In the North, Spark has encountered a new tribe of creatures, who are eager to take him as an emissary between cultures. In the south, Iron sleeps off his wounds, with dreams of a new life for himself and a certain zebra. Silver tries to settle in those he saved from the cultists into their own lives. Fantasy play establishes herself in Baltimare, and she too, has encountered cultures unknown to her before. As they all search for normalcy, it remains to be seen just what dangers await beyond the horizon
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
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1835 replies and 44 files omitted.
>>128998 →
>>128996 →
She smiles
"He sleeps all day, yes? That is a good life for a cat. I wish I had that." She comes a little closer
"He's your familiar, you say? I figured you did not come here just to talk about cats"
>>128999 →
"Oh, yes. I am okay now" She says, sitting there
>>128996 →
She smiles
"He sleeps all day, yes? That is a good life for a cat. I wish I had that." She comes a little closer
"He's your familiar, you say? I figured you did not come here just to talk about cats"
>>128999 →
"Oh, yes. I am okay now" She says, sitting there
>>129001
"Hmm...if I may, I have noticed you have been trying to keep your emotions almost muted. Does it have to do with your transformation?"
"Hmm...if I may, I have noticed you have been trying to keep your emotions almost muted. Does it have to do with your transformation?"
>>129003
Her eyes widen
"We follow The Great Vehicle, which teaches us that relief from all suffering comes from complete control of self, and minimization of worldly desires. To follow the virtues of giving, discipline, patience, meditation, and transcendent wisdom"
She looks down
"But yes. I suppose it is ultimately because of the transformation"
Her eyes widen
"We follow The Great Vehicle, which teaches us that relief from all suffering comes from complete control of self, and minimization of worldly desires. To follow the virtues of giving, discipline, patience, meditation, and transcendent wisdom"
She looks down
"But yes. I suppose it is ultimately because of the transformation"
>>129001
"Yes, that's right. I have to buy material components for my spells. I'm looking for these things specifically," then Fantasy proceeded by telling the catlady that she needed these things:
A small square 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.
Also, should I get two or more sets of these things or are they are they not used up when using a spell?
"Yes, that's right. I have to buy material components for my spells. I'm looking for these things specifically," then Fantasy proceeded by telling the catlady that she needed these things:
A small square 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.
Also, should I get two or more sets of these things or are they are they not used up when using a spell?
>>129007
"More you say? Mmm. Well, remind me after we have bought these. How much will these materials cost?"
"More you say? Mmm. Well, remind me after we have bought these. How much will these materials cost?"
>>129004
I'm looking forward to the in-game discussion of Kirin religion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpBgy9woV4A
>>129003
>>129008
Silver is a trained psychiatrist
I'm looking forward to the in-game discussion of Kirin religion:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpBgy9woV4A
>>129003
>>129008
Silver is a trained psychiatrist
>>129008
She looks down at the floor. She must have cleaned it while Silver was gone, because the tile is spotless
"It can... sometimes. But normally no. Not physically. You do not feel the fire. It is like you are the fire. You lose control of yourself, and are fluttered about. It is a feeling of power. And of powerlessness."
>>129009
She raises what would be her eye brows
"For these? For you? I can do 60 bits for a young mare like you"
She looks down at the floor. She must have cleaned it while Silver was gone, because the tile is spotless
"It can... sometimes. But normally no. Not physically. You do not feel the fire. It is like you are the fire. You lose control of yourself, and are fluttered about. It is a feeling of power. And of powerlessness."
>>129009
She raises what would be her eye brows
"For these? For you? I can do 60 bits for a young mare like you"
>>129013
"Yes. It is something my father taught me, when I showed interest in ways of warrior. To be in control of your emotions, to wield them as surely as you wield your weapon, lest they be one to wield you. I do not always succeed."
"Yes. It is something my father taught me, when I showed interest in ways of warrior. To be in control of your emotions, to wield them as surely as you wield your weapon, lest they be one to wield you. I do not always succeed."
>>129016
"Perhaps," she gives the catlady a sideways smriky look.
"Thank you, I assume that will be 180 bits."
Fanatasy digs through her saddlebag.
"Perhaps," she gives the catlady a sideways smriky look.
"Thank you, I assume that will be 180 bits."
Fanatasy digs through her saddlebag.
>>129016
Silver puts a hoof on Khoi's shoulder.
"We will not always succeed. What is important is that we do not give up or give in when we do fail."
Silver puts a hoof on Khoi's shoulder.
"We will not always succeed. What is important is that we do not give up or give in when we do fail."
Is anypony here tonight?
File (): 83FB916875E6857FC84482B7B6019517-2551208.png (2.4 MB, 1271x1764, 111deus_ex_-d4clrcl.png)
It looks like everypony is away.
(I'm a lurker)
(I'm a lurker)
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>>129029
Silver smiles at her.
"I am glad you survived, Khoi. You are good person. World needs more people like you."
Silver smiles at her.
"I am glad you survived, Khoi. You are good person. World needs more people like you."
>>129032
The unicorn looks off to the side, slightly embarassed.
"Oh I am not certain about that, but I appreciate it. Thank you."
He looks back to her.
"You mentioned 'Great Vehicle'. What is it?"
The unicorn looks off to the side, slightly embarassed.
"Oh I am not certain about that, but I appreciate it. Thank you."
He looks back to her.
"You mentioned 'Great Vehicle'. What is it?"
>>129033
“It is....” she looks up, around the room, and towards the ceiling, and eventually back towards Silver
“It is the spiritual path. The path to awakening. To the quenching of desire and emotion, and to helping others towards this awakening”
“It is....” she looks up, around the room, and towards the ceiling, and eventually back towards Silver
“It is the spiritual path. The path to awakening. To the quenching of desire and emotion, and to helping others towards this awakening”
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>>129041
Iron could not remember anything of his dreams the night before. Though he awoke with vague emotions of apprehension and terror and a vague feeling of needing to run while not being able, these were still far from him, and any associated mental images, if they ever existed at all, were erased from memory upon waking, as they so often are.
Not so this night. Iron finds himself under a full moon sky bespeckled with stars, though far more than he can remember ever seeing in the city sky. Before him is a campfire, with flame that rises higher than than the diameter and amount of wood on the fire would imply. From the fire emanates a smell of burning diesel, cloth, and feathers, and beyond it are the silhouettes of tall trees and undergrowth, that further away still morphs into the outlines of tenement buildings and stone apartment blocks.
Close to Iron, and shadowed from the moonlight by a tall tree, is what Iron perceives as White Sands. A little further down, and more visible in the fire and moonlight, is Black Cauldron
Iron could not remember anything of his dreams the night before. Though he awoke with vague emotions of apprehension and terror and a vague feeling of needing to run while not being able, these were still far from him, and any associated mental images, if they ever existed at all, were erased from memory upon waking, as they so often are.
Not so this night. Iron finds himself under a full moon sky bespeckled with stars, though far more than he can remember ever seeing in the city sky. Before him is a campfire, with flame that rises higher than than the diameter and amount of wood on the fire would imply. From the fire emanates a smell of burning diesel, cloth, and feathers, and beyond it are the silhouettes of tall trees and undergrowth, that further away still morphs into the outlines of tenement buildings and stone apartment blocks.
Close to Iron, and shadowed from the moonlight by a tall tree, is what Iron perceives as White Sands. A little further down, and more visible in the fire and moonlight, is Black Cauldron
>>129042
Iron stared at the fire, almost in a trance. His snout scrunched lightly at the familiar and disgusting stench, but nonetheless his face remained neutral, vacant from any expression as the flames flicker its warmth to him.
He remained seated, foreleg lightly hovering near it, as he glanced at both Cauldron and Sands, softly biting his lip as his body was still.
What to do was all he could think at the moment, echoing along the skeletal walls of his cranium, taunting him.
Iron stared at the fire, almost in a trance. His snout scrunched lightly at the familiar and disgusting stench, but nonetheless his face remained neutral, vacant from any expression as the flames flicker its warmth to him.
He remained seated, foreleg lightly hovering near it, as he glanced at both Cauldron and Sands, softly biting his lip as his body was still.
What to do was all he could think at the moment, echoing along the skeletal walls of his cranium, taunting him.
>>129043
Stretching his hoof towards it, the fire appears almost distant, though it burns with greater heat and intensity than the fuel would imply. For a moment, he almost sees a phantom. A small yellow pony prancing about the fire. But the phantom vanishes the moment he moves his eyes.
White Sands must be behind Iron relative to the fire. She must be, because there is no other way she would be so covered in shadow. Cauldron turns towards him, smiling as if ready to talk to him. Then Iron hears a loud sound. A gun shot. Then ringing. Neither Cauldron nor Sands react to it. Indeed the sound seems isolated to Iron himself. But Iron can hear it. Iron can hear it several times over.
Stretching his hoof towards it, the fire appears almost distant, though it burns with greater heat and intensity than the fuel would imply. For a moment, he almost sees a phantom. A small yellow pony prancing about the fire. But the phantom vanishes the moment he moves his eyes.
White Sands must be behind Iron relative to the fire. She must be, because there is no other way she would be so covered in shadow. Cauldron turns towards him, smiling as if ready to talk to him. Then Iron hears a loud sound. A gun shot. Then ringing. Neither Cauldron nor Sands react to it. Indeed the sound seems isolated to Iron himself. But Iron can hear it. Iron can hear it several times over.
>>129045
Iron's ears immediately fold as his eyes widened and breathing is cut short from the phantom before trying to follow it with his vision, only to disappear from his eyes. His breathing becomes ragged as he glances around in what he thinks is an inconspicuous fashion before letting a quick sigh of relief.
He glances towards Cauldron, offering her a soft, apprehensive smile before his ears shoot up from the familiar sound of metal bits flying and his eyes shoot open even further, glancing around the area.
Where are they, his mind demanded in a mix of shocked and confused rage as the shots continue, where are the ones that are threatening my group. I will [i][annihilate/i] them!
Iron's ears immediately fold as his eyes widened and breathing is cut short from the phantom before trying to follow it with his vision, only to disappear from his eyes. His breathing becomes ragged as he glances around in what he thinks is an inconspicuous fashion before letting a quick sigh of relief.
He glances towards Cauldron, offering her a soft, apprehensive smile before his ears shoot up from the familiar sound of metal bits flying and his eyes shoot open even further, glancing around the area.
Where are they, his mind demanded in a mix of shocked and confused rage as the shots continue, where are the ones that are threatening my group. I will [i][annihilate/i] them!
>>129046
No more gunshot sounds, and no more tricks of the mind. For a moment it's almost peaceful there, under the stars. Nothing but rocky outcropping in front of him around the fire, then undergrowth and trees beyond that, and behind him, then brick covered buildings beyond that.
No more gunshot sounds, and no more tricks of the mind. For a moment it's almost peaceful there, under the stars. Nothing but rocky outcropping in front of him around the fire, then undergrowth and trees beyond that, and behind him, then brick covered buildings beyond that.
>>129047
Although the perceived danger is gone, Iron stands there, battle ready as he forcefully grinds his teeth together. He stares straight into the tree hiding Sands with self-righteous contempt as steam flows out of his nostrils.
What are you hiding, he violently thinks to himself, face clearly expressing a seething hatred towards the massive log separating the fluffy mare from him. Why do you keep her hostage. Keep me hostage after what we did, huh?! Tell me!
Although the perceived danger is gone, Iron stands there, battle ready as he forcefully grinds his teeth together. He stares straight into the tree hiding Sands with self-righteous contempt as steam flows out of his nostrils.
What are you hiding, he violently thinks to himself, face clearly expressing a seething hatred towards the massive log separating the fluffy mare from him. Why do you keep her hostage. Keep me hostage after what we did, huh?! Tell me!
>>129048
He sees a thin white snout turn somewhat towards him, though not much else besides. He can smell champagne and cigarettes about her
He sees a thin white snout turn somewhat towards him, though not much else besides. He can smell champagne and cigarettes about her
>>129049
Iron pressed his teeth even harder at the lack of a response from the log trapping the mare he wishes to fully see. You think I am a joke to you, huh?! he thought, laser focused on that wooden prison. I am nothing to you?! Some loser that cannot do anything?! Is that it?!
The enraged stallion started to grind his hoof against the soil, ready to smash that provocative tree out of his sight. I am not a toy, you hear me?!
Iron pressed his teeth even harder at the lack of a response from the log trapping the mare he wishes to fully see. You think I am a joke to you, huh?! he thought, laser focused on that wooden prison. I am nothing to you?! Some loser that cannot do anything?! Is that it?!
The enraged stallion started to grind his hoof against the soil, ready to smash that provocative tree out of his sight. I am not a toy, you hear me?!
>>129050
No response, and not much visible. Just a blackish-green veil that looks almost like a swimmer covered in algae.
No response, and not much visible. Just a blackish-green veil that looks almost like a swimmer covered in algae.
>>129051
Iron gritted his teeth, staring daggers at the tree for a few tense seconds as his eyes began to turn slightly red, starting to slowly resemble his irises. I'll show you what for! he aggressively thought before slamming his head against the tree in futile desperation.
Iron gritted his teeth, staring daggers at the tree for a few tense seconds as his eyes began to turn slightly red, starting to slowly resemble his irises. I'll show you what for! he aggressively thought before slamming his head against the tree in futile desperation.
>>129052
Iron can feel his head going through something soft, then something hard. There is a loud "Yelp" and then silence, as the form falls down to the ground.
Iron can feel his head going through something soft, then something hard. There is a loud "Yelp" and then silence, as the form falls down to the ground.
>>129053
Iron snapped his eyes open, shocked to hear a yelp in the first place, as he quickly spun his head towards the falling form to look at it more clearly as his pent up rage slowly sizzled out.
Iron snapped his eyes open, shocked to hear a yelp in the first place, as he quickly spun his head towards the falling form to look at it more clearly as his pent up rage slowly sizzled out.
>>129054
Much of her is still covered in black and dark green. Some of her is now exposed, white fur. Iron can see her outline, and in particular, a big bulge in her normally thin, white belly. Blood seeps out of her head and mouth as she lays there, sprawled out and unmoving.
Much of her is still covered in black and dark green. Some of her is now exposed, white fur. Iron can see her outline, and in particular, a big bulge in her normally thin, white belly. Blood seeps out of her head and mouth as she lays there, sprawled out and unmoving.
>>129055
Iron remains unmoving, staring at the bloodied pony in disbelief. He slowly shakes his head, mouth hanging open in astonishment at what he's done.
Unable to bear the consequence of his actions after a few harsh, painful seconds, the stallion averted his gaze from the scene, bititng his lip harsh enough to spill blood. "I-I did not want it to end like this," he utters, voice wavering after each word as he found it difficult to see ahead of him with the forming tears in hie eyes. "I failed you."
Iron remains unmoving, staring at the bloodied pony in disbelief. He slowly shakes his head, mouth hanging open in astonishment at what he's done.
Unable to bear the consequence of his actions after a few harsh, painful seconds, the stallion averted his gaze from the scene, bititng his lip harsh enough to spill blood. "I-I did not want it to end like this," he utters, voice wavering after each word as he found it difficult to see ahead of him with the forming tears in hie eyes. "I failed you."
>>129056
She tries to say something back to Iron. It comes out as an incoherent whine. "Oh-way-seen-ah," is the best he can understand through a whining and barely breathing throat before she gags.
She tries to say something back to Iron. It comes out as an incoherent whine. "Oh-way-seen-ah," is the best he can understand through a whining and barely breathing throat before she gags.
>>129057
Iron shuts his eyes at Sands' pained sounds, paralyzed in place after what he did. "I'm not good enough for you," he mutters mostly to himself as he breathes erratically between sporadic sobs. "I-I... d-don't..." he trails off, too embroiled in his own loathing.
Iron shuts his eyes at Sands' pained sounds, paralyzed in place after what he did. "I'm not good enough for you," he mutters mostly to himself as he breathes erratically between sporadic sobs. "I-I... d-don't..." he trails off, too embroiled in his own loathing.
>>129058
Her appearance varies. Soft white fur over a suspicious bulge in her belly. Black plant matter - looks most like seaweed, but he can't tell - that covers her eyes and keeps them from looking at Iron. And on her legs... naked pink flesh with terrible black scars. She moves her legs about in evident pain.
She makes a strange sound, like she's trying to speak while inhaling. A "wrap" noise.
Her appearance varies. Soft white fur over a suspicious bulge in her belly. Black plant matter - looks most like seaweed, but he can't tell - that covers her eyes and keeps them from looking at Iron. And on her legs... naked pink flesh with terrible black scars. She moves her legs about in evident pain.
She makes a strange sound, like she's trying to speak while inhaling. A "wrap" noise.
>>129059
Iron breathes erratically once more, trying to step in to maybe try to help, but stops midway out of either fear or physical limitations as he watches her writhe in pain. "I-I can't help you if I don't know what's happening," he stutters out, clearly hurt at seeing Sands being so horrifyingly and unnaturally writhing in pain "I-I cannot do anything for you. I..." he felt a a little water train separate from his eye and into his cheek, watching in pained horror.
Iron breathes erratically once more, trying to step in to maybe try to help, but stops midway out of either fear or physical limitations as he watches her writhe in pain. "I-I can't help you if I don't know what's happening," he stutters out, clearly hurt at seeing Sands being so horrifyingly and unnaturally writhing in pain "I-I cannot do anything for you. I..." he felt a a little water train separate from his eye and into his cheek, watching in pained horror.
>>129060
Iron can see fairly clearly what has happened to her. She has a fractured skull and a broken jaw. She is either choking on blood or has suffered some damage to her neck. She is horribly scared and burned underneath, on her legs from injuries that had nothing to do with Iron. And she’s pregnant. What Iron cannot do, is help her in any meaningful way.
Iron can see fairly clearly what has happened to her. She has a fractured skull and a broken jaw. She is either choking on blood or has suffered some damage to her neck. She is horribly scared and burned underneath, on her legs from injuries that had nothing to do with Iron. And she’s pregnant. What Iron cannot do, is help her in any meaningful way.
>>129061
Iron's legs start to waver at the scene, body falling over to the floor belly down. "No..." he breathes out as his forelegs cover the top of his head as his ears folded, burying his snout slightly on the floor, where he whimpered to the soil as his actions hit his conscience even further.
Iron's legs start to waver at the scene, body falling over to the floor belly down. "No..." he breathes out as his forelegs cover the top of his head as his ears folded, burying his snout slightly on the floor, where he whimpered to the soil as his actions hit his conscience even further.
>>129062
The ground feels like tile.
"Iron?"
He hears his name called by a voice he recognizes as belonging to Black Cauldron. She sounds strangely jovial
The ground feels like tile.
"Iron?"
He hears his name called by a voice he recognizes as belonging to Black Cauldron. She sounds strangely jovial
>>129063
Iron's ears instantly perk up, whipping his head towards the familiar, comforting voice he knows and loves.
Iron's ears instantly perk up, whipping his head towards the familiar, comforting voice he knows and loves.
>>129064
It's definitely Black Cauldron, sitting there with a smile on her face, looking back to Iron
"Iron? There you are" she says
It's definitely Black Cauldron, sitting there with a smile on her face, looking back to Iron
"Iron? There you are" she says
>>129065
Iron weakly smiles back, seeing the one pony he could properly rely on for anything. He sniffles once before shakily standing up. "H-hello," he greets in apprehensive excitement, surprised at her statement "W-were you... looking for me?"
Iron weakly smiles back, seeing the one pony he could properly rely on for anything. He sniffles once before shakily standing up. "H-hello," he greets in apprehensive excitement, surprised at her statement "W-were you... looking for me?"
>>129066
"Oh yes" She says, smiling. "I wanted to tell you something. Or maybe I should keep it a secret..." she says, looking away, but still smiling. Almost giggling
"Oh yes" She says, smiling. "I wanted to tell you something. Or maybe I should keep it a secret..." she says, looking away, but still smiling. Almost giggling
>>129067
Iron, eyes still red from his crying, lazily tilts his head, folding one of his ears. "W-what is it?" he tentatively inquired, heart beating strongly in anticipation.
Iron, eyes still red from his crying, lazily tilts his head, folding one of his ears. "W-what is it?" he tentatively inquired, heart beating strongly in anticipation.
>>129068
"Well, I don't know..." She giggles, and looks away. Then she turns back to Iron
"Alright, I can't keep it a secret anymore. I have a Coltfriend. He's been in the gang for a long time now. He's a Zebra, like me." She smiles to Iron
"Well, I don't know..." She giggles, and looks away. Then she turns back to Iron
"Alright, I can't keep it a secret anymore. I have a Coltfriend. He's been in the gang for a long time now. He's a Zebra, like me." She smiles to Iron
>>129069
Iron's pupils rapidly contract from sheer astonishment, mouth hanging open once more, bitten lower lip quivering as it slowly dripped a line of blood. "W-what?" he asks in further disbelief. "A-are you pulling my leg?" His breathing starts to act up once again, not wanting to believe what he was hearing.
Iron's pupils rapidly contract from sheer astonishment, mouth hanging open once more, bitten lower lip quivering as it slowly dripped a line of blood. "W-what?" he asks in further disbelief. "A-are you pulling my leg?" His breathing starts to act up once again, not wanting to believe what he was hearing.
>>129070
"Hehe, no. Why would I joke about that? He's sweet, and kind. I think he's as strong as you are. Might be even stronger, maybe"
"Hehe, no. Why would I joke about that? He's sweet, and kind. I think he's as strong as you are. Might be even stronger, maybe"
>>129071
Iron blankly stared at Cauldron for a few second, flabbergasted. This cannot be happening, he thought It must be a nightmare. The stallion was paralyzed for the second time in this disastrous series of events, his only response was to look at the flame that guided him got snuffed out.
Iron blankly stared at Cauldron for a few second, flabbergasted. This cannot be happening, he thought It must be a nightmare. The stallion was paralyzed for the second time in this disastrous series of events, his only response was to look at the flame that guided him got snuffed out.
>>129072
Black Cauldron continues talking
"And he's going to take me all of these places and" She giggles "And then there's what happened when we got back to my apartment... I won't tell you much detail on that"
From behind Iron, a soft and sad whimper
Black Cauldron continues talking
"And he's going to take me all of these places and" She giggles "And then there's what happened when we got back to my apartment... I won't tell you much detail on that"
From behind Iron, a soft and sad whimper
>>129073
Iron, not baring to experience all these events happening around him, recoils back into a sitting position, snout pointing straight down as his body trembled. No more, he pleads in thought. Stop this. I cannot deal with this.
The stallion whimpers as he dared once more to look behind him to see whatever made that noise with tired, vacant eyes.
Iron, not baring to experience all these events happening around him, recoils back into a sitting position, snout pointing straight down as his body trembled. No more, he pleads in thought. Stop this. I cannot deal with this.
The stallion whimpers as he dared once more to look behind him to see whatever made that noise with tired, vacant eyes.
>>129075
Iron immediately shifts his head away, closing his eyes as he finally drops down yet again in the fetal position, trembling softly. "Stop," he mutters, pain clear in his tone. "I-I cannot... take this."
Iron immediately shifts his head away, closing his eyes as he finally drops down yet again in the fetal position, trembling softly. "Stop," he mutters, pain clear in his tone. "I-I cannot... take this."
>>129077
"This is not happening," Iron whimpers as a sniffle pulls out "This is not happening. This is not happening." His red, puffy eyes are now vacant as his mouth hangs open, repeating that same line over and over as his body trembles on.
"This is not happening," Iron whimpers as a sniffle pulls out "This is not happening. This is not happening." His red, puffy eyes are now vacant as his mouth hangs open, repeating that same line over and over as his body trembles on.
>>129078
“Iron? Iron? What are you doing?”
Iron can heat a voice behind him. A voice he has not heard in a while
“Iron? Iron? What are you doing?”
Iron can heat a voice behind him. A voice he has not heard in a while
>>129079
Iron, amist both of his failings, can only weakly turns his head towards the mysterious yet familiar voice, sniffing softly.
Iron, amist both of his failings, can only weakly turns his head towards the mysterious yet familiar voice, sniffing softly.
>>129080
Iron looks back to see an earth pony stallion standing there in front of the brush. His white fur almost glows in moonlight, and his body is smaller and less muscular than Iron’s. Iron would recognize the form as his younger brother, Tortoise, from his voice and from the long scar that runs down the left side of his face, a remnant from having fallen down a ravine when he was a colt.
“Iron?” He asks again. “What are you doing?”
Iron looks back to see an earth pony stallion standing there in front of the brush. His white fur almost glows in moonlight, and his body is smaller and less muscular than Iron’s. Iron would recognize the form as his younger brother, Tortoise, from his voice and from the long scar that runs down the left side of his face, a remnant from having fallen down a ravine when he was a colt.
“Iron?” He asks again. “What are you doing?”
>>129081
Iron simply stared at Tortoise blankly, red puffy eyes already signalling what he was doing, before frowning as he looked back down into the ground. "Have you come here to gloat?" he asks, tired, bitter tone still present.
Iron simply stared at Tortoise blankly, red puffy eyes already signalling what he was doing, before frowning as he looked back down into the ground. "Have you come here to gloat?" he asks, tired, bitter tone still present.
>>129083
"What does it look like?" Iron spat out angrily as he glances back at his brother, ears fully drooped "or have you already forgotten your ponyhood by that twig merchant you call master?"
"What does it look like?" Iron spat out angrily as he glances back at his brother, ears fully drooped "or have you already forgotten your ponyhood by that twig merchant you call master?"
>>129084
He blinks, and plainly tells him
"If you are too afraid to answer, then I will tell you. You are building sandcastles on the beach, and then are surprised when the waves come and wash them away. You should be out being kind to others. Helping them in their problems and being on your way. Instead... look at you now"
He blinks, and plainly tells him
"If you are too afraid to answer, then I will tell you. You are building sandcastles on the beach, and then are surprised when the waves come and wash them away. You should be out being kind to others. Helping them in their problems and being on your way. Instead... look at you now"
>>129085
Iron can't help but look down at the floor, the faintest pout starting to form. He breathes softly as all that transpired came crashing back down in his head, mind flooded with regretful, tragic images flashing through his head.
In a melancholic path, he mentally wandered along all he did, from acting spiteful to Sands so many times, breaking Cauldron's heart for the first time back at the bar, failing to connect to anypony he met since he got here...
No, he thought to himself. That is not true. There is one.
Cauldron's excitement back after the gangster beatdown. Her generous hospitality to give him a place to live, to cook for him, to dance with, to be with. Her grateful hug for all that he did after his repayment. All this snuffed out whatever feelings of failure he had suffered.
Shakingly standing up, he stares straight into Tortoise's eyes, breathing deeply. "Whatever pain comes from trying to bond with others is nothing compared to the joy that it provides," he proclaims, starting to regain his poise "It is what reminds us we are alive."
Iron can't help but look down at the floor, the faintest pout starting to form. He breathes softly as all that transpired came crashing back down in his head, mind flooded with regretful, tragic images flashing through his head.
In a melancholic path, he mentally wandered along all he did, from acting spiteful to Sands so many times, breaking Cauldron's heart for the first time back at the bar, failing to connect to anypony he met since he got here...
No, he thought to himself. That is not true. There is one.
Cauldron's excitement back after the gangster beatdown. Her generous hospitality to give him a place to live, to cook for him, to dance with, to be with. Her grateful hug for all that he did after his repayment. All this snuffed out whatever feelings of failure he had suffered.
Shakingly standing up, he stares straight into Tortoise's eyes, breathing deeply. "Whatever pain comes from trying to bond with others is nothing compared to the joy that it provides," he proclaims, starting to regain his poise "It is what reminds us we are alive."
>>129037
She blinks and exhales, then she answers
"It is not so developed as Equestria. Not so rich or modern. It is very old place, covered in mountains, jungles, rivers and seashore. Most of us live in small villages and grow food. Rice and other crops. We live in straw and bamboo houses. The towns have buildings of stone. There are cities. Some of them have cars and factories like Equestria, and great buildings of stone and mortar, and older buildings left behind by Kirin Empire. We respect our families and each other. We do not control weather, but plant by the rainy and dry seasons."
She blinks again
"Not many houses like this there.... If there were... they would be made of stone"
She blinks and exhales, then she answers
"It is not so developed as Equestria. Not so rich or modern. It is very old place, covered in mountains, jungles, rivers and seashore. Most of us live in small villages and grow food. Rice and other crops. We live in straw and bamboo houses. The towns have buildings of stone. There are cities. Some of them have cars and factories like Equestria, and great buildings of stone and mortar, and older buildings left behind by Kirin Empire. We respect our families and each other. We do not control weather, but plant by the rainy and dry seasons."
She blinks again
"Not many houses like this there.... If there were... they would be made of stone"
>>129017
>>129020
Fantasy Play pays the 180 bits, and has three copies of each.
>>129086
Tortoise looks over to his left and Iron's right. Towards White Sands.
"A lot of good it did her"
He nods, then looks back to Iron
"Do good to others. Do no harm. And be on your way"
Then she looks to his right, Iron's left. Towards Black Cauldron
"A lot of good it's doing you right now"
Then he looks back to Iron
"Do right, enjoy the moment, and don't be surprised when your larger plans fall to nothing"
>>129020
Fantasy Play pays the 180 bits, and has three copies of each.
>>129086
Tortoise looks over to his left and Iron's right. Towards White Sands.
"A lot of good it did her"
He nods, then looks back to Iron
"Do good to others. Do no harm. And be on your way"
Then she looks to his right, Iron's left. Towards Black Cauldron
"A lot of good it's doing you right now"
Then he looks back to Iron
"Do right, enjoy the moment, and don't be surprised when your larger plans fall to nothing"
>>129089
Iron exhales from his nostrils, staring into his brother's eyes. "I may be an absolute, good for nothing idiot, but I at least am alive," he shoots back, albeit with considerably less steam when once again reminded of his failures "I do not pretend I am a high and mighty noble stallion that thinks is too good for socializing and leaves everypony behind. This is the only option I will ever get to feel happy and you will realize it whether you want it or not."
Iron exhales from his nostrils, staring into his brother's eyes. "I may be an absolute, good for nothing idiot, but I at least am alive," he shoots back, albeit with considerably less steam when once again reminded of his failures "I do not pretend I am a high and mighty noble stallion that thinks is too good for socializing and leaves everypony behind. This is the only option I will ever get to feel happy and you will realize it whether you want it or not."
>>129092
"No," Iron admits, having calmed down slightly "but I will. No matter how much I have to try, even if I screw up 9 times out of ten at it, I know it will."
The stallion by this point is standing straight, breathing deeply as he stared his brother down with a bullheaded mindset and the taste he strongly remembers.
"Even if my destiny is to fail at it, it will strengthen me in a way you will never achieve."
"No," Iron admits, having calmed down slightly "but I will. No matter how much I have to try, even if I screw up 9 times out of ten at it, I know it will."
The stallion by this point is standing straight, breathing deeply as he stared his brother down with a bullheaded mindset and the taste he strongly remembers.
"Even if my destiny is to fail at it, it will strengthen me in a way you will never achieve."
>>129093
"How will your failures affect those around you? Those you purport to love"
He looks over towards White Sands
"How will it affect you?"
He looks over towards Black Cauldron
He comes a little closer
"You always thought you were strong, brother. But do you really have the strength of will for patience?"
"How will your failures affect those around you? Those you purport to love"
He looks over towards White Sands
"How will it affect you?"
He looks over towards Black Cauldron
He comes a little closer
"You always thought you were strong, brother. But do you really have the strength of will for patience?"
>>129094
Iron stared his brother for a few, tense seconds, breathing softly as he mulled it over.
"This is what I have chosen," he replies, keeping steadfast "and I intend to see through any consequence that stems from it. If I have to suffer, then I can take it. If I make the ones I care about suffer, then I will correct them."
Iron stared his brother for a few, tense seconds, breathing softly as he mulled it over.
"This is what I have chosen," he replies, keeping steadfast "and I intend to see through any consequence that stems from it. If I have to suffer, then I can take it. If I make the ones I care about suffer, then I will correct them."
>>129095
He pauses for a moment
"You always were stubborn, brother. But I do not think you understand what you have gotten yourself into. It is one thing to plant a seed, water it, weed it, and watch it grow. A pony is a wholly different thing. Something much more complex, and harder to maintain. You're better off grazing than farming, Brother. And abstaining from certain planting."
But he starts to move back, and walk away
He pauses for a moment
"You always were stubborn, brother. But I do not think you understand what you have gotten yourself into. It is one thing to plant a seed, water it, weed it, and watch it grow. A pony is a wholly different thing. Something much more complex, and harder to maintain. You're better off grazing than farming, Brother. And abstaining from certain planting."
But he starts to move back, and walk away
>>129096
Iron simply stands there with conviction, staring at Tortoise starting to leave as his body slowly to relax while he breathes steadily.
"We will see what happens," The bulky native says to the slender one.
Iron simply stands there with conviction, staring at Tortoise starting to leave as his body slowly to relax while he breathes steadily.
"We will see what happens," The bulky native says to the slender one.
>>129097
He shakes his head
"You will see what happens. They will feel it"
He walks off, into the underbrush
He shakes his head
"You will see what happens. They will feel it"
He walks off, into the underbrush
>>129098
Iron remains still, breathing softly as he disappears from his vision, having chosen his path.
Iron remains still, breathing softly as he disappears from his vision, having chosen his path.
>>129100
Iron steels himself for the impending scene, slowly turning around for yet another catastrophic event, he guessed in his mind.
Iron steels himself for the impending scene, slowly turning around for yet another catastrophic event, he guessed in his mind.
>>129101
Nothing catastrophic. Just a small, yellow earth pony mare with long flowing red-orange mane that is tied at the end, staring back at Iron with green eyes that reflect and nearly glow in the dim light
Nothing catastrophic. Just a small, yellow earth pony mare with long flowing red-orange mane that is tied at the end, staring back at Iron with green eyes that reflect and nearly glow in the dim light
>>129102
Iron looks at the mare, blinking softly. "I see what made you do what you will do," he says "and I hope I will find an answer to calm your aching soul."
Iron looks at the mare, blinking softly. "I see what made you do what you will do," he says "and I hope I will find an answer to calm your aching soul."
>>129103
She looks down and shakes her head
"Some Kirin thought we were not modern enough. Need to force modernization. Force a modern nation. Reduce foreign investment. And some Kirin wanted to be like those in the Grove, embracing the more emotional side, rather than suppressing. They were based in the inland. From the forces who fought the Storm King in his furthest advances East. But they did not stop fighting. Instead, they turned against the Monarchy. And the monasteries."
>>129104
She looks to him, and tilts her head. For a moment, it looks like she will nod. But instead, she moves around behind the fire, jumping almost like a fox, until she is on the left side of the fire, looking back to Iron
A flash of light. Now Iron sees a black, green eyed creature. What he knows is a Changeling
She looks down and shakes her head
"Some Kirin thought we were not modern enough. Need to force modernization. Force a modern nation. Reduce foreign investment. And some Kirin wanted to be like those in the Grove, embracing the more emotional side, rather than suppressing. They were based in the inland. From the forces who fought the Storm King in his furthest advances East. But they did not stop fighting. Instead, they turned against the Monarchy. And the monasteries."
>>129104
She looks to him, and tilts her head. For a moment, it looks like she will nod. But instead, she moves around behind the fire, jumping almost like a fox, until she is on the left side of the fire, looking back to Iron
A flash of light. Now Iron sees a black, green eyed creature. What he knows is a Changeling
>>129105
Iron tilts his head, now actually curious what's this about. "Do you wish for me to come to you?" he asks
Iron tilts his head, now actually curious what's this about. "Do you wish for me to come to you?" he asks
>>129107
Seeing no response, Iron takes one small step forwards to see how it'd react before leaning his front down a bit, extending a foreleg. "I will not hurt you," he reassures it.
Seeing no response, Iron takes one small step forwards to see how it'd react before leaning his front down a bit, extending a foreleg. "I will not hurt you," he reassures it.
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