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
1753 replies and 54 files omitted.
>>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.
>>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."
>>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?"
>>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."
>>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."
>>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."
>>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"