/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal

>>143475
"I do hate to ask you for such a favor, but I'm sure everyone would like something warm to help thaw out."

>>143476
"Oh, it's no problem at all. Let me make some tea for you."
And like that, she runs out of the room and through a door that enters into what is presumably the living room over on the left.

This leaves the doctor, who sits on a couch, Waabishki, who sits on the ground, and Makade, who has not made it far past the entry foyer. Ply Press continues standing, looking at the group.
"Well, uh... make yourself comfortable here."

>>143477
"I don't mean to pry, but she mentioned a ranch. Did you move here recently?"

>>143478
"Oh. Yes. We had a property out in Lake County with 40 acres, mostly forest. It was nice, very nice. Not really a 'ranch' because we didn't raise animals, but we call it that. We had it for very many years. I bought it not that long after getting the job with Cardinal from a friend of my father... not long after marrying Petal. But yes, we had to sell it. The, uh, the Changelings... they don't like ponies who live out in the forest. Fortunately I knew somepony in Whinnyapolis who had the house here, so I got a good deal on this house. It's nice, but I miss the backyard.

>>143479
"Interesting. Maybe I will take it off their hooves sometime. What's this job that you had?"

>>143480
He tilts his head at the "Take it off their hooves" comment, but he quickly answers Spark's comments

"Cardinal Machinery. I worked as a liaison with the Lumber industry. What I would do is engineering work adjusting and repairing the machines that they sell that slice lumber into veneer. And especially I would work on the machines that would press wood together. I still work with them, sort of."

>>143481
"Sort of?"

>>143482
"Well... The company was placed under a regulatory commission, and is under new management. But my knowledge as an engineer is still valued, so I still work on press machines."

>>143483
"How's the management?"

>>143484
"It's, well... It's different."

>>143485
"How so?"

>>143486
"Well, they are Changelings."

>>143487
"Right. Do they mistreat you?"

>>143488
"Well... let's say they have a very particular idea of what they want, and how they think it should be done, and they, well they don't always have the best understanding of the machines or the processes in question, or the idiosyncrasies of the local timber."

>>143489
"New management hardly ever understands."

>>143490
"Yeah... heh heh. It's different under... creatures who are a bit less flexible than some others."

At this time, Petal comes back in the room, looking out and yelling
"Water is ready! Do you want tea, coffee maybe?"

>>143491
Spark motions to the wolves to have first pick.

>>143492
Makade:
"Nothing"
Petal:
"Oh, but surely you must"

Makade:
"It's okay"

Petal:
"Don't worry, we stocked up during the War. We have enough to give out."

Waabishki:
"I will take tea"

Petal's eyes grow wide
"You brought a girl? Oooooh! What is her name?"

Ply:
"Are you just now noticing?"

And with this, Makade and Waabishki's expression changes

>>143493
Spark is not sure what to say, so he sees how the wolves will handle it.

>>143494
Waabishki looks startled, finding herself less safe than she was before. She wraps her tail around herself.

Petal comes into the room, smiling and drawing breath
"Is this your 'someone' she's so pretty."
She comes closer to Waabishki, who scrunches

Waabishki:
"No."

Petal:
"You two would look so cute together"

Waabishki
"No."

Maakade smiles, evidently enjoying this. Petal tries to come even closer to Waabishki, seemingly to want to make some sort of physical contact, but Waabishki bares her teeth, causing Petal to back off
"Still."

>>143495
"You said it has been a long time. How long has it been since Makade came by last?"

>>143496
Ply Press, still standing, answers
"We haven't seen him at all since the beginning of the War. Not when he left for training. And not much really even since he went up to Zagaskway."

>>143497
waves back

>>143443
Hmmm.... Roll diplomacy

>>143499
>>143443
Wait... I am confused as to what is being attempted here

>>143500
To get them to wait for a table that can seat four ponies.

>>143443
>>143501
I believe that one couple is waiting, along with two sets that are between three and five.

>>143502
The couple has to get a high table.

>>143503
They are seated, as those left waiting are placated

[1d4 = 3] [1d5 = 4]
[1d4 = 1]
[1d4 = 4]

[1d4 = 4]
[1d4 = 3]

>>143504
>>143503
And another Larkhaven table clears out, as still another small group arrives

>>143505
Oh Princess, I hope that this ends soon... she wishes to herself.
Amber proposes to the group of three to eat at a high table, bringing an extra chair from another high table (leaving it suitable as a table for one).

>>143506
The third pony is a bit skeptical
"Does that really leave us with enough room for our food, though?"

>>143509
>>143508
After a moment, they answer
"Sure, we'll give it a try"

[1d4 = 4] [1d4 = 1] [1d5 = 5]
[1d4 = 2] [1d4 = 4]

[1d4 = 3]

>>143510
She smiles happily. "You'll like it, I'm sure."

>>143511
They are seated. The lack of table space is definitely a possible issue, but it is so.

One of Mustard Trim's tables clears out

[1d5 = 5]

>>143512
>>143511
... Two of Mustard Trim's tables have cleared out

>>143513
She goes to the group of five. "There are seats available for you now."

>>143514
They are seated

But what of the two connected couples?

>>143515
Uh oh, she had suspected she neglected something. Is there space at one of Mustard's tables for all four of them?

>>143516
Yes.

>>143517
With a quick apology she brings them all over.

>>143518
And they are seated

>>143519
Hopefully there are no more headaches.

>>143520
[1d4 = 3] [1d4 = 3] [1d5 = 5]
[1d4 = 1] [1d4 = 4] [1d5 = 4]

[1d4 = 3] [1d4 = 4]

>>143521
>>143520
Well...

>>143522
Life is hard, life is stressful.

>>143523
Another Mustard Trim table opens up, and another larkhaven table opens up, as a group of four mares (looks like friends) and a larger party enters

>>143524
She asks the ladies, "Hello, would you all like a table or would you prefer to sit at the bar?"