1835 replies and 47 files omitted.
>>130864Spot? She can smell it. To her left, down the street east
>>130863"Well, no time like present."
Silver uses his magic to pull corpse pieces out of the water.
>>130865Her nose points up in the air as she follows the delicious, fresh-baked smell. When she reaches the storefront she looks in the window.
>>130866Mala wades into the water, and tries to pulls pieces out. He has to use his mouth.
Silver pulls out a shoulder in the first instance. The undead flesh doesn’t generally decay, but some of the pieces in the water have clearly deteriorated.
>>130867Walking down the street and crossing it, she can see it. Bread, more bread, and a number of pastries.
>>130868She licks her lips as she looks in.
Can't buy anything today, but I can look…She walks inside the shoppe.
>>130856Iron lets out a single chuckle as he shakes his head. "I guess that is true," he responds with a smirk "but you do have skill few possess."
>>130869She walks inside. Only room for a few chairs, then a display case and a counter. She can see brick ovens further back. There are two unicorns there, one at the counter, another in white in the back
>>130870She smiles back in a way that seems strange for her, almost mischievously.
“I hope so. That’s the only way I will get anywhere”
>>130868Silver looks over to Mala, concerned.
"Uh...you know you can do something else if you want to, yes?"
>>130871I'm pretty sure ponies can tell the sex of each other pretty easily.She walks up to the counter.
"Hello mister/ma'am. It's a nice day today, isn't it?" >>130871"Indeed," Iron replies "and I will make sure you get to nurture it as far as we possibly can."
He playfully nudges Cauldron's chest with a hoof, smiling playfully. "Now go demonstrate your prowess to Khoi and teach her all you got on cooking so that we can start our journey."
>>130872He tilts his head, and lets a leg fall from his mouth. Both of his diamond ears are up, and he looks at silver with big, brown-black eyes
“What else would I do?”
>>130873https://youtu.be/_jzAmg3864IThe stallion at the counter, a light yellow coat with brown mane, and who seems to be sitting on something, answers with an accent that seems to place him among the locals:
“Lovely enough, and lovelier than many. What can I do for you?”
>>130874She is pushed back slightly, and her ears twitch and torn forward.
“All-alright. I’ll finish it, then. See you later!”
>>130875"You can help them with moving rocks. Then you would not have to put that in your mouth."
>>130875With a little chuckle, Iron turns around, beckoning Sands along, before aiming his now more direct and concise objectives he can follow towards that Saint Germane place/pony.
(I am sure she will have something that can help,) he thinks to himself.
>>130875"I'm new to the city and I wanted to tour around before I start working tomorrow. It's a fine neighborhood here, but I don't think I could afford it anytime soon." Her own cadence is quite similar to that of Baltimare but it lacks its cosmopolitan quality, instead being provincial. Perhaps it's the same sort of similarity as the coloration in the two ponies, with Amber having a deeper yellow coat with a ruddy mane.
>>130876"I don't mind, if you don't mind... if they don't mind. This is softer, easier on my teeth anyways. I don't have magic like you do, and it's not so easy to pick things up with a paw when I have to wade through water like this. It doesn't taste good, I wouldn't eat it... well, maybe not 'never,' but I would eat leather before I would eat this.,,"
His voice is kind of subdued
>>130877She follows behind him, slinking with her slim body, and long tail that almost drags along the floor.
>>130878"Uh huh" he says "Are you looking for bread, cake, muffins or anything?"
>>130879She eagerly looks about her surroundings.
"What treats do you have? This looks to be a very nice bakery and it's conveniently right next to church." >>130879With a small wave at Blanche, he exits the restaurant, letting the door opens for Sands before closing it with both of them outside.
"...that went surprisingly well," he mutters to Sands "do you have what Cauldron told me in your mind to a potential refresher?"
>>130880"It does help sometimes. Could stand to be a little better crowd though. Don't know if it's declining attendance, ponies want to get home, or we're just not as close as we wish. We have muffins, blueberry and banana, even some with nuts. And we can make a cake on request."
>>130881She looks at him, tilts her head, and kind of winces
"
What?"
>>130879"I am certain they would not mind help, Mala. If they give you grief, let me know."
>>130883"So.... what do I do?" He asks
>>130882Iron stares blankly at Sands in return before snorting softly. "Seems you were not really listening to what happened," he concludes amusedly "but I can probably remember them for a bit."
With that being said, Iron and Co. start their little trek towards Saint Germane without much discussion unless Sands opted to ask something along the way.
>>130882"I love blueberry muffins! I don't think I've ever tried a banana, though…" After she exclaims this, though, she taps the ground with a hoof, awkwardly smiling at the stallion.
"Sorry but I can't buy anything just yet. I can be back next Sunday, though." >>130884"From what I heard, you would help him to move rocks aside to check if there is anything under them. But it is your choice what you want to do."
>>130885"I can
listen, I just didn't understand what you said." She says annoyed, and turns her head forward, a bit lower to the ground. They walk north, and closer to the harbor.
>>130886"Uh... Alright then. Hope you come back!"
>>130887"Oh... Okay..." he stands up, and moves out of the water slowly
>>130888Silver tilts his head at him.
"...what is it you want to do?"
>>130888Amber says goodbye and goes outside once again. She elects to trot further to the north until she reaches a park, assuming there is one nearby.
>>130889"I don't know. I've never done this before..." He answers turning his head back
>>130890One on the right. A few plated deciduous trees, leafless in the winter, grass, and a diagonal pattern of concrete walkways that go towards a fountain in the center
>>130891She trots to the fountain. Are there many ponies there? How about birds?
>>130891He smiles at Mala.
"It is not so hard, you can do it! I believe in you. If you need any help, I am here."
>>130888"I was not implying you were deaf," Iron replies with the slightest tinge of puzzlement "more that the talk Cauldron and I was not interesting to you."
>>130892There are several ponies. One, black in color earth pony stallion sleeps on a bench. There is something wrong with at least one of his legs. An older mare, who kind of looks like High Sewn walks by with a dog, and a smaller unicorn mare pushes a stroller. The most interesting birds are a blue jay and a morning dove. There is more than one raven, and several rock pidgeons. For a moment, Amber may think she saw a Passenger Pigeon.... but no, it's an ordinary pigeon. Just an ordinary pigeon. The Orieles are south for the Winter, as are many of the birds.
>>130893He looks kind of confused
"I understand why I am not trusted with the corpses.... but okay, I will help with the rocks"
He gets out of the water
>>130894"Well, I don't really know how it involves me" she says
>>130896Silver tilts his head at Mala.
"Eh? It is not that. I am just concerned you will get sick, using your mouth to move corpse pieces that have been in that truly nasty water."
>>130896"If all goes well, it might lead to you getting a far more comfortable lifestyle," Iron offers "where you can rest inbetween... whatever activities you usually do."
She smiles at the variety of birds. Not too bad, even for this season. Books just mention pigeons in the city and I was worried they would be all I'd see.
She walks a bit closer to the mare with the dog, not approaching her directly but catching up to her as she looks about the park. The park at this time is not particularly attractive but offers a calmer change of pace compared with the streets.
>>130897Mala jumps back into water, and wades closer to Silver. He says to him in a lower voice
"Your kind was made to eat grass, or at least it used to be. If I eat green things, it just goes right through me, but it powers you. And so we Kaftar were made to eat the corpses of animals and creatures. Rotting dead bodies that bloat under the sun, victims of predators, old age, or even sickness. I have a very strong stomach, and I have swallowed worse things than this. I can handle dirty water, and this flesh is sterile, if anything. I have self control, I will not eat any of these bodies and I will try not to swallow anything. I know it is important to ponies, and I know what you told me we were here for. I am not hungry anyways... But I can move rocks, if the winged pony will let me."
>>130898Her eyes are big, and she looks up to Iron
"Go on..."
>>130899It's a... terrier? Hard to tell. The park is a single block, between several two and three story buildings. Saint Eligius's towers are very visible, as is the Shipping Company building towering over the town center
>>130900Has Amber been to the shipping company before?It's a cozy park.When she is close enough to the mare she tries to casually ask,
"It's a very nice dog. What kind is it?" >>130900He smiles at Mala some more.
"I trust you, friend. Whatever it is
you want to do, do it."
>>130900"Think of it like this," Iron starts with a small smile "a potion maker can be extremely versatile in what it can sell to others, meaning that the potential amount of ponies willing to buy them is massive the more it knows. Apply that with Cauldron's special knack and previous cooking experience and she is brimming with potential for being a frontrunner in potionmaking, which can be used to improve all three of our lives with the fabled paper."
>>130901Amber has been to a different prominent building, but not that oneShe turns around, and picks up a leg, more than a little surprised that Amber is talking to her
"It's a Jack Russel Terrier"
>>130902He looks at Silver, then walks forward, dives his head underwater, and pulls up a piece of bone that sank into lake
>>130903"Hmmm.... What do you want me to do?" She asks
>>130904He chuckles, and pats Mala's head.
>>130905Mala smiles contently, with a large equine leg bone in his mouth. An ear twitches up and down
>>130904"You are better at words than I do," Iron starts "and can also cover my back far better during the executions of my plan since you do not really have much else to do like me while Cauldron gets to slowly lose her chains."
With a smile, he turns to Sands "I ask you to lend me your charisma and speech skills to further the cause, propel her business forward through attaining favorable reputation and ensure it does not get sabotaged by potential enemies."
>>130906Silver continues to move corpse pieces out of the water.
>>130908Silver, and to a lesser extent Mala, are able to move quite a bit out of the water. The pieces are more than a little dispersed, either by damage over the years or the bomb. A few have damage from bullets. It seems like a good guess that more will be revealed when the water is fully drained. More than once, Mala pulls up a branch.
>>130909She moves back a little
"Yes... It's a nice dog to have. She likes her walks"
>>130907"Well... I guess I can help while I wait for the telegram responding to me..."
What Iron is looking for is a shop on Westhaven. Black colored boards, and the name "Curio's Corner"
"It's nice to encounter other ponies in the local park to have a chat. Anyway…have a nice day!" Amber smiles and trots off. She decides to go to the shipping company building.
>>130911"There it is," Iron calls out to Sands as he spots the shop "we will see if we can get some ingredients imported for Cauldron, maybe figure out what is the potion supply and demand."
With that, the native steps forth into the shop, wondering if it was open and the mare in question present.
>>130912The building is tall with three sections to it. A center section that is taller than any other, a section behind it, to the east that is around 60% of the height, and a section in the west that is about 50% of the height of the center section. Both sections on the side are thinner than the square shaped center, and are deliniated from the center by a strip of what seems to be chrome steel. The building is white, with stone facade strips running along side, protruding past and separating the tall and thin windows.. Ever section tapers slightly so that the top of the building is slightly thinner than the base, and ever corner has a small stainless steel spire. The building must be thirty or so stories tall. In Manehattan or even Fillydelphia would be a fairly ordinary, if above average building, blending into the skyline and maybe half the height of the Crystaler building. But this is Baltimare, where low rises dominate, and this building is one of only a hoof full of skyscrapers. It is visible almost anywhere in the city.
>>130913The door opens, with a "ding ding ding" from a bell. On the shelves are all sorts of oddities, like a small taxidermied monkey and a fortune teller's ball.
Behind the dark wood counter and the cash register, is a peach colored unircorn with a blue mane. She lights up at the sight of Iron
>>130915"Hello there," Iron calls out to the familiar unicorn as he daintily trots over "I am back from the tiger's jaws."
Amber looks up at the building with an expression of awe and wonder. Wow…
She'll walk up until she can see the bottom floor and what's on it.
>>130917"Golden Rays isn't here. She went out on a personal frolic" she says to Iron
>>130917The bottom most section has stone or marble walls, with a set of concrete steps leading up to revolving door entrances lined with with brass, and doors that swing open to either side. There are many windows there, but no shops on the outside. The building is recessed inside the block, and though part of the steps go out to the sidewalk, there is a parking lot over one side, and to the side, a series of fountains, and a chrome steel statue of a sailing ship
>>130918"Oh," Iron stops in his tracks, looking midly shocked in his mid-walking freeze "well... I suppose you can help me with some matters regarding potion making process?"
>>130919"The potion making process? What about it?"
>>130920"Particularly how to get most of the ingredients a potion maker needs in order to start a business...?" Iron answers tentatively with a strained, nervous smile on his face.
>>130921She looks up at him, locking eyes, lifting one lip and an eyebrow
"You want help in import-export?"
>>130922Iron nods softly, confirming her suspicions.
>>130923Her expression becomes more serious
"Very well. What is it specifically you want. Don't worry, you can speak freely here. There is no one to listen. No one, anyways, who would dare cross me."
>>130925Nodding and relaxing his posture, Iron finishes trotting over to the mare with a little exhale. "I wish to help start up a potion business and she needs some items that cannot be obtained easily due to lack of trade agreements, harvested only in the deep jungle and more of the... spooky chemical thingies."
>>130924I understand...>>130926"Mhmm. You don't have to tell me what you want it for, just what you want. I special in matching things to buyers that aren't exactly easy to get"
>>130927"Well..." Iron thinks, trying to remember the things he remembers Cauldron asking about "there is New Mareland's darkwood bark, aluminum powder, kelp and tiger fur. Those are the specific materials I know she wants."
"Tiger fur... Guh! You know where to get that. New Mareland Ironwood is a bit rarer and there's that export ban, but nevermind that. Aluminum powder can be obtained by scraping down the side of a bicycle, and kelp, well... that's out in the water, and some of the hippogriffs eat it"
>>130929Iron snorts amusedly at Germane's first answer before nodding along to the rest. "What is a 'bye-see-cle?'" Iron asks curiously.
>>130930“You’re kidding, right?” She answers, with a skeptical look
>>130931"...no," Iron answers reluctantly, rubbing his foreleg softly before looking confused at the unicorn mare he's speaking "b-but I do want the items I have said in bulk. Do you think manually obtaining each and every thing will suffice?"
>>130932She tilts her head, and raises an eyebrow
“I don’t know what you mean by ‘manually’... But if I can’t obtain an item for you, at least, items that are not one of a kind, then I am not sure you will find anypony in this city who can.”
>>130933"Oh," Iron replies, becoming ever slightly more flustered at his own understanding of the discussion "so you think you can get the items I have said in bulk for me, then?"
>>130934“Perhaps. Kelp is relatively easy to acquire. Aluminum, well it’s a bit harder, considering the metal rationing. Tiger fur... I’ll let you be the judge of how difficult that is. New Mareland Ironwood bark... now that’s a bit trickier.”
>>130935Iron can't help but raise his eyebrows, smiling softly. "Really? That is great!" he proclaims with an excited little hop "If I can do anything to make it easier to get the harder ingredients, you only need to ask."
>>130936“I don’t know if you can, but there is indeed a hang up. You remember that tiger, right? That tiger was sold a week ago, yet it’s still in my store. Customs has gone mad. They’ve always been a pain, but that’s been my job. Then they lit Manehattan on fire, and it seems to have spread here. Literally. An entire pier was set on fire, a ship crew murdered, then a big raid on the old poorhouse. Now customs has a continuous presence on every pier. They even keep political police around, to discourage bribes. It used to be simple to smuggle animals out. Hide them in a warehouse, then wait for a time when customs was not there. They never checked ships going out, only in. Now, they even keep guards by the warehouses. It’s harder to smuggle at the main docks.”
>>130937Iron pouts lightly, blinking softly. "...sounds like it is going to be rough to ask for what I potentially want later," he says with a hum "but I assume you have some sort of alternative for the smaller stuff, right?"
>>130938She waves a hoof, as if she could physically wave away Iron’s concerns
“It’s a matter of loading and unloading goods at a point away from the main docks. They may still intercept the incoming ships, sure, and find the smuggled goods, but they may not, and they may just walk right past anything that isn’t weapons, since I’m pretty sure that is all they care about. And of course, any ship leaving the harbor will not be intercepted and searched.”
>>130939"Oh," Iron answers with a sheepish grin and a stroke of his foreleg "so you think you can handle my requests for ingredients in the long run?"
>>130940“The situation is... volatile, but I am not without a plan b”
>>130941"What would you want in return?" Iron proceeds to ask with a small tilt of the head, expecting the twist.
>>130942“Getting the tiger out would be a good start” she says
>>130943"Hm..." Iron ponders softly "how could I help?"
>>130944“Well, securing the means of transport is the issue right now. All ships coming into the harbor are searched, sometimes they are even intercepted at sea. While ships leaving the harbor are not searched, the warehouses are guarded. So it’s a matter of using smaller boats to meet up with the larger ships. The first thought would be rowboats, but those are not large enough to leave the harbor, and would be kind of suspicious if they went further. Fishing trawlers can go further, but are suspicious next to freighters, and may end up searched anyways. So the plan is to avoid the harbor all together. The community of North Point has fishing trawlers that have gone unused since the War cut off export of cod to Griffonia. They are less likely to be searched, and can go far enough to pick up crates with floats attached to them, dropped off outside the harbor. And
that is my business model. Until they change things again, anyways.”
>>130945"How does that involve me?" Iron asks with a tilt of the head "Do I drop the tiger at the designated position?"
>>130946"Maybe it's not a fair assumption that it does. First, a question for you. What
can you do?"
>>130947"Buck stuff and carry... much," Iron replies, at first puffing his chest proudly before pouting softly "that rhyme did not go too well."
>>130948"Well, either way, there is another hang up in North Point. Some of the trawlers have been bought up by a fishing company that is known, by us at least, to be a front for the Ginovicci crime family out of Bronc and Manehattan. Rumor has it one of their leaders even bought a house in North Point. This has never been an issue before, given how unimportant North Point was to us, or even to them... But by Tartarus, what a difference difference these last few weeks have made. If they don't appreciate how valuable the shipping of North Point is, they will soon."
>>130949"I see," Iron replies with a little nod "so basically I should beat these folk up before they bolster their defences?"
>>130950"Well, I don't know if I would use such strong language as 'beat,' but if somepony were to remind them who is in charge of Baltimare... well, it would go a long way"
>>130951"I see," Iron replies with a nod "but would they really be intimidated about having some of their goons being reminded of the ruler of Baltimare?"
>>130952"Then remind the head." She answers succinctly
>>130953"Got it," Iron answers with a nod "consider it done."
With a determined, proud strut, he starts to go to the door before his ears straighten sharply as he stops. "Uh... how do I get to North Point?"
>>130955"Thanks," he promptly replies before continuing his confident strut "should I go back here to report directly, by the way?"
>>130956"You may. I am not the only one interested in killing this problem in the cradle, but I think we would prefer a bit of... deniability, in case this goes badly"
>>130957"Got it," Iron replies before going out with Sands in tow.
Having gotten outside, he turns to his companion mare. "So, any opinions on the ensuing 'discussion' I am about to provoke?"
>>130958"Do you know who the Ginovicci are?" She asks him
>>130959"No," Iron replies with a shake of the head as he starts the trek towards North Point "what can you tell me?"
>>130960"They are a splinter of a much larger syndicate in Wingbardy, and are no small players in Manehattan. Not at all. This is a very power family known to have many hitgriffs and carry out many killings. I don't think they will cow easily."
>>130961"Do they have some sort of duel to demand respect or do they understand with enough knocked out griffins?"
>>130962"Respect is a big deal for them, and they have something like a sense of honor. But I doubt they'd accept a duel. Well, maybe. But they are the type to shoot you as you walk down the street."
>>130963"Do you have any advice on how to properly spook them?"