Continuing
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
Merry Christmas and Happy Hearth's Warming Everyone and Everypony!
[YouTube] The True Gift of GiftingIf you want to see the latest posts from all boards in a convenient way please check out /overboard/
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1791 replies and 26 files omitted.
>>143626
Amber walks down, past a set of stairs leading up, past a few more booths, and towards the right side. More of the nightclub moves behind her and to her left, as evidenced by the sounds, and the waiter carrying drinks who moves by, but Amber goes forward, finding a set of doors on the right.
Amber walks down, past a set of stairs leading up, past a few more booths, and towards the right side. More of the nightclub moves behind her and to her left, as evidenced by the sounds, and the waiter carrying drinks who moves by, but Amber goes forward, finding a set of doors on the right.
>>143627
Amber heads forward, fast enough to have some sense of urgency but not so fast that she might inadvertently get in anypony's way. When she arrives at the doors she cautiously opens one and pokes her head through.
Amber heads forward, fast enough to have some sense of urgency but not so fast that she might inadvertently get in anypony's way. When she arrives at the doors she cautiously opens one and pokes her head through.
>>143628
A door moves open, to enter into a small hallway. Near the end of it is a peppered black and grey stallion, who observes Amber, before giving a nod
A door moves open, to enter into a small hallway. Near the end of it is a peppered black and grey stallion, who observes Amber, before giving a nod
>>143629
Everypony is so serious, it makes me feel uncomfortable....
She stops in front of the stallion, unsure of where she should go next.
Everypony is so serious, it makes me feel uncomfortable....
She stops in front of the stallion, unsure of where she should go next.
>>143630
He looks down at Amber and examines her. But after a few seconds, he wordlessly opens a hardwood door next to him
"You may see her."
He looks down at Amber and examines her. But after a few seconds, he wordlessly opens a hardwood door next to him
"You may see her."
>>143631
"Thank you...," she says, uncertainly. Walking through the entrance, she tries to see what kind of room it is.
"Thank you...," she says, uncertainly. Walking through the entrance, she tries to see what kind of room it is.
Sorry for dragging this on, looking forward to continuing tomorrow!
>>143632
Entering into the room, Amber sees that it is definitely an office. The walls themselves are brightly varnished wood, with big shelves to each side, and a big walnut desk in the center. There are a number of items of curiosity; a purple geode sits on the left of the desk, and another with a pink color on the third row of the left shelf, and these are accompanied by many odd rocks with sedimentary bands. In front of the left shelf is a large log of what seems to be petrified wood. Yet not every item of curiosity is inorganic; on the shelf above is a preserved pink salamander, and another almost albino looking fish, or perhaps amphibian. Nor is everything lifeless. On the right side of the room is a fish tank with a crayfish-like at the bottom, and several slender, colorless fish.
All that is said above are things that might meet Amber's wandering eye in moments of anxiety or boredom, as for now her attention is most likely on what sits in front of her. Behind the desk is a mare, perhaps a little larger in size than the average. Her mane has this almost faux fur quality to it, and its jet black hair would certainly shine if the yellow light of the room were not so dim. Her coat is perhaps her most unusual feature, for her -red brown fur varies in color from point to paint, sometimes more red, more often brown, and occasionally speckled black. She looks very much the color of rust, or perhaps even dried blood. Her face bears an almost perfectly neutral expression, and her long muzzle ends with two incisors that hang out over her lips. The two large, brown wings that angle up beside her are webbed, not a unique quality among the ponies she's seen today, but the large finger-like hooks at their apertures stand out among what amber has seen before. She is relaxed back in her chair, and her eyes - locked on Amber - are the same pale pink color as the salamander on the shelf, or even the fish in the tank.
Entering into the room, Amber sees that it is definitely an office. The walls themselves are brightly varnished wood, with big shelves to each side, and a big walnut desk in the center. There are a number of items of curiosity; a purple geode sits on the left of the desk, and another with a pink color on the third row of the left shelf, and these are accompanied by many odd rocks with sedimentary bands. In front of the left shelf is a large log of what seems to be petrified wood. Yet not every item of curiosity is inorganic; on the shelf above is a preserved pink salamander, and another almost albino looking fish, or perhaps amphibian. Nor is everything lifeless. On the right side of the room is a fish tank with a crayfish-like at the bottom, and several slender, colorless fish.
All that is said above are things that might meet Amber's wandering eye in moments of anxiety or boredom, as for now her attention is most likely on what sits in front of her. Behind the desk is a mare, perhaps a little larger in size than the average. Her mane has this almost faux fur quality to it, and its jet black hair would certainly shine if the yellow light of the room were not so dim. Her coat is perhaps her most unusual feature, for her -red brown fur varies in color from point to paint, sometimes more red, more often brown, and occasionally speckled black. She looks very much the color of rust, or perhaps even dried blood. Her face bears an almost perfectly neutral expression, and her long muzzle ends with two incisors that hang out over her lips. The two large, brown wings that angle up beside her are webbed, not a unique quality among the ponies she's seen today, but the large finger-like hooks at their apertures stand out among what amber has seen before. She is relaxed back in her chair, and her eyes - locked on Amber - are the same pale pink color as the salamander on the shelf, or even the fish in the tank.
>>143634
Everything about this room catches Amber by surprise and she doesn't know how to respond. Rocks? Strange creatures? Not what I expected in a nightclub office. The strange-looking mare, looking odd and un-ponylike in every respect, reminds Amber of a gargoyle. She's starting to almost wish it was a sleazy kind of nightclub owner instead-if this is indeed the owner-even a griffon like Guido.
That being said, Amber has no option but to slowly approach, though a small part of her is regretting coming here at all.
Everything about this room catches Amber by surprise and she doesn't know how to respond. Rocks? Strange creatures? Not what I expected in a nightclub office. The strange-looking mare, looking odd and un-ponylike in every respect, reminds Amber of a gargoyle. She's starting to almost wish it was a sleazy kind of nightclub owner instead-if this is indeed the owner-even a griffon like Guido.
That being said, Amber has no option but to slowly approach, though a small part of her is regretting coming here at all.
>>143641
The air is filled with the smell of cigarette smoke. Not the smell that lingers in the air of rooms long accustomed to smoke, but rather the smell of a fresh cigarette, one that burns even now, as Amber sits before her.
The dark red-brown pony before Amber looks somewhat masuline in her long muzzle and her sheer, stallion-equaling size. Yet in every other regard - eye lashes, choice of mane styling, and even her slim torso and curves - she is adequately feminine, if not necessarily who Amber would have chosen for a mate. If she were a colt, that is. She speaks
"Hello there, little pony."
Her voice is strange. That much was to be expected. What is unexpected is the way in which it sounds strange. She has no strong accent. Not much accent at all, except what a foreigner might call Equestrian. Nor does her voice deviate from what may be expected of a pony mare - it's appropriately high pitched. What is strange, rather, is that the voice does not sound like it is coming from in front of Amber. The voice seems to come from behind, as if from an echo, or indeed, as if the words were directly projected into Amber's head. But surely they do not, as the creature's mouth opens with the words. She has a golden tooth on the bottom left, and her tongue seems a bit slimmer and tapered more than Amber would expect in a pony.
"You are the one called?"
The air is filled with the smell of cigarette smoke. Not the smell that lingers in the air of rooms long accustomed to smoke, but rather the smell of a fresh cigarette, one that burns even now, as Amber sits before her.
The dark red-brown pony before Amber looks somewhat masuline in her long muzzle and her sheer, stallion-equaling size. Yet in every other regard - eye lashes, choice of mane styling, and even her slim torso and curves - she is adequately feminine, if not necessarily who Amber would have chosen for a mate. If she were a colt, that is. She speaks
"Hello there, little pony."
Her voice is strange. That much was to be expected. What is unexpected is the way in which it sounds strange. She has no strong accent. Not much accent at all, except what a foreigner might call Equestrian. Nor does her voice deviate from what may be expected of a pony mare - it's appropriately high pitched. What is strange, rather, is that the voice does not sound like it is coming from in front of Amber. The voice seems to come from behind, as if from an echo, or indeed, as if the words were directly projected into Amber's head. But surely they do not, as the creature's mouth opens with the words. She has a golden tooth on the bottom left, and her tongue seems a bit slimmer and tapered more than Amber would expect in a pony.
"You are the one called?"
>>143643
The younger mare likely stands below eye level; her pupils narrow suddenly with the odd sound of the creature's voice. "Y-yes. I was...um, told to meet, uh, Dark Denizen, by, um, a diamond dog." She's quite visibly trembling despite the dress and cloak covering most of her body. "Are you...are you Dark Denizen?"
The younger mare likely stands below eye level; her pupils narrow suddenly with the odd sound of the creature's voice. "Y-yes. I was...um, told to meet, uh, Dark Denizen, by, um, a diamond dog." She's quite visibly trembling despite the dress and cloak covering most of her body. "Are you...are you Dark Denizen?"
>>143644
"Yes." She says plainly, and she sits up from her formerly relaxed position, and looks Amber up and down. Her lips pull back ever so slightly in a faint smile.
"Do you normally dress so heavily?" She asks.
"Yes." She says plainly, and she sits up from her formerly relaxed position, and looks Amber up and down. Her lips pull back ever so slightly in a faint smile.
"Do you normally dress so heavily?" She asks.
>>143646
She nods, and has a more proper smile now. Her front fangs and teeth are a bit more visible.
"Indeed. Let me ask you. What do you know about why you are here? Or rather, where you are?"
She nods, and has a more proper smile now. Her front fangs and teeth are a bit more visible.
"Indeed. Let me ask you. What do you know about why you are here? Or rather, where you are?"
>>143647
Biting her lip, Amber shifts uneasily from hoof to hoof, not wanting to look at the creature directly. "I, um...I don't know.
I told a pony that I needed bits and I was told to wait for a message. Later I was told to come here."
Biting her lip, Amber shifts uneasily from hoof to hoof, not wanting to look at the creature directly. "I, um...I don't know.
I told a pony that I needed bits and I was told to wait for a message. Later I was told to come here."
>>143649
"I thought, maybe...maybe I was being hired. I can play the mandolin. It...it might not be an instrument you want, but, um, I can learn another," she responds, with a glimmer of hope but carrying a much stronger note of anxiety.
"I thought, maybe...maybe I was being hired. I can play the mandolin. It...it might not be an instrument you want, but, um, I can learn another," she responds, with a glimmer of hope but carrying a much stronger note of anxiety.
>>143650
Her lips pull back a little more, and then a "heh." She answers
"Maybe in time, if you can play. If I am still here... Tell me, are you from this area?"
Her lips pull back a little more, and then a "heh." She answers
"Maybe in time, if you can play. If I am still here... Tell me, are you from this area?"
>>143651
"Technically...I'm from a farm outside Baltimare. I came here a couple of days ago, erm, miss."
"Technically...I'm from a farm outside Baltimare. I came here a couple of days ago, erm, miss."
>>143652
She nods, seeming pleased
From a sound behind, the door cracks open, and the mare looks up.
"Uh, denizen"
"Yes?"
"The inspector came back"
Her ears, with those strange tufts, move up, and her attention
"Did you offer him drinks?"
"Yes... He wouldn't take them. He, he says we need the work done by Wednesday."
And then, in a snap,
"How does he expect us to do that so quickly?!"
With her teeth bared, and after a moment
"If he wants a new door, I'll rip one in him!"
With this she throws a hoof on the table, and scratches into it. Perhaps Amber was expecting a claw instead.
"I'll... I just thought you needed to know."
The stallion closes the door, and for a moment, Denizen is distracted, looking down in distressed anger, and Amber is for some seconds no longer the subject of her own interview.
She nods, seeming pleased
From a sound behind, the door cracks open, and the mare looks up.
"Uh, denizen"
"Yes?"
"The inspector came back"
Her ears, with those strange tufts, move up, and her attention
"Did you offer him drinks?"
"Yes... He wouldn't take them. He, he says we need the work done by Wednesday."
And then, in a snap,
"How does he expect us to do that so quickly?!"
With her teeth bared, and after a moment
"If he wants a new door, I'll rip one in him!"
With this she throws a hoof on the table, and scratches into it. Perhaps Amber was expecting a claw instead.
"I'll... I just thought you needed to know."
The stallion closes the door, and for a moment, Denizen is distracted, looking down in distressed anger, and Amber is for some seconds no longer the subject of her own interview.
>>143653
Denizen's outburst causes the hairs on Amber's coat to stand on end and she wonders if she could make a quiet exit unnoticed or if she would be stopped by the employees. It's okay, she's not angry at me...just...don't do anything that'll rile her up, and leaving all of a sudden might do that. She elects to shuffle off to the side and sit down quietly.
Denizen's outburst causes the hairs on Amber's coat to stand on end and she wonders if she could make a quiet exit unnoticed or if she would be stopped by the employees. It's okay, she's not angry at me...just...don't do anything that'll rile her up, and leaving all of a sudden might do that. She elects to shuffle off to the side and sit down quietly.
>>143654
The smile is gone, and does not return. Her entire attitude does not shift. With the stallion gone, Denizen's gaze turns back towards Amber. Her voice is more grounded now, but much sharper, and more direct.
"Do you know what that was about? No. You are not from this city. Good. May you never need to know the frustration. For ten long years I've run this night club, and finally got the controlling stake. We've had no problems with fires or any emergencies, save those couple times some drunk pony brought a gun in. No problem. But now, apparently that revolving door isn't enough. They want me to rip out the walls and put in two new doors. Rip out the walls and do it all by this Wednesday. Do you know why?"
She doesn't wait for a response
"Because they are looking for a distraction. A patsy. Anything to distract from their own sins. These New Marelanders shelled their own city with big naval guns when the Unions tried to take it back last Fall, and they look for any one else to turn into a villain. So last November, when a nightclub caught fire and burned all of those ponies alive, they jumped right at it. Lines of corpses? That one gets past the censors and gets published everywhere. Let 'greedy' nightclub owners be the boogeymare, and let's all just forget the fact that a shell landed near my apartment. The papers were more than happy to go along with this. Anything that sells.
And then just a few days ago, when a member of the city council, a star of the SDP was exposed as a pedophile? I've never seen a whole government so quickly pick up the crusading sword, trying to crack down on 'fire hazards'. Something to give the SDP a purpose. Make them protectors against 'greed' and 'the mob'. Make the ponies think there are worse ponies than them to look after your children. But I haven't forgotten the SDP selected a Colt Cuddler, and I haven't forgotten our 'protectors of ponykind' shelled us.
They say that what that nightclub owner did was wrong, locking the side doors. They've never run a club. Ponies just walk right out through them, don't pay their tab. I lose a lot of money that way. Instead they try to make it sound insidious, like I want my whole livelihood to burn down? No one wants that. No. Even they don't believe that. They just want a distraction. A club burned down out in Lavender a few years ago, that one killed a couple hundred as well, and no one even remembers it. Because it was before the war, the fat one was in charge, and no one in charge needed a villain to justify themselves"
After this rant, she is silent for a moment, and seems to have actually calmed down a little.
"But you don't know any of that. You don't need to know any of that. That's the point. You're not a player in the game. You are not a villain to them. You are as unassuming as they come. Small, adorable, innocent. Someone they don't expect. And that is why you are here."
A smile almost returns
The smile is gone, and does not return. Her entire attitude does not shift. With the stallion gone, Denizen's gaze turns back towards Amber. Her voice is more grounded now, but much sharper, and more direct.
"Do you know what that was about? No. You are not from this city. Good. May you never need to know the frustration. For ten long years I've run this night club, and finally got the controlling stake. We've had no problems with fires or any emergencies, save those couple times some drunk pony brought a gun in. No problem. But now, apparently that revolving door isn't enough. They want me to rip out the walls and put in two new doors. Rip out the walls and do it all by this Wednesday. Do you know why?"
She doesn't wait for a response
"Because they are looking for a distraction. A patsy. Anything to distract from their own sins. These New Marelanders shelled their own city with big naval guns when the Unions tried to take it back last Fall, and they look for any one else to turn into a villain. So last November, when a nightclub caught fire and burned all of those ponies alive, they jumped right at it. Lines of corpses? That one gets past the censors and gets published everywhere. Let 'greedy' nightclub owners be the boogeymare, and let's all just forget the fact that a shell landed near my apartment. The papers were more than happy to go along with this. Anything that sells.
And then just a few days ago, when a member of the city council, a star of the SDP was exposed as a pedophile? I've never seen a whole government so quickly pick up the crusading sword, trying to crack down on 'fire hazards'. Something to give the SDP a purpose. Make them protectors against 'greed' and 'the mob'. Make the ponies think there are worse ponies than them to look after your children. But I haven't forgotten the SDP selected a Colt Cuddler, and I haven't forgotten our 'protectors of ponykind' shelled us.
They say that what that nightclub owner did was wrong, locking the side doors. They've never run a club. Ponies just walk right out through them, don't pay their tab. I lose a lot of money that way. Instead they try to make it sound insidious, like I want my whole livelihood to burn down? No one wants that. No. Even they don't believe that. They just want a distraction. A club burned down out in Lavender a few years ago, that one killed a couple hundred as well, and no one even remembers it. Because it was before the war, the fat one was in charge, and no one in charge needed a villain to justify themselves"
After this rant, she is silent for a moment, and seems to have actually calmed down a little.
"But you don't know any of that. You don't need to know any of that. That's the point. You're not a player in the game. You are not a villain to them. You are as unassuming as they come. Small, adorable, innocent. Someone they don't expect. And that is why you are here."
A smile almost returns
>>143655
Amber absorbs these words though she winces at the repeated mentions of death and worse. Her heart beats faster though as a sense of what's needed forms in her mind. Finally, when Denizen is finished, she asks, in a voice too quiet for the large room, "You want me to meet somepony...secretly?"
Amber absorbs these words though she winces at the repeated mentions of death and worse. Her heart beats faster though as a sense of what's needed forms in her mind. Finally, when Denizen is finished, she asks, in a voice too quiet for the large room, "You want me to meet somepony...secretly?"
>>143656
"You barely even need to meet a pony. Just pick something up" She holds her hoof up.
"And drop it off"
She places her hoof down
"You barely even need to meet a pony. Just pick something up" She holds her hoof up.
"And drop it off"
She places her hoof down
>>143658
"Because they cannot make a villain of you. You don't have wealth or power, you don't have fangs or paws. You are not threatening, no one would suspect you, and you wouldn't have much to say even if they did."
"Because they cannot make a villain of you. You don't have wealth or power, you don't have fangs or paws. You are not threatening, no one would suspect you, and you wouldn't have much to say even if they did."
>>143659
Amber continues to look uneasy but she doesn't press on the importance of that criterion. "Well, I guess I can do it...what do I need to deliver and where?"
Amber continues to look uneasy but she doesn't press on the importance of that criterion. "Well, I guess I can do it...what do I need to deliver and where?"
Spark continues to listen into the conversations with the cute ponies and wolves.
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>>143665
Hello!
It's nice to see there are lurkers
>>143372
He turns his head a bit more directly in Silver's direction, so that both of his hazel eyes face him.
"I wondered, in my captivity, if the gods would intervene to stop those fools. I have long since lost faith, but some small part of me wondered. It appears they are still here, delivering justice at the last possible moment before it is irrelevant. So it appears, anyways."
Hello!
It's nice to see there are lurkers
>>143372
He turns his head a bit more directly in Silver's direction, so that both of his hazel eyes face him.
"I wondered, in my captivity, if the gods would intervene to stop those fools. I have long since lost faith, but some small part of me wondered. It appears they are still here, delivering justice at the last possible moment before it is irrelevant. So it appears, anyways."
>>143672
Silver looks right at this deer, who has been through literal hell, and nods. He comes closer to the bed where he rests.
"It was unfortunate we had not gotten there sooner, we could have stopped much more suffering that had happened. I would like to know your story, if you do not mind sharing."
Silver looks right at this deer, who has been through literal hell, and nods. He comes closer to the bed where he rests.
"It was unfortunate we had not gotten there sooner, we could have stopped much more suffering that had happened. I would like to know your story, if you do not mind sharing."
>>143673
He continues looking at Silver with almost no expression, and half-closed eyes
"I do not need the attention, and do not wish to have anything published, but what do you want to know? I could tell many stories."
He continues looking at Silver with almost no expression, and half-closed eyes
"I do not need the attention, and do not wish to have anything published, but what do you want to know? I could tell many stories."
>>143690
Silver can see his chest fall as air leaves it, and his eyes narrow to the slightest degree.
"They were a terror longer than many know."
Silver can see his chest fall as air leaves it, and his eyes narrow to the slightest degree.
"They were a terror longer than many know."
>>143691
The unicorn nods.
"It was Olenia they struck at first, I have not forgotten. Preview of what was to come if they conquered Equestria. Is that what drove you to seek your way here?"
The unicorn nods.
"It was Olenia they struck at first, I have not forgotten. Preview of what was to come if they conquered Equestria. Is that what drove you to seek your way here?"
>>143692
"No. You don't understand. It was almost a local legend that those in far cabins would go missing. What was more common - what I experienced - was the ghost walkers, who walked the woods, seeming to be lost hikers."
Then he abruptly stops
"Yes. There were other reasons, but... yes."
"No. You don't understand. It was almost a local legend that those in far cabins would go missing. What was more common - what I experienced - was the ghost walkers, who walked the woods, seeming to be lost hikers."
Then he abruptly stops
"Yes. There were other reasons, but... yes."
>>143694
"Yes. That is what we called them. It is a legend in many parts of Olenia, but I know it to be real. I have seen it. Deer in the forest. They walked as if they were lost, usually. Like there was no purpose to their being there. They only wanted to find another deer. Usually they wore no special clothes. Fawns who strayed too far into the forest and got lost, stags who turn a wrong turn on a long and winding trail, or hikers or river prospectors who slipped and fell and bumped their heads and had no memory. Sometimes they wore special clothing that showed them to be a lumberjack, or a border guard. Sometimes the deer is a deer that is known to be missing, though that is less common than the legends say. But what you ought to know is they are not as they claim to be. Bortbytings; Changelings."
"Yes. That is what we called them. It is a legend in many parts of Olenia, but I know it to be real. I have seen it. Deer in the forest. They walked as if they were lost, usually. Like there was no purpose to their being there. They only wanted to find another deer. Usually they wore no special clothes. Fawns who strayed too far into the forest and got lost, stags who turn a wrong turn on a long and winding trail, or hikers or river prospectors who slipped and fell and bumped their heads and had no memory. Sometimes they wore special clothing that showed them to be a lumberjack, or a border guard. Sometimes the deer is a deer that is known to be missing, though that is less common than the legends say. But what you ought to know is they are not as they claim to be. Bortbytings; Changelings."
>>143695
"Hmm. I have heard of changelings doing this but have never seen it with my own eyes. It is common in deer lands?"
"Hmm. I have heard of changelings doing this but have never seen it with my own eyes. It is common in deer lands?"
>>143696
"Perhaps it is not as common as some may think. But they try eveything. The stolen fawn replaced with a bortbyting, the doe in need of help on the roadside, and even the doe of ill virtue in the cities. They raided as well, when they could."
"Perhaps it is not as common as some may think. But they try eveything. The stolen fawn replaced with a bortbyting, the doe in need of help on the roadside, and even the doe of ill virtue in the cities. They raided as well, when they could."
>>143697
"Ahh, that is all more familiar to me. They have practiced their craft for as long as they have existed, and have honed it well. During war, if soldier wandered off alone they would be replaced in just couple of minutes with nopony realizing it had happened."
"Ahh, that is all more familiar to me. They have practiced their craft for as long as they have existed, and have honed it well. During war, if soldier wandered off alone they would be replaced in just couple of minutes with nopony realizing it had happened."
>>143699
"Indeed."
He looks up and down at the stag laying in his hospital bed, while chasing away visions back to how he and the others had originally found him.
"So, what was it that drove you to seek out Equestrian shores, if changelings were only one part of it?"
"Indeed."
He looks up and down at the stag laying in his hospital bed, while chasing away visions back to how he and the others had originally found him.
"So, what was it that drove you to seek out Equestrian shores, if changelings were only one part of it?"
>>143700
His chest is not fully covered, and Silver can see stitching and bandages covering down the middle
"My daughter moved to Vancouver, near In-laws, about eleven years ago. She wanted to work on clocks and watches."
His chest is not fully covered, and Silver can see stitching and bandages covering down the middle
"My daughter moved to Vancouver, near In-laws, about eleven years ago. She wanted to work on clocks and watches."
>>143703
"Ah...I do not explain myself well. What was reason you went from Western to Eastern Equestria, after changelings took over?"
"Ah...I do not explain myself well. What was reason you went from Western to Eastern Equestria, after changelings took over?"
>>143704
He turns his head slightly, angling his long muzzle a little closer in the direction of Silver
"Is the answer not in the question..."
He turns his head slightly, angling his long muzzle a little closer in the direction of Silver
"Is the answer not in the question..."
I'm striking >>143659 because I am not really satisfied with it.
>>143658
"Why you? Don't you understand who you are? You are Equestria. To them at least. The police, the occupation, the City. They see you with your heavy clothes, your frankly adorable demeanor... your innocence. They see their little pony. The pony they think themselves the divinely chosen protectors of. The police aren't going to think you are running illegal gambling operations out of the backrooms. They won't stop you to search you for 'stolen goods' as you walk the streets at midnight. You look cute, with your little light colored muzzle - no fangs sticking out. No one would think to stop or challenge you, not police, nor soldiers, nor journalists, nor even gangsters. You could start a fire here, in my nightclub, and burn all I've worked for this past decade to a ground, and I would be charged with manslaughter... that's exactly what happened to that poor stallion up in Albion... But it's not just how others see you. You aren't scared. You probably would be if you knew what you were dealing with, but you don't, and that is what counts. You could run into Chrysalis, and just say 'sorry ma'am.'"
>>143658
"Why you? Don't you understand who you are? You are Equestria. To them at least. The police, the occupation, the City. They see you with your heavy clothes, your frankly adorable demeanor... your innocence. They see their little pony. The pony they think themselves the divinely chosen protectors of. The police aren't going to think you are running illegal gambling operations out of the backrooms. They won't stop you to search you for 'stolen goods' as you walk the streets at midnight. You look cute, with your little light colored muzzle - no fangs sticking out. No one would think to stop or challenge you, not police, nor soldiers, nor journalists, nor even gangsters. You could start a fire here, in my nightclub, and burn all I've worked for this past decade to a ground, and I would be charged with manslaughter... that's exactly what happened to that poor stallion up in Albion... But it's not just how others see you. You aren't scared. You probably would be if you knew what you were dealing with, but you don't, and that is what counts. You could run into Chrysalis, and just say 'sorry ma'am.'"
>>143710
The 'cute' pony paws the carpet uneasily, and only when Dark finishes does she make eye contact. "You don't want me to start a fire, do you? Or go into the Changeling Lands?
Hehe...." She nervously chuckles.
The 'cute' pony paws the carpet uneasily, and only when Dark finishes does she make eye contact. "You don't want me to start a fire, do you? Or go into the Changeling Lands?
Hehe...." She nervously chuckles.
>>143712
She blinks. "Shouldn't you call the fire department?
Why isn't everypony in a rush before it spreads--" Realization suddenly sparks in her eyes. Oh, you're using a metaphor, sorry...."
She blinks. "Shouldn't you call the fire department?
Why isn't everypony in a rush before it spreads--" Realization suddenly sparks in her eyes. Oh, you're using a metaphor, sorry...."
>>143715
"Don't you worry, little pony. So long as everypony is paying attention, no one will get hurt."
"Don't you worry, little pony. So long as everypony is paying attention, no one will get hurt."
>>143716
"Erm, I hope so...." She shifts her weight nervously, not being able to work up the courage to say anything else.
"Erm, I hope so...." She shifts her weight nervously, not being able to work up the courage to say anything else.
>>143719
She smiles, showing her front fangs as she nods her head.
"That's the spirit. Don't worry, we will pay. There is nothing to be uneasy about. We might look a little different from what you are used to. But we are creatures just the same as you. Not every blemished fruit is rotten underneath."
She smiles, showing her front fangs as she nods her head.
"That's the spirit. Don't worry, we will pay. There is nothing to be uneasy about. We might look a little different from what you are used to. But we are creatures just the same as you. Not every blemished fruit is rotten underneath."
>>143720
Amber gives a feeble smile and a nod, though her ears are still pressed against her head and her coat is standing on end.
Amber gives a feeble smile and a nod, though her ears are still pressed against her head and her coat is standing on end.
>>143721
Her eyes turn away from Amber down to an object she manipulates on her desk, which from Amber's limited perspective, seems to be a pocket watch. Then she turns back up to Amber
"Do you want to relax a bit?"
Her eyes turn away from Amber down to an object she manipulates on her desk, which from Amber's limited perspective, seems to be a pocket watch. Then she turns back up to Amber
"Do you want to relax a bit?"
>>143723
"Then settle down. Become a bit more acquainted with the night. You will be more effective relaxed, and there are fewer ponies out the later it is anyways."
"Then settle down. Become a bit more acquainted with the night. You will be more effective relaxed, and there are fewer ponies out the later it is anyways."
>>143725
"Have a drink. Listen to the music. Let a stallion make a pass at you. Have a dance. You don't seem too familiar with the night life."
"Have a drink. Listen to the music. Let a stallion make a pass at you. Have a dance. You don't seem too familiar with the night life."
>>143726
I don't have work or anything to do tomorrow morning, do I?
She glances back to the door. "Alright, I think I'll try that. Is there anything else, ma'am?"
I don't have work or anything to do tomorrow morning, do I?
She glances back to the door. "Alright, I think I'll try that. Is there anything else, ma'am?"
>>143727
"Of course. There is your task. But I'll get to that a little later. Best you ease up a bit."
"Of course. There is your task. But I'll get to that a little later. Best you ease up a bit."
>>143728
Amber nods and slowly turns to head back into the hall. Only when she reaches the main floor does she allow herself a breath of relief.
Amber nods and slowly turns to head back into the hall. Only when she reaches the main floor does she allow herself a breath of relief.
>>143729
Amber has not been bitten and drained of all blood yet. The stallion is gone, and a pony, who seems to work there, turns to look attentive when Amber exits out from the rear hallway.
The lights are fairly dim, and a number of ponies occupy the tables and the bar in front of the dance floor. The music isn't exactly to dance to, being a rather intense classical-styled piece played from a viol.
Amber has not been bitten and drained of all blood yet. The stallion is gone, and a pony, who seems to work there, turns to look attentive when Amber exits out from the rear hallway.
The lights are fairly dim, and a number of ponies occupy the tables and the bar in front of the dance floor. The music isn't exactly to dance to, being a rather intense classical-styled piece played from a viol.
>>143730
Amber's ears perk up at the sound of the music and she trots over to an empty table near the musicians, where she sits. Almost absent-mindedly she takes off her cloak and headscarf as she listens intently.
Amber's ears perk up at the sound of the music and she trots over to an empty table near the musicians, where she sits. Almost absent-mindedly she takes off her cloak and headscarf as she listens intently.
>>143731
This is possible by going to a table on the edge of the dance floor.
Amber sees that there is one, and only one musician playing - a grey, almost discolored-looking griffin who is wholly consumed by his playing of the viol. The stage holds room for more musicians besides a drum set and a grand piano. The piano especially is missed, as the music could use accompanying instruments. Nevertheless, the griffin does a commendable job in filling the whole room with intense rhythm and sharp notes that convey as much fear and anguish as mirth and joy.
This is possible by going to a table on the edge of the dance floor.
Amber sees that there is one, and only one musician playing - a grey, almost discolored-looking griffin who is wholly consumed by his playing of the viol. The stage holds room for more musicians besides a drum set and a grand piano. The piano especially is missed, as the music could use accompanying instruments. Nevertheless, the griffin does a commendable job in filling the whole room with intense rhythm and sharp notes that convey as much fear and anguish as mirth and joy.
>>143732
"He's very talented for a griffon. I hope I could learn to play that well," she thinks to herself.
"He's very talented for a griffon. I hope I could learn to play that well," she thinks to herself.
>>143733
The music turns, and returns to a warm spring. If the music could form images in the air, it would be of a family of rabbits, each hopping across an open field before the falcon swoops. A note lands at each hop.
The music turns, and returns to a warm spring. If the music could form images in the air, it would be of a family of rabbits, each hopping across an open field before the falcon swoops. A note lands at each hop.
>>143734
Amber happily moves her head in tune to each dip. The song reminds her of happier days, not too long ago but an eternity away, of family and fertile fields.
Amber happily moves her head in tune to each dip. The song reminds her of happier days, not too long ago but an eternity away, of family and fertile fields.
>>143735
The music is not content to stay on a happy note, however, as the intensity ramps up, and there is a sharp sound as the falcons swoop down at their prey. Whether they are successful - or indeed, whether it is the rabbits or the falcons we cheer for, the music provides no clarity, instead keeping a tone as joyful as afraid, and as cheery as distraught.
The music is not content to stay on a happy note, however, as the intensity ramps up, and there is a sharp sound as the falcons swoop down at their prey. Whether they are successful - or indeed, whether it is the rabbits or the falcons we cheer for, the music provides no clarity, instead keeping a tone as joyful as afraid, and as cheery as distraught.
>>143736
Amber draws in a breath and remains transfixed by the drama of the music. It's been a long time since she's heard such soulful meandering in music.
Amber draws in a breath and remains transfixed by the drama of the music. It's been a long time since she's heard such soulful meandering in music.
>>143737
And meander it does. Amber can tell the lone musician has significant talent as he plays. Whether specific notes and portions are inspired by more famous works, or whether the similarity is purely an invention of Amber's mind as it tries to place the music is hard to say. But the music as a whole does not sound like any piece known to Amber, at least, not a specific piece. Nor indeed does the music seem demarcated into separate and distinct songs. Rather, the griffin plays continuously, with portions being of a nature wholly different than others, in just the same way as a traveler across land may never notice the fine dividing line between the forest, the plains and the desert.
And meander it does. Amber can tell the lone musician has significant talent as he plays. Whether specific notes and portions are inspired by more famous works, or whether the similarity is purely an invention of Amber's mind as it tries to place the music is hard to say. But the music as a whole does not sound like any piece known to Amber, at least, not a specific piece. Nor indeed does the music seem demarcated into separate and distinct songs. Rather, the griffin plays continuously, with portions being of a nature wholly different than others, in just the same way as a traveler across land may never notice the fine dividing line between the forest, the plains and the desert.
>>143738
Amber's mind gets lost in the whimsical(?) meandering of the piece. However when the tune shifts to the desert motifs of southwest Equestria--or is it Zebrica in its exoticness?--she remembers that she's a bit thirsty and had forgotten to bring her canteen. Having been brought back to reality, she hopes that she can meet the musician sometime later for a chat.
Amber's mind gets lost in the whimsical(?) meandering of the piece. However when the tune shifts to the desert motifs of southwest Equestria--or is it Zebrica in its exoticness?--she remembers that she's a bit thirsty and had forgotten to bring her canteen. Having been brought back to reality, she hopes that she can meet the musician sometime later for a chat.
>>143739
Amber is taken not to the deserts, but to something more remote. Something beyond the furthest reaches of the earth and out into the dark expanses beyond the terrestrial sphere, or perhaps, to another realm entirely, defined by harmonies of music than by time and space.
None of that helps with the thirst
Amber is taken not to the deserts, but to something more remote. Something beyond the furthest reaches of the earth and out into the dark expanses beyond the terrestrial sphere, or perhaps, to another realm entirely, defined by harmonies of music than by time and space.
None of that helps with the thirst
>>143740
This magic of music quenches the soul more effectively than drinks can quench the body, but that doesn't mean the latter just goes away. Dark Denizen mentioned a drink, and Amber would hate to mooch off her, but surely it can't hurt? An orange-yellow foreleg gestures to a waiter.
This magic of music quenches the soul more effectively than drinks can quench the body, but that doesn't mean the latter just goes away. Dark Denizen mentioned a drink, and Amber would hate to mooch off her, but surely it can't hurt? An orange-yellow foreleg gestures to a waiter.
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