/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal


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

[YouTube] The True Gift of Gifting [Embed]

If you want to see the latest posts from all boards in a convenient way please check out /overboard/

Name
Email
Subject
By clicking New Reply, I acknowledge the existence of the Israeli nuclear arsenal.
Comment
0
Select File / Oekaki
File(s)
Password  (For file and/or post deletion.)

2395050.png
Occupied Equestria
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145000
145002
Iron got his ass beat and has pissed off a whole criminal syndicate, Amber is doing some shady shit at the police station, Silver is making friends, and Spark is enjoying Whinnysotan hospitality.
1647 replies and 16 files omitted.
Amber Sunset
0becd33
?
No.145849
145850
>>145843
"Not at the moment, no, but I might find something. It just troubles me that it's so unsafe in this city. Why is it so dangerous?"
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145850
145851
>>145849
This question, likewise, gives her pause
"Well, there are socio-economic factors involved, like poverty, unemployment, and inequality."
Amber Sunset
0becd33
?
No.145851
145852
>>145850
"What's a socio-economic? I come from a place where everypony is poor and nopony steals from each other. You don't have to have money to be a good pony." As she says this, a voice in her head speaks back, But you told lies to get some money.
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145852
145853
>>145851
"It's.... Well, maybe its the society that instills greed and factionalism. Causes creatures to fight when really there is no need."
Amber Sunset
0becd33
?
No.145853
145854
>>145852
"Well, there is something wrong for sure. If I'd wager, it probably has to do with so many creatures coming to Equestria. It's ponies' land, but changelings invaded from the west and here in the east there are griffons, zebras and diamond dogs everywhere you look.
I don't think any of them know about the friendship we cherish in our hearts."

Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145854
145855
291938.jpg
>>145853
Something in her expression conveys that she doesn't share quite the same perspective as Amber.

"......... Just.... Can you be surprised with the kind of welcome they've received? More unemployment and strife just as bad as what they've left."
Amber Sunset
0becd33
?
No.145855
145856
>>145854
"I'm not sure why they would come over here in that case. Maybe Equestria was a bit more prosperous and welcoming a few years ago, but we have our own problems now and I don't see them lending a hoof about it...."
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145856
145857
>>145855
“Well yes, it been torn up by war and the betrayal of its former domin-“

Her line of words are stopped once she gets to Amber’s last words.

“For the record, Trakyr over here is an excellent detective snd has helped solve many crimes. You know what? You don’t have any reason to be over here. Get out! Go to the officers from the SSA over there if you must. I think you’ll get along with them better.”
Amber Sunset
0becd33
?
No.145857
145858
>>145856
She's getting mad, this is what I want. Even if I have to be a little mean....
She replies, "One individual doesn't really change matters. I live in one of the worse parts of town, with a griffon landlord–who put me in an awful financial position when I came here–and I've never been so nervous just trotting down the street. I don't know where I'm living but it's not Equestria."
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145858
145859
>>145857
“GO. NOW. EVIDENCE ROOM OR OUT, just not here.”
Amber Sunset
0becd33
?
No.145859
145860
>>145858
"There's no reason to be upset. I'm just giving my two cents on public safety as a citizen."
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145860
145861
>>145859
"This isn't a town hall meeting. We do important work here for keeping creatures safe. Go have an opinion somewhere else."
Amber Sunset
0becd33
?
No.145861
145862
>>145860
"Oh, sorry. What work do you do here?"
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145862
145863
>>145861
"Solving crimes!"
Amber Sunset
0becd33
?
No.145863
145864
>>145862
Something puzzles her. "From behind a desk? I don't get how that works. Do you give advice to the detectives or do they bring clues to you?"
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145864
145865
>>145863
"Ugh! The agency solves crimes. I am a secretary, and I act as a receptionist for those arriving, and I handle phone calls into the office."
Amber Sunset
0becd33
?
No.145865
145866
>>145864
She blinks. "So you don't actually solve crimes? Other ponies do it for you?"
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145866
145867
>>145865
I am a secretary, and I help in my own way. But yes, technically, other creatures solve the crimes.”
Amber Sunset
0becd33
?
No.145867
145868
>>145866
"Aw shucks, I'm hoping to maybe be a secretary myself. Got any tips?"
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145868
145869
>>145867
Yes. Don’t ask strangers so many invasive questions.”
Amber Sunset
0becd33
?
No.145869
145886
>>145868
"Oh, that's a good one. Though I already know that from coming to Baltimare. Have I mentioned how unsafe it feels in this city? It's awful not being able to trust ponies you meet in the street."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
0a1e664
?
No.145880
145886
>>145848
"That I will. Goodbye!"

He leaves the potions store, and returns to the taxi.

"I got the potion!"
Shimmering Spark
1f9642c
?
No.145885
145886
>>145684
“How many patients have they had make it with this stage?”
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145886
145887 145911 145954
>>145869
At this point, she stands up, and physically moves closer to Amber, as if to push her out of the room

"Yes. Now go."

>>145880
"Ah! Nice." Clipping says

"Hope it helps. This hurts like a nip from a Bunyip when I move my body in the wrong way."

>>145885
"Well, it's, it's, well when the patients are like this, it's a matter of how many months. Maybe years?"
Shimmering Spark
1f9642c
?
No.145887
145888
>>145886
“I see. And there is no other way?”
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145888
145889
>>145887
"Well... you can try to remove or kill the cancer, but it's made its way into harder to reach places. And once that happens, it's difficult to stop."
Shimmering Spark
1f9642c
?
No.145889
145890
>>145888
“And there is no known way of stopping the growth?”
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145890
145891
>>145889
"Well, that's not really true. Various magical and chemical processes can kill it. The biggest problem is that it's alongside other body parts that could also be killed."
Shimmering Spark
1f9642c
?
No.145891
145892
>>145890
“And there is no way to heal those while simultaneously killing the target?”
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145892
145893
>>145891
“Well, that’s what the treatment process is, destroying the growth as best we can while destroying the body as little as we can.”
Shimmering Spark
1f9642c
?
No.145893
145894
>>145892
“I suppose. It is just frustrating that there isn’t more that can be done.”
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145894
145899
>>145893
“Well... I don’t know. Perhaps experiments in magical treatment, perhaps some especially talented pony like Mage Meadowbrook... but it’s all speculative. Most of the treatment options focus on fighting the biggest growths and slowing the spread of others.”
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145896
145897
>>145785
Her mouth is closed, and breathing less common but heavier, as she moves her head down to see what Iron will do.
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145897
145898
>>145896
Seeing no clear objections so far, Iron soon stuck his tongue to slowly drag it onto the oasis' center to test the humidity down below, always looking up at her from his prone position in the offchance she experienced any sort of clear discomfort.
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145898
145900
>>145897
Down the belly, between the two teats, down lower and further back, Iron comes to her vulva. The thin, black lips possess some wrinkles, but are mostly straight and closed together in a line down to her large, black anus and dock, and long white tail with black hair. She pulls her legs up, and moves them further apart, giving Iron more room.
Shimmering Spark
1f9642c
?
No.145899
145901
>>145894
Spark nods and looks back over to Waabishki.
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145900
145902
>>145898
Iron carefully glanced to the two spreading legs, finally starting to understand that Cauldron truly wanted him right down there, in-between her legs, staring at the seemingly dry oasis in front of him.
Realizing this, he curled his lips into a tempered smile, starting to get back in the swing of things as he approached his snout to the oasis before landing a soft, wet kiss to test the waters further.
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145901
145903
>>145899
She is very much upset, and nervous, anxiously waiting for the Doctor to return to the conversation
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145902
145904
>>145900
There's a small flinch at this movement, as her legs, and indeed her whole body move forward. But she moves back into place. There is a smell, and a taste, of sweat and cloth, but also the slight distinct taste of sex. She doesn't seem particularly moist nor excited, but the legs are open before him.
Shimmering Spark
1f9642c
?
No.145903
145913
>>145901
He lets the doctor continue with her.
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145904
145905
>>145902
Iron took his time to sniff the smell to properly appreciate it as he turned his head up the tiniest bit to look at Cauldron properly while still nested between her legs. "You smell nice," he serenely uttered.
Soon after that, he soon went back down to gently lick the oasis to help moisten the land in front of it and liven up the desert of black and white.
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145905
145906
>>145904
Iron can see her black muzzle looking down and back at him. She has a small, nervous smile.

The lips move slightly into a wetter realm of flesh between. She makes a small "ah" at the first movement of his tongue.
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145906
145907
>>145905
Emboldened by the small, positive feedback he was receiving, Iron began to gently wrap his forelegs under Cauldron's flank while he increased his licking efforts just to hear her 'ah' again, only with a bit more passion to it.
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145907
145908
>>145906
Iron recieves an "Oh" as his forelegs move under and press up Black Cauldron's not-so-small hindquarters. Iron has a better angle now, and can get lower. His tongue moves into her to reveal the red-pink flesh under black skin and white fur, and a darker tunnel continuing further inside her visible at moments. The amount of liquid increases slightly as the licking continues.

Black Cauldron breathes noticeably faster, though just as heavily
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145908
145909
>>145907
Her smell and her rapidly increasing heavy breaths were starting to awaken the primal pony inside his concrete jungle shell he's been forced to grow after so much conflict against it without much reward to speak.
Irom soon started to actively press himself against Cauldron's slightly lifted hindquarters, trying to lift it up further for him to sit in front of and quench the thirst with her oasis like a true native.
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145909
145910
>>145908
At some point in the activity, Black Cauldron lays her head back on a pillow, looking up at the ceiling, and holds her breath - or tries to. Perhaps Iron doesn't notice this. Cauldron's internal walls push further apart, and the small pink pearl of her clitoris moves into the fore. The muscles on her walls start to move. Inwards, then outwards in rhythmic patterns, providing an occasional glance deeper into her body.
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145910
145912
>>145909
Iron certainly took note as he consciously made Cauldron's rump rise to his desired position, looking over it with rapt attention and desire, to the point of even licking his lips for the slakening to come.
The moment both parties accustomed themselves to the new position, Iron soon planted his muzzle into the plentiful oasis, hoping to slightly push past the surface in order to drink the contents at the deeper levels he desired to.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
302a3a4
?
No.145911
145913
>>145886
"She said to drink one dram mixed with water each day until it is gone."

Silver gives the driver directions for home.
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145912
145916
>>145910
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3cRWJcZjW4

Iron finds presses his muzzle into Black Cauldron until he is pushed back by her pelvic bone and body. This is no impediment to his tongue, which finds its way inside her, and presses her open. More liquid gently trickles out, with occasional movement of her walls, inwards and then back to a relaxed position

Cauldron utters another relatively "Ah... ah..."
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145913
145914 145918
>>145911
And on home

"Ah great, that'll do. This is looking pretty good, I'll say."

>>145903
The Doctor continues to try to talk to her, and Makade to calm her down.

Ply and Petal come up to Spark

"Uh, Shimmering Spark... Where would you like to sleep tonight?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
302a3a4
?
No.145914
145915
>>145913
"Are things looking up for you, now?"
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145915
145917
>>145914
"Well, compared to a few days ago, or a few weeks ago, or a few months ago, or a few hours ago, yeah, I'd say."
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145916
145919
>>145912
Iron knew to be careful enough not to push too hard as his tongue drove itself the furthest inside he could manage, burying himself inside Cauldron's oasis like a camel taking a big drink after days walking along the desert.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
302a3a4
?
No.145917
145921
>>145915
He smiles at the silly colt next to him. He pats him on shoulder, minding that he does so lightly to avoid hurting him.

"Hopefully it will not be end of your good fortunes. You still have paper to get into."
Shimmering Spark
1f9642c
?
No.145918
145921
>>145913
"I can take a space on the floor."
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145919
145920
>>145916
"Hehe" Black Cauldron giggles, and her clitoris moves out, then back in and then out. Her vagina eases, so that even when Iron's tongue is out, it remains somewhat open.

Black Cauldron begins to moan, not caring to suppress it any longer
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145920
145921
>>145919
Black's lewd moaning invigorates Iron further into chugging the oasis dry, soon increasing his efforts to reach the bottom of the desert lake, rubbing as much of the area surrounding it as possible.
However, one of his forelegs opted to take on a more exploratory part, soon rubbing the tip of itself against the little ball-shaped fish that keeps popping up the pool of water.
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145921
145922 145925 145929
>>145917
"Yeah, can't get much worse than it was before, right? i hope..."

>>145918
"Oh, that's rather nice of you. We have one extra bedroom, and a couple couches."

>>145920
And yet, he finds his efforts to find the bottom are in vain. It's a nice smooth feeling, moving aside at the pressing of the tongue, and sometimes pressing back. It's almost like the inside of a cheek, really.

Iron's hoof meets the little fleshy pearl, and takes to rubbing it. Cauldron moans louder, and louder, not caring much to keep their liaison a secret from whoever may be in hearing range
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145922
145923
>>145921
Every extra decible that seeped into Iron's attentive ears only led him to pump up his efforts, soon going into a slurping frenzy as his tongue practically dances inside the cheek-like flesh while the button rubbing increased in intensity: He was attempting to coax her into a climax right there on the spot.
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145923
145924
>>145922
Her vaginal walls press inwards, relax, press inwards, relax and press inwards again with much more force than seen at anytime before. Liquid pours out in greater quantity than before as Cauldron cries out "Ah!" and arches her back inwards, pressing her lower and upper quarters deeper into the bed. She winces, her mouth locked open, as her hind legs come down and press her hooves into the bed
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145924
145926
>>145923
Iron's eyes widened considerably at the sudden burst of apparent pleasure, gently laying her hindquarters back into the bed with a worried look after a couple of seconds. "Are you alright?" he plainly asked
Shimmering Spark
1f9642c
?
No.145925
145928
>>145921
"Sounds good. Thank you again for all of your hospitality."
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145926
145927
>>145924
"Ah... Ah, ah..." After a moment, and a breath in and out, she opens her eyes, and then looks over towards Iron.

"Yes. Why do you ask?"
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145927
145928 145931
>>145926
"Oh," Iron muttered, blushing heavily "I believe to have misunderstood your cry's purpose."
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145928
145930 145931 146207
>>145925
"We need to figure out who will sleep in the bedroom" Ply Press says.

"Perhaps if Makade and his friend want to share the room together..."

Makade turns to Spark and the Doctor
"He jokes, but it would really solve our succession problem."

Makade turns back to Ply Press
"If you think there is danger, I would rather be downstairs. Nearer the door."

>>145927
She pulls her lips back
Silver "The Floof" Sword
302a3a4
?
No.145929
145931
>>145921
"I can most certainly promise you will never have to go through anything even remotely near as bad again."
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145930
145931
>>145928
Iron, in turn, smiled sheepishly, letting out a few gingerly chuckles as his face became even redder from embarrassment. "So," he followed up "you want more?"
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145931
145932 145940
>>145928
>>145927
She pulls her lips back in s mile that shows her upper teeth.

"Heheh, you're alright" She answers

>>145930
"If you're up for it" She answers

>>145929
He smiles to Silver

"Well... thank you" He says, with a silence thereafter
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145932
145933
>>145931
Hearing the second part of Cauldron's reaction, Iron proudly puffed his chest as he beamed in satisfaction.
However, her agreement to more of this soon left him a bit lost once again. "How much, exactly?" he soon whispered, leering down at her as he slowly shifted his position to stand on top of her once again. If she were to look lower, she could definitely see the secret long barrel rifle he's been hiding all this time, twitching in anticipation.
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145933
145934
>>145932
She looks over at it alright. And it's not the first time, either

"I'm... coming into my cycle, I think? I don't know if I can, but... I'd rather not get pregnant."
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145934
145936
>>145933
Iron nodded, deciding simply to gently lay himself on top of her, without any attempt to align his barrel to her oasis coupled with a loving smile. His legs hopefully proved to be enough cushioning to stop any actual crushing. "I understand," he wholeheartedly agreed, leaning his muzzle closer to Cauldron's. "I doubt I could free myself from such strong and seductive clutches."
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145936
>>145934
She smiles, and places a hoof over his head, patting his ear. Then she raises an eyebrow playfully
"Clutches? I've only just now laid a hoof on you."
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145937
145938
>>145935
Iron couldn't help but giggle softly, nuzzling Cauldron lovingly at her reply. "I mean the oasis between your legs," he jokingly clarified before planting a quick peck on her cheek. "It is a good thing my tongue is flexible."
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145938
145939
>>145937
"Hah hah. An Oasis? Why do you say that?" Smiling, "Does the rest of me seem dry?"
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145939
145941
>>145938
"Of course not," Iron playfully rejected, pulling back with a humorous smile "but if I recall correctly, you came from a desert, right?"
Silver "The Floof" Sword
302a3a4
?
No.145940
145941
>>145931
"And I promise to do whatever I can to help you make better life here."
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145941
145942 145943
>>145939
"What? No. Well, not really. I wouldn't really call Baltimare a desert." More like a marsh. With trees. And grass. And concrete. Too much concrete, really."

>>145940
He looks at Silver for a minute.
"And... well, I don't want to sound skeptical, but.... I'll take it."
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145942
145944
>>145941
Iron chuckled softly at her remark. "I did not mean Baltimare," he replied in amusement "but the land you called Zebrica."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
302a3a4
?
No.145943
145944
>>145941
He smiles some more at the colt.

"It is fine, friend, I can understand skepticism, whether it is if you can make better life here or whether I will help you. I just ask you give me chance to help you."
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145944
145945 145946 145948
>>145942
She smiles, and presses her body, including her lower body into him

"I've never been. But I've heard it's forest, the area my father is from, that is. Tropical forest. Maybe not much unlike where you came from."

>>145943
"Worked out pretty well so far. Sure. I'll give you the chance."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
302a3a4
?
No.145945
145948 145950
>>145944
Silver practically beams at Clip.
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145946
145947
>>145944
That got Iron astonished, eyes widening in delighted glee. "Really?" he gasped out in excitement, smiling wide at the possibility. "We have got to visit if that is the case, then."

Meanwhile, down below, his weapon of 'war' was still as strong as ever, twitching sporadically towards her lower section that has been pressed against. Who knew just hugging eachother after a period of intimacy aroused him so much?
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145947
145949
>>145946
"Heh. I suppose that's one thing to add to the list. The list of things to do, one of these days."

She takes her hooves, and moves them around his shoulders, pulling him towards her. She moves her lower body, or tries to move it, so that her vulva presses up against his unsheathed penis.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
302a3a4
?
No.145948
145950
>>145944
>>145945
"You know, you will have to tell me how your meeting goes tonight. If it goes well, maybe I will go with you in near future, if you wanted."
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145949
145950
>>145947
At first, iron smiled gleefully, eager to make yet another desire of hers come true, only to gasp out while his eyes widened at Cauldron's sensual fidgeting plus the faint sensation of his weapon touching her oasis from under him.
He tilted his head softly at her antics as he lightly bit his lip from the temptation.
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145950
145951 145952
>>145949
"Iron. There's something I was wanting to show you."

>>145945
>>145948

"Sure. I think you should. Well, I don't know how they are here. But they are friendly, I hope."
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145951
145953
>>145950
Before, Iron was a bit puzzled at Cauldron's current actions. Now, he was rather intrigued. He held from plunging himself inside her in the offchance this would be too egregious of him. "Yes?" he replied with a faint hint of strain in his voice.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
302a3a4
?
No.145952
145953
>>145950
"I think they will be. You should be able to make some friends while you are at meeting. But I think it will be nice to expand my horizons, if at least to be able to understand you better."
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145953
145956 145957
>>145951
She places her muzzle against his if his position allows, touching their noses. Then she starts rubbing her lower body against him, somewhat gently. After some seconds of doing this in silence, she pauses, and says,

"I was going to show you today, or tomorrow, but.... I leased a place on Parker Street. A place to do potion making and selling."

>>145952
He nods
"A little bit of understanding would do a lot of good, I think."
Amber Sunset
1e65e70
?
No.145954
145955
>>145886
She does not budge, though she bites her lip for a moment.
"Must I? I've enjoyed this conversation even though your opinions don't make much sense. Let's chat. How is--"
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145955
145958
>>145954
"Yes. Back."
She moves forward
Silver "The Floof" Sword
0a1e664
?
No.145956
145959
>>145953
"Now, it may take more than meeting or two to convert me, but being able to put myself into your horseshoes will do wonders. I would like to do same with others in household too, but they do not have interests as easy to get into as yours."
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145957
145959
>>145953
Iron's nostrils flared softly at the teasing, groaning in pleasure lightly at random intervals at the oasis' surface tickling the tip of his barrel.
However, such action below didn't stop him from his eyes widening as his mouth opened in surprise for a second. "R-really?" he gasped out in a mix of sexual tension and unbridled happiness for Cauldron, soon wrapping his forelegs around hers in a big yet careful hug. "T-that is excellent news!"
Amber Sunset
1e65e70
?
No.145958
145959
>>145955
She steps backward, though not quite as much as the secretary would've wanted. "No need to be so rude, you know. If I'm going to be living in Baltimare I need to know how safe you're keeping the city. To me it seems like not very," she says matter-of-factly.
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145959
145960 145963 145964
>>145957
"Yes, I'm hoping I can spare the time now, with that kirin to help my father, and, well... a partner."

>>145956
"Oh, well, you'll find something, sooner or later. There's always something."

>>145958
She scrunches
"You know, you can help too. Providing tips, keeping a look out. Not just assuming a secretary can do and know everything."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
0a1e664
?
No.145960
145961
>>145959
Silver nods.

"True. Hell, this is farthest I have ever gotten. Maybe that something is you?"
Anonymous
10ca8cc
?
No.145961
145962
>>145960
"Oh. You want me to talk to them? I can talk to them, sure."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
0a1e664
?
No.145962
145965
>>145961
"Oh, I misunderstood what you were...nevermind. I just need to find way to connect with them, like you and your meetings."
Amber Sunset
1e65e70
?
No.145963
145965
>>145959
She pauses. "You're right. Doing that is the least I can do. Do you have any tips for providing tips?" she asks with a faint smile.
Anonymous
615b420
?
No.145964
145965
>>145959
Iron slowly pulled his head back to face Cauldron's, once again were their muzzles almost about to touch like she'd previously positioned while another grunt escaped his lips. "I am... glad to hear that," he uttered before letting out a quick, labored huff.