Welcome back to the newest thread of Occupied Equestria
In Northern Equestria on the Changeling side, Spark has given refuge to a mare claiming to be stalked by a Changeling drone.
In the southeast, in Baltimare, Amber tries to slip past police in her infiltration of the Police Headquarters. Iron prepares for his next fight against griffin gangsters. Silver enjoys downtime, and Midnight checks out a local church.
>>148690“In the war?” She asks, not answering his question
>>148691Don’t make me do it
>>148692"That,As well as some family members."
He frowns
He takes another drink
>>148693“What a waste. I mean the War. So many sacrificed to achieve nothing.” She says
>>148694is she still smug?"I Know i can still hardly believe its real."
>>148695She has an air of moral "knowing," but the smugness shared by herself and Lens concerned talking about the school"I know. My own June was even called to the draft, though he got a deferment. We had to shelter in place during the shelling."
>>148697"Our neighbor's house was hit by a shell. I can still hear the groans."
He takes another sip
>>148698"Oh. I see... I think June knew some ponies killed in the September uprising." She blinks "What were they trying to shell in the countryside?"
I have to sleep now though...
>>148699"You know the Fascists. They like to case as much misery as possible."
Same here. its been like 24 hours.
>>148700The cream unicorn mare is silent at this, but Mars Loaf says:
"Oh yes, I know. We had to go hide in the basement during the shelling. We could feel the vibrations in the room as we were hundled together. Soldiers came in and they... they searched each one of us, asking if we had any weapons."
June, having migrated across the room and with an entire wine bottle in his magical glow, slowly walks up, placing the bottle down on the floor beside him, and removing a lit cigarette from his mouth. He speaks to Dark Star:
"What do you know about the misery? I was there on the barricades when they started blasting away. Going down the roads street by street, and house to house. I saw creatures killed."
At this, Mars loaf places hooves around him, holding him in a hug. Using his magic to hold both the cigarette and now pick up the wine bottle, he takes a swig directly out of the bottle.
>>148712"Me Personally? I've seen things you wouldn't believe. Foals being kicked to death. an old griffin woman cut in half with a Dull axe. Other Terrible Crimes i dare not even speak about."
Dark Star stares into a corner with a blank look on his face as he takes another sip
>>148713+1 point for the Blade Runner referenceA bluff check would be helpful
June was certainly not expecting this response, and is taken back for a moment. Star Cut and the stallion who let Dark Star in, formerly having their own conversation, seem to listen in.
“When did this happen?”
>>148719Dark Star’s lie isn’t the most persuasive, but June made a fatal slip when he tried to match Solar Night.
Lens:
“I have t heard that before”
Star Cut:
“Why would you? They try to suppress snd hide their crimes. You know these things happen.”
Mars Loaf, Lunar Nadir, and the unnamed mare are all deeply disturbed by Dark Star’s report
>>148718Yea that is a problem i have when playing a specific class. i play the character as if they were a different class.>>14872021 would be June with the big iron on his hip"Look,I Don't Mean to be a downer. This is a party we should be having a Good time."
>>148721There is silence for a moment, but the appeal to partying breaks through to Star Cut, the other stallion, and the other mare. Star cut, then the short cut stallion, raise their beers with a “woo!” and walk away. Lens follows after a delay. June lingers, looking at Dark Star in silence.
>>148722Dark Star matches his gaze
He takes a sip of his beer(assuming its not empty yet)
>>148723He’s near empty. June continues staring at him for a moment, places a leg on Mars, and moves to walk away. He yells out
“Are you ready for a dart game?”
>>148721Just play a Rogue/Scout Swift Ambusher build, or an Urban Ranger/Scout Swift Hunter Build. There are plenty more Ranger variants and Ranger combinations that accomodate what you're trying to play.
The Urban Tracking feat is based on Gather Information, rather than Survival, so an Urban Ranger can be charisma-based, especially when combined with Dynamic Priest for spellcasting. The Rival Organization ACF is also better in urban settings if you want to maximize Favored Enemy. Mystic Ranger is also pretty good if you want to use spells more in combat and tracking, fitting well with the variant Spell list the Urban Ranger gives.
Dips into Marshal or Factotum may also be better accommodating to your build, although it really depends on your stat distribution.
You can always gain Bluff through dips or feats. If you're taking an Anarchic feat for Bluff and want to be charisma-based, consider Iajutsu Focus and Use Magic Device.
Also, did you find your phone yet?
>>148724He thinks to himself "I might play you in darts"
Dark Star looks at the ground then to lunar nadir.
"You want another beer? mines almost empty."
>>148725Interesting. i like that idea. I might go down that road.
Not yet. Still raining.
>>148726“Yeah! Sure. Another beer.”
June and the other stallions move off, although only the yellow mare follows them, at least so far. Lens and the unnamed mare move together nearer a bar-top county by the kitchen. Mars Loaf moves over around Solar Night, and hugs Nadir. She closes her eyes, smiles, and raises a wing to sort of wing-hug Mars. Mars then moves off with the other three mares, leaving Dark Star and Nadir to themselves in this portion of the living room.
>>148728He walks over to the Beer crates and grabs 2 then he walks back over and hands Lunar her beer.
"Want to play some darts?"
Dark Star smiles at her
>>148729She takes one, and stands up
“Uh, I can try” she says, attempting a smile after saying that.
>>148730"I Don't want to overstep my bounds,but do you need a hug?"
>>148731She says to Dark Star
“I’m fine. I can do without.” Looking away
And then looking back to him
“But I’ll take one.”
>>148733Dark Star Gives her a Quick hug
>>148734She is hugged, presumably by Solar Noght wrapping his hooves around her. She moves her wings back to her body as he does so. Her wings are a soft velvet, but bony at places, and her fur is short and course.
>>148735He breaks the hug and starts walking towards the dart board.
"Looks like fun." he says to lunar.
He watches them throw the darts to scope out the competition.
>>148736So far, the ponies competing are, well, the stallions. Star Cut isn’t especially good, but the short cut stallion is decent. June seems to be winning, being the best of the small lot. The yellow mare is the fourth contender, laughing as she tries with the stallions egging her on. But she isn’t particularly good.
The room used for the dart playing seems to be a bedroom, though it isn’t being used as one. There is a mattress on the floor, one dresser, and a couple chairs.
>>148737He thinks to himself "June seems to be the best. i can beat him though"
"Wow every creature is so good. I've never played darts before. but i'd love too."
>>148738The ponies look back to Solar Night. It’s Star Cut (of all ponies) who says to him “come on, want to join?” June looks at Dark Star, and moves back.
June:
“Why don’t you give it a try?”
>>148739should i roll now?"wow i can join? id love to."
He takes a dart
>>148740Dark Star takes a dart
Roll. You can treat it like a ranged attack
>>148742did i just roll a 1? Well there goes someones eye.
>>148742>>148743Dark Star’s dart goes wide, and hits the wall next to the dart board, leaving a little hole, and then falling down. June and the yellow mare laugh.
When he recovers, June smiles, and says
“Don’t feel too bad. Let me show you how it’s done.”
He picks up a dart in an aura of green magic, placed it before his right eye, aims, closing his left eye, and throws it
[1d20+3 = 19]
>>148745>>148743He almost lands it inside the outright of the Bullseye. Star Cut and the short cut stallion seem impressed.
“Pretty good.”
>>148745>>148746Dark Star laughs it off and says "Oh wow sorry about the wall."
He thinks to himself "Perfect start. They'll never see my win coming."
>>148748As Dark Star plays 5 dimensional chess, Star Cut, the short cut stallion, and the yellow mare play their rounds. Lunar Nadir sits down and watches in silence.
[1d20+2 = 3][1d20+1 = 20][1d20 = 19]
>>148748>>148749The short cut stallion, thus far the second favorite, misses his mark considerably, hitting the wall in a way that causes the yellow mare to flinch. Star Cut and the yellow mare, meanwhile, land hits near the center that almost equal June’s performance. Almost.
Solar Night’s turn.
>>148751Dark Star hits the board, and does considerably better than before. But he fails to equal the performance of the other ponies.
June tries.
[1d20+3 = 14]Then the other three
[1d20+2 = 9][1d20+1 = 12][1d20 = 3]
>>148752Dark Star Throws his next one
[1d20+4 = 16]
>>148753>>148752Dark Star performs better this time, and in fact, better than anypony in the previous round. June remains in the lead
June
[1d20+3 = 15]Others:
[1d20+2 = 21][1d20+1 = 9][1d20}
>>148756>>148754June remains in the lead, with Star Cut catching up to the short maned stallion. The yellow mare remains in last. Dark Star has moved past the yellow mare, but is unfortunately not yet equaling even Star Cut
June:
[1d20+3 = 17][1d20+2 = 10][1d20+1 = 4][1d20 = 16]
>>148757[1d20+4 = 13]Dark Star is determined to win
>>148758June has just not really had a bad performance thus far, although Dark Star has done better this round than anypony save June in the last. The yellow mare finally gets a good performance
June:
[1d20+3 = 6]The rest:
[1d20+2 = 5][1d20+1 = 7][1d20 = 8]
>>148759Dark Star sensing his time puts in Maximum effort
[1d20+4 = 8]
>>148760Dark Star's performance is, well, not great. But he's performed as well as anypony in the terrible last round (save himself), which marked Solar Night's first definite victory, and June's first mediocre performance.
June:
[1d20+3 = 10]The rest:
[1d20+2 = 12][1d20+1 = 19][1d20 = 5]
>>148762Dark Star lands in the lower corner, not too far from the bullseye. June again fails to come out on top, and the score is becoming more even.
June:
[1d20+3 = 4]The rest:
[1d20+2 = 11][1d20+1 = 5][1d20 = 2]
>>148764Dark Star performs as well as the best performer in the last round, but it's a mediocre round. That was round 8. Only two more to go...
June:
[1d20+3 = 4]The rest:
[1d20+2 = 6][1d20+1 = 14][1d20 = 16]
>>148766Dark Star's performance leaves something to be desired. But so did June's in the last round.
June:
[1d20+3 = 14]The rest:
[1d20+2 = 7][1d20+1 = 17][1d20 = 12]
>>148768Dark Star gives an okay performance. The other four complete the last round
June:
[1d20+3 = 7]The rest:
[1d20+2 = 17][1d20+1 = 7][1d20 = 11]
>>148769>>148768The short game is over. June wins, although the confidence he had before has been tempered by a mediocre performance in the last half of the game. Star Cut ends up winning over the short maned stallion. Dark Star performs better than the yellow mare, and had a couple rounds where he came out on top, but fails to win.
>>148770>>148771:( of course i get the 19 now
>>148772>>148771Dark Star's last throw is the best so far, and better than June's performance in the last several rounds. The other ponies take note.
June:
"Not bad for a first time."
He pats Dark Star on the back
"You'll get better."
>>148773"Thanks,You Did Good Too!"
He pats him Back
>>148774He has an awkward expression, but accepts it.
Star Cut and the other stallion are out of beer, and so leave the room
>>148775Dark Star says after the rest leave the room
assuming its just them in there he says."Hey. I Actually have a bottle of whiskey too. want some?"
>>148776Is Dark Star attempting to say this to Nadir alone?
Nadir:
“I’ve never had whiskey. I… I’ll try it.” She says
Anypony else who may have heard (The yellow mare, maybe June)
“I’d love some whiskey.”
>>148777"Got any shot glasses?"
He pulls out one of the bottles he has left
>>148778Is he speaking to June? If so June leaves the room to get shotglasses
"I have some in the kitchen."
>>148779Yea he was talking to june
"It can be a little harsh on the first sip. but it gets smoother the more you drink." he says to nadir
>>148780“Uh, okay” Nadir says.
Unfortunately, June’s grabbing for shot glasses in the kitchen is noticed by Mars, and Mars asks why he’s grabbing them. June let’s skip that there is whiskey, and soon, a small herd of mares forms a feeding frenzy looking for shots, with the unnamed mare, the yellow mare, Mars, and even Lens, all expecting shots. The stallions and Nadir keep their distance a bit.
>>148780>>1487815% after it dies i'll be back in an hour and a halfDark Star is about to say something to nadir.
Then his eyes go wide as he see's the herd surrounds him
>>148782“Shots?”
The unnamed mare looks up at Dark Star with a begging expression.
>>148783He Quickly regains his cool
"Sure i have enogh for every Creature!"
He starts pouring the shots
He himself takes the first one
>>148784She takes one, then the Yellow mare. June finally makes it in and then takes one, then Mars, then Lens. Dark Star presumably gives one to Nadir, and the stallions, who aren't rude in forcing the shots, seem to want some as well. Dark Star's whiskey is draining quickly.
>>148785He Gives one to Nadir,yes.
He continues pouring
>>148786Every creature takes a shot. Nadir takes a sip... and almost chokes on it.
>>148787"Oh my! Are you ok,Nadir?"
>>148788"Yeah. *cough* I'm okay. *cough cough*. It's a bit strong though."
>>148789"It Can be very....Rough."
"Its definitely an acquired taste."
He pats her on the back
>>148790She is pat one the back, and sits next to Dark Star. She places the shot glass in a set of what look like fingers in the middle of her wings (it’s a bit odd). She takes it, and successfully drinks the whole shot in one swallow, though she scrunches afterward.
>>148791Dark Star Pours himself another one.
"Want some more?"
He looks around the room
>>148792He says want some more to nadir
>>148792>>148793“I… I’ll take another, sure.” She says.
Dark Star keeps this a secret.
>>1487941%How much whiskey is left?
>>148795Enough for several more glasses, at least.
>>148796"Who else needs one some?"
almost dead
>>148797The unnamed mare, then Lens, then Mars, then the yellow mare. The short cut stallion as well.
>>148799The ponies take the shots, and move about, talking to each other. The radio plays music, thankfully not jazz this time, but a soft love song.
>>148800Dark Star Turns to nadir
"Are you sure you are feeling ok?"
>>148801"A little-" She sways a bit "I'm okay
>>148802"Do you need to sit down?"
>>148803"I think I'll be okay." She says, and blinks
"But I can sit down."
>>148804Dark Star helps her back to the couch
>>148805She sits down on the couch, and partly opens her wings
>>148806He sits down and drinks his beer
"Whats it like at the university?"
He asks while looking at the ground
>>148807She looks down, away, and to the ground, and mumbles
I thought I posted it before but I'm sorry for ghosting you. I'll still be on hiatus for another month or so as I finish a pressing irl project. Also I'm helping with the development/management of an online game. I'm glad to see Dark Star is here though!
I believe we left off with Wellspring finding something in here apartment and seems about ready to leave.
>>148829The last post for Spark is
>>148308, ending with Wellspring coming out of her (former) bedroom with a bag around her shoulder
>>148830“So, what’s the plan once we make it out of here?”
>>148831“I don’t really know, entirely… I have a few ponies I could go to, I think. But I don’t know where all of them are, and I am not sure I am safe in this city.”
>>148832“We can look for these ponies. Do you know where they were last?”
>>148833“I’m… not sure. Let’s get out of here.” She says
>>148834Spark nods and leads the way to the truck.
>>148835On the way out, Spark runs into a small purple mare wearing a beige babushka, while on the second floor of the little apartment block, and not very far from the door. She is outside the door opposite of Wellspring’s apartment door.
“Oh. Hello. Are you new to the neighborhood
>>148836"New, but unfortunately we aren't staying today. We were helping our friend move her things out of the apartment."
Spark steps closer.
"I'm Spark. It's nice to meet you."
>>148837“Oh. I’m Plum Drop.” She raises her hoof up, and shakes his hoof.
“Is my neighbor leaving?” She asks, definitely surprised
>>148838"Yes. She doesn't feel safe here. We found her home broken into. She is very upset and a move will help her relax."
>>148839Her mouth is open
“Well that’s too bad. Where is she going off to? Are you her brother?”
>>148840"We are going a ways away. I am just a pony that helps out with moving."
>>148841“Oh. I see. Good luck to her and to you.”
She gives a wide smile, closing her eyes.
>>148842"And to you as well."
Spark waves and heads back to the truck.
>>148843As Spark walks away, she seems to want to carry on, with an unsettled voice asking “Are you leaving right now? Will she ever come back?” Wellspring herself seems content to rush back to the truck, without ever saying goodbye.
>>148844"Maybe one day she can come back. But she is not safe here, so she wants to leave. Would you live somewhere that you can't know if you will be attacked for simply being present?"
>>148845“I… I suppose” she says, leaving Spark and Wellspring be, though facing them while standing outside the apartment. Wellspring has gone down the stairs by now.
>>148846Spark goes over to Madake.
>>148847Makade is at the bottom of the stairs by now, evidently looking around for any creature who may have seen them enter and exit the apartment. He looks over to Spark
"Found one."
Spark nods back up the stairs.
>>148849“What should we do?” Makade asks
>>148850"Watch out for more, but don't reveal suspicion."
Spark grabs some things and heads back out to the truck.
>>148851Makade:
“If we’re being watched right now, we can’t go to the truck. We have to lose them first.”
He then whispers
“Are you sure we shouldn’t kill it?”
>>148852"We definitely can't do that, because we don't know how many we are up against. But we have to continue as if nothing is wrong. I already said I was a moving helper so we can keep loading up and plan as we go."
>>148853“Then let’s go back the direction we came. Once we get to the end of the street, make a different turn. We’ve already parked far away. Now let’s take a few extra steps.”
>>148855Now, does Spark have anyway of ensuring they get out without being followed?
>>148856I will have to think about that.
>>148857Makade moves forward a little more quickly, catching up with Wellspring, and whispering into her ear. The trio reach the end of the street after perhaps a minute, with an apartment building to the right, a commercial building to the left, and something like a park on the opposite side of the road on the left.
>>148858“How about that building there?”
Spark points to the left.
>>148859Makade looks to Spark, and nods. The three pass by the store, which seems to be a General Store.
>>148861Spark enters into the store, where the young grey earth pony stallion behind the counter immediately takes notice of them
>>148863While some shelves are empty, there is honey, bread, and canned goods like corn and green beans, besides salt, bandages, and kerosene. The stallion at the counter looks a bit skeptically at Wellspring in particular, but is silent until finally asking “Can I help you?”
>>148864“We were just looking for some items to replace what my friend had lost. Her home was broken into and she is in no condition to make it by without a few things to fill the cupboards again.”
>>148865“Oh…” he says. But then he asks the question that evidently has bothering him
“What’s the bag for?” Pointing at it with a hoof
>>148866“Like I said, she got her home broken into. She is packing to move. Feel free to take a look.”
>>148867“Alright.” He says, evidently accepting this explanation with skepticism, but otherwise leaving them be
Spark now examines the building’s interior.
>>148869A counter off to the left (relative to the entrance), which is rather large, and behind it is the alcohol, cigarettes, medicine, tools, and some of the other expensive items. There are a few shelves in the middle with canned goods mostly, but also bags of flour and (beat) sugar. On the right wall is a refrigerators area with milk, and the wall opposite the entryway has bread and pastries. It’s not just food. There are utilities like lightbulbs, lanterns, and rope, and assorted other items. Between the far wall and the counter is a small, narrow hallway leading to a rear entrance and a bathroom.
>>148870Spark heads to the bathroom and motions the others over.
>>148871The pony behind the counter is skeptical of a group bathroom trip, but he doesn’t really take any actions to stop it. The hallway itself, although not closed off from the rest of the store, is st least somewhat separated from it.
>>148872“Alright. We are going to have to split up. All of you will make it to the truck while I am the decoy for the changelings to follow. I’ll buy some items and make an illusion of you following me into the park. By the time they realize what is going on, you can drive on out of here.”
>>148873Wellspring is nervous
“Oh… okay” she says frightened. Makade nods sharply, understanding.
>>148874Spark returns to the front and buys a lantern with some rope.
“I don’t suppose you have any coffee or tea?”
>>148875“We don’t have traditional tea or coffee with caffeine. But we do have herbal Ironwort tea, and both acorn and barley coffee.”
>>148876“I’ll take some of those as well.”
>>148878And so Spark buys the lantern, rope, herbal tea, and ersatz coffee. Anything else?
>>148879I think that’s all. Spark will now head outside.
>>148880Spark does do, exiting out the front door into the cold air of the late morning.
>>148881He then make illusions of his party and sets off to the park.
>>148882*poof*
Makade and Wellspring appear to walk next to Spark as he walks to the park. There is a low wall of bushes around parts of the park perimeter.
Iron wakes up with daylight pouring onto the bed, thankfully not having transformed into an enormous insect. The area of the bed to his left is empty, and the covers are pulled off. Iron himself is only partly covered. To his right, a half foot away, is a mare rolled in bedsheets, still sleeping.
>>148886lolWith a hefty, satisfied yawn, the native soon crawled out of the covers with an elated smile on his face: Nothing felt better than sleeping with his mares besides him, sharing the touch he craved deep down.
He soon shimmied himself closer to the seemingly sleeping mare and leaned his head to give him a little nuzzle to start the day off on a good note before getting out of bed.
>>148887The covers have completely separated from the bed at this point, and a long, flowing red tail sticks out one end of the roll of bedsheets. She looks almost like an eggroll, or a cocoon, and she must have wrapped it around her one or two times. At the front end, only a long white muzzle, and a horn protrudes out. She scrunches lightly, seemingly still asleep at the nuzzle.
>>1488881488 checkIron couldn't help but chuckle softly and give Sands a little stroke of her mane in response, hoping to soothe the overly mild inconvenience with a gentler gesture, before finally getting out of bed proper with a determined glint in his eye and an eager smile, ready to face breakfast. After such a good note, he couldn't help but feel the greatest he's ever been since he got out of his jungle.
>>148889From that muzzle, Iron sees a small, narrow smile. Iron is soon out of bed.
>>148890Knowing his
wicked sin had been pardoned with Sands' small smile, Iron daintily trotted out of the bedroom and onto the kitchen, wondering if Cauldron was still around or had gone to do her work.
>>148892Iron stood still, now a little lost and the slightest bit disappointed, before shrugging it off. He knew Cauldron's heart was intertwined with his now, and it was enough to soothe his small bout of sadness from not displaying his affection before the zebra mare left.
He soon walked over to the magic freezing place, carefully opening it to see if there was anything he could take while also feeling the slightest bit embarrassed at his actions: He may be being uncouth by doing this.
>>148893There's some soup, and cassava noodles
>>148894The native hummed softly, a bit unsure which one to pick while he shivered slightly from the cold inside, before shakily yet cautiously picking up the cassava noodles for him to eat for him. A thought soon crossed his mind however: What should he bring the still sleeping Sands?
She is not much of an eater... Iron mused, wondering what would be a good way to brighten the unicorn up.
I think coffee or tea would work... but I have no idea how to make that or if she would even like it.With that thought in mind, he soon took the plate to the table and tentatively tried out the food he took out while ensuring the freezing box was properly closed.
>>148895It's... Well... It's cold. Iron's had cassava noodles before, but they were fresh and warm then. It's not quite as good cold.
>>148896Iron exhaled softly before pushing through the meal to finish it, despite the underwhelming flavor of the cold food. It at least let him focus on his thinking.
I have to give her something to give her a good mood for the rest of the day, the native pondered
specially after...He trailed off, gaze becoming a little unfocused as Sands' hissing and her wounds after Koptis did his number on her.
>>148897One, two stabs in the chest and the belly.
The cassava noodles still have a good texture to them though.
>>148898Every stab hurt his fragile little soul a little more at the reminder, egging him further to give Sands a good morning at the very least.
Think, Iron, think! he pressured himself as he ensured his plate/bowl was fully clean of any remnants so as to not waste any food.
...maybe a cuddle? That does not sound more like a good night thing...The native's brow furrowed further, tapping the table with his hoof in an attempt to squeeze out a viable method to brighten her day.
>>148899Outside, an automobile drives by, and a clock ticks. Iron finishes everything on the plate.
>>148900Iron huffed softly, soon picking up the plate and idly take it back to the kitchen, wondering it would even go as the vines of thought kept their swinging.
Maybe a kiss? he wondered, unsure.
...maybe that could work, but I have to do it the right way... which I do not really know...The native's snout scrunched lightly, starting to feel a little frustrated at the lack of a clear answer, but started to lean into the kiss approach as he figured she may enjoy it even if it's bad.
Why is she so hard to read? he grumbled in his head, feeling himself quite distant from her regardless of the time spent together.
She feels so far away sometimes...
>>148901Far away in heart, far away in spirit… Iron is now physically maybe 20 feet away, if even that, separated by a wall from line of sight.
>>148902Such prevailing thoughts only served to scrunch his snout further, deciding to simply place the place on one of the kitchen counters for the time being and walk back to the bedroom, steeling himself and soon reminding himself just how much she meant to him... only to find it mostly blank and not all that heart-warming.
Why is it so hard to lift her spirits? he muttered in his head.
Is there something wrong with me that cannot connect with her aside from her smoking hot, fluffy body?
>>148903Iron enters the bedroom to see white Sands sitting up on the bed, cocooned in the bedsheets, but with her head sticking out, and her tail wrapped around herself. She has an expression of pure dread on her face, and disheveled mane. Her eyes cone up to meet Iron, but then come back down as her head, angled down, stares at the point where the dresser meets the carpet on the floor in front of the bed.
>>148903Whatever upsetting, pessimistic thoughts Iron had on Sands soon vanished as he witnessed the fluffy pony in dire need of comfort, quickly trotting next to her, climbing up the bed and giving her a hasty yet concerned hug from behind with his head laying on her withers.
>>148905squeakyIron is a bit separated from her by layers of bedsheets, but there’s no question that she’s vulnerable to hugging.
>>148906The bigger stallion soon started to idly stroke Sands' blanket wrapped body with his bulky forelegs, trying his damndest to cheer the unicorn mare up after finding her in such a drastic state. It was his sworn duty as Sands' stallion to ensure she was properly taken care of both physically
and emotionally!
>>148907This seems to get some positive response, as she raises her head up. Then she volunteers:
“Today is the day I hear back from my mother.”
>>148908"I see," Iron uttered understandingly, continuing to dutifully provide some physical comfort for the unicorn as she opened up to him. "Will you have to go if it is bad news?"
>>148909“I might.” She says vacantly.
“But it’s not about whether it’s bad news.” She says, and pauses for a while. When she starts again, she says
“Whatever that telegram says, I know what it won’t say:
‘I was worried about you. I’m glad you’re okay. You did your best, even if it wasn’t enough.’”
With the last word, she breaks out crying, lowering her head and attempting to bury it in the bedsheets.
>>148910Iron's gaze softened even further, continuing to hold the bawling mare and give her sheet-covered body a tender stroke of his forelegs, giving Sands all the time she needed to properly vent out her frustrations.
Does her mother really not care about her? he thought to himself, tempted to ask about it but feeling he'd just open her wound further.
Nevertheless, the native could definitely understand lacking comfort from his progenitors: It was part of growing up to stop relying on your relatives to prop oneself up back in the tribe. If he tried to go back and make contact with them again, he'd most likely be faced with immense disappointment and disapproval, just like her with White's supposed work.
Iron frankly didn't really have anything to say after that. All he knew he could do for sure was to be there for Sands, supporting her with his warm, short fur and big, bleeding heart.
>>148911White Sands cries, and leans onto Iron, eventually burying her muzzle into his fur. After a little longer, she starts to remove the bedsheets to try to be closer to Iron.
>>148912Iron gladly helped Sands get closer to him, unwrapping the unicorn from her sheet fortress with tender accuracy before pulling her head into his rather lacking yet wholly willing chest fluff, allowing her to hear his beating heart slowly thumping against his chest.
All the while, he ensured the body stroking carried onwards to ensure Sands felt cared for, despite Iron's frustrations over failing to properly understand her fully.
>>148913Iron may not really understand her. He might never understand her. But anypony could understand she needs affection, and most especially, validation, from somepony right now. She’s still soft and fluffy. Like a pillow, really, and she hold onto him. She stops the actual crying after not much time. But she hasn’t recovered.
>>148914Iron took a deep inhale, ensuring Sands was snug between his large, muscular frame and his thick forelegs, wondering what could he even say: Should he bring up how she foolishly tried to finish his job, even though such a thing twisted the knife inside his heart? Should he call her sexy, even though such a thing is as superficial as saying he had a grey coat? Should he comment on how creative she is, even though it's used just to spice up their fledgling love life?
Everywhere he looked, Iron would find the doors to give Sands what she needed right now were locked shut in his mind. Everything would just heighten her insecure self from their shared experiences so far. None led to success, as far as he could see.
Iron's soul became just a little heavier from guilt, not finding any suitable response to provide Sands the comfort she so desperately desires.
>>148915She loosens up a little bit, calming down. Remaining in Iron's embrace, she eases her way down on the bed. Iron can feel that her wounds are quite a bit better than they were yesterday, though they are still noticeable.
For whatever else Iron may think of her, and for whatever problems he may have with her, one thing is certain. It is often asked of friends and companions "would they be there for you in a time of need?" For White Sands, Iron need never wonder. For when Iron's strength has failed him and he's at his worst of luck,
she really would jump in to save him; to take a knife for him from a professional murderer twice her size. Not even Black Cauldron has done the same, and very few would do the same.
>>148916B-but, Iron stuttered back, feeling ashamed to admit it,
I am supposed to jump in to save her! Not the other way around!He couldn't help but grip Sands closer to him, reminding the native of just how near she was to meet her death just for him. While he could try to admire it, his pride made him feel too guilty to spill it out. What sort of stallion would let his mare die for him? That's not how it works!
>>148918If she reminds Iron of his great failure, of his insecurity, then perhaps he has something more in common than what he realizes. Both are bound by what cannot be spoken, and what cannot be admitted to. If she is silent, so is he.
She wraps her forelegs around him in a reciprocated hug.
>>148919That is not enough at all! Iron snapped back at his thoughts, his passionate self crashing through his poor self-esteem.
What sort of stallion would I be if I just give her some weak feeling that I am in the same boat as her?! I can do better! I know I can!However, passion by itself isn't going to do anything. He needed a way to properly tackle the problem and give Sands the appreciation that she was starving for. Problem is, where would he even start?
Such a conundrum caused Iron to keep his hold on Sands, afraid to let go in case she may disappear from his life in such a heart-breaking manner the moment he blinked.
>>148920Indeed. Hold on tight, lest she slip out of your grip. One mare has already left this morning.
>>148921Iron gulped softly at his invasive thoughts, starting to shiver just a bit because of them. The guilt was eating at him, yet all he really knew was to show love, but never tell it. What would words really do for him when actions spoke louder? Actions should convince Sands wholeheartedly that he cares for her, yet he can never find a way to strike that part of her.
I-I do not know what to do, he hesitantly admitted to himself, clutching the unicorn ever tighter.
>>148923The only action he could do, really, would be an action equivalent to what she did for him. He must sacrifice for her, or risk a significant sacrifice. Only in that way, could the favor be repaid in kind.
>>148924H-how would I even do that? Iron asked in turn, desperate enough to willingly go through that path just to make Sands feel better about herself.
>>148925If Iron can’t get himself stabbed for her, he may have to do something else instead. Something just as painful. He may have to
talk to her.
>>148926Talk... to her? Iron uttered, puzzled at the thought.
What do you mean?