In Changelingia (West Equestria), Brie gains the support of a Changeling queen for his endeavors. Spark is doing his best to help an ill Wolf spiritual leader.
In Free Equestria (East Equestria), Iron is trying to intimidate a group of criminal griffin interlopers. Fantasy Play is helping to shut down an Anarchist press. Silver is helping his new household. Amber Sunset is walking through the city, and Dark Star has just finished helping the orphans.
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She shrugs. "That ain't anything new to me, at one point I was lucky to have a mess of beans a day."[/color] She adopts a more curious expression. "What do you normally do around this time?"
>>136939"On good days when I have the time? Go to the Pache, or the Albion Cafe here in west side. With a little less time, I can go by the salad bar and eat there or take something back. But many days I have to check inventory or fill out requests to manufacturers or hem something or deal with any of these extortionists that lurk the city... On those times I bring something to work, or go with nothing at all."
>>136940"Oh, I see." She looks out the front window and continues,
"Mind if I have a look around?" >>136942"Outside. I won't be long." If that is deemed acceptable Amber will wander near the vicinity of the shop, more to stretch her legs and feel the brisk air more than anything else.
>>136943“Heh, I’m flattered that you think the city belongs to me, but I don’t own anything more than a lease on this shop, a small home on a quarter of an acre in north town, and a tiny loft in Canterlot I haven’t been able to rid myself of in the last decade. So I can’t really claim to give permission to enter the great outside one way or another. Yes, you’re on lunch break. Be back at 1 PM sharp.”
>>136944Amber nods and goes and wanders aimlessly for that time.
brb >>136945Looking outside, Amber can see the sharp contrasts of Baltimare, with colonial style houses, rundown brick tenements, neo-classical styled government buildings, glass and stainless steel modern office buildings, and old townhouses just a few blocks from each other. Oddly dressed strange creatures walk down some areas, while unicorns who look like they could be walking the streets of Canterlot, occupy different corners. Some streets have trash and boarded up windows, some are at least respectable. Of course Amber does not see the absolute extremes of each position - nothing in this part of town looks as bad as the average of the buildings by the shoreline, and she’s yet to see a true aristocracy anywhere in this city, but the contrast is noticeable. Mostly, it’s by the street, with some streets nicer than others. The particular street Amber has found employment on, as well as a few around it, are fairly respectable, and are home to government buildings and corporate offices. Not many blocks down are older residential buildings of a lesser character, and the shops that survive there are a bit less aligned with high society. There are several more advertisements for job openings, which are overwhelmingly for entry level positions like Amber’s.
>>136919Silver tilts his head at this display, but answers promptly.
"Most cultists survived, and were arrested. Those from abroad will be extradited to Griffonia, likely to be dealt with by their Inquisition. Locals were also arrested, but will likely go through our own criminal justice system for their crimes. Inner circle, including Sweet Boek, was killed in fighting twice, once when we first fought them, second after Boek resurrected them."
>>136947She pauses and blinks
“Did you... find anything? Recover anything? Books, idols, any kind of tangible artifacts?”
>>136946Sorry I took so longAmber takes a casual look at these employment ads, to see how they compare with her current line of work. Perhaps there's something with non-overlapping work hours?
>>136950Some retail and operator positions do seem to occupy later times in the day, including night shift
>>136953Operator…like with telephones? Before she asks about that in person, however, she looks to see how the nightshift of retail would differ from the day.
>>136955If Amber was hoping for a chemical plant or refinery operator job, a job as a crane operator, or even as a special forces operator (in Equestria!)... she'd be disappointed, as none of those jobs are advertised. Only telephone operators, according to the descriptions in the respective posters.
Mostly the commercial services night shift jobs are in grocers, drug stores, coffee shops, and occasional diners, restaurants, or bars.
>>136961A restaurant gig doesn't sound too bad…She ask about what this entails.
>>136962A mare at a stand directs her to another mare, who explains that waitress, hostess, cleaning, and in some but not most restaurants, cook jobs are available.
Bartending requires more experience.
>>136964Somehow, the black maned grey earth pony in front of her looks exceptionally round. It's not fat... it's not fat at all, it's just... something about her hindquarters looks a bit more... "thick."
"Well, the hostess greats ponies... err, creatures, or whatever they are calling them these days, at the door, and helps set them up at their table, usually directing them herself."
>>136965Amber's ears perk up and she gives a wide smile.
"I can do that!"乇 乂 ㄒ 尺 卂 ㄒ 卄 丨 匚 匚 >>136966She smiles;
"Yeah, it's pretty straightforward most of the time."
I can't believe it's just so round, it's like out there... She blinks. “So I have to keep track of reservations and make sure everypony has a seat?"
How is it that shape? It must be difficult sitting in a lot of chairs…though exceptionally comfortable.
>>136968She nods, still smiling
"Oh yes! Just take note of who is there when, what sized tables are available, who has reservations, any suspicious persons coming in, answer any questions ponies have, keep track of wait time... give out menus... there's more but I can't think of it off the top of my head."
You kind of have to wonder if she accidentally knocks items off shelves in shops.
But I do have to go to sleep now...
>>136969"That sounds like fun! If I may ask, what are the hours? I'm already working at a store in the day…"I wonder how she got that way. A pony would have to pull a plow for miles to get that developed. Or maybe it's her diet? I wouldn't mind looking like that, I have the odd feeling some ponies would think I actually look better…oh Princesses I'm staring aren't I! Amber struggles to not visibly blush.
>>136981"Why yes! It can be. Well, sometimes boring and sometimes stressful, but sure. Fun. The restaurant is open for dinner between three and eleven, although hostesses' aren't necessarily used everyday before 5 PM, and unless they help to close they don't stay everyday past 10:30. Although on busier days they-"
She loses her smile, and stops talking. Then she moves her head down into Amber's line of sight, so that she has eye contact with her again.
"Are.. are you okay?"
>>136989Amber looks shyly away, blushing and giving a nervous chuckle.
"Oh, yes. I–I think I can make it work. I normally get off at five and on special days I think…I think I can get out early!" She looks back in the other pony's eyes, still smiling nervously.
"I'll do my best. When can I start?" >>136993She moves forward slightly, with certain parts of her gyrating nigh hypnotically as she does so.
"Oh, excellent! I would need to check with the owner - well, the technical owner, first, before I could do anything, but... soon!"
>>137009Well, fortunately they updated it today so you can play it >>137061Amber laughs nervously as she backs up a couple of steps, eyes darting between the face of this well-endowed mare and someplace behind this individual.
"I mean–it's such a terrific opportunity! I've–I've never worked in a restaurant before, but I know I can make ponies feel welcome. When can I start–er, if he accepts that is!" >>136948"We did find some Maarist texts they had printed, bound in leather made from ponyhide. We did not grab any, but they might still be there."
>>137066Like it has a gravitational pull
"Well yes, you get to meet all sorts of ponies! Uh... creatures. But it's a great first place to start. You should hear shortly."
>>137096"So they do use hide..." She says to herself, looking down as if in contemplation.
"Uh..." She looks at Silver, and then sits down in place, her tail wrapping around her.
"There aren't many chances to actually see live Maarists, or even their effects, most anywhere. Most of them have not survived to modern times. Rumors about the cults are more prevalent than facts and hard to distinguish from the former. Most of its followers who have survived - if indeed they have survived, and it's not just the Inquisition looking to justify its continued existence - do not want to be found. And those that are found... well, governments try to hush it up. This is a rare opportunity."
[Read more] >>137097"You want me to see if I can get one of books for you?"
>>137098“Yes! Or... if you could get me there, especially to have an interview with those cultists captured alive.”
>>137099"Hmm...well, I can see what I can do. I will find out where they are keeping captured cultists, and maybe see if they will let you interview them."
>>137100She jumps back up onto her feet, all of them close together, smiling in a wide, toothy smile.
"Really?! That's great! I mean... that would be very good." She moves her head down, with a slight blush after that reaction, one ear flopping down momentarily.
>>137101He offers a smile and a chuckle at her display.
"It will more than likely be tomorrow, but I will see what I can do."
>>137102She looks back up, smile dropping
"We're... leaving soon. I'm not sure when, but the survey will not last long." She steps forward, much closer to Silver. "You're really good at retrieving things, and getting into places... even when someone else already possesses it. You think... you can help me get in quickly?"
>>137103Silver scratches his chin, and lets out a small sigh.
"Alright. Come on, let us get to 33 Hoebuck."
>>137104She jumps up, and runs, rubbing against him as she moves through the door. She hops almost like a child's play as she moves, smiling, but then turning around after she's moved past Silver.
"Oh, uh, sorry. Let's go."
>>137105Silver smiles a bit more.
"You do not need to apologise about that, it is fine."
He hails a taxi as one passes by, and tells the driver once they get in to take them to 33 Hoebuck.
>>137097Is it wrong that I want to know what it feels like?"Um, of course! I'll come by later…I'm sorry, but I don't think I've gotten your name….…" The more petite mare rubs the back of her head, grinning nervously.
Success! I got the mod to work! Now only to get my computer to run it well…Also does anyone use submods? Apparently there's one that makes Aryanne a possible leader for New Mareland. >>137106She gives a fleeting and awkward smile, and closes the door behind her. She starts on her way to the road, before running back inside her motel room to grab her keys and lock it. She also grabs a couple bands, and begins to tie her mane before giving up on it. She moves over to the road, as a couple wagons move by. She successfully hails a taxi herself, and gets in. She defers to Silver for the instructions on just where the Taxi goes.
>>137108"Oh, my name is Salty Mixer. You can just call be Mixer." She says, smiling.
I only have the music mod >>137110"Um, pleased to m-meet you, Mixer! My name's…err, Amber! Amber Sunset, but you can call me Amber."Amber tilts her head quizzically.
"What do you mix, if I may ask?" >>137112"Well, I usually work the bar." She answers
>>137113"Hold up, you mix drinks?" Amber looks puzzled by this, as if the concept is entirely new to her.
>>137114"Well yes. And the soup sometimes, but mostly drinks."
>>137110Silver looks over at her after she gets in.
"Need help with your mane?"
>>137116"Well, I am told it looks nicer when down and styled. But when I am doing any sort of field work I keep it up so it is out of the way. Maybe..."
>>137118"Heh, it's not like making the Pona Lisa or anything, but there
is an art to it, and a science to it."