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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>>138189"And all of that was worth all of this?"
>>138190She is silent for a moment
“I should have expected the government would come to try to snuff us.”
>>138191"I do not mean legal repercussions."
He motions to the altars with a hoof.
"Was it worth all
this? I know what happened in this room. I saw what happened, and I know from your knife that you participated."
>>138192She looks over to the altars, blinks, and then stares.
She does not answer Silver, or indeed, say anything at all.
>>138193Silver trots over to the dagger he knocked aside, which was formerly the female's property, and inspects it.
>>138194Wavy "kris" patterned dagger, about six inches, with engravings on the blade and a red handle with black colored patterns.
>>138195Silver lets out a solemn sigh, focused still on the dagger.
"I have killed more than my fair share across my life, and at times it can weigh heavily on me. I always wonder if I have done so for right reasons. Or if there is ever even right reason to take life. I know I am not good pony. All I hope is that I use what I am good at to stop even worse ponies."
He looks back at the female griffon.
"What about you? Does what happened at this altar weigh on you?"
>>138196"But... I didn't have anything to do with it..."
>>138197He holds the dagger up for her to see.
"This blade pierced still-beating hearts of victims placed upon this altar. Whether or not it was killing blow does not change your part in it."
>>138198She looks up at the dagger, and the altar behind it. She blinks, and then looks down and away from Silver and the dagger. She is again silent.
>>138199He looks sadly at the griffon, and lets out a sigh.
"I apologize for beating you while you are down by pointing out what happened here. I know it weighs heavily on you. I just...what happened here is cut above everything else I have seen in all my years. I know it is easy to remove yourself from blame of what actions you are performing, when you are just one among dozens all doing same thing, but this is not something that can so easily be shrugged off or should be shrugged off."
>>138200She takes a moment, but then looks back upwards towards Silver with an accusing face
"We never killed thirty creatures in one night.
Never. Not even close."
She maintains the expression for a moment, but after looking into Silver's eyes for a second or so longer, she breaks off, closing her eyes and pressing her head down into the ground, and returning to silence.
>>138201"As I said, I have killed more than my fair share. I do not deny my part in that."
He stays silent for a second, then two, before he speaks again.
"What is your name?"
>>138202She looks partly upward, but does not make eye contact, staring instead at the wall on the far side
"Saulėlydis"
>>138203"It is very beautiful name."
He smiles at her, and holds a forehoof over his heart.
"I am Serebry Meckov. 'Silver Sword', in Ponish."
>>138204Now, she looks up, and makes eye contact with Silver. Her eyes are grey. She nods, but has no hint of a smile.
After a pause, she answers
"Sundown."
>>138205"It is name that perfectly fits you."
He lays on all fours, in a more relaxed position.
"Do you think you could tell me about your companion? Are you two close?"
>>138206Invited or not, Pear, who has been in fairly close physical proximity for most of this, now moves to lay down in a manner similar to Silver, slightly further away and perpendicular to Silver. Sundown does not have her legs under her (like Pear and presumably Silver), but rather her legs are spread out as she lays down.
"Yes. He is a comrade and partner in the Society. He is Askfält Ihåligt. Originally from Vedina. He has been in the Society a little longer than I, and in Equestria a little longer than I."
>>138208"What is it you think of him? Were you friends?"
>>138209"More than friends. We do not need marriage to show our bond."
>>138210He nods, and bows his head.
"I am sorry for hitting him over head so hard. He should be fine, he just will need some rest."
>>138211She looks over at the griffin near her, then reaches out a claw, and touches his leg
"He better"
>>138212He looks over the two griffons, contemplating things.
"If I was Imperial Inquisitor, or common Black Hoof operative, I suppose I would turn you in to be sent back to Griffonia, to face justice. And there would be those who would say it was necessary..."
He slowly shakes his head.
"I do not think it is though. I do not believe you are evil, and I doubt you would have joined Maarists in first place had you not been in such dire straits."
>>138213At the beginning of the statement, she moves to place both claws under herself as she looks up at Silver.
She ultimately doesn't make a response, although she breathes in, and then out in a ragged fashion.
>>138214"If I let you two go, what will you do?"
>>138215"We have been hanging around the dance hall-temple, and what remains of our lives"
>>138216"I know it is only paltry...but I do have some money I can give to you. Something to help you rebuild your life, without having to join cult again."
>>138217Enthusiastically, she replies
"Then I will gladly leave you alone. We will."
>>138151The distinctions of such roles are unknown to Amber, who stands smiling cheerfully by the front door.
>>138218He smiles at her, and pulls out his knife to cut the pair free before remembering something to ask her.
"Oh, do you think you could also talk to my companion? She really would like to hear about Maarism."
>>138220Pear pulls a little back and almost prepares to sit up when Silver cuts the griffin free, and then smiles awkwardly looking at Sundown.
"Oh.. kay" Sundown answers
>>138219Uh... let me think of something >>138221Silver puts his knife away after cutting them free, and offers a hoof to Sundown to help her up.
>>138222She looks up at him, then down at his hoof, and then cautiously places her claw on his hoof.
>>138223Silver grips her claw as best as one could with a hoof, and pulls her up with a measure of strength. He gives her a smile, before turning to rummage through his bags.
"Give me just moment to get some money."
>>138224Sundown has a very loose grip, as she is more grabbed by Silver and pulled onto her claws
Pear seems to slide back the revolver
>>138225"Here we go!"
Silver pulls out a big stack of paper Bits. 500 Bits worth. He holds it out in his magic to Sundown.
"It is not much, but it is something. Take it."
>>138226Pear places a hoof on Silver
"I want to get a full interview from them."
>>138227Silver looks at Pear, nods, and turns to Sundown.
>>138228She opens the end part of her beak in something like a wince
"If we will be left alone after that, and if nothing is told to the police."
Pear answers at least the last part
"This is for purely academic purposes."
>>138229"I promise you, on both accounts."
>>138230"Okay" She answers, and takes the money
>>138231Silver looks back to Pear.
"So, how do you want to conduct it?"
>>138232"I think I'll need some privacy, and some time. But I wouldn't want to conduct it here if you are not here."
>>138233"Alright, I can help with that. Just let me know where you want to go."
>>138234"In a side room up here if you will stay around... or take us all back to the church if you will leave"
>>138235"I will stay around, keep eye on things."
>>138236She nods, and then smiles, evidently actually excited. She says to Sundown, "My name is Pear Faucet, Associate Professor of Hippology at Stableside University.... I could... ask a few questions..."
Eventually the two go off to one of the rooms between the stairwell and the chapel, likely the same room where Keskoo was found
>>138237Silver keeps watch near the door, while also trying to keep an eye on the unconscious Askfält.
>>138238This takes perhaps more time than Silver intended, as she is in the room with Sundown for an extended period of time. The silence - and occasional lack of it - could perhaps feel unsettling.
>>138239Silver paces, hoping for the best.