1735 replies and 44 files omitted.
>>130231She marvels at these grand old buildings and takes note of them.
I don't think there are any apartments here… She continues on eastward.
>>130243He raises an eyebrow at her.
"Uh...alright? How do oats sound?"
>>130245She nods slowly
>>130245More brick buildings, some with shops on the first levels, and some row houses. But the further and further east she goes, the buildings become closer together. Smaller. In some instances, less well maintained. She passes the first large brick building she can assume is a factory, with massive smoke stacks, and past tenement buildings. She sees a zebra and a griffin, and then more of them. Diamond Dogs as well, and the ponies do not wear fancy clothing. The air has a smell in it, one that was not present in the west side.
>>130246Amber snorts at the additional irritants in the air and tries not to step in anything on the sidewalk. She hurries past diamond dogs in particular and tries to spot a general store.
Spot:
[1d20+2 = 16] >>130246Silver gets her a bowl of oats, and offers it to her.
"It is not much, but I think they are tasty."
>>130248She goes in and looks around at whoever's inside, not so much what's on sale.
>>130250One griffin at the counter, hard to tell if male or female, with noticeably white feathers and golden eyes
>>130249She is still kind of curled up. It takes her a moment, but she takes the bowl with magenta magic aura, and then in her split hooves. She places her muzzle directly in the bowl and slowly eats
nibble nibble nibble >>130251I've never met a griffin before! How exciting! Amber smiles and trots up.
"Hello, errr…" She seems perplexed for a moment but quickly recovers.
"I'm new to town and was wondering if you could point me where to go." >>130253It squints its eyes
"Bathrooms are for paying customers only"
Sounds more female
>>130252He can't help but smile at the sight. So cute!
He looks up at the stairs, wondering when Mala is getting up.
>>130255Silver can see him sprawled out on the bed, sleeping. The worn-out blanket covers only most of his body
>>130257"Do I look like a clock or a real estate agent? It's 10 AM"
>>130258Amber blinks and her smile fades a bit.
"Thank you for the time. I just want to find a place to stay around here. Do you know someone I could ask?" >>130256Once he goes to Mala's room, Silver gently tries to shake the gnoll awake.
>>130261"Wah" He opens an eye
"Huh?" Then he sees Silver, and stands up
"Silver!"
>>130259"Yeah. Guido in the tenements over there has rooms, if you're looking for rooms"
>>130262Amber flashes a friendly smile.
"Thank you, miss!" She trots out of the shop and toward the general direction of where the griffon was pointing.
>>130263It's a brown set of buildings, dirty and covered in soot from the air.
>>130264Despite the unattractiveness of the tenements Amber did not set out with high expectations for lodging.
As long as it's close enough to work, I'm happy, she reminds herself. With this mind she looks for an entrance of sorts.
Also to recap, how long did she have to trot from her new workplace to get here?
>>130262Silver smiles at him.
"Sorry to wake you, Mala, but I was wondering if you want to help me today."
>>13026520 minutes at least. he enters into a hallway with a door to the left, stairs going up, a hallway along the left, and a row of mailboxes
>>130266He sits up and smiles excitedly
"I can help!"
>>130267Is there anypony there? She looks down the hallways, and will knock on the door if she can't find anypony. Should I roll spot?
>>130268No one is immediately visible, but from the door on the side
"What is it? I am a reading my magazine"
It's another griffin. Large, mostly brown colors. Definitely male. He looks down at her, not saying anything yet
>>130267He chuckles, and pats Mala on the shoulder.
"I would be happy to have you. Go ahead and get ready for day, then."
>>130269"Hello, are you Mr. Guido? I'm looking for a place to stay." Amber curiously looks at the cover of the magazine to see what it is.
>>130271"Oh, yes. I am Guido" He has a strange accent
"I thought you may be a lost"
While there does appear to be a female pony in a seductive position on the front page of the magazine, no other detail, save the sliver of a blue sky is visible
"I have units available"
>>130270"Yes!"
He jumps off the bed
"Let me just wash up..."
>>130272Silver nods.
"Good idea. I still have yet to brush my teeth, so I will do that, too."
>>130273"Price for my cheapest room is 150 a month, studio apartment. You can fit as many beds in it as you want, and I will not report if you are sharing beds with not your husband"
>>130274He runs off, to the door and into the bathroom
>>130275Silver goes into the other to brush his teeth, meeting up with Mala in the living room when they're both done.
>>130275Amber tries not to scrunch as she thinks to herself.
That's thirty hours of work a month just to live here!
Then again, I can share the cost…I hope it's not too small, being so cramped that you have to share a bed would be annoying."Does it have a bathroom, kitchen, and a window? What about a fireplace for heating?" >>130276It takes Mala a little longer. A lot longer actually. But he can hear the almost crashing sound of the large creature running across hall upstairs, then down the stairs
Mala arrives in the living room, tongue partly out, and kind of still wet . He has his sword, and a (now partly wet) robe over him
>>130277"Yeah, sort of. Not the fireplace though"
>>130279"Yeah, sure. Follow me"
The griffin walks out, in front of Amber. He's like a large stallion almost, kind of fat though.
He goes up, takes out a key ring, takes a moment to find the key, and unlocks a room
>>130280The leonine form with all its strange qualities–compared with ponies–perplexes Amber. This one does not resemble the lean and fiercely efficient heroes and anti-heroes she's read about, nor even the plump kings and emperors resting amidst their domains.
Although she is eager enough to want to squeeze into the room, she knows better than to try to get in the landlord's way. She waits either for him to go in first or for him to usher her in.
>>130278In that time, Silver managed to get equipment ready. Mala can see him wearing his tattered armor, and his sword strapped to his side.
"Heheh, someone is ready to go!"
>>130281>heroes and anti-heroes she's read aboutWithout inquiring into what revisionist histories Amber has been reading, he's certainly something different
He opens the door, moves through it, and signals for Amber to come through. carpet floors, grated air vents, tan-ish colored walls, a single room and a kitchen that connects with it. Not very big at all. At least there is a stove in the kitchen, and a separate bathroom. The walls could really use a new coat of paint
>>130282"Yes! Do I just wear this robe over the sword?"
>>130283Amber grins. Compared to some of the unromantic stories from a century back this is practically luxury. It not quite like home but it will certainly do.
"I think I'll stay here." She goes to see what kind of view the room has.
Are there signs of any current occupants?
>>130284"Excellent! Just pay a deposit and we can get the paperwork done quickly"
No signs of a current occupant, though there are stains on the carpet
>>130283Silver takes a look at Mala's robe.
"Depends on what you want to prioritize. Wearing sword over makes it easier to access for battle, while wearing it under makes it concealed."
>>130288"I would rather hide it..."
>>130289Well, she knows what she has to do
>>130290Silver nods.
"Alright, wear it under."
>>130291He taps his side, to show that he indeed has the sword under the roe, although the robe looks strange on him
>>130292"I... I could go lower"
>>130294Another roll for the negotiations
>>130293"Alright. Go ahead and head outside if you are ready. I have one last thing to do before we leave."
>>130295[1d20+3 = 6](when does diplomacy skill come into play?)
>>130297Now would be a very good time
>>130296He scurries on outside
>>130298Silver goes to find Jubilosa to tell her goodbye before he leaves.
>>130294>>130297"70 bits is the best I can do" He says
>>130302"Where are you going?" She asks
>>130303She shuffles her hooves, looking at the carpet. She's no longer smiling but has an expression midway between disappointment and embarrassment.
"Fifty bits is all I have on me…" >>130304"I'm stretching it even to lower to 50 bits. I need some insurance if the apartment is damaged" He answers
>>130303"There is quarry near outskirts of city where I did mission before one at Hoebuck which connected to old undead catacombs. Now that undead are cleared, I am going back to help in making sure remains are properly buried."
>>130306"Uh....." Her beak is partly open
"Alright then. I'll see you. Sometime..."
At first, I though he was talking to Mala. I was oing to have a line of dialogue where Mala gleefully answers "I've handled remains be-" and cuts himself off when he realizes what he is saying >>130305"Sir, I swear that I won't damage the apartment one bit. I'll leave it even better than it is now!" She tries to smile encouragingly.
"I won't have any spending money, but at least I brought some food with me…" >>130308"By all means, come back when you have the bits"
>>130307The unicorn gives the griffon a hug and a kiss goodbye.
>>130310She's almost surprised by this, but she's hugged and kissed goodbye
>>130309She bends her head beneath her cloak and unfastens a jingling pouch.
"Hmmre!" She sets it down on the floor.
"There's fifty bits…" >>130311Silver smiles at her as he releases her.
"I will see you later Jubilosa."
>>130312"There we go" He smiles almost triumphantly as he examines the bits
"I should mention now that rent is paid upfront"
>>130313"Bye!" She smiles back at him
>>130314She looks quite jittery now.
"I don't have the bits! Can I pay you in a week?" >>130314Silver bids her goodbye, and joins Mala outside.
"Okay, I am now ready."
>>130315He looks away from Amber
"I am not in the business of providing free accommodation to creatures I have no guarantee will not fail to make payment later"
Then he looks back to her. There's something strange in his smile.
"But... I do know creatures who are, if all you need is a small loan, and you're just going to pay it back in a couple weeks"
>>130316Mala joins besides him
"Off on our first venture togeher!" he says
>>130317Amber ponders her choices.
"Why don't I go find another apartment? I'm sure that the owner will be much more obliging. And even if he isn't, I don't mind sleeping outside a couple of nights.To herself:
A loan?! I just got here, I can't go into debt already. What would my parents think? >>130319"Haha,
No one in this city will let you into an apartment without payment upfront, and most wouldn't even lower the down payment. Not without securities. Not for 50 bits. And the police are only so tolerant of the homeless loitering in public places. If I were you, a young mare, I would be
afraid to be on the streets at night, especially asleep."
>>130318Silver nods, and joins Mala in heading for the quarry.
"You know what we are doing, yes? We are going to help recover bodies left over from my last mission."
Amber sits back, defeated. The police would arrest me even while sleeping? That's just mean. I can't believe that everypony would be as nasty as this griffin. Dare I wander around all day to find out?
She sighs. "Fiiiine. Where can I get a decent short-term loan?"
>>130321His eyes go wide, and both ears twitch
"Last... Mission? Back at the place?"
>>130322"Well, you see, it can be hard for a little filly like you to get a loan from a 'reputable' lender because they want securities, and credit history, and all sorts of things you couldn't possibly have, otherwise you wouldn't need to borrow the money in the first place. And they can't even make it worth their while because of ridiculous 'usury' laws. But not to worry, little filly. You see, I work with creatures who are willing to stick their necks out to help little creatures like you. Just go down the street, take a right, then another right at the next street on the corner, go into the place there, and say you're lookin' for a seaweed beer, 200 miligrams. They'll get it to you. You do gotta tell them who you are, where you're stayin'. But they'll get it to you, won't ask what you want if for, what you got for them to take if you can't pay it back, or nothin'"
>>130323"Back at quarry I was telling you about."
>>130323Amber blinks incredulously,
"Seaweed beer? Pardon my asking, but is this a practical joke waiting for me?
It wouldn't be the first time something like this happened…" >>130324"Ohhhh. With the zombies. Yes! Let's go!"
>>130325"Hahaha, they just like discretion. Make sure who they're dealing with. It's code, but for you, how innocent you look, they might not care."
>>130326"Alright…,", she says reluctantly. She follows his directions to the place as the griffin said, keeping an eye on her surroundings.
I'm pretty sure I read a story about a colt who went to a place like this, and it didn't work out very well… >>130327Well... She goes down the street, takes a right, takes another right... Well, she's there alright. It's a bar, it seems like. A bit odd, not really one Amber would normally patronize
>>130326Silver nods at him.
"Yes. We are going to help give dead proper burial they were denied. If that sounds good with you."
>>130328>implying Amber's patronized a bar beforeShe swallows before she heads in. She's read of such rowdy, chaotic places before, drowned in cigar smoke and thronged with burly stallions who'd beat each other up over a slight. She cautiously walks in, hoping nopony notices her.
>>130329"I don't know if I much see the point of it. My brother didn't get a marked grave, neither did mother. Seems like a waste when the living don't-" He looks over to Silver, and his left ear goes down
"Oh, yes. Yes, that sounds good. Very good. Let's do the thing!"
>>130330Looking in it's... Empty. Almost empty. There's a couple ponies at a table, just one, and a diamond dog at the bar, cleaning a glass. It's a big, tall grey diamond dog. There is a lingering cigar smell though...
>>130331She breathes a sigh of relief and walks to the bar. Rather than looking at the intimidatingly large canine directly, she stares at the bottles behind him as she states,
"Um…howdy. I want a glass of 'seaweed beer.' I think maybe two hundred milligrams, however many ounces that is." >>130332The Diamond dog suddenly stops rubbing the glass, and freezes in place, looking up at Amber. He has a sort of smile, almost malign. His lips are almost too long.
"Sure thing. Just let me confirm with the manager" He moves over to the side, and through a doorway
He comes out with a Zebra mare. Her mane is combed to fall down towards the right, and the bottom of her muzzle is black, sort of like Amber's coloration. She looks to Amber, and has a kind of warmer smile
"Can I get some ID from you?"
>>130333Amber could swear the hairs on her back are standing on end from the Diamond Dog. This eases a bit when she sees the zebra.
"Of course…" She digs out the spent train ticket that she would still have with her and sets it down on the counter with her mouth.
>>130334"Excellent." She moves her hoof to pull over the ticket and starts to write something down
"And where are you staying, Amber?"
>>130336"And you answered my next question as well. Only 150?"
>>130338She nods, still smiling, and pulls out a number of bits in her hooves. She counts them out them beneath the counter top, so that Amber can see them from where she sits, but no one not sitting at the bar could. She moves one hundred and fifty bits over to Amber.
"Come back to us in a week with 165 bits. If you can come back before then, that's fine too. Two weeks, make it 180 bits. We'll come to you if we lose touch."
>>130339She smiles gratefully at the zebra.
"Thank you, ma'am. I'll be back as soon as possible." She puts the bits into her pouch, a few at a time to prevent accidentally spilling any. As soon as this is done she turns to go back.
>>130340"Have a good day!" She smiles, closing her eyes and showing surprisingly white teeth. Amber can simply leave and go back
>>130341She goes back and meets Guido. Before she hoofs him the money she makes sure to read whatever contract he presents carefully.
>>130342Liability waivers, month to month rent that allows changes in prices, rules for eviction and so forth. A whole page on bed bugs... Guido further tells her that if a team of armed creatures come for her, he'd rather unlock the door than have them bust it down.
>>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.