/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

>>143955
"Where are you from, Popper Nick?"

>>143957
"I play the mandolin, I'm not sure if you've heard of it. It's a stringed instrument like a lute or lyre...oh, those are a bit old too." She smiles sheepishly and adds, "I know how to play it but I don't think I'm good enough to perform in public, at least not yet. I was hoping to one day get some lessons."

>>143958
"I'm from... Manehattan. Yeah. Manehattan."

>>143959
"Do you have one?" He asks

>>143960
"Yes, I brought it with me to Baltimare and it's at my apartment. Maybe I can play for you sometime," she says with a smile.

>>143960
"...Manehattan?"

>>143962
"Uh, yeah. In the city part."

>>143961
"Oh. Nice. You can do it some time. I'll listen. I can't promise I can give the best lessons. But you can play to me."

>>143964
"Keep it up, and who knows"
For the first time, he turns his head to the Griffin viol player
"You might play like him."

>>143963
"I lived just outside of Manehattan. What neighborhood did you live in?"

>>143966
"Uh... Bronclyn?"

>>143967
Maybe it's the subtle changes in the temperature of the air, or something she sees in the corner of her sight, but Amber can sense a pony is close behind her.

"You're taking it pretty well" a familiar female voice declares

>>143968
Perhaps if she was alone, not had the thrill of a dance or had not imbibed a drink Amber would have been startled, even spooked by this. However, as it stands she is only mildly surprised as she looks behind her. "Hmm?"

>>143969
Dark Denizen stands behind her, and Amber can see that she stands at around the height of a stallion. She has a pleased look on her face
"Did I interrupt something?"
She asks this, but the one of her voice suggests that it isn't sarcasm, but rather a question of serious interest

>>143970
Denizen's presence is still unnerving, but slightly less so in these circumstances. "Not really, we were just chatting. Would you...would you like to join?"

>>143968
"...you do realize you are not good at lying, yes?"

>>143971
She looks over at Mustard Trim, then back to Amber
"Oh no, that is between the two of you. But I mean to remind you that we want you to be somewhere tonight. It can wait a few minutes or more, but it must be done before the opening of business in the morning."

>>143972
"What? Heh heh.No. What do you even mean?"

>>143974
"You are not from Manehattan, are you?"

>>143973
She looks between Mustard and Denizen. So soon? Tonight, even?
She sighs. "I probably should get it done now then, I don't want to be up all night..."

>>143975
"Why... Why would you think that?"
His lips are pulled even further back, and almost every part of his teeth show

>>143976
"Now why wouldn't you want to be up all night?" She asks
Whether this is a sincere question is a bit hard to discern

>>143977
"I...I like to sleep early and rise early. It's way past my bedtime as is...." She looks vaguely uncomfortable now.

>>143977
Silver sighs, and lays down.

"You can tell me truth. I promise you I will not tell another soul."

>>143978
She twists her mouth.
"Then rise early. They don't open before eight."

>>143979
He blinks, keeping his mouth open, and pulling his hooves from in front of him, to behind him

"I can't tell just anypony."

>>143981
"Then now."

>>143982
"You have my word. You can trust me."

He smiles brightly at the young stallion.

>>143982
Amber nods, getting up and wrapping her cloak around her, then her scarf. "I'm sorry Mustard, I really have to go. Thank you for coming, hopefully we can meet again soon."

>>143984
"Uh, sure! It was fun meeting you! Let's do this again soon..."

>>143983
He pulls his hooves back in front of himself, sighs, and eases down. His lips close, coming to a more neutral position. And then flatly, at a low volume, he says

"I'm from New Mareland"

>>143985
"I'm really sorry again I couldn't stay longer, I had no idea it was tonight...." She's done picking up after herself and stands to leave.

>>143985
He nods.

"Your accent somewhat gives it away. You sound like other New Marelanders I have met."

>>143986

>>143987
"I know..." He says, sounding defeated

>>143988
"Why do you feel compelled to hide where you are from?"

>>143988
Amber will follow Dark Denizen.

>>143989
"If you don't know then... let's keep it that way. Don't tell anyone. Please?"

>>143991
"I will not. Are you just worried ponies here might not be so welcoming if they know your origin?"

>>143992
"That doesn't help. No... it's... how many young adult males from New Mareland who were not in military or other government service uniform have you seen in the past few years?"

>>143993
"...Ohhhhhh, you are fleeing draft. Are things *that* bad in New Mareland?"

>>143994
"Well, we've been taken over by an imperialist, reactionary, speciest and regressive regime that forces almost its whole population into war to crush progress in other nations. So yes. Things really are that bad.

>>143995
"Heh, that is not outlook I have heard from New Mareland very often. I am sorry you fled that situation only to end up in...well, you know."

>>143997
Okay I'll reassess

>>143996
"Yes! And then these crazies from the Empire enslave us, and... vivisect us!"

>>143998
"Not even Griffonian Empire wanted them in their lands. They were Maarist cultists. I am guessing you were offered passage to Equestria, and then were abducted as soon as you go close to show?"

[Blue Skies is still best pony

>>143999
"Insane is what they are! All of the worst tendencies of creatures together at once... Yes, that is what happened, more or less."

>>144000
Check'd

"They are gone, now. You are free to resettle here in Equestria, as soon as you have fully recovered from vivisection."

>>144001
"You mean, East Equestria? I don't think I'm free here. Not here. In this government hospital."

>>144002
"Why not? It does not seem like they intend to drag you back to New Mareland."

>>144003
"They would. Or worse. When they find out I am a draft evader, and other things.."

>>144004
"'Other things'?"

>>144005
"Well... I was a registered member of the Communist Party, for one."

>>144006
Silver's eyebrows visibly raise, though he does not say anything on the matter.

"...what else?"