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>>146350>>146352The mare from the officer starts to yell something, and then Swift Soul joins in, and then Stalwart, and then the strange cacophony is completed by something approaching growling and a strange high-pitched eeeeing sound.
>>146353Amber folds her ears back, wishing she could close her ears off from this noise that's giving her a headache. Well, she wanted a diversion, and she got one.
>>146354Mission accomplishedShe does not have hearing protection, however.
>>146355She'll keep listening to what's going on, hoping that attention will stay off her for the time being.
>>146351Iron snickers softly, finally patting the bug on the back before stepping out of the hug himself with a smile. "Sure," he agreed to her request.
>>146358>BugNo bugs here. Black Cauldron stands up and walks back to the kitchen, while White Sands leans her head and neck against Iron, pressing into him.
>>146359The other bat approaches, coming in. There is more eeeeing, and Swift Soul is mostly just yelling to let him pass.
>>146361Unfortunately this is not a question Amber finds a quick answer to. She feels a touch on her shoulder
>>146362She jumps slightly at the sudden touch and looks back.
>>146364She nods wordlessly and follows him, hoping nopony takes notice.
>>146360Whoops.Iron couldn't help but snicker softly at the extra bit of attention he was awarded for his efforts before following Cauldron back into the kitchen for that second shot.
>>146365It's almost to a fist fight over there, so no one notices. Scabbard pulls her through the hallway, and into the central one. He leans in and whispers into her ear.
"I got the keys, and one of the documents but... I need to get past the last mare. If you could help distract her. Move her out of her office, or make her looks away from the hallway..."
>>146366White Sands is let go, and she sits down, looking at Iron as he walks away.
Black Cauldron pours a shot for herself.
>>146367Amber nods. Compared to what she had to do just now, this shouldn't be too difficult.
>>146367Iron eagerly awaits Cauldron's next move, wondering how she'd react to the drink in question compared to himself.
>>146368Scabbard moves towards the end of the hall, until it enters the T intersection. He takes a peak over
"Looks like it's Sunnyside Meadows there, not Good Follower as I thought. All the same, I need to go to an office on the other side and not be seen. Distract him."
>>146369She takes the glass, picks up up, and drinks the whole thing in one swallow.
>>146370She nods briskly and practically canters over to Sunnyside Meadows.
"Sir, sir! Something awful is happening!" >>146371He turns away from his photographs on the wall
"What is it?" He asks
>>146370Iron stomps the floor in applause, obviously cheering for Cauldron's success. "Nice," he called out.
>>146374He sighs
"They need to get over themselves. This is no different from when the Imperial Guard would come by in the old days. Then again, they were just as dramatic back then..."
Unenthusiastically, he stands up, and starts to walk out
>>146375Is it likely for him to leave without seeing Red Scabbard?
>>146376He would need to move from the hallway, and Sunnyside would need to not look down that hallway. So it short, it's inelegant to say the least
>>146373"Heh" She smiles strangely at Iron
>>146377"You did not even flinch," Iron pointed out, impressed as ever.
>>146378"I suppose not" she answers
White Sands walks over, and looks up at them
>>146377So you're telling me there is a chance?
Amber will do whatever it takes to keep his attention focused on him.
"Sir, I'd best explain the situation. The Blackhooves want to take control of the investigation of something called a 'comte' and other cases too. They're saying locals shouldn't handle it at all, because some ponies are giving aid to 'anarchists' and that they're funding the agency and the whole department is 'rotten' and corrupt. On the other hoof, the detectives mentioned there was an agreement to keep Baltimare sovereign from Canterlot and New Mareland also agreed to honor it, but the Blackhooves want to take over with this being an excuse and they did the same thing in Manehattan by killing ponies and lying and all sorts of nasty things...."She's practically hyperventilating by the end.
>>146380KekThe stallion looks down over toward Amber
"Calm down, little pony. It'll be alright. The same occasional drama popped up back under the Princesses' rule. It's just something that comes along with the power sharing, giving something to each side. It's much better to have this than each side fighting for all or nothing."
>>146381"It hardly sounds like 'sharing' at all! Sharing is about agreement, about coming to good terms. I really do think they're fighting for all or nothing." Is this an older stallion?
>>146379Iron walks over to Cauldron with a sultry, playful smile in turn. "Maybe your drink was different than mine," he coyly insinuated as he hovered his snout near hers. "Maybe I should get a taste just to be sure."
>>146382He's clearly older than Red Scabbard, but not really that old. Probably not older than his late forties, maybe early or mid fourties.
"Oh, it's one case. Just high profile. Of course the Chief wants that one. But we've had two revolts in twenty years, and both ended in power sharing arrangements. This much better than it could be. Let them take the one case, and leave the other ten thousand to us."
>>146383"Maybe" She says plainly, with lidded eyes
>>146385He shrugs
"It's 1 AM on a Saturday."
He seems to have more to say, or at least, wants to say more, but does not manage it. A smile slowly fades
>>146388Actually yes, probably. His point is that it's well outside of business hours"Because they know they'd be outnumbered 10 to 1 if they came during actual business hours." He answers, walking along with Amber
>>146384Iron, of course, closes the distance further, finally touching Cauldron's lips.
>>146390This provokes a smile, perked eyes, and a kiss back
>>146391Seizing the opportunity, Iron took no more expense in slipping his tongue inside her mouth to 'get a feel' for Cauldron's drink while ensuring her enjoyment throughout.
>>146389"That must mean they're afraid of you all, if they have be sudden and sneaky about it," she replies, keeping up with him and making sure his attention is focused on her.
>>146270She smiles in a large, toothy smile. Strangely, she too has fangs, which can be seen in this overly revealing smile.
"Yes! I need to find out what plants will grow here in this climate. Or what the soil is like deeper down. Or exactly how much rain there is here-"
>>146392Cauldron pulls back her cheeks in a smile, but lets him in, moving her tongue to meet his, then pressing her lips forward to solidify the union. Iron can't taste much of the hard alcohol, though there is definitely a smell and a slight tint to the flavor.
>>146395"Exactly. And besides, I have to wonder if maybe for this case, just this case, they really will do a better job. There are many out there who don't want to see justice done in this case. And the office here isn't as above corruption or threat as we would like it to be."
Moving closer to the evidence room, the argument has died down a bit, and Swift Soul has made progress moving forward. Further away, by the entrance, Amber can hear more commotion.
>>146396Silver didn't expect this, but he's rather fascinated by it than turned off. He smiles back at her.
"Sounds like we need to find botanist to ask these questions to."
>>146397"Well.... Yes, if we have to. I know what it would have been like back at my home village but... This is very different. Ideally there would be a rock garden, and a pagoda, but.. there isn't really room for it. Still, it is nice to plant into the ground. To sow seeds, and let them take root."
>>146398"Heh. It sounds like being parent, way you describe it."
>>146399"Yes. Or making connections, or making new friends, or generally making a new life in a new city."
>>146400"I think then it is perfect hobby for you."
He trots over to her, and gives her a surprise hug.
>>146401"Well, if you want to call it-"
SqueakSilver gets his legs around a very much surprised Khoi. She's not small for a mare, but still smaller than Silver and Jubilosa, and her front is almost fluffy while her back is hard and scaly.