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Merry Christmas and Happy Hearth's Warming Everyone and Everypony!

[YouTube] The True Gift of Gifting [Embed]

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Occupied Equestria - New Opportunities
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143000
Continuing
1691 replies and 23 files omitted.
Anonymous
c51ae69
?
No.143627
143628
>>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 Sunset
cd9e24c
?
No.143628
143629
>>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.
Anonymous
c51ae69
?
No.143629
143630
>>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
Amber Sunset
cd9e24c
?
No.143630
143631
>>143629
Everypony is so serious, it makes me feel uncomfortable....
She stops in front of the stallion, unsure of where she should go next.
Anonymous
c51ae69
?
No.143631
143632
>>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."
Amber Sunset
cd9e24c
?
No.143632
143634
>>143631
"Thank you...," she says, uncertainly. Walking through the entrance, she tries to see what kind of room it is.
Amber Sunset
cd9e24c
?
No.143633
143635
Sorry for dragging this on, looking forward to continuing tomorrow!
Anonymous
c51ae69
?
No.143634
143641
>>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.
Anonymous
c51ae69
?
No.143635
>>143633
Goodnight!
Amber Sunset
cd9e24c
?
No.143641
143643
>>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.
Anonymous
c51ae69
?
No.143643
143644
>>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?"
Amber Sunset
cd9e24c
?
No.143644
143645
>>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?"
Anonymous
c51ae69
?
No.143645
143646
>>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.
Amber Sunset
cd9e24c
?
No.143646
143647
>>143645
Blinking, she replies, "It's, um, a cold day outside."
Anonymous
c51ae69
?
No.143647
143648
>>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?"
Amber Sunset
cd9e24c
?
No.143648
143649
>>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."

Anonymous
c51ae69
?
No.143649
143650
>>143648
"Oh, don't spare my feelings. Tell me. What do you think is going on?"
Amber Sunset
cd9e24c
?
No.143650
143651
>>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.
Anonymous
c51ae69
?
No.143651
143652
>>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?"
Amber Sunset
cd9e24c
?
No.143652
143653
>>143651
"Technically...I'm from a farm outside Baltimare. I came here a couple of days ago, erm, miss."
Anonymous
c51ae69
?
No.143653
143654
>>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.
Amber Sunset
cd9e24c
?
No.143654
143655
>>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.
Anonymous
c51ae69
?
No.143655
143656
>>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
Amber Sunset
cd9e24c
?
No.143656
143657
>>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?"
Anonymous
c51ae69
?
No.143657
143658
>>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
Amber Sunset
cd9e24c
?
No.143658
143659 143710
>>143657
"A...package delivery? But, why me?" she asks uncertainly.
Anonymous
c51ae69
?
No.143659
143660 143710
>>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."
Amber Sunset
cd9e24c
?
No.143660
143661
>>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?"
Anonymous
c51ae69
?
No.143661
143662
>>143660
Let's continue this tomorrow
Amber Sunset
cd9e24c
?
No.143662
>>143661
Alright, goodnight!
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143663
143665
still hopes for post soon
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143664
143665
still still hopes for post soon
Anonymous
ee8f78a
?
No.143665
143672
erhe.gif
>>143663
>>143664
Me 2.
Not a participant but I want to keep reading.
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143666
Should be back at it tomorrow.
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143670
Spark continues to listen into the conversations with the cute ponies and wolves.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143672
143673 143677
1385264093573.png
>>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."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143673
143674
>>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."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143674
143675
>>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."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143675
143687
>>143674
"What was your life like before, well, incident at Hoebuck?"
Anonymous
bad5a63
?
No.143677
>>143672
>It's nice to see there are lurkers
There are, poner. Of course there are.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143680
hopes to continue again soon
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143681
still hopes
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143682
Might have some time this weekend.
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143684
143685
Can't wait to learn more about these characters
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143685
>>143684
Same here.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143687
143688
>>143675
He swallows, then answers
"I came here from Vanhoover, and Olenia before that."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143688
143689
>>143687
"What was your trade?"
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143689
143690
>>143688
"Forestry Officer of the Öst Kogg. Thirty-two years."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143690
143691
>>143689
"I suppose changelings changed that..."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143691
143692
>>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 "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143692
143693
>>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?"
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143693
143694
>>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."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143694
143695
>>143693
Silver's ears perk up.

"'Ghost Walkers'?"
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143695
143696
>>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."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143696
143697
>>143695
"Hmm. I have heard of changelings doing this but have never seen it with my own eyes. It is common in deer lands?"
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143697
143698
>>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."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143698
143699
>>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."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143699
143700
>>143698
He slowly nods, maintaining his eyes on Silver.

“They will take any chance you give them.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
9700115
?
No.143700
143701
>>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?"
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143701
143702
>>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."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143702
143703
>>143701
He nods.

"What about after Vanhoover stopped being...Equestrian..."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143703
143704
>>143702
"She doesn't fix clocks" He answers
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143704
143705
>>143703
"Ah...I do not explain myself well. What was reason you went from Western to Eastern Equestria, after changelings took over?"
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143705
143706
>>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..."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143706
143831
>>143705
"Yes, but you said there were other reasons."
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143708
143709
waves
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143709
>>143708
Is waved at

waves back
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143710
143711
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.'"
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143711
143712
>>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.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143712
143713
>>143711
"No... No. Somepony else started the fire. We want you to put it out."
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143713
143714
>>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...."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143714
143715
>>143713
"Heh. Precisely."
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143715
143716
>>143714
"Well, as long as I'm not hurting anypony...."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143716
143717
>>143715
"Don't you worry, little pony. So long as everypony is paying attention, no one will get hurt."
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143717
143718
>>143716
"Erm, I hope so...." She shifts her weight nervously, not being able to work up the courage to say anything else.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143718
143719
>>143717
"What is it, little pony?" She leans her head forward, with her tufted-ears straight up.
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143719
143720
>>143718
"Well, if nopony gets hurt, maybe I could help. I really could use the money...."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143720
143721
>>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."
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143721
143722
>>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.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143722
143723
>>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?"
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143723
143724
>>143722
A cautious nod. "I could use it, ma'am."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143724
143725
>>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."
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143725
143726
>>143724
"Um, what do you suggest?"
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143726
143727
>>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."
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143727
143728
>>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?"
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143728
143729
>>143727
"Of course. There is your task. But I'll get to that a little later. Best you ease up a bit."
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143729
143730
>>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.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143730
143731
>>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 Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143731
143732
>>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.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143732
143733
>>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.
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143733
143734
>>143732
"He's very talented for a griffon. I hope I could learn to play that well," she thinks to herself.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143734
143735
>>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.
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143735
143736
>>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.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143736
143737
>>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.
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143737
143738
>>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.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143738
143739
>>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.
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143739
143740
>>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.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143740
143741
>>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 Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143741
143742
>>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.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143742
>>143741
A flaxen colored mare in black outfit with her mane tied back and green eyes partly lidded responds.

Not simply taking the request for a drink at face, she asks
"What do you want?"
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143743
143744
"Erm, what do you have? I...uh, don't know the terms for these..." she asks, nervously.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143744
143745
>>143743
"We have a decent assortment of beers, mixed drinks drinks, and hard alcohols, as well as a few wines. Would you like me to get you a drink menu?"
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143745
143746
>>143744
My throat's so dry, I don't want to wait....
"Um, I'll have a...mixed drink, what that pony is having over there." She points to a nearby table.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143746
143747
>>143745
She looks over at the table, and then back to Amber. Her expression conveys skepticism more than anything.

"Sure." She says, and unless Amber says anything to the contrary, she walks off
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143747
143748
>>143746
With that distraction out of the way, Amber can focus back on the music.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143748
143749
>>143747
The visual imagery - and one could almost swear that this were not a griffin, but a unicorn performing such magic - the imagery is of so many dots, popping in and out. Perhaps dragon flies over a pond, so many humming birds moving about amongst the flowers, or even the finer points of an aurora in the night sky.

The waiter returns, and places an ungarnished drink near Amber
"One 'Hurricane.'"
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143749
143750
>>143748
Amber gasps. She has no idea why there are such great performances so late at night in an obscure place like this, but it blows her away.
She picks up the cold glass and sips the cocktail, only to put it down very quickly. The fruity concoction is unlike anything she's ever tasted before; it looks like juice but she hasn't eaten any fruits that have tasted quite like this. Moreover, the unfamiliar flavor of the rum leaves an aftertaste that is still slightly perceptible past the fruit components, though she cannot differentiate between them. She opens and closes her mouth a few times, trying to get used to such an exotic and strange blend, not unlike the music.
She takes a second sip.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143750
143751
>>143749
The music plays on, slowly settling much the same way as sediment stirred up in water slowly falls back to the bottom, leaving clear and still water.
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143751
143752
>>143750
As the music relaxes in tone so does Amber. She still keeps her ears focused toward it but she looks around the room. Having accustomed herself to the strange, but oddly pleasant, taste of the drink, she holds it in both hooves and takes another gulp.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143752
143753
>>143751
"Amber?" A familiar voice calls from behind her
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143753
>>143752
"Hmm?" She looks behind in surprise.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143754
143755 143768
Okay, I think that's about where I have to stop for the night
Amber Sunset
09c4737
?
No.143755
>>143754
awww
Goodnight!
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143768
143769
>>143754
She turns around to see a colt she can recognize as Mustard Trim, trying to smile, and still wearing the clothing he wore as a waiter earlier in the night.
Amber Sunset
d70cf3e
?
No.143769
143770
>>143768
Amber grins and waves. "Hello Mustard! Fancy seeing you here."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143770
>>143769
"Hello" He keeps the same, awkward smile, standing next to and looking at one of the seats near Amber

"So... are you working here?" He asks
Amber Sunset
d70cf3e
?
No.143771
143772
"Huh? Oh no, I don't work here, I was told to relax and listen to some music. Please, join me." She pats a seat next to herself.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143772
143773
>>143771
He pulls the seat out next to Amber, and sits down, silent for moment
Amber Sunset
d70cf3e
?
No.143773
143774
>>143772
"I, um, was offered a drink by the owner. Would you like one too?" She gestures to the tall, shapely glass of bright orange liquid.
Anonymous
da4cb8d
?
No.143774
143775
>>143773
"Uh" He pulls his lips up, again in a sort of awkward smile. "Sure"
Amber Sunset
d70cf3e
?
No.143775
143776
>>143774
She waves to the waiter again. To Mustard she says, "I say, it's a pleasant surprise to see you come here. I mean, I wasn't expecting you to show up, I was unsure of coming here myself...."
Anonymous
da4cb8d
?
No.143776
143777
>>143775
The waiter, passing by, raises her eyes and comes closer.

Mustard Trim says,
"Well, you said you wanted to meet me here, so I came by after my shift. What makes you unsure? Isn't this where you like to spend your Friday nights?"
Amber Sunset
d70cf3e
?
No.143777
143778
>>143776
Amber blinks in surprise. "Oh. Uh, this is the first time I've ever come here. I was invited, you see...and, um, an invitation so late at night made me kind of nervous, so I had to let somepony know where I was going and you were the only pony around I could trust. In case, you know, I was foalnapped by changelings." She says the last word almost in a whisper, as if uttering it too loud might cause one to burrow out of the floor.
Anonymous
da4cb8d
?
No.143778
143779
>>143777
If any changelings are sharing the room with Amber, they haven't made their presence known.

He smiles again, and this one is a bit more expressive of pleasure
"Heh. I see. Well, I'll keep those changelings away as best I can." There is a pause, and he adds "Who invited you?"
Amber Sunset
d70cf3e
?
No.143779
143780
>>143778
Amber looks around, then leans in, as if to share a close secret. "The owner of this club, Dark Denizen. I was invited on 'special business.'"
Anonymous
da4cb8d
?
No.143780
143781 143782
>>143779
Is Amber going to do anything with the summoned waiter?

"Oh" Mustard Trim says, moving his head up in a nod as he says that.
"Can I... ask what's special about it?"
Amber Sunset
d70cf3e
?
No.143781
143785
>>143780
"I don't really know...something about putting out a fire, but metaphorically? And I was picked because I look 'adorable,' apparently...."
Amber Sunset
d70cf3e
?
No.143782
143783
>>143780
To the waiter: "Oh! My friend here would like a drink, um, I don't know what kind. Can you...can you put it on my tab?"
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143783
143784
>>143782
She looks at Amber, and then back to Mustard Trim
"What do you want to drink?" She asks

"Uh, just water will be fine." He answers. She accepts this answer, and walks away
Amber Sunset
d70cf3e
?
No.143784
143785
>>143783
Inwardly she breathes a sigh of relief. No more debt for today, at least....
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143785
143786
>>143781
He looks at Amber, raises both ears, and tilts his head
"What?"

Then his head returns to normal position
"Well I read that the city is taking a stand against fire hazards in nightclubs, bars and other places. So maybe it has something to do with that."

>>143784
Small victory!
Amber Sunset
d70cf3e
?
No.143786
143787
>>143785
"No, she told me that's just an excuse they used to distract from some bad things they did. She wants me to deliver some sort of package to them, I think. I don't know why, I've never been a mailmare before...." She takes another gulp of the drink. Although its peculiar taste is probably better cold, Amber doesn't know why anypony would drink something that chills one's stomach like this. Despite the frigid temperature of the drink itself, she feels a pleasant warmth along her nose, ears, pasterns and even tail.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143787
143788
>>143786
Strange magical drinks. Hopefully they don't deduct too much from Amber's pay for it.

"Oh. Well that doesn't sound too bad. They probably want you to deliver a present to a foal's birthday party or something. It's good that you're able to get little jobs like that. I used to be able to do little things like that back home."
Amber Sunset
d70cf3e
?
No.143788
143789
>>143787
"I think so, I could really use it to get by. And the music here is almost celestial in beauty, I think you missed the best part." Sip.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143789
143825
>>143788
"Well.... Maybe they'll play it again." He says

After a moment's pause, he adds
"This isn't really what I was expecting. For the music, I mean."
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143792
143793
Think we have time to continue today?
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143793
>>143792
The last reply to Spark was >>143563
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143794
143795
>>143563
"Then you must know that things one day will be back to the way they are supposed to be, or at least close."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143795
143796 143797
>>143794
"Well... I don't know about that. But I am glad to see that Makade is here and safe."
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143796
143797
>>143795
"I heard you call him another name. What's the story behind that?"
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143797
143798
>>143796
Ply Press probably should have referred to him as "Lyka" in >>143795 rather than "Makade"

"Well... When we took him in from the Pratt Wolf School in Riverside, he was called by his Celestial name, 'Lyka.' It's from mythology... I think. But we knew his birth mother named him 'Makade,' which I think has to do with his dark colored fur."
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143798
143799
>>143797
"Neat. I never heard of a wolf school before."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143799
143800
>>143798
"Well, they mostly exist in the North and the West. You see, tension between the wolves and ponies has been a problem for, well, centuries, really, so the government made a program to try to integrate wolves into Equestrian society. Let them learn the language, the culture, and grow up to use trades. Get them young, so Equestrian culture is the only one they know. So they made boarding schools for many of them, especially orphans, or those in broken families. That's where we found Makade."
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143800
143801
>>143799
"So, what made you decide to adopt from the school?"
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143801
143802
>>143800
"Well, after our son Mild Mirth... well, we were older and it was hard enough having a child the first time... we decided to adopt. It was Petal Dew's idea to try for a wolf. Special challenges, special reward and all. Our ranch would be perfect to raise one. We had been thinking about selling it but that changed that. Lyka was older than they usually recommend for adopting. He had been living at the Pratt school for a while. He was known to be precocious. Very intelligent, rather strong and capable. Strong willed, other wolves would follow him. But he was becoming a bully. We figured we could guide him, put him in a family. And so we took him as our own."
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143802
143803
>>143801
"That's a sweet story."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143803
143804
>>143802
He smiles
"Well thank you."

Elsewhere, Petal Dew seems to be trying to talk to Waabishki as Makade sits and listens
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143804
143805
>>143803
Spark listens in.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143805
143806
>>143804
Petal Dew:
"Yes, Cyananthus got deathly ill a few years ago. We all thought she was done in. Had to stay down here at the general hospital. But she pulled through. Almost couldn't believe it....."
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143806
143807
>>143805
Spark wonders who this Cyananthus is.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143807
143808
>>143806
They continue talking, with Waabishki displaying anxiety, and nodding occassionally
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143808
143809
>>143807
Spark turns back to Ply Press.
"Who is Cyananthus?"
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143809
143810
>>143808
"Oh, she's a pony Petal Dew knew at the mane salon back up north."
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143810
143811
>>143809
"Close friend?"
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143811
143812
>>143810
"Close friend isn't quite how I would describe it. But you get to know everypony around pretty well when you live out in the wilderness. She's a pony we knew in town."
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143812
143813
>>143811
"Ah. Then it must have been pretty lonely moving to a place like this, with no familiar faces."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143813
143814
>>143812
"Well" He forms a smile that nears a wince

"Kind of..."
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143814
143815
>>143813
"Well, I know I'm just a stranger, but I hope you will come to find me a friend."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143815
143816
>>143814
He smiles
"Well for now, make yourself comfortable. Why don't you join us for dinner?"
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143816
143817
>>143815
"Of course. Thank you for your generosity."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143817
143818
>>143816
"Oh it's the least we could do. Do you need any tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cider?"
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143818
143819
>>143817
"Cider does sound pleasant. I'm going to have to fetch you some more supplies after all of this hospitality though."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143819
143820
>>143818
"Oh, don't worry about it." He answers

The doctor asks
"How do you have chocolate and coffee?"
Receiving the answer
"We still have some stocked up from before the partition. We can spend it on special occasions, like guests."
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143820
143821
>>143819
Spark nods, but will get some more if he comes across the supplies.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143821
143822
>>143820
Ply Press goes towards Petal Dew,
"Let me get some cider for our new friend here."

Petal Dew:
"Oh! And get out the salmon for dinner."

"Sure thing, honey."

Ply Press leaves, while the other creatures remain
Shimmering Spark
9145bf6
?
No.143822
>>143821
"Well, they are nice."
Anonymous
bad5a63
?
No.143823
143829
fallout equestria.png

Anonymous
bad5a63
?
No.143824
143826 143829
12405.jpg

Amber Sunset
5933ec9
?
No.143825
143829
>>143789
"Me neither! Though I'm not sure what I was expecting, just not...this...." Another light sip. "That griffon's talent is really impressive, I've never heard a solo viol like that."
Amber Sunset
5933ec9
?
No.143826
143827
>>143824
That's terrific art, btw
Anonymous
bad5a63
?
No.143827
>>143826
Not mine, but I'm glad you like it.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143829
143830
rainbow-dash-is-happy.jpg
>>143823
>>143824
Neat!

>>143825
The waiter returns with the water, and almost under his breath, Mustard Trim says, "That was fast..."

And then he says to Amber
"A viol? Is that what that thing is?"
Amber Sunset
5933ec9
?
No.143830
143831
I hope Silver, Onyx and Brie are doing alright

>>143829
"Mhm! It's an older-style instrument that's held upright like a cello, though it's smaller and different in a lot of different ways. I've seen pictures but I've never actually heard one played before." She takes another gulp of her Hurricane; it's nearly spent at this point. Suddenly she perks up. "Oh! I just realized something."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143831
143832 143833
>>143830
Silver and Onyx, sure. Brie, not so much...

>>143706
"Because there is not much left for me there. And because I would rather be far away from the parasites..."

>>143830
He turns to her, making eye contact
"And what is that?"
Amber Sunset
0f2a8c2
?
No.143832
143834
>>143831
I'm back now.
"This is the first time you've come here, isn't it? At least, I don't think you normally visit this place. So, you came here all this way...for me?" She smiles at Mustard.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143833
143834
>>143831
Silver nods.

"I am sorry your first experience in coming to this half of Equestria was...that."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143834
143835 143837
>>143833
"No. No better than what I left. And there was one of those things here." He pulls his lips back in disgust.

>>143832
He pulls his lips up in a somewhat embarrassed look
"Heh heh, yeah..."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
c95152b
?
No.143835
143836
>>143834
"Those who did this to you and others are now dead or captured. In that there is difference. We are doing what we can to make things better."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143836
143867
>>143835
"Then you have done more than most"
He looks around, and he pulls himself in what seems to be an attempt to sit up, though he must have decided against it.

"I do not know if this is our own fault, or if this is what we deserve." He says, at a lower volume
Amber Sunset
0f2a8c2
?
No.143837
143838
>>143834
"Aw, you're too nice. It's reassuring, actually, because I came here for business and knew as much about it as you did...but don't worry, everything is fine now." She quaffs the rest of the drink and puts it down. For whatever reason her mind and perception feels a bit fuzzy, as if she was sleepy, but as a matter of fact she feels much less tired than before.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143838
143839
>>143837
He smiles
"That's good."
Then he looks around
"This isn't too bad"
He takes another sip of his water
Amber Sunset
0f2a8c2
?
No.143839
143840
>>143838
She looks away in shame. "I'm sorry I can't get anything for you. I really would but I didn't bring any money. That's why I came here, so I could earn something extra."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143840
143841
>>143839
He maintains his smile
"I can understand that. I would help you, but... you said the owner has your tab?"
Amber Sunset
0f2a8c2
?
No.143841
143842
>>143840
"Yes, she does. I thought it was for one drink, though she didn't say..."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143842
143843
>>143841
"Well that's pretty nice." He takes another sip
"A nice little perk"
Amber Sunset
0f2a8c2
?
No.143843
143844
>>143842
"Maybe she's nicer than she lets on, not unlike Salt Lick who's friendly despite being so busy."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143844
143845
>>143843
"She's... well... we can get free soup sometimes, which is nice."
Amber Sunset
0f2a8c2
?
No.143845
143846
>>143844
"Mhm. I know you like her. I mean, like like her." She smiles mischievously.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143846
143847
>>143845
He blinks
"What?"
Amber Sunset
0f2a8c2
?
No.143847
143848
>>143846
"I've seen you making eyes at her when you were inside. Always throwing glances...." She giggles.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143848
143849
>>143847
:"What? Heh." His smile is somewhere between amusement and embarassment
"No. Well. Maybe sometimes... but no. She does have big - but she's older, much older, and she has her own thing going."
Amber Sunset
0f2a8c2
?
No.143849
143850
>>143848
"She does? Well, good for her, but I bet that doesn't stop your coltish imagination." She snickers, finding this oddly amusing.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143850
143851
>>143849
"What? No. Don't be silly. When she turns around, it kind of just fills your whole field of view. It's not... it's not me trying to look you just can't not look."
Amber Sunset
0f2a8c2
?
No.143851
143852
>>143850
"Sure, you just happen to stare at her posterior with your mouth hanging open because you've got no other choice. It's so horrible that she coerces you to do that." More giggles. "How many times do you think she has to say, 'my face is over here'?"
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143852
143853
>>143851
"I don't! It just fills my peripheral vision. All of it. Until I kind of just zone out and she has to repeat her... self..."
Now it's more definitely embarrassment
Amber Sunset
0f2a8c2
?
No.143853
143854
>>143852
"Doesn't she mind it when you put your face so close to her backside? I think any lady would." Amber is definitely enjoying this.
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143854
143855
>>143853
"She puts her backside close to my face!"
The waiter probably couldn't hear this. But it's loud enough to wonder who else can hear it
"Could knock somepony over with it..."
Amber Sunset
0f2a8c2
?
No.143855
143856
>>143854
"Wouldn't you like that!" She giggles hysterically into her fetlock, trying not to be too loud. "But you're right, it's impressive how she never knocks over any bottles despite moving so fast in the bar."
Anonymous
6ec7d89
?
No.143856
>>143855
He's smiling as wide as Amber. But his head is crouched down low, near the table, and both ears are twisted and folded down

"Yes..."
Amber Sunset
0f2a8c2
?
No.143857
143858
"I bet you wish you could ask her out, have her say yes, go out to have vittles with her, hold those hips while dancin', and use her as a comfortable pillow when you get home. Am I wrong?"