1835 replies and 44 files omitted.
>>129826The brass on the edges of the glass revolving doors gives them a gilded appearance
>>129827"Heheh, what?"
>>129828Iron blinks once, confused himself before pointing to his back. "You know, carry you on my back if you need it," he utters, starting to blush the slightest bit as he smiled sheepishly "that is not weird to say, right?"
>>129828Amber pushes through the doors and steps outside, but not before marveling at the lavish decorations of the station one last time.
>>129829"Heheh. It's not normal in public.
But who can judge when no one is watching?"
At the end of that, she partly tilts her head, and has a strange smile
>>129830Granite stone exterior with Ionian columns and other patterns of the neo-classical style. Going further down the 14 or so feet of stone steps down to the street level, and looking bad, a stone frieze on the station shows scenes of the industrial revolution in Equestria. Parts are grimy, and parts are chipped
>>129831Iron's sheepish smile is replaced with a small pout, tilting his head opposite of Sands with the respective ear drooped as he stared at her with a blank, puzzled look.
>>129831Even despite the visible wear the grandiose building far exceeds mere picture pictures, and it takes Amber's determination not to stay for a minute.
There will be plenty of time for that later… Amber turns left and trots down the street, looking at what's around.
>>129832"... What?" She is also confused
>>129833Buildings around are a bit less impressive than Union Station, but still bigger than almost anything she's seen before. Mostly they are brick, with some stone. The streets are a bit wide, and have a number of ponies on them while seeming somehow less populated than the three and four story buildings around would suggest. A small, black machine passes down the road at considerable speed, what Amber knows must be an automobile
>>129834Amber has seen automobiles a couple of times, but still the odd contraption surprises her.
There's no way I can get a job on this street, it's much too fancy… She trots down to the next intersection.
>>129834"What?" Iron repeats, lost in this interaction as his mind races to find a proper save. "I-I mean yes, I
totally get what you meant before," he spat out unconvincingly, giving one of the fakest, sheepish smiles she has probably seen in her lifetime.
>>129835Unfortunately, it's much the same story. Brick facades, mostly clean. Windows are not broken. May as well say "5 years of experience required"
>>129836She moves her lips about
"Hmmm"
She takes the cup, and drinks the entire cup
"Alright, I suppose I am ready"
>>129837Iron's strained, sheepish look only serves to redden slightly as he heard Sands hum softly before him.
Only after she announces she's ready does his embarrassed demeanor dissipates into a little exhale before quickly puffing out his chest as he poses proudly. "Alright," he states "let us go." His trotting is still a bit stiff over his small blunder but he carries on regardless towards the Watering Hole, ear open to any sort of small talk that may happen.
>>129837She looks around for a store that is likely common yet wouldn't need a specific skill set, such as a farrier's, a millinery store, or something otherwise service-based.
Roll spot:
[1d20+2 = 10] >>129838"Huh?"
Something about Iron confuses her, but she does not make a big deal about it
She very slowly follows behind him, her feet treading lightly enough to make no sound
>>129839Looking over, Amber sees a couple sights.
In the fore, is a larger building with yellowish stone and thin windows, with a stone belt under the windows on the first floor. What makes it special is the cloth draped over parts of the building, a couple trucks outside of it, and a few ponies going in and out.
Nearby, on the other side of the street and further down, is a store. It looks like a sort of general store or grocery store on the street corner
>>129840Iron keeps himself at a steady pace, mostly trotting in place for Sands to catch up his younger, more energetic self as they went down the stairs, making sure their room was closed beforehand, and out to the streets of Baltimare and travelling towards the Watering Hole.
>>129840Amber is attracted by all the activity going on.
If this is a store then it must be quite large and may have an opening. I like this neighborhood too. She trots over, but is careful not to interrupt the workers.
>>129842I'm assuming this means she goes for the larger of the buildings (There are more buildings, these just appear to be the best candidates within line of sight)
Amber enters, with a few ponies passing by at high speed towards the trucks. They pay no attention to Amber. Inside, there is a reception area with a table and a small mare. A hornless white pony with short cut green mane looks over, and talks to her
"Um, excuse me mam? We have to make sure you have no explosives on you before you go further into the building"
If there are any guards, they must be among the moving ponies, because they aren't there
>>129841She closes her eyes in reaction to the sunlight
"I hope it's not too far away..."
>>129847"I... do not think it is too far," Iron guesses blindly, never having consciously considered how long it took him to get to the Watering Hole, trotting along with her.
>>129847Amber widens her eyes and cranes her neck back.
"Explosives? Why in tarnation would I be carrying explosives?" she asks.
"I just wanted to ask if there is a position for another hoof to help out." >>129849What does Amber have with her?
"Positions? Yes, there are positions... What are you looking for?"
>>129848She picks up a paper object to block the sunlight, and walks for some time. Eventually, they reach it - the Watering Hole
>>129850Iron attempts to enter the Watering Hole for the second time this day, letting Sands enter first before scanning around for the furry unicorn...
(Well, furrier than usual,) he thinks to himself.
>>129851She looks around
"We must be hear kind of early"
No immediate signs of life
>>129850She is wearing a midnight-blue woolen dress (a variety obviously made for winter that covers the tail) with lighter blue stars and frills, and on top of this she has a black burlap traveling cloak with the hood down. She is however wearing a forest-green headscarf over her auburn mane, though her ears are allowed to stick out. She has two canvas saddlebags that are decently large and definitely have some bulk, though they are not close to being full to bursting. Needless to say that if this was a different season she would be quite overdressed.
"I was hoping that this might be a store where I could be a clerk. I think I can do almost any job though, and I, uh, just arrived in Baltimare. She has a bit of a confident smile.
>>129852Iron nods. "It seems like it," he mutters as he rubs his chin softly, looking at one of the empty table "might as well get ourselvs seated so we can pass the time here."
>>129853She looks over skeptically at the overdressed mare, as if not entirely convinced she isn't a terrorist. Still, she answers
"We have clerk positions open. Office clerk, not retail clerk. Typist as well."
>>129854She sits in a chair
"What are you waiting for exactly?"
>>129855He promptly sits on a chair next to Sands. "Either for Khoi to pass by here and give her that job I promised," he explains "or for Cauldron to do the same and maybe ask for a job to beat some of these new criminal ponies that are coming here."
>>129855Amber looks up and thinks.
"Hmmm, what does becoming an office clerk entail?" >>129856She blinks
"Does this 'Cauldron' work here?"
>>129857"Oh, answering phones, filing things, keep records, typing, sending memos and so forth."
>>129858"I am not too sure about that," Iron guesses, poking his chin "as she moves around quite a lot."
>>129858Amber thinks to herself for a moment.
I could do it but I don't know if I could do it well…working with my hooves is probably better for now."I, er, will consider it. Thank you for your help and have a nice day." Amber smiles and turns to leave.
>>129859"Is she normally at a bar in the morning?" She asks
>>129860"O.. kay then? Unless you had something else in mind?"
>>129861Amber smiles, this time a bit awkwardly.
"I'm just keeping my options open, I might take you up on your offer." She is as close to the door as is possible without impeding the movers.
>>129861"I think so," Iron answers unsurely "but I am not too sure if it has been random chance so far either."
Okay... I have to sleep now
>>129862And so Amber leaves the building, back onto the street
>>129868A new mlemming contender appears!Amber Sunset leaves the building and is now back on the sidewalk. What is the weather like?
>>129869Dun, dee dun dun!Wind blows to the west. A few clouds are darker, but the sky is more clear than not
>>129870It's a little bleak out. I hope it snows sometime soon!If it's safe to cross the street, Amber heads for the grocery store.
>>129871Amber enters the store to see that it is indeed a grocery store, with fruits like apples and cantelopes, oats, potatos, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes , canned beans and corn, a few cans of overpriced robusta coffee, and a satisfactory selection of cigarrettes. No bread or pastry products though; there is no attached bakery. Austerity has reduced the variety of available fruits and cheeses, and greatly driven up the price of some items, coffee being the severest example, but it hasn't driven most products off the market.
>>129872>>129871In a way, it's actually kind of comparable to with the stores that Amber is familiar with. It's a small square floor plan on the first floor, some some shelves in the center and much product placed on the sides, although a few shelves are empty, presumably the victims of austerity. There's a staircase on the far left upon entering from the street that may or may not be a part of the unit at all, and in any case is not accessible to outside customers, at least at this time
>>129872>>129873She smiles and looks around at the homely store.
So many different types of foods! This variety is impressive. She approaches whoever is operating the cashier.
"Um…hello." Amber shyly rubs her knee with her other foreleg.
"I just arrived in Baltimare and…I'm wondering if you need some help around here?" >>129874He's almost hard to see when mber first enters, standing in front of empty shelves, cans and cartons of cigarettes, but there is a kind of small grey stallion, evidently an earth pony. He looks old, old enough, certainly to be a grandfather, and he wears black glasses with a small strap hanging down
"Why hello there young fillie" He says to her
"I suppose it's been a while since I've had help"
>>129876He smiles, weakly from under the wrinkles
"Well, thank you. I've had this space for seven years now. Since I moved to the Westside. My name is Plump Stock." He offers a hoof
>>129877She shakes his hoof, this time more gently than with Tone Beet.
"I'm Amber Sunset, it's nice to meet you. You moved here only seven years ago? This store looks like it's been around quite a lot longer–in a good way, I mean. It reminds me of home." >>129878"Well, I only moved too the West side seven years ago. I was in the east before then. Too many zebra there. I rented this spot after the last owner retired. I carried on his business. Where is home for you, young filly?"
>>129880"Oh, so you're out in the country then. We have a nice set here, since they started distributing the fall harvest a few months ago. We got very low on food at points in the War, but it's closer to normal now. Still have rationed supplies of coffee though, and prices are much higher than they were before the War.It's not farm fresh, no, but we get shipments regularly enough. Those bats love their tropical fruit, but most of those are in short supply on account of the blight and rationing. Just as well. I'd rather not sell to the bats if I could."
>>129881Her eyes widen and her ears swivel back.
"There are bats here?" >>129882He shakes his head
"Oh yes. Bat ponies. They come in from both north and South, from their little caves and enclaves. Mostly they work in the night shifts in the factories and dockyards. You'd best pay attention when walking around at night here, young filly."
>>129884"Uck" He shakes his head again "You better believe it could be anyone. And you better believe those books too. Be
extra careful in public places if you dress suggestively. They prefer young mares, and them do zebra too."
>>129885>dress suggestivelyAren't most ponies nude?She looks a bit perplexed by this but doesn't press the issue.
"Um…alright. Are you all alone in running the store?
It seems like a lot for one pony to do." >>129886Just keep dressing like she is and she's good"Oh, I had help from Wheat Whinny...." He turns his head down
"Course', it's been 19 months since I've seen him. Couldn't really afford anyone after that. I suppose there's a little more money now... I'm certainly not getting any younger..."
The mare laden with all her possessions frowns lightly. "Did he disappear? If you want I could take his place.
I don't need much, just a place to stay and enough to help support my parents."
>>129888"No, he was called to service... I suppose I may have an extra room available."
>>129889Amber pulls her lips together and looks away, nodding. After a few moments she turns back.
"I think I would like to work here."That was too easy >>129892Amber thinks to herself for a minute.
"Do you think it would be possible for me to work two jobs? Is this store busy all day?" >>129893"I don't know what you can arrange with other employers, but my busiest time is in the afternoon, and the morning for stocking. I'd rather not run at night."
Amber nods, maintaining a neutral expression. "Mr. Stock, you don't mind if I ask around? Do you know of any places you could recommend to me?"
>>129895"Well uh,,, Sure. I don't know where though."
>>129896She smiles reassuringly.
"Don't worry, I'll come back later today and let you know." She starts to leave the shop.
>>129897He waves to her
"Oh well okay now. Come back now you hear. Be safe..."
>>129898Amber must still be at the intersection. What does it look like down each street?
>>129899More buildings. Looking down one way is smaller buildings. Down another is a plaza, and larger buildings
>>129900Amber heads for the plaza.
>>129901A few larger buildings with domes and vaulted ceilings
>>129902Are there any malls or front-window shops visible?
>>129903No modern style malls. This plaza is mostly what appears to be government buildings, but there is at least one cafe. Small shops are more common elsewhere
>>129904Amber frowns and goes to that street with the smaller buildings. If it's safe to canter she does so.
>>129905It looks more or less safe. There are a couple shops
What are her options?
[1d20+2 = 8]
>>129907Not many.
Unfortunately I have to end here for the night
>>129909Amber will continue down the street.
>>129910Many shops and businesses exist, but two seem promising: a larger clothing store, and a soda shop. Despite tales of economic malaise in Baltimore, it looks like there are many unfilled job openings for creatures between the ages of 18 and 25 without a college degree.
>>129911Amber smiles to herself.
Selling clothing would be quite nice! She crosses the street if need be and trots up to the entrance.
>>129912Through a revolving door, Amber enters. It’s larger than the grocer, and generally more spread out. Most of the clothing is coats and formal wear, both male and female attire. Colors are fairly dull mostly, greys, blacks and whites.
>>129913Amber is practically beaming as she trots down.
I've never seen so many different clothes…they can't all be hoofmade. Amber looks around for a customer representative or manager.
[1d20+2 = 7] >>129914Amber sees a stallion holding some clothing
>>129916The stallion’s eyes are wide, and he raises his left leg
“Uh, yes?”
>>129917Amber looks to the left briefly before looking at the stallion, smiling awkwardly.
"I'm a pony who's just arrived in Baltimare and I was hoping that maybe you might have a position open for me?" She widens her eyes hopefully.
"I can do anything you need to be done around here, I can even sew a little! Please tell me it's possible." She gives a pleading look.
>>129919Amber bites her lip and takes a step back, blushing furiously.
"I'm so sorry. Er–have a nice day," she stammers out as she trots away.
>>129920Well.... surely there has to be
somepony working here
>>129922Then Amber wanders deeper into the clothing store until she finds a pony wearing uniform, manning (is that the right word to use?) a register, or perhaps a tailor with a tape measure around the neck.
>>129923Walking in, Amber comes across another pony looking at a cost, and there is something different in her demeanor. She is a fairly tall green unicorn, just past middle age, wearing a black colored dress. She looks at the coat as if she is studying if.
>>129925Amber approaches this mare a bit less eagerly.
"Hello, ma'am? Do you have a moment to spare?" >>129926She moves the coat to the side with a pinkish glowing aura. She looks at Amber with an almost bored expression, and says
“Yes?”