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>>130343She frowns and makes some mental notes.
I had better find a backup place just in case…and maybe figure out a way to get rid of bed-bugs.She sighs.
"Do you have a pen?" >>130344"Of course"
He offers her a pen with his claw
>>130345Her mouth-writing is pretty good, all things considered.
"May I go to my room now?"Penniless… she laments to herself.
>>130346He picks up the key, and holds it in front of her
>>130347She takes the key with her mouth and walks upstairs, feeling a bit weary. If there is any symbolism of her grabbing something with her mouth from a griffin's claws it's lost on her.
>>130348Looks like her stories didn’t mention that part. But she has the keys, and no one to stop her
>>130349It's gotta be ridiculously late for you, see you tomorrow.He trots to her door and at first struggles to unlock it holding a key in her teeth. After a couple of attempts she succeeds, wipes her hooves outside, and locks the door behind her after she enters. She stands against a raised surface, perhaps the counter, carefully undoes her saddlebags and slides them down her back onto the floor. She soon covers them with her cloak. Doffing her old-fashioned dress is considerably harder as its small buttons are inconvenient for hooves. Once she succeeds, however, she carefully puts it away with one of these options arranged by priority: 1) hanging it on a clothes hanger in a closet if she has one, 2) folding it over a chair if she has one, 3) laying it on a clean surface. If she has a bed and it's not quite filthy, she'll fold her legs beneath her in a very equine resting pose, making sure not to rub her hooves on the mattress.
I got done with the two things I set out to accomplish, and the day's only half gone, so there's that. >>129863From behind, a certain Kirin slowly walks in, and looks around
>>130358Iron's ear flickers, turning back to see this certain kirin as he absent-mindedly waves his foreleg to beckon her.
"Hey," he calls out stoically "over here."
>>130359She equally stoically walks up to a Iron, standing next to him, looking over to Sands with curious it’s at first, then disdain, and looks back to Iron
>>130360"I have good news for you," Iron responds with a small grin at seeing she's really Khoi "your job is almost within your hooves." Having said that, he rubs his chin softly as he stares pensively at the fluffier mare "so, how good of a cook are you?"
>>130361“I have... cooked before” she answers
>>130362"...you consider yourself a capable learner?" he follows up, tilting his head to the side.
>>130364Hearing that answer, Iron smiles once more, extending a hoof to bump. "Excellent!" Iron enthusiatically replies, nodding a bit as he scanned the room for a certain zebra mare in case he spots her "In case the mare you will work for does not show up, where should I go to contact you once more for a more proper meeting?"
A pause ensues before he flaps his lips once more. "Feel free to ask any pertinent questions," he replies.
>>130365“There is an address in Cherryhill... what is this job exactly? Cooking?”
>>130366"Indeed it is," Iron confirms with a happy look "pretty cool, exotic kind of food, at least for me!"
>>130368"It is Zebrican food;" Iron clarifies as he turns pensive, mumbling out loud his thought process "...but most food around here is exotic to me..."
>>130370"Your employer should have that part covered," Iron replies with a sheepish smile "I am not exactly a cook, if you have not noticed."
>>130371“Which Zebrican group?” She asks
>>130372"The employer should have an answer for that," Iron replies dismissively with a giggle "but I am sure she will understand what you mean, Khoi."
He made sure the word 'Khoi' was perfectly hearable if by any chance Cauldron was currently prowling behind him somehow.
>>130373Sabds turns around, to look behind them
>>130375>>130374Iron sheepish rubs one foreleg with the other. "I understand if this interview's circumstances are a bit primitive at the moment," he explains to Khoi "but mayhaps you may find a bit more informative to visit the restaurant you will work at instead."
>>130376From behind, a light clopping, as White Sands stares behind Iron. Then iron can see her, Black Cauldron, who trades stares with Sands. Then she turns to Iron
“Hello”
>>130378Iron, oblivious of the massive amount of staring being given to Sands, turns to Cauldron with a big, bright smile. "Hey Cauldron!" he happily greets as he quickly snaps his forelegs towards Khoi in a presenting motion "This is Khoi, the kirin I told you about. She has many questions that I am sure you can figure out."
Pausing softly, he scans the tables for a place for all four to sit.
>>130379The table Iron is presently at can hold four. Cauldron moves her head back at the sudden action of Iron’s forelegs. She looks at Khoi, who returns the look with inquisitiveness.
“Hello, I am Black Cauldron.” She offers a hoof
“Khoi Lua” she answers, and after a moment, offers a hoof in return. She does not shake firmly, but Cauldron does
>>130381Iron happily smiles at the introduction before looking at Khoi eagerly. "Do you mind if you repeat the questions you had with me to Cauldron?" he asks tentatively.
>>130382“Yes.”
She turns to Cauldron
<“What is this job exactly.”>”Well... you would work for my father’s restaraunt”Khoi tilts her head
<“Is he... is this... Zebra?”Cauldron has bigger eyes
>”Well... Yes. Igbronc ethnic food”<“Uh Huh...”She turns her head
<“I was expecting more ponies in Equestria”Cauldron has the best words
>”Have you cooked before”<“I have cooked for family”>”But have you cooked as a job before”<“No.”>”Do you have any experience with Igbronc cuisine, or any Zebra cuisine”<“Cuis...”>”Food. Do you have any experience with Zebra food”<“No...”Black Cauldron looks to Iron
>>130384"Khoi has a lot of free time and has been proven to keep herself composed under pressure," Iron replies with a smile, trying to butter up Cauldron to the idea "not to mention she is a rather quick learner and has magic to make the cooking process much faster, cleaner and efficient."
He pauses, looking at Khoi's horn. "...you can channel telekinesis through your horn, correct?"
>>130386<“Yes, I am experienced in mediation. I can keep calm. And I can use minimal magic. Not as much as unicorn, but some”Cauldron places her hoof to her mouth
>”Hmmm...” >>130387"Let us not forget her honesty throughout this interview as well," Iron adds, feeling confident Cauldron will see Khoi in a favorable light.
>>130389Iron can't help but plaster a big smile on his face at the news as he scrunches up in an attempt not to explode from joy as Cauldron still needed her father's approval to seal the deal. "So, how do we send her the news when your Father makes your decision?" he utters, still trying to compose himself from things going rather well.
>>130390Cauldron turns to him
“I present her to him, and he makes his decision there”
>>130391Iron pouts lightly, a bit surprised. "...you mean you are going to escort Khoi to the restaurant and present her physically? When?"
>>130392Cauldron blinks
“Yes. Right now. Why not?”
>>130393"Oh I figured your father was busy," Iron surmises "but if we can go for it, then sure."
The native spared once glance at Sands, wondering if she has recovered even the slightest bit from her 'hangover' illness she has.
>>130394She periodically touches her head, and drinks water. She does not seem to find the conversation interesting
>”He is busy, but it’s all a part of running his restaurant.” >>130395Iron hums lightly as he considers his options, poking his chin as usual. "...if that is the case, then we shall go," he
boldly answers, ready to move out and back open for Sands to hop onto if need be.
>>130396White Sands bites her lip, evidently finding the offer tempting, but instead
Cauldron looks to Iron a little curiously, but answers
“Very well”
And starts to head out. Khoi follows behind, while Sands stays close to Iron
>>130397Iron, obviously wanting to see what eventually happens to the deal he's made, follows behind Khoi, making sure to walk slowly in order not to inconvenience Sands any further from the
scorching sun outside, to the point of even offering himself to support her, communicated by being next to her if she needs to in order to keep up.
>>130398She does kind of slink behind, and her fur nearly glows in the sunlight. Cauldron takes the lead. A wind blows, and both Khoi and Cauldron display some discomfort at the cold, Khoi more so, shivering but not making sound. After some tine, the creatures reach the restaurant
>>130399Iron shivers as well along the way, noticeably discomforted by the cold yet shows no other signs in order not to worry anyone.
Reaching the restaurant, he starts to trot off towards the door, almost slamming himself on it to enter the relative warmth while keeping it open for the other three to come inside.
>>130350Amber looks around her room. Has she got a closet and if so is there anything inside? What furnishings came with the room? She gets up and walks into the bathroom. How can it be described?
>>130400Cauldron is kind of surprised by the run to the front, but she follows through into the restaurant. Bamboo and wicker decorates the ceiling above booths.
“Father? Oke?”
Khoi and Sands look around
>>130401I’m sorely tempted to say that there is no furniture in the apartment >>130402Iron's lets out a shaky sigh, still a bit cold from the weather before gently closing the door, gauging the two new ponies looking about the mostly zebra-oriented restaurant.
>>130403From a door in the back, a very large stallion walks in. He has a shorter cut mohawk, and a stripe that is especially wide over his shoulders. He’s Iron’s size, if a bit less muscular
He says to her, “Little Blackie?”
“Daddy!”
She runs up to him, and places a foreleg around him. He looks back to Iron and the others, and starts to speak more softly to Black Cauldron
>>130404And there is no furniture
>>130405Iron widens his eyes at the stallion's entrance, quickly standing at attention out of instinct from his presence and gaze as a sign of respect.
>>130405Amber sighs and looks around her desolate apartment.
"How am I supposed to live all alone like this? I can't even save for furniture with this debt," she whines. She closes her eyes and taps a hoof against her forehead.
"Get a hold of yourself. I'm a grown mare, I can get through this. It's nothing compared to what my parents have gone through."She walks into her bathroom. What is in there?
>>130406He says into her ear
“I told you not to bring any stallions from that thing you do in here”
She responds,
“I know daddy... he is a friend. We brought you a potential cook. I am going to try to make the potion shop happen.”
“You’ve been saying that for a while now.”
“Yeah, I know. Anyways, it’s the Kirin here.”
He breaks away from the hug, and looks out to the creatures.
“Who are you?”
>>130407A toilet and a shower, at least
>>130408Iron blinks a couple of times, slowly realizing he actually asked something. "Oh, I am Iron," he answers, somewhat loosening by a bit at the relatively relaxed atmosphere before, with the aid of a foreleg pointed at the kirin "she is Khoi" and the unicorn "and White Sands."
>>130408So basically this, with the sink not visible.
>tfw you actually live like this>shower curtain wasn't even included >>130409Black Cauldron says to Iron,
“This is my father. Oke Osimiri.”
He nods, and looks at iron distrustingly
“Hello, ‘Iron.’”
Black Cauldron says to Oke
“This is Khoi Lua. She is the potential cook.”
She bows to him, and he says to her
“Hmmm. Do you know Igbronc cuisine?”
“No...”
Oke says to Cauldron,
“She isn’t a zebra”
Cauldron responds
“No, but she will be in the back, cooking. Away from the ”
He is silent for a moment
“Can you train her?
“I think so...”
>>130410I was seriously wondering whether there would be shower curtains
>>130412Please use different text colors for different characters in the same post because if someone's slogging through a whole thread the conversation tends to run together. That's not me currently but I've been there before. You can use Ctrl+o/p/g to do so quickly.>shower curtainsIn a cheapskate apartment I wouldn't expect it, but it's your discretion.
At least irl I got a complementary bed+mattress (no pillows or blankets though), wardrobe, bookcase, desk, chair, refrigerator, and AC, so I'm not exactly slumming it. I don't know how Amber's apartment compares which is why I'm eager for descriptions. >>130412Iron nods at Cauldron, attempting to remain composed as a single trickle of sweat starts to appear on his forehead before lightly bowing at Oke in respect, not daring to utter another word.
He remains patient, waiting to see what would come out Osimiri's mouth as his heart thudded the slightest bit faster.
>>130331Silver for a moment gives him a look of pity for him mentioning the lack of burial for his loved ones.
"You do not need to come along if you do not want to."
>>130417He runs up, a bit closer to Silver’s side, and for a moment even touches him.
“No, I want to come along” he answers
>>130418Silver nods at him.
"I am sorry to hear they did not get proper burial."
>>130419His ears briefly come down, then back up, and he moves his head to look forward
“It’s not just that...”
But he looks back to Silver
“I will do it though”
>>130420"Oh? Would you mind explaining?"
>>130421Mala twists his ears and looks around for a moment. Evidently he trusts that he can confide his thoughts to Silver, but some things may not be spoken aloud. He comes closer to Silver, and whispers in his ear:
"It just doesn't make sense to me to bury dead bodies when they have so much meat that can be eaten, and there is so little meat to come by. And why give so much attention to the dead? The living are forgotten and no one thinks about them. >>130422He is very well aware of that part of him. He speaks back in a normal tone.
"I think ancient Earth Ponies first came up with practice. They believed Earth Ponies were first born from earth itself, so being buried after death was like returning to it. Now, it is way to give dead peace and let their ghosts rest easy. And it is place for loved ones to return to meet with them after they passed."
>>130414"You know we only have so much money after all expenses. And you are such a good cook. I do not think anyone could replace you""I know daddy, I just someone to fill in for me.""And that is another thing, that thing you do. I know what you bring in but... I would rather you not do it.""This isn't isn't about that. It's about my potion making""But can she really replace you. You know our culture and our cooking. You have a talent for mixing spices and stews. You have been doing this for years, since you were a little filly. You are still my little filly."He rubs her around the ears with his hoof, and he smiles
"Not everyzebra has so much knowledge, daddy. They all have to start somewhere. Even the other Igbroncs in this city either cost too much to hire as cooks, or know as much as her.""And that is why it will be such a risk to lose you."She stares over at him for a moment
"What if we put her here on a trial basis? Put her on training wheels, and give her time to learn?""Rent is still high. It will be another cost I am not sure I can afford.""What if I were to cover her salary? At least for the time that she is still an apprentice?""Where would you get such money?"He stares at her for a moment
"Don't tell me. I think I know"He is silent again for a moment
"Very well. You may try. I love you, little filly."He rubs around her ears again
>>130423"Ghosts?" He tilts his head, but then returns it to normal
"Oh, okay. I need to learn pony customs if I am ever going to have any chance of fitting in with them."
>>130424>>130414With an expression nearest boredom, and with half lidded eyes, White Sands asks Oke
"Can I smoke in here?"Oke leans in to talk into Black Cauldron's ear
"Who is that? His marefriend?Black Cauldron responds,
"I don't know."He asks
"Is she with your thing?""No. Definitely not. He is a friend and the Kirin is an immigrant we pulled away from Griffin Mafia."This answer seems to please Oke, and he relaxes, smiling for a moment. He answers White Sands, who continues staring his direction:
"What sort of establishment do you think this is? Of course you can smoke here.""Thanks"There is a "chnk" sound, and White Sands lights a cigarette
>>130424Iron remains steadfast, wiping his forehead as the talk goes on as one of his ears flicker sporadically.
(W-woah. This stallion is the real deal,) he thinks to himself, as he can't help but have the ghost of a smile on his face at Oke's parental concern towards his daughter yet nervous at his own position towards him (n-nothing a little more work cannot fix).
Only when the deal is sealed the native broke out into a big smile for a second, glancing at Khoi to gauge her own reaction at the good news.
>>130424He smiles at him.
"You do not have to follow them, but it is good idea to understand them."
Now he whispers to him.
"But either way, do not eat any of these corpses. Many have been there for hundreds of years, and I have no idea what would happen to one who would ingest formerly undead tissue." >>130425Iron couldn't help but let out an exhale he held for a while at finally seeing Cauldron's father fully relax, now free to has his big, goofy smile on his face as Sands lights a cigarette, yet remains silent in the offchance he managed to step over unknown social boundaries.
>>130426She looks nervous, and tries to listen intently. Her teeth are clenched together as she listens. Then, at the end of it, she closes her eyes and gives a small nod.
When it is done, Oke looks to Khoi, then to Iron, inspecting each of them
>>130427He nods
"Thank you for your understanding..."
>>130429Iron's demeanor is obviously still reserved towards Oke, sporadically looking to the sides before refocusing on him, still wearing his goofy, excited smile.
After a moment, however, he decides to turn to Khoi, patting her on the shoulder gently with his hooves. "Congratulations," he happily offers to the mare.
>>130430Her shoulders are furry and fleshy, with her scales just beyond. She looks to him, smiles for a moment, and then returns to a more neutral expression
Black Cauldron comes back
"Ready to begin training?""Yes" She answers
>>130431Iron removes his foreleg as he looks at Cauldron for a splitsecond in thought before blinking it off and waving at Cauldron. "You two knock it outta the canopy," he calls out with an excited tone, before glancing at the seemingly safe yet judging Oke and turning to Sands. "So, do you want to grab a bite here or should we go do other urban stuff?" his tone, albeit quite happy, has a creeping sense of fear over staying here any longer.
>>130429"And thank you for your own understanding, Mala."
He continues to lead them to the quarry.
>>130432Cauldron giggles at the display of emotion from the normally suppressed Iron.
Sands answers him, "Either is fine"
>>130433Silver walks down further West into the northern part of town, with rowhouses giving way to small plots of single family homes, and the occasional empty lot. Silver arrives, after some time, at the Silver Lake Development Project. But when he gets there, he can see ponies moving around at the site
>>130434"Must be other volunteers. Come on, let us go down there."
>>130434Iron couldn't help but blush the slighest bit at the giggling as he hums softly. "If that is the case, we should get some food," he concludes "since I have not seen you eat since you woke up."
Having said that, he quickly looks at potential tables for two.
>>130436She looks around, and says nothing. An ear twitches
"Zebra food?" She asks
>>130435Mala follows Silver, as the two pass through the fence that surrounds the lot, and towards the quarry.
>>130437"Yes," Iron confirms with a nod "perhaps we may even see what Khoi can cook up if we are lucky."
>>130437Silver looks around for any sign of Father Maren, or somepony from the Cathedral.
>>130439Iron prompty sits on the seat in front of her, lightly clip clopping the ground. "Oh, I am excited to get a taste of what Khoi can do," he mutters with a smile on his face and a blush on his cheeks "j-just do not forget to eat too."
>>130440As Silver walks up, he sees not Father Maren, nor any pony in religious attire, but a tent, a set up table, and a green cloth or plastic spread out over the ground. Two unicorns are visible. One, over the cloth, has a sea green coat and short blue mane. Another, looking over the table in front of the tent, is grey with a white mane, looks a little older, and is wearing a brown jacket
>>130441She takes another draw.
"I think it will be a while before her first batch is done, but you can wait."
>>130442Iron nods excitedly before abruptly stopping while looking at Sands with mild worry. "Um, if it is alright with you, of course."
>>130443She leans back. "Alright."
A zebra walks up to the two. Her stripes are thinner and further apart with more white. Iron can recognize her as Blanche
"Can I get you two something?"
>>130444Iron turns to Blanche with a now more relaxed smile, poking the table softly with a hoof. "I want to be the first to taste what the new one can do," he explains.
>>130445"Oh... Very well. Any particular request?"
>>130446"Uh," he pauses as he pokes his chin in thought before looking back at her after a second "...surprise me?"
>>130447"Uh, alright. Do you want anything to drink?"
>>130442Silver steps up to the tent, looking at the two ponies inside.
"Excuse me? I am looking for who is in charge here."
>>130448"Huh?" Iron asks, slightly taken aback at the surprise question "g-go with what I picked on the last question."
>>130449The grey stallion looks up towards Silver, makes eye contact, and answers
"I am. Peer Review, Professor of History at Misty Tonic University, Stableside. To whom am I speaking?"
>>130450"Uh... Alright"
White Sands answers
"Anything with alcohol"
>>130451Iron turns his head towards Sands, ear flickering at the choice in drink. "Should you be drinking that?" he asks her in a mild worried tone, one of his ears drooping.