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>>130653"Yes" She nods, and smiles awkwardly. She walks off
White Sands asks
"So... you don't seem to know modern society very well... Where are you from, exactly?"
>>130654"Oh! That's so neat! My name is Slow Burn. I'm not a priest yet, but I'm an assistant to the Priestess here. I hope to be a deacon someday."
>>130655"From the jungle," Iron replies as his mind pondered where exactly he should go.
>>130656Whit Sands walks out, and starts to walk on her own, leading Iron
"I know you had never seen a phone before. Not only that, the concept was completely alien. Say, how much _do_ you know about Changelings. I mean, what did you know before coming to this city?"
>>130657"Only heard about them as some sort of story for foals to behave and follow the rules the elders taught," he continues "did not really buy it, considering how brutal they were depicted as."
>>130659"But what did they
say?"
>>130658"Oh, it's great! I get to help in the rituals, and talk to all sorts of ponies. Mostly older mares, but all sorts of ponies! I decided to serve after there was this terrible terrible storm and I though our house would wash away, and then the sun came through the clouds and it was the most incredible thing ever! There were some other things but I think that was the biggest thing -"
>>130660"They tear your chest open and eat your heart while you're still alive and tied up with some gooey stuff," Iron explains stoically "then others come along and eat the rest of the victim piece by piece. All because the pony thought it was a good idea to trust a stranger to lead him into a secret fun spot, or whatever other secluded place the elder could think of."
He slowly turns to see Sands, having trotted up next to her. "Ones like to throw in a mocking, sadistic tone while they do that, others prefer to paint them as cold, calcuating predators. It is up to the elder."
>>130661"Well I don't know if it was a real 'miracle, more like a reminder of how bright and beautiful life can be in the toughest of times and to never give up hope, but yeah Princess Celestia controls th sun so it wouldn't be there without her anyways. There are a lot of ponies! Most of them want something though. But there was this one stallion a few days ago who came in who said he fought zombies and it was really interesting, like a comic book or something -"
>>130662"Well, we've seen hearts ripped out and victims eaten piece by piece, but it wasn't Changelings doing it. The
Elders tell you this?"
>>130663Iron nods. "I doubt they actually believe it," he adds "probably they are simply retelling what the last elder told them, going back for far longer than I was alive."
>>130664"Uh huh. Did you tell me that you didn't know who the Princess is? Or was?"
>>130663"Zombies?! I know city life can be very queer, but I've never heard of zombies being around before."Rolling knowledge (history, hopefully this is the right one for the job) regarding zombinos in Equestria:
[1d20+6 = 22] >>130665Iron shakes his head. "Most I heard is that they do not believe the Sun is moved by a pony, and therefore nopony really talks about her."
>>130666>Artifiicial 22>Satan TripsZombies are associated with Coljun culture (uncomfirmed for any acual zombies), an alleged outbreak of Zombies in Albion a couple hundred years ago (questionable), and myths of a great zombie war in Northern Griffonia.
"Oh yes! He says he fought zombies with sword and gun in some old underground... place. He came back with these glasses full of salt and they had spirits in them or something"
>>130667"What had you heard about the outside world?"
>>130668"Nothing much, as that sort of talk is only for the elders to discuss," Iron explains.
>>130669"Who were the elders?" She asks
>>130668Amber tries to suppress a giggle.
"Old ponies love to tell tall tales. He was probably just dealing with some nasty critters, and I bet those salts had liquor in them. He sure sounds like an interesting storyteller though." >>130670"A bunch of old coots that keep track of the knowledge gained through ponies on their spiritual journey," he answers "some of them were promoted to elders if they bring tons of knowledge and resources. Cannot enter their group otherwise."
>>130671"No no! There were blue auras of magic that rose up to the ceiling! He said there were real zomies!"
>>130672"When was the last time you talked to your mother or father?" She asks
>>130673"Last time I spoke to mother was... 2 seasons ago while my father about 1 or so," Iron answers, softly poking his chin "...I hope they do not miss me too much back there."
>>130673Amber narrows her eyes skeptically.
"Zombies are an old mares' tale, and those stories are from a long ways away. It's not that hard for an unicorn to make dancing lights; he probably wasn't an unicorn but I'm sure he found some way to do it." >>130674She takes in a long breath, and hold it.
"I don't even know how long it's been, for me"
She continues walking
>>130675"The bottles did it on their own! I saw it!"
>>130676Iron nods stoically. "I will probably reach your level soon," he comments absent-mindedly.
>>130677She blinks
"And that's okay with you?"
>>130678"...not really," he answers "but I do not have high hopes I will be able to see them in less than... 16 seasons or something like that with my lackluster achievments so far."
>>130676"It wouldn't be the first time a pony used magic secretly and claimed it was something more. I'd want to believe you but I think you've been hoodwinked." She suddenly looks a bit bashful.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to be so brusque…" >>130679"What constitutes an achievement?" She asks
>>130680He droops
"Oh..."
>>130681Iron shrugs. "I have no idea," he promptly answers "this is supposed to be a spiritual journey, so the details were less than precise. At least I should have material proof of my success."
>>130681She rubs her fetlock against her leg, looking to the side.
"So, erm…you really do get ponies from all over Equestria?" >>130683"Most are from around here, but there are some from the swamps, from Canterlot, from Fillydelphia, from Bales, from Vanhoover, and other places. At least I think there are."
>>130682She turns her head forward
"Well, I know I have to report back... You know, I
don't have any material proof of success... or any success to report... I am kind of afraid" Her ears fall slightly back, and she frowns
>>130684Iron nods. "I feel you," he answers "disappointing the ones that took care of you and expect you to do amazing things only to give nothing really hurts."
He briefly glances forwards as well, admittedly still downcast.
>>130684She resumes a small smile and looks at Slow Burn.
"That's really interesting.
I've been trotting around the city all day and I've noticed how different every neighborhood is from another. Have been around all of Baltimare before?" >>130686"Oh, yes I have! I am from south of the city, but I live in the North now."
>>130685She nods, and looks forward. She leads him around a corner, and is most definitely leading
"It seems your situation is a lot like mine, in many ways..."
>>130687He nods back, agreeing with her overall evaluation, keeping any potential comments that could ruin the moment in his mouth as he keeps on following her without any complaints.
>>130688She stops
"Alright... Here is the Equestrian Union station... I can't go to a consulate... let's see if they let me send it"
>>130689"Oh, there are plenty of houses and old apartment buildings. There's the river down there and the old hospital. Some areas are nice, but many are run down. There's many old mills there. Most of the city is north of the river, but there are towns south of there. Those are more like the old Equestria"
>>130690Iron nods. "Shall I accompany you or do you prefer to be alone on this?" he offers.
>>130692With a nod, Iron steps forth. "I will come with, then," he proclaims stoically.
[1d20 = 5]>>130694"Oh, well there's this cathedral, there's the movie theater, there's some farms, there's the paper mill, there's the monastery with the orphanage, there are some nice restaurants, the's the town of Northside and the waterfront there -"
>>130693"Alright..."
She walks in . Whatever else Iron may think of White Sands, she is rather pleasing to look at from behind.
She walks in, and towards a mare, hoofing her a letter. She says a few words, evidently city names
>>130695The nice landscape Iron's currently is seeing only serves to reminds his own issues regarding his opinion on the painting.
Iron waits without saying a word as the transfer starts.
[1d20 = 19]>>130696"Sorry, we'e not sending to there-"
"Well what about..."
>>130697Uh..."Oh, there's the carnival, there are places to go to the beach, there's the zoo -"
>>130698Iron's ear flicker at the rejection yet keeps calm, knowing his own input won't really matte.
[1d20 = 16]>>130699"Yes, we can send to that city"
White Sands breathes out, visibly relieved
>>130700No... But the river is south and the bay is east"Oh yes! There's a Ferris wheel and everything! And all sorts of strange beasts!"
[1d5 = 2]>>130699>>130701She comes back. She is shaking
"Message sent..."
>>130701Iron can't but exhale as well, wondering what is her next move.