyes, enjoying such a peaceful, soul strengthening climax as they both hugged for as long as Cauldron wanted.
>>127854She actually doesn't feel all that soft and fluffy. Certainty not as much as White Sands. A kind of hard and muscular body underneath short, if kind of soft fur. But she hugs him more. A little harder now even. She closes her eyes, and seems to have tears coming down from them
>>127855Iron's ears straighthen at the sight before hugging her slightly tighter as well, letting her pour all her emotions on him. "I am glad to help, Cauldron," he whispers to her ear, lightly nuzzling her cheek "You deserve it."
>>127856She kind of tenses and curls her neck in at the nuzzling
"Well I don't know about
that"
>>127857Iron chuckles, retreating his snout, the back of his head returning to the floor, smiling wide. "At least I think you do," he honestly replies, half lidded, grateful eyes staring at Cauldron's own "and nopony could change my mind about it."
>>127858She smiles, now warmly
"Thank you"
And then she leans in, and hugs him around the neck
>>127859Iron reciprocates the hug, happy to have her hug his neck as he closes his eyes and hugs her back, smiling warmly as well. "Thank you as well for giving me this much time of the day," he mumbles happily, content as ever to hug her crush so intimately.
>>127860Zebra is hugged"Oh, it's no problem Iron. You know that"
>>127861Iron hums happily at Cauldron's words, heart fluttering slightly. "You are going to make me blush with words like that," he mock protests, still calmly hugging the zebra.
>>127862She smiles again, warmly, but pulls away from the hug
"So... We have items to sell, do we?"
>>127863Iron nods. "Indeed we do," he confirms, turning himself around and standing up.
>>127864"Well... I haven't touched it since last night. I'm not sure what all you had there. I could see that you were really in a hurry last night."
>>127866"Some directly useful notes and bits, along with some fancy coins I have never seen before and 'bonds', whatever those are," he recounts "as well as some papers, some having pictures of a stallion bedding a mare or two used for blackmail for some reason, then some shiny gemstones and some fancy looking liquids."
>>127867"Uh.... Okay then. You
really have a lot to learn if you want to be a good criminal here. But there's probably something good in there."
>>127868Iron nods understandingly. "Perhaps we can go back and you can take a more thorough look?" he suggests.
>>127869"I think we should. Yes."
>>127870"For the best," he agrees "lead the way."
>>127871"Alright"
She goes out from the back room, into the bar, picks up her sweater, and onto the street. It's a walk of many blocks before they get back to her apartment, her unlocking the door, then locking it back after they enter inside
>>127872Iron blinks a bit, still slightly tired from yesterday's events before turning to Cauldron. "Alright, so I believe it is time for your judgement," he suggests with a grin.
>>127873She goes into the closet, and unwraps the towels that cover the horde
"Jewelry and gems." She says, looking at the first portion of the find. "We'd need to take this to a jeweler or somegriff who can determine the exact value of these, but these are at minimum a few hundred bits. Probably more." She looks at the cash. "Nice! A thousand bits. Or 1100, more like." Then she looks at the bonds. "Even better. 1500 bits worth." She quickly looks at the photographs, and as quickly places them away without comment, as if she were forbidden to look upon them. She holds up the coins. "I don't know the exchange rate on these, but it's worth something to the griffins, especially on the foriegn markets." She looks at the crystal glass, and almost drops it as she immediately starts laughing. "Hahaha!" She places it back down without comment. Then she looks at the vial of pink. "Hmmm... Now this is something. I don't know the retail value, but 100 bits minimum." Then she looks at the three rifles, operating the lever action on the lever action gun. It fits her hooves well. "I don't know if you were intending to sell these.... Well, these aren't really as desired as bolt actions. They don't have quite the range or power. But they are easier to create fake permits for, they look more like legal guns, and in any case, guns are at a premium in the city now. Maybe 250 to 350 per gun."
>>127874Albeit the stallion jumped after hearing her laugh at the crystal glass, Iron listened intently at Cauldron's appraisal, nodding slightly.
"So, the next priority is to go to a jeweler?" he asks, trying to get into the ropes before looking at the rifles "Maybe we can keep one in case the gang is not as charitable with their weapons."
>>127875"They will be less charitable now than they were a week ago, I can tell you that. But we can go to a jeweler, yes."
>>127876Iron thought for a second, considering his future, planned lineup. "...actually, let us keep the metal shooters," he informs " we may need them for later use."
With that, Iron looks over at the gems. "Would now be a good time for looking for jewelers?" he asks, a bit unsure mostly out of ignorance.
>>127877"Well, they may want to close up for lunch hour. But that won't necessarily stop them from wanting to do business"
>>127878Seeing a likely successful outcome soon-ish, Iron nods. "Then let us make haste," he proclaims eagerly before looking from side to side. "...where is the jeweler again?" he asks
>>127879"Over in Cowtown, near the water. We can make it"
>>127880Iron nods understandingly, trotting in place and ready to follow at the pace she deems necessary.
>>127882Iron has made progress, but is still not yet at first base.I had a dream where certain members of the party joined the equivalent of the CIA, impersonated dead/retired agents, and engaged in torture.
>>127885Alright, that's going in the next quest
>>127885Iron's not very good at baseball.At least he's patient.
>>127882They leave her apartment, down a straight road in the direction of the harbor, and up another road.
"Here it is" She says, as they approach a single story shop
>>127910"Should we mention anything about the origin of these gemstones?" Iron asks Cauldron in a whisper, leaning his head over to her ear.
>>127911"No. And he will not ask. That is why I go to him."
Entering in the shop, they see counters, display cases, and in the center at the end of the room, a lone griffin. He has a double chin, white feathers and the standard amber fur underneath, with hazel eyes that meet the entering native and Zebra
"Shalom" he says to the new customers
>>127913Iron's snout scrunches at the new word, eyes widening as he looked at the griffon. "What?" he asks, flabbergasted.
>>127914He pulls his lips back and up, in what is presumably a smile on a mouth that doesn't allow for much expression
"I take it you came here to sell" He says
>>127915Recovering from the shock, Iron nods before pulling up his bit pouch, where he comfortably stored the gemstones, taking them out to show the griffin.
>>127916His smile grows, vindicated in his assumption. Quietly, he reaches a claw down, beneath a counter, and pulls out a looking glass. With a lone talon, he moves around the gems, inspecting each beneath the glass, which he sometimes twists whichever way, which moves the device in and out.
"Ah. Diamonds, yes? A ruby. An emerald. All, carefully cut."
He holds up a single, green jewel
"This emerald here, it's damaged. It looks as if it were ripped out of it setting in a necklace or ring."
He looks back up to Iron and Cauldron
"I see why you came to me"
Smiling widely,
"Sixteen hundred for the lot"
>>127918Iron looks at the griffon for a few seconds, before slowly leaning back into Cauldron's ear. "...is that a good deal?" he asks in a whisper
>>127919Whispering back,
"I don't even know. But he could tell it was stolen"
>>127920Figuring it would not hurt much by trying to rise the reward, Iron leans away before smiling softly. "I would say the cutwork deserves a little more than that, even if one of them is damaged" he starts "1700."
>>127922Is there a skill or modifier that affects barter?
>>127923There is, but I'll wait for GM to place it on the table first.
>>127922He smiles back
"You must not know much about diamonds," he says, pulling up a particular gem
"It isn't about the damage, or the cut, but what the cuts and the damage implies." Then diverting attention to the diamond
"This is an 'asscher' cut diamond." Then he pulls up another. "Pear shape." Then another gem "An here... A ruby."
Then he looks to Iron
"A diamond is only cut before it is set in jewelry. Here, we have not only a cut diamond, but many diamonds, and many gems. Cut not just for a necklace, but for many necklaces. Do you care to explain to a different jeweler where exactly you got so many
different cut gems?"
>>127923Charisma
>>127925Iron nods. (Well that did not work out,) he thinks to himself (at least he knows what he is saying)
"...I understand," he relents, not overly hurt by his small prodding attempt, but his ears fold slightly and his small pout at the loss of potential extra dosh "I accept your price."
>>127926He continues his smile
"Mazel Tov! Let me get the money"
He goes back for a minute, and comes back with a number of paper covered rolls. He sits before Iron, opening the coins and counting out coins, until there is a definite large stack of coins before Iron, which he pushes over with his foreleg. Then, he offers a claw to shake
>>127927Iron aligns his bit pouch, pushing the coins inside with a foreleg as he stares at the extended claw for a few seconds, cocking his head slightly.
Coins nicely snug inside his trusty pouch, Iron decides to bump his claw with his hoof, thinking that may be the thing he's looking for.
>>127928He smirks his mouth, and looks at Iron strangely
"Very well"
It is a
very large number of bits, more than can fit in his bit patch
>>127151Don't think I added anything to be honest. Just put a bunch of pressure on the dm and then didn't commit to be part of the campaign.
>>127152Sorry, about that btw.
Yeah, that was me. No, that wasn't the reason. I just had troubles making a character. Those troubles being laziness. Also, at the time. I had other things on my mind.
>>127929Iron stares at the admittedly larger bit amount than he can comfortably carry, looking back at Cauldron, hopeful that she'd aid him with an extra container.
>>127938You can definitely still join. We'd love to have you
>>127939It takes her a moment, but she turns around, takes off her saddle bag, unlatches it and places it next to Iron
The quoting system is one thing I can honestly say I love about the update. I hated how quoting a post in a long thread before would lead to long loading times>>127938Please do join! I'm joining the game next in-game day
probably gonna be a month or two of irl time from now at this rate and although I was planning to join Dark Star on a quest, it might be more practical to team up with you activity depending.
>>127940Nodding, Iron proceeds to place all of the extra bits into Cauldron's saddlebag. "Thanks," he lets out.
Alright, I am going to start a series of commentary. Mostly on the Hoebuck questline, but the first instance will be a solo encounter for, and a character only ever interacted with by a character and player who is no longer here. Still, it has left an impression on me.
It starts when Ash and Iron are rescuing the orphans from the gangsters in the Northside cannery, who were seized when the orphanage could not repay a loan. A cream colored Pegasus filly who is on the older end of the lot, seeing the druid Kirin Ash – a type of creature she has never seen before, and who practices magic and belongs to some unknown religion – promptly starts screaming, accusing Ash of buying the orphans for “virgin sacrifice” to pagan gods. The panic is infectious, and soon, several younger orphans are running about along with her inside the abandoned cannery. Iron picks them up, and they are on their way. As Ash leads the herd back to the orphanage, she loses sight of the cream-colored filly on a street corner, and they chase her again. Foals making assumptions about strange magic users that seem rational in the mind of child.
That was the end of that, until Ash’s player wanted more play time while advancement to the next day was pending. So I improvised a “bonus round.” Ash wakes up in the middle of the night to see a shadow running by. Exiting the room, she follows the figure to a downstairs door, through the orchard, through a slim patch of woods, and to a clearing where ponies gather – orphan ponies, including a rust colored earth pony colt recognizable from among those rescued – sitting around a fire under the light of a gibbous moon. The cream-colored filly stands in a prominent position, I believe wearing a hoodie, and holding a rabbit in her hooves. A pony recognizable from among those rescued the day before, and who seems to be the one who Ash followed to the clearing, hooves a kitchen knife to the filly. Ash watches as the filly holds up the rabbit, says something in a black tongue, and slices the rabbit’s throat with a knife.
Now Ash intervenes, revealing herself from the bushes and telling the foals to stop. But the cream-colored filly speaks more in black tongue, and a cold wind picks up, lowing beneath the canopy. In the tree line, a giant black dog with glowing red eyes appears, and sets his eyes on Ash. Ash summons magical powers of her own, and sends down a bolt of lightning on the dog. But the dog survives, rushing Ash, and biting into her. After a struggle, the hell hound is dispatched, and the orphans are rounded up. The nuns are awoken and informed of what has happened, and Ash goes to search the room of the cream-colored filly. She finds a book with an innocuous dust jacket taken from a travel guide. But inside, the book is written in three different languages, Ponish, a griffin language, and black tongue. She can determine readily that this book describes part of the history and some spells for the worship of the Griffinion god Maar.
The nuns are very much disappointed and stunned to hear what the foals have been up to, and while talking to them, Ash learns that the filly is named “Abby Willows,” and has only recently come to the orphanage. The next day, when Abby Willows is confined by the nuns alone in the dorm upstairs to write lessons in an endless series as a part of her punishment, Ash comes to visit her, delivering her food. Ash takes note of the fact that Abby’s mane and tail are cut short in a rather masculine fashion, and she clearly resents Ash after the episode the previous night, crossing her forelegs in a guarded pose. Ash tries to break the tension by starting to braid Abby’s mane. Ash tells Abby that she really shouldn’t be tangling with dark magic and unknown spirits, as it can be quite dangerous. Abby asks Ash if she knows why her mane is so short, and of course Ash responds in the negative. Abby then informs Ash that her mane was cut short by the gangsters during her captivity as a measure to prevent or reduce lice infection. She then explains to Ash that she consulted with spirits of a questionable nature because others failed to protect her, adding “my father thought he could protect all of us fighting in the Army, but he died in the process.” Ash tells Abby that she needs to have faith in the ability of the nuns to protect her from dangers. Abby responds by pointing over to the empty dorm room across the hall – empty because the nuns were forced to give over half the orphans to systems overseas after pressure from the fascists – and says “how can I trust them to do that?!” This leaves Ash speechless. Ash asks her if there were any other books, conspirators, or any other parts of her plan, and Abby vehemently denies. Ash does, however, calm Abby down enough to make her pay attention to the food Ash brought, which she gobbles up quickly.
Though that was the end of Abby’s direct appearances, and shortly thereafter, the end of Ash, it wasn’t the last part of the story. The next day, Iron returned to the orphanage, and helped the nuns by clearing dead trees in the orchard. Bucking a tree, a large, leather bound plain covered book falls to the ground, with pages opening to a strange and alien language Iron takes the book to Sister Marery, who confirms that the book is a religious and spell text belonging to a religion based around an evil griffin spirit, and connects it with Abby Willows and her misadventures.
>>127947Even though the story never goes anywhere after that, and the character hasn’t been seen in well over a year now (and probably never will be again), I am kind of proud of having come up with and executing the ritual in the woods almost immediately after the player indicated they wanted to play. I was pleased by my own blending of EAW lore and the circumstances into making a character who has compelling reasons for doing evil things, and a series of events that recontextualizes earlier happenings
I was very much impressed and pleased for Ash and the player to reason that a rabbit for a hellhound was an unfair trade tilted in favor of the foals, and surely any spirit making such a trade must have more sinister plans. I was disappointed that the character would not call out the teenage girl for being a liar and I did not entirely understand why she didn’t promise to help protect the filly herself. I was most disappointed that neither Ash nor Iron made any sort of inquiry as to where Abby got the books from.
“Abby Willows” is named for Abigail Williams, the accuser at the Salem Witch Trials. I gave her the name while phone posting at a Mexican restaurant, and so was going by memory rather than looking it up, so mistakenly thought that Abigail Williams was the
accused. I blame that “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” movie with Nicholas Cage for confusing me. Considering that Abby Willows makes her first appearance by accusing Ash of being a witch who is buying foals for the purpose of Equine sacrifice, it still fits her.
>>127938Yay! More players!
>>127943I'm sure they can wrap up the day to let you join.
>>127940Can we continue in the north today?
One thing that was not mentioned in the commentary:
when Ash opens the book and reads an incantation, the incantation is taken from H.P. Lovecraft's "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward," but with the names of various human gods replaced with villains from the My Little Pony generations, especially generation 1, and several from EAW, including the Smooze and Grogar before he was mentioned in season 9 of the show. The line from Lovecraft translates into English from Latin as:
"By Adonaï Eloïm, Adonaï Jehova, Adonai Sabaoth, Metraton On Agla Adonaï Mathon, the pythonic word, the mystery of the salamander, the assembly of sylphs, the grotto of gnomes, the demons of the heaven of Gad, Almousin, Gibor, Jehosua, Evam, Zariatnatmik, Come, Come, Come!"
Unfortunately I do not have my ponified version as the new code has completely removed the ability to search the website, but it was as stated above, with the reference to "slyphs" certainly remaining in a nod to the brony artist "SlyphStorm."
>>127950Sure. The last post made to Spark is
>>127800>>127944She nods to him, and places the saddlebag back on her bag
>>127952But no signs of what could have made it?
>>127953Some disruption in the surrounding branches and bushes, the dirt seems to have been moved aside or even pressed in, and the oval clearly has more pine needles in it then normal. Otherwise, no.
>>127954Spark investigates the bushes.
>>127955There are a couple limbs that are torn and pressed down, most in a particular path of approach, while others are undisturbed. There does not seem to be anything placed in them, nor do they look like they've been eaten
>>127956Spark shrugs and tries to find the tracks again, perhaps this was not the destination, but simply a stop along the way.
>>127950I don't want to make anything inconvenient particularly since Brie and Dark Star haven't done anything yet. I can wait.
>>127959There are some slim hints of tracks, and a number of silhouettes in the treeline around Spark
>>127961Hmm... Spark follows more tracks. Where do they lead this time?
>>127962Another dice roll, also wisdom modifier
[1d20 = 9]>>127963More dice, no wisdom mod. The only mods I have are -1 strength and +3 charisma.
>>127964A few disrupted patches of needles going off at an angle, and the definite sound of feet, paws, or hooves crunching needles
>>127965Do they sound like charging speed steps?
>>127966Slower. Walking speed and picking up, losing caution
>>127967Spark turns to observe if the shadows are coming closer for him.
>>127968They stop, but they've come closer to Spark since he saw them and ignored them
>>127969Spark resumes walking and listens for more steps.
>>127970Immediately they start again. More than one, and varying degrees of speed
>>127971He turns back. Are they in viewing range yet?
>>127972Yes. Roll spot if you want to figure out just how much detail Spark can discern in the limbo between setting moon and rising sun under forest canopy
>>127974Quite a bit, actually.
Wolves. Four of them visible, spaced around Spark almost evenly in a circle, to the degree Spark may wonder if there are more behind him. One of them is the white wolf Spark saw earlier, now identifiable as a female, though the rest seem to be male, and have a grey coat in two instances, and a pepper-grey in another. They seem to have something covering over portions of their fur, particularly around the front and the chest, and in two instances on the left foreleg. A couple are at a distance from Spark as he saw the white wolf earlier, but two have come closer to him, a grey male in particular.
>>127975Poor doggos. They are probably going to pick a fight and get burned. Do they halt now that Spark has turned back towards them?
>>127976Yes. For Spark, it's almost like a foal's game of "statues," where the statues in the garden are imagined to move and sneak up on you when you are not looking, but freeze in place when observed
>>127977Spark plays their game and stand there, staring back at them.
>>127978For the moment at least, they simply stand there, looking back at Spark. A wind picks up through the trees
>>127979Spark continues the stare game.
>>127980Spark can see now that the darker patches around their chests seem to be clothing of some kind. Leather.
>>127981Armored puppers? Oh no. This might be harder than I suspected. He still holds his ground, forcing them to make the first move.
>>127982More than this. There are large irregularities on their bodies, protruding out. A best guess is weapons of some kind. At least they are sheathed, if that is so
Slight cracking behind Spark
>>127983Spark glances behind himself to see if there are shadowy warrior pups there too.
>>127984There are indeed. Two of them, thus placing all of them in a definite circle around Spark. Both have a grey color scheme, although one is definitely lighter. One of them, the lighter one, seems to have been moving slowly, coming closer while the other was standing his ground. He stops.
>>127985Spark casts an illusion of himself behind himself, locking both sides of dogs into a statue state.
>>127986Kek
Spark now has the dogs locked
>>127987Nice! Spark tries to make out their faces. Are they angry?
>>127988It varies by the individual creature - one of the grey males especially looks kind of angry. But by and large they are cautious or even curious, and seem to be looking over Spark and watching his movements
>>127989He waits for them to come closer with him watching. Hopefully that will make them more friendly.
>>127990After some time - not quite a full minute - the white wolf breaks ranks, turning her body to Spark, and starting to move towards Spark in a circle around him counter clockwise, moving forward as she rotates around him, almost like an object spiraling into a gravity well. Clouds in the sky glow yellow in the pre-morning twilight, as the level of light steadily grows. Spark can see the wolf's golden eyes, leather around her chest, around her left leg, a leather guard around her right ear, and a large bow - somewhere between a recurved shortbow and a crossbow - is slung around her back, along with a small quiver. Then the pepper wolf follows behind her, likewise moving in a spiral counterclockwise, around and towards Spark. A grey wolf at distance moves to be right in Spark's field of view, staring right at him
>>127991Spark is a bit nervous, but holds his ground.
>>127992The white wolf continues looking at him, as she continues in a spiral around Spark. The peppered wolf, likewise, grows bolder, and spirals in closer.
Then, from behind, Spark can hear the distinct sound of a dog sniffing
>>127993Spark knows that if he moves, he will be seen as either a threat or prey, so he keeps as still as he can.
>>127993As ponies have an instinct to be afraid around predators, I would go for a fortitude roll to avoid showing fear. I can understand if you have other ideas, though
>>127994On Spark's right, he sees a wolf walk by, head lowered and sniffing Spark. It's not the white wolf, but rather the light grey wolf that was attempting to sneak up on him earlier.
Then it happens. The light grey wolf pokes Spark with a paw, the first physical touching. It's a soft pad, and almost a "dabbing" action.
The white wolf circles around, to almost directly in front of Spark, looking at him
>>127995Is he trying to not show fear?
>>127996At least it wasn't teeth or a sharp claw. Should I roll not to show fear at the touch?
>>127997>>127998Yes. Roll will save, +2
[1d20+2 = 5]>>127999Will save
>>128000Cuteness!
>>128001Oof, sorry>>128000Checked
>>128001Spark shows very definite signs of fear, surrounded by an entire pack of wolves
Then the light grey wolf turns to the wolves in front of Spark, and
speaks:
"Wii bwaa aanjibii`ige aawan"
>>128003No problem. Not every story can go as planned. That makes it interesting.
>>128004Spark is very nervous with the strange speech.
"Umm... h-hi?"
>>128005Spark now has three wolves directly in front of him. The light wolf that just spoke is invading his personal space, the White wolf is not far beyond that and looking at him, and the darker grey wolf much further away is staring at him
The light wolf's ears go up
The white wolf responds,
"Hi"
The grey wolf responds
"Why are you here, Pony?"
>>128006"Well, I was looking around for creatures that attacked the changeling mine."
>>128007Even though he is far away, he answers Spark with a very firm response
"And you will not find them here"
The white wolf gives an answer of her own in a much softer voice
"We do not... know anything of any attacks. We heard gunfire, but that is all"
>>128008"The creatures was able to disguise themselves and fool even changelings. If they are still around, I have to make sure they don't attack again. I didn't mean to trespass, but I hope you understand my presence is temporary to make sure we are safe."
>>128009Grey wolf:
"But your presence
isn't temporary. Is it?"
White wolf
"We've seen Changeling reprisals before. But why have they sent a pony?"
>>128010"Temporary indeed. I sent myself because a friend and I had saved the changelings and volunteered ourselves to have a look on their behalf."
>>127952Iron turns his gaze over to the griffon, nodding as well. "I believe that will be all in terms of exchanges," he concludes, looking around at the goods displayed as well as his physique, particularly looking for his age.
(Perhaps he may be interested in a potion to boost his working,) he thinks to himself.
>>128013He holds up a wing, as if to wave
"Zay Gezunt" he says
He looks older, minimum of 40 and probably older. Either he normally has a hunch or he adopts that pose when sitting. He's somewhat overweight
The goods on display all appear to be jewelry. Rings, necklaces and brooches. Diamonds, pearls, and other gems. If any of the items offered are for purposes other than aesthetics or signs of love or status - such as historical artifacts or magic - it's not evident by looking at it.
>>128014Iron hums slightly, nodding to himself before turning to Cauldron. "Alright, let us go back," he proposes "I need to discuss specifics about the future project."
>>128015She nods, turns, and leaves quickly. They go their way back to either Cauldron's apartment or The Watering Hole
>>128016Deciding to go to her apartment, Iron enters it, letting her close and lock the door once again. "This is going to be a rather long talk," he starts, going for the living room and sitting next to the sofa "but I want to know what sort of potion brewing you can do for certain so I can plan on who should we be targetting as customers."
>>128017She sits down in front of him, and starts
"Well..." She holds a hoof up near her chin, and looks up
"I
know I can make health potions."
>>128018"We both know that by this point," Iron replies in a slightly amused tone before humming, looking up as well "so there is a focus on either accident prone or dangerous jobs that we know for sure as a second wind to keep their productivity up."
The native looks at Cauldron inquisitively, tilting his head. "What sort of work do you know fit into at least one of these categories, aside from gangsters, 'poh-leece' and hunters?"
>>128019She blinks
"Oh I know one for sure, if you want to sell to them. The Overseas."
>>128020Iron tilts his head. "The Overseas?" he asks, puzzlement clear on his face. "Who are they?"
>>128021Her ears go down near to her neck, and the smile disappears
"All you particularly need to know is they have seemingly endless resources, endless demand for medical supplies, and deal with them at a distance because they are the biggest sons a bitches out there. Contracts can be problematic... but damned if it isn't consistent. Now, the resistance. That's an option."
>>128022Iron nods softly, looking at the ground in thought. "...anything of note about this resistance?" he asks tentatively, slightly munching on his lower lip, calculating the amount of success and failure expected.
>>128023"They are several groups in one, not all of he police like them, and their resources vary"
>>128024"So a mix between guaranteed, dangerous profits or safer, fluctuating ones."
Iron scratches his chin softly. "You said the former's contracts can be problematic," he starts thoughtfully "What do you mean by that?"
>>128026"Wanting exclusivity and an appearance of legitimacy. They don't want to be 'off the book.' They want to be on the book and make sure no one else is."
>>128027"That indeed sounds problematic..." he muses, shaking his head "It seems the resistance is a good place to start the venture, albeit probably will be stuck with them for a while."
Iron then looks at Cauldron, starting up his question process once again. "What about the potions you are uncertain you can do?"
>>128028"Well, there are very many potions out there. Hair-growth is one. Certain plant growth potions are another. Strength and endurance potions are still other options."
>>128030Nodding softly, Iron visibly raises her ears at the variety of pony changing potions, tilting his head. "...I believe the last set should be the most applicable to the most amount of ponies," he suggests "so if there are potions to increase strength and endurance, are there others to make one dexterous, wiser, smarter, charismatic, and more?"
>>128031"For a short time. Yes"
>>128031The two will invent pony viagra and become insanely rich
>>128032"That sounds like something we should focus on ensuring you know first, considering the possible applications," Iron theorizes, rubbing his chin "selling a temporary edge on their normal lives usually excellent. I can imagine all of the stallions seeking them in order to woo their mares." He can't help but snicker at the thought, imagining a thin, frail stallion suddenly become the horse embodiment of Chad, nailing all the mares in his vicinity from a single potion sip.
>>128036That'd make a great television commercialShe smiles back
"I suppose I have a bit to learn..."
>>128033Hue>>128037Iron nods, giving a smile back as his ears fold slightly "Of course," he replies, still somewhat sheepish at the raunchy imagination taking place, lightly blushing. "We can go with whatever you feel like learning after that, since it should be covered by the health and body-altering potions that we will distribute to the public."
>>128039"Well, we'll see what we can sell legally" she answers
>>128040Iron can't help but tilt his head slightly. "You believe there are restrictions in place?" he asks.
>>128041"Well, the city doesn't particularly like selling health potions without a medical license, and there's usually inspections for making potions that can be consumed... which is most of them. But it varies by the potion."
>>128042Iron purses his lips, not eager to go seek medical licenses for something he knows works. "...I see..." he replies before shaking his head. "So you needed a pony who would take your shifts back at your father's establishment?" he inquires. "I believe I have one that could help, but I need some help tracking her down."
The native clears his throat as he remembers Khoi's details and past history, relaying what he knows to Cauldron.
>>128043"Is this...." She turns her head, and one ear falls down
"That kirin you told me a couple days ago you were in love with, or something?"
>>128044Iron shakes his head. "Not at all," the stallion denies "she probably would not have been eager to help me do this in the long run, considering her lifestyle. This one is more eager for a stable job, considering her status as a recently freed slave that seeks to make a living here."
The native awkwardly looks away, pouting softly. "As for her, I concluded we would not work out."
>>127940>>127943>>127950Thanks for the enthusiams even though I didn't even talk about it. But sure, I might throw together an simple illusionist wizard when I have read enough of the player's handbook to feel educated.
>>128045Black Cauldron places up a hoof on Iron's neck, and pets him, softly
"Well, cooking right takes some skill. But it's still a skill that can be learned. Maybe my father could have some use for her. Depending on how things go, I might even need an assistant..."
>>128046Huzzah!
>>128047Iron glances back at Cauldron, smiling softly, leaning into her hoof. "That is good," he answers, blushing slightly at the act "she seems to be an eager, capable learner."
>>128048He pauses, looking pensive inbetween his affectionate permission to be petted. "I have no clue where she currently is, but I did tell her to meet me at The Watering Hole last night. Think you can find her?"
>>128049>>128048She smiles to him
"Good. There aren't too many young Kirin females at the Watering Hole. I
think I can."
She looks at him for a moment, then adds
"I did't know you were in the business of helping young mares get on their hooves"
>>128050Iron can't help but chuckle at the remark, glancing away as he blushed slightly. "Would you believe me if I told you only one of the potential candidates was a stallion dog-looking thing only by sex?" he asks tentatively, smiling sheepishly.
>>128053She twists her mouth and head, and an ear flops down and back up
"What? Stallion dog sex?"
>>128054Iron briefly thinks of that one diamond dog he sweettalked that one time, wondering how would that work before quickly shaking his head. "No no, what I mean is that the only one with something between their legs was a weird looking dog," he quickly corrects himself, blushing further at the word scramble mishap and the thought of how would dogs and ponies copulate.
>>128055She looking at him blankly for a moment
"Oh... Hahaha."
She blinks
"Still, it's new turn for you. To be so nice"
>>128056Iron twiddled his hooves, pouting slightly. "I can be nice when I want to," he mumbles, looking downwards sheepishly "specially when it works in our favor."
>>128057Now, she definitely laughs
"Hahahah, there we go!"
Then when she stops
"Anything else?"
>>128058Iron decides to promptly boop her snoot in retaliation. "Bully," he mock proclaims, pout still present.
The native proceeds to look downwards once more, face contorting into a thinking expression. "...there is one last mare that could help me ensure I get the best deals with almost anything," he suggests "but she seems to have high standards and has a secretive demeanor, as if she is being hunted down, considering she does not like to give a lot of information, and when she does, it is mostly related to shady subjects."
The native looks back towards Cauldron, pensive look still present. "It was the mare that came with me with the weapons, if you recall. What do you think of her?"
>>128059"
Yip Yip!" She barks at the touch, scrunching, moving back and then rubbing her snout
"She was wearing bandages, using towels of all things to hide rifles. She was wet - so were you. She seemed to be one of those pretty mares the pony stallions love to go after, and she kind of looked like she played that up for all its worth... or at least I assume she would if she weren't covered in salt water. From what you're describing it sounds like she was into some bad business, and possibly even some important pony's significant other, someone she wants to get away from. But I can't be surprised if she feels 'hunted.' There's a lot of factions that could want to 'hunt' somepony."
>>128060Iron looks down, flicking his lips from left to right as he mulls over the information. "I suppose that could be it," he surmises, considering her charm and physical attractiveness "I would wish not to be suddenly surprised to find the pony that is looking for her in one of our runs, but I suppose that is a constant risk to deal with."
The native can't help but sigh softly, feeling distanced from Sands and not be able to provide her security for the time being, as he was busy establishing the method to achieve it. "...what else, what else..." he mumbles before looking at the two fluids before looking at Cauldron. "Do you think those two would reveal something for you if you studied it?"
>>128061"The vials? Oh, I
know what those things are"
>>128062Iron cocks his head. "You do?" he asks, astonished. "What are they?"
>>128063She pulls up the decorated heart shaped vial with the "9" and pink liquid.
"
This is a love potion."
Then she pulls up the vial, which has another substance of a pink-reddish color.
"
This is Changeling honey. It
is love."
>>128064Iron blinks, looking back and forth between the two vials. "...I do not get their use," he replies, puzzled.
>>128065She looks at him blankly, then holds back up the elegant vial
"This one causes the drinker to become romantically infatuated with a particular subject. Usually the first member of the opposite sex they lay eyes on... though that can go wrong in several ways. Or, add a hair belonging to somepony in there, and whoever drinks the potion will fall in love with the origin of the hair."
She holds up the simpler cylindrical vial
"This right here.... well, imagine that Changelings are bees, and ponies and other creatures are... like flowers..." She closes her eyes and shudders
"Or don't, the point is that Changelings turn the positive emotions of other creatures into a jelly. That jelly, when consumed, causes the consumer to feel those same emotions. All of the experience of falling in love for the first time, so they say. It's very hard to come by, for obvious reasons. This stuff can also function kind of like a love potion, though not as reliably."
>>128066Iron's ears fold as he tilts his head, eyes widened substantially after such a revelation. "Love in a bottle?" he asks incredulously, blinking off his surprise. "That is ludicrous."
>>128070“You could say that. But those who want a good feeling can and have gone so far.”
Well, this is irritating. I wanted to play HOI4 with the EaW mod–well, not really play it on my toaster of a PC, but just load the map so I can check province names–but the launcher says it cannot access the directory and thus mods, DLCs, and settings won't load. I tried installing the mod manually by making a "mod" folder under Hearts of Iron IV in documents, putting EaW in it, and editing the .mod file to create a pathway. This did nothing. A cursory look through forums and tickets got no results, and trying to load the "old launcher" of Hydra edition to get mods to show up broke it entirely. Apparently even with the current version I cannot boot up HOI4, with the game appearing briefly in task manager using 0% CPU and then disappearing without fanfare.
I decided to do a clean reinstall. Problem is that although the game itself uninstalled from Steam, the caches/logs in my documents folder (I'm guessing this is the troublesome directory) are a different animal. I am actually able to create folders in the folder of Hearts of Iron IV and add files, but I cannot delete or even edit those nor the other folders. Folder access is denied and Windows Explorer asks me to provide administrator permission. Although I am on an administrator account hitting "Continue" tells me that I still need permission from my administrator account–which I'm currently on–to make changes and tells me to try again, which of course is ineffectual. I'm essentially soft-locked out of my own files despite being on an administrator account and I should fully be able to do whatever I'd like to those files. All permissions are allowed except for "Special permissions" which I cannot change.
Keep in mind that I bought and installed HOI4 back in 2017 which is presumably what the directory dates back to. Because I can't really play the game with any real performance I just let it sit there until recently when I updated the game. I don't think it's so much of a game issue as it is a broader software issue because I'm locked out of essential tasks. I don't think I have a virus. I don't know where else to ask this technical question except maybe /cyb/ but it bugs me. I just want an interactive map of Equestria.
>>128071Iron can't help but purse his lips disapprovingly, but nods nonetheless. "I suppose it cannot be helped," he muses with a small shake of the head before returning his thought process to the main subject. "So, to summarize, we start to deal with the resistance for the next couple of months, hopefully providing enough so you can research on the pony-altering potions. I will act as a courier alongside White Sands, the mare that came with me, while you find, meet and teach Khoi on your works." He pauses, poking his snout pensively. "Did I miss anything?"
>>128073“If that is the way you want to do it, that should work”
>>128072>>128072Aww. I’m not sure how to solve the problem. I would have thought downloading the game from steam would work. In any case, be sure to get the 1.91 Husky patchI can try to get a map
>>128075Iron nods before humming softly. "Do you have another way you want to suggest?" he asks curiously.
>>128076“No... or not necessarily. Just know that depending on what is sold, creatures sometimes take interest. They don’t like it when someone competes with them, or sells something that helps their enemies.”
>>128077Iron nods understandingly. "You are correct," he promptly answers "for potion transactions, we might have to conduct them at the Watering Hole exclusively, particularly in a private room, so you can detect any would-be pursuers seeking information while I am standing in the open." He softly rubs his chin, thinking something. "If I am being followed, try to make the bartender tell me some sort of code for it, like a particular drink. That way I would know and not jeopardize our operations."
>>128075Well, you know I'm a stickler for details and I always was the sort to plot out the Fellowship's journey on the map in LotR. The general area of the Changeling Lands-party is helpful and I'd like to know the name of the province my character is from. I wish it was possible to load maps with all the details outside of HOI4.
>>128079Alright, I'll try to give some kind of maps as a filler.
Here you can see Baltimare, located on the corner of a landmass with ocean to the north and east, with a neatly horseshoe shaped natural harbor that the city itself is located on. I am pleased that my guess that the city is mostly north of the river that lets out into the harbor, and that the peninsula is more inhabited than the south side of the harbor, is reflected in the map. Notice there is a narrow strip of land on the northern coast line that is not covered in forests and is inhabited, but everything south of this strip is dense wilderness including forests and marshes.
My version of Whinnysota deviates more heavily from what is in the game, and is actually based more upon a real life location than what is in EAW. For instance, the game has that whole area as grassland plains, while I have it as dense forests with more than a few lakes and hills. It would also require imagining a tributary of the large river running through
>>128078"Well, it won't necessarily be able to work like that. Everyone knows that if you need a quick loan to pay rent or support your alcohol or gambling addiction, you can go to a backroom where a member of a gang is located. For potions.... well it's certainly not impossible to make it work that way, but you have to get your name out there first.
Who is buying the potions really varies depending on what the potion is and so forth. Let's take strength potions, for instance. These aren't really illegal even though the city wants to regulate them. But they are also too expensive for most of the obvious uses. Unloading ships, loading carts, mining, construction, landscaping.... hiring more earth ponies is cheaper than potions, and now they have machines that can do the very heaviest of the lifting. So the ponies who buy it are primarily skilled laborers who need strength, rare ocassions where the time period the strength is needed is so low that it's not worth hiring an extra worker, and when you need strength but can't fit in a machine. Sea recovery workers, for instance, like strength potions. Sometimes shipyard workers will as well, when they are on a quick schedule. Certain chemical plant operators and maintenance personnel... firefighters... Adventurers and hunters who go out into the woods. But I suspect you have in mind more like those creatures who want strength because they want to pick a fight, or cheat at an athletic event.
And so it is with many of these potions"
>>128081I would like to note that even though you can't see it on the whinnysota map, that specific highlighted province - which is the closest analog to where the events take place - is a border district against the Crystal Empire. Not that it particularly matters by the game's setting.
You can also see in that image lands that are held by the State of New Mareland - particularly Bales and Neighagra Falls (the city is offscrean, but I'm pretty sure that's what's at the top of the screenshot). Even though I don't have a firm map of where Free Equestria ends and Changelingia begins, that map should be taken as canon.
>>128082Iron absorbs all the potential uses for the strength potion alone, nodding all the while, save for a small yawn and a rub on the eye before wildly shaking his head to wake himself up. "Those are good groups to sell to, but do you know if they are currently being supplied such things? Being a frontrunner on such a thing would prove to be quite profitable short-term for some further investments to maximize efficiency."
>>128083"I believe there are some suppliers, yes. If a niche exists and is profitable, in most cases someone's already done it. Now, making a potion that's entirely
new could do that, or finding just the right market. The War has changed things up more than a little bit."
>>128084Iron nods, biting his lip softly as he mulls over the information provided. "...I see..." he turns his gaze to Cauldron once more. "so I will have to do some scouting to ensure I have somepony to sell to, meaning I should have a strength potion or two on hoof to whip out and sell off when they suddenly need it in order to plant the seed of recognition and, with enough selling, my reputation would spread. The more I have of each potion type you can make and distribute out and promptly sell off to influential ponies, the more I myself will be recognized as somepony who sells it," He pauses, starting to nod his head as the path in his mind start to straighten. "Meaning after a while, that notoriety should be enough to get permanent clients, right?"
>>128085"It could work that way, yes, if you think you have what it takes to be a good salespony"
She smiles awkwardly
"In all of my years working with basic potions, I didn't really think that hard about sales. Just making it or working with it seemed like enough"
>>128086Iron can't help but to stick his tongue out in thought, considering his past experiences, but nods. "With Sands, it should not be too complicated, considering her silver tongue," he mutters "seems I will have to drag her along for a long while, huh..."
The native can't help but chuckle softly. "Oh, I hope she likes walking for hours at the docks," he comments amusedly before looking at Cauldron. "Where do you think I will have the most luck in finding a suitable situation to start the selling act? The docks, right? Maybe the fight club? These firefighters... maybe that pony selling weaponry for hunting.." He bonks his head as he forgot the stallion's name, "Ugh, what was it..."
>>128087She blinks
“Which potion type? For strength I would start with underground fighters, but that may not be a big market. For health potions, well, we talked about that already.”
>>128088"Either the resistance or the contractors, right?" he guesses, trying to ensure his tired memory was on point.
>>128089"Yes, though there are many more who may want to buy health potions"
>>128090Iron nods. "I believe the resistance to be good enough for the time being," he admits "but what other options do you know for sure would want to buy it? See if I can establish contact with them if I can."
>>128091"As I said, the Overseas. I suppose it would be called "The New Mareland Army Core. They have a garrison, but's the quartermaster who would do the procurement, if any. The Resistance is
at least two distinct groups, with The Popular Front being the bigger one. There may be others here within the Waterfront Gang who may want potions. Aside from those... well, under the table doctors like that Veterinarian I took you to last night. Some floor bosses may want health potions in case of accidents... many don't care though. Some cautious ponies just want them for personal use. Adventurers and hunters into the wilderness generally like to take a few, and farmers or others who may encounter dangerous wildlife like to keep them around. There are also criminal enterprises in other cities. In every case, you have to wonder why they don't want to go to a licensed dealer."
>>128092Iron pokes his snout, wondering what's all this licensing stuff. "...I see," he surmises "so long as the interests of the group directly opposes the dominant powers', I should be able to sell them easily, then, correct?"
>>128093“Yes, although even the ‘dominant power’ needs it”
>>128094Iron can't help but let out a single chuckle and a shake of the head. "Seems everypony is eager to take a potion these days, eh?" he comments amusedly, smiling softly "know a place where I could contact either of these two resistance groups?"
>>128095"The Equestrian Liberation Front, I am not sure about. I would hardly be surprised if they have merged all of their operations in Baltimare with the Popular Front, but I don't know. Now, the Popular Front, that I know about. There is a soup kitchen a few streets over, as well as an entire portion of a street in another area that they control."
>>128096Iron pondered, rubbing his snout with a hoof in a circular motion. "I have a feeling we have encountered this faction before, and not in a good light," he comments aloud, unsure what he precisely meant by that himself.
>>128097“Yeah, I think you have. You might want to avoid those who will recognize you, or at least have a good story. They may be distrustful of the Waterfront gang in general after,
recent events. But they may still be willing to buy.”
>>128098Iron nods some more, feeling the discussion for these events are starting to end. "...I believe that would be all in terms of planning for now," he surmises, still rubbing his snout absentmindedly "I will need some samples to distribute, but it can wait in case the debt collection is needed currently."
>>128099She smiles again, half warmly and half mischievously
“We normally wait until night for collection. I suppose it can occur during daylight, for some at least”
>>128100Iron can't help but smile back, starting to feel a bit nostalgic. "Well, I suppose we can do some collecting, then" he replies before posing dramatically, puffing his chest out "I will be your hoof, Cauldron."
>>128101She blinks
“You look like shit though”
>>128102Iron's ears immediately straighten as his eyes widened, blinking profusedly before smiling sheepishly and his puffing abruptly ends. "Oh right," he agrees, the bags in his eyes ever more apparent as he blushed slightly "perhaps it may be best for me to take a nap..."
>>128103“It might be, yes. I suppose you can use my apartment”
>>128104Iron hums slightly before shaking his head. "I will have to pass," he declines "I need to check up on Sands first... tell her what is to come." With that, he gives Cauldron a small nuzzle and a content sigh before quickly receding with a smile. "I will see you tomorrow, same place?"
>>128105Her smile fades, but she pulls her lips up
“Alright. Tomorrow then.”
>>128106Iron couldn't help but to tilt his head, looking inquisitively at Cauldron as a pout slowly forms at her reaction. "Is something the matter?" he asks, concerned tone apparent on his voice.
>>128107“It is fine” she says
“I’ll see you, I guess?”
>>128108Iron can't shake the feeling he's missing something with that reaction, activating in his sleep deprived mind the empathy to understand her reaction.
[1d20+2 = 10]<Sense Motive
>>128109It is definitely not fine
>>128110Iron, following his gut and senses, decides to instead place a hoof on Cauldron's shoulder, smiling softly. "It is fine," the stallion replies, half-lidding his eyes due to his tired status and to provide some more comfort for the zebra "you can tell me."
>>128111“I just.... didn’t think you’d be... leaving so quickly. With that mare.”
>>128112Iron widened his eyes at such a loaded statement. (Is... is that jealousy I hear?) he thinks to himself, astonished, before pouting lightly. "Well, I would not want to sand your routine up by my tired state," he admits, retracting his hoof into a twiddling motion "I assumed you were busy."
>>128113“I suppose it will be alright. I just thought you were staying longer. Tomorrow”
She says
>>128114Iron's look softens up before giving Cauldron a good ol' hug, gently wrapping his forelegs around her nape, with an added nuzzle to top it all off. "Perhaps tomorrow we can take a jog together," he offers, smiling softly. "Maybe more of a stroll along the park, if you want to."
He retracts his head back, looking at Cauldron in the eye. "What do you think?"
>>128115She turns her head, leaning her black muzzle just a little bit closer, and letting at least one eye look back on him
“I suppose. Stretch out the legs. Relax a little”
And she smiles to him
>>128116Iron's heart beats the slightest bit faster at the smile and closeness he's with the zebra, smiling still. "Maybe after that, we can both enjoy some of your delicious cooking while gazing upon the sky or stars," he closes his eyes cheerfully, with a decent blush on his cheeks "up to you, though."
>>128117“We’ll see. Even if you want breakfast or dinner, you know who can cook”
>>128118Iron can't help but chuckle as his eyes stared at Cauldron's, mesmerized by the looks now after all that has happened. "I have no doubt who I am going to rely on for that," he lets out softly as he slowly and gently trails his hoof up and down her nape.
>>128119She seems to tense for just a moment. Iron can feel her mane, long, straight, and black, which is pushed aside as his hoof goes down
>>128120Seeing there's no immediate retort to his slow, trailing hoof, Iron recedes in his endeavor, looking Cauldron straight in the eye. "I cannot wait what you will have in store," he utters dreamily before letting go of her hug and steps back with a smile. "see you tomorrow, Cauldron."
>>128121She smiles, then stops
“Alright. I’ll see you”
>>128122Having set that, Iron felt things were going better than anticipated, starting to consider breaking the ice further and unleash the news to Cauldron and feeling tomorrow is going to be the day that things start to get rolling.
Thus, with a hop and skip motion, the native hums happily as he goes for the door, turning back to give a wave before opening and closing the zebra's door, letting himself out. After a few staircases to go down, he goes to the side of the road, ready to take a taxi and go back to Sands at the hotel.
>>128123A taxi comes soon enough, and is told the location of the hotel to take him there
>>128124Is mlemmedYay!
A joyful smile replaces her otherwise sad disposition, and Keskoo jumps at the news
"Oohoohoo!"
She prances in place, dancing up and down with her eyes closed, and ends with her legs apart in a position like she is ready to jump.
>>128125Iron couldn't help but rub his eyes slightly as the taxi barrels off towards the hotel. "Ugh..." he groans, blinking a couple of times. (That stuff took a toll on me.)
>>128125Silver can't help but smile at the adorable expression of joy. It makes it all worthwhile.
>>128127"What's next!" She asks
>>128126The hotel lobby is a little busier, with ponies around the tables near the lobby in an area that seems to be a restaurant. Just down the hall and up to the room
>>128128Does all of this include the matress and boxspring, or is this just the bedframe?
>>128128Iron blinks a couple of times before he enters the hotel room, eager to finally set his plan in motion for tomorrow and relax for the next couple of days.
>>128129Probably just the bedframe
>>128130Iron enters the room. The bed has been made, the sheets are changed, and the champagne bottle is gone
>>128131"Well, next we need actual matress and boxspring to put inside frame."
>>128132"Sands?" Iron calls out as he approaches the bed "Are you here?"
>>128133"Alright." She says
The ponies walk around in the store, to find a section which sells mattresses. All a part of this large furniture store, modeled on department stores.
Keskoo looks around at first. Then she presses down on one with her forehooves. Then another. Loputu jumps on another one to bounce around
>>128134Iron hears the door open behind him, from the hallway. It's White Sands, cautiously looking in
>>128135Silver also tests one of the matresses, figuring he might get ideas for the empty room in the beach house along the way.
"So, how do you like your bed? Soft, firm, something in between?"
>>128135Iron can't help but give Sands a tired smile. "Hey," he calls out as he climbs atop the bed "I am back."
>>128136"I've always had my bed firm. Always"
Keskoo lays down on a mattress, and slowly starts to sink down into it, like soft, fluffy white quicksand
>>128137She enters the room, and closes the door behind her, locking it
"That was quicker than I expected" she says
>>128138"Things are going according to plan," Iron proceeds to tell her as he lays on the bed belly down before looking curiously at the mare "How good are you at selling stuff?"
>>128139"It's easier when it's a stallion. But.... not bad" She answers
She seems a little confused
>>128140"I will need your help, then," Iron informs Sands as he stretches himself on the bed, yawning softly "for we will start selling some potions to create our income, particularly ones that want a quick physical recovery, like resistances, unlicensed practicioners, hunters and more."
>>128138Silver stiffles a little giggle at the sight.
"So, is firm what you prefer?"
>>128141She twists her mouth
"You didn't already have a plan for an income"
Then she adds,
"Well, it is a good thing you have one now"
>>128142The pony is halfway buried at this point
"I suppose... but I can't say I have tried much softness"
>>128143Iron purses his lips, scrunching his snout. "I will have you know I planned this in less than two days before coming here," he informs Sands, offended tone apparent. "I simply needed to get investment into the enterprise before I could enact my plan."
>>128145"Alright alright. Entrepreneurial and spirit of Capitalism and all that"
>>128146Iron exhales softly before laying sideways on the bed. "Ugh..." he groans, stretching himself further "good thing most of it is set up. Now I can rest fo a bit."
He cranes his head to look at Sands once more. "Do you have any other questions?"
>>128147"Yes"
She blinks
"Sell what now? To who?"
>>128148"Health potions," Iron informs "to anypony that wants it expect this 'Overseas' thing back at the other side of the world, if I recall correctly."
>>128149She blinks at him, laying down on the bed next to him
"Uh.... Okay"
>>128150"Particularly the doctor we visited that one time, those resistances against the 'fah-scheezt' establishment," Iron continues as he lays his head on the pillow "'Popular' something. I cannot quite remember. Maybe the weapons dealers I met some days ago, considering his customer base."
>>128151"You mean the Anarchists?" She asks
Then her ears turn forward towards Iron
"
Weapons dealers?"
>>128152"Mhm," Iron replies "likes to sell some to would-be hunters that go to the Jungle." He rubs his snout in thought. "I cannot remember what stuff he was selling, but they were mostly weapons and armor."
Iron's ears, in turn, swivel at the mention of anarchists. "What was that first part?"
>>128144Silver smiles at her.
"Well, as long as Loputu is willing, try out as many beds as you can, so you can find what you like best."
>>128153"This thing about the Resistance. Where you talking about the Anarchists?"
>>128154"This one isn't completely soft, but a little firmer"
He isn't quite jumping on the mattress.... but you'd be hard pressed to explain what he's doing any other way
Keskoo:
"I suppose I could try...."
>>128153"Were you talking about the Anarchists?" She asks
>>128156"Maybe," Iron replies as he fidgets on the bed. "as long as they oppose the fascist regime, it is fair game for me."
>>128154Or get a good nap in while pretending to "try out" the beds>>128157Goldfeather approves
>>128157Now she smiles
"Are you sure you want to do it with
health potions though? Why not something with a little bit more....
power?"
>>128159"It is the one I will be given for sure, so I am planning accordingly," Iron replies, sneaking in a yawn "Maybe in the coming days, the potion variety will grow and we could, but that is not something I control."
He glances at Sands once more. "Anyhing else?"
>>128158My reference archives does not have the item you have presented.
>>128160"I want to hear more about this Resistance and weapons dealers? What have you done with them before?"
>>128156"I suppose this kind of store is not very common in Cubria?"
>>128161"I know where to contact them, but we may be at a rocky start," Iron guesses "since I believe I decked 5 of them the first day I was here. As for the weapons dealer, I bought a set of griffonian armor and... some spiked gauntlets, if I recall correctly."
Iron hums slightly. "There is always selling them to the Waterfront Gang, too."
>>128162She looks up at him
"Nothing this large. We could stuff mattresses with feathers. Not that my family could afford them. There was one store in Everfrost at least... but I never got a full mattress. Not like this, anyways... These are modern. Well made. Not like the ones in the crowded apartment."
She presses down on another mattress, that gives at her hooves
"If I can't sleep on a soft mattress, I can remove it. Right?"
She looks back up to him
>>128163She brings up a hoof, and closes her eyes as if waving the last suggestion away
"I mean selling weapons to the resistance. They may pay big for that."
>>128164"I know that," Iron promptly answers "but I do not have a stockpile of weapons on hoof, meaning I cannot provide them with such a thing." He pauses before glancingaway "and after recent events regarding potential crackdowns, I have been informed of, it might be best for us to keep the ones we currently have."
>>128164Silver nods to her.
"Of course. I can always put it to use at house if you end up not liking it."
>>128165"Well, if you
don't want black uniformed soldiers breaking down your door at 2 AM and dragging you off to never be seen again, you should sell to anyone besides the resistance. Not that, you know, you'd be safe from having your house set on fire regardless."
With a magic aura, she brings a small porcelain cup to her mouth, and sips an unidentified liquid
"But I appreciate your concern for safety. And the greater good. Do tell me more."
>>128166She smiles to him
"I've never had very much choice in my life." She looks away
"I know it's a mattress. A small thing. But still, I could not chose a mattress anywhere else. I did not have to"
She looks away
"In the village it was kind of comforting, assuring almost, knowing what you were going to do. At the factory... in that big building back there... it was oppressive. Here, I have choice. And it seems almost scary. What if I chose wrongly?"
Then, her eyes go back to him
"Like the decision to leave. To stow away in the freighter."
>>128167Iron couldn't help but snort softly at Sands' response. "Fat chance when I got no home to break into or to set on fire," he replies absentmindedly "I bet if I climb atop a tree, they would never find me."
He snickers softly "Ah, the advantages of being able to become nomadic and independant of any silly 'cee-vee-lai-sa-tion' gimmick at any time are quite nice," he continues before looking at Sands. "At most, they would burn down a bar, which does not concern me."
>>128168Some people actually like the homeless lifestyle because of how "free" it is.
>>128168She looks at him almost as if she is looking past him. Her voice is distant
"
Oh they can find you..."
>>128170Iron can't help but raise an eyebrow at such an answer. "You think so?" he asks nonchalantly, unfazed by Sands' obvious hinting of her past, knowing she wouldn't go ahead and tell it. "Because I sincerely doubt it, considering what they are going to get on their log."
>>128171"Their log? What?"
>>128172"You know, when they have too much stuff going on that it becomes hard to keep up?"
>>128173"If they think it's important, they can get to it"
>>128169Depending on what they do, I can't say they're wrong, considering their amount of ties become practically zero. However, I bet most homeless use this as an excuse more than a reason.>>128174"Is a random stallion providing some bottled health
really that important when they have bigger things to deal with?"
>>128175"I'm just saying..." she says, with a look of concern
>>128176"Sounds to me you have been targetted by them in the past," Iron nonchalantly guesses, considering how afraid she is of them.
>>128167"Freedom is scary. But I would say it is worth it. You can never find out what is best for you if every decision is made by somepony else. And if you make wrong choice...you pick yourself up by your bootstraps, you learn from your mistakes, and you try again.
"It is much easier to do with friends around to help you, though."
>>128177"Just..."
She looks down
"In Manehattan, there were instances... many instances... where a creature was walking down the road at night, and then another one walks by them and BAM BAM BAM! Shoots them dead, or stabs them. Sometimes they could be eating at a restaurant with their family, and someone comes up and shoots them. Yes, they can definitely burn down a bar. They have burned down many bars. These kinds of assassinations aren't unprovoked, no. But selling a good in the territory of another criminal syndicate where they have a monopoly could be considered provocation. That is just what the gangs did before the war. And you... you want to get involved in politics. The soldiers would rarely do anything unless someone shot at them first, or it was a planned raid. But the SSA... They were something else entirely. All of the resources of the police and the brutality of the gangs. They would take any creature out of their beds, out of hotels, from the kitchen table. Off of the street or after they gave big public speeches. They would disappear. Sometimes, you would see them again after months, often beaten. Just as often, never again. You say you want to sell health potions to those who want to do them harm? That is
exactly the kind of thing they look for. Well, they might be more forgiving if it's just health potions, but still. And the Resistance.... Well, they will bomb entire buildings and cars to kill a single soldier or collaborator. They like snipers as well. They will even provoke artillery bombardments so that civilians will be killed, so it makes their enemies look worse.
And as for me.... well, you know where you found me"
>>128178She is speechless for a moment
".... Friends?"
>>128179Silver nods at Keskoo, and smiles.
"Yes. Friends."
>>128180She smiles bigger. She isn't quite holding back tears, but that isn't far from what she is doing either
"I will try the soft mattress. If I can't sleep on it, I suppose I will just take it off or sleep on the floor"
>>128179Iron simply listens with interest, actually hearing something informative on both this supposed danger and her potential past. "How cowardly," the native comments at this seemingly absurd background Sands is painting "but how can you be so sure?"
>>128182She blinks
"Sure about what?"
>>128181"You could also come to me. I have no problem buying you firmer mattress if this does not work out."
>>128183"All you have just said, obviously."
>>128185"Because I know what I have heard and what I have seen, and who I have not seen or heard from since."
>>128184Keskoo prances around the quicksand mattress, and says
"Then I will take this one!"
>>128186Iron hums softly as he made himself comfortable. "I will think about it," he offers Sands "Anything else before I close my eyes for the rest of the day, most likely?"
>>128187She blinks
"Already? Did you sell the guns and the other items?"
>>128186"Alright, great! Let us find associate who can ring up purchase."
>>128189"What about night stands? Or a table? Or...." She moves her twists her head
"A sewing machine?"
>>128188"As I said, the guns are probably going to be necessary in the long run, so I did not," Iron replies "not that it would have given much profit, considering its specifics from what I have been told. The gems have been sold off, I trust Cauldron can exchange the bonds without issue and the fluids I would rather not think too hard about, unless you have something in mind for them."
>>128191She blinks
"So do you have the money?"
>>128192"On me? No." Iron replies "I have done my investment. Now it is only a matter of time before it pays back tenfold."
>>128190Silver has an...uneasy look on his face. He contemplates things for a few seconds, then looks at Keskoo.
"Alright. If you can stay here, look at various furnishings and pick out what you want to buy, I will go out to nearest cart dealership and buy cart for us to transport everything back to apartment."
>>128193She blinks again
"Where's the money?"
>>128194But Silver already has a cart"Oh, alright"
As she walks over to a dresser, she sees a mirror, and looks into it. She stares into it, and, with magic aura, starts to pull at her tangled mane
>>128195Yeah, but he left it at the beach house, and it won't be able to handle all of the weight of the furniture we're gonna buy."I will be back soon."
Silver leaves her to browse the store's selection while he goes to a cart dealership for something that can carry everything.
>>128195"In a safe place," Iron promptly answers.
>>128196Down the road, Silver goes through dense sets of buildings as if he would never find anything, until he encounters a store that does indeed have carts for sale inside, through a giant set of doors
Silver sees his options now. Larger wooden carts, often hooking up two ponies or more, made for industrial and agricultural purposes. Low to the ground, they would make it easier to load and unload
>>128197She scrunches, then looks away
"Oh, alright. If you say so..."
>>128198"Did you want it for something in particular?"
>>128199"Money is freedom, or at least it's hard to be free without money. And it's better to keep it on you than locked away in some distant place"
>>128198This is definitely something that fits Silver's needs, assuming it has a large enough weight capacity.
>>128200"It frankly is not, honestly," Iron replies as he makes himself comfortable for the third time "more along the lines of power and agency underneath this society than freedom."
>>128201The axles and bed certainly can take the weight. Whether the pony pulling it can is another matter
>>128202She pulls her hooves back, and narrows her eyes at him, but she does not say anything
>>128204He's a real charmer, isn't he?
>>128203I guess we'll see. Silver will buy it.
>>128205I know, right?>>128206Silver finds a salespony. It takes a little convincing for the salespony to understand that Silver will be buying it outright with cash, but for about 200 bits, it's Silver's
>>128207True to Silver's word, he pays the 200 Bits then and there. Once it's payed, he hitches himself to it with the goal of taking it back to the furniture store.
>>128208Hitched up, Silver can feel that the thing is fortunately (mostly) balanced out by having four wheels, and so it doesn't weigh him down or pull him up. It's a little heavy in its own right, kind of difficult to get moving. But Silver gets it there, finding he has to park it essentially on the curb in front of the store
>>128209Once he unhitches himself, he goes inside to look for Keskoo.
>>128210Keskoo is looking at tables, having found one with a darker color (that does
not match the bed). Loputu is with her, and seems to be, or was, talking to her
>>128205Low charisma usually does that.>>128204Iron glances at Sands before lightly petting her head. "I would not worry about it, love," he utters calmly, grinning softly ",you will be able to do whatever you want soon. For now it is all about building up the skeleton for your definition of freedom."
>>128212She flinches back, closes her eyes, and her ears fall flat to her neck as Iron pets her head. She opens her eyes to look back at Iron thereafter. The ears return to a normal position after another few seconds. She blinks, but not not say anything in response
>>128213Figuring it'd be best to end this little conversation at a reasonably happy note, Iron retracts her hoof and slowly closes his eyes, losing himself in the comfort of both bed and
completely normal unicorn. "Feel free to do whatever for now," his last words were "take some money if you want to, but not more than 500 bits, or else we will find it difficult to have a roof over our heads, alright?"
>>128214Her eyes go wide, and her ears rotate towards him
“Alright...
>>128215With a nod, Iron proceeds to kiss Sands' snoot before fully closing his eyes, letting sleep overtake him and finally getting some actual rest.
>>128216This action seems to surprise her, as she finches and widens her eyes yet again.
>>128217Iron couldn't help but smile softly at the last action's reaction, sticking on his face for a while as the resting hours began.
>>128218The whole party will be like Snow White waiting for Dark Star's return
>>128219Most likely, but as long as there's a goal for tomorrow. It's all good.There's always Sands going all Prince on Iron to wake him up, though~
>>128220She's a bit more of a spinning wheel than a princeWait. Wrong Disney movie. Uh... a witch
>>128221An apple, you mean.
[1d100 = 38]>>128223Oh, thanks. That's pretty helpful
>>128211Silver trots up to the pair.
"Alright, I got cart. Have you found anything you like?"
>>128225Are we going to continue with the wolves tonight?
>>128228Sure. A dayish late
>>128011Grey Wolf:
"Why would you help them, and why would they send a pony?"
The white wolf tilts her head in intrigue
"Did they send you as an emissary to us?"
The grey wolf, as if in response to her says
"In all this time they have yet to send one"
>>128227She turns back to look at him
"Well... there is this nice one here"
She walks over towards a night stand that is a little darker than the bed, but also is not coated in varnish. It has a few wheat ears as decoration
"And then there is a table here..."
She walks still further again to another table that is also somewhat dark, and has a corn ear underneath as decoration. It's not hard to imagine at least the table fitting into her room
>>128229"I help because both changelings and the ponies they have under forced labor need protection. Changelings seem to fear the woods, so I was a good choice. Unfortunately, they don't seem to be interested in diplomacy. However, I suppose I may represent ponies as they were and now are under new rulership."
>>128230The white wolf answers first
"As they should fear the woods. If they stay away, it is better for us. I am not so sure about the old ponies, but where is this 'new rulership'?"
The grey wolf then asks,
"What are they interested in, if not diplomacy?"
>>128231"Well, out of the woods is now Changeling land, where ponies are slave workers at best. Beyond the Changeling borders to the East is the occupation zone governed by New Mareland. Ponies are a bit more free there, but still under rule of our former colony."
>>128232The grey wolf:
"A bit funny how things have turned out for the ponies. They tried to be on top, now they are on the bottom again, Underneath even themselves, it seems"
The white wolfess listens intently
"So that is what has happened. We must be fortunate it has not spilled out more than it has."
>>128233"Well, if you haven't seen any strange creatures, I will be moving on. I don't mean to trespass."
>>128234Grey wolf:
"Very well"
He can be seen now to have of all things, a rifle slung on his back
The white wolfess looks almost confused by the remark
>>128235"I really have to find if there are more monsters out here somewhere, otherwise more ponies might be hurt."
>>128236Grey wolf:
"I don't think that helping-"
He is interrupted by the White wolf, whose ears pop up and who stares at Spark
"Monsters?!"
The lighter wolf wonders around
>>128237"Well, that's how I would describe the thing. It appeared as a changeling before becoming a very large monster that attacked everypony. Three attacked us in total. If it wasn't for my friends, lots of ponies could have been killed. We figure the reason the changelings avoid the forests are because more are out here. But it is just an assumption."
>>128238She pulls up a paw to cover her mouth, as she looks at him with concern
The grey wolf answers,
“The duplicates can change their shape. This is not a surprise”
>>128239"Perhaps not surprising, but regardless, I must learn where they are and stop their attacks. I hope to achieve it through diplomacy, but I have no idea if they are civil. I am prepared to fight if need be."
>>128240The grey wolf nods, with the faintest hint of a toothless smile
The white wolf asks
“Who are ‘they,?”
Another wolf peels off to the side
"Well, that is what I have to find out. I don't have a name for them. I just know that I need to make sure everypony is safe."
>>128242“What did they look like?” She asks
>>128229Silver nods to her at her choices.
"Nice, very nice. Anything else?"
>>128244Looking up at him,
“A sewing machine, maybe? If we get to such a store”
>>128243I don't recall the description off hand... can we assume Spark could relay it though?
>>128245"Absolutely! I certainly have cart for us to carry one. I wonder if you can buy one in sewing shop..."
>>128246The white wolf’s mouth comes partly open, showing a toothy mouth of large white and yellow canines. The grey wolf comments,
“Sounds like their tricks
Then from over off to the side, from where Spark found the bed of pine needles, the light grey wolf points down with a paw
“Ganawaabandamaw! Mikigaade!”
>>128247She smiles, with a fairly toothy smile, and seems to wag her tail for a moment
“Yes! Let us get these”
>>128248Spark turns to face the pointing one.
"What is he saying?"
>>128248Silver smiles at the display, and looks for a store associate that can help them purchase her selected bedframe, mattress and boxspring, nightstand, and table. He also look back to Keskoo as he trots.
"If you also need other items like kitchenware, things for bathroom, or what have you, let me know."
>>128249The light wolf - looks like a young adult male - stops pointing, and looks back to the others
“Gonige aawan Sa’be?”
The white wolf looks over. But she seems to answer Spark
“He says he’s found something...”
>>128250Silver is able to find a sales associate quickly enough - a grey earth pony who seems rather young - and he helps to get another earth pony in to carry out the furniture once it is formally purchased
Keskoo answers,
“Yes. I suppose I need those all things....”
Then she bends her neck to look right up to him
“But what is it I have to do for you?”
>>128251Spark hurries over.
>>128252Silver gives her a confused, startled look.
"Nothing at all. Why do you ask?"
>>128253It’s nothing Spark hasn’t seen before. The bed of needles, some disrupted plants, and the slight remnants of tracks
Wolves move around, some walking over, looking down and careful not to step on or disturb tracks.
The white wolf comes down and says
“Could it be...?”
>>128254“This is not...” she looks away “if it’s a loan... I am afraid of what happens if I cannot pay back...”
>>128255Silver lets out a small, sad sigh as he puts a forehoof on her shoulder.
"Do not worry about paying any of this back. It is gift."
>>128256She looks at him with uncertainty
"If it all is... thank you"
Her eeyes water
The sales associate rings it up. It's at least 250 bits
>>128257"It's... it looks to be... the bed of a Sa'be"
>>128259"The Sa'be" she says
"A giant of the forest. Creatures closer to the divine than we. In the seven teachings they are said to represent Honesty"
>>128260"Is that a good thing or bad?"
>>128258Silver smiles brightly at Keskoo, and pays the associate the Bits without hesitation.
"You are welcome, Keskoo."
>>128261She moves back, and her ears go back for a moment, before saying to him
“They are rarely seen. For you to show up next to the bed of one must be a sign from the Spirit.”
>>128262She smiles back to him, though she still seems sort of weak
The ponies at the store lift the bed and other furniture, with Silver’s help if he demands it. Loputu joins in, helping with the table and placing it in the cart. They have ease enough carrying it, and loading it.
>>128266>>128267wouldd like to join but I can't yet. I have to read the player's hand book. Haven't gotten to it yet but it will happen.
Are you gonna play tonight?
>>128268Yes. Shimmering Spark, in the north, has gone in search of monsters, and has found a group of sapient wolves. Silver Sword, in the south, is helping a refugee establish her new life.
I don’t think you need to read
all the handbook, just the parts that immediately concern your character like her class, spells, and maybe a weapon. But here is a pdf of the handbook
http://choisey.free.fr/3.5/Core/Indexed%20Player%20Handbook%20v3.5.pdf
>>128263Hello!
>>128265Of course he'd help, he doesn't want them to take
all the burden.
Once that's done he hitches himself to the cart, motioning for Keskoo and Loputu to do the same.
"Next stop: sewing shop."
>>128270Silver's magic turns out to be valuable when loading the cart, keeping the items stable. Everything fits, albeit at odd angles. The cart is heavy and somewhat difficult to get moving. While actually pulling the cart doesn't require much effort, slowing it down, turning, or getting it up to speed takes considerable ponypower. One of the sales ponies recommends the location of a sewing shop, a little closer to Eastside.
It's a smaller shop than the furniture store they left, but when they enter, they see it has a nice supply of thread and yarn, buttons, but for the Cubrian pony, the most fascinating element is in the back
Keskoo walks slowly towards a set of sewing machines, keeping her distance, but always looking towards them with awe and reverence. She stops, looks at them, and then comes closer to one. With a glow of magic, she takes a thread cylinder, places it on the end of the machine pulls the string out, down, around the tension disk, through the recess on the side of the machine, and then back up around the lever.
>>128271Silver looks over to the Cubrian mare.
"Is it like sewing machines you had in Cubria?"
>>128272She looks over to him briefly, before looking back at the sewing machine
"In the village and in my apartment? No. I never had a sewing machine. Everything was by hoof. But in the factory... we had sewing machines. They were bigger though. Not as shinny or white. I always wanted one for myself."
>>128273Silver uses a forehoof to showcase the selection of sewing machines they have.
"And now you have pick of litter."
>>128274She looks down the set of sewing machines, at one point sitting at a table as if to try one out, and looking over several.
Finally, she picks one out
"150 bits..." she says
"It is good for embroidery as well. I suppose I can pay for that with what you gave me last night"
>>128275"If that is what you want, but I will not force you to pay for it if you do not want to. You will also need other sewing supplies, yes?
>>128276She looks up at him, and blinks
"What do you mean? And yes... I will need supplies..."
>>128277"Well, I have already bought rest of your furniture. I could buy this for you, too."
>>128278Now, she definitely smiles at him, and wags her tail
>>128279Silver smiles back, feeling great about helping her.
"If this is machine you want, then we should look at other supplies, now."
>>128265"What kind of sign?"
>>128280She whinnies joyously, and prances about for a moment, before trotting over to the fabric section, where she pulls out a large set of threads, buttons, and many sheets of fabric, all in a speed as if according to a preordained plan. She gathers the sheets and places them on her back or in an increasingly cluttered aura of dark green magic. Then she looks back to Silver, as if she were a kid caught taking a cookie from the jar
>>128281“The Sa’be is the symbol of the virtue of Honesty. For you to appear to us so close to the best of one, it seems as if the Spirit is telling us you are honest” she says, expressing much by waving her right paw
>>128282Silver stiffles a little giggle, and smiles at her.
"Go ahead, I do not mind."
>>128283"Neat. Can this Sa'be help me find the monsters?"
>>128284She smiles, and then continues, adding sets of buttons, pewter and needles, before going to the counter. Her set of fabrics is so large the small unicorn’s magic cannot contain it all, and she has to use a shopping basket, which itself scarcely contains the large rolls. It looks like her other items have added another 37 bits onto the total, for 187 bits. Keskoo is prancing around
>>128285“They do not like to be seen, not likely. But it tells us about you”
The grey wolf walks forward
“There is no ‘Sa’be’, and there is no sign. This nest is the work of a bear”
Another wolf, speechless until now, contradicts him
“It does not smell like bear”
Irritated, he responds
“That is because it is days old and the needles are decaying. That is what it smells like in those conditions”
>>128286Silver gladly pays for all of this as well, and asks the shopkeeper if they know of a good place for kitchenware, bathroom supplies, and other things along those lines.
>>128287Thus, counting his 500 big donation, Silver has spent more than 1500 bits on this small, emaciated northern mare
He tells of a department store down the street with all of these things. Keskoo looks pleased to have a Singer sewing machine to call her own. Loputu knows he has been outclassed by Solver’s generous spending, though he hangs around.
>>128288Silver loads Keskoo's new belongings in the cart. He looks over at Keskoo to ask her something in a quiet voice.
"What do you think about Loputu?"
>>128286So I'm making a first-level character, right? I would like to join up with another pc. I guess solo is okay as well but I kinda want to join up with one pc for some unexplained reason I can't explain.
Am doing a sorcerer right now. It was easier than I thought. It seems I remembered things from last time, and how to read.
>>128290What I mean is that is that okay, if I run around with a level one character, along side higher level characters? Can you manage encounter as such or should I increaase the level of the character, I don't really wanna do that though since I rather build my character but it also want to be with another pc.
>>128290The characters have all been at level 5, so a level 5 character would probably be more appropriate. A sorcerer is just fine.
Was there a particular PC you wanted to start with? There are several options, including perhaps starting with Sardonic Economist's character. Just tell me if you have a preference for more combat or roleplay heavy, or a certain sort of setting within the larger setting.
>>128289Her eyes go very wide, and she pulls back ever so slightly
"He seems... knowledgeable of the area. A little young. Eager to help."
>>128291I can manage encounters where characters are at different levels, at least so long as there is some excuse as to why an enemy would target the higher level character over the lower level. That should be very easy in the case of a sorcerer paired with a fighter, as of course they will want to target the closer fighter
>>128292Silver looks concerned at her reaction.
"...why reaction?"
>>128293"I was just... surprised you asked, is all" She eases a hoof forward
>>128294"Well, he is nice, handsome, strapping young stallion, he seems to have developed crush on you, and he seems put down by my spending so much on you. I think he would appreciate it if you talked with him."
>>128295She blushes, pulls her head back a little, lowers her muzzle and covers it with her right foreleg
“I’ll.... if you say so”
>>128296He gives her a cute little smile.
"...you like him too, yes?"
>>128297“I.... had not thought of him in such a way”
She smiles awkwardly
>>128298"Well, regardless, I think he would appreciate talking with you."
Silver hitches himself to the cart.
"Is everypony ready for next stop?"
>>128299She continues to smile in embarrassment, her long, desire-red tail partly wrapping around her leg. Loputu looks over in curiosity, knowing something has happened, but not what
Loputu answers first
“Sure”
Then Keskoo
“Yes”
>>128300And so, off they head to buy some living essentials for Keskoo.
>>128301They go into the department store, to find a large array of towels, bedsheets, and so forth. Keskoo shows that she at least knows what modern silverware is, but she doesn’t seem to have much understand of what a full set for an apartment looks like . Loputu goes forward, helping to select a set for her. Keskoo and Loputu later look at bed coverings, with Keskoo favoring a blue set with an Ursa pattern
>>128302Silver gives the pair some space to be able to talk privately. He does pick up a fluffy white bathtowel for himself, however.
>>128303Loputu initiates a few words, mostly in the language of the northern ponies. In ponish, he asks about brothers and sisters, and Keskoo reveals that she has several, as does Loputu. She does not know what happened to all of them, though one went to “new Skynavia,” the band of which of course repulses Loputu, but he asks questions about what is going on there
There are indeed a number of bath towels of varying degrees of fluff. Silver could even buy gloves if he wanted to
>>128304Silver is indeed interested in their selection of gloves.
>>128305Gardening, for wood working, and industrial gloves. Both equine models and griffin models
>>128306Silver tries out the industrial gloves.
>>128307Somewhat thick. Made of rubber or a similar substance. Waterproof
>>128275Hey, that's exactly like the sewing machine that was handed down in my family>>128283This would have turned out badly if Brie was here>>128303With Iron's bathrobe it's possible to get everyone matching outfits. Reminds me of that episode from Rocko's Modern Life
>>128309Spark is a bit more... “delicate” when it comes to diplomacy
>>128309Kek
>>128310Shall we continue?
>>128311Maybe. Spark’s last post was
>>128286
>>128312"Spirit or not, I am being honest with you all. Now if only the spirits could draw an arrow into the ground to where I need to search next."
>>128313This shuts her up. The darker wolf comes closer to the alleged “bed” and says a number of things to several other wolves, who converse with him, as they each look around the bed and the area
>>128314Spark waves the white wolf over closer.
>>128315She walks over from the needle-filled depression, towards Spark
>>128316He lowers his voice.
"The others seem to be a bit less helpful for both my problem and for information about the Spirit. Could you maybe help me out?"
>>128317She tilts her head
"What... what do you need?"
>>128318"Has anywolf seen this Spirit?"
>>128320
"Ah. Well then, can it give any more signs?"
>>128319"It is not material no spirit is unless they want to be, or they are in the material. The great spirit - the giche manidoo - creates all things and directs them. It is not seen in the way you may see a wolf. But it is seen through the world."
>>128322"Hmm... could you still contact the spirit in some way?"
>>128323"Of course. There are many ways to contact the Great Spirit and the other spirits. Through dreams, through visions, through the Mide priests. Everything has some connection to the spiritual. Even ponies."
>>128324"Think Sa'be can lead me in the right direction then?"
>>128325She smiles in a way that suggests laughter
"The Sa'be live their own lives as surely as the eagle and the bear. They do not like to be seen and keep away from wolves and ponies. That is why it is so special to see a bed and tracks here. They do not lead you like a tracker, so much as they teach you by their example. Be honest, and be true to yourself, as they are true to creation."
>>128326"Then do you suppose you can help me find the monsters? I would love to learn all about Sa'be, but must be sure that everypony is safe first."
>>128328She moves back a little
"I suppose I... could. But could you help us with the outsiders?"
>>128329"Of course. How may I help?"
>>128330"We had an agreement with the ponies. Then the duplicates... "Changelings?" They came in and it changed things. Make them leave us alone."
>>128308"Seems like it could be useful."
Silver decides to grab a pair for himself. He continues to browse the store while Keskoo and Loputu chat.
>>128331"That may take some time. They rule the land now, and the ponies are slaves. I will do my best though."
>>128333She frowns
The darker grey wolf walks over, and enters the conversation
"We cannot survive out here simply living on our own. Perhaps there is a way to make a trade deal? Or some other sort of deal that makes us more involved"
The white wolf responds
"We are fine staying out of all of this. We can live alone. We just need to be assured we will not be bothered"
>>128334"It is best when dealing with the changelings that you remain for the most part unknown or unbothered. The changelings want for trade love, slaves, or material for making weapons. Until ponies are back in change, I'm afraid we must avoid handling them as a whole and instead build relations with a select few that will aid us."
>>128335The Darker grey wolf frowns, and the white wolf is concerned
>>128336"Well, if anypony can negotiate with them, it would be me. I have befriended several already."
>>128337The white wolf smiles - she even seems to move her tail in a half-wagging motion - as the darker wolf nods
>>128338D'awww. Spark smiles.
>>128339The white wolf says to Spark
"Perhaps you want to come by our settlement in the South?"
The darker grey wolf says to her
"I do not know if that is wise. He could be scouting for them"
>>128340"If you will have me, I would be honored to. As for a being a scout, if the Changelings were interested in this territory, they would not need a scout. They would just storm in once your guard was down, seeing how much they hate being in the forest."
>>128341Darker Grey Wolf
"So you say. But they have trouble finding us. Pony, I will not threaten you as I cannot tell you anything you cannot imagine for yourself. But you must know that we are not like you ponies, unable to move or rebuild quickly. We can be gone before any strike force arrives, and with no loss to us."
She says to him
"He would not. He is honest, like that pony they sent all those years before, when we were pups."
His teeth are partly barred as he does not look to her. Then she says
"If he is telling the truth, it is a great benefit to us? Is it not?"
He says to Spark
"Very well"
>>128292Have read enough to understand how to make a character now. How many points for point buy or should use standard array or rolling instead?
>>128343Rolling or 29 points in point buy, through something like an online calculator on
http://www.propelled.de/extern/chargen. Rolling is 4d6 discard the lowest roll for each attribute
>>128343>>128345I fully recommend rolling instead, because it's more fun and you can get better stats that way.Inb4 you roll all 1's and get a 3 in each stat
>>128345That will certainly work for a sorcerer character
>>128347Nice.
How do I roll again? I never use it so I forget. I can roll in both the email feild and in the comment field. How do I do that? Can you tell me, please?
>>128348For each stat (without spaces):
[1 d 6]
[1 d 6]
[1 d 6]
[1 d 6]
Used to be you could conglomerate multiple rolls but the new code broke that.
>>128348Unfortunately, because of changes in the code, in the new code you'll have to write [1 d 6] with no spaces, four times in six sections
[1d6 = 5][1d6 = 6][1d6 = 5][1d6 = 1]
>>128349Thanks, though I'll use itt for figuring out my hitpoints.
>>128351Will you be using the character background you mentioned back in August?
12 +12=24 skill points
(2+1)*4 first level =12
2+1 for each level after that = 12
Spellcraft: 6
Concentration: 6
Hide: 4
Moce Silently: 2
>>128353Hmmm.... A sneaky sorcerer
>>128353Those are very literally the skills of a NEET
Class features:
Weapon and Armor Proficiency
Spells
Familiar (a cat is because it add a bonus to the move silently)
Features(one for first level and third):
Silent Spell
Enlarge Spell
>>128356>A cat familiarNeat. Quite a bit could be done with a cat
Spells:
0-level(6 known):
Prestidigitation
Dancing Lights
Ghost Sound
Open/Close
Mage Hand
Read Magic
1-level(4 known):
Disguise Self
Nystul’s Magic Aura
Silent Image
Ventriloquism
2-level (2 known):
Minor Image
Invisibility
Spells slots are (0-level) 6, (1-level) 6, and (2-level) 4.
>>128358>>128359This will certainly work
It seems I get one bonus spell per level, as in spell level due to my Cha score.
0-level
Message
1-level
Color spray
2-level
Misdirection
>>128361Does any member of the party have lock-picking skill? Knock might be useful
>>128362Maybe Brie? I don't think even he does. They'd basically need an NPC. Black Cauldron should have it at least
>>128361I don't think you get new _types_ of spells, just bonus spells cast
>>128363We need the Lock Picking Lawyer just as we have a Slashy Halberd Bartender
>>128364Okay so spells slots. Alright got it. Then disregard this post
>>128361
>>128365>The Lockpicking Lawyer will open doors for youNow that's an idea for a character
[YouTube] Harvey Birdman : Attorney At Law Intro [HQ] [Embed]>>128366>>128367Looks like this little pony is coming to life
Fort save 3.
Will save: 16+1=17
Ref save: 3
Base attack bonus: 6
So now there is AC left and equipment and figuring out the level or wahtever for the familiar.
>>128361A guess this adds to this post and make it 7, 7, and 5.
>>128370>>128369So um.... any idea when you might be able to play, or what kind of play you are looking for (combat, roleplay or so forth)? Also, are you using the background of the character you made six months ago? (I can still find that)
>>128370>>128371If you want to keep it as a surprise for all of us and don't mind being called a faggot, you could contact GM on Discord regarding this
>>128371>>128372I can the same time as everyone else. Will play tomorrow if the character is finished by then and if you have time. I have no preference for anyone particular yet so give me some of both. No my character is a nobody. Her famly has been compltetely uneffected by whatever conflict is going on in your world. She is out in the world, looking for love andd finding a stallion she can drag back home and get her father's blessing in marriage for. She is unicorn as well, therefore sorcerer. She used to entertain the all the children with her illusion spells. And she just gets swept up in all this adventure.
>>128373>Looking for loveOh my...
I will see what I can figure out
>>128374> I can figure outWhat is there to figure out?
>>128375Ah, right . How she gets involved in the adventure.
>>128375Shhh, a DM has his secrets
>>128375I mean what the character is going to do. I guess the simple solution is to have the character arrive at the train station in the city, and then explore until she finds where she wants to be, and then let events happen.
>>128332Silver presumably grabs a version for ponies. The store contains a variety of home items, including fancy equipment like toasters, as well as shampoo, sponges, plungers, and bedroom items like sheets, pillows, and blankets
>>128379Oh, he could use some nice shampoo for his floof.
>>128380There is a whole set of shampoo for fur and feathers. Some extra strength, some for more delicate fur, and some having various smells to it. He can even find one with a hint of lavender smell
>>128381Hmm...not knowing which would be best for his fur, he grabs a nice selection. He also grabs a couple for feathers for Jubilosa's use.
>>128382Silver grabs more shampoo than even he, floofy pony that he is, could really use in six or months. But given that he's basically entered the business of refugee ressettlement of diverse creatures, it's hardly overboard. Maybe he even wants some extra strength shampoo for the fluffy but natural smelling Mala... or for himself, the next time he gets covered in diesel fuel or swamp mud. And maybe some for a scalier creature, like Khoi Lua.
But certainly, Silver and any feathery females have their selection
>>128383Now all that remains is for Loputu and Keskoo to be finished.
>>128384Keskoo and Loputu run across Silver as they walk, with Loputu carrying a large basket of items across his back, including bedsheets, a toothbrush holder, a lamp laid across his back, and so forth.
Keskoo:
“I think I have what I need. You two have been very helpful”
>>128385Silver smiles at them.
"Ah, I just have Bits. Loputu has been far more helpful than I have been. If you are ready to purchase, let us head to registers."
>>128386Loputu moves s large number of items from his back to the counter. It’s 120 bits in total, counting Silver’s gloves and the shampoo. That may sound like much, but it includes a set of silverware, bedsheets and covers, bathroom supplies, a few pots and pans, and items like a full lamp
Keskoo:
“In my home we had an oil lamp that we had to light with a match, and be careful not to turn it over. It had a slight smell to it. This ‘electric’ lamp is like something only the wealthier had. Even my apartment in the town had a lightbulb. But no lamp.”
>>128387Silver pays for everything, and helps to bring it to the cart.
"Electricity is still relatively new for me. It is wonderous thing. Even with something that is so simple as lighting, it is amazing seeing world go from candles and oil like when I was colt to electric light bulbs."
>>128388She looks back to him, and nearly exclaims as she remarks,
"There are so many new things here. Things I would not see at all in the village, and only sometimes in the town. Concrete, so many buildings, diesel boats, so much lights. It is both a wonder and a horror. How much has been built, and how far it is from nature"
>>128389He nods, somewhat somberly.
"Yes...then, nature is both beauitful and dangerous. This urban landscape rising to take its place is both good and bad. What your view on it is depends on how much of each you see, I suppose."
>>128390“I know what I saw in the town with the Modernizers in government, and I know what I have seen here, in Equestria. I know what I think”
>>128391>>128390Loputu adds his own bit
"When I was a yearling, my parents say I had a terrible fever. They took me to the doctors here and I recovered after a while. My father says he had siblings who died from such fevers and other diseases, and he thinks the doctor's medicine made the difference. The modern world may have given me buildings of great heights to fall from, or freezers to be almost trapped in, or.... other things. But I am here still, and I think it is because of it"
>>128391>>128392Silver nods to them both.
"I think we should respect nature for both its beauty and danger, but I also think people need safe homes in this world. I think we are all right, in our own ways."
>>128393Keskoo, almost as if arguing against Silver, adds
“I want a safe home”
Loputu looks away, then back to Keskoo
“I was just saying. You’d probably want your foals to have modern medicine”
She looks back to him, and he quickly looks away
“Never.... nevermind”
Loputu takes extra haste in loading the bedsheets, shampoo, and the lamp into the cart. The lampshade has a kind of bee’s honeycomb pattern.
>>128394Silver hitches himself to the cart, and looks over to Keskoo.
"Anything else you need, or are you ready to head home and set everything up?"
>>128395"If I do, I do not know what it is. I am ready."
Loputu tries to help, by hitching himself up as well. The cart allows for it
>>128358Instead of prestidigitation and open/close, I want Message and Detect magic.
My AC for this character is 10 unless she has a size modifier of being small. I haven't decided yet if she should be small. Probably.
Equipment:
A brown claok and a saddlebag with only a pouch of money in it.
She is purple/pink with dark purple eyes, and a light brown mane.
More description comming later.
But otherwise I feel done.
How much money can I have? I liked to be able to sleep somewhere and pay for the material components of my spells.
>>128397She can start with 2000 bits
But this sounds pretty good. I am imagining now the purple-pink mare
>>128396Silver smiles at Loputu, and heads off to Keskoo's apartment when he's hitched up.
>>128397>prestidigitationDon't unicorns have that automatically, or maybe it's not sufficiently worked out what racial spells unicorns have?
>smallIf I'm not mistaken a small size modifier would be like a dog or a creature definitely smaller than a pony, see the table here:
https://dungeons.fandom.com/wiki/Table:_Creature_Size_and_Scale_(3.5e_Other)Unless if your character is jailbait or a literal midget then I don't think "small" is possible.
>2000 bitsWowee, that's a lot of money.
>>128399Even as it takes time, they do get there. Keskoo does
not live on the first floor, and Silver and Loputu have some difficulty bringing the mattress and other items of furniture up to her room. But they do start setting up the bed and mattress
Keskoo asks
"But... Do I need to find a factory job? I know we talked about this before, but..."
>>128400Prices can be hard to balance
So on my need to buy list:
A small quare of silk.
A parchment rolled up into a small cone.
A bit of fleece.
A clear crystal or mineral prism.
A short piece of copper wire.
A bit of wool or a small lump of wax.
An eyelash encased in a bit of gum arabic.(wtf)
My cat doesn't have more then the first level. Let's say she just got it so I don't have to look to deeply into it.
He is feckled black with a white fur on his paws and on his neck like a bib.
Appearenly at first level he has these features: Alertness, improved evasion, share spells, empathic link.
Int 6.
Armor Adj. +1 Which is something I don't care about finding out right now.
So, his name is Slogo and her name is Fantasy Play.
So, is this enough to get started?
>>128400Yes, I was unsure of how far ponies were from being small so that's why I wondered but good then I donät need to think about that anymore.
>>128402Actually, wait a minute. One last change:
Spellcraft: 6
Concentration: 6
Bluff: 4
Hide: 2
Moce Silently: 2
>>128401Silver looks up at her from putting in screws.
"Only if you want to. You could also put sewing machine and fabrics to use making and selling traditional garments to ponies in Little Skynavia, and repairing clothing that has been damaged. Loputu could spread word about your services among community, if he was interested in helping."
>>128404Noted
>>128402Well, that's a fascinating set of items to buy
>>128403They are medium
>>128402Alright
Fantasy Play steps out of the coach train car onto the concrete platform of Union Station, Baltimare. The steam easing out of the locomotive covers much of the platform in a mist, making the whole experience feel a bit like stepping through a misty veil, and it is indeed a new world beyond. The platforms have vualted glass ceilings above, and entering further into the station, she finds halls and shops and newspaper stands, all under ceilings of glass and stone, with neo-classical columns decorating the far walls, and marble floors with the names of the large Equestrian cities inscribed into them.
>>128405She nods
"I shall try that then. The money you gave me - I don't know how long it will last me. But I hope it will last long enough to find customers. If it does not, I hear there is a factory making uniforms, and another making parts of parachutes here."
>>128406"Hopefully it will be. I can cover rent until you have steady source of income, so only things you should have to worry about are food and sewing supplies. I hope you know you can always come to me if you need help, though. And I imagine Loputu is much same way."
>>128407She smiles a big, toothy, awkward smile
"I suppose. Thank you, again. I will make something for you, if you tell me what."
>>128402>Fantasy PlayI could make so many jokes with that name
>>128406She walks around the staion, looking for a store that could possibly sell what see needs.
>>128410A store selling bagels, one selling perfumes and similar items, another with toys and trinkets. But to find parchment, fleece, and crystals... That it seems will require going further into the city
>>128408"Well, there is something...I had pair of olive drab military fatigues, before my friends and I had stormed 33 Hoebuck. During course of mission, they were absolutely destroyed. I feel rather...naked, without them. If it would not be too much trouble, it would be nice to have something like that again."
>>128411She looks for some kind of map over the city and signs for direction, if she doesn't find anything in the station she walks outside and does the same there.
>>128409"Are they all...n-naughty?!"
>>128413In the center of the station there is a little Kiosk
"New here, little pony?" The stallion asks
A map can be had for 1 bit.
Of course a less detailed map that only shows neighborhoods and transportation can be found on the wall for free
Fantasy Play may exam either map
>>128412She twists her lips somewhat, and places her right hoof to her chin
"I will admit, I do not know what these 'military fatigues' look like, or how to make them. But after so much you have done for me, I can try."
>>128409Your character can hers, if you want. She would probably have a Union Station start as well
>>128415"Thank you sir," she says, diggs up a bit, and place it on the counter.
Slogo is purring on her back.
>>128416Two characters coming in at the same time, the day after a major quest destroys my immersion, reeeeeeI'll join the next day. I have next week off so I'm quite happy about that
>>128417Right mixed meta with what he said.
"Yes, could I buy one of you maps?" she asks and places a bit on the coutner.
>>128415"They are clothing worn by soldiers. Simple pair of button-up shirt and pants made of simple, sturdy fabric. I was never real soldier, but it suited me well, and made me feel not as exposed."
>>128418Next in-game day, I ought to specify. Seems like the game time's almost noon so we're making progress
>>128417>>128420"Why sure you can, little pony"
He pulls the bit to himself, and slides over the map
Fantasy Play can see the city of Baltimare and surrounding communities. Baltimare is on the western shore of Horseshoe Bay, with harbors and industrial areas on the eastern side, The commercial district in the center and towards the west, and the city generally older and denser nearer the waterfront.
The city drops off into wild land fairly quickly south of the Hayseed River. To the North is the Eclipse gulf, a peninsula sticks out to the east and forms the northern shore of Horseshoe bay, between the bay and the eclipse gulf. To the west, a series of smaller towns and farms line up against the shore
>>128418Okay...
>>128420"And I may end up making uniforms anyways.... I will try for you. I know the feeling of being... 'exposed,' and wanting to avoid it"
>>128421If anything, it should be much later for Silver
>>128422She glances back to see if there is anypony behind her in need of a buying something, is there?
If there isn't, she asks the stallion a question.
"Can you tell me good sir, where one would find a cheap but comfortable place to stay in this city," she asks.
>>128422Silver smiles wide and bright at her.
"Thank you!"
He continues helping to put everything together.
>>128423"Oh, well you got plenty of places here. There's two hotels over here near Union Station. A little further in, you have the Lord Baltimare if you want to stay in style, and there are even cheaper places like hostels out in the Eastside. Look here"
He points down on the map
"Each of those orange dots is a hotel. You're going to have to ignore that one" He points to one near the center
"That's the Grand Baltimare. That one has been confiscated. And some of these are down for renovation, but most of them are open. You see here, these two, the Hinnyton and the Prancer. These are right by the station and are kind of cheap. And over there is the Lord Baltimare."
>>128424It takes a little time, but soon enough she has a bed with a mattress, bedsheets, and a pillow, with a nightstand with a mirror, a table, a couple chairs, a completely separate electric sowing machine with a stand, and a lamp. The room is adorned with natural patterns like honeycombs, Ursas, wheat and corn ears, trees, and fish
>>128425Silver takes a step back to appreciate their hard work and the style of her new apartment.
"I must say: I am jealous. This is very wonderful apartment."
>>128425She look at different orange dots on the map for a bit before she looks up to the stallion.
"You sure, know how to hook a somepony in," she says. "Why has has Grand Baltimare been confiscated? And I guess, based on the fact that you're still selling these outdated maps that it happend recently."
>>128426She smiles to him, and walks over slowly, to sit on the bed. She starts to sink into it.
"Thanks. And it's all to me alone."
>>128427Orange dots are a little denser near the center and on the east side, though they exist in most parts of the city
"The..." He twists his lips "The Grand Baltimare Hotel was taken by the New Mareland forces as the headquarters for their political police. They moved in around six months or so ago"
>>128429"Heh, I guess pancakes and mayple syrup can do that to anypony."
She gives him wink with one of her eyes.
But then she gets the feeling he is distraught about it
due to the twisted lips ad looks more sympathatic.
"Was the take over violante? Did anypony die?"
>>128430He looks offended
"
Yes.
Many ponies died. Not nearly as many as in the West, but many."
>>128432"Uhm, I'm sorry. I'm not from around here," she says and scratches the back of her neck. "I don't even know who these New Mareland guys are?"
>>128434He looks almost concerned
"Equestria's Griffonian Colony. They split off sometime ago. They didn't take kindly to Princess Twilight's changes and opening of Equestrian society. They invaded the East some time after the Changelings invaded the west. They say the Princess shouldn't have declared war on them, but fighting them and the Changelings at the same time destroyed Equestria, at least as we knew it. They and those who will work with them 'own' this part of Equestria."
>>128435Fantazy rubs her head with her hoof.
"But wait, the Princess declared war on them? Or they declared war on Equestria? Why did they not make a peace treaty when the changelings attack Equestria?"
>>128435She smiles at him.
"I don't know my history so much. Kind of tired after my trip here."
>>128437He nods, looking right at her, his mouth partly open
"Where are you from, filly?"
>>128438"A village, in this country, I believe. Uh..." She looks up towards the sun. "It was almost a hamlet, it was filled with woods and nature all around. Uhh... Boy,-" She pants. " -that sun sure is hot. Heh."
>>128438"Oh, and by the way. I'm not a filly. I'm a mare." She waves a hoof at the stallion playfully while her body sways like she is a bit off balance.
>>128436"Well, you know. They invaded some small griffin state, one of those that was left from the fall of the Griffonian Empire. Of course the Princess didn't like such aggression. The Princess wanted to show that she would stand by non-pony states, as a way of getting them to convert to her idea of Harmony. Equestria didn't do very much in the war, outside of helping The Aquilean Republic fight against them. Equestrians were surprised to see them invade in boats from across the sea. I don't think the Princess wanted to make peace on any terms that didn't see them leaving the territory of griffin lands they occupied, or even becoming an Equestrian vassal again. And by the time they were in Manehattan, I don't think they felt much like negotiating."
>>128439The ceiling is high above her. At this particular section, it's actually closed, with vaulted concrete ceiling. There are large skylights a little further down, so there is natural sunlight at this time. It's slightly after noon
>>128440He moves a step back
"Oh... Okay then"
>>128428Silver trots over to inspect the sewing machine she chose.
"Feels nice to have place of your own?"
>>128441"Oh, thanks."
She takes her map, flashes him a smile and a nod, and leaves for the closest hotel.
>He moves a step back"Oh... Okay then"
She swayed like a drunkard due to the sun was the idea not in a way of flirting. But it is all fine. She is done here anyway.
>>128443Going through one of the several revolving doors, Fantasy Play finds her way on a set of stone steps down from the train station to the sidewalk. A four story brick building with a rounded corner - what Fantasy can identify as the Hinnyton - is on the corner of a street beyond. Many of the buildings are three or so stories, adjacent to stone and paved streets. Carts travel down the streets, as do one or two of a strange mechanical device she may or may not have seen before - automobiles.
>>128442"In a way, yes. More room for me than in the apartment in town. More privacy, also. But it will probably be lonelier as well..."
>>128444"Hmm...maybe. I know how lonely living alone can get, but unlike me, you have benefit of friends and neighbors. Loputu and I are always available if you want to spend time with somepony, and you might be able to get to know and befriend some of your neighbors."
>>128445"That is true. This is at least a community of ponies like me.... I wonder how many Cubrians there are here. How many from Everfrost before me..." She looks a little sad or disturbed for a moment, as she looks away.
Then she looks back up to Silver
"But yes. I have neighbors"
>>128444"Oh, boy, Slogo. We sure aren't in Nuzzleville anymore," she says as she avoids getting hit by carts and walks up to the hotel.
If nothing gets in the way of it, I would like my character to enter the hotel, hire a room fo the night, take a glass of water and rest with her cat in the room's bed for while.
I don't have more time to play today so this way time can pass in the game world and i won't be out of sync with the other players when I play tomorrow.
>>128447Done. Done. And done. 35 bits. It gets her a clean enough room with a nightstand, a bed, and strange mechanical device in the corner. It also has its own bathroom. The bed covers and pillows are plain and white, while the wallpaper is pinkish with a floral pattern. It's a close enough for a recreation of Nuzzleville
Alright, I'll see you!
>>128446If he's still present, Silver tries to subtly use head movements to suggest Loputu go and hug/comfort Keskoo.
>>128450"And I am here" He goes over to her, and proceeds to place a foreleg around her in a hug. When this action seems to surprise her, he moves a little further away, though still in physical contact.
"And yes. There are Cubrians. Not many. But some. Perhaps I could introduce you to some? Hmmm?"
"Maybe" She says, letting herself ease and come closer to him
"I think of those who were like me.... but who were not as lucky"
The smile that Loputu wore to try to comfort her fades
"I do too..."
The two fall into a hug, though they are far from comforted
Loputu:
"We are here though. Let us make it count."
>>128451Silver gives a sad smile at the two. He does wonder if he should join in their hug, or leave them be.
>>128452They sit there for several moments, with Keskoo making breathing sounds that sound like light crying. It's almost interesting, with Loputu's almost black coat contrasting starkly against her pure white, and with the colt clearly larger than the small mare. She does eventually break away, though not far enough away to keep Loputu from having one foreleg on her
>>128453He smiles at them again, now slightly more happy.
"I am glad to see you both at least have each other to work through this."
>>128454Loputu looks back to Silver
"Yeah. We do."
>>128455"I am afraid I can not stay longer. Today is very busy day for me."
>>128456Loputu stands up, looking back to Silver. Keskoo goes next
Keskoo asks:
"Where can we find you if we need to?"
>>128455Loputu x Keskoo best ship
>>128457"I will be at quarry on outskirts of city after lunch. If you cannot find me there, best bet would be to check in at beach house."
>>128458So much this.
>>128459Forgot to mention, he gives them the location of the quarry.
>>128459Don't respond, it makes me think you're going to cuck Loputu
>>128459She nods
"Again... you have done more to help me than any pony outside of my family. Last night, and today" Then she looks to Loputu "And you are of great help too" She nods. "I shall not forget."
>>128460As the location has been cleared of undead, this is now a safer move
>>128458They are cute
>>128462He smiles brightly.
"I am glad I could help you, Keskoo. It was worth it."
>>128461Silver doesn't cuck ponies anymore. Loputu x Keskoo is safe.
>>128463She smiles to him, walks over, and - opening her forelegs - hugs the Silver pony
>>128464Although he's taken a little by surprise, he wastes little time in reciprocating the hug for the smaller Cubrian mare.
>>128465Cubrian mare is huggedSilver seems to have made her day much brighter
Loputu asks, almost nervously
"Uh... can you explain to Rohke Meri what I've been doing all of this time?"
>>128466Silver looks over Keskoo's shoulder at Loputu.
"Of course I can. Do not worry."
>>128467Loputu, for some reason, seems to express displeasure towards Silver even as Silver offers to help. Keskoo pulls away, still smiling brightly. It's almost surprising how agile this little mare appears to be after how under-strength she was last night. She wants to thank him, but it seems she cannot find the words, so she simply gives him a big smile.
>>128468Silver smiles back, understanding what she wants to say. He looks over to Loputu.
"Ready to go? Or do you want to spend more time with Keskoo?"
>>128469He is silent for a moment. He looks at her, and then back at him
"Rohke wants he to help clean out his boat. I am sure I've been gone for much longer than he expected already"
>>128470Silver nods, and goes to leave her apartment with Loputu.
>>128471Before leaving, Loputu runs back, and hugs the mare
"You feel free to play around with your new sewing machine, or look around the area. I will be back soon to hep you meet new ponies. But not yet. I'm looking to get a stake in that boat, and i know I've got to clean it out many times before that happens."
Them he goes with Silver
"Alright. Let's go"
>>128472As they trot back, he looks over at Loputu.
"You really like Keskoo."
>>128474"She is a nice mare," he says
>>128475"I saw you were jealous at her and I."
He looks in front of him.
"I hope you know that I do not have any interest in forming intimate relationship with her."
>>128476He scrunches
"I never said you were"
>>128477He looks back with an apologetic look on his face.
"Sorry...I just wanted to make sure you did not think so. You are brave, strong, handsome young stallion, and I am just some old warrior pony."
>>128478His ears go down for a moment, as he smiles in an awkward way, before they bounce back up
"You... you think so? But she seemed to really like how you helped her. Just basically throwing bits around like it was nothing. That really impressed her."
>>128479He nods.
"I am 68 years old, Loputu, going on 69 in just couple months. My whole life until this point has been dedicated to ways of warrior. I do not know how much longer I will have before my body begins to fail me, or how long until I end up in either Tartarus or Elysium for my actions in this mortal plane. I did what I did today because it was right thing for me to do, and because I want to do some good in this world while I still have time. But you? You are 17. Your whole life is ahead of you. You have plans to own boat and travel oceans and seas. You are smart, funny, kind..."
He strokes the fur on his muzzle with a forehoof.
"...and you have all those good looks I lack. You are far better for her than I ever could be."
>>128480He closes his eyes at the touch, though he smiles
"If I could convince her of that. I'm almost afraid of what will happen if I introduce her to any other the other stallions I know, like my friends"
>>128481"If she is worth fighting for, then fight for her. Be best stallion you can be for her. Be her friend, be always there for her to make her smile, laugh, and feel like you do when you are around her."
>>128482He smiles back
"Thanks.... I hope I can do all those things. She'll like me a lot more if I have a stake in a fishing boat"
>>128483He smiles, then lights up his horn. A stack of paper notes, totalling 500 Bits, is levitated towards Loputu for the taking.
"Here. Maybe I can help you little bit."
>>128484Silver can see his eyes, ears and head track onto the paper money as it floats through the air
"Really?! Aww, thanks!"
He seems elated, much like Keskoo was
"Just to explain this to my mother"
>>128485He chuckles and smiles at the happy pony.
"We will say this is payment for doing work for me. You did do much in helping me with cart and furniture today."
>>128486"Well, you know I didn't do
that much. Still though, I'll see if Rohke will sell. And I'll definitely have the money to take her out for dinner and movies these next few nights. Bet she's never seen one of those"
>>128487"That sounds like great idea for you and her to do. If I have not, then it is entirely possible she has not.
"You are good pony, Loputu. Continue being yourself, and you will get her someday."
He gives him a pat on the shoulder.
"And if you are ever in market for wingpony, I am always available."
>>128488"Aww, shucks" he says, smiling back
"Just wish I could catch her like I can catch fish"
>>128489"It just takes persistence. Spend some more time together, let her know you are interested. It certainly seemed like she might become interested in you, if you two spend more time together."
>>128490"Well, I certainly wouldn't mind more of that" His eyes roll around, until they come back to Silver's with no smile
"Hey, I've been meaning to ask you What happened to that mare who looked
just like Keskoo, but with straight hair. The one who told me she did elderly care around here? At first I confused the two of them, they looked so much alike"
>>128491"Oh, she went with Iron before police arrived. It sounded like Iron wanted to get out with his share of loot he got from 33 Hoebuck."
>>128492He nods, though something in his expression suggests he does not entirely understand
"It seemed strange to me..."
The ponies do not have to walk very far at all before they are back on Pelican lane. Her apartment is only a few blocks away. Loputu walks up to the property, and around the building, to find Rohke Meri still working on the boat, evidently scrubbing the deck. He looks over and sees the ponies
"Where have you been? I thought you would be back hours ago"
>>128493Silver bows his head to Rohke.
"Apologies for keeping your apprentice for so long. Him leading us around Little Skynavia turned into him helping us move much furniture up several flights of stairs. I could not have done it without him."
>>128494He looks back to Silver for a moment in silence. Then he says
"Very well. Good to have him back. Hope he wasn't
too much trouble"
>>128495"He was no trouble at all. He is very good pony, very respectable."
>>128496He is again silent for a moment, but then nods
"Very good, and good to hear that. Now I just need him to finish maintenance on the pipes and the pump. I want the
Au Bluffheadile ready to go out for a series of voyages into the Lunar Gulf next week."
>>128497Silver nods, and pats Loputu's back.
"Thank you again for all of your help today, Loputu. I wish you luck."
>>128498He smiles again, says "You're welcome, Mister," and he steps onto the boat, putting on a waterproof suit and galoshes again
>>128499Silver waves goodbye to Loputu and, assuming no one tries to stop him, leaves the area.
>>128500And so, Silver walks away
Where to now?
>>128448Fantasy wakes up from her nap with a big yawn. She and her cat stretches out their limbs a bit. She pat the cat on his head, which the cat leans into.
"So let's do what we came here to do," Fantasy says.
>>128502Whether the room is a suitable alternative to Nuzzleville, only Slogo knows. But the cat seems to have the lazy indifference that characterizes feline contentedness .
Fantasy is ready
>>128503Fantasy puts the map on a nearby table as she plans her trip.
First things first, I need to buy material components for my spells. Silk, fleece, and wool should probably be found in somekind of textile store. And shouldn't be too hard to find or expensive. Parchment should be easily found in a book store. But where am I suppose to find a copper wire and a prism, especially prism. A copper wire could probably be found in a hardware store. but I have no idea where to find a prism. Maybe I should ask visit the academy first so I can ask them where they buy their material components? But without material components, how can I prove to them that I'm capable?She nods to herself.
No. They should probably have materials to spare and then they can give me advice on where to find things.She hammers her left hoof into her right.
It's settle then. I'm going to visit the academy first.Does this city have and magic academy were ponies can study magic?
Also, what does this mean:
An eyelash encased in a bit of gum arabic.
What is specifically
gum arabic?
>>128504Gum Arabic - "a gum exuded by some kinds of acacia, used in the food industry, in glue, as the binder for watercolor paints, and in incense."
There are indeed academies in Baltimare, though it doesn't appear that any of them specialize
specifically in Magic
University of Baltimare, and James Haykins seem like they each have magical divisions that can rival the Magic Schools of old
>>128505No roles for local knowledge?
>>128506Shit, that would have been a good place for itThen again, Fantasy Play doesn't have that as one of her skillsEither way, "University of Baltimare" and "James Haykins" would be marked on the map, and probably at least one other university
>>128505I'm sorry. I have this tendecy to ask first and search later. Could have just searched that. Sorry.
Fantasy lifts up her coin pouch, pours out bits which totals to 300, leave the rest of the bits in the pouch and places it on the bed next to the cat. She then wipe with her hoof down the coins into her saddlebag, so they lay in it loosely.
"Bye, Slogo. Gaurd that pouch with your life," she says and winks playfully at him as she exit her room.
She leaves the building and starts her journey towards the closest of the schools.
>>128508Slogo rolls over onto his back, llooking up lethargically at her. Clearly, he intends to make good on Fantasy's direction.
University of Baltimare is around Eastside near the center. James Haykins is a little North of Center. Saint Ingram is another option. University of Baltimare is the largest, and technically the closest, and it is a public school run by the Government. James Haykins is Private, and the most prestigious. It is the second closest. Saint Ingram has a prestige to itself, and is Private and Church run. It's also the furthest away
>>128509Fantasy move towards University of Baltimare.
What's the time? Is the sun still up?
>>128510Yes. 2:12 PM.
Fantasy Play walks down a street past a few large public buildings like a library, a few office buildings, and into indefinite rows of tenement buildings and row houses. Not every street is completely clean, some with having garbage bags not yet collected, or potholes in the road, and this becomes truer the further east she goes.
But it's no more than a kilometer, if that, before she arrives at a set of blocks with big brick and stone buildings, marked as fraternity houses, or dorms. Some old buildings with class rooms, and some newer buildings with straight, concrete and glass exteriors that lack any of the charm of the older buildings. She is here
>>128511She enters and looks for some information center to talk to.
>>128512Walking down a sidewalk, up a concrete set of stairs, and past young ponies and.... non-pony creatures? - Fantasy play finds a building which seems to be the most publicly accessible, for "Admissions." There is a young mare receptionist wearing her hair in a bun at a desk
>>128514>Non-pony creaturesWhat kind of non-ponies?
"Hi," Fantasy says and walks up to her. "I have a few questions."
>>128515The first that she sees, she can recognize as a griffin. Probably male, and actually smaller than she expected. The second is some strange pony-like creature with scales that defies classification, save that it seems to be kind of a pony, and kind of not
"Yes?" The mare says, looking up at her
"Questions about what? Are you looking to apply, or drop a class?"
>>128517Sorry, got busy with something else. Should have said something.
"Not really. But it might be useful to know a bit more about. What courses do you have that concerns magic? What does a student gian from taking one of your courses, and what do they cost?"
>>128518"We have many degrees available in 30 different areas of study, which can provide an education and skills that can prove invaluable in a changing world" she says, as if repeating rote
"We do have a school of magic as well. It can can range from hundreds to thousands of bits, to free, depending on what kind of assistance you can get"
>>128519"Okay... Thank you," Fantasy mulls this over. "So next question, do you have any work you need to be done? Is a spot open, perhaps? Also, I would like to talk to some scholar in arcana here, I have a few questions?"
>>128520"Well, unless you are looking for janitorial, cooking or security work, no, we don't have any openings, and even those tend to fill quickly. I
do think there are a couple adjunct positions are open, but assuming you are not asking for that... yes, we have many professors in Arcana here" she pulls out a new, single page map
"Right here, in Gusty Hall"
>>128521Do my character know about magical school of necromancy?
>>128522Judging from your list of spells known, it doesn't look to me like Fantasy Play knows how to cast any spells within the School of Necromancy. Of course, she certainly knows
of the school of Necromancy,
>>128523Okay, nice.
"So do you have a professor in necromancy. I have a few questions for him," Fantasy says.
>>128524She opens her eyes very wide
"No.... I don't think we do"
>>128525Fantasy sees her reaction and waves her hoof in the air dismissively.
"Ah, forget about it. I'm only pulling your leg," she says.
Bluff:
[1d20 = 10] +4
>>128526"Ha" she laughs nervously
"Very well. Good luck"
>>128527Fantasy leaves campus, checks on her map again, andd starts to move towards the Baltimare hotel.
>>128528"Thank you," she says to the mare before she leaves.
And that was wrong. Didn't read the first post
>>128528Fantasy goes back to the Hotel
>>128531No, I meant the other hotel. The one that's confiscate, Grand Baltimare.
>>128533Well that's a surprising change
Fantasy Play goes back into town, to find it not that many blocks from where she is staying.
It's four stories, kind of a brownish stone facade, with a high vaulted black roof and windows that stick out with "Juliet" balconies. A set of stone steps leads up to a set of doors.
To each side of the stone steps is a pony with a green helmet, and green uniforms. And at the top of the steps, is a creature Fantasy has likely heard of, but perhaps has not seen. A minotaur of greyish fur, standing and holding some kind of black gun.
>>128534Can she walk passed the minotaur or is he in the way?
>>128535He is in the way
"What is your business, little pony?" He asks
>>128536"Learning. I seek understanding of the motives of the black hoofs and if our wills align, I wish to join," she answers.
>>128537"Very well" he says. His voice is pretty deep. He wears a green Uniform
"But I do need to search you for weapons or explosives"
>>128538"Sure, but don't get too touchy," she says.
>>128539"Hmmm"
He runs his hands - yes, he has hands - along the pony, though he tries to have some respect for her femininity
Unless Fantasy Play is actually hiding a knife, gun, or bomb, no dice roll will be used
>>128540Well, right now she only has a saddlebag with coins in it and nothing else.
>>128541He looks through the Saddlebag, and part of her mane and tail (trying to not disrupt her mane style or touch certain areas of the tail itself).
"Very well, you may go through"
Fantasy Play may go in to see an atrium with a large, patterned marble floor, railing for a second floor above, and a marble counter top to the left, with a small white unicorn mare on the side closest to the street
>>128542Fantasy goes up to the mare.
"Hi, I would like to ask some question regarding Black hoofs as an organisation? Can you answer these?"
>>128543Before Fantasy goes up, she is looking down, evidently typing on a type writer, and is nearly startled when Fantasy comes up
"Oh! Yes. I can help you with that " She smiles nervously. Her accent seems to imply Manehattan, though Fantasy can't be sure
"If not, I can get Seabreeze in here. He is one of the captains"
>>128544"Mmm."
Fantasy nods.
"So I'm not from here? I'm from Nuzzleville, a place yoou probably never heard of, and as far as I knew, we were ruled by princesses but it seems Equestria has fallen. It's is all very surprising."
>>128544I need to stop here for today. See you tomorrow.
>>128546Alright. See you
Things should pick up from here
>>128545"Uh... Nuzzleville... Right. I've heard of it" She smiles awkwardly and unconvincingly
"But... Yes. The Princess tried to protect griffins against ponies, but not her own ponies against the Changelings. So the Blackhooves political party, then and now centered in the old Equestrian Dominion of New Mareland, seized Equestrian territory before it could be conquered by the Changelings in a longer and bloodier war. Then they made a deal with the Changelings to save much of Equestria. Now it's governed as a series of Autonomous regions under Blackhooves supervision. Not all that much of a difference, really. There was one Princess, and now there is one Duke to govern us."
>>128501Get groceries for Khoi, and head back to the house.
>>128552Silver is able to find a grocery store quickly enough - they are very common - what's harder to find are some of the spices she requested, and rice noodles. Mint and Ginger are simple enough, but what the hell even is "Lemongrass"?
>>128553Maybe it'd be a good idea to ask a worker if they know what it is.
>>128554The Zebra behind the counter has no idea what it is
"Lemongrass? Ain't never heard of it"
But then Silver feels a knock, and may look back to see a silver scaled brown Kirin, of all creatures
"You wan[t] Lemon-grass? Yes? Is big herb with leaves with smell of Lemon. You can buy in store down road."
He tries to make a gesture with his hooves to show the length of the leaves of the plant
>>128555Silver smiles at the kirin, and gives them a hoofshake.
"Thank you!"
He buys what he could find at this store, and then heads to the other for lemongrass and what else he might be missing.
>>128556He is suprised by the hoof shake, and is almost jerked around
Going down the road Silver finds what is clearly the location implied, which even has some goods like certain plants outside. Inside, the walls are brick, packs of fireproofing hang across metal rafters on the cieling, and the rows are packed tightly together, with plants sticking out, and absolutely no room for two ponies to walk past each other. There is an entire aisle devoted to coconuts, coconut milk, coconut cream, and other coconut products. But Silver can clearly find what appears to be large quantities of Lemongrass, spices like curry, and even rice noodles
>>128557"Perfect! I will have to remember this place for Khoi."
He buys whatever he's missing from his list.
>>128558At the counter, he finds another male Kirin - only like the sixth or so Kirin he's seen anywhere, and the fourth he's interacted with. The Kirin understands that Silver intends to purchase the items placed on the counter, and he points a hoof to the metal symbols that stick out from the register to show the cost (7 bits, if it even costs that much) and that is the extent of their ability to communicate with each other.
The store does have some other food items, if Silver were interested, like seaweed, coconuts, rice, and more coconuts
>>128559Silver is fine with what he bought for the moment. He pays 7 Bits for the ingredients, and heads home.
>>128560Silver carries the groceries and the new cart back to Cherry Hill. The cart feels a little heavy even when empty. Well, filled with groceries, but close enough. Just getting to Cherry Hill from redheart takes some time, though he does arrive at the Beach House
Presumably parking the cart next to or underneath the Beach House - and there is enough room under the house to enable that later possibility - Silver goes up the stairs to the front door. He does not see either creature inside the living room area
>>128557>hoofshaking so hard you almost jerk the hoof offL-lewd. Do that in the privacy of the home.
>>128561"Huh..."
He sets the groceries he bought down on the kitchen counter, and looks around for Khoi and Jubilosa.
>>128551I'm a american now.
Fantasy rolls her eyes and shakes her head.
"Alright, whatever. That probably happened. And really, it would just a be a waste of time to cry over spilled milk or in this case spilled blood," Fantasy winks at the mare.
>>128562Now, he just needs to find that Kirin message parlor...>>128564[YouTube] Rammstein - Amerika (Official Video) [Embed][YouTube] Fallout 4: Liberty Prime Quotes [Embed]She looks unsure about how to judge Fantasy’s response
“I’m just the receptionist, if you want somepony with more knowledge...”
>>128563It’s a decent amount of groceries, but Silver is able to bring it up the stairs. He can see the two creatures outside, on the raised wooden porch next to the living room, looking out over the bay
>>128565Silver pokes his head out onto the patio
>>128565"Ah, don't worry about it." She waves her hoof dismissively. "I probably wanna join. Do you have use for an illusionist in your ranks? You're preparing for war with the changelings again to retake Equestria, right?"
Fantasy Play polish her hoof against her coat.
>>128567Khoi has a bowl of grass, leaves, or done other sort of yard plant next to her that she seems to be eating. Jubilosa has a glass of wine and an open wine bottle next to her. They seem to be talking, and looking out over the bay.
Khoi must have heard him opening the door, because she looks back at him
>>128568The receptionist looks at her with a skeptical expression, then pulls out a flashlight and shines it in her eyes. Fantasy Play is almost blinded by the sudden light
She pulls it down.
“The Blackhooves wish for the unification of East and West Equestria under pony rule, and wish for the return and preservation of all historically pony lands. However, the Blackhooves wish to achieve this by means of diplomacy and non-violence, with all respect for Changelingkind and their Queen, who has the only valid claim to lead Changelingkind. The New Mareland State certainly has no plans or intentions of any hostility with its Changeling neighbors.” Once she is done repeating this statement in monotone, she says
“But of course we have room for an illusionist! I’m sure Seabreeze would be happy to meet with you
>>128569He waves at them.
"Apologies, I did not mean to interrupt..."
>>128570Khoi stands up, and walks over towards Silver
"Now you come back"
Jubilosa tries to sit up, and look back towards Silver
>>128571"Yes. I found everything you asked for. There was store in Redheart owned by kirin that had everything."
>>128572"Oh? That is great!" Her mouth seems to light up in excitement as she runs forward towards the door. Then she stops, closes her eyes, and breathes in, before opening it to go through
>>128573Silver lets Khoi go inside, then he goes to Jubilosa.
"So...this is maybe weird question, but...do griffons eat meat?"
>>128574If she had a beak, she would scrunch
"We're not monsters who swipe down from the skies to pick off sheep, or foals. But we
can, yes"
>>128575Silver scrunches back in embarassment and looks away for a couple seconds before looking back at Jubilosa.
"I...was not trying to imply that...I was just going to invite Mala to eat somewhere that served meat, and I was wondering if you wanted to come along...if you ate meat, that is."
>>128569"Actaully, I'm the representative of a powerful group of necromancers. We have a proposal to the Black hooves whic goes like this: You let us raise the many dead from the wars, and you let us experiment on changeling captives when we attack with our newfound undead army." Bluff: [1d20 = 16] +4Is what I kinda wanted to post but I'll refrain frrom it because another idea popped up and it would probably derail things.
Here's her true response:
Fantasy smacks her lips then she gives the receptionist a smile.
"Well, ah. Yeah, mmm. No, this is probably my best option. Okay, I'll see this Seabreeze or yours. While you featch him, I encourage you to tell him to stallion up and make a move on you already," Fantasy says as her playful smile returns.
>>128576This makes her jump up onto her claws
“There’s meat?!?”
Then she looks over past Silver, presumably into the dining area with an “oh” expression, and says much more calmly
“Yes, I would like to go. Even if I do have to share with that
creature”
>>128577She blushes, and smiles awkwardly
“Oh... okay then. I’ll get him for you”
Just for reference sake, there is at least one guard inside of the lobby area
The mare comes back with a limping stallion. He looks to be 30 or so, likely older, and is a unicorn with a dark blue coat, a green uniform, an even darker mane and light yellow eyes. But that isn’t the first thing you’d notice about him. His horn is cracked, and has a silver cap. His right foreleg and hind leg are entirely gone, all the way up to his upper thigh, replaced with wood and metal prosthetics that let him sort of limp around. His right cutie mark is entirely gone, with just scarred pink skin in its place
“Hello there, missie” he says with some kind of accent
>>128578Silver is a little sad at the reference to Mala, but he smiles at her.
"I suppose we should buy some meat for you if we find some for sale...as well as some more wine."
>>128579I recommend a dry red like a merlot or cabernet sauvignon to go with meat, though for a white meat like chicken even chardonnay works well
>>128579As she stands up, she is clearly smiling, and her wings unfold in part as she walks back around
“Oh yes! I haven’t had mutton in a while... I do feel sorry for Khoi though. She seems to want to make dinner. Although I’m not sure she and I are on the same page about what is edible...”
>>128581Ching chong, just grill a dog
>>128581"Well, we can go out to eat with Mala, then be back here to be able to enjoy some of Khoi's Ngua Nam cooking. Sound like good plan?"
>>128578"Hello, there," Fantasy says and nods."I like to join your crew."
>>128582>This comment[YouTube] Hank Hill: So are you Chinese or Japanese?? [Embed]>>128583Jubilosa stretches out her body, including especially her rear paws. She really does look like a long and slender cat. Then she stretches out each wing. First her left, then she closes that, and stretches out her right. Long, mostly white feathers on a brown wing. Each wing is rather long, longer even than a pegasi's.
"Alright. I'll try not to eat too much, but I really am hungry"
>>128584"Well" He offers a hoof, his left hoof to shake
"Why don't you come in and tell me a bit about yourself. Of course we accept new members, if we believe we can trust you"
>>128585The unicorn can't help but appreciate the elegance and grace of the griffon form before him. He snaps out of it after a couple seconds, and smiles at her.
"Alright, let us go."
He heads inside to leave out the front door, waving at Khoi and letting them know they'll be back for dinner.
>>128586She doesn't seem to mind Silver looking at her in that sort of way, judging from how he looks at her. She tucks her wings back in place, and follows him
"Alright"
Khoi is already cutting vegetables with a long knife. Even if some of her ingredients are unfamiliar to Silver, her selection of vegan ingredients still seems to have some appeal (or at least, would to the average pony). She looks confused and almost distressed that the two are leaving now
"You are leaving?"
But she backs off
"Very well. This will be ready"
>>128585She shakes his hoof.
"Sounds fine."
>>128587He smiles to her, and goes outside. There he trots around looking for a taxi to hail.
>>128588He takes her down a hall, into a room, alone with him. It's not a very long walk. When they get inside, it is obviously a hotel room, or at least, once was. But there is no bed there. Rather a set of chairs, and a table. He wobbles over at the slow paced speed of the disabled, and sits in a chair across from her.
"So. You are looking to join, you say?
Why?"
>>128589She almost seems to grab his foreleg, but then refrains
Silver finds that for all that Cherry Hill has to offer, a large number of taxis is not one of them. But he is able to walk down a couple blocks, and a taxi drives by them, which they hail. A young pegasus drives.
>>128590Silver hold the taxi door for Jubilosa to get in first, then gets in himself.
"Eastside Tavern, if it pleases you."
>>128591Judging that the intent behind opening the door was as a sign of courtesy, rather than to imply that she was weak and incapable, Jubilosa ultimately decides to smile at this gesture. She gets in next to him, and the pegasus places the automobile in gear, and drives.
Jubilosa is startled by the sudden increase in speed and holds onto Silver, and continues to do this for essentially the entire trip. Griffin talons are sharp.
>>128592The Silver pony ultimately doesn't mind, holding Jubilosa in turn. Pony hooves are not
quite as sharp as talons. He looks over at her.
"I do not know how long you will be staying for, but I suppose it would be good idea to know not only what you can eat, but what you like to eat."
>>128590"Well, to begin with I just wanted to understand what was going on in the world. Then when I learnt what happend,-" She says sarcastically. "-I thought you were at war with the changelings or were preparing for it, which made me want to join you in that fight. Now that I know that you're
not gonna do anything, I want to join so that I can go up in ranks and change your stupid organisation from the inside to one that is less passive and mroe aggressive," Fantasy explains.
>>128594I don't really know how stupid this organisation is or isn't I'm just trying to play this character.
>>128595You really sure you have 11 charisma?
>>128597But I know wht you meant.
>>128593She blinks at him, then answers,
"Any kind of processed or baked wheat good, rice, potato, or sugar. Most fruits, even apples. Tomatoes were a favorite. But please, no hay, greens, leaves, grass, alfalfa. We like fish and squid. It's one of the biggest parts of the diet in Sicameon. While most griffins don't actually eat much meat, that's because it's expensive. We like animal flesh more than almost anything else."
>>128594He laughs
"Fillie, you can see me, can't you?" He moves slightly back in his chair, and his prosthetic legs are fully visible
"I was not born this way. Nor did I become like this through being 'passive.' Ponykind is special among all creatures. Ponykind learned the ways of friendship and Harmony. Ponykind learned the secrets of Magic, and built and Empire that lasted a thousand years. The Griffins couldn't even make it 250. And Ponykind found its place as guardian over nature. Master over the weather. Master even, over the sun and moon. Faustian civilization is precious, and very much worth preserving. But it must be preserved by Iron and Blood. Lots of Iron, and lots of Blood. And no matter what that purple pretender princess thought, it will
not be preserved or spread by prostrating down before non-pony cultures. Ponies must recognize their strength, or else, the light of Faustian Civilization will be extinguished. Either conquered, or fall into its long night.
What you must understand is that Ponykind, and Faustian Civilization as a whole, is under attack from every direction. Writers and playwrites who want to say that Ponykind has always been 'oppressive' or colonial towards non-ponies and various groups, who want to 'liberate' ponies from traditions. Communists, who want to eliminate all nations and cultures, and subject all races to the rule of the lowest common denominator. The "Equestrian Liberation Front," who rightly want to restore their nation, but who wrongly think that giving it back to the Purple Princess will mean anything other than its slow disintegration. Griffins - many, many different griffin nations, who seek to take pony land. And yes, even the Changelings.
What you've encountered are the provisions of the Marelotov-Buggentrop Pact. It's the Peace Treaty that allowed Pony rule to remain in the Eastern half of the country, even as Equestria lost the war. This Pact also allows us to - for now - focus our attention on the Griffin and Hippogriff Menace abroad. We cannot now afford a two front war, and any measure that delays a war with the Changelings gives us time to build up our forces and defenses. We are not foolish. We do not expect the Changelings to maintain this pact for forever. But we are not going to be the ones to break it. Not yet. Not until our Griffonian land is secured. Not until we have convinced the Equestrian population to fight under us. Then - if Chrysalis will not accept an offer of non-pony lands in exchange for pony lands - we will be ready for that fight."
>>128599Fantasy who have gradually been resting more and more her cheek on one of her hooves, jerks up and shudder.
"Ahh," she gasps. "I'm alive."
She then sticks out her tongue at the stallion.
>>128600He scrunches at her
>>128599Silver nods in understanding.
"Very omnivorous. Alright, I will see what I can do when I go grocery shopping. Plenty of options there that should suit all parties, too. Oh, what about other grains, mushrooms, or dairy?"
>>128602"Yes, other grains are fine, as are mushrooms. I can handle lactose. We just can digest certain plant matter. Or chew very well."
>>128601She smiles at him playfully.
"Okay okay," she says and she makes a clam-down motion with her hooves. "I see now that you aren't actually naive and do have a plan that I find resonable. While I still I'm sceptical, to say to say the least, about the civil war and who's responsible, I think that right now the best option is your plan. So, I would like to join you to fight for our right to exist as ponies, but not for this Duke, that I don't even remotely trust."
>>128603He smiles wide at her.
"Great! I can make stroganoff for everyone then...if you are interested, that is..."
>>128605Silver, Jubilosa and Mala make a happy multicultural family of carnivores
>>128604"Duke Erebus Haygle is a respected former professor of Philosophy who has written extensively on the place of Faustian Civilization and ponykind in History. He is also the elected President of the New Mareland State, and has been the leader of the Blackhooves political party of New Mareland. Unlike the purple princess, she can be trusted to never place the interests of his ponies below that of foreign non-ponies. There is much more to be said about this civil war, but that is a long discussion."
>>128605She twists her head in a way that would hardly be possible for anycreature other than an avian.
"Stroganoff? Uh... what is that?"
>>128606Wholesome.>>128607"It is kind of casserole from my homeland of Severyana, popular due to being both cheap and very tasty."
>>128608She rubs her head, around about where the ears would be if she had ears
"Uh... sure"
Silver was supposed to make Stroganoff for Blue Skies...
>>128607Fantasy rubs her templates.
"Yes, he is also one of two ponies who caused the greatest spillage of pony blood in history but I'm sure his résumé is flawless, But it's all water under the bridge to me, or blood in this case."
>>128609Threesome when? What could possibly go wrong?
>>128609Aww. Don't worry, he will still make some for her, he just wants a chance to show off his culture to Khoi and Jubilosa.Also, it's hard to imagine what human foods would look like for pony diets."Oh, I suppose it would be good to know ingredients. It has egg noodles, mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup, and sour cream."
>>128610He shakes his head
"
That distinction belongs to Queen Chrysalis. But if you are really interested, there may a volunteer brigade to place you in. We are certainly short staffed. Obviously, proper membership requires an oath of allegiance to the duke himself... but there is more than one way to cooperate, than proper membership"
>>128612"Uh.... yeah. Sure" she says
"I'm kind of surprised to see those things in a pony dish"
>>128613"Sounds good to me."
>>128613Silver raises an amused eyebrow at the griffon.
"Thought we only ate hay, grass, and flowers out in fields and meadows?"
I had many ideas for characters this time around. I had a character, who was a bard and used a therminal as her instrument. Thought I would mention it.
>>128614He is silent for a moment, and exhales
"In Baltimare, the biggest menace to stability tends to be the Popular Front. Communists and Anarchists. We have a few,
smaller tasks. A few days ago we came upon the safehouse of a communist group in Southern Baltimare. They may still have weapons there. We also found information concerning Anarchist cooperation with the Popular Front. Likewise, we believe the ELF is consorting with foreign groups to sabotage buildings."
>>128615She moves her head back in something like surprise
".... Maybe..."
She looks away
>>128616Go on....
>>128616New player? It would be neat to have you join as long as you understand RP and can be moderately active.
>>128618That's the same ID as the Swede, who decided to breath the sweet air of Freedom, and became American
>>128617 "What is ELF? I'm very new, I came here today looking for love. I'm from Nuzzleville, which I really should stop saying because nopony knows what that is, but ehh... Yeah, what is ELF?"
>>128617He gives the griffon a surprise hug.
>>128618>>128619Very true.
>>128617Well, maybe later. It is a bit long and not so intresting. The most intresting thing about her is that she used such a non bard and unqiue instrument.
>>128620He twists his mouth
"The ELF is the Equestrian Liberation Front. It's a group of naive ponies who think that undermining the occupation force will do anything other than give the Changelings an opening to invade."
>>128621Griffin is surprise huggedShe pulls away, but Silver still gets a good feel of her. Nice and slim.
On a side note, Silver better not be allergic to cats
>>128623He hasn't shown any symptoms of being so, so...
>>128624Jubilosa smiles bashfully to him
The taxi stops. They've arrived.
4 bits
>>128623"Hmm..." Fantasy brings up a hoof to her chin. " that makes me think, what is stopping Chrysalis from just breaking the treaty whenever she wants? Is she bound by honor or something?"
>>128625He pays the pegasus, and asks them if they could wait a minute while he gets his friend to go to another location.
>>128626"Bribery, other potential invasion targets like Yakyakistan, and the losses in the last war. The ELF, Popular Front and the Hippogriffs do not attack us alone, and it helps that Chrysalis already has her revenge on those who foiled her before."
>>128627I'm assuming this means that Silver wants the Taxi to remain there. If so, the taxi waits
>>128628Yeah. He goes in to get Mala while they wait.
>>128629Silver goes back up to the room formerly used by Onyx, and opens the door. He sees Mala near the back, looking down at the floor, kind of sad.
>>128630What happens when you neglect daily walks
>>128630"Hey, Mala? You ready to go?"
>>128632He turns to Silver, and twists his head, still looking a little off
"Go where?" he asks
>>128633"I promised I would take you out for lunch, remember? Or did you not want to go?"
>>128628Fantasy walks up to a window and starres out of it.
"My forte is illusions. I used to play wiith the foals back in Nuzzleville," she says.
She turns around and look at him.
"I need company for it, especially someone who can hurt since I don't have any damage spells. But yes, I'll help," she says.
Bluff:
[1d20 = 8] +4
[1d2 = 1]>>128634"I would like to go" he says, lifting up somewhat
>>128635"Hmmm...."
The window looks out into a courtyard, with a few trees visible
"I suppose you should be accompanied by at least one officer."
>>128623>allergic to catsI thought about that when she got a room in that hotel.
>>128636"Yes, and I need to pick up material components for my spells before I go. When are we doing this?"
Fantasy plays with something on the table if there is something to poke on the table.
>>128638A bowl of candy. Looks like mints
"Depending on exactly what you are doing, it could happen immediately. Are you sure you want to do this, and do it now? As opposed to perhaps doing illusionist jobs for other ponies"
>>128636He smiles at the gnoll, and motions for him to follow.
"Jubilosa is also coming, if you do not mind."
>>128640He follows Silver, looking almost unsure
>>128639She waves a hoof in the air at him.
"Ah ah ah. Mister Seabreeze, I don't like it when ponies play tricks on me. You clearly disclosed classified information to me. I shouldn't have a choice anymore."
She takes one of the mints and starts to chew down on it.
>>128643She smacks as she chews.
"Mmm... These are good."
>>128641He leads Mala to the taxi, getting in first so he's between Jubilosa and Mala.
>>128642He smiles at her
"Is that what you think we have told you? Very well."
He repositions himself in the chair
"You're an
illusion magic wielder, you say? Very well. Then let's see just how far you can get without being noticed. I am going to pair you with a certain agent of ours. She historically has specialized in testing the loyalty of NMAC soldiery recruited from non-pony races, and of collaborators. But very recently she has shown herself effective in recruiting and leading ponies outside of our organization. She will accompany you"
>>128644He is not as pleased by this
>>128645Mala looks over at Jubilosa, and Jubilosa looks back. Mala has a noticeable bulge in his belly, evidently from his feeding last night. Yet still, he's far from the ugliest of creatures, with a reasonable enough stripped tan coat, and hair that sometimes poofs up almost like a Mohawk, running from the back of his head down to his tail
>>128646Silver looks between the two.
"It will be nice to do something with my friends."
He gives the driver the location of the restaurant they're going to (the one where he first ate out at in Baltimare, where they serve meat), once Mala is inside.
>>128647The driver seems to linger as he looks back for a moment, but he continues, pulling away from the curb and back onto the street
Mala looks up at him
"What is this place, exactly?"
>>128646Fantasy waves her hoof away dismissively.
"Regardless, if the information was true or not, the intetion to lay a trap for me was there. If I said I wanted to take sometime to mull it over you would have me followed to see where I would go, wouldn't you?"
She flashed him a smile.
"You should really congratulate me for seeing through your ploy. Or maybe I'm just reading to much into it."
Then she scratched the back of her head.
>>128648Silver looks over to Mala.
"We are going to restaurant. They serve meats for people like polar bears, griffons, and others."
>>128649He nods
"And listened in on the following conversation, to determine the intel we made up about a "communist hiide out" or sabotage plot were true" He says
"Very well. I'll have her summoned"
>>128650He blinks, and looks at Silver curiously
"A restaurant for carnivores in Baltimare?"
>>128651"No," Fnatasy says and holds up a hoof into the air. "Not yet."
>>128652"Then what?" he asks
>"And listened in on the following conversation, to determine the intel we made up about a "communist hiide out" or sabotage plot were true"
I don't get what he is saying here. Can you elaborate?
>>128653She looks him straight in the eyes.
"I still want to join, however. I realized that there is something I must know before I can swear my allegiance to you, and can't ask you because your answer is biased. I must figure this out on my own, otherwise any oath I make to you is pointless."
>>128654Imagine he tells Fantasy Play that the Black Hooves have intel on the location on of a hideout for communist insurgents. In actuality, he has no such intel. He doesn't even know if the insurgents have hideouts at all. It was just a guess. Fantasy Play agrees that she will aid in the mission, but only later. She leaves. What the Blackhooves don't know is that Fantasy Play is actually an infiltrator working for the communists. And what Fantasy Play doesn't know is that she is being followed by a Blackhooves agent. So she goes back to where another communist insurgent is located - possibly even the safe house itself. "Our safehouse is compromised!" Fantasy exclaims. "Which one? The one on main street? Or in South side?" the insurgent answers back. And just like that, the follower knows that the insurgents do indeed have a safehouse - two of them - and the general locations of both.
>>128655He looks her straight in the eye
"Very well. As I said, you do not need to be a proper member to work assignments. Nevertheless, I cannot say it is not a big commitment, that can affect many things in your life. I can say with certainty it did for me"
>>128651Silver nods in confirmation.
>>128657He looks intrigued
"That would have been helpful for my parents..."
Considering the Tavern's location in Eastside, it doesn't take long at all for Silver and Friends to arrive at their destination, located in the northern corner of Redheart near where Redheart, Eastide, and Cowtown meet. A single story building named "Rover and Grimm's Carnivora"
"Two bits" says the driver
>>128656Oh, awesome. So I wasn't just blathering dumb stuff then, cool.
"Yeah, it seems to have really been pulling your le-" she interupts herself and looks for the first time sympathetic in her eyes. "I'm sorry. That was too far."
>>128659Or maybe you are just playing along as a dm. I will never know.
>>128659He looks at her flatly
>>128658Silver pays the driver 2 Bits, and opens the door for Mala to get out first.
"After you."
>>128661Well, have to leave it here for today. I hope my character hasn't been too obnoxious.
I have been enjoying myself.
>>128662The gnoll walks out of the taxi. He's kind of fluffy with all of that fur, especially on the top of his back
>>128663She does seem kind of deliberately disrespectful, especially the mint thing>>128664Yay!
Hopefully there should be several possible options for mini quests soon enough
>>128665I'm probably gonna have her jon the ELF, is that possible? And if I do so, will she be able to go on quest with other pcs?
>>128666Those are two harder questions
>>128667Okay, take your time. If not, that's fine too btw.
>>128669Well, we have one who has unambiguously signed up with the Blackhooves, another who has signed up for the Changeling Hegemony, another who is apolitical but is working for a criminal syndicate, and another who would probably like ELF but thus far has if anything allied with Blackhooves
>>128655I am curious as to what this question is
>>128665Silver gets out after him, and offers a hoof to Jubilosa for her to get out last.
"Ready for lunch, Jubilosa?"
>>128672She takes his hoof with her claw
"Yes, I'm starving"
She gets out, and looks around
"Huh. 'Carnivora'"
>>128671Her question is to tthe ELF since they seem to be under the impression that they can fight and bring liberty to Equestria, she plans to seek them out to see why they think so.
>>128670 I was under the impression that there were two seperate groups in different parts. Now it seems like there is just a bunch of solo missions. Going on. Not that there is any problem with that, I certainly don't have a problem with that. It was just my impression.
>>128673Silver chuckles.
"It certainly makes its purpose obvious."
He leads the griffon and gnoll into the establishment.
>>128675They walk in, and are met with the definite smell of
meat. They take a booth. Jubilosa sits inside, next to Silver. Mala sits across from both
>>128674It is two separate groups in separate areas. One is working on a mission for the Changeling Hegemony. The second group was working for a faction related to but not the same as The Blackhooves, until recently completing it
>>128676Silver takes a deep breath in of the strange smell, and looks to his companions.
"Have any ideas of what you want?"
>>128677"Mutton" Jubilosa says, picking up a menu after she answers
"Uh..." Mala looks over to Silver
"I'm not really
that hungry"
>>128678Silver picks up his own menu, and looks over at Mala.
"Oh...well, you can still order something if you wish."
>>128679He looks at Silver, and then down at the menu
"Oh. Well... I'll look"
>>128680Hmm...do they have BLTs on the menu?
>>128681>LettuceI want to say
no
>>128676Ever been to a Brazilian BBQ? Those places are great
>>128661"No, but really."
Fantasy gives him a sad look.
"I'm sorry about my behavior. I have troubles not being a... Well, smug flank, it's hard."
She puts a hoof to her chest.
"When you spoke of ponies before, you actually plucked one of my heartstrings."
She moves towards the door.
"Thank you for taking your time and remember, In the end, you and I aren''t so different and I like you. You should always remember that."
>>128685A single nod, and nothing more
>>128683Would pet the Silver pony
>>128683Alright...what about a porkchop?
>>128688D'awww. He'd like that.
>>128689But can't pet the Silver pony because is not in the storyThere is indeed Porkchop
>>128689There's some meat Silver can eat, but it depends on how much he likes lollipops.
There's fish as a safe bet. Fish never are sapient....unless they have hooves.
>>128691Oh my....
Shoob Shoob. Shoob Shoob She Do
>>128690Porkchop it is, then!
>>128691LEWD!
>>128692You're going to add Atlantis in seapony form, living under the sea for this, aren't you?>>128693Woah! I
obviously meant griffin kebab. It's satisfying to peel the meat off the stick in my opinion.
But I suppose Silver is an avid fish eater in his core.
>>128693A griffin comes to take the order. This one has a darker color scheme, almost black.
Jubilosa seems almost pleasantly surprised to see another griffin, while Mala remains silent
>>128695Silver lets out an awkward cough at the silence, and looks over at Mala.
"So...why not tell us bit about yourself, Mala?"
>>128696He looks up to Silver, and one of his almost diamond-shaped ears twitches
"What do you want to know?" he asks
>>128694Well, who else are you going to call when you're in distress?
>>128697"Well...whatever. Just tell us about yourself."
>>128698"Well... I don't really know where I was born, but I grew up here. In the city. I didn't really connect well with the ponies around me. I
did know my father... maybe not very well though. I did have a brother, but he didn't make it. My mother was strong. Forward. Maybe a little harsh. But she broke down sometime after I stopped seeing dad. She died of the Melancholia I think. I stayed on the streets after that. Dropped out of school. Not like I was good at learning. I did have a job at a warehouse, briefly... What... Whatelse did you want to know?"
>>128699"You certainly not have had very good life...what was warehouse job like?"
>>128700"Lifting crates, loading palates, checking off shipments. Things like that"
>>128701"Makes sense. What is it you
want to do, as in career?"
>>128702"I don't really know what I want to do. Or what I wanted to do. Probably something physical. I don't get out much, but I
am strong. When I was younger, much younger, I had this idea of exploring the jungles. There was this magazine, especially, that my mother had. It had this art for Equestrian Jungle Tours. On river and littoral boats. It fascinated me. My mother told me once that I was born somewhere far away. Zebrica, it must have been. And I think I have vague memories of the hull of a ship, of grassland with a few trees. Of a coastline. But I don't know if I am remembering what I saw, or things I saw in magazines, on posters, or in those couple times my father would take me to see a motion picture. Not films, but short reels. I don't know if I believe my mother. She would lie to me sometimes. I think that is why I never asked her what happened to father.
I can only be sure I have ever left Baltimare twice. Both times were just to properties just west and south of the city, and both times as an adult. This city is my home. The only one I have ever known. I do not know what I want in a career, or if I wanted a career at all. I suppose what I want is what I think my mother and father wanted when they came. They want to live like the ponies do. But that has not happened. I am not sure it can happen."
>>128703"Huh...I was not aware that we lived any differently from other species. How is it we live like?"
>>128704"You know. Friendship. Not tearing each other apart in competition. Things like that."
He makes a motion with his right forepaw, as if it somehow helped to illustrate, or to wave away any confusion
>>128705Silver looks around at everyone at the table.
"Like we are all doing now?"
>>128706He looks around
"Possibly..."
>>128707He smiles at Mala.
"I do not think it is impossible for us all to get along."
>>128708[YouTube] Can We All Just Get Along? For The Kids & Old People? RODNEY KING SPEAKS! [Embed]If Silver ordered (Did he order?) Food arrives
Mala did not request anything. Jubilosa sees her meat, smiles, and immediately pecks at it
>>128709Yeah, he ordered a porkchop, which he immediately starts eating.
>>128710Both Mala and Jubilosa stare at the sight with wide-eyed fascination.
>>128711After a couple bites, Silver looks at them, mouth full of meat and a fork and knife in his telekinetic grip. He swallows in order to talk.
"...what?"
>>128712Jubilosa:
"I heard you order porkchops. But I did not believe it"
>>128713It takes him a second for his brain to catch up.
"...Oh! Right! Well, if I may be honest...I might have developed
little bit of taste for meat over my life...just little."
>>128714Jubilosa continues to stare in bizarre fascination. Mala does the same with an ever growing smile on his face
>>128715After another second, Silver shurgs and returns to his porkchop. Judging from the look on his face and the quiet "mm mhm hmm" he lets out, he's apparently enjoying the slab of pig flesh in front of him.
>>128716The pork is well cooked, certainly more thoroughly than Silver probably could have expected from a comparable set of beef. It does taste good, though.
As Silver is very hungry from a very,
very intense last 24 hours, it's welcome
>>128717He swallows his bite, and points his fork down at the meat.
"I tell you, it feels like I have not had anything to eat in forever."
>>128718Mala:
"I know the feel..."
Jubilosa has resumed eating her mutton. She picks it up with her talons, and rips it with her beak, then swallows
>>128719Silver looks at Mala.
"I know you said you were not hungry, but would you like to try bite of porkchop? It is really good!"
>>128720He pauses for a moment, then pulls the plate forward, and then places his head down to bite off a set of meat. Unlike Silver, but like Jubilosa, he seems to lack the ability to chew to any significant degree.
>>128721I suppose it is consequence of having only fangs."Well, how is it?"
>>128722"More cooked than I am used to. I remember my mother would buy this. Um.... Can I get something?"
>>128723Silver smiles and nods to him.
"Of course, what is it you want?"
>>128724"Um..."
He looks down at the menu
"Beef, maybe? I don't know. I haven't been able to choose many times..."
>>128725"That sounds like good choice."
Silver attempts to flag down a waiter to order his friend some beef.
>>128726Mala wags his tail briefly, and asks for beef. There is a moment when the waiter does not know precisely which kind of beef, and Mala settles upon some kind of roast beef. And a steak. He orders both, if Silver accepts
"Ooh! Do you have Octopus?"
>>128727"You can eat octopus?"
>>128728I see that there is an important fact omitted: the "Octopus" question came from Jubilosa
She responds
"You can eat Pork? But yes. It was done sometimes in Sicameon"
>>128729I know, it was pretty easy to figure out."Fair enough, I have just never heard of octopus as food. If they have it, let us get it."
>>128730Without losing her smile
"Octopus!" she tells the Waiter
"Fair style, if you can"
>>128731Silver looks to Jubilosa.
"If I may ask, what is it you want to do as career?"
>>128732This seems to catch her by surprise, almost
"Well, I flew and delivered milk before. Then I was a typist for a shipping company for two years. I suppose, more typist work."
>>128733"I will admit, I am not familiar with what typist does."
>>128734"Well, most of it was recording handwritten documents and record keeping. I wrote up letters as well a few times, but that's more like a secretary"
>>128735Silver taps his chin, and looks at Jubilosa.
"Do you like writing?"
>>128736"Typing can be fun. Almost relaxing. Even if it can be tedious or monotonous at times."
>>128737"Have you ever thought of becoming writer?"
>>128738She is blank again
"It is quite a different thing... to go from typing what others have claw-written, to being a writer. Sure, taking liberties in writing letters was fun when I could do it, but... that's quite a different thing"
>>128739"I do not know, maybe you have some artistic talent behind you, and you just do not know it."
>>128740She looks at him, and blinks a couple times
"I did... kind of like poetry when I was younger..."
>>128741Silver smiles at her.
"I think I would like to see poetry from you, sometime."
>>128742She has an embarrassed smile
"I... don't know if I want to show that"
>>128743His smile gets a little brighter.
"Are you sure you do not? I really would like to see some. If they are anything like griffon who made them, they will be quite beautiful."
>>128744Mala, of all creatures, joins in
"Let's hear it"
She looks around
"I... don't have the poems I made as a girl with me. They were... bad..."
>>128745"Do you remember any you can tell us?"
>>128746"It's all in a different language. You wouldn't get it"
She still has the embarrassed smile
>>128747The pony lets out a small giggle, and hugs the griffon.
>>128748The unicorn pony hugs the griffin, whose wings expand in part.
As if granting Jubilosa a reprieve from questions about her preteen poetry, the plates of food arrive. Roast Beef, a Steak, and a plate of more than one mauve colored octopus.
They are still slightly moving
>>128749The pony looks over from the griffon he's hugging to the octopi, getting visibly startled by the movement.
>>128750The good news is that the octopi are actually rather small in size, and they aren't particularly active. But they are still moving. Jubilosa looks over herself
"... In my country, they were boiled first, and server with onions"
Mala sniffs the steak, puts up the nails of his paw to hold the steak down, and rips part off with his mouth.
>>128751Silver picks one of the wriggly things up.
"So, how do you, uh...eat them?"
>>128752"... Uh... They were supposed to have their arms cut off, and you can rip or swallow the arms. These ones are smaller, and not boiled"
>>128754"Well...how do you propose we go about this?"
>>128755They came accompanied by seeds and oil, looks like sesame seeds.
"Uh... I guess the arms would be seperated?"
Mala, who stopped after eating half of his steak to eat some of the roast beef, moves his head over to the octopi. His snout comes close, sniffing them, but suddenly pulls away when one of them moves. Staring at it, he then lunges down and bites the head of the creature, pulling it away with fairly long tentacles. It starts writhing as best it can, and Mala squishes it in his mouth, trying to throw it up and re-position it. Then he tilts his head up, and evidently starts to swallow it. It falls into his mouth, with some tentacles still moving around, inclduing one that attempts to latch onto the side of his face, but fails. He moves his head up, swallows again, then again, and for a moment seems as if he may choke. But the thing slinks down, until there are only a few tentacles remaining, letting him breath. He swallows these down, licks his lips, and then places his muzzle down in the roast beef
"...That's one way to do it"
>>128756Silver does
not look like he was prepared for this.
"...maybe it needs to be killed, first?"
>>128757"... Maybe."
She smiles at him
"You can enjoy Khoi's cooking instead, if you'd rather. Or maybe ask Mala for some of his food. Or you can try the mutton"
>>128758Silver takes a deep breath in, and puts on his bravest face.
"N-no, I am fine. How about you?"
>>128759[YouTube] Halo: Reach - The Death of Emile-A239 HD [Embed]She smiles back, awkwardly
"I'm fine"
What Mala did didn't seem exactly safe when
he did it, and a pony....
>>128760Press F to pay respectsSilver grabs a knife, whispers "Sorry about this..." to an octopus, and tries to kill it.
>>128761Silver learns something.
The tentacles don't stop squirming once severed
>>128762Hmm...okay, new plan, he cuts a small portion of the tentacle off from the rest, dips it in the oil, and eats it.
>>128763It's slightly bland - something the sesame oil helps with - and a little chewy. Tastes more like chicken than fish - if Silver knows what either of those taste like. Silver notes that the suckers on the tentacles have
some power left, making choking on them not impossible.
>>128764He tries to be as careful as possible to avoid choking as he looks at Jubilosa.
"It's fine...good even! See?"
>>128765"Uh... sure. I can try it this way."
Jubilosa picks up one with the fork, not quite wanting to stab it, and rubs it in the oil. She lifts it up, looking a bit... perhaps not quite "disgusted," but certainly intimidated by the creature. She places the head in her mouth, and lets it stay there for a moment. Then, she moves her head up, to let it come further in, and moves her tongue around.it, and sits there for another moment, before tilting her head up, pressing it forward, and letting the octopus slide down her throat in an almost even motion, stopping once and being swallowed again as the tentacles wiggle before going down.
From Silver's perspective, it looks like she just managed to do what Mala did with greater ease and more grace. But you'd never know from her facial expressions, as she has a mixture of fear and disgust, ultimately looking as she did after swallowing the hard alcohol the night before
"Yeah... heheh. Not bad"
>>128766Silver stares at her during her achievement, blushing a light red across his cheeks.
"W-woah..."
He comes to, shaking his head clear.
"Uh, I-I mean...this is certainly interesting...meal. Tastes little like poultry or fish."
>>128767She blushes to him. Or at least she would, if her face were not covered in feathers.
"Y-yeah. It's it's own thing, sort of"
She tries to cut off the tentacle of another one, to eat it the way Silver does
>>128768Silver has another, himself, slowly getting used to it.
>>128769There are only four Octopi... Octopuses in total, with Silver and Jubilosa each now cutting and eating one. Jubilosa can't quite chew, but she does seem to try to savor it, dipping more into the sesame. They are still reasonably large, with the feats achieved by Mala and Jubilosa only possibly because of how squishy, wet, and slippery the creatures are
>>128770Silver swallows the bite he was savoring, and looks to Jubilosa.
"So, griffons in Sicameon fished for these regularly?"
>>128771She looks back up to him, now secure in this way of eating live octopus
"Somewhat regularly. Fish and squid were more common but yes."
>>128772Silver, too, has become more confident with this way of eating octopus.
"I take it fishing made up most of food for Sicameon?"
>>128773"Fish was a major source, yes, but it was hardly the only source. We grew rice, we had potato, wheat, and even maize. We had fields of peppers and tomatoes, and sugarcane in the south. We would eat our sheep when they grew too old to fleece, and our milk cows"
>>128774"Huh. We did not have lot of variety in Severyana when it came to food. We mostly grew wheat, barley, sorgum, as well as vegetables like cabbage and lettuce. We also had mushrooms, cows for milk, and chickens for eggs. We also fished little, particularly in winter when we could not grow anything."
>>128775"Fished? She asks
Though he has no homeland to speak of, Mala joins in
"In the public schools they gave us bread and muffins. Sometimes hay burgers, which I could never eat. On the days they gave us bread or fruit, that was fine if mother had meat when we got home. But when it was hay or alfalfa instead, I would be hungry. Then mother sometimes only had potato. When she started declining, it was bad... I heard that after I left thy introduced special meals for all the griffins that included fish. That would have been so much better"
>>128776Silver looks over at Mala sympatheticly.
"That would be terrible to go through...I am glad you survived, though."
>>128777Jubilosa actually looks over at him sympathetically
"It was... not pleasant. Especially when mother refused to leave the house sometimes for days. There was no place like this to go to. Not that I could have afforded it anyways. Then after I left school..... it was not pleasant"
>>128778Silver lowers his head to him.
"I promise you, Mala, as long as it is within my power, that will not happen again."
>>128779He lowers his head slightly as well, as his ears fall back
"Thanks... I think you may be the first pony to actually accept it. Accept me, I mean. You and that pony that dyed his fur to look like a Zebra. Dark Star. Every other pony or zebra I have come across was always uncomfortable with carnivorism. They wouldn't say it outloud. At least most of them wouldn't. Some would say it was monstrous and scream in horror. But most would grit their teeth and walk away, or show disgust. Maybe they could sit across in uncomfortable silence. It was unnerving, or disgusting, or just something they would rather not be around. They would try to make me just eat something else instead. I think maybe the ponies think that anything that eats meat could eat them. Or maybe its that they think its mean to the animals or something, and they want to take care of the animals. I don't know. Even ponies who were nicer to me always had a kind of aversion to it. Like Boek, He would smile, but say "I don't want to be around when it happens" and leave the room. Or the Zebra, who judged us for it. But seeing you eat meat here.... and especially how nice you were last night... it's different. Very different from anything I have experienced with ponies before."
>>128780Silver looks up at him, and smiles.
"I am glad I could be there for you. And I suppose I am glad my taste for meat has finally helped someone."
>>128781Silver;s taste for meat sure hasn't helped these octopuses, or the pig, or his coin pouch when the bill comes
Mala smiles back to him, contended and satisfied from the meal. He has a fairly distended belly, although most likely, little of that comes from what he's eaten here.
>>128712Decided to do a little research. It's really interesting. https://horserookie.com/do-horses-eat-meat/>>128745>as a girlIs a griffin child a cub or a fledgeling?>>128756There was one kung-fu genre movie where a character had to eat a whole live octopus. Problem was that the actor was a vegetarian Buddhist and had to make a special prayer before eating the octopus. Unfortunately for him, they had to reshoot the scene three timesWhat's ironic is that octopi probably would be a sapient invertebrate in the MLP universe>>128764Disappointed you didn't ask for a roll>>128780>>128781D'awwww
I know that Changelings have German corollary equipment, Equestria has American corollary equipment and Stalliongrad has Soviet corollary equipment. I'm doing research into what heavy weapons we could introduce to the game-world and I want to know what's the corollary of New Mareland.
Also, would the Changelings be using captured Olenian equipment like irl Germans did and if so what would be the corollary of Olenia? I'm guessing it's the UK for New Mareland and Czechoslovakia for Olenia
>>128785Equestria I think is probably based on Canada, given that their bomber list seems to be British. The Equestrian submachine gun here should be assumed to be the Sten gun, since it's actually kind of similar in most specifications to the Changeling MP40 and the New Marelander Owen gun, and the magazine that feeds from the side seems like the kind of adaptation a quadruped race would have. New Mareland has had Australian equipment thus far, including Owen guns and Wirraway dive bombers. Olenia is actually Finish in its equipment. As the capture of Olenia takes place sometime before the Great War, the Changelings likely had time to retool the factories and build up their own equipment. I suppose its possible that they use Suomis, or Olenian sniper rifles or ski equipment. I have depicted them as using "carbines," which are likely captured Equestrian equipment
>>128786Good to know. Although that limits what's available to our protagonists, it does allow other major world powers to have fleshed-out weapons systems. I'm guessing that the River Coalition would be American then, and the Griffonian Empire would be Czech?
For what it's worth, the dish that Jubilosa
thought she was ordering was a (Spanish) Galician dish known as "Polbo á feira," boiled octopus. This translates from Galician to English as "fair-style octopuus," hence why she added "fair-style" when describing the order.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polbo_%C3%A1_feiraThe dish that Jubilosa
actually got is a Korean dish called San-nakji, where log-arm octopus (a much smaller species than the more commonly eaten Giant Octopus) is cut into pieces and served raw, while the tentacles are still squirming. Swallowing the octopus whole is also possible.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San-nakji>>128784I looked up whether horses could eat peanuts, and found that they generally shouldn't be fed peanuts because they are high in protein and will cause the digestive system to "overheat." In any case I think we can assume that the ponies of My Little Pony have degenerated digestive systems that can handle the high-carbohydrate-low-fiber diets we see in the show.>Griffin nounsI tried looking up whether there were any terms specific to griffins, general to avians, or general to cats, and I found basically nothing except "Tom" for a male cat and "chick" for an infant bird. I suppose "fledgling" could apply.>Sapient invertebrateMaybe, but I think at some point the carnivores are going to say "I don't care, I'm hungry" and disregard some intelligent animals>RollI would definitely have asked for a roll if he attempted to swallow it whole>>128787I don't think the American equipment set is used anywhere by any faction in EAW. The Griffin Empire might be czech, but their language is German, their historical parallel is the Hapsburg Empire, and so the one time an Imperial weapon has been seen, I used an Austrian weapon. As for the Riverlands, Lake City is Serbian and uses Japanese weapons, the River Republic is Croation, Deoponya looks like fantasy England, Wittenburg is kind of French, Nimbusia is Greek, I have no idea what Bakara is, and Ponadeihm is "celtic."
>>128788Checked
>degenerated digestive systemsFair assumption. Horses have a massive gut that truly makes their midsection a "barrel," while ponies from the show don't have that feature. Pics for comparison. I think a good explanation is that through change in diet ponies no longer needed such a bulky digestive system, similar to how humans lost the need for massive jaws once we learned to cook meat>no American equipment setThat is extremely surprising and the only explanation I can come up with is that it's being saved for another major power, but I don't see anything that stands out in planned Zebrica. I was honestly hoping that the party could find and ride around in an old Equestrian M2 tank or something that survived the war. Something that's underpowered compared to current military vehicles but still has the "WOAH A TANK" factor
>>128788Ponadeihm is celtic? Holy hecc I bet those guys have the best artillery, since it shoots 20% faster than other countries.[YouTube] Age of Empires 2 Definitive Edition - Celts theme [Embed]
>>128789Iron did find a plane deity crashed in the jungle back in his dream....it sadly didn't do much. I think it was tired or cozy in the lake.
>>128795Oh Wirraway of the Lake, what is your wisdom?
>>128796Hue.
Too bad I didn't roll a 20 or 1.
>>128797Consulting with the Wirraway of the Lake should be like divination, where if successful, the Wirraway tells you actually useful information
>>128798It'd be pretty cool. I wonder if Iron would have to become a prophet to activate such powers, making him gain some of that magical clerical-like powers of shooting metal bits and flying.
Do you want to continue Spark's story tonight?
>>128804Sure! The last post to Spark was
>>128342
>>128805Spark nods.
"So, it has been quite some time since you have seen a pony? Who was the last that passed through here?"
>>128782I'm certain it was worth the price...though that does beg the question of how much it actually cost.
>>128807White Wolf
"I haven't seen one in a while... It's been a while since they've come through"
Grey wolf, forcefully even as he is not interrupting
"They like to hide out around the forest. Come into our territory"
Then she rebuts
"But they don't come to
us. Or they haven't since that time the doubles came"
>>12881230 bits easily
>>128813Oh, that's not so bad. He pays it.
"I just hope this meat-eating revelation has not made either of you think of me
too badly."
>>128814Jubilosa places a foreleg around him
"You continue to challenge my perception of ponies"
Mala seems to wag his tail
"No"
And he smiles
>>128813"Do you know what they are up to, hiding out here?"
>>128816Grey Wolf
"I suppose they are hiding away from the Doubles, just as we do now"
>>128815Silver smiles at them.
"There is one more thing I would like to talk about before we leave, if neither of you mind. There is issue of Mala's housing situation."
>>128818Mala sits up in his booth - he laid back after he finished eating - and he stares at Silver with big eyes
"Yes?"
Jubilosa looks over as if with concern, but she says nothing
>>128819He looks over at Jubilosa.
"I know your and Khoi's concerns, but Mala is good person as you have seen little bit of, one who wants to start new life and make up for what he has done. And there is spare room in beach house..."
>>128820She is silent for a moment, as is Mala
"I suppose I have misjudged creatures before... and he's had some hardships... I guess it isn't really my business what you do with him"
>>128821Silver hugs the griffon, burying his face in her chest feathers.
"Thank you."
>>128822Silver gets a nice feel of those feathers, and Jubilosa does not tense up, now comfortable with the hugs. She's larger than a mare, if a little smaller than Silver.
>>128823Silver releases her, and smiles again at his two companions.
"Well...ready to head home?"
>>128824Mala looks back at him, and wags his tail, before it goes down somewhat.
"Can I get my pack from the room?" he asks
>>128825"Of course you can, Mala. We will go to Tavern first so you can recover your items."
>>128826His thin, black legs tap the ground as he moves around, excited
"Were you saying I could live with you?!"
>>128827Silver nods.
"We will have to confirm it with Khoi, but yes."
>>128817"Have you had a run in with the changlings at all?"
>>128828He opens his mouth, and has his diamond ears firmly towards Silver
"That would be great!"
>>128829The White Wolf turns, with an expression like fear
The Grey wolf turns his head while his eyes lock with Spark's
"Yes. We've had
run ins. They came up into the forest. They attacked our southern settlement after a skirmish. Killed several of us. Fought us several times. We withdrew to the band up north for a few weeks, until they had retreated back. We watch their patrols still, though they haven't gone so far north in several months now"
>>128830Silver smiles at the obviously excited gnoll, and drapes a foreleg over the back of Mala's neck.
"Well, let us go out and hail taxi. We can pick up your personal effects from Tavern, and head to beach house."
>>128831"That sounds Great!"
Going outside, Silver has ease enough hailing a taxi. The Zebra stallion doesn't seem to know enough about what these creatures had done to shame them for it. Two bits to go back to the Tavern.
Mala runs back inside with definite haste
>>128830"I am sorry to hear that."
Spark wonders what brought them to the forest to begin with.
>>128832Silver tells the driver to wait while Mala gets his belongings, and he himself waits patiently for the gnoll.
>>128833The White Wolf speaks to Spark
"Yes, it's been terrible... But we are at least surviving now. We have survived worse. They are not the first to attack us. But I would like them to be the last. That is what I want you for. To make them leave us alone"
The Grey Wolf physically moves his feat around
"It isn't enough to be left alone. If anything, we need their alliance. Trade alone would do us much good"
The white wolf looks back to the grey, someone annoyed
"Trade will not do us much good..."
>>128834Mala comes back out quickly, carrying his pack with a blanket in it, and the sheathed sword. It does
not bulge with the cut off pieces of Zebra from the night before
>>128835"Hop back on in, Mala. We are going home."
>>128835"The changelings are not interested in trade, but I might know a group that is. The colony that captured the land east would be interested in trade as well as information about changeling movement and resources in this area. The changelings are preparing to invade in the future."
>>128837The grey wolf stops for a moment, his mouth closed, as if to consider it
White Wolf
"But what if the Changelings find out?"
>>128836He hops right on back in. Another few bits, and the creatures are back to the Beach House
>>128838Silver pays the zebra his due Bits, trots up, and holds the door open for Jubilosa and Mala.
>>128838"Well, we will just have to stick to the forests and we will make it no problem."
>>128839Mala gets out of the taxi, and looks at the house with curiousity, tentatively stepping forward
"Is this...?"
He steps forward a little closer. As Silver goes closer still, he runs out in front of Silver, looking around
Jubilosa walks out more normally, towards the house
>>128841"Yes it is. Our new home."
>>128840The Grey wolf is silent again
White Wolf:
"Maybe we should take you back to the chief"
>>128842He runs out, around and under the house towards the solid portion, looking around, until it's clear that he is left behind by Silver. Then he comes back up the stairs, and past him, looking around on the lower level, running around in the living room, jumping on the couch and then off of it.
Silver can hear Khoi in the kitchen
>>128843Silver is amused by Mala's behaviors, and goes into the kitchen to find Khoi.
>>128844She is in the kitchen, over a boiling pot.
Mala is evidently running around, and she seems to hear it. She walks up to Silver
"You're back"
>>128845Silver nods with a smile.
"You make it sound like you had doubts. How goes it?"
>>128846"The soup is going well. Noodles will cook quickly so I will put them in the pot just before you are ready."
She smiles back, and almost suppresses a laugh
>>128847Silver tilts his head.
"What is it? What is funny?"
>>128848"What? Why do you think something is funny? She asks, smiling then stopping
>>128843"Alright."
Spark is ready to follow the doggos.
>>128849"You just look like you are trying to keep from laughing."
Silver breathes in the smell of the food being cooked.
"Anyways, what is it you are cooking?"
>>128851Definitely some spices and onion
"Oh, some Bún soup for tonight"
>>128850The grey one says
"Very well... but if you do tip off the Changelings, know we can hide in the forests, see you before you see us. Track you -"
The White Wolf interrupts
"Relax, Lyca. The spirits have shown his good nature to us, and he has seemed trustworthy enough talking to him here. Are you really so afraid of such a little pony?"
His ears drop and he almost snarls, but he keeps his head low. He mumbles
"There's no such thing as a Sa'be..."
Spark presumably follows the wolves for a while, as they move into a formation around Spark. They occasionally yip and speak to each other in a language Spark does not understand. They pass by several clearings in the woods, that look as if they were recently planted and plowed. Then, they arrive...
>>128852"Mmm...it smells good."
>>128853"Thanks, I was hoping it would be so"
She blinks at him at the end of that
>>128854"I had never heard of some of those ingredients before. I take it this is traditional Ngua Nam meal?"
>>128855"I suppose it is 'traditional.' Yes. It is a normal meal in Ngua Nam. Maybe a bit more spice and flair, we often only had rice. But this is full meal."
>>128856"Huh. We have meals like that, in my homeland. I was thinking of making one sometime, for all of us."
>>128857She blinks
"I have never had anything else" She says
Then she tilts her head
"Do you have rice?"
>>128852Spark takes a look around.
>>128867To the right and above the canopy the early morning sun rises, increasingly lighting up the forest. The wolves stop as one of the grey males tilts his head up and howls. A moment later, and the dark grey wolf Spark had spoken to lifts his head and howls. A few seconds more and another howl, more distant ca be heard in reply ahead of them. The howls are enough to wake a large black bird, who flies out and above the canopy. The wolves walk ahead, and it's more than a little hard for Spark to keep up with them.
Then Spark can see it over in a clearing. Many tan colored, half-spherical structures as much as ten feet tall, with visible wooden branch frames, and covered in bark or hide. Some have open doors spark can almost see into, many have fires outside. There are many wolves outside, most of them appear to be female and most have a greyish color coat. Some look up at Spark with curiosity, walking over towards him. Some seem guarded and turn themselves, or walk away. A liter of pups play with a ball, while another pup sleeps half-through a door of a half-sphere under a circle filled with radiating threads and rings of circles inside, like a spider web. He sees a wolf female has a basket full of blackberries, and passes a rack of large, drying fish. They take Spark deeper inside, and near a large brownish structure with a rounded-rectangular shape that nearly looks like a loaf of bread.
>>128868"Wow. I don't remember reading about anything like this place before."
Spark takes in the sight.
>>128869Darker Grey Wolf:
"
Of course the ponies leave it out."
White Wolf:
"We've been doing it this way long before the ponies came down into our lands. There is a certain beauty to the old ways..."
When they entered the village, another grey wolf in hide greeted them, and joined in with the moving pack. The darker wolf walks at the lead. Spark can see that he wears something like a jacket, but no hide, with a sheathed long knife and a long rifle slung over his shoulder. The rifle is rather curious looking, being a very modern looking model with a scope. His legs and it seems his belly are white or lighter, and he wears a necklace. The white wolf walks besides Spark to his right. She has tanned hide on her front and chest, on her left foreleg, a large bow with a re-curved shape, a quiver of arrows, and she wears a necklace with a bright red copper medallion shaped like a turtle or tortoise.
As they walk through the settlement, a female wolf comes out and snarls at Spark, though she is blocked from coming closer by the light wolf, who is to Spark's left. A puppy, however, is small enough to run through the white wolf and the wolf behind her to run up next to Spark, taking an interest in him.
>>128872Spark is a bit nervous, but waves hello to the puppy and continues to follow.
>>128858Silver shakes his head.
"I think it is just native to your lands. We grew mostly wheat, barley, and sorgum for grain in Severyana."
>>128873After not very much time at all, the wolves stop before a larger half sphere near the rounded-rectangle. A medium grey wolf sleeps on a mat between the two buildings. He has swelling on his legs and his chest, noticeable even from this angle. He looks up at the wolves coming in, and tries to stand up.
Then from the half sphere in front, a very large grey wolf walks out. He looks much older, and he walks out with his shoulders firm and head high. He smiles with teeth that Spark can see are silver and metal.
The Dark Grey wolf starts to remove his rifle and bow his head
"Bow before our Pack leader and Chieftain, Ziibi-Ondaadad."
He then rolls over onto his back, spreading out and showing his belly. He is almost white on the underside. The rest of the wolves also lower themselves to the ground, some rolling over. The white wolf crouches down, almost laying down, but does not roll over
The large wolf - Ziibi - walks down a wooden plank from his higher position inside the sphere. He smiles at Spark with his silver teeth
"A pony? What brings you here?"
>>128874She looks at him with something that comes almost near concern.
"I am not familiar with 'Barley' or "Sorgum.' Or Severyana. There is much I do not know about this vast land or its ponies."
>>128875Silver smiles at her.
"Barley and sorgum are very similar to wheat. They are planted in rotation with wheat to return nutrients to soil. As for Severyana...it is my homeland. My Motherland. It is far to north of here, northeast of Equestria. It is as old as ponykind itself, and has very storied history. In summer, its moist soil is perfect for agriculture, but in winter, it gets cold enough to freeze solid, making growing crops impossible until it thaws."
>>128875"I was brought here for reasons both my own and the wishes of your own. I want to make sure these lands are free of any monster that recently attacked the mine the changelings have set up outside these forests. While I do this, I was asked to make sure that changelings don't bother you again and to set up trade here with friends of mine to the east."
>>128876She looks at him with immense interest, slowly nodding her head
"I see... What are these Winters like? I have heard they are much different in Equestria. Or, where you are from. Are they not?"
>>128877He maintains a position at the end of the ramp
"Oh, the woods have always been filled with Monsters, as they have from the beginning. Many have gone out to slay them, and some have come back. But you ponies, you have stopped trading with us. I know a calamity has befallen you, but I wish to reestablish relations. Tell me first, what
exactly has become of the Equestrian and Crystal Authorities?"
>>128878"It gets very cold in winter. Nothing like here. Wind gets biting cold, rivers freeze over solid, and snow comes down and covers everything in layers of white. You go outside, and entire world just seems so quiet, peaceful even. It can be fun as foal, too, getting into snowball fights, making snow angels and snowponies and such. And of course getting inside after to curl up in front of hearth and warm up feels amazing."
>>128879She smiles in a calm, warm way
"That sounds... 'wholesome.' Tell me, do you miss it? Why did you leave it? Your home."
>>128878"A few rebel fighters out there, but the leaders of old are all gone. We don't know where they have gone. There is only a little propaganda that they are dead, which is likely to mean they are still alive, but they have not made themselves known."
>>128880"I do miss it. And I would return there...but recently it was given new name, one that is likely more familiar to you. Stalliongrad."
>>128881His eyes slowly open and muscles under his eyes fall down, his smile fading and mouth opening
"They... They are gone?"
>>128882She narrows her eyes
"As I have. I think I know why you left"
>>128883Silver gives her a solitary, sad nod.
"I left years before Steel Stallion and his Soviets corrupted my beautiful Motherland, destroyed its temples, warped its culture, and cursed this world with Communist cancer. But it is reason why I have not been back. Why I could not show my own children where my people come from. All I can take solace in is that Stalliongrad is
not Severyana, no matter what those Soviets want to make us believe."
>>128885She definitely has no smile now, and she comes a little closer to him
"Can you tell me, do you ever feel you should have fought back against the Communists?"
>>128886"Every time I think on it, I wish I was there to fight against them in Civil War. I wish Celestia had not pulled Equestrian forces away from war and that we pushed on and retook Colitsyn, or even that Severyanan Whites who had opposed Reds and supported independance rallied and beat Stallion's forces back."
>>128887She very slowly nods, looking kind of sad
"I see"
Best pony in picture
>>128883"Without a trace."
>>128888Best poner.
>>128888Checked."It is in past, now. Not much use looking back to it, unless to use it as guide for future."
He looks up at Khoi.
"I do not know much of Ngua Nam. What is it like?"
>>128889"You know a couple of them visited us. Some years ago. The mining company was expanding closer to our territory. Damaging the forest. We were very angry. They did not seem to live in harmony with nature, as all creatures should, but dominated over it. We were going to fight back. But I was kicked in the mouth by a moose. The ponies helped me with their dentistry. Without their metal I would have wasted away and died. They showed me their metal has use. A different way of living with nature. They helped others in my village with fever. And for that, I was grateful."
The White Wolf looks a little discontent with this speech, half snarling
>>128891"It is old vassal of Kirin Empire, but a rich culture on its own. Sprawling jungles from the mountains down to coast. Great temples filled with monks. Villages around paddies and old cities on the coast and rivers. There is much to say, but I am not sure how to say it. There is no playing in the snow in winter, I can tell you that."
>>128893Spark is not sure why the white wolf is objecting, but he continues to listen.
"I'm glad you had a positive experience with us before. I look forward to rebuilding it again."
>>128893"We do not have jungles in Severyana. I suppose it is trade-off."
>>128895"Yes." He says. "There is much to rebuild. The Doubles came and attacked some months ago. We drove them off... but they may come back. Who are these friends you have?"
>>128897She smiles lightly.
"I suppose. I will try to adjust to this new place. But I hope I will have a homeland to go back to, if I ever want to."
>>128888Checked and best poner
>>128907By the way, when are you thinking of joining?
>>128908Morning of next in-game dayI'm not in any hurry because I have some papers to write.
My character leaves, thanks the recpetionist for all her help, and starts moving towards the market or whatever to buy her material compnents that she needs.
>>128910The receptionist bends her head over in evident curiosity as she watches Fantasy Play walk away, and out of the building. She takes a guess as to how it must have gone.
But Fantasy Play has her map, and she has a very good idea of where gum arabic, wax, and other assorted oddities for the preternaturally inclined. And soon enough she finds a small shop in the eastern district, inside an old building, and sandwiched between still older structures of the old Baltimare. Fantasy play enters to see jaws of eyes, strands of fur and hair from common animals, the creatures of the forests and jungle, and beasts unknown to most ponies. There are brooches and wands - or alleged brooches and wands - and numerous other curiosities that line the walls and shelved.
"May I help you, young mare?"
Standing upright on two legs behind Fantasy Play, is a large cat - for surely there is there is no better way to describe it, or rather, "her." Her fur is black, hard to see in the dim light of the shop. Her eyes are thin slits surrounded by an almost glowing green. She wears a grey vest, and has a band around her head. She leans against a shelf as she smiles towards Fantasy
"I know you did not come just to look around"
So... where did we leave off?
>>128930The last post for Spark was
>>128900
>>128900"Yes, that is feeling I understand."
Silver looks over at the meal she's cooking.
"Until that day, it is good to see there is still piece of your homeland you can enjoy. I will have to show you where store was."
>>128932"There is a nation of ponies to the east that will be able to do business with you."
>>128934"To the East you say? Well, ponies are welcome to trade here. You can tell them that. We have lumber rights to sell, and fur and our crafted copper"
>>128933She looks solemn, and nods slowly
"It lives on in you, and mine lives on in me. I suppose..." she looks away for a moment, then back to him
"Yes, I would like to see that. I believed there would be others of my kind here. I am pleased to hear there are"
>>128935"I was unable to talk with kirin who ran store. Language barrier, I think. Maybe you could talk with him?"
>>128936"I could try, yes. They may be from Kirin Empire though. That grey pony, 'Iron' I think was him name, said he may have work for me though"
>>128937"Really? What kind of work?"
>>128938She moves her body back to almost lean against the counter
"He... did not say" She answers
>>128935Spark nods.
"I think they will also be interested in information of changeling positions, movement patterns, and building locations."
>>128939Silver finds the action a little weird, but he does not openly comment on it.
"Hmm...well, if you want my advice, I would say to use your best judgement as Iron does not always use his."
The unicorn smiles at the kirin.
"Oh, and if you ever need my help, you know where to find me."
>>128941She smiles briefly, and gives a small laugh
"He"
Then she says to him
"Help? What kind?"
>>128940"These...
Changelings. They have been a menace to us. We will need protection"
>>128924Fantasy twirl around and upon seeing the catlady, immediately starts to rub her hoof against its cheek.
"A kitty!" she bursts out while beaming.
>>128942"Well, whatever help you might. Help with some task Iron gives you, monetary help, whatever."
>>128942"The nation is more than capable of providing that. I'm sure you will be pleased with the results."
>>128943"Rawr!"
Her eyes go wide, fur pops up, and she jumps back a little
She rubs the part of her cheek that was rubbed
"I am not pet, filly"
The cat may or may not be physically more massive than Fantasy Play, but she is certainly much taller owing to her bipedal stance, and thus looks bigger. She is many times larger than Slogo or any cat she's seen in Nuzzleville
>>128944She tilts her head
"He doesn't want me to do.... you don't want me to do......" She opens her mouth to say something, but then closes it
"Does he?"
>>128945He nods
"Good to hear! Tell what we must do"
>>128946Silver tilts his head at the kirin.
"Want you to do what?"
>>128947"You" she nods
"You know... sell yourself"
>>128948It's like she flipped a switch: the unicorn's face very quickly goes from its standard light grey to flushed red.
"Oh! Oh, no, I would not think so...well, you
are very beautiful and desirable, but I highly doubt that is what Iron had in mind when he offered you work."
>>128949She again almost recoils
"Oh.... That is good then"
>>128946"Well, I need to finish my business here first, then I will be free to inform them myself to send word you are interested."
>>128950Silver's ears droop just slightly at her reaction, and he clears his throat.
"...sorry, overstepped my bounds."
>>128950>>128952You could cut this sexual tension with a knife
>>128951His left ear tilts down, then back up, as he tilts his head
"Business? What business?"
>>128952She moves her head to the side, evidently confused
"Okay...."
And she stands back up
"Anyways, that is good"
>>128954"There is one more thing I would like to talk with you about. It is about Mala."
>>128955She returns to a more neutral expression
"What about him?"
>>128954"The changelings were attacked by a strange creature that even deceived them with its ability to change shape. I need to make sure they are gone, or find a way to keep them from attacking anypony else."
>>128956"We have spare room here. I was wondering what you thought about letting him stay."
>>128957"These doubles themselves deceive and change shape. It is little wonder they attack even each other"
>>128958Her eyes narrow a little, and her lips pull back and down
"That creature had no problem being part of operation that killed many for no good reason. And he has no problem with himself now"
>>128959"Perhaps, but I would rather have one group of changelings to keep track of than a bunch, because neither of them are very friendly."
>>128959"He did not cause all of that to happen, and he helped us when he had opportunity to do so. He trusted us to help him start new life, one where he did not have to help perpetuate suffering."
>>128960He looks more serious
"These doubles have been a menace to us as well. They have been quiet for some time, and we do not know why. This situation must be dealt with"
>>128961"But he enabled it. He benefited from it. And now, he wants to go about and live his life while so many others cannot and will never. He does not even seem to feel bad about it"
>>128962"He was pushed into it. He did not want it, he had no say in it, and if he were to refuse...they would have killed him, just as they did many others."
>>128963She tilts her head, narrowing her eyes more
"How are we to know he was.... forced?"
>>128964"He was pushed into it at young age, when he had no family, no home, no money, and no food. They gave him everything he needed to live, and demanded that he comply with their demands or be killed.
"Look at it this way: if he joined voluntarily, why would he so quickly jump at opportunity to help us?"
>>128962"If you know where they might be hiding, I will make sure they are no longer a problem to the both of us. Then I can be on my way to set up your trade."
>>128966"The doubles? They have taken over the land to the South, and to the North it seems. We have been nearly isolated from the ponies until you came"
>>128965She is silent for a moment, and breathes in and out
"Maybe he knew who would win, so he changed sides"
>>128967"I find that difficult to believe. We were two ponies and one kirin strong at time of meeting him, against at least fifty cultists and traffickers. Even then, why would he show us garbage chute? We would have never investigated it had he not pointed it out and unlocked it, so why would he risk us turning on him by showing us, and then telling us, not only what they had done but what he himself had done working under them?"
>>128968She is silent again for a moment, and she moves her forelegs closer together. Then she sits down
"He has much to atone for"
>>128969"Something I am...familiar with. But he can not, if we do not give him chance to. He trusted us to give him that chance. It is only right we trust him back."
Wonders where Fantasy went off to>>128970"I suppose there are many who have been forced into doing bad things. There are many, very many, in my country who have been made to do bad things for the rebels. It is a shame to see it happen here. But it will be difficult to trust him."
>>128971Silver bows his head to her.
"That is understandable. I merely ask you to give him chance to earn your trust."
>>128972>>128972She relaxes in her sitting position, and her hind legs move a little off to either side
"Very well... I would prefer he show some remorse for his actions. I know I am disgusted by it. But I do know he stood between you and that.....
beast when you tripped and fell"
>>128973He smiles and nods.
"Yes, I was very grateful that he did so, even if it was little embarrassing for me in moment. It might have been determining factor between life and death for me."
>>128974"It looked like he got away from it unscathed... as it seems he got away from the criminals unscathed. But I can appreciate the gesture"
>>128975"Well, would
you want to raise ire of gnoll by attacking one?"
>>128976She blinks, and turns her head away
"No..."
>>128977After about a second, Silver trots up to her, and gives her a hug.
"Thank you, Khoi."
>>128978She is kind of surprised, and seems to move her head away, but the rest of her body remains in that sitting position. It's a kind of odd combination of a scaly back, curly mane, and fluffy chest, that makes her feel a bit different from any other creature he's yet hugged
>>128979Gotta hug 'em all!
>>128979Silver pulls back a little to look at the fluffy pangolin pony.
"Would you mind if I asked you some questions? About you, your homeland, kirins?"
>>128981"Uh, sure"
She says, looking back at him and blinking, still sitting on the floor in the kitchen with her forelegs together and her hind legs spread apart, her tail kind of sprawling out to Silver's left and her right
>>128980I don't recall if he hugged Mala, or if he's only collecting the females
>>128982I think he hugged Mala.Silver releases the kirin, and sits down in front of her.
"Well, to start, what was it you did before you decided to come to Equestria?"
>>128983She blinks again
"I live on farm with family in village outside Vịnh bờ sạch. I help around house and on farm. My family wanted me to go out and marry or find job. There were not many options for jobs for mares in my village, though I worked in village doing mane care for some months. Not many options for stallions either, as so many were off in the war. Then I was impressed into King's Army for the siege at Cửa Sông Rộng. I carried bags over hillside for a month, then I was made an assistant nurse. Then a nurse. It was... it was an experience for me. After the rebels pulled back, they let me go home. It was different, after being away so long, and my family thought I should move to Thành Cổ for more opportunities. I thought different. Why go to city, when there is so much more across the ocean? And so I went"
>>128946Fantasy hops up and down in place.
"I love kitties! I have cat myself. I should have brought him so that you could meet," Fantasy rambled on.
Her eyes went wide as she found something on the Tabaxi's
I assume it is face.
"You even have cute little whiskers."
>>128984Silver nods solemnly.
"I can imagine it was not very good experience, being conscripted into civil war like that. But it sounds like you at least picked up some skills that have helped to save people."
He tilts his head at the kirin.
"You did mane care?"
>>128985In My Little Pony Generation 4, they are called "Abyssinians," but yeah, they are basically TabaxiShe hisses at Fantasy Play, pulling back further, baring her teeth and squinting her eyes.
After a few seconds, she relaxes, and comes closer. She smiles
"You do, do you?"
>>128986"Yes... Last night was almost as bad as Cửa Sông... At least some of it was. And yes, I did mane care. Some were kids getting mane cuts. The best were the mares trying to look their prettiest. Keep their manes clean and fluffy in the humidity. Mostly I trimmed, though I shaped sometimes. I was not quite a full apprentice."
>>128987"Do you think you could do something for my mane sometime? I know I am not foal or mare, but I would like to see what you can do."
>>128988"Hehe," She smiles and laughs, pulling her right hoof up to cover her mouth
"I am no expert mane tender. But I could try"
>>128989The unicorn taps his hooves together in excitement.
>>128990She pulls her head somewhat at the movement before her
"I do not think I have seen a stallion so excited for a mane cut before"
>>128987Fantasy pulls back for a second when the cat hisses at her but her chirpy smile returns soon after.
"I do. Most of his fur is black but a few patches are white so it looks like he has socks and a bib. Hahaha," Fantasy laughs at her own joke.
>>128991"Apologies, but it is new experience for me. Most of my mane cut experience has been me cutting it with my own sword."
>>128993She gives an awkward smile
"What is it with stallions wanting to cut their manes with swords? That is not healthy for the hair."
>>128992"Oh yes. That must be a handsome looking cat you have. Tell me, have you met a cat who talks back to you before?"
>>128994He in turn gives her a sheepish smile.
"It is not often my first choice. Being on road and away from barber shops or salons, you often have to work with what you have."
>>128994"No, you're the first one. Slogo and I understand each other but that's because his my familiar."
>>128995"I suppose that is why... There was only so much need for barbers there..."
She places her leg down
>>128994"Yes, he is very handsome and soft to hold but he is lazy. He sleeps for most of the day."
>>128997"Are you okay, Khoi?"
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