Virgin Flame arrives in Baltimare and makes her aqua intense with the staff of a Cathedral there. Spark goes back to Blackwood, helping a rebel and several wolves. Iron takes a train off to the mountains where there is said to be treasure. Silver is pleasantly surprised to wake up to the world-not-ending. Dark Star goes home for the night, disturbed by the forces corrupting the youth, and left to contemplate his role in stopping it.
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
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>>150957 →
"Heh" She looks away, and pulls her lips back in a smile that shows off her teeth. Her pointy canines make another appearance. She looks down to the tea cup, which she picks up.
"Well... I don't know about that. But I am trying to get myself established in my own life in this city. And that is one part of it."
"Heh" She looks away, and pulls her lips back in a smile that shows off her teeth. Her pointy canines make another appearance. She looks down to the tea cup, which she picks up.
"Well... I don't know about that. But I am trying to get myself established in my own life in this city. And that is one part of it."
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>>151009
The cards vary, but the following seem to be common elements:
A crest of crooked horn, ears and rings.
A headshot photograph of the individual (In black and white)
Name
Race
Eye color
Coat color
Sex
Date of birth
Address
Registered district
Description of cutie mark. This is sometimes replaced by an image
Marital status
“Love compliance.” This segment has letters next to it with no obvious meaning to the reader
“Internal Use” - this segment has letters next to it with no obvious meaning
The IDs are sometimes green, sometimes blue, sometimes Manila. If there is a pattern it isn’t immediate obvious.
The cards are laminated in plastic or coated in wax. They don’t seem very resilient, as most are slightly damaged on the edges, or browned by sunlight.
The cards vary, but the following seem to be common elements:
A crest of crooked horn, ears and rings.
A headshot photograph of the individual (In black and white)
Name
Race
Eye color
Coat color
Sex
Date of birth
Address
Registered district
Description of cutie mark. This is sometimes replaced by an image
Marital status
“Love compliance.” This segment has letters next to it with no obvious meaning to the reader
“Internal Use” - this segment has letters next to it with no obvious meaning
The IDs are sometimes green, sometimes blue, sometimes Manila. If there is a pattern it isn’t immediate obvious.
The cards are laminated in plastic or coated in wax. They don’t seem very resilient, as most are slightly damaged on the edges, or browned by sunlight.
>>151032
"Well..." She looks around
"There is installing the garden, that is a big thing. More laundry detergent would be helpful. And maybe more food. Also, do you have a place for that Unicorn to stay? Will he be staying here, or will he go to a hotel?"
"Well..." She looks around
"There is installing the garden, that is a big thing. More laundry detergent would be helpful. And maybe more food. Also, do you have a place for that Unicorn to stay? Will he be staying here, or will he go to a hotel?"
>>151033
"I can help with those. I do not know yet about Clip, but I will get that sorted very soon. Maybe on our date tonight we can ask taxi driver to show us around city, if you are still up for it."
"I can help with those. I do not know yet about Clip, but I will get that sorted very soon. Maybe on our date tonight we can ask taxi driver to show us around city, if you are still up for it."
>>151035
He smiles at her.
"You do not sound intensely excited. You know you do not have to agree to everything just because you live here, yes? If you have concerns or you do not wish to do something, I would want you to be honest with me."
He smiles at her.
"You do not sound intensely excited. You know you do not have to agree to everything just because you live here, yes? If you have concerns or you do not wish to do something, I would want you to be honest with me."
>>151036
Her smile retreats as her lips return to a more neutral position. She moves her head back slightly, and her ears lower.
“No. That’s not what I mean. That’s not what I mean at all…”
Her smile retreats as her lips return to a more neutral position. She moves her head back slightly, and her ears lower.
“No. That’s not what I mean. That’s not what I mean at all…”
>>151037
Silver tilts his head at her.
"I am sorry, I do not always understand others well. What did you mean?"
Silver tilts his head at her.
"I am sorry, I do not always understand others well. What did you mean?"
>>151038
“I mean… In the time I’ve been here, I’ve seen, maybe two streets. One east and west along the north shore, and another north and south along the western shore. I’ve been in maybe two restaurants and two stores. I am not complaining. That is what I would do in my home village, and at Cua Song. But so far, this feels more like Cua Song than like Equestria. Where are the glistening castles, the sprawling meadows, the cities in the clouds? Where are all of the ponies living in Harmony? Cua Song had automobiles and a cinema. There is no war here. It wasn’t just that I could feel the explosions in Cua Song…” she winces.. “And there is more pay here. But to be so far from home, I kind of want something more…”
“I mean… In the time I’ve been here, I’ve seen, maybe two streets. One east and west along the north shore, and another north and south along the western shore. I’ve been in maybe two restaurants and two stores. I am not complaining. That is what I would do in my home village, and at Cua Song. But so far, this feels more like Cua Song than like Equestria. Where are the glistening castles, the sprawling meadows, the cities in the clouds? Where are all of the ponies living in Harmony? Cua Song had automobiles and a cinema. There is no war here. It wasn’t just that I could feel the explosions in Cua Song…” she winces.. “And there is more pay here. But to be so far from home, I kind of want something more…”
>>151040
“Well… I mean… well, maybe. But what I really mean is that…. In Ngua Nam, I had a village, and I had a family. I was a maiden there as here, but I had a village. There were great bays with mountains that had temples and monasteries on them, with sheer drops down cliffs to the ocean. There were rainforests and villages with rice paddies. There were modern brick cities with automobiles… not as modern as this one, no, but I think you know my meaning. The land had identity and I was a part of that. I left because I could not get over what I saw in the field hospital at Cua Song. I heard stories of Equestria, I met several Equestrians and I liked them. I wanted to be a part of that. And… I like what you have here. No really, I do. Even if I don’t trust the hyena, and even if your… your culture’s attitude is very different from mine… I can see the intention. I do appreciate it. But I am not where I want to be. I am away from Ngua Nam, and I feel as if I never entered Equestria. It’s like Equestria stops somewhere, and does not extend to the shore.”
She blinks
“But I am doing well for a few weeks. If anything I am further along than I should have expected. Thank you, again.”
“Well… I mean… well, maybe. But what I really mean is that…. In Ngua Nam, I had a village, and I had a family. I was a maiden there as here, but I had a village. There were great bays with mountains that had temples and monasteries on them, with sheer drops down cliffs to the ocean. There were rainforests and villages with rice paddies. There were modern brick cities with automobiles… not as modern as this one, no, but I think you know my meaning. The land had identity and I was a part of that. I left because I could not get over what I saw in the field hospital at Cua Song. I heard stories of Equestria, I met several Equestrians and I liked them. I wanted to be a part of that. And… I like what you have here. No really, I do. Even if I don’t trust the hyena, and even if your… your culture’s attitude is very different from mine… I can see the intention. I do appreciate it. But I am not where I want to be. I am away from Ngua Nam, and I feel as if I never entered Equestria. It’s like Equestria stops somewhere, and does not extend to the shore.”
She blinks
“But I am doing well for a few weeks. If anything I am further along than I should have expected. Thank you, again.”
>>151041
"Ah, so this is what you mean. Yes, I understand this. Baltimare is modern city, still young with little yet story behind it. And it is one of farthest cities from core of Equestria. I can understand how you feel. It is much different here than it is in Canterlot, Cloudsdale, and other cities in Equestrian Heartland. Even if you were to just visit them, you would see that Equestria you wish so much to find."
"Ah, so this is what you mean. Yes, I understand this. Baltimare is modern city, still young with little yet story behind it. And it is one of farthest cities from core of Equestria. I can understand how you feel. It is much different here than it is in Canterlot, Cloudsdale, and other cities in Equestrian Heartland. Even if you were to just visit them, you would see that Equestria you wish so much to find."
>>151043
“Well, even in this city I have only seen small part of it. And this street is very different from the harbor side. But I mean, my part in it. I am not so established. I do not even know much or have seen much.”
She looks down, and taps her cup with her split hooves. Then she looks back up, and back to Silver.
“You have been to those places?”
“Well, even in this city I have only seen small part of it. And this street is very different from the harbor side. But I mean, my part in it. I am not so established. I do not even know much or have seen much.”
She looks down, and taps her cup with her split hooves. Then she looks back up, and back to Silver.
“You have been to those places?”
>>151044
Silver nods.
"I have seen ivory towers of Canterlot, with trim of purple and gold, and while I have not been inside I have also seen columns and white monuments of Cloudsdale, floating in sky."
Silver nods.
"I have seen ivory towers of Canterlot, with trim of purple and gold, and while I have not been inside I have also seen columns and white monuments of Cloudsdale, floating in sky."
>>151046
"Well, Canterlot is built into side of Canterhorn Mountain, which stretches into sky all on its own. Some of city is built onto mountainside, but it has grown large enough that much of it hangs out over nothingness, supported by some of greatest engineering this world has ever seen. It is opulent, richest city on entire continent, with shops selling finest goods from world over and restaurants serving fine dishes on platters of purest silver. Its roads are clean and wide, and many ponies you would pass on them are aristocracy wearing newest designs from clothing designers like Rarity. Biggest building in entire city is of course Canterlot Castle, where our two Princesses once ruled from before war. It towers above everything, its tallest spires being used for observing Luna's night skies or for housing castle's occupants."
"Well, Canterlot is built into side of Canterhorn Mountain, which stretches into sky all on its own. Some of city is built onto mountainside, but it has grown large enough that much of it hangs out over nothingness, supported by some of greatest engineering this world has ever seen. It is opulent, richest city on entire continent, with shops selling finest goods from world over and restaurants serving fine dishes on platters of purest silver. Its roads are clean and wide, and many ponies you would pass on them are aristocracy wearing newest designs from clothing designers like Rarity. Biggest building in entire city is of course Canterlot Castle, where our two Princesses once ruled from before war. It towers above everything, its tallest spires being used for observing Luna's night skies or for housing castle's occupants."
>>151047
Khoi sits back in her chair, both forelegs placed before her, her long, honey-gold leonine tail with brown, fluffy end wrapped around herself. She listens intently.
"Wow... sounds beautiful."
Khoi sits back in her chair, both forelegs placed before her, her long, honey-gold leonine tail with brown, fluffy end wrapped around herself. She listens intently.
"Wow... sounds beautiful."
>>151048
"It is. And it is not only beautiful. Up there, on that mountain, in that city...it is closest you can ever be to Celestia's light, and it fills you completely with warmth and comfort. I once thought as foal that nothing could make you feel closer to Celestia than being in Temple of Light in my motherland. I was very, very wrong."
"It is. And it is not only beautiful. Up there, on that mountain, in that city...it is closest you can ever be to Celestia's light, and it fills you completely with warmth and comfort. I once thought as foal that nothing could make you feel closer to Celestia than being in Temple of Light in my motherland. I was very, very wrong."
>>151049
She moves her hind legs up, as if she were attempting to stand up in the chair, and there is a sound of the chair moving. She must have realized that this wasn't wise, as she immediately moved to sit back down.
"... Celestia's light?" She asks
She moves her hind legs up, as if she were attempting to stand up in the chair, and there is a sound of the chair moving. She must have realized that this wasn't wise, as she immediately moved to sit back down.
"... Celestia's light?" She asks
>>151050
Silver nods again.
"It is like being hugged by your friends and family, it is comfort and peace, Harmony in its purest essence. Even now, I wonder if one can feel it in that city, with Celestia captured so far away."
He looks right into Khoi's eyes, and takes a hold of her hoof if it's available.
"I would bring you and everyone else there, if I could, just so everyone could understand why Celestia is special to us. Maybe soon I will bring you there if you wish, once I have things settled here."
Silver nods again.
"It is like being hugged by your friends and family, it is comfort and peace, Harmony in its purest essence. Even now, I wonder if one can feel it in that city, with Celestia captured so far away."
He looks right into Khoi's eyes, and takes a hold of her hoof if it's available.
"I would bring you and everyone else there, if I could, just so everyone could understand why Celestia is special to us. Maybe soon I will bring you there if you wish, once I have things settled here."
>>151051
Khoi's hoof is beneath her. No matter, when Silver reaches for it, she extends it. There's a tuft of fluff at the rear of her fetlock, and nails at the end of her not just one, but two toes, which has been trimmed to a nice, consistent feel.
She looks into his eyes with her own magenta eyes, with closed lips turned slightly down in somber expression.
"That's... heh. I would like that."
Khoi's hoof is beneath her. No matter, when Silver reaches for it, she extends it. There's a tuft of fluff at the rear of her fetlock, and nails at the end of her not just one, but two toes, which has been trimmed to a nice, consistent feel.
She looks into his eyes with her own magenta eyes, with closed lips turned slightly down in somber expression.
"That's... heh. I would like that."
>>151052
He gently rubs the top of her hoof, feeling both of her toes. It's a strange sensation compared to uniform pony hooves, but it's not bad. He smiles at her, his blue eyes glinting.
"Why are you so somber?"
He gently rubs the top of her hoof, feeling both of her toes. It's a strange sensation compared to uniform pony hooves, but it's not bad. He smiles at her, his blue eyes glinting.
"Why are you so somber?"
>>151053
On the upper side of the hoof is short, honey-gold fur. It's no different than a pony, really. Nor do the nails of her hooves feel particularly different. Where Silver does notice a difference, is when he applies more pressure to one side of the hoof, than to the other. The toes move separately, one side up and the other side down, each on their own bone structure. They don't move much, but they do move, and there are more bones there than in a pony. No, it's the strangest appendage Silver has felt. Griffin claws, and gnoll paws, have many more fingers and toes, and many more bones. They altogether feel and look different. But it's precisely because kirin hooves are so similar to those of ponies that the differences stand out. For a moment, Silver could almost be convinced that Kirin are really a long lost tribe of ponies from across the ocean. That moment ends when the toes move.
She pulls her lips back, showing off her teeth in a smile. The somber expression is fully gone now.
"Because it's a somber moment. To be spiritually connected. It is important."
On the upper side of the hoof is short, honey-gold fur. It's no different than a pony, really. Nor do the nails of her hooves feel particularly different. Where Silver does notice a difference, is when he applies more pressure to one side of the hoof, than to the other. The toes move separately, one side up and the other side down, each on their own bone structure. They don't move much, but they do move, and there are more bones there than in a pony. No, it's the strangest appendage Silver has felt. Griffin claws, and gnoll paws, have many more fingers and toes, and many more bones. They altogether feel and look different. But it's precisely because kirin hooves are so similar to those of ponies that the differences stand out. For a moment, Silver could almost be convinced that Kirin are really a long lost tribe of ponies from across the ocean. That moment ends when the toes move.
She pulls her lips back, showing off her teeth in a smile. The somber expression is fully gone now.
"Because it's a somber moment. To be spiritually connected. It is important."
>>151054
He smiles back at his kirin, who is so similar to a pony and yet so different.
"I just wanted to make sure. Your smile is beautiful, and it is always something to worry about when I see it disappear."
He smiles back at his kirin, who is so similar to a pony and yet so different.
"I just wanted to make sure. Your smile is beautiful, and it is always something to worry about when I see it disappear."
>>151055
She tilts her head down, pulls her lips all the way back, still showing teeth, and lowers her ears in what seems to be a blush.
“Ehheh…”
She tilts her head down, pulls her lips all the way back, still showing teeth, and lowers her ears in what seems to be a blush.
“Ehheh…”
>>151056
He chuckles, and continues on softly rubbing and stroking her hoof.
"I suppose there is some somberness to Celestialism, but it is not focus of it. For us, focus is on friends, family, and loved ones. Those closest to us, and joy and happiness they bring to our lives."
He chuckles, and continues on softly rubbing and stroking her hoof.
"I suppose there is some somberness to Celestialism, but it is not focus of it. For us, focus is on friends, family, and loved ones. Those closest to us, and joy and happiness they bring to our lives."
>>151061
Unless something was to happen or Khoi says something else, Silver doesn't follow this up with anything else.
Unless something was to happen or Khoi says something else, Silver doesn't follow this up with anything else.
>>151064
Khoi goes into the kitchen, and attempts to wash the cup. She also takes Silver’s cup, and starts to wash it.
Khoi goes into the kitchen, and attempts to wash the cup. She also takes Silver’s cup, and starts to wash it.
>>151066
There is a sound of clanking of porcelin, and she suddenly turns her head to Silver, bending her copper-scaled back further away. Her eyes are wide
There is a sound of clanking of porcelin, and she suddenly turns her head to Silver, bending her copper-scaled back further away. Her eyes are wide
>>151067
He continues.
"My late wife and I considered each other equals. We both did dishes, laundry, cooking, cleaner, and even chopping firewood. I was ready to wash my own tea cup, but you snatched it right out of my grasp."
He smiles at her.
He continues.
"My late wife and I considered each other equals. We both did dishes, laundry, cooking, cleaner, and even chopping firewood. I was ready to wash my own tea cup, but you snatched it right out of my grasp."
He smiles at her.
>>151068
Without quite a smile, she says
“You provided the house, and I believe, the tea. I will do the cleaning.”
Without quite a smile, she says
“You provided the house, and I believe, the tea. I will do the cleaning.”
>>151070
She smiles back, and sits down, slowly, placing both hooves together.
“What is it… exactly… you are offering to me?”
She smiles back, and sits down, slowly, placing both hooves together.
“What is it… exactly… you are offering to me?”
>>151075
"You are kind, caring, generous. You have good heart and gentle soul. These are all harder-to-find qualities in this world, and on top of it you have astounding beauty. So...yes, there is interest from me."
"You are kind, caring, generous. You have good heart and gentle soul. These are all harder-to-find qualities in this world, and on top of it you have astounding beauty. So...yes, there is interest from me."
>>151076
She blushes, raising her hoof to partly cover her mouth. A line of scales the color of polished copper rubs from her about to her forehead, and her hooves share a copper-like color. Silver can see in the naked areas of her ears and her snout dark brown skin, similar in color to her mahogany mane. Her horn is red-brown, and her coat is honey-yellow.
“But what… what do you offer me?”
She blushes, raising her hoof to partly cover her mouth. A line of scales the color of polished copper rubs from her about to her forehead, and her hooves share a copper-like color. Silver can see in the naked areas of her ears and her snout dark brown skin, similar in color to her mahogany mane. Her horn is red-brown, and her coat is honey-yellow.
“But what… what do you offer me?”
>>151077
"Well, I can offer you love and companionship, security and protection, stable and excellent standard of living, care, affection, experience and knowledge that most bucks lack, and I have rather impressive record with bringing up healthy and successful foals. In addition, you will have no fear of me abandoning you or leaving you alone and destitute."
"Well, I can offer you love and companionship, security and protection, stable and excellent standard of living, care, affection, experience and knowledge that most bucks lack, and I have rather impressive record with bringing up healthy and successful foals. In addition, you will have no fear of me abandoning you or leaving you alone and destitute."
>>151078
She pulls her lips far back, showing teeth. She is firmly sitting down, and curls her tail around herself.
"But I mean... what kind of relationship?"
She pulls her lips far back, showing teeth. She is firmly sitting down, and curls her tail around herself.
"But I mean... what kind of relationship?"
>>151081
"Oh. Well, I am looking for someone to love and to hold, for more than just casual sex even though it is great. Someone to call mine and to call me theirs. Someone to live my life with."
"Oh. Well, I am looking for someone to love and to hold, for more than just casual sex even though it is great. Someone to call mine and to call me theirs. Someone to live my life with."
>>151082
Her left ear falls and eyes narrow at the great casual sex remark.
"I mean..." She raises a hoof and waives it in the air
"Equestria has marriage too, does it not? Shouldn't your parents contact mine, and consult the augurs for whether there will be a successful relationship, then negotiate a price for the bride, then send gifts to the bride-to-be's family, and then consult the augurs again for a wedding date?" She taps her hooves together.
"Something like that?"
Her left ear falls and eyes narrow at the great casual sex remark.
"I mean..." She raises a hoof and waives it in the air
"Equestria has marriage too, does it not? Shouldn't your parents contact mine, and consult the augurs for whether there will be a successful relationship, then negotiate a price for the bride, then send gifts to the bride-to-be's family, and then consult the augurs again for a wedding date?" She taps her hooves together.
"Something like that?"
>>151083
"Well, yes, though it is no longer quite like that. Generally, both prospective partners will meet each others parents who will then approve or disapprove. If they approve, then partners will go on dates and become more familiar with each other until male then ask female to marry him. If she accepts, he will present her with a ring she will carry until their wedding day."
"Well, yes, though it is no longer quite like that. Generally, both prospective partners will meet each others parents who will then approve or disapprove. If they approve, then partners will go on dates and become more familiar with each other until male then ask female to marry him. If she accepts, he will present her with a ring she will carry until their wedding day."
>>151084
She shakes her head
"Are the parents not the ones who select the mates? And what about the dowry?"
She shakes her head
"Are the parents not the ones who select the mates? And what about the dowry?"
>>151085
"They did in Equestria, once, but now it is individual ponies, or people, to choose their own mates, and parents can only approve or disapprove. They can still try to choose for their children, but it is sometimes seen as old-fashioned. And dowry has been replaced with gifts given to mare by stallion over course of their dating."
"They did in Equestria, once, but now it is individual ponies, or people, to choose their own mates, and parents can only approve or disapprove. They can still try to choose for their children, but it is sometimes seen as old-fashioned. And dowry has been replaced with gifts given to mare by stallion over course of their dating."
>>151087
"And mine are dead..."
He looks at Khoi considerately.
"Is there anything I can do for you? I know you value tradition, is there anything from your culture I can do?"
"And mine are dead..."
He looks at Khoi considerately.
"Is there anything I can do for you? I know you value tradition, is there anything from your culture I can do?"
>>151091
Silver does actually blush a little, which shows up well under his white coat.
"Oh. I did not know we were that loud."
Silver does actually blush a little, which shows up well under his white coat.
"Oh. I did not know we were that loud."
>>151092
"Yes. That, and the hyena are why I close my door at night. But she tells me... everything. I know you two behave as if you were married, though you are not married."
"Yes. That, and the hyena are why I close my door at night. But she tells me... everything. I know you two behave as if you were married, though you are not married."
>>151094
She narrows her eyes
"So what is going on? Are you looking to try out different mates, and then offer to marry one?"
She narrows her eyes
"So what is going on? Are you looking to try out different mates, and then offer to marry one?"
>>151095
Silver returns to rubbing the back of his neck.
"Well, not exactly. Jubee and I act like married couple because we love and care for each other. Jubee says she is not yet ready for marriage, but she still wishes to have companionship."
Silver returns to rubbing the back of his neck.
"Well, not exactly. Jubee and I act like married couple because we love and care for each other. Jubee says she is not yet ready for marriage, but she still wishes to have companionship."
>>151096
Khoi twists her lips.
"A mare may only ever have one husband. A stallion may only have one primary wife. Jubilosa may be content to be a concubine. But I will accept nothing less than to be head female of the household. I do not care what the Equestrian laws say. I will not accept less."
Khoi twists her lips.
"A mare may only ever have one husband. A stallion may only have one primary wife. Jubilosa may be content to be a concubine. But I will accept nothing less than to be head female of the household. I do not care what the Equestrian laws say. I will not accept less."
>>151099
"Way you have taken charge, put your muzzle to ground, and worked hard to keep this household in top shape, like matriarch of household. Only thing you lack is patriarch."
"Way you have taken charge, put your muzzle to ground, and worked hard to keep this household in top shape, like matriarch of household. Only thing you lack is patriarch."
>>151103
Silver smiles wider now than he has previously, and his eyes seemingly sparkle.
"As am I, Khoi. I will make certain you enjoy it!"
Silver smiles wider now than he has previously, and his eyes seemingly sparkle.
"As am I, Khoi. I will make certain you enjoy it!"
>>151104
She smiles at him with a toothy smile, but gradually lowers her lips
"Why don't you show me something... special. Show me your best. Show me... what being your wife could be." She says, and stands up, turning towards the door.
She smiles at him with a toothy smile, but gradually lowers her lips
"Why don't you show me something... special. Show me your best. Show me... what being your wife could be." She says, and stands up, turning towards the door.
>>151108
Paper Clipping is laying on his back on the couch, his head propped up by a pillow, and a woven blanket covering most of his lower body, with his hind hooves sticking out. His mouth is partly open, and he breathes in somewhat noisily.
Paper Clipping is laying on his back on the couch, his head propped up by a pillow, and a woven blanket covering most of his lower body, with his hind hooves sticking out. His mouth is partly open, and he breathes in somewhat noisily.
>>151111
Paper Clipping’s straight red-brown mane moves under the hoof.
But the ecru colt moves his head side to side, and opens his eyes
“Huh? Is it time to go?”
He tries to raise himself up with his forehooves to look around
Paper Clipping’s straight red-brown mane moves under the hoof.
But the ecru colt moves his head side to side, and opens his eyes
“Huh? Is it time to go?”
He tries to raise himself up with his forehooves to look around
>>151113
The stallion moves his head up, effectively moving his field of view further down, so that he views Silver upside down.
“Oh, right. I’m here.”
He moves his back down (and right-side up), and looks across the living room, and at his surroundings. He tries to twist his barrel to turn his head towards Silver, but quickly abandons this effort.
“Is there something I gotta do?” He asks
The stallion moves his head up, effectively moving his field of view further down, so that he views Silver upside down.
“Oh, right. I’m here.”
He moves his back down (and right-side up), and looks across the living room, and at his surroundings. He tries to twist his barrel to turn his head towards Silver, but quickly abandons this effort.
“Is there something I gotta do?” He asks
>>151114
"No, there is not. I do not think they have those meetings this early in morning. How are you feeling, by way?"
"No, there is not. I do not think they have those meetings this early in morning. How are you feeling, by way?"
>>151117
“Like… maybe a three. Well, if it were a three I couldn’t sleep. Actually I probably couldn’t go back to sleep. Do we have any more of those pills? A three may not sound so bad, but the problem is the pain doesn’t go away. It’s there all the time.”
“Like… maybe a three. Well, if it were a three I couldn’t sleep. Actually I probably couldn’t go back to sleep. Do we have any more of those pills? A three may not sound so bad, but the problem is the pain doesn’t go away. It’s there all the time.”
>>151118
"I have had pain like that. Let me go look for them, or something else for pain."
And thus, Silver goes a-searching.
"I have had pain like that. Let me go look for them, or something else for pain."
And thus, Silver goes a-searching.
>>151119
Silver finds a small brown glass container labeled as containing medical codeine-based tablets on the kitchen bar top.
Silver finds a small brown glass container labeled as containing medical codeine-based tablets on the kitchen bar top.
>>151120
Silver brings it back to Clip.
"Remember to follow directions on bottle, we do not need you overdosing."
Silver brings it back to Clip.
"Remember to follow directions on bottle, we do not need you overdosing."
>>151121
There is a strong tug on the glass, and for a moment at least, Silver's grasp on the container is in serious jeopardy. Paper Clipping tries - and fails - to light his magic to take the container.
"Like Tartarus! I was cut right open, and it hasn't exactly been just a mild pain since.."
There is a strong tug on the glass, and for a moment at least, Silver's grasp on the container is in serious jeopardy. Paper Clipping tries - and fails - to light his magic to take the container.
"Like Tartarus! I was cut right open, and it hasn't exactly been just a mild pain since.."
>>151122
Silver assists by using his magic to open the lid with ease.
"Trust me, I know, I have acquired large number of battlescars over course of my life. Admittedly, nothing quite like what you had, but still, this world needs good young ponies like you."
Silver assists by using his magic to open the lid with ease.
"Trust me, I know, I have acquired large number of battlescars over course of my life. Admittedly, nothing quite like what you had, but still, this world needs good young ponies like you."
>>151123
He raises a hoof, and tries to look inside. From this angle, and with hooves wider than the lid of the container, only pouring out pills will have effect.
“Just give me a few of them.” He says
He raises a hoof, and tries to look inside. From this angle, and with hooves wider than the lid of the container, only pouring out pills will have effect.
“Just give me a few of them.” He says
File (): AFB722C47594E9F1E85E58D92BC9C9E8-142912.gif (139.6 KB, 853x480, 5DBAC853-3C75-4AC8-A5D4-C1C0CEB22A4B.gif)
>>151126
"They knew how bad your injury was, and I guarantee this is as strong as they could find. Besides, you need to make this last while you heal."
"They knew how bad your injury was, and I guarantee this is as strong as they could find. Besides, you need to make this last while you heal."
>>151128
"We can, but they may get suspicuous and believe we are doing unsavory things with them if we ask for more too often."
"We can, but they may get suspicuous and believe we are doing unsavory things with them if we ask for more too often."
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>>151132
"Hmm...alright. But take it easy with those pills."
Silver looks for the bottle of whiskey they had last night to see if there's any left for Clip.
"Hmm...alright. But take it easy with those pills."
Silver looks for the bottle of whiskey they had last night to see if there's any left for Clip.
>>151135
He takes the bottle and attempts to drink directly from it. He almost immediately starts coughing, with whiskey falling out of his mouth, and onto his coat and the blanket.
He takes the bottle and attempts to drink directly from it. He almost immediately starts coughing, with whiskey falling out of his mouth, and onto his coat and the blanket.
Will get back to this thread soonish I hope.
File (): 322C293A98EBB9D30524F116249E30AD-32810.gif (32.0 KB, 250x241, 8DFC97AD-7694-4F68-BA67-182D6C659FF3.gif)
>>151010
I'm going to try something kind of out there for this plan.
Spark raises the window in the seating row behind him.
I'm going to try something kind of out there for this plan.
Spark raises the window in the seating row behind him.
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>>151153
Attempting to do so, without getting out of the seat, isn’t as easy as if would be were the rows all facing the sand direction with each row having its own window, rather than two rows facing each other sharing the sand larger window, as they are
Attempting to do so, without getting out of the seat, isn’t as easy as if would be were the rows all facing the sand direction with each row having its own window, rather than two rows facing each other sharing the sand larger window, as they are
>>151156
Maybe if he leans over the seat, and has a visual to confirm what he’s doing
or maybe a dice roll, wisdom modifier
Maybe if he leans over the seat, and has a visual to confirm what he’s doing
or maybe a dice roll, wisdom modifier
>>151158
Sitting in his seat, and without making eye contact, Spark feels around on the wall behind him, looking for the latch and feeling for the glass pane. He finds something, and pulls it up. There is a sound of a mare going "Guh!" and he feels it pulled down. Looking through the crack between the seat and the wall, Spark can see that a red mare has pulled her purse down, and is now moving it from by the wall, to underneath her seat. Evidently, Spark grabbed a hold of the purse.
>>151159
You'll get 'em next time, little pony
Sitting in his seat, and without making eye contact, Spark feels around on the wall behind him, looking for the latch and feeling for the glass pane. He finds something, and pulls it up. There is a sound of a mare going "Guh!" and he feels it pulled down. Looking through the crack between the seat and the wall, Spark can see that a red mare has pulled her purse down, and is now moving it from by the wall, to underneath her seat. Evidently, Spark grabbed a hold of the purse.
>>151159
You'll get 'em next time, little pony
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>>151164
This is fairly straightforward. Simply lean forward, and the latch can be undone with a hoof, and then a sharp push upwards with one or both hooves to open the window. Using magic also works, although it requires more mental effort, especially in exerting the force to push the window upwards and open. Of course, magic doesn't require Spark to lean forward or even sit up.
Makade looks over, watching Spark as he does this.
This is fairly straightforward. Simply lean forward, and the latch can be undone with a hoof, and then a sharp push upwards with one or both hooves to open the window. Using magic also works, although it requires more mental effort, especially in exerting the force to push the window upwards and open. Of course, magic doesn't require Spark to lean forward or even sit up.
Makade looks over, watching Spark as he does this.
>>151167
Makade watches the whole process, but he seems to be the only one.
Note that the sound of air passing through the open window is pretty loud
Makade watches the whole process, but he seems to be the only one.
Note that the sound of air passing through the open window is pretty loud
>>151168
Spark then casts an illusion spell, a pegasus pony swooping down from the celling towards Spark.
Spark then casts an illusion spell, a pegasus pony swooping down from the celling towards Spark.
>>151170
Bare in mind, the train is fairly small and confined, giving Spark only so much room to be attacked by low flying Pegasus ponies.
Bare in mind, the train is fairly small and confined, giving Spark only so much room to be attacked by low flying Pegasus ponies.
>>151171
In the heat of the moment, not many question what happens, just that their eyes saw it happen. If I cast it anywhere else, it risks getting spotted by a pony that was paying attention.
In the heat of the moment, not many question what happens, just that their eyes saw it happen. If I cast it anywhere else, it risks getting spotted by a pony that was paying attention.
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>>151173
"Hey! Give those back!"
Spark then has the pegasus leap out the window with a what looks like papers in his mouth.
"Hey! Give those back!"
Spark then has the pegasus leap out the window with a what looks like papers in his mouth.
>>151174
This draws everypony’s attention. The ticketing officer tries to rush in to look out the open window, to see if he can get a glimpse of the strange interloper.
“What happened?” He asks
This draws everypony’s attention. The ticketing officer tries to rush in to look out the open window, to see if he can get a glimpse of the strange interloper.
“What happened?” He asks
>>151175
"I was just relaxing here when this pony came out of nowhere and took my things. Of all the days, it had to be today." Spark looks around franticly. "What am I going to do without my papers?"
"I was just relaxing here when this pony came out of nowhere and took my things. Of all the days, it had to be today." Spark looks around franticly. "What am I going to do without my papers?"
>>151176
He blinks, startled.
“What did they look like? Was it a mare or a stallion? What papers did they take? Where did they come from?”
He blinks, startled.
“What did they look like? Was it a mare or a stallion? What papers did they take? Where did they come from?”
>>151177
"I wasn't paying close attention. I was nodding off when he stole everything. I'm fairly sure it was a stallion, but it was a blur. Now everything I brought with me is gone."
"I wasn't paying close attention. I was nodding off when he stole everything. I'm fairly sure it was a stallion, but it was a blur. Now everything I brought with me is gone."
>>151178
Makade speaks up
"I believe it was a whitish color stallion. He grabbed for our tickets and ID's, which of course we had out for presentation. He may have also taken a small bag I had by the window."
Makade reaches down on the ground. Waabishki wakes up, and sits up, looking around with big gold eyes, evidently trying to figure out what was going on.
A red mare on another row volunteers that someone attempted to lift her purse, although her story varies in that the assailant was unseen, and seems to have been a unicorn. The ticket taker is quickly spooked and confused, believing that a pegasus and a unicorn are working together to steal ID's or personal effects. He asks several more ponies if they noticed anything unusual, but no one seems to know much.
Makade speaks up
"I believe it was a whitish color stallion. He grabbed for our tickets and ID's, which of course we had out for presentation. He may have also taken a small bag I had by the window."
Makade reaches down on the ground. Waabishki wakes up, and sits up, looking around with big gold eyes, evidently trying to figure out what was going on.
A red mare on another row volunteers that someone attempted to lift her purse, although her story varies in that the assailant was unseen, and seems to have been a unicorn. The ticket taker is quickly spooked and confused, believing that a pegasus and a unicorn are working together to steal ID's or personal effects. He asks several more ponies if they noticed anything unusual, but no one seems to know much.
>>151179
Well... that might complicate things with the mare giving that information. Now I'm probably going to be suspected as working with the pegasus to rob others. But we will see how it plays out.
Well... that might complicate things with the mare giving that information. Now I'm probably going to be suspected as working with the pegasus to rob others. But we will see how it plays out.
>>151182
He asks,
“Did you see anyone besides the Pegasus? What were you doing, exactly, at the time, and what was taken?
He asks,
“Did you see anyone besides the Pegasus? What were you doing, exactly, at the time, and what was taken?
>>151183
"I was sitting in my seat here, nodding off, and then this pony came and stole my..."
Looks like my other magic is going to have to do. Spark casts a sound illusion to the ceiling, making a thud noise as if there is a pony on the roof.
"I was sitting in my seat here, nodding off, and then this pony came and stole my..."
Looks like my other magic is going to have to do. Spark casts a sound illusion to the ceiling, making a thud noise as if there is a pony on the roof.
>>151184
The stallion, Makade, and the other ponies look up, and listen to the sound of the evident hooves. The stallion stands up, and follows the hoof sounds
The stallion, Makade, and the other ponies look up, and listen to the sound of the evident hooves. The stallion stands up, and follows the hoof sounds
>>151185
The hooves travel along towards the back of the car and one more thud is heard a bit softer. Perhaps the pony leapt to the next car over?
The hooves travel along towards the back of the car and one more thud is heard a bit softer. Perhaps the pony leapt to the next car over?
>>151186
The stallion walks away from Spark, and to the end of the car. Spark is clear, at least for the moment.
The stallion walks away from Spark, and to the end of the car. Spark is clear, at least for the moment.
>>151188
Waabishki, blinking, looks startled. Makade looks over to Spark in silence, with a firm look. Wellspring sits up, gasps, and moves her head about, ears moving up and down.
"What happened?" She asks
The doctor looks over, back and forth between the other four and the ticket stallion, before focusing much of his attention watching the ticket stallion.
Waabishki, blinking, looks startled. Makade looks over to Spark in silence, with a firm look. Wellspring sits up, gasps, and moves her head about, ears moving up and down.
"What happened?" She asks
The doctor looks over, back and forth between the other four and the ticket stallion, before focusing much of his attention watching the ticket stallion.
>>151190
The ticket stallion trots down to the end of the end of the carriage, talks to another pony in green uniform who seems to have entered from an adjacent car, and then comes back to the group.
He asks Spark - and the other three in the section, for that matter - a few questions he has already asked before:
"What was taken?"
"What did he look like?"
"Where did he come from?"
Wellspring looks very uncomfortable. Waabishki looks confused.
The ticket stallion trots down to the end of the end of the carriage, talks to another pony in green uniform who seems to have entered from an adjacent car, and then comes back to the group.
He asks Spark - and the other three in the section, for that matter - a few questions he has already asked before:
"What was taken?"
"What did he look like?"
"Where did he come from?"
Wellspring looks very uncomfortable. Waabishki looks confused.
>>151192
"My papers, documents, and paperwork I was really needing to get on home. I can't remember what he looked like because it was so sudden. Are you saying nopony else got a look at him? You will find my things, right?"
"My papers, documents, and paperwork I was really needing to get on home. I can't remember what he looked like because it was so sudden. Are you saying nopony else got a look at him? You will find my things, right?"
>>151193
The mocha-brown stallion pulls his grey lips back, showing most of his teeth in a smile.
Roll Bluff
The mocha-brown stallion pulls his grey lips back, showing most of his teeth in a smile.
Roll Bluff
>>150297 →
Iron smiles fondly at Cauldron's chest puffing, deciding to give it extra attention by tenderly nuzzling it. In fact, he starts to give soft, dry and kisses on them just to show just how much appreciation he has for those short, stocky hairs.
Iron smiles fondly at Cauldron's chest puffing, deciding to give it extra attention by tenderly nuzzling it. In fact, he starts to give soft, dry and kisses on them just to show just how much appreciation he has for those short, stocky hairs.
>>151209
Iron's muzzle sometimes pushes through the thin layer of fur to glimpse the black skin beneath.
He feels something touch the top of his head, and the edge of his ear. Black Cauldron seems to be petting him
Iron's muzzle sometimes pushes through the thin layer of fur to glimpse the black skin beneath.
He feels something touch the top of his head, and the edge of his ear. Black Cauldron seems to be petting him
>>151211
His ears droop instinctively at the petting while the stallion continues to let out an even spread of kisses along her black chest skin underneath the coat while his hooves hold her close, as if she'd vanish if he doesn't.
His ears droop instinctively at the petting while the stallion continues to let out an even spread of kisses along her black chest skin underneath the coat while his hooves hold her close, as if she'd vanish if he doesn't.
>>151212
Iron can feel something else come down and touch the edge of his head - her muzzle, the end of which just barely reaches the top of his head. With one hoof she pets the back of his ears, and the other hoof, she attempts to place around his neck.
Iron can feel something else come down and touch the edge of his head - her muzzle, the end of which just barely reaches the top of his head. With one hoof she pets the back of his ears, and the other hoof, she attempts to place around his neck.
>>151213
Iron exhaled contently, slowly relaxing his body further than it was ever before as his ears swivel every now and then. He had to admit, this feels far more pleasant than he expected, specially considering his less than stellar track record so far. Was this reciprocal love or is he simply misconstruing these gestures into being such things?
Regardless, the stallion on top of Cauldron in this admittedly cramped bed space cannot possibly think of a better way to spend hours on end. "...I love you," he whispered softly and unexpectedly, only for him to stop dead in his tracks when he realized what he just said.
Iron exhaled contently, slowly relaxing his body further than it was ever before as his ears swivel every now and then. He had to admit, this feels far more pleasant than he expected, specially considering his less than stellar track record so far. Was this reciprocal love or is he simply misconstruing these gestures into being such things?
Regardless, the stallion on top of Cauldron in this admittedly cramped bed space cannot possibly think of a better way to spend hours on end. "...I love you," he whispered softly and unexpectedly, only for him to stop dead in his tracks when he realized what he just said.
>>151215
Iron hesitatnly slides his muzzle out of Cauldron's chest fluff just to look her in the eye with a flustered, terrified look. He messed up, didn't he? That's why she stopped, didn't she?
His breathing, previously serene, soon turned a little anxious while his body trembled softly at the fear of failure after all the work he's put on her. He wasn't going to have a repeat scene like back at the bar, was he?
Iron hesitatnly slides his muzzle out of Cauldron's chest fluff just to look her in the eye with a flustered, terrified look. He messed up, didn't he? That's why she stopped, didn't she?
His breathing, previously serene, soon turned a little anxious while his body trembled softly at the fear of failure after all the work he's put on her. He wasn't going to have a repeat scene like back at the bar, was he?
>>151215
Iron hesitatnly slides his muzzle out of Cauldron's chest fluff just to look her in the eye with a flustered, terrified look. He messed up, didn't he? That's why she stopped, didn't she?
His breathing, previously serene, soon turned a little anxious while his body trembled softly at the fear of failure after all the work he's put on her. He wasn't going to have a repeat scene like back at the bar, was he?
Iron hesitatnly slides his muzzle out of Cauldron's chest fluff just to look her in the eye with a flustered, terrified look. He messed up, didn't he? That's why she stopped, didn't she?
His breathing, previously serene, soon turned a little anxious while his body trembled softly at the fear of failure after all the work he's put on her. He wasn't going to have a repeat scene like back at the bar, was he?
>>151217
Their muzzles nearly cross, unless Iron returns to standing all the way up and over her. Her eyes are wide and fixed on Iron. Her lips are pulled back, and show teeth. She says nothing.
Their muzzles nearly cross, unless Iron returns to standing all the way up and over her. Her eyes are wide and fixed on Iron. Her lips are pulled back, and show teeth. She says nothing.
>>151218
He frankly couldn't even try to stand up after spilling the beans like this, frozen in the spot in a similar way to Cauldron. He even started to sweat a little bit from the tense situation he himself created.
All Iron could do in this precise moment is just stare at her, couragious enough to at least look her in the eye and wait to see what would come off of his apparent mistake.
He frankly couldn't even try to stand up after spilling the beans like this, frozen in the spot in a similar way to Cauldron. He even started to sweat a little bit from the tense situation he himself created.
All Iron could do in this precise moment is just stare at her, couragious enough to at least look her in the eye and wait to see what would come off of his apparent mistake.
>>151220
The small chuckle entered his ears, making them rise up on the spot out of dreadful yet hope-filled curiosity, yet found himself still anxious on what would this really come of it.
Did I ruin the mood? he thought to himself.
The small chuckle entered his ears, making them rise up on the spot out of dreadful yet hope-filled curiosity, yet found himself still anxious on what would this really come of it.
Did I ruin the mood? he thought to himself.
>>151221
"Iron." She says, finally.
"I like you. You know I like you."
Though she seems to have intended to follow up these words with others, these are all she can manage,
"Iron." She says, finally.
"I like you. You know I like you."
Though she seems to have intended to follow up these words with others, these are all she can manage,
>>151222
Despite having already comitted acts that most who'd witness it will have called them a couple, hearing Cauldron's simple yet impactful words made Iron's heart skip a beat as his cheeks were soon flushed with a vibrant red. His previously anxious expression lost turned into pure awe and hope, shocked to hear such words after the times he's failed her. It felt surreal for him.
Yet, as nothing more came of it, Iron knew it was up to him to help her out. "Cauldron," he unintentionally mimicked, slightly breathless as he stared fondly into her blue pools "I... I do not know where I'd be without you."
It was easy to tell by him looking away after saying those words he wasn't used to being emotionally vulnerable like this, yet with his pride on the line, he eventually pulled his gaze back to the mare she loved. "Even after all the inconveniences I've made you go through," he continued with a slightly regretful tone, flashes of the war he created just to try and help the mademare get the supplies Cauldron would need for her potion business "you still kept me around. I..."
It would seem he, too, ran out of courage to say his feelings further, quickly shifting his eyes away from her in shame after having pointed out his insecurities.
Despite having already comitted acts that most who'd witness it will have called them a couple, hearing Cauldron's simple yet impactful words made Iron's heart skip a beat as his cheeks were soon flushed with a vibrant red. His previously anxious expression lost turned into pure awe and hope, shocked to hear such words after the times he's failed her. It felt surreal for him.
Yet, as nothing more came of it, Iron knew it was up to him to help her out. "Cauldron," he unintentionally mimicked, slightly breathless as he stared fondly into her blue pools "I... I do not know where I'd be without you."
It was easy to tell by him looking away after saying those words he wasn't used to being emotionally vulnerable like this, yet with his pride on the line, he eventually pulled his gaze back to the mare she loved. "Even after all the inconveniences I've made you go through," he continued with a slightly regretful tone, flashes of the war he created just to try and help the mademare get the supplies Cauldron would need for her potion business "you still kept me around. I..."
It would seem he, too, ran out of courage to say his feelings further, quickly shifting his eyes away from her in shame after having pointed out his insecurities.
>>151223
She places a hoof on his ear and starts to pet him. She closes her lips.
"Zebras are watching me. Ponies are watching me. In my family, in the Syndicate. I have to be very careful about my romantic relationships. And I have duties to them I can't afford to let slip. I like you, Iron, I really do..."
She places a hoof on his ear and starts to pet him. She closes her lips.
"Zebras are watching me. Ponies are watching me. In my family, in the Syndicate. I have to be very careful about my romantic relationships. And I have duties to them I can't afford to let slip. I like you, Iron, I really do..."
>>151224
Iron's heart started to sink slowly at the rather careful choice of words, a hint of fear starting to grip into his admittedly fragile heart. "W-what do you mean?" he uttered out, dreading the possibly of being told their love was impossible thanks to her responsibilites.
Iron's heart started to sink slowly at the rather careful choice of words, a hint of fear starting to grip into his admittedly fragile heart. "W-what do you mean?" he uttered out, dreading the possibly of being told their love was impossible thanks to her responsibilites.
>>151225
"I mean..." She looks away
"I may as well be blunt. My parents will not approve if they find out I am pregnant out of wedlock, especially with a pony. The Syndicate is much more tolerant of what a mare choses, but even they disdain mares who have multiple casual relationships. And single mothers are not trusted to do their duties to the syndicate."
"I mean..." She looks away
"I may as well be blunt. My parents will not approve if they find out I am pregnant out of wedlock, especially with a pony. The Syndicate is much more tolerant of what a mare choses, but even they disdain mares who have multiple casual relationships. And single mothers are not trusted to do their duties to the syndicate."
>>151226
Iron gulped softly at Cauldron's reply: It was certainly closer to impossible than he'd like right now, but it was certainly more doable than he thought. He simply had to prove to her father he was worthy of taking her daughter's hoof. His commitment to Cauldron should be apparent, right?
"Is... this casual to you?" he uttered, looking a tad confused amidst the emotional cocktail of dread and hope.
Iron gulped softly at Cauldron's reply: It was certainly closer to impossible than he'd like right now, but it was certainly more doable than he thought. He simply had to prove to her father he was worthy of taking her daughter's hoof. His commitment to Cauldron should be apparent, right?
"Is... this casual to you?" he uttered, looking a tad confused amidst the emotional cocktail of dread and hope.
>>151227
“You tell me. You are the one who can leave at will. If I become pregnant, I am the one who will have to live with that. If I gain a reputation for promiscuity, I am the one who will have to live with that.”
After a moment of silence, she lightens her expression
“I’m sorry, maybe I’m reading too much into things. You are a nice stallion. We can snuggle, if that is what you want.”
“You tell me. You are the one who can leave at will. If I become pregnant, I am the one who will have to live with that. If I gain a reputation for promiscuity, I am the one who will have to live with that.”
After a moment of silence, she lightens her expression
“I’m sorry, maybe I’m reading too much into things. You are a nice stallion. We can snuggle, if that is what you want.”
>>151228
"I would not want to burden you any more than I have," Iron quickly replied in order to rid any fears of him impregnating her right now "but I do want to be with you, Cauldron. Together. I will do whatever it takes for our hearts to be together."
There was a small hint of desperation, frightened beyond belief of losing her.
"I would not want to burden you any more than I have," Iron quickly replied in order to rid any fears of him impregnating her right now "but I do want to be with you, Cauldron. Together. I will do whatever it takes for our hearts to be together."
There was a small hint of desperation, frightened beyond belief of losing her.
>>151229
She takes both hooves, and places them just behind each of Iron’s ears. She ruffles the back of his head, flopping his ears about. She grins playfully.
“What is it you want, exactly?”
She takes both hooves, and places them just behind each of Iron’s ears. She ruffles the back of his head, flopping his ears about. She grins playfully.
“What is it you want, exactly?”
>>151230
"I want to be with you," Iron instantly repeated, his forelegs holding Cauldron a little tighter.
However, his mind quickly remembered this same exact event happening back at her place, which caused her to instantly sour. Will she accept his words now after all his heart spilling?
"I want to be with you," Iron instantly repeated, his forelegs holding Cauldron a little tighter.
However, his mind quickly remembered this same exact event happening back at her place, which caused her to instantly sour. Will she accept his words now after all his heart spilling?
>>151232
"W-well," Iron uttered, soon getting overly flustered from having to express himself further "I-I want to be your... special somepony?"
"W-well," Iron uttered, soon getting overly flustered from having to express himself further "I-I want to be your... special somepony?"
>>151234
Go on? Iron thought to himself, nervous.
"U-uh," he stuttered, getting even more embarrassed for having to say such lewd propositions "I... w-want to s-sire foals with you..:?"
Go on? Iron thought to himself, nervous.
"U-uh," he stuttered, getting even more embarrassed for having to say such lewd propositions "I... w-want to s-sire foals with you..:?"
>>151235
Iron may wonder if Cauldron's tail or hindlegs accidently made contact with exposed electrical wiring.
All of her limbs jolt, and her eyes go wide, ears and lips back.
"So it is that."
Iron may wonder if Cauldron's tail or hindlegs accidently made contact with exposed electrical wiring.
All of her limbs jolt, and her eyes go wide, ears and lips back.
"So it is that."
>>151236
Iron's eyes instantly widened, quickly covering his unmistakingly reddened face with both forelegs. "I-I know it is a lofty goal," he quickly stammered out, fearful of being shot down "b-but I will do whatever it takes to reach you and your father's approval."
Iron's eyes instantly widened, quickly covering his unmistakingly reddened face with both forelegs. "I-I know it is a lofty goal," he quickly stammered out, fearful of being shot down "b-but I will do whatever it takes to reach you and your father's approval."
>>151237
She takes a moment, laying beneath him in silence
"Iron, I do like you. You are funny, strong, and most of all, you really do seem devoted. I like being around you, and I hope you stick around. I am comfortable letting you touch me. But I don't... love you. I may only ever have one shot at a family, and I just haven't spent enough time with you to know that I want that one shot to be with you."
After delivering those lines with little emotion, she forces a small smile, and places her right hoof back on Iron's ear.
"But for now, if you like, you can consider us dating. And I consider you my number one suitor. Be careful, though, who you tell I am your somepony, as some in my family and the Syndicate may take interest in who I am with. And no trying for foals until I have at least a proposal for marriage out of you. Okay?"
She takes a moment, laying beneath him in silence
"Iron, I do like you. You are funny, strong, and most of all, you really do seem devoted. I like being around you, and I hope you stick around. I am comfortable letting you touch me. But I don't... love you. I may only ever have one shot at a family, and I just haven't spent enough time with you to know that I want that one shot to be with you."
After delivering those lines with little emotion, she forces a small smile, and places her right hoof back on Iron's ear.
"But for now, if you like, you can consider us dating. And I consider you my number one suitor. Be careful, though, who you tell I am your somepony, as some in my family and the Syndicate may take interest in who I am with. And no trying for foals until I have at least a proposal for marriage out of you. Okay?"
>>151238
Iron's heart sunk considerably at Cauldron's words, knowing this would've happen but still hurt that his efforts were not enough to fully convince her, yet brightened up considerably at giving him a shot to bridge that gap further.
Almost without thinking, he quickly closes the gap between their muzzles to give her an awfully excited short kiss before smiling eagerly. "Oh thank you!" he enthusiatically replied, quickly enveloping her in a hug. "I will not make you regret this!"
Iron's heart sunk considerably at Cauldron's words, knowing this would've happen but still hurt that his efforts were not enough to fully convince her, yet brightened up considerably at giving him a shot to bridge that gap further.
Almost without thinking, he quickly closes the gap between their muzzles to give her an awfully excited short kiss before smiling eagerly. "Oh thank you!" he enthusiatically replied, quickly enveloping her in a hug. "I will not make you regret this!"
>>151239
The mare is taken surprise by the kiss, and perhaps equally so by the hug. Iron can feel the muscle and bone under her short, striped fur.
The mare is taken surprise by the kiss, and perhaps equally so by the hug. Iron can feel the muscle and bone under her short, striped fur.
>>151240
Iron continued to hug and nuzzle her on the neck for a bit longer to expel the bountiful amounts of excitement out of his system and be able to properly think straight for a second with little success. The idea of Cauldron actually solidifying his own objective of wooing her into having a family with him actually inspired him to continue his pursuit.
Iron continued to hug and nuzzle her on the neck for a bit longer to expel the bountiful amounts of excitement out of his system and be able to properly think straight for a second with little success. The idea of Cauldron actually solidifying his own objective of wooing her into having a family with him actually inspired him to continue his pursuit.
>>151241
It takes a moment for Black Cauldron to recover and wrangle a foreleg free.
"So I guess you're my special somepony now."
She pats him on the back, and starts to rub
It takes a moment for Black Cauldron to recover and wrangle a foreleg free.
"So I guess you're my special somepony now."
She pats him on the back, and starts to rub
>>151242
Iron, feeling Cauldron struggle a bit, quickly softened his hold for her to move more freely with a sheepish smile only for him to nod enthusiastically. "I am certainly proud to be called your special somepony," he replied gingerly before giving her a small peck on the snout.
Iron, feeling Cauldron struggle a bit, quickly softened his hold for her to move more freely with a sheepish smile only for him to nod enthusiastically. "I am certainly proud to be called your special somepony," he replied gingerly before giving her a small peck on the snout.
>>151243
"But I'm not going to call you that quite yet in front of my family and the Syndicate. Well, I'll tell Arlo, but he knows to use discretion. I'll tell Blanche when I get back."
"But I'm not going to call you that quite yet in front of my family and the Syndicate. Well, I'll tell Arlo, but he knows to use discretion. I'll tell Blanche when I get back."
>>151244
Iron nodded a little more seriously, soon calming down to a simple smile. "I will not say a word," he agreed with a curt nod. "You have my word."
Iron nodded a little more seriously, soon calming down to a simple smile. "I will not say a word," he agreed with a curt nod. "You have my word."
>>151245
She smiles, and now it’s her turn to wrap her forelegs around him, pulling his body close to hers in a hug.
She smiles, and now it’s her turn to wrap her forelegs around him, pulling his body close to hers in a hug.
>>151246
Iron uncharacteristically squeed a little bit at the snug hug, deciding to softly nuzzle her snout with his own in a sideways motion in a love-filled motion. "I love you," he uttered softly, now far more confident and happy than before.
Iron uncharacteristically squeed a little bit at the snug hug, deciding to softly nuzzle her snout with his own in a sideways motion in a love-filled motion. "I love you," he uttered softly, now far more confident and happy than before.
>>151247
She says nothing to him in reply. But she does move her own muzzle, nuzzling him back, touching the side of his muzzle.
She says nothing to him in reply. But she does move her own muzzle, nuzzling him back, touching the side of his muzzle.
>>151248
Feeling this, Iron couldn't help but softly connect his lips to hers, deciding to simply enjoy the touch between their muzzles while the train ride kept carrying on. His eyes were closed, his cheeks were still red and his heart thumped in a giddy fashion. It was like he was a horny teenager finally getting his first marefriend.
Feeling this, Iron couldn't help but softly connect his lips to hers, deciding to simply enjoy the touch between their muzzles while the train ride kept carrying on. His eyes were closed, his cheeks were still red and his heart thumped in a giddy fashion. It was like he was a horny teenager finally getting his first marefriend.
>>151249
She acts in kind, opening her lips to his, and lettings them gently touch and press together.
She acts in kind, opening her lips to his, and lettings them gently touch and press together.
>>151250
Iron went a step further, as one of his hooves soon slid up from his hug to Cauldron's cheek, gently cupping it with a hoof as his tongue tentatively snuck through her lips by a small margin.
Iron went a step further, as one of his hooves soon slid up from his hug to Cauldron's cheek, gently cupping it with a hoof as his tongue tentatively snuck through her lips by a small margin.
>>151251
Her blue eyes open, lid, and focus on him. Her tongue curls, and moves up slightly to meet him
Her blue eyes open, lid, and focus on him. Her tongue curls, and moves up slightly to meet him
>>151252
Iron inhaled in surprise, opening one of his eyes to look at the seductive gaze sent his way. With rising confidence, he soon started to explore Cauldron's tongue with his own in a slow, tender dance.
Iron inhaled in surprise, opening one of his eyes to look at the seductive gaze sent his way. With rising confidence, he soon started to explore Cauldron's tongue with his own in a slow, tender dance.
>>151253
Her movements are perhaps a little slower, at first retreating, but ultimately reciprocating, taking up the dance and moving with him.
Her movements are perhaps a little slower, at first retreating, but ultimately reciprocating, taking up the dance and moving with him.
>>151254
Iron didn't mind: As much as he kissed Sands a couple of times, he was also quite new to this. He simply allowed Cauldron this slow dance to get accostumed to him just as much as he was to her.
Iron didn't mind: As much as he kissed Sands a couple of times, he was also quite new to this. He simply allowed Cauldron this slow dance to get accostumed to him just as much as he was to her.
>>151255
Whether she knows precisely what she’s doing, or she’s just as new as Iron, there is no way to tell. She remains cautious in her movements, tending to match Iron after a delay. Her thick, black-flesh lips meet his, giving way to the slim edge of her pink tongue.
Whether she knows precisely what she’s doing, or she’s just as new as Iron, there is no way to tell. She remains cautious in her movements, tending to match Iron after a delay. Her thick, black-flesh lips meet his, giving way to the slim edge of her pink tongue.
>>151256
Iron's own movements, while careful at first, soon started growing bolder and more passionate, pressing his snout against hers gradually as his tongue movements started to become a little more energetic.
Iron's own movements, while careful at first, soon started growing bolder and more passionate, pressing his snout against hers gradually as his tongue movements started to become a little more energetic.
>>151257
For a moment, she seems to have difficultly keeping pace. But her mouth opens just a little more, and her lips press a little harder. She invites him in, and lets their tongues connect. She breathes a little harder, and closes her eyes.
For a moment, she seems to have difficultly keeping pace. But her mouth opens just a little more, and her lips press a little harder. She invites him in, and lets their tongues connect. She breathes a little harder, and closes her eyes.
>>151258
Inbetween small moments where he partially takes out his tongue to breathe out through his mouth, Iron continued ramping up the intensity, his hooves holding her getting ever so slightly more tighter. The primal desire to take her grows, as the cramped inside of the bedroom grows just a smidge less spacious inbetween the two, yet he didn't try to make any moves aside from giving out all of his love through his sensual tongue dance.
Inbetween small moments where he partially takes out his tongue to breathe out through his mouth, Iron continued ramping up the intensity, his hooves holding her getting ever so slightly more tighter. The primal desire to take her grows, as the cramped inside of the bedroom grows just a smidge less spacious inbetween the two, yet he didn't try to make any moves aside from giving out all of his love through his sensual tongue dance.
>>151259
She makes a small moan, moving her muzzle closer. She moves her right foreleg up, trying to wrap it around his shoulder, and with her left hoof she digs into the fur behind his shoulder.
She makes a small moan, moving her muzzle closer. She moves her right foreleg up, trying to wrap it around his shoulder, and with her left hoof she digs into the fur behind his shoulder.
>>151260
Her moan caused him to exhale sharply in primal desire as her forelegs reached their respective spots, removing the hoof cupping her cheek to more properly hold and slightly push her head towards his. It would seem he is a native for a reason, and all the week with his frustrations and self doubt urged him onwards to make this moment as memorable as he can be.
Her moan caused him to exhale sharply in primal desire as her forelegs reached their respective spots, removing the hoof cupping her cheek to more properly hold and slightly push her head towards his. It would seem he is a native for a reason, and all the week with his frustrations and self doubt urged him onwards to make this moment as memorable as he can be.
>>151261
Does Iron stand straight over her? Bend his knee, kneeling over her? Does he dare press his whole body and weight against her?
Black Cauldron moves her hooves, and tries to wrap them both around his shoulders, digging the end of her hooves into his fur.
Does Iron stand straight over her? Bend his knee, kneeling over her? Does he dare press his whole body and weight against her?
Black Cauldron moves her hooves, and tries to wrap them both around his shoulders, digging the end of her hooves into his fur.
>>151262
Iron would kneel for now, eager to enjoy more of Cauldron's touch but not go as far as to smother her with his heaviness. All the while, he continued to show her tongue the dance of his ponies.
Iron would kneel for now, eager to enjoy more of Cauldron's touch but not go as far as to smother her with his heaviness. All the while, he continued to show her tongue the dance of his ponies.
>>151263
She closes her lips as if to grab his tongue, repeating the acts a few times. She becomes more aggressive with her own tongue, nearly pressing into his mouth.
She closes her lips as if to grab his tongue, repeating the acts a few times. She becomes more aggressive with her own tongue, nearly pressing into his mouth.
>>151264
While Iron didn't exactly understand the purpose of that, he was glad to see Cauldron start to put a little more energy into the makeout session. The ember in his heart slowly started to shift into an inferno, giving her just how serious and passionate he was about taking her hoof.
While Iron didn't exactly understand the purpose of that, he was glad to see Cauldron start to put a little more energy into the makeout session. The ember in his heart slowly started to shift into an inferno, giving her just how serious and passionate he was about taking her hoof.
>>151265
She giggles, evidently entertained.
She repeats the intrusion, one, two three times in succession.
She giggles, evidently entertained.
She repeats the intrusion, one, two three times in succession.
>>151266
Iron finally creaked a curious eye open, wondering what was this about exactly, yet still kept up with his rather exaggerated display of affection still running its course.
Iron finally creaked a curious eye open, wondering what was this about exactly, yet still kept up with his rather exaggerated display of affection still running its course.
>>151267
She’s smiling. After the passage several seconds more, she ceases to close her lips on his tongue, or to make her own intrusions.
She presses harder on his shoulder, pulling herself to him.
She’s smiling. After the passage several seconds more, she ceases to close her lips on his tongue, or to make her own intrusions.
She presses harder on his shoulder, pulling herself to him.
>>151268
Iron had to admit that despite the weirdness of the gesture, he couldn't help but find it even more endearing considering it made her smile.
Thus, he kept it up for a few more moments, keeping up with his lengthy attempt to display his fervor for her through oral contact for as long as she could last.
Iron had to admit that despite the weirdness of the gesture, he couldn't help but find it even more endearing considering it made her smile.
Thus, he kept it up for a few more moments, keeping up with his lengthy attempt to display his fervor for her through oral contact for as long as she could last.
>>151269
Her expression returns to serious, and she moves her hind legs further apart, and then presses both hind hooves solidly against the wall of the compartment, her knees bending with the limited space.
Her expression returns to serious, and she moves her hind legs further apart, and then presses both hind hooves solidly against the wall of the compartment, her knees bending with the limited space.
>>151270
Iron's curiosity got the better of him, soon pausing his makeout session to look at Cauldron with a smidge of concern. "Are you faring well?" he asked softly, albeit still far more primal than his usual self.
Iron's curiosity got the better of him, soon pausing his makeout session to look at Cauldron with a smidge of concern. "Are you faring well?" he asked softly, albeit still far more primal than his usual self.
>>151271
She just looks at him, with the wisest smile imaginable. Even with black skin under white and black fur he can see that she is blushing.
“Hehehe what?”
She just looks at him, with the wisest smile imaginable. Even with black skin under white and black fur he can see that she is blushing.
“Hehehe what?”
>>151272
Iron breathed a small sigh of relief, giving her a small nod before plunging back in with the same fervor as before, continuing his makeout session proper until she truly was satisfied.
Iron breathed a small sigh of relief, giving her a small nod before plunging back in with the same fervor as before, continuing his makeout session proper until she truly was satisfied.
>>151273
Black Cauldron lays back down against the pillow, closes her eyes, and lets Iron do as he wills. Her hindlegs remain pressed against the wall, and she moves her mouth slightly open, and then slightly more closed, to move against his lips.
Black Cauldron lays back down against the pillow, closes her eyes, and lets Iron do as he wills. Her hindlegs remain pressed against the wall, and she moves her mouth slightly open, and then slightly more closed, to move against his lips.
>>151274
Iron was practically wrapped around Cauldron at this point, always careful not to drop his entire weight on her yet covering as much ground as possible with his body to cover hers while he pushed his muzzle and tongue against hers, tickling every spot he could and receptive to any sort of moans of pleasure he may have squeezed out his primal onslaught.
Iron was practically wrapped around Cauldron at this point, always careful not to drop his entire weight on her yet covering as much ground as possible with his body to cover hers while he pushed his muzzle and tongue against hers, tickling every spot he could and receptive to any sort of moans of pleasure he may have squeezed out his primal onslaught.
>>151275
He can feel the backside of her premolar teeth, and the smooth gums of that gap between her teeth. He can feel the roof of her mouth, and her rough tongue.
She makes light moaning sounds, moving her head a little side to side, or even in a semi-circular motion, slightly changing the angel at which her lips meet his. She doesn't pull don on him, but now presses into his lower barrel on each side, feeling his ribs.
He can feel the backside of her premolar teeth, and the smooth gums of that gap between her teeth. He can feel the roof of her mouth, and her rough tongue.
She makes light moaning sounds, moving her head a little side to side, or even in a semi-circular motion, slightly changing the angel at which her lips meet his. She doesn't pull don on him, but now presses into his lower barrel on each side, feeling his ribs.
>>151276
Iron simply continued to put great energy and passion into his tongue dance, ensuring no spot in Cauldron's mouth was left unattended or unexplored. Inbetween the two, his potential fifth leg was already watching intently with rapt attention, fully immersed in the experience.
Iron simply continued to put great energy and passion into his tongue dance, ensuring no spot in Cauldron's mouth was left unattended or unexplored. Inbetween the two, his potential fifth leg was already watching intently with rapt attention, fully immersed in the experience.
>>151277
She rolls her tongue up, and lets Iron slide against it. She makes more and more light moans.
Doubtless the lower portion of Iron's body makes contact. The first time, her belly twitches and moves inwards, and her whole lower body shifts slightly to the left. But after the second or third time to make contact, her body stops reacting, simply letting it lay on her belly.
She rolls her tongue up, and lets Iron slide against it. She makes more and more light moans.
Doubtless the lower portion of Iron's body makes contact. The first time, her belly twitches and moves inwards, and her whole lower body shifts slightly to the left. But after the second or third time to make contact, her body stops reacting, simply letting it lay on her belly.
>>151278
Iron, likewise, paid his own companion no mind as well, obviously infatuated with Cauldron's embrace. However, a part of him was starting to worry a little as he continued the maekout session: Will he lose control and accidentally let himself go? Would she mind? Tough questions to consider and no clear answer, considering he was blocking her capacity for speech with his invasive, young and energetic tongue..
Iron, likewise, paid his own companion no mind as well, obviously infatuated with Cauldron's embrace. However, a part of him was starting to worry a little as he continued the maekout session: Will he lose control and accidentally let himself go? Would she mind? Tough questions to consider and no clear answer, considering he was blocking her capacity for speech with his invasive, young and energetic tongue..
>>151279
If she minds anything, she does not show it.
She makes persistent "Mmmmm" sounds, and moves her hooves up, past his shoulders onto his neck. She moves them up higher, and wraps around his neck, and pulls him in.
If she minds anything, she does not show it.
She makes persistent "Mmmmm" sounds, and moves her hooves up, past his shoulders onto his neck. She moves them up higher, and wraps around his neck, and pulls him in.
>>151280
The pulling certainly made him lower further, along with his club that was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Iron even went so far as to hump instinctively every now and then, grunting softly from the accentuated spikes of pleasure and bliss while sending Cauldron into a brief moment of presumed paradise through his incessant, fervent tongue action.
The pulling certainly made him lower further, along with his club that was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Iron even went so far as to hump instinctively every now and then, grunting softly from the accentuated spikes of pleasure and bliss while sending Cauldron into a brief moment of presumed paradise through his incessant, fervent tongue action.
>>151281
As he rubs against her lower belly, she twitches again, pulling her hind legs forward, and then slamming them against the back wall with a "clank" and a kick.
She moves her own tongue faster, and along with his, rolling it, and meeting his in union.
As he rubs against her lower belly, she twitches again, pulling her hind legs forward, and then slamming them against the back wall with a "clank" and a kick.
She moves her own tongue faster, and along with his, rolling it, and meeting his in union.
>>151282
A more level-headed Iron would stop after hearing Cauldron buck against the back wall, but he was too engrossed in the carnal desire to really stop at this point, He wanted more of her sweet heart, her sturdy yet playful soul, her rough, coarse exterior rubbing against his. He couldn't get enough of it, and after all the drought he had been through, it was time for him to reap what he has sown.
His humping, while still mostly sporadic, started to happen a little more often while his tongue practically tussled with Cauldron's, giving it the lovefight of its life. His enduring youth kept going, all too eager to make this last for hours. Maybe even days. All for his special somepony.
A more level-headed Iron would stop after hearing Cauldron buck against the back wall, but he was too engrossed in the carnal desire to really stop at this point, He wanted more of her sweet heart, her sturdy yet playful soul, her rough, coarse exterior rubbing against his. He couldn't get enough of it, and after all the drought he had been through, it was time for him to reap what he has sown.
His humping, while still mostly sporadic, started to happen a little more often while his tongue practically tussled with Cauldron's, giving it the lovefight of its life. His enduring youth kept going, all too eager to make this last for hours. Maybe even days. All for his special somepony.
>>151283
Her mouth continues it movements with his, with the sound of breath leaving her nose becoming evermore noticeable. Her hooves drag through the fur in her neck, then across his shoulder, and then come to rest on his back. She tries to pull him closer.
Iron rubs against her lower belly, running between her teats, and maybe going as low as to touch the lower most tip of her vulva. He's too high on her body to go inside her. Iron feels something touch his leg, and then move. It likely takes him a moment to realize it is her tail, whipping around.
Her mouth continues it movements with his, with the sound of breath leaving her nose becoming evermore noticeable. Her hooves drag through the fur in her neck, then across his shoulder, and then come to rest on his back. She tries to pull him closer.
Iron rubs against her lower belly, running between her teats, and maybe going as low as to touch the lower most tip of her vulva. He's too high on her body to go inside her. Iron feels something touch his leg, and then move. It likely takes him a moment to realize it is her tail, whipping around.
>>151284
When she finally pulled him down enough for him to finally press his entire body against his, Iron paused his humping before lightly breaking the kiss for a bit, panting slightly from being so emotionally pent up. "How's... that for commitment?" he growled out in a whisper, tacitly checking up on her current state as a hungry smile crept up his lips.
When she finally pulled him down enough for him to finally press his entire body against his, Iron paused his humping before lightly breaking the kiss for a bit, panting slightly from being so emotionally pent up. "How's... that for commitment?" he growled out in a whisper, tacitly checking up on her current state as a hungry smile crept up his lips.
>>151285
A smile forms across her face. She pulls her lips inwards, as if she has to try to keep from laughing.
'You have passion. I'll give you that."
A smile forms across her face. She pulls her lips inwards, as if she has to try to keep from laughing.
'You have passion. I'll give you that."
>>151286
Iron chuckled dryly himself, somewhat realizing how aggressive he was being to Cauldron. "That is good, right?" he inquired softly, relaxing considerably as he finally let himself lay on top of her.
Iron chuckled dryly himself, somewhat realizing how aggressive he was being to Cauldron. "That is good, right?" he inquired softly, relaxing considerably as he finally let himself lay on top of her.
>>151287
To lie on Cauldron must be done with caution, as Iron is more than one and a half times her mass.
"It helps you get to where you want to go."
She smiles widely, and moves her hooves up, and presses them into his cheeks, cupping them upwards in a cutesy fashion.
"But it could mean you're just a horny teenager."
To lie on Cauldron must be done with caution, as Iron is more than one and a half times her mass.
"It helps you get to where you want to go."
She smiles widely, and moves her hooves up, and presses them into his cheeks, cupping them upwards in a cutesy fashion.
"But it could mean you're just a horny teenager."
>>151288
Iron, of course, was incredibly careful, making sure his legs took away most of his weight.
He promptly blushed deeply, feeling quite embarrassed to hear her say such poigniant yet truthful words, not even trying to fight off the hooves on his cheeks. "At least I am a resourceful horny colt?" he timidly proposed instead in a roundabout way to save a little face.
Iron, of course, was incredibly careful, making sure his legs took away most of his weight.
He promptly blushed deeply, feeling quite embarrassed to hear her say such poigniant yet truthful words, not even trying to fight off the hooves on his cheeks. "At least I am a resourceful horny colt?" he timidly proposed instead in a roundabout way to save a little face.
>>151289
Iron naturally leans back in coming closer to her, placing his head a little lower over her body, maybe near her chest. Iron's hindquarters, perhaps his hind-knees and certainly his tail, make contact with the wall.
He can feel almost the entire front side of her body making direct contact with him. Her upper chest, her belly down to her pelvis - all is pressed against him. Strong in places, soft in others. Her chest moves up with each breath, and down with each exhalation. Iron's unambiguously erect member is now lower, and is in a position where he could penetrate her if he tried. The edge of her vulva now certainly makes contact with him.
Black Cauldron's hind legs move up, with her hooves pressed against her bed, and her knees folded in against Iron's belly, and making contact with his barrel. It's as if she intends to use her legs, if need be, to keep Iron from crushing her.
She cups his face, against rubbing his cheeks like he is a child.
"You're a tenacious horny little colt. That's who you are." She says, still smiling in glee.
Iron naturally leans back in coming closer to her, placing his head a little lower over her body, maybe near her chest. Iron's hindquarters, perhaps his hind-knees and certainly his tail, make contact with the wall.
He can feel almost the entire front side of her body making direct contact with him. Her upper chest, her belly down to her pelvis - all is pressed against him. Strong in places, soft in others. Her chest moves up with each breath, and down with each exhalation. Iron's unambiguously erect member is now lower, and is in a position where he could penetrate her if he tried. The edge of her vulva now certainly makes contact with him.
Black Cauldron's hind legs move up, with her hooves pressed against her bed, and her knees folded in against Iron's belly, and making contact with his barrel. It's as if she intends to use her legs, if need be, to keep Iron from crushing her.
She cups his face, against rubbing his cheeks like he is a child.
"You're a tenacious horny little colt. That's who you are." She says, still smiling in glee.
>>151291
Iron's tenacity instantly shattered into his bashful self, pouting lightly as Cauldron kept poking holes in his confidence. "That does not sound like something a permanent suitor should be," he idly commented, somewhat bummed out with a small smile, content with being so close to her..
Iron's tenacity instantly shattered into his bashful self, pouting lightly as Cauldron kept poking holes in his confidence. "That does not sound like something a permanent suitor should be," he idly commented, somewhat bummed out with a small smile, content with being so close to her..
>>151292
She stops cupping his cheek, and the smile slowly fades. She lowers both hooves, and says
"No it's not, no."
She stops cupping his cheek, and the smile slowly fades. She lowers both hooves, and says
"No it's not, no."
>>151293
Iron's smile in turn fades alongside hers,feeling quite awkward and out of his depth from their currently predicament. "...what would be a permanent suitor?" he uttered out loud to nopony in particular.
Iron's smile in turn fades alongside hers,feeling quite awkward and out of his depth from their currently predicament. "...what would be a permanent suitor?" he uttered out loud to nopony in particular.
>>151294
"Well... let's see. Duty. Discipline. Loyalty. Respect... You've got the courage. And the strength."
"Well... let's see. Duty. Discipline. Loyalty. Respect... You've got the courage. And the strength."
>>151295
Iron blinked a couple of times, focusing back on Cauldron as he gave her a small smile for her efforts to cheer him up a little. Yet once again, his poor sense of self-worth was starting to gnaw at him proper, somewhat losing his youthful charm and dreamy outlook on life in the process. "...why does it feel like I made a mistake?" he blurted out from out of nowhere.
Iron blinked a couple of times, focusing back on Cauldron as he gave her a small smile for her efforts to cheer him up a little. Yet once again, his poor sense of self-worth was starting to gnaw at him proper, somewhat losing his youthful charm and dreamy outlook on life in the process. "...why does it feel like I made a mistake?" he blurted out from out of nowhere.
>>151297
His ear swivels a little bit from her rubbing as his small, weak smile remained. It was too late for his cheerful self to resurface, however, as he delves into the connotations of her words. His untouched ear drooped in turn as his body sags slightly, always keeping in mind not to squash Cauldron with his mass.
The stallion says nothing in turn, trying to enjoy the moment as it sours from his inadequacies.
His ear swivels a little bit from her rubbing as his small, weak smile remained. It was too late for his cheerful self to resurface, however, as he delves into the connotations of her words. His untouched ear drooped in turn as his body sags slightly, always keeping in mind not to squash Cauldron with his mass.
The stallion says nothing in turn, trying to enjoy the moment as it sours from his inadequacies.
>>151298
She wiggles his ear a little more, but for her playful actions she knows the mood is gone. Her smile fades
"Iron... A week ago, when you showed me the gold bar. I was genuinely afraid. Afraid... well, of you, to be honest. To know that you had something to do with what happened at Blackbriar. Where many young ponies were killed. I don't know what your part in that was. I really don't want to know..." She pets him
"But I know that you can be mean. I know that. I know that you can be... well, a monster. But you've been extremely supportive of me. Extremely. That money you gave me... well it came from that gold bar, but I mean that money not only paid my father's rent for the month, it paid for renovations. He's installing new booths now, and a new décor. Thank you. I don't know if I've said that. And you've been so sweet, and so strong. I know you can punch well. I know you can take a punch, and a bullet, and a knife. And you can make a mare want to sleep with you. I've never claimed to be immune to your charms."
She blinks
"I mean I've seen a bit of you. I've seen good, and I've seen bad. And I like what I see. I like what I know of you. I just, you know, need to see more. I need to know you better. I want to know you better. I know you can be a jerk. I remember when you told me you were wanting to have children in with this kirin mare, and then the very next sentence you asked me for sex. I was offended, you know I was. But here we are now on this train together. I mean, don't think I can't tell your penis is nearly touching my genitals. I don't let stallions I don't have a very special relationship with do that. Don't think I let stallions do that. You are special to me. And this moment is special to me. It's been quite the ride, being around you."
She wiggles his ear a little more, but for her playful actions she knows the mood is gone. Her smile fades
"Iron... A week ago, when you showed me the gold bar. I was genuinely afraid. Afraid... well, of you, to be honest. To know that you had something to do with what happened at Blackbriar. Where many young ponies were killed. I don't know what your part in that was. I really don't want to know..." She pets him
"But I know that you can be mean. I know that. I know that you can be... well, a monster. But you've been extremely supportive of me. Extremely. That money you gave me... well it came from that gold bar, but I mean that money not only paid my father's rent for the month, it paid for renovations. He's installing new booths now, and a new décor. Thank you. I don't know if I've said that. And you've been so sweet, and so strong. I know you can punch well. I know you can take a punch, and a bullet, and a knife. And you can make a mare want to sleep with you. I've never claimed to be immune to your charms."
She blinks
"I mean I've seen a bit of you. I've seen good, and I've seen bad. And I like what I see. I like what I know of you. I just, you know, need to see more. I need to know you better. I want to know you better. I know you can be a jerk. I remember when you told me you were wanting to have children in with this kirin mare, and then the very next sentence you asked me for sex. I was offended, you know I was. But here we are now on this train together. I mean, don't think I can't tell your penis is nearly touching my genitals. I don't let stallions I don't have a very special relationship with do that. Don't think I let stallions do that. You are special to me. And this moment is special to me. It's been quite the ride, being around you."
>>151300
Iron's ears slowly perked up, gradually letting him Cauldron's review of him as his previously unfocused stare soon came back to see her. His heart switched from self-loathing to a tinge of pride akin to a rollercoaster, ending in a rather satisfying loop that tied the whole experience together.
Some of it didn't make much sense, considering how things have gone so far like his supposed charm, but it was a small part of the whole. Not to mention he felt like she'd seen it all, unless he himself didn't know he had a part of himself.
Regardless, a far more genuine, thankful grin started to creep up his features, looking solemn yet optimistic now. "You really think I can match your dream stallion standards?" he tentatively uttered.
Iron's ears slowly perked up, gradually letting him Cauldron's review of him as his previously unfocused stare soon came back to see her. His heart switched from self-loathing to a tinge of pride akin to a rollercoaster, ending in a rather satisfying loop that tied the whole experience together.
Some of it didn't make much sense, considering how things have gone so far like his supposed charm, but it was a small part of the whole. Not to mention he felt like she'd seen it all, unless he himself didn't know he had a part of himself.
Regardless, a far more genuine, thankful grin started to creep up his features, looking solemn yet optimistic now. "You really think I can match your dream stallion standards?" he tentatively uttered.
>>151301
"Well, I don't know." She pets him again, and smiles. "I am pretty sure I did see you in a dream. Just, I think I would like you to be happy to be my special somepony and business partner, just as I am happy to have you as my special somepony and as my business partner. Maybe in time, we could be even more."
"Well, I don't know." She pets him again, and smiles. "I am pretty sure I did see you in a dream. Just, I think I would like you to be happy to be my special somepony and business partner, just as I am happy to have you as my special somepony and as my business partner. Maybe in time, we could be even more."
>>151302
It took him a couple of seconds, but after a deep breath to steady his emotions and focus on the future prospects to meet that goal, Iron nodded a couple of times. "I will give it my all," he soon answered with renewed but tempered hope.
It took him a couple of seconds, but after a deep breath to steady his emotions and focus on the future prospects to meet that goal, Iron nodded a couple of times. "I will give it my all," he soon answered with renewed but tempered hope.
>>151304
Iron in turn held her closer with his forelegs, breathing contently yet utterly beyond his depth. It was a good journey as any, he supposed.
Iron in turn held her closer with his forelegs, breathing contently yet utterly beyond his depth. It was a good journey as any, he supposed.
>>151306
Thus, Iron made himself as snug as possible under Cauldron's serene ministrations with a happy little grin.
Thus, Iron made himself as snug as possible under Cauldron's serene ministrations with a happy little grin.
>>151307
Black Cauldron shifted herself, a little back, and a little to the side, to try to make herself more comfortable. She closes her eyes and places her forelegs next to her, relaxing in his embrace. Iron has more difficulty, surely, trying to keep himself supported just high enough that he does not crush her. They remain like this for some time, with the sound of the rails passing under them, and the air passing the cars. Time is hard to measure in such a position. More likely than not, Iron starts to nod off. Black Cauldron certainly does, or seems to, anyways.
Iron is awoken by the sound of curtains moving. White Sands, sitting in the seat, has moved a part of the curtains to the window, giving her a view outside into the passing scenery.
Black Cauldron shifted herself, a little back, and a little to the side, to try to make herself more comfortable. She closes her eyes and places her forelegs next to her, relaxing in his embrace. Iron has more difficulty, surely, trying to keep himself supported just high enough that he does not crush her. They remain like this for some time, with the sound of the rails passing under them, and the air passing the cars. Time is hard to measure in such a position. More likely than not, Iron starts to nod off. Black Cauldron certainly does, or seems to, anyways.
Iron is awoken by the sound of curtains moving. White Sands, sitting in the seat, has moved a part of the curtains to the window, giving her a view outside into the passing scenery.
>>151308
Feeling refreshed, Iron carefully gets off Cauldron, making sure she gets the rest she needs for the mission ahead, before slowly walking over to Sands to see how she's doing.
Feeling refreshed, Iron carefully gets off Cauldron, making sure she gets the rest she needs for the mission ahead, before slowly walking over to Sands to see how she's doing.
>>151309
White Sands sits in the seat, with her hindquarters down, and forelegs together. Her long red tail wraps around her in the seat, before falling off the edge. Her muzzle looks long and thin, and indeed so does much of her body. Her legs and chest are visibly fluffy, even from Iron's perspective.
Her eyelashes are long, and her forest green eyes look almost squinted as she looks outside at so many passing trees. Her eyes move to Iron, along with her muzzle, as he tries to get up. She is almost perfectly expressionless as she looks at him. But she turns her head back, and looks out the window.
White Sands sits in the seat, with her hindquarters down, and forelegs together. Her long red tail wraps around her in the seat, before falling off the edge. Her muzzle looks long and thin, and indeed so does much of her body. Her legs and chest are visibly fluffy, even from Iron's perspective.
Her eyelashes are long, and her forest green eyes look almost squinted as she looks outside at so many passing trees. Her eyes move to Iron, along with her muzzle, as he tries to get up. She is almost perfectly expressionless as she looks at him. But she turns her head back, and looks out the window.
>>151310
The native promptly walks over to her, seating himself next to her to watch the window himself. It would seem Sands has something weighing down on her mind and it was most likely about what happened not too long ago with Cauldron.
The native promptly walks over to her, seating himself next to her to watch the window himself. It would seem Sands has something weighing down on her mind and it was most likely about what happened not too long ago with Cauldron.
>>151311
White Sands again moves her head to Iron, but again turns it to the trees.
The rail line is raised on gravel at least by a meter above the ground, though at points, the train seems to ride a cliffside, 10 or even more meters above the ground level of the forest. The land is cleared at least 30 meters from the rail line, although small trees have begun to regrow almost everywhere. The trees that pass are huge, broad leafed dark green trees of semi-tropical clime, occupying a middle ground between jungle and temperate forest.
White Sands again moves her head to Iron, but again turns it to the trees.
The rail line is raised on gravel at least by a meter above the ground, though at points, the train seems to ride a cliffside, 10 or even more meters above the ground level of the forest. The land is cleared at least 30 meters from the rail line, although small trees have begun to regrow almost everywhere. The trees that pass are huge, broad leafed dark green trees of semi-tropical clime, occupying a middle ground between jungle and temperate forest.
>>151312
Turning to see Sands proper, Iron gently puts a hoof on her shoulder, feeling something's up and is willing to discuss it if there is.
Turning to see Sands proper, Iron gently puts a hoof on her shoulder, feeling something's up and is willing to discuss it if there is.
>>151314
"I do not know," Iron replied with a shake of his head, keeping his reassuring hoof on her shoulder.
"I do not know," Iron replied with a shake of his head, keeping his reassuring hoof on her shoulder.
>>151315
"I thought you might, being from the region and all. Then again, maybe this isn't the same region. It's a big land."
She turns her head back to the passing trees.
"Look at them, so tall and straight. So bright and green. It makes me think of the forests back home. It is colder and dryer there. Yet still the trees grow tall and thick with leaves. They seemed taller than this. Quite a bit taller, towering over you. They probably weren't though. These are probably taller. But the trees back home seemed taller. And their leaves were fat and thick, with a hard coating. Almost like a cross between a pine needle and a cactus. They grew so close together that beneath them it was black as night. You couldn't see part of the sun. Anyways, the reason I mentioned forest fires is because forest fires would happen in those woods, so I am told. Not that I saw any. And the trees, you see, the forest fires wouldn't kill the trees. Not like it would normal trees. The trees had thick, almost plastic bark. So thick an axe would almost bounce off. And their stumps were thick too. You see, the fires wouldn't kill them. But it would mangle them. Char them to the barest stump, explode their branches. All that was left was a little charred remnant. And the trees would grow back, but they wouldn't grow back normal. They'd grow back twisted, or out of a side. They'd have big black jagged charcoal trunks with another trunk growing out sidewise, and long thin branches that looked out of place.
That must not be how it is here. If there are fires here, it must kill the trees, and leave behind only ash and sunlight. I like the trees here better."
"I thought you might, being from the region and all. Then again, maybe this isn't the same region. It's a big land."
She turns her head back to the passing trees.
"Look at them, so tall and straight. So bright and green. It makes me think of the forests back home. It is colder and dryer there. Yet still the trees grow tall and thick with leaves. They seemed taller than this. Quite a bit taller, towering over you. They probably weren't though. These are probably taller. But the trees back home seemed taller. And their leaves were fat and thick, with a hard coating. Almost like a cross between a pine needle and a cactus. They grew so close together that beneath them it was black as night. You couldn't see part of the sun. Anyways, the reason I mentioned forest fires is because forest fires would happen in those woods, so I am told. Not that I saw any. And the trees, you see, the forest fires wouldn't kill the trees. Not like it would normal trees. The trees had thick, almost plastic bark. So thick an axe would almost bounce off. And their stumps were thick too. You see, the fires wouldn't kill them. But it would mangle them. Char them to the barest stump, explode their branches. All that was left was a little charred remnant. And the trees would grow back, but they wouldn't grow back normal. They'd grow back twisted, or out of a side. They'd have big black jagged charcoal trunks with another trunk growing out sidewise, and long thin branches that looked out of place.
That must not be how it is here. If there are fires here, it must kill the trees, and leave behind only ash and sunlight. I like the trees here better."
>>151316
Iron nodded softly, understanding what she meant. "Forest fires can happen in jungles," he told Sands with a nod. "In fact, it's somewhat common, depending on the tribe being nomadic or not."
Iron nodded softly, understanding what she meant. "Forest fires can happen in jungles," he told Sands with a nod. "In fact, it's somewhat common, depending on the tribe being nomadic or not."
>>151317
“Huh.” She looks back to Iron. Her eyes are as green as the trees outside.
“Well that answers that. I wonder if if kills the trees. I bet it does.”
She turns, and looks back to the trees.
“I wonder how old these are.”
“Huh.” She looks back to Iron. Her eyes are as green as the trees outside.
“Well that answers that. I wonder if if kills the trees. I bet it does.”
She turns, and looks back to the trees.
“I wonder how old these are.”
>>151318
"It does," Iron agreed with a nod "but it is usually done to keep the lands fertile for new generations of plants to take over after the tribe has done its deeds."
"It does," Iron agreed with a nod "but it is usually done to keep the lands fertile for new generations of plants to take over after the tribe has done its deeds."
>>151320
"The tribe in question," Iron replied in a matter of factly manner. "That is what their elders taught them would help nature."
"The tribe in question," Iron replied in a matter of factly manner. "That is what their elders taught them would help nature."
>>151321
She looks at him, eyes fairly wide, for a few seconds
“Huh. I should have expected you…. Equestrians would try to bend nature to your advantage. Even the fire burns when you want. Must be a tamer nature. It’s always warm here, and the rains come….”
She trails off, and looks outside.
She looks at him, eyes fairly wide, for a few seconds
“Huh. I should have expected you…. Equestrians would try to bend nature to your advantage. Even the fire burns when you want. Must be a tamer nature. It’s always warm here, and the rains come….”
She trails off, and looks outside.
>>151322
"It is more of a give and take," Iron reasoned with a small smile. "We help nature, nature helps us."
However, something piqued his interest, soon tilting his head. "I am Equestrian?" he asks with some curiosity.
"It is more of a give and take," Iron reasoned with a small smile. "We help nature, nature helps us."
However, something piqued his interest, soon tilting his head. "I am Equestrian?" he asks with some curiosity.
>>151323
She blinks, and then curls her lips
“Are you?”
And again, she looks out the window.
“I am not from here.”
She blinks, and then curls her lips
“Are you?”
And again, she looks out the window.
“I am not from here.”
>>151325
“You know. Ponies. From Equestria. Not from other places.” She lowers her head and her shoulders.
“Equestria is gone anyways. I don’t care if you don’t claim the name. I don’t claim it. I’m not Equestrian. I doubt your mare friend over there is either.” She turns over and looks to Black Cauldron. Then she again turns, more slowly, to look out the window.
“I’m just saying. The whole ‘stewards of nature’ thing is something I associate your people with.”
“You know. Ponies. From Equestria. Not from other places.” She lowers her head and her shoulders.
“Equestria is gone anyways. I don’t care if you don’t claim the name. I don’t claim it. I’m not Equestrian. I doubt your mare friend over there is either.” She turns over and looks to Black Cauldron. Then she again turns, more slowly, to look out the window.
“I’m just saying. The whole ‘stewards of nature’ thing is something I associate your people with.”
>>151326
"Oh," Iron uttered before nodding with a happy smile "I certainly think that sort of way."
Following his cheerful smile, he soon wrapped his foreleg around her shoulders, pulling her close enough for their coats to touch. "Something tells me you are having some dark thoughts in your head," he bluntly guessed, open to give out comfort if need be.
"Oh," Iron uttered before nodding with a happy smile "I certainly think that sort of way."
Following his cheerful smile, he soon wrapped his foreleg around her shoulders, pulling her close enough for their coats to touch. "Something tells me you are having some dark thoughts in your head," he bluntly guessed, open to give out comfort if need be.
>>151329
Her head faces the forest. The trees extend forever, some higher, and some lower, as hills pass by, with a few jagged rock formations of mountain foothills sometimes showing past the trees.
“Do you think I can’t see that I’m outclassed?”
Her voice almost breaks, and she swallows after closing her mouth.
“What am I doing here, so far away from home?”
This statement, unlike the last, seems to be aimed towards herself, rather than Iron.
Her head faces the forest. The trees extend forever, some higher, and some lower, as hills pass by, with a few jagged rock formations of mountain foothills sometimes showing past the trees.
“Do you think I can’t see that I’m outclassed?”
Her voice almost breaks, and she swallows after closing her mouth.
“What am I doing here, so far away from home?”
This statement, unlike the last, seems to be aimed towards herself, rather than Iron.
>>151330
"I am not too far off," Iron mused, reminding Sands of his presence by squeezing her a bit with the foreleg currently perched on her shoulders. "I walked away from my idyllic village all the way to this confusing concrete jungle where my value as a fighter is less worthy than a math lover's."
The stallion exhaled softly, soon looking at the scenery proper. "I sometimes think that I am not cut out for this life either," he softly admitted. "Frankly, I have no idea what Cauldron saw in me to actually accept my love proposal. I am just a fighter without a leader."
"I am not too far off," Iron mused, reminding Sands of his presence by squeezing her a bit with the foreleg currently perched on her shoulders. "I walked away from my idyllic village all the way to this confusing concrete jungle where my value as a fighter is less worthy than a math lover's."
The stallion exhaled softly, soon looking at the scenery proper. "I sometimes think that I am not cut out for this life either," he softly admitted. "Frankly, I have no idea what Cauldron saw in me to actually accept my love proposal. I am just a fighter without a leader."
>>151331
Without a word, she turns her muzzle and both eyes to Iron. She stares at him, with sad green eyes in silence for an extended period of time.
Without a word, she turns her muzzle and both eyes to Iron. She stares at him, with sad green eyes in silence for an extended period of time.
>>151332
Iron soon used his other hoof to cup Sands' cheek, staring at her with a fond smile on his lips. "Perhaps it was fate that tied us together," he presumed. "Both lost souls trying to adapt to both our home's wants and the world we are unequipped to deal with."
Iron soon used his other hoof to cup Sands' cheek, staring at her with a fond smile on his lips. "Perhaps it was fate that tied us together," he presumed. "Both lost souls trying to adapt to both our home's wants and the world we are unequipped to deal with."
>>151333
She blinks, as her face is turned to his. Her lips pull up, and it seems she begins to smile.
She blinks, as her face is turned to his. Her lips pull up, and it seems she begins to smile.
>>151334
"It would seem we are meant to be together," Iron further assumed as the foreleg wrapped around his shoulders soon pivoted towards her mane, giving it long strokes. "Help eachother out and overcome the circumstances we have been thrusted into, voluntarily or otherwise."
"It would seem we are meant to be together," Iron further assumed as the foreleg wrapped around his shoulders soon pivoted towards her mane, giving it long strokes. "Help eachother out and overcome the circumstances we have been thrusted into, voluntarily or otherwise."
>>151335
She smiles now a bit more warmly. Her mane is long, and has a few tangles. She moves her neck back so Iron can more easily stroke it.
“For what it’s worth, I think my mother would find you acceptable.”
She smiles now a bit more warmly. Her mane is long, and has a few tangles. She moves her neck back so Iron can more easily stroke it.
“For what it’s worth, I think my mother would find you acceptable.”
>>151336
Iron couldn't help but chuckle softly at the remark, soon nuzzling her neck with a happy smile. "I will take that as a compliment," he answered in kind, happy to please.
Iron couldn't help but chuckle softly at the remark, soon nuzzling her neck with a happy smile. "I will take that as a compliment," he answered in kind, happy to please.
>>151337
She lets him nuzzle her neck, stretching it out slightly. Her fur is fine, long, and a snow white, soft to the touch. Her eyes close on her smiling face.
She lets him nuzzle her neck, stretching it out slightly. Her fur is fine, long, and a snow white, soft to the touch. Her eyes close on her smiling face.
>>151338
Iron breathed out contently, simply basking in the smooth texture he has sunk his muzzle into, "Rest assured," he prefaced amidst the coat around his mouth "I will not rest until you can make your mother proud to have me around."
Iron breathed out contently, simply basking in the smooth texture he has sunk his muzzle into, "Rest assured," he prefaced amidst the coat around his mouth "I will not rest until you can make your mother proud to have me around."
>>151340
"Despite the bumpy trail we have treaded," Iron admitted with a sheepish smile "I do admit I would miss you if you happen to flee. Both body and soul."
He accentuated his last sentence by pulling out of her neck in order to plant a small peck on the tip of her snout.
"Despite the bumpy trail we have treaded," Iron admitted with a sheepish smile "I do admit I would miss you if you happen to flee. Both body and soul."
He accentuated his last sentence by pulling out of her neck in order to plant a small peck on the tip of her snout.
>>151341
She closes her eyes, and moves her muzzle back in a flinch at the peck.
She smiles, and raises her left hoof up, then lowers it back down.
She closes her eyes, and moves her muzzle back in a flinch at the peck.
She smiles, and raises her left hoof up, then lowers it back down.
>>151342
Iron smiled back with a small tilt of his head, feeling what Sands did had some sort of meaning he didn't get.
Iron smiled back with a small tilt of his head, feeling what Sands did had some sort of meaning he didn't get.
>>151344
Being unaccostumed to being the nuzzled rather than the nuzzler, Iron couldn't help but flinch in surprise yet kept himself steady with an uneasy, embarrassed smile on his face.
Being unaccostumed to being the nuzzled rather than the nuzzler, Iron couldn't help but flinch in surprise yet kept himself steady with an uneasy, embarrassed smile on his face.
>>151346
Iron couldn't help but chuckle to shake off his flustered self. "S-sorry," he stammered out "I am not used to that."
Iron couldn't help but chuckle to shake off his flustered self. "S-sorry," he stammered out "I am not used to that."
>>151348
Iron, thinking he was taking the bait, gives Sands a small peck on the exposed cheek she allowed.
Iron, thinking he was taking the bait, gives Sands a small peck on the exposed cheek she allowed.
>>151350
Iron couldn't help but giggle softly, a blush creeping up his cheeks. "Eye for an eye, huh?" he jokes with mild amusement and a healthy dose of embarrassment.
Iron couldn't help but giggle softly, a blush creeping up his cheeks. "Eye for an eye, huh?" he jokes with mild amusement and a healthy dose of embarrassment.
>>151352
Thinking he finally got the message, Iron quickly pulls Sands in for a big, gentle hug, feeling both his short coat against her more fluffy one. "I will have to test it out in order to make sure," he playfully answered in turn, squeezing her ever so slightly.
Thinking he finally got the message, Iron quickly pulls Sands in for a big, gentle hug, feeling both his short coat against her more fluffy one. "I will have to test it out in order to make sure," he playfully answered in turn, squeezing her ever so slightly.
>>151354
Iron in turn sinks his own muzzle against her own. "Mmh," he murmured soon after, muffled softly due to the fluff.
Although his coat has had a bunch of coat softening baths, his short hair still felt rather stiff and coarse, quickly going back to their neutral position whenever Sands would move away her muzzle.
Iron in turn sinks his own muzzle against her own. "Mmh," he murmured soon after, muffled softly due to the fluff.
Although his coat has had a bunch of coat softening baths, his short hair still felt rather stiff and coarse, quickly going back to their neutral position whenever Sands would move away her muzzle.
>>151355
Soft, fluffy, and actually fairly nice smelling. She starts to make a purring sound as he rubs against her.
Soft, fluffy, and actually fairly nice smelling. She starts to make a purring sound as he rubs against her.
>>151356
Thus, Iron lovingly nuzzled Sands with some much needed tenderness, showing her how much he cared for the unicorn. Up and down his muzzle went, leaving small trails of spread coat hairs in his merry way.
Thus, Iron lovingly nuzzled Sands with some much needed tenderness, showing her how much he cared for the unicorn. Up and down his muzzle went, leaving small trails of spread coat hairs in his merry way.
>>151358
Thus, Iron leans into her, enjoying her warmth and softness of her body, now with the added perk of finally feeling at peace with knowing he meant something to her and could help the unicorn become better through him.
Thus, Iron leans into her, enjoying her warmth and softness of her body, now with the added perk of finally feeling at peace with knowing he meant something to her and could help the unicorn become better through him.
>>151359
Sands opens her scrawny, fluffy forelegs, and now wraps them around Iron's body, leaning onto him.
Sands opens her scrawny, fluffy forelegs, and now wraps them around Iron's body, leaning onto him.
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>>151363
"Well...you get used to it."
Silver sits down next to the ecru colt.
"So, we have some time before I have to go today. Want to get to know each other better?"
"Well...you get used to it."
Silver sits down next to the ecru colt.
"So, we have some time before I have to go today. Want to get to know each other better?"
>>151364
He seems slightly surprised by this, and places the bottle down, wiping another bit of spilled whiskey from his coat.
“Uh… sure.”
He seems slightly surprised by this, and places the bottle down, wiping another bit of spilled whiskey from his coat.
“Uh… sure.”
>>151366
“Colts I knew in school, in the community, at the newspaper and in the Union. I can’t say many of them were quite ‘friends,’ more like acquaintances.”
“Colts I knew in school, in the community, at the newspaper and in the Union. I can’t say many of them were quite ‘friends,’ more like acquaintances.”
>>151369
"We should have colt's night out together like that sometime, just you and me.
"Was there anything particularly fun or noteworthy you and your acquaintances ever did? Like, something that makes for good story?"
"We should have colt's night out together like that sometime, just you and me.
"Was there anything particularly fun or noteworthy you and your acquaintances ever did? Like, something that makes for good story?"
>>151370
"Well... Maybe. There was that time I and a couple others snuck out for the day during summer to go to a hidden pool, and my friend slipped and fell into the lake and cut his leg. So he had to hide it and it got infected. There was that time I went with a friend to his father's beach house out on wilted beach and I tried to tell him but it didn't go well. Uh... funny? Well, there was this motor bike that a stallion had who would visit the convenience store up the road from the malt shop every day. Well he probably worked there, but anyways I was fascinated by the motor bike, and one day I tried to take it apart, but I couldn't really figure out how to put it back together again, but I tried to make it look like no one touched it." He stops speaking, and starts to laugh, then tries to hide his laugh "You know what, how about I don't tell that story." He turns and looks to Silver and asks "What do you want to know?"
"Well... Maybe. There was that time I and a couple others snuck out for the day during summer to go to a hidden pool, and my friend slipped and fell into the lake and cut his leg. So he had to hide it and it got infected. There was that time I went with a friend to his father's beach house out on wilted beach and I tried to tell him but it didn't go well. Uh... funny? Well, there was this motor bike that a stallion had who would visit the convenience store up the road from the malt shop every day. Well he probably worked there, but anyways I was fascinated by the motor bike, and one day I tried to take it apart, but I couldn't really figure out how to put it back together again, but I tried to make it look like no one touched it." He stops speaking, and starts to laugh, then tries to hide his laugh "You know what, how about I don't tell that story." He turns and looks to Silver and asks "What do you want to know?"
>>151372
“The motorbike.” He smiles a little too largely
“But what do you really want to know?” He asks
“The motorbike.” He smiles a little too largely
“But what do you really want to know?” He asks
>>151373
"I do not know entirely what you are implying, but I suppose..."
Silver looks around, and asks Clip:
"How did you figure out your...'preference'?"
"I do not know entirely what you are implying, but I suppose..."
Silver looks around, and asks Clip:
"How did you figure out your...'preference'?"
>>151374
“Uh….” He averts his eyes
“Well, there were little hints when I was a foal. The first time I really noticed, I think, was when I was reading an action comic series I would pick up at the store. The stallion there, he was like a companion of the lead protagonist. And he would wear a short jacket. I noticed how I, how I responded to it. Of course I didn’t really know what was going on. I knew to keep it to myself though.”
“Uh….” He averts his eyes
“Well, there were little hints when I was a foal. The first time I really noticed, I think, was when I was reading an action comic series I would pick up at the store. The stallion there, he was like a companion of the lead protagonist. And he would wear a short jacket. I noticed how I, how I responded to it. Of course I didn’t really know what was going on. I knew to keep it to myself though.”
>>151375
"Ahhhh, like how it was with myself as foal, except with different kind of pony. I guess it was just natural for you. Did your family ever know about it?"
"Ahhhh, like how it was with myself as foal, except with different kind of pony. I guess it was just natural for you. Did your family ever know about it?"
>>151377
Awwwww.
Silver feels the need to give Clip a hug. He in fact does so, taking care not to give him pain.
Awwwww.
Silver feels the need to give Clip a hug. He in fact does so, taking care not to give him pain.
>>151383
"You know, if you had been my son and I found out, it would have been shock at first, but I would have accepted you."
"You know, if you had been my son and I found out, it would have been shock at first, but I would have accepted you."
>>151385
"We can make place for you here, if you want. Make this place you belong. You will always have home here, and we can get you into Movement, get you job working for their newspaper."
"We can make place for you here, if you want. Make this place you belong. You will always have home here, and we can get you into Movement, get you job working for their newspaper."
>>151386
His red-brown tail seems to shift beneath him. He looks up at Silver, and smiles.
“That sounds… that sounds pretty good.”
His red-brown tail seems to shift beneath him. He looks up at Silver, and smiles.
“That sounds… that sounds pretty good.”
>>151387
Silver smiles back.
"And I hope you know that if you need anything at all, that all you have to do is ask me."
Silver smiles back.
"And I hope you know that if you need anything at all, that all you have to do is ask me."
>>151394
He has something of a smile
"So... what is it with the shoreline there. I haven't seen it. Is there sand, or is it rocky? Is there a pier? How about a boat?"
He has something of a smile
"So... what is it with the shoreline there. I haven't seen it. Is there sand, or is it rocky? Is there a pier? How about a boat?"
>>151395
Silver smiles back again.
"Well, we do live on seafront property, if you want to see for yourself."
Silver smiles back again.
"Well, we do live on seafront property, if you want to see for yourself."
>>151397
"Well, from what I have seen, it is sandy. I think we may have pier, but no boat yet. Do you like boating?"
"Well, from what I have seen, it is sandy. I think we may have pier, but no boat yet. Do you like boating?"
>>151405
"Not long, just since we acquired this house. Before I did not live close enough to sea to think of it."
"Not long, just since we acquired this house. Before I did not live close enough to sea to think of it."
>>151406
“Well I think it’s a great idea. It’s something fun and new. I’ve piloted a boat before… briefly, but still. A boat sounds really nice.”
“Well I think it’s a great idea. It’s something fun and new. I’ve piloted a boat before… briefly, but still. A boat sounds really nice.”
>>151408
“So… I think I can make it here. Better here than most anywhere else. The only better place is Stalliongrad, and I don’t speak the language. I mean, I think if I can get connected with those in the unions and the printers, I can do well, I think. I would like to stay here with you very much, yes. At least for now anyways.”
“So… I think I can make it here. Better here than most anywhere else. The only better place is Stalliongrad, and I don’t speak the language. I mean, I think if I can get connected with those in the unions and the printers, I can do well, I think. I would like to stay here with you very much, yes. At least for now anyways.”
>>151409
"That is good. Very good! Maybe tomorrow we can go out on colts' night out together, as well. We could use opportunity to see more of city and help get you more familiar with it."
"That is good. Very good! Maybe tomorrow we can go out on colts' night out together, as well. We could use opportunity to see more of city and help get you more familiar with it."
>>151411
"Well, it is modern city, compared to rest of Equestria. It still bares some minor scars from New Mareland's invasion, but otherwise is doing okay. There is often conflict between Black Hooves, Social Democrats, and socialists."
"Well, it is modern city, compared to rest of Equestria. It still bares some minor scars from New Mareland's invasion, but otherwise is doing okay. There is often conflict between Black Hooves, Social Democrats, and socialists."
>>151412
“Sounds about right. But… is there anything particularly interesting to do, or see?” He asks
“Sounds about right. But… is there anything particularly interesting to do, or see?” He asks
>>151413
"I heard there is amusement park, and I have been to zoo. They have museums. Honestly I have not been to many places in city, but that is why we ask taxi drivers for places to go and things to do."
"I heard there is amusement park, and I have been to zoo. They have museums. Honestly I have not been to many places in city, but that is why we ask taxi drivers for places to go and things to do."
>>151414
"Oh, neat. Yeah, I would bet the taxi drivers would know. They have to ferry everyone around, after all."
"Oh, neat. Yeah, I would bet the taxi drivers would know. They have to ferry everyone around, after all."
>>151415
"Perhaps they can also point out nice hangout. Sometimes it is nice just to sit and relax with drink someplace."
"Perhaps they can also point out nice hangout. Sometimes it is nice just to sit and relax with drink someplace."
>>151416
“That does sound pretty nice.” He says.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been able. Well, I mean, to go out and do that.”
“That does sound pretty nice.” He says.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been able. Well, I mean, to go out and do that.”
>>151417
Silver wraps a foreleg around the ecru colt.
"Then that is what we shall do, just me and you."
Silver wraps a foreleg around the ecru colt.
"Then that is what we shall do, just me and you."
>>151418
He looks down at the hoof on the other side of his shoulder, and then up to Silver, with a very toothy smile.
"Uh, sure."
He looks down at the hoof on the other side of his shoulder, and then up to Silver, with a very toothy smile.
"Uh, sure."
>>151419
The silver unicorn smiles back.
"Have any plans for today, or are you just going to take it easy?"
The silver unicorn smiles back.
"Have any plans for today, or are you just going to take it easy?"
>>151420
“I’d take it east every day if I could, I think.” He says, his hind legs repositioning under the quilted blanket
“I’d take it east every day if I could, I think.” He says, his hind legs repositioning under the quilted blanket
>>151424
Looking through the full range of options, he sees lots of alligator meat (for some reason), fish of questionable age, rice noodles, greens of some kind, and oats.
Looking through the full range of options, he sees lots of alligator meat (for some reason), fish of questionable age, rice noodles, greens of some kind, and oats.
>>151427
Silver makes up two bowls of oats and adds some sugar for flavor. He trots back to Clip, offering one of them to the ecru colt.
Silver makes up two bowls of oats and adds some sugar for flavor. He trots back to Clip, offering one of them to the ecru colt.
>>151428
The bowl is set easily on either the table in front of the sofa, or on the table next to it. Clip repositions himself, and tries to bend over to be closer to the bowl. Leaning his body down, however, is more painful than most movements, and he stops attempting this. With an aura of levitation magic, the spoon goes into the bowl, and comes near his mouth... until, towards the very end, it wobbles slightly, and spills.
The bowl is set easily on either the table in front of the sofa, or on the table next to it. Clip repositions himself, and tries to bend over to be closer to the bowl. Leaning his body down, however, is more painful than most movements, and he stops attempting this. With an aura of levitation magic, the spoon goes into the bowl, and comes near his mouth... until, towards the very end, it wobbles slightly, and spills.
>>151429
Silver watches his attempt, and winces when he sees how much trouble he's having. He puts his own bowl down on the nearby table and asks, "Want some help?" with an almost paternal tone of caring.
Silver watches his attempt, and winces when he sees how much trouble he's having. He puts his own bowl down on the nearby table and asks, "Want some help?" with an almost paternal tone of caring.
>>151432
Clipping smiles as if about to laugh, but all the same opens his mouth for the oats, chewing and then swallowing.
Clipping smiles as if about to laugh, but all the same opens his mouth for the oats, chewing and then swallowing.
>>151434
It’s… well, there’s a number of bites involved, but Paper Clipping opens his mouth and accepts them. He pulls his lips back, and nearly laughs at points, but does not say anything.
It’s… well, there’s a number of bites involved, but Paper Clipping opens his mouth and accepts them. He pulls his lips back, and nearly laughs at points, but does not say anything.
>>151435
Silver is more than willing and is very patient while feeding the ecru colt. It's a bit silly, but sometimes it's nessecary when helping the injured.
Silver is more than willing and is very patient while feeding the ecru colt. It's a bit silly, but sometimes it's nessecary when helping the injured.
>>151436
Clipping continues to make facial expressions that show the awkwardness of the situation. Nevertheless, he accepts each bite.
There are sounds on the stairs, until Jubilosa begins to walk past, heading for the kitchen.
Clipping continues to make facial expressions that show the awkwardness of the situation. Nevertheless, he accepts each bite.
There are sounds on the stairs, until Jubilosa begins to walk past, heading for the kitchen.
>>151438
She turns, almost as if surprised, and walks through the side door that goes into the kitchen, saying nothing
She turns, almost as if surprised, and walks through the side door that goes into the kitchen, saying nothing
>>151441
Clipping turns his head to look at Jubilosa, but resumes with Silver. It takes a couple more minutes, but Silver and Clipping finish
Clipping turns his head to look at Jubilosa, but resumes with Silver. It takes a couple more minutes, but Silver and Clipping finish
>>151443
Both ears are down, and he tilts his muzzle down as he looks up to iron with a smile showing most of his teeth.
“… Thanks…”
Both ears are down, and he tilts his muzzle down as he looks up to iron with a smile showing most of his teeth.
“… Thanks…”
>>151444
"Sorry if it was awkward for you. It is just until you get your strength back."
He ruffles the ecru's colt mane.
"Sorry if it was awkward for you. It is just until you get your strength back."
He ruffles the ecru's colt mane.
>>151445
His mane is ruffled. He lowers his head a little, and his red-brown mane falls down to cover his eyes. He has a wide smile, showing all teeth.
“It’s fine.”
His mane is ruffled. He lowers his head a little, and his red-brown mane falls down to cover his eyes. He has a wide smile, showing all teeth.
“It’s fine.”
>>151448
"It is just something I notice. You must take great care of it, or at least when you are not severly injured."
"It is just something I notice. You must take great care of it, or at least when you are not severly injured."
>>151450
“Uh…… well I haven’t really been able to maintain it for a while for… obvious reasons. But I’d like to grow it out more.”
“Uh…… well I haven’t really been able to maintain it for a while for… obvious reasons. But I’d like to grow it out more.”
>>151451
"I think you would look really good with long mane. I could help with maintenance, if you want. It is not so big step up from feeding you."
"I think you would look really good with long mane. I could help with maintenance, if you want. It is not so big step up from feeding you."
>>151454
Silver shows him the spoon.
"Are you sure? You were having problems lifting spoon in your magic, I am not sure you will be able to lift comb or sponge."
Silver shows him the spoon.
"Are you sure? You were having problems lifting spoon in your magic, I am not sure you will be able to lift comb or sponge."
>>151456
Silver smiles.
"Do not worry, I know little bit about manes. I did have daughter, and it is one of those things you have to learn about as father."
Silver smiles.
"Do not worry, I know little bit about manes. I did have daughter, and it is one of those things you have to learn about as father."
>>151461
"I am not, I am just saying that having daughter forced me to learn about how to take care of manes."
"I am not, I am just saying that having daughter forced me to learn about how to take care of manes."
>>151461
"I am not, I am just saying that having daughter forced me to learn about how to take care of manes."
"I am not, I am just saying that having daughter forced me to learn about how to take care of manes."
>>151462
“Oh. I suppose it would…”
He reached a hoof to the back of his neck, and pushes away his mane.
“Uh, so, what happened to your foals?”
“Oh. I suppose it would…”
He reached a hoof to the back of his neck, and pushes away his mane.
“Uh, so, what happened to your foals?”
>>151464
"They grew up."
After a second, Silver clarifies.
"My eldest son moved to Las Pegasus, and I lost contact with him ever since. My daughter became researcher of magic for Equestria in Canterlot. My youngest son joined Equestrian Army as recon. I do not know what happened to any of them after war..."
"They grew up."
After a second, Silver clarifies.
"My eldest son moved to Las Pegasus, and I lost contact with him ever since. My daughter became researcher of magic for Equestria in Canterlot. My youngest son joined Equestrian Army as recon. I do not know what happened to any of them after war..."
>>151469
“I just… I don’t know. It’s interesting hearing about your being a father and all.”
He blinks, and after a pause asks
“Have you heard from any of them?”
“I just… I don’t know. It’s interesting hearing about your being a father and all.”
He blinks, and after a pause asks
“Have you heard from any of them?”
>>151471
"Not since War ended. My eldest sent me letter right before it started asking if we could get together and talk about things, but it arrived after I had left to go fight. I did have some correspondance with my youngest during War's duration, telling me about what him and his Recon unit had been doing."
"Not since War ended. My eldest sent me letter right before it started asking if we could get together and talk about things, but it arrived after I had left to go fight. I did have some correspondance with my youngest during War's duration, telling me about what him and his Recon unit had been doing."
>>151472
"Hmmm...."
He places his hooves below him on the couch, placing him in a supported sitting position.
"What did... Uh, where is, where is their mother?"
"Hmmm...."
He places his hooves below him on the couch, placing him in a supported sitting position.
"What did... Uh, where is, where is their mother?"
>>151476
"It is okay, it happened long time ago. I do miss her, but having so many, acquaintances, friends, and more today helps."
"It is okay, it happened long time ago. I do miss her, but having so many, acquaintances, friends, and more today helps."
>>151478
Silver smiles at Clip saying this. He also remembers that he had made himself a bowl of oats and sugar that was just sitting on the table, and starts to eat it.
"Anything else you want to know? I asked you questions, it only seems fair."
Silver smiles at Clip saying this. He also remembers that he had made himself a bowl of oats and sugar that was just sitting on the table, and starts to eat it.
"Anything else you want to know? I asked you questions, it only seems fair."
>>151480
"Well, I am second-guessing what my 'preference' includes lately, but...when I was young colt in St. Petershoof, I would sometimes go to Market to see things that were for sale. Some were things found or made locally, while others were brought in from abroad. One of things I found from travelling merchant from Manehattan was fashion magazine, and browsing through it because of my curiosity I found lingerie section filled with pretty mares wearing latest designs of provocative and sexy nightwear. There may have been moments earlier, but that moment and my body's reaction to it sticks in my mind most. It is somewhat similar to your story, I think."
"Well, I am second-guessing what my 'preference' includes lately, but...when I was young colt in St. Petershoof, I would sometimes go to Market to see things that were for sale. Some were things found or made locally, while others were brought in from abroad. One of things I found from travelling merchant from Manehattan was fashion magazine, and browsing through it because of my curiosity I found lingerie section filled with pretty mares wearing latest designs of provocative and sexy nightwear. There may have been moments earlier, but that moment and my body's reaction to it sticks in my mind most. It is somewhat similar to your story, I think."
>>151482
"Well, I have had two encounters so far to make me second guess what I am and am not interested in...and you are rather beautiful..."
He shakes his head clear.
"Anyways...that is story of how I discovered mares."
"Well, I have had two encounters so far to make me second guess what I am and am not interested in...and you are rather beautiful..."
He shakes his head clear.
"Anyways...that is story of how I discovered mares."
>>151486
"Well, I suppose it is best described as mercenary work, as dirty as that may unfortunately sound. Ponies pay me to do things they can not do themselves. Sometimes it is to recover certain object, other times it is to stop bad people. Work itself can vary, but it tends to be quite lucrative."
"Well, I suppose it is best described as mercenary work, as dirty as that may unfortunately sound. Ponies pay me to do things they can not do themselves. Sometimes it is to recover certain object, other times it is to stop bad people. Work itself can vary, but it tends to be quite lucrative."
>>151488
Silver gives him this time while sitting there on the couch, head tilted and looking at the ecru colt rather adorably.
Silver gives him this time while sitting there on the couch, head tilted and looking at the ecru colt rather adorably.
>>151489
"I don't know I much approve. Those in power often use force to remain in power, and pay others to do their dirty work."
"I don't know I much approve. Those in power often use force to remain in power, and pay others to do their dirty work."
>>151490
"I understand that, but it is not just those with power who need pony like me sometimes. I do work for farmers, museums, sometimes just desperate, regular civilians."
"I understand that, but it is not just those with power who need pony like me sometimes. I do work for farmers, museums, sometimes just desperate, regular civilians."
>>151494
“But they don’t have nearly as much, and certainly not as much to spare. It favors those who have land.”
“But they don’t have nearly as much, and certainly not as much to spare. It favors those who have land.”
>>151495
"I do not charge same rates for every job. Desperate mare looking for somepony to save her foalnapped child will pay much, much less than, say, upper class pony wanting specific artifact recovered from ancient dungeon."
"I do not charge same rates for every job. Desperate mare looking for somepony to save her foalnapped child will pay much, much less than, say, upper class pony wanting specific artifact recovered from ancient dungeon."
>>151496
“That’s… noble of you.” He says
Then he blinks
“Uh… how have you, uh, survived this long doing this?”
“That’s… noble of you.” He says
Then he blinks
“Uh… how have you, uh, survived this long doing this?”
>>151497
"By being smart, hitting hard, and being notoriously hard to kill."
Silver puffs his chest out proudly.
"By being smart, hitting hard, and being notoriously hard to kill."
Silver puffs his chest out proudly.
>>151501
"You are quite welcome, Clip."
Silver returns to eating his oat, quickly finishing them off before heading into the kitchen.
"You are quite welcome, Clip."
Silver returns to eating his oat, quickly finishing them off before heading into the kitchen.
A Spark tomorrow
>>151360
As expected, Iron gently hugged her back with his bulkier forelegs, smiling through the silky smooth coat hairs and her heart. "When we finish the job," he mumbled tenderly "be sure not to send all of the money to your mother. We will be needing it for later."
As expected, Iron gently hugged her back with his bulkier forelegs, smiling through the silky smooth coat hairs and her heart. "When we finish the job," he mumbled tenderly "be sure not to send all of the money to your mother. We will be needing it for later."
>>151508
Like a fuzzy pillow, or a teddy bear. Yet Iron need not press down far at all before he meets bone and muscle pushing back under so much fur.
“… later?”
Like a fuzzy pillow, or a teddy bear. Yet Iron need not press down far at all before he meets bone and muscle pushing back under so much fur.
“… later?”
>>151513
She blinks.
“Oh”
She blinks again
“Ohhh….”
She closes her eyes, and tilts her muzzle up as she leans into the back rubs
She opens her eyes and says
“But not too luxurious. Let’s send most of it back.”
She blinks.
“Oh”
She blinks again
“Ohhh….”
She closes her eyes, and tilts her muzzle up as she leans into the back rubs
She opens her eyes and says
“But not too luxurious. Let’s send most of it back.”
>>151514
Iron chuckled gingerly, starting to realize just how much Sands was serious about proving her monetary worth to her mother. "Do not forget we can get more later," he reassured the unicorn before stopping his nuzzling to give her a kiss on the cheek.
Iron chuckled gingerly, starting to realize just how much Sands was serious about proving her monetary worth to her mother. "Do not forget we can get more later," he reassured the unicorn before stopping his nuzzling to give her a kiss on the cheek.
>>151515
She smiles, but the smile goes away.
“But it’s been six months, six months at least. It is ‘later’ for me.”
She shifts around in her seat, raising her left hoof, and putting it back down.
She smiles, but the smile goes away.
“But it’s been six months, six months at least. It is ‘later’ for me.”
She shifts around in her seat, raising her left hoof, and putting it back down.
>>151516
Iron sighs softly in turn, simply petting her back with a little less energy than before. "It will be better if we talked more about this when the job is complete," he reasoned dryly before once again sinking his muzzle right on the side of Sands' neck, giving it a tender kiss.
Iron sighs softly in turn, simply petting her back with a little less energy than before. "It will be better if we talked more about this when the job is complete," he reasoned dryly before once again sinking his muzzle right on the side of Sands' neck, giving it a tender kiss.
>>151519
The hairs are a few inches long in a few places.
“Alright…”
She says, making an expression between a wince and a smile.
The hairs are a few inches long in a few places.
“Alright…”
She says, making an expression between a wince and a smile.
>>151520
Iron, unable to really cheer her up until he knows as well, simply continues hugging Sands for a while as the train continues humming along.
Iron, unable to really cheer her up until he knows as well, simply continues hugging Sands for a while as the train continues humming along.
>>151521
The little pony is hugged. After some time, she lays her head on Iron, pressing into his fur.
The little pony is hugged. After some time, she lays her head on Iron, pressing into his fur.
>>151205
The pony takes a moment, slightly rocking back and forth, looking at Spark. After continued silence, he says
"Let me talk to the other attendant."
And walks away.
The pony takes a moment, slightly rocking back and forth, looking at Spark. After continued silence, he says
"Let me talk to the other attendant."
And walks away.
>>151521
>>151523
The train keeps moving, and the the scenery outside moves in kind. Sometimes the trees are so tall, and so close to the tracks, that they block out the sky and dim the room. Sometimes the train rises high above them, riding the edge of a rising hill. The terrain becomes increasingly uneven as time progresses, with tree covered hills and ravines between, and tall rock formations that stick out like jagged teeth.
Though wild landscape of green, broadleaf trees with occasional rivers and naked rock predominates, civilization seeps through. Roads that cut through the forest are sometimes visible directly, and sometimes through the gaps in the canopy. High tension powerlines follow the ridge of a hill. The flow of trees are sometimes interrupted by great fields of maze, or of monotonous rows of trees surely belonging to plantations. Houses and mills are scarce, but neither are they non-existent, and it is at a cluster of these houses that the train comes to a stop, and Black Cauldron awakes, observing her surroundings.
"This isn't it. This isn't Estruendo. They would notify us otherwise." She looks over to White Sands, still sitting in the chair. She blinks, and opens the door to the small lavatory. She does not go in, but pulls out the sleeping bag, and unrolls it to reveal the lever-gun.
"Have you ever used one of these?"
White Sands blinks, and seems to take a moment to realize that Black Cauldron is speaking to her.
"No. No, I haven't."
Black Cauldron tells her,
"Then let me show you how to handle one."
She replies,
"Do I really need to though? Is it really going to be that dangerous?"
Almost irritated,
"If it is, then I promise you the danger will respect you more if you are holding this than if you are just standing there looking pretty. We're not committing armed robbery, at least I don't expect we will need, but neither are we going to the opera. This isn't exactly a trip to the boutique, and I have no intention of being robbed myself. You chose to come along. Now listen as I tell you how this thing works."
"Uh... okay." Sands says, blinking
Black Cauldron goes over the mechanics of the firearm with White Sands, who seems to understand what she is told. Black Cauldron closes the curtain, and White Sands operates the lever, aims, and dryfires the gun at the wall.
>>151523
The train keeps moving, and the the scenery outside moves in kind. Sometimes the trees are so tall, and so close to the tracks, that they block out the sky and dim the room. Sometimes the train rises high above them, riding the edge of a rising hill. The terrain becomes increasingly uneven as time progresses, with tree covered hills and ravines between, and tall rock formations that stick out like jagged teeth.
Though wild landscape of green, broadleaf trees with occasional rivers and naked rock predominates, civilization seeps through. Roads that cut through the forest are sometimes visible directly, and sometimes through the gaps in the canopy. High tension powerlines follow the ridge of a hill. The flow of trees are sometimes interrupted by great fields of maze, or of monotonous rows of trees surely belonging to plantations. Houses and mills are scarce, but neither are they non-existent, and it is at a cluster of these houses that the train comes to a stop, and Black Cauldron awakes, observing her surroundings.
"This isn't it. This isn't Estruendo. They would notify us otherwise." She looks over to White Sands, still sitting in the chair. She blinks, and opens the door to the small lavatory. She does not go in, but pulls out the sleeping bag, and unrolls it to reveal the lever-gun.
"Have you ever used one of these?"
White Sands blinks, and seems to take a moment to realize that Black Cauldron is speaking to her.
"No. No, I haven't."
Black Cauldron tells her,
"Then let me show you how to handle one."
She replies,
"Do I really need to though? Is it really going to be that dangerous?"
Almost irritated,
"If it is, then I promise you the danger will respect you more if you are holding this than if you are just standing there looking pretty. We're not committing armed robbery, at least I don't expect we will need, but neither are we going to the opera. This isn't exactly a trip to the boutique, and I have no intention of being robbed myself. You chose to come along. Now listen as I tell you how this thing works."
"Uh... okay." Sands says, blinking
Black Cauldron goes over the mechanics of the firearm with White Sands, who seems to understand what she is told. Black Cauldron closes the curtain, and White Sands operates the lever, aims, and dryfires the gun at the wall.
>>151530
Iron simply lets Sands and Cauldron go over the basics of firearm functions as he stares at the frankly nostalgic feeling of being back in his natural habitat. He wonders if he would be able to find a fellow native to spar with during their journey just to relive the times of his foalhood.
Iron simply lets Sands and Cauldron go over the basics of firearm functions as he stares at the frankly nostalgic feeling of being back in his natural habitat. He wonders if he would be able to find a fellow native to spar with during their journey just to relive the times of his foalhood.
>>151531
Black Cauldron does not end it there. She tells White Sands some of the basics of where they are going, and what they are doing.
Whether the land outside is inhabited by ponies much like Iron, by Equestrian colonials, or belongs wholly to nature, Iron can only guess. Forest is the norm, though occasionally there are clearings with either naked mud, or the more common groupings of young trees. In one area, saplings stretch as far as the eye can see, until the train moves on. Maize and other food crops, like those planted by Iron's kin, are far from uncommon, but neither are the larger plantations of fruit trees.
There is a definite shift in scenery as rolling hills give way to sharper, taller, and more common mountains in definite formations, with the railroad winding its way through the valleys. Many of these extend far up the field of view, with high, naked rock crests and shorter trees higher up. Some seem terraced with coffee plantations, while most remain in their natural form. The train stops along one line on a split in the track, evidently for water, and then once more in a mountain town. The train rolls on.
Black Cauldron does not end it there. She tells White Sands some of the basics of where they are going, and what they are doing.
Whether the land outside is inhabited by ponies much like Iron, by Equestrian colonials, or belongs wholly to nature, Iron can only guess. Forest is the norm, though occasionally there are clearings with either naked mud, or the more common groupings of young trees. In one area, saplings stretch as far as the eye can see, until the train moves on. Maize and other food crops, like those planted by Iron's kin, are far from uncommon, but neither are the larger plantations of fruit trees.
There is a definite shift in scenery as rolling hills give way to sharper, taller, and more common mountains in definite formations, with the railroad winding its way through the valleys. Many of these extend far up the field of view, with high, naked rock crests and shorter trees higher up. Some seem terraced with coffee plantations, while most remain in their natural form. The train stops along one line on a split in the track, evidently for water, and then once more in a mountain town. The train rolls on.
>>151532
Iron was partly glad Cauldron took the moment to explain Sands the mission he wasn't overly sure about aside getting that quiksilver thing. However, he hopes the unicorn didn't try to back out after hearing the terms.
For now, however, he stares at the changing scenery in awe, his exploratory self starting to worm out to the surface in excitement. Who would've guessed mountains have so much life?
Iron was partly glad Cauldron took the moment to explain Sands the mission he wasn't overly sure about aside getting that quiksilver thing. However, he hopes the unicorn didn't try to back out after hearing the terms.
For now, however, he stares at the changing scenery in awe, his exploratory self starting to worm out to the surface in excitement. Who would've guessed mountains have so much life?
>>151533
White Sands seems apprehensive at some details, and accepting of others. From what she relates back to Black Cauldron, it seems she's convinced herself that the operation is simply about pulling containers out of a river bed, and bringing them back. It is, after all, not an armed robbery.
The train passes through small forests between mountains, and under cloud and mist that extends halfway up the mountain slopes. The elevation is much higher here, and the mountains are snowcapped at their peaks, with the great ranges extending in every direction as far as the eye can see. Trees become sparse, and localized to breaks in the mountains, streams and lower areas. Grass and shrubs become more common. Sections of mountainside are terraced with potato fields and small huts; there can be no question as to whether these farms belong to the original pony inhabitants of the region.
Ponies are not, however, alone, as at one point Iron can definitely see an adult dragon in flight somewhere above the train. The large creature appears greenish-brown, though its hard to tell in the light, and even harder to gauge the creature's surely colossal size. Several more admittedly smaller, but surely enormous creatures pass likewise. One must be a smaller dragon - "small" being a relative term" - and an eagle of surely immense size. What seems to be a pony - batwinged, it appears - glides low down a cliffside in one area, while pony farmers can be spotted on occasion in fields or along dirt roads. What seems to be a pair of diamond dogs collect water from a small rocky river parallel to the train. Wild animals and livestock don't tend to linger in the open close enough to be discerned, though goats and sheep roam in herds, and a boar and several guanacos are spotted.
Gradually the trees recede, then the shrubs, giving way to Alpine tundra as the train climbs higher. Grass, cut by occasional shrubs and trees.
The train stops.
Black Cauldron says,
"We're here. Estruendo."
White Sands seems apprehensive at some details, and accepting of others. From what she relates back to Black Cauldron, it seems she's convinced herself that the operation is simply about pulling containers out of a river bed, and bringing them back. It is, after all, not an armed robbery.
The train passes through small forests between mountains, and under cloud and mist that extends halfway up the mountain slopes. The elevation is much higher here, and the mountains are snowcapped at their peaks, with the great ranges extending in every direction as far as the eye can see. Trees become sparse, and localized to breaks in the mountains, streams and lower areas. Grass and shrubs become more common. Sections of mountainside are terraced with potato fields and small huts; there can be no question as to whether these farms belong to the original pony inhabitants of the region.
Ponies are not, however, alone, as at one point Iron can definitely see an adult dragon in flight somewhere above the train. The large creature appears greenish-brown, though its hard to tell in the light, and even harder to gauge the creature's surely colossal size. Several more admittedly smaller, but surely enormous creatures pass likewise. One must be a smaller dragon - "small" being a relative term" - and an eagle of surely immense size. What seems to be a pony - batwinged, it appears - glides low down a cliffside in one area, while pony farmers can be spotted on occasion in fields or along dirt roads. What seems to be a pair of diamond dogs collect water from a small rocky river parallel to the train. Wild animals and livestock don't tend to linger in the open close enough to be discerned, though goats and sheep roam in herds, and a boar and several guanacos are spotted.
Gradually the trees recede, then the shrubs, giving way to Alpine tundra as the train climbs higher. Grass, cut by occasional shrubs and trees.
The train stops.
Black Cauldron says,
"We're here. Estruendo."
>>151534
Iron, previously mesmerized by all the life in such high places he hadn't gone before, blinked out of it when Cauldron says her words before turning back to the two mares. "What?" he uttered out, a little breathless from the journey.
Iron, previously mesmerized by all the life in such high places he hadn't gone before, blinked out of it when Cauldron says her words before turning back to the two mares. "What?" he uttered out, a little breathless from the journey.
>>151536
"R-right!" Iron exclaimed in realization before trotting over to pick up the rest of the stuff.
"R-right!" Iron exclaimed in realization before trotting over to pick up the rest of the stuff.
>>151537
The view outside the window is boxcars on a train on an opposite track, though Iron could see buildings before the train came to a stop.
Black Cauldron grabs as much as she can as quickly as she can, while White Sands grabs a few items at least, including the "sleeping bag."
The view outside the window is boxcars on a train on an opposite track, though Iron could see buildings before the train came to a stop.
Black Cauldron grabs as much as she can as quickly as she can, while White Sands grabs a few items at least, including the "sleeping bag."
>>151540
Stepping out of the train, Iron finds himself on a wooden platform with a wooden roof, but otherwise open to the air, and a view of high hills to the far left and far right. Some ponies, though not many, exit the train with the trio. Most by far are continuing on to a different destination. There is only the one platform, at least for passengers, and mail is seen loaded onto a far car, as well as coal onto the tender. Entering into the station, Iron can see it is made of wood, with a large lobby. The station is large compared to most buildings Iron has ever stepped hoof in, approximately the equal of Hoebuck. But the station is far smaller than Union Station of Baltimare, lacking both the size and ostentation. Inside there is an area for tickets, a coffee shop, a map of the area with a rack of smaller maps, and several rocks in a display case.
Stepping out of the train, Iron finds himself on a wooden platform with a wooden roof, but otherwise open to the air, and a view of high hills to the far left and far right. Some ponies, though not many, exit the train with the trio. Most by far are continuing on to a different destination. There is only the one platform, at least for passengers, and mail is seen loaded onto a far car, as well as coal onto the tender. Entering into the station, Iron can see it is made of wood, with a large lobby. The station is large compared to most buildings Iron has ever stepped hoof in, approximately the equal of Hoebuck. But the station is far smaller than Union Station of Baltimare, lacking both the size and ostentation. Inside there is an area for tickets, a coffee shop, a map of the area with a rack of smaller maps, and several rocks in a display case.
>>151542
Iron's eyes dart around enthusiastically, ready to traverse Cauldron's presumed path towards their real destination they stopped here for.
Iron's eyes dart around enthusiastically, ready to traverse Cauldron's presumed path towards their real destination they stopped here for.
>>151543
About one, two, three rocks. They are rather pretty, colored with minerals. Black Cauldron takes a map, and continues towards the door. Near the entrance the group passes blue tile artwork depicting what appear to be industrial processes, mining, and other scenes in life.
Exiting the station, Iron can see a large town spanning much of his field of view with buildings of one or two stories, with walls of either beige stone or whitewash, all topped with sloping roofs of red ceramic tile. The rectangular towers of a church, and the higher floors of a hotel in the fore, and what surely must be a government building further away, stand higher above the roofline than most. The roadway before the group is stone, very old and with distinct ruts worn and eroded into the stone, with small pools of water in some locations, and an uneven pattern of various colors, mostly beige or grey, but sometimes red. To the far left and far right of the group are the brown tops of hills that rise over the town.
But above all, dominating the town and looming over it is a large, tall, cone-shaped mountain behind the town. The mountain stands apart from the other mountains of the range, so that no part of its base touches another. Its peak is decidedly snow covered. The slope is somewhat gentle, as it has a wide base. White on the top, beige in color in the main, brown in areas, the mountain has distinct black strips that run down the side of the mountain between folds on the surface, evidently following streams and rivulets. Though it is hard to see from a distance, the mountain is studded with rail lines and small structures, and peppered with holes. Much of the mountain is bare rock, more so than the hills surrounding it.
Black Cauldron runs purposefully down the steps into the city. White Sands stops after exiting the structure, taking a moment to stop and look around. Black Cauldron does not progress far before she too, stops and looks around. Of in the distance is the sound of metal pounding against rock.
About one, two, three rocks. They are rather pretty, colored with minerals. Black Cauldron takes a map, and continues towards the door. Near the entrance the group passes blue tile artwork depicting what appear to be industrial processes, mining, and other scenes in life.
Exiting the station, Iron can see a large town spanning much of his field of view with buildings of one or two stories, with walls of either beige stone or whitewash, all topped with sloping roofs of red ceramic tile. The rectangular towers of a church, and the higher floors of a hotel in the fore, and what surely must be a government building further away, stand higher above the roofline than most. The roadway before the group is stone, very old and with distinct ruts worn and eroded into the stone, with small pools of water in some locations, and an uneven pattern of various colors, mostly beige or grey, but sometimes red. To the far left and far right of the group are the brown tops of hills that rise over the town.
But above all, dominating the town and looming over it is a large, tall, cone-shaped mountain behind the town. The mountain stands apart from the other mountains of the range, so that no part of its base touches another. Its peak is decidedly snow covered. The slope is somewhat gentle, as it has a wide base. White on the top, beige in color in the main, brown in areas, the mountain has distinct black strips that run down the side of the mountain between folds on the surface, evidently following streams and rivulets. Though it is hard to see from a distance, the mountain is studded with rail lines and small structures, and peppered with holes. Much of the mountain is bare rock, more so than the hills surrounding it.
Black Cauldron runs purposefully down the steps into the city. White Sands stops after exiting the structure, taking a moment to stop and look around. Black Cauldron does not progress far before she too, stops and looks around. Of in the distance is the sound of metal pounding against rock.
>>151544
Iron stops inbetween both mares, glancing at them in mild puzzlement: They seemed to be looking for something in particular. It would seem we need to acclimatize ourselves to this mountanous tribe before we can proceed, he mused to himself.
Thus, he starts looking around, wondering what exactly he should find.
Iron stops inbetween both mares, glancing at them in mild puzzlement: They seemed to be looking for something in particular. It would seem we need to acclimatize ourselves to this mountanous tribe before we can proceed, he mused to himself.
Thus, he starts looking around, wondering what exactly he should find.
>>151545
Black Cauldron looks up, and at the mountain.
"There it is. The Cerro Llorando. In a river on the other side. That's where we'll find it." She starts forward. White Sands looks around disinterestedly, then starts to follow Cauldron.
A few ponies walk on the streets. Not many, but a few. Black Cauldron, White Sands, and Iron stand out. Mostly this is because of the gear they carry, but even then they stand out. White Sands, with all her fur, is unusual looking for a unicorn, and there are no unicorns. There are certainly no zebras. Iron would fit in, save for his massive size and muscles that make him distinct in any crowd.
Some buildings seem abandoned, either deteriorated or with boarded up windows. The population of the town seems lower than its structures would imply.
Black Cauldron looks up, and at the mountain.
"There it is. The Cerro Llorando. In a river on the other side. That's where we'll find it." She starts forward. White Sands looks around disinterestedly, then starts to follow Cauldron.
A few ponies walk on the streets. Not many, but a few. Black Cauldron, White Sands, and Iron stand out. Mostly this is because of the gear they carry, but even then they stand out. White Sands, with all her fur, is unusual looking for a unicorn, and there are no unicorns. There are certainly no zebras. Iron would fit in, save for his massive size and muscles that make him distinct in any crowd.
Some buildings seem abandoned, either deteriorated or with boarded up windows. The population of the town seems lower than its structures would imply.
>>151546
Iron didn't mind standing out at the moment, although he was a little bummed out to discover the denizens here weren't exactly built like him. He wondered if all the ripped ponies were at the top of the mountain or something.
Regardless, he followed Cauldron so long as Sands was in front of him, always keeping an eye on both mares so as to step in for any thugs and the like.
Iron didn't mind standing out at the moment, although he was a little bummed out to discover the denizens here weren't exactly built like him. He wondered if all the ripped ponies were at the top of the mountain or something.
Regardless, he followed Cauldron so long as Sands was in front of him, always keeping an eye on both mares so as to step in for any thugs and the like.
>>151547
White Sands walks somewhat slowly, and cautiously. Walking behind her requires very deliberate steps.
Further along , ponies walk wearing brightly colored woven clothing, or water proof coats in some instances. These are a bit more like Iron, with greater muscle, sturdier build, and more seasoned faces. A few take notice of the interlopers. Most continue about their business.
Black Cauldron walks with haste
White Sands walks somewhat slowly, and cautiously. Walking behind her requires very deliberate steps.
Further along , ponies walk wearing brightly colored woven clothing, or water proof coats in some instances. These are a bit more like Iron, with greater muscle, sturdier build, and more seasoned faces. A few take notice of the interlopers. Most continue about their business.
Black Cauldron walks with haste
>>151550
Iron raises an eyebrow slightly at Sands' slow movements, wondering what made her coat hairs stand on end.
He nonetheless tried to both keep Cauldron's pace while also staying behind Sands.
Iron raises an eyebrow slightly at Sands' slow movements, wondering what made her coat hairs stand on end.
He nonetheless tried to both keep Cauldron's pace while also staying behind Sands.
>>151552
Black Cauldron proceeds at a fast pace. White Sands follows.
The town is rather large. It is not the equal of Baltimare, but it is surely the equal of one of Baltimare's east-side neighborhoods. The ponies pass an old stone church with great mission bells and an arched entrance. They pass a fountain with the figure of who must surely be a historical personage. They pass a large, white walled three story building with Doric columns and iron-barred balconies labeled as a National Mint; they pass all of these, besides many shops, and an open air market with many stalls. Black Cauldron continues forward, not wishing to stop.
She says to Iron,
"Do you know what this place is?"
Black Cauldron proceeds at a fast pace. White Sands follows.
The town is rather large. It is not the equal of Baltimare, but it is surely the equal of one of Baltimare's east-side neighborhoods. The ponies pass an old stone church with great mission bells and an arched entrance. They pass a fountain with the figure of who must surely be a historical personage. They pass a large, white walled three story building with Doric columns and iron-barred balconies labeled as a National Mint; they pass all of these, besides many shops, and an open air market with many stalls. Black Cauldron continues forward, not wishing to stop.
She says to Iron,
"Do you know what this place is?"
>>151557
"Well, I only read a little from the material, but this place is the largest single source of silver in all of Equestria. Perhps the world. It comes from that mountain. The Kunti Amaru, or the 'Cerro Llorando' it is called, 'weeping hill,' supposedly after some native legend about a mare who sacrificed her own daughter on the hill. Another source says it is so called for all the ponies to die in the mines and mills, while another says the name is more modern, named after the black scars on the surface left over from mining, which look like tear trails. Anyways, this place was claimed by dragons, by diamond dogs, and by more than one group of native ponies, before Equestria got a hold of it a few centuries ago. They began mass mining and made this town. The mountain has never been mined out, but many individual mines into the mountain have exhausted seams. Mining has gone down with lower prices in recent decades, and was curtailed during the war. The town has declined since then.
Anyways, extracting the silver from the ore requires mercury. Large amounts of mercury. There's a mill for a set of mines over on the other side of the mountain. A little less than a century ago, a cart carrying several large iron flasks of mercury was being pulled across a tailings dump, when the pile collapsed and sent the cart into the river. Maybe a year ago, there was a flash flood that apparently moved much of the dirt that was burying the flasks, and with the low water level now they are apparently visible in the river at times. Mercury is apparently used in explosive primers for things like bombs and mortars, so the price has more than doubled in the last few years. Just recovering one of those flasks would yield a nice profit, but I hope to recover two, if we can."
"Well, I only read a little from the material, but this place is the largest single source of silver in all of Equestria. Perhps the world. It comes from that mountain. The Kunti Amaru, or the 'Cerro Llorando' it is called, 'weeping hill,' supposedly after some native legend about a mare who sacrificed her own daughter on the hill. Another source says it is so called for all the ponies to die in the mines and mills, while another says the name is more modern, named after the black scars on the surface left over from mining, which look like tear trails. Anyways, this place was claimed by dragons, by diamond dogs, and by more than one group of native ponies, before Equestria got a hold of it a few centuries ago. They began mass mining and made this town. The mountain has never been mined out, but many individual mines into the mountain have exhausted seams. Mining has gone down with lower prices in recent decades, and was curtailed during the war. The town has declined since then.
Anyways, extracting the silver from the ore requires mercury. Large amounts of mercury. There's a mill for a set of mines over on the other side of the mountain. A little less than a century ago, a cart carrying several large iron flasks of mercury was being pulled across a tailings dump, when the pile collapsed and sent the cart into the river. Maybe a year ago, there was a flash flood that apparently moved much of the dirt that was burying the flasks, and with the low water level now they are apparently visible in the river at times. Mercury is apparently used in explosive primers for things like bombs and mortars, so the price has more than doubled in the last few years. Just recovering one of those flasks would yield a nice profit, but I hope to recover two, if we can."
>>151558
"Quite the tragic town," Iron mused softly, nodding softly. "I am betting the ghost of that mare is somehow haunting the place to make it miserable."
"Quite the tragic town," Iron mused softly, nodding softly. "I am betting the ghost of that mare is somehow haunting the place to make it miserable."
>>151559
"No need for ghosts and curses. Mining is dangerous enough, with falls and hard labor, as well as breathing in rock dust. Mercury poisoning from the milling probably killed more than anything else. Lets hope those flasks aren't damaged or overly rusted."
White Sands has her own comment:
"Tragic? Quite fortunate for us, for money to be laying out in the open. What I want to know is who else knows, and why have they not already recovered it?"
"Uh, well, our source told us promptly. We should be the first ponies outside of the area to know..." Black Cauldron answers, not persuaded of her own words
White Sands turns to her, and raises an eyebrow.
"No need for ghosts and curses. Mining is dangerous enough, with falls and hard labor, as well as breathing in rock dust. Mercury poisoning from the milling probably killed more than anything else. Lets hope those flasks aren't damaged or overly rusted."
White Sands has her own comment:
"Tragic? Quite fortunate for us, for money to be laying out in the open. What I want to know is who else knows, and why have they not already recovered it?"
"Uh, well, our source told us promptly. We should be the first ponies outside of the area to know..." Black Cauldron answers, not persuaded of her own words
White Sands turns to her, and raises an eyebrow.
>>151560
Iron nods, not really grasping such drastic effects in his head yet understanding the fatality rate here is still quite high due to the mine business.
Iron nods, not really grasping such drastic effects in his head yet understanding the fatality rate here is still quite high due to the mine business.
>>151561
Black Cauldron recovers:
"Well, you see, it's not enough to have the flasks. You need the contact to sell them to. That's where we have our advantage."
White Sands pushes back, still skeptical
"Is it really that hard to find someone who wants to buy mercury?"
"Only large factories and chemical plants have enough demand."
"But are they really so selective they will only buy it from a very specific set of criminals? It's supposed to be a rare and essential material after all."
"Well..." Black Cauldron turns her head forward, lowers her ears, and briefly glances her eyes (but not her head) to White Sands, whipping her tail
"Just be sure to get the flasks first. It's this way. Once we get through the town, we are going to follow a small valley around the mountain. That area is comparatively wild, and should avoid us being seen by other ponies. It'll take us to the river, ultimately."
Black Cauldron recovers:
"Well, you see, it's not enough to have the flasks. You need the contact to sell them to. That's where we have our advantage."
White Sands pushes back, still skeptical
"Is it really that hard to find someone who wants to buy mercury?"
"Only large factories and chemical plants have enough demand."
"But are they really so selective they will only buy it from a very specific set of criminals? It's supposed to be a rare and essential material after all."
"Well..." Black Cauldron turns her head forward, lowers her ears, and briefly glances her eyes (but not her head) to White Sands, whipping her tail
"Just be sure to get the flasks first. It's this way. Once we get through the town, we are going to follow a small valley around the mountain. That area is comparatively wild, and should avoid us being seen by other ponies. It'll take us to the river, ultimately."
>>151562
Iron couldn't help but break into a smile, happy to hear they would scamper around in the wild like he used to do in his foalhood. "Do you think we will get to meet the Wirraway here?" the stallion asked out loud in his excitement.
Iron couldn't help but break into a smile, happy to hear they would scamper around in the wild like he used to do in his foalhood. "Do you think we will get to meet the Wirraway here?" the stallion asked out loud in his excitement.
>>151563
It’s not Black Cauldron, but White Sands who responds:
“What?”
The group takes a left turn through more buildings, some abandoned, some still occupied by earth ponies, pegasi and Diamond dogs who occasionally turn to watch the ponies pass through. The rough stone roads are now as often unpaved dirt, and the group descend, as if down a hillside.
It’s not Black Cauldron, but White Sands who responds:
“What?”
The group takes a left turn through more buildings, some abandoned, some still occupied by earth ponies, pegasi and Diamond dogs who occasionally turn to watch the ponies pass through. The rough stone roads are now as often unpaved dirt, and the group descend, as if down a hillside.
>>151564
Iron giggles in anticipation, walking at a gingerly pace along the sketchier part of town. "I saw it in the jungle once," he explained. "A metallic shaped deity ruling over a lake."
He soon turned to Cauldron. "You remember that, right?" he asked, hoping she recalled such an event.
Iron giggles in anticipation, walking at a gingerly pace along the sketchier part of town. "I saw it in the jungle once," he explained. "A metallic shaped deity ruling over a lake."
He soon turned to Cauldron. "You remember that, right?" he asked, hoping she recalled such an event.
>>151565
White Sands blinks.
“What.”
Black Cauldron tilts her head, and looks to the left, her right ear flopping down. She gives Iron a sort of smile.
White Sands blinks.
“What.”
Black Cauldron tilts her head, and looks to the left, her right ear flopping down. She gives Iron a sort of smile.
>>151566
Iron chuckled further at her reaction before shaking his head. "It is nothing, really," he admits softly, patting Sands on the head and standing next to her as a consequence. "Just something I recalled."
Iron chuckled further at her reaction before shaking his head. "It is nothing, really," he admits softly, patting Sands on the head and standing next to her as a consequence. "Just something I recalled."
>>151567
White Sands is pat, with both ears falling down as she mumbled something about “cargo cults.”
The buildings thin out, and enclosed lots with small houses and goats become a new norm, before the dirt trail continues past the rows of houses, giving way to open fields. Going further down, there are bushes, higher grass, and trees. Though it is no jungle, it is a sharp change from the urban landscape before, snd both mares show signs of discomfort at the change.
White Sands is pat, with both ears falling down as she mumbled something about “cargo cults.”
The buildings thin out, and enclosed lots with small houses and goats become a new norm, before the dirt trail continues past the rows of houses, giving way to open fields. Going further down, there are bushes, higher grass, and trees. Though it is no jungle, it is a sharp change from the urban landscape before, snd both mares show signs of discomfort at the change.
>>151568
Iron, meanwhile, could not help but gain a spring on his step, actually hopping faster to instead be next to Cauldron. "I cannot wait to see all the different kinds of things this natural forest holds," he enthusiastically declared, giddy with excitement.
Iron, meanwhile, could not help but gain a spring on his step, actually hopping faster to instead be next to Cauldron. "I cannot wait to see all the different kinds of things this natural forest holds," he enthusiastically declared, giddy with excitement.
>>151569
Black Cauldron looks to Iron with turned ears and wide eyes,
"huh?"
The group continues until they come to the side of a small river. The location is far from a jungle; the trees are thin, short, few in number, and of a subtropical broadleaf variation m0re akin to the trees seen before than to a rainforest. The water of the small river is thick with silt, unsuited for drinking, and farm houses at higher elevations can still be seen through breaks in the trees.
Still, the group is comparatively alone, and Sands especially looks uneasy.
Black Cauldron looks to Iron with turned ears and wide eyes,
"huh?"
The group continues until they come to the side of a small river. The location is far from a jungle; the trees are thin, short, few in number, and of a subtropical broadleaf variation m0re akin to the trees seen before than to a rainforest. The water of the small river is thick with silt, unsuited for drinking, and farm houses at higher elevations can still be seen through breaks in the trees.
Still, the group is comparatively alone, and Sands especially looks uneasy.
>>151571
Iron darts his eyes about, letting out a soft 'wow' as they walked the trail, soaking all these visuals with his eyes. "Is it weird of me to think this place looks so similar to my home yet different?" he uttered out loud to nopony in particular, enjoying their little trip towards the river.
Iron darts his eyes about, letting out a soft 'wow' as they walked the trail, soaking all these visuals with his eyes. "Is it weird of me to think this place looks so similar to my home yet different?" he uttered out loud to nopony in particular, enjoying their little trip towards the river.
>>151572
Almost blankly, Black Cauldron replies
“I can’t say it looks similar to my home at all…”
White Sands remarks
“It’s cooler than I was expecting.”
The patch of woods is small, entirely clustered around the water, but still very much present with smaller trees, and a few older, taller, dead ones. The town, higher on the hill, starts to recede behind them. Signs of artifice never fully vanish in this valley between the hills, with the mountainside still filling the right horizon. Yet it does, however, become far enough away that all detail vanishes, and individual creatures appear only as dots in the distance. Movement in the tall grass suggests a rodent, one of the first signs of wildlife.
Almost blankly, Black Cauldron replies
“I can’t say it looks similar to my home at all…”
White Sands remarks
“It’s cooler than I was expecting.”
The patch of woods is small, entirely clustered around the water, but still very much present with smaller trees, and a few older, taller, dead ones. The town, higher on the hill, starts to recede behind them. Signs of artifice never fully vanish in this valley between the hills, with the mountainside still filling the right horizon. Yet it does, however, become far enough away that all detail vanishes, and individual creatures appear only as dots in the distance. Movement in the tall grass suggests a rodent, one of the first signs of wildlife.
>>151584
Silver trots over to his lovely dove, and givers her a big ol' hug from behind.
"Do not think I have forgotten about you, Jubee."
Silver trots over to his lovely dove, and givers her a big ol' hug from behind.
"Do not think I have forgotten about you, Jubee."
>>151597
"...Ah...uhm..."
Just to be sure, Silver checks to see if there's anything else left for Jubee to drink.
"...Ah...uhm..."
Just to be sure, Silver checks to see if there's anything else left for Jubee to drink.
>>151603
"Thank you, if any is left I will give it right back to you."
Silver brings the whiskey bottle over to Jubilosa.
"Here, we have some whiskey left."
"Thank you, if any is left I will give it right back to you."
Silver brings the whiskey bottle over to Jubilosa.
"Here, we have some whiskey left."
>>151608
“Fine, I’ll pour it.”
She looks through a cabinet, then another, then another, finding a glass. She pours an abnormally large amount, and then tries to sip it. She winces
“Fine, I’ll pour it.”
She looks through a cabinet, then another, then another, finding a glass. She pours an abnormally large amount, and then tries to sip it. She winces
>>151613
"Did coffee-whiskey help at all?"
He closes the whiskey bottle and places it on the nearby counter.
"Did coffee-whiskey help at all?"
He closes the whiskey bottle and places it on the nearby counter.
>>151615
He returns to hugging his griffon, and nuzzling into her feathery chest.
"Well, if you ever need fluffy pick-me-up, let me know."
He returns to hugging his griffon, and nuzzling into her feathery chest.
"Well, if you ever need fluffy pick-me-up, let me know."
>>151627
The big unicorn gently pets the back of the griffon's head. She feels like she's floating in a big, fluffy cloud, and if she wasn't hungover already she would be drunk off of his scent.
"I love you so much, Jubee."
The big unicorn gently pets the back of the griffon's head. She feels like she's floating in a big, fluffy cloud, and if she wasn't hungover already she would be drunk off of his scent.
"I love you so much, Jubee."
>>151629
She sniffles a little more, rocking back and forth in the large unicorn’s embrace, and continuing to press her head into his fur.
She sniffles a little more, rocking back and forth in the large unicorn’s embrace, and continuing to press her head into his fur.
>>151630
And thus the two remain entangled, for as long as the griffon chooses. Silver doesn't mind. He likes being able to be there for his beautiful dove, and share the warmth his soft fur provides.
And thus the two remain entangled, for as long as the griffon chooses. Silver doesn't mind. He likes being able to be there for his beautiful dove, and share the warmth his soft fur provides.
>>151632
She makes a sound, rocking back and forth, that sounds like the cooing of a dove. After perhaps as long as two minutes, she pulls away, and raises the cup
She makes a sound, rocking back and forth, that sounds like the cooing of a dove. After perhaps as long as two minutes, she pulls away, and raises the cup
>>151638
She smiles to him, though a bit weakly. She moves back over to the county to pour more coffee, and more whiskey
She smiles to him, though a bit weakly. She moves back over to the county to pour more coffee, and more whiskey
>>151647
She flinches, and forms a smile, as best as her beak will allow, opening her eyes, and looking back to Silver
She flinches, and forms a smile, as best as her beak will allow, opening her eyes, and looking back to Silver
>>151652
Last time:
>>150995 →
Virgin Flame let's go off the mare and walks in fast pace away from the mare. Then she stops and lowers her head.
"I'm sorry I yelled eariler. I know Flutterhy wouldn't have approved of my wrath but I... I will return so if you would, save some of those waffles for me," Virgin Flame says as she starts to walk towards the exit of this place.
I decided that Virgin Flame will go looking for that head and any lost artpiece of this church.
Last time:
>>150995 →
Virgin Flame let's go off the mare and walks in fast pace away from the mare. Then she stops and lowers her head.
"I'm sorry I yelled eariler. I know Flutterhy wouldn't have approved of my wrath but I... I will return so if you would, save some of those waffles for me," Virgin Flame says as she starts to walk towards the exit of this place.
I decided that Virgin Flame will go looking for that head and any lost artpiece of this church.
>>151654
There is a pause
"Oh. Yes. That's, that's alright. Yes, we will save waffles for you."
The exit is two large wooden doors.
The bank is opposite the cathedral on the other side of the avenue. The river is to the right, across a road
There is a pause
"Oh. Yes. That's, that's alright. Yes, we will save waffles for you."
The exit is two large wooden doors.
The bank is opposite the cathedral on the other side of the avenue. The river is to the right, across a road
>>151656
Virgin Flame nods and then leaves but now in a trot. She pushes the doors aside and exit the church.
She decides to seek out that colt first before searching the river since entering a bank soaked doesn't sound like a great idea. She heads towards the bank.
Virgin Flame nods and then leaves but now in a trot. She pushes the doors aside and exit the church.
She decides to seek out that colt first before searching the river since entering a bank soaked doesn't sound like a great idea. She heads towards the bank.
>>151661
Back from work
In front of Virgin flame, there is a roundabout traffic circle with the statue of a pony in the center. Fortunately the traffic is not especially heavy at this time of day.
The Bank is on the opposite side of the circle. Its Neo-classical architectural style gives its appearance a strange kinship to the cathedral opposite, with stone façade, a rectangular shape, a high triangular roof of green tile, and Doric columns outside a front entrance of brass-lined revolving doors, raised above street level and accessible by stone steps.
Back from work
In front of Virgin flame, there is a roundabout traffic circle with the statue of a pony in the center. Fortunately the traffic is not especially heavy at this time of day.
The Bank is on the opposite side of the circle. Its Neo-classical architectural style gives its appearance a strange kinship to the cathedral opposite, with stone façade, a rectangular shape, a high triangular roof of green tile, and Doric columns outside a front entrance of brass-lined revolving doors, raised above street level and accessible by stone steps.
I'll be jumping back in! Probably not today but I'll play tomorrow or whenever it's convenient for the DM.
File (): E3F682FDFB4B691A2C66037769883407-153417.png (149.8 KB, 1280x740, 3908C9E7-6454-407F-BCD3-6D6784474B0B.png)
>>151526
Makade remains still, looking over to Spark. Waabishki is confused, looking around
"What's going on?"
Wellspring is frightened, quietly swiveling her ears around.
The doctor is frightened in his own detached sort of way, attempting to talk with the other passenger in the seat about it.
Makade remains still, looking over to Spark. Waabishki is confused, looking around
"What's going on?"
Wellspring is frightened, quietly swiveling her ears around.
The doctor is frightened in his own detached sort of way, attempting to talk with the other passenger in the seat about it.
>>151670
Waabishki:
"What?!"
Makade places a paw on Waabishki
"Shhh"
Wellspring, however, continues looking around
"Are soldiers going to come?"
And the doctor
"Is the train being attacked?"
Waabishki:
"What?!"
Makade places a paw on Waabishki
"Shhh"
Wellspring, however, continues looking around
"Are soldiers going to come?"
And the doctor
"Is the train being attacked?"
>>151672
"Oh..." She turns her head side to side, and presses herself back into the seat, both ears down
"Okay..."
Waabishki has calmed at least somewhat, with Makade whispering into her ear.
The doctor, meanwhile, is still in a rather emotionally excited state, trying to talk to others.
"Oh..." She turns her head side to side, and presses herself back into the seat, both ears down
"Okay..."
Waabishki has calmed at least somewhat, with Makade whispering into her ear.
The doctor, meanwhile, is still in a rather emotionally excited state, trying to talk to others.
>>151674
It isn't the ticket pony to come back, but rather something else. Something entirely different.
Two changeling drones - and indeed, that is what they are, not merely making no attempt to hide themselves, but wearing distinct beige uniforms - move down the train car, looking down, and around. They must have been on the train, as the train has not stopped nor slowed down.
It isn't the ticket pony to come back, but rather something else. Something entirely different.
Two changeling drones - and indeed, that is what they are, not merely making no attempt to hide themselves, but wearing distinct beige uniforms - move down the train car, looking down, and around. They must have been on the train, as the train has not stopped nor slowed down.
>>151676
>>151677
The drones, slowly, deliberately look around, looking under seats and at windows. They come to Spark, as well as Waabishki, Makade and Wellspring. The two females, both sitting in aisle seats closer to the drones, are unsettled, and try to lean further away, especially Wellspring, who leans into Spark
>>151677
The drones, slowly, deliberately look around, looking under seats and at windows. They come to Spark, as well as Waabishki, Makade and Wellspring. The two females, both sitting in aisle seats closer to the drones, are unsettled, and try to lean further away, especially Wellspring, who leans into Spark
Took me a while but I've caught up with just about everything. I shouldn't have any more long hiatuses. Sad to hear your Discord is gone. I've been watching a bunch of Mr. Ballen videos and I'm hoping there are more spooky adventures ahead.
Not sure where Amber was left off exactly. I know she was still in the police station and was trying to exfiltrate.
Not sure where Amber was left off exactly. I know she was still in the police station and was trying to exfiltrate.
File (): A960631A215CA1A3BC3F7D213F5EF15E-133336.png (130.2 KB, 970x395, 6259060.png)
>>151684
Oh, we can make it spooky
Part of the question is for you. Do you want to pick up directly where we left off, with Amber running into an officer as she's trying to leave the detectives, shortly after, with Amber leaving the police station, or well on her way back?
Oh, we can make it spooky
Part of the question is for you. Do you want to pick up directly where we left off, with Amber running into an officer as she's trying to leave the detectives, shortly after, with Amber leaving the police station, or well on her way back?
>>151685
I've thought of a couple of ways for her to evade getting searched, though there would be risk of failure, and under no circumstances would she start a fight with the police. Still, I think it's better to start shortly after with her leaving. The police station scene stretched on for a long time, it's hard to resume it getting all the details right, and it was almost over anyway.
I've thought of a couple of ways for her to evade getting searched, though there would be risk of failure, and under no circumstances would she start a fight with the police. Still, I think it's better to start shortly after with her leaving. The police station scene stretched on for a long time, it's hard to resume it getting all the details right, and it was almost over anyway.
>>151686
That’s more or less what I was thinking
I don’t know if it needs explanation, but the strange response of the officer by the end of Amber’s sequence was probably in part of reflection of my dissatisfaction with how Trakyr’s remarks undermined his friend, when he would have tried to avoid that.
That’s more or less what I was thinking
I don’t know if it needs explanation, but the strange response of the officer by the end of Amber’s sequence was probably in part of reflection of my dissatisfaction with how Trakyr’s remarks undermined his friend, when he would have tried to avoid that.
File (): 207EAEDACCAAF14CD89E7E69394815CC-106289.png (103.8 KB, 572x437, AmberACute.png)
>>151684
>>151686
Amber makes her way down the stairs, through the marble hallway, into the lobby, past the brass-lined doors, and onto the road. Sometimes ponies lope past in twos and threes. Sometimes wearing blue, sometimes green, sometimes black, and sometimes grey. And sometimes, she is all alone, trotting through a hallway with half of the lights on, and half off. Outside, the moon and stars are gone, and large raindrops fall sporadically. The wind blows much colder than before. The same armored car, and the same few soldiers are there as before, with a flood light on. One soldier wraps a blanket around himself. None pay any attention to the small, well-wrapped mustard-filly.
>>151686
Amber makes her way down the stairs, through the marble hallway, into the lobby, past the brass-lined doors, and onto the road. Sometimes ponies lope past in twos and threes. Sometimes wearing blue, sometimes green, sometimes black, and sometimes grey. And sometimes, she is all alone, trotting through a hallway with half of the lights on, and half off. Outside, the moon and stars are gone, and large raindrops fall sporadically. The wind blows much colder than before. The same armored car, and the same few soldiers are there as before, with a flood light on. One soldier wraps a blanket around himself. None pay any attention to the small, well-wrapped mustard-filly.
File (): C2E5B6258487B50DD12F2780ACC7C3E8-280914.png (274.3 KB, 553x414, ArmoredCar.PNG)
>>151707
Her heart races as she makes it outside without further incident. She briefly looks back at those soldiers, once protective, now persecutory if they knew what she hid under her dress. She keeps walking steadily onwards, shuddering as the car's light pans over her briefly.
Once she is well out of the scene and the adrenaline fades from her body, a wave of exhaustion overtakes her. It could be closer to dawn than it is to midnight, and part of her yearns to go straight home and get some well-deserved rest. However, holding onto those papers for any longer than necessary makes her uneasy, so she blearily trots in the direction of the nightclub, not really looking where she's headed.
Her heart races as she makes it outside without further incident. She briefly looks back at those soldiers, once protective, now persecutory if they knew what she hid under her dress. She keeps walking steadily onwards, shuddering as the car's light pans over her briefly.
Once she is well out of the scene and the adrenaline fades from her body, a wave of exhaustion overtakes her. It could be closer to dawn than it is to midnight, and part of her yearns to go straight home and get some well-deserved rest. However, holding onto those papers for any longer than necessary makes her uneasy, so she blearily trots in the direction of the nightclub, not really looking where she's headed.
>>151710
It's a straight walk up Traveller Street, and then a few blocks westward to the nightclub. Let us only hope Amber recalls the exact number of blocks.
There are fewer lights on in the buildings, and fewer ponies to be seen. The rain and the absence of the moonlight makes the walk a bit different than before. Amber is up perhaps a block and a half when a police automobile pulls over near her. It's driver leans over to roll the window down. He seems to be a darker grey earth pony stallion of slightly above middle age, and he says to Amber
"Where are you headed, little pony?"
It's a straight walk up Traveller Street, and then a few blocks westward to the nightclub. Let us only hope Amber recalls the exact number of blocks.
There are fewer lights on in the buildings, and fewer ponies to be seen. The rain and the absence of the moonlight makes the walk a bit different than before. Amber is up perhaps a block and a half when a police automobile pulls over near her. It's driver leans over to roll the window down. He seems to be a darker grey earth pony stallion of slightly above middle age, and he says to Amber
"Where are you headed, little pony?"
>>151711
As she's approached, Amber thinks to herself, I'm not a bad pony, I have nothing to fear, and it's probably for the better they're here in a neighborhood like this.
She comes up with an explanation somewhat close to the truth, that she agreed to meet her "coltfriend" at the nightclub, giving its name. Although she got caught up in something and had to set out very late, she hopes she can still find him there. The number of blocks is a bit foggy so she asks for directions.
As she's approached, Amber thinks to herself, I'm not a bad pony, I have nothing to fear, and it's probably for the better they're here in a neighborhood like this.
She comes up with an explanation somewhat close to the truth, that she agreed to meet her "coltfriend" at the nightclub, giving its name. Although she got caught up in something and had to set out very late, she hopes she can still find him there. The number of blocks is a bit foggy so she asks for directions.
>>151713
"Oh, that place? Well that's a night club. It's about a mile away. Would you like a ride? I can't imagine you'd want to walk all that distance by yourself in the rain."
"Oh, that place? Well that's a night club. It's about a mile away. Would you like a ride? I can't imagine you'd want to walk all that distance by yourself in the rain."
>>151714
Amber is tired, still a little jittery, getting a bit damp, and she doesn't like being in this strange neighborhood at night, so she accepts and thanks the officer.
Amber is tired, still a little jittery, getting a bit damp, and she doesn't like being in this strange neighborhood at night, so she accepts and thanks the officer.
>>151715
Just open the passenger side door, enter, and probably roll the window up. The officer takes the car out of park and puts it in gear, driving straight down Traveller street. He's definitely just a little on the older side. He turns occasionally to make small talk to Amber:
"You're going to meet your coltfriend? Well that's sweet. I remember having to stay over night in a cold train station with my special somepony way back in the day. So what's his name?"
And
"How long have you been together?'
And
"Where did you meet?"
And those sorts of little questions as he pries curiously..
Just open the passenger side door, enter, and probably roll the window up. The officer takes the car out of park and puts it in gear, driving straight down Traveller street. He's definitely just a little on the older side. He turns occasionally to make small talk to Amber:
"You're going to meet your coltfriend? Well that's sweet. I remember having to stay over night in a cold train station with my special somepony way back in the day. So what's his name?"
And
"How long have you been together?'
And
"Where did you meet?"
And those sorts of little questions as he pries curiously..
>>151716
Wasn't it customary in the 40's for patrol cars to have two policemen? Think "Car 54, Where Are You?"
"His name is Mustard Trim, and we met just a couple of days ago because we work in the same restaurant, a purty fine establishment. He looks a bit like me, as you might guess. I work as a hostess and he's a waiter and we got off work late today, but we decided we might meet there to enjoy a dance."
Her answers are short but friendly, and she fondly recalls to herself the dance they enjoyed before that stressful assignment.
Wasn't it customary in the 40's for patrol cars to have two policemen? Think "Car 54, Where Are You?"
"His name is Mustard Trim, and we met just a couple of days ago because we work in the same restaurant, a purty fine establishment. He looks a bit like me, as you might guess. I work as a hostess and he's a waiter and we got off work late today, but we decided we might meet there to enjoy a dance."
Her answers are short but friendly, and she fondly recalls to herself the dance they enjoyed before that stressful assignment.
>>151717
I don't think it's a 40's thing, but it's definitely a common thing to have two officers rather than one. As BPD probably had half of their officers volunteer or get drafted into the war, and then many quit once the police became part of what was effectively a collaborationist government, it isn't entirely unlikely they'd send some vehicles out with one officer.
"Oh, that's really sweet! Reminds me of when I met my Sunday . I was late coming home from school that day, haha. And I invited her to the dance-"
He goes on like this.
The ride is short, maybe four minutes if even that. The officer tells Amber
"Now be careful around here. There are a lot of bad folk around these kind of establishments at night. And the ponies who run them ain't always the best folk either. Enjoy your dance, but I wouldn't stay too long and too late if I were you."
I don't think it's a 40's thing, but it's definitely a common thing to have two officers rather than one. As BPD probably had half of their officers volunteer or get drafted into the war, and then many quit once the police became part of what was effectively a collaborationist government, it isn't entirely unlikely they'd send some vehicles out with one officer.
"Oh, that's really sweet! Reminds me of when I met my Sunday . I was late coming home from school that day, haha. And I invited her to the dance-"
He goes on like this.
The ride is short, maybe four minutes if even that. The officer tells Amber
"Now be careful around here. There are a lot of bad folk around these kind of establishments at night. And the ponies who run them ain't always the best folk either. Enjoy your dance, but I wouldn't stay too long and too late if I were you."
>>151718
I can see that. Not specifically 40's but generally up to recent times. Nowadays cop cars have one officer with a computer setup in the right seat. Woah, technology!
"I understand, mister. I'll be headed off in not too long." She thanks him sincerely and waves him off.
I can see that. Not specifically 40's but generally up to recent times. Nowadays cop cars have one officer with a computer setup in the right seat. Woah, technology!
"I understand, mister. I'll be headed off in not too long." She thanks him sincerely and waves him off.
>>151719
"Be careful now." He raises a hoof in a wave, and drives off.
Amber does not have to look far for Dark Denizen - not at all.
To the right of the revolving door front entrance are Dark Denizen, and to her left, the diamond dog, with the latter holding a sledge hammer. The wall is significantly damaged, with bricks lying on the ground, and wood and bricks dislodged in a rectangular section next to the door.
"A few more hits" Dark Denizen says, staring at the wall. A light outside the door provides some illumination.
"Make sure it's up to regulation."
She is standing just outside of an awning, and is exposed to the rain. Her back is fairly wet, and water drips off of the thumb of her left wing. The diamond dog, who is just barely within the awning, is mostly dry.
The diamond dog pulls the sledge hammer back, and makes a swing, knocking two bricks loose. A pair of stallions leaving the night club turn around, look back at the scene, and then walk away in the opposite direction.
Neither seems to have noticed Amber or the car.
"Be careful now." He raises a hoof in a wave, and drives off.
Amber does not have to look far for Dark Denizen - not at all.
To the right of the revolving door front entrance are Dark Denizen, and to her left, the diamond dog, with the latter holding a sledge hammer. The wall is significantly damaged, with bricks lying on the ground, and wood and bricks dislodged in a rectangular section next to the door.
"A few more hits" Dark Denizen says, staring at the wall. A light outside the door provides some illumination.
"Make sure it's up to regulation."
She is standing just outside of an awning, and is exposed to the rain. Her back is fairly wet, and water drips off of the thumb of her left wing. The diamond dog, who is just barely within the awning, is mostly dry.
The diamond dog pulls the sledge hammer back, and makes a swing, knocking two bricks loose. A pair of stallions leaving the night club turn around, look back at the scene, and then walk away in the opposite direction.
Neither seems to have noticed Amber or the car.
>>151720
Amber grimaces at the scene, bemused as to why anyone would be doing renovation like this at night. She walks up slowly. "Um, Ms. Denizen?" she asks, her voice practically squeaking.
Amber grimaces at the scene, bemused as to why anyone would be doing renovation like this at night. She walks up slowly. "Um, Ms. Denizen?" she asks, her voice practically squeaking.
>>151721
Her head swiftly turns, and she glares at Amber.
"Oh. You. Do you have it?"
She turns her whole body more fully towards Amber, and the Diamond Dog places the hammer in a resting position.
Her head swiftly turns, and she glares at Amber.
"Oh. You. Do you have it?"
She turns her whole body more fully towards Amber, and the Diamond Dog places the hammer in a resting position.
>>151722
Amber nods feverishly. "Yes, I do." She repositions herself under the awning to not get the papers wet, then with her mouth undoes a couple of front buttons and fishes out the document.
Amber nods feverishly. "Yes, I do." She repositions herself under the awning to not get the papers wet, then with her mouth undoes a couple of front buttons and fishes out the document.
>>151723
Her entire expression changes as her cat-like eyes become wide, and she looks down, focusing on the papers. Her mouth hangs slightly open, exposing her fangs.
"I see. Let's go back to my office." She turns to the Diamond Dog, and points a hoof
"Keep it up. If that cocksucker comes by in the morning thinking he can write us a citation, show him a 'regulation' door. Someone's got to tell me what his face looks like"
She starts moving towards the revolving door, and she motions with her wing for Amber to follow
"I might even stay up late enough to see it myself."
Her entire expression changes as her cat-like eyes become wide, and she looks down, focusing on the papers. Her mouth hangs slightly open, exposing her fangs.
"I see. Let's go back to my office." She turns to the Diamond Dog, and points a hoof
"Keep it up. If that cocksucker comes by in the morning thinking he can write us a citation, show him a 'regulation' door. Someone's got to tell me what his face looks like"
She starts moving towards the revolving door, and she motions with her wing for Amber to follow
"I might even stay up late enough to see it myself."
>>151724
She tucks the papers away safely and follows the owner, feeling awfully conspicuous behind the no-nonsense mare. Once she enters the building she looks back and wonders, Are they really breaking a hole through the wall? This thought is a nice break away from the apprehension of entering her office again.
She tucks the papers away safely and follows the owner, feeling awfully conspicuous behind the no-nonsense mare. Once she enters the building she looks back and wonders, Are they really breaking a hole through the wall? This thought is a nice break away from the apprehension of entering her office again.
>>151725
Perhaps Amber enters with a delay behind her to make the association less obvious. Dance music plays, evidently from a phonograph. If she looks to her left, Amber can see the griffin viol player packing up on stage. Looking to her right at the wall next to the revolving door, Amber can see that yes, they are indeed breaking a hole into the wall at 2 AM on a Saturday morning when it is raining, and during business hours. There are flecks of paint and wood on the ground, and the wall on the inside is pretty badly damaged. A waiter speaks and nods to a male not far away from the hole, and it seems he is a concerned customer.
Dark Denizen continues forward, back to the hallway, and back to her office.
Perhaps Amber enters with a delay behind her to make the association less obvious. Dance music plays, evidently from a phonograph. If she looks to her left, Amber can see the griffin viol player packing up on stage. Looking to her right at the wall next to the revolving door, Amber can see that yes, they are indeed breaking a hole into the wall at 2 AM on a Saturday morning when it is raining, and during business hours. There are flecks of paint and wood on the ground, and the wall on the inside is pretty badly damaged. A waiter speaks and nods to a male not far away from the hole, and it seems he is a concerned customer.
Dark Denizen continues forward, back to the hallway, and back to her office.
File (): 48D90F06680EAA9C64D32E33C0F95EFA-92570.png (90.4 KB, 526x475, AmberSunset.png)
>>151726
Amber notices that although the gramophone is playing pleasant music, a mere recording lacks the charm and energy of the viol player's playing. He spent the last couple of hours doing what he loved, she thinks to herself. She looks back at Denizen and then back to the viol player. I'd hate to keep her waiting, but it's not like I'm leaving the building, and this is the last chance I'll get tonight to talk to him.
She trots up to the musician and greets him politely, smiling broadly.
Amber notices that although the gramophone is playing pleasant music, a mere recording lacks the charm and energy of the viol player's playing. He spent the last couple of hours doing what he loved, she thinks to herself. She looks back at Denizen and then back to the viol player. I'd hate to keep her waiting, but it's not like I'm leaving the building, and this is the last chance I'll get tonight to talk to him.
She trots up to the musician and greets him politely, smiling broadly.
>>151727
As the walkway around the dance floor is rather large, this takes a moment.
Amber approaches the area just below the stage, where the griffin is picking up his case. He is rather old with grey feathers the color of rain-laden clouds, though something about his appearance implies there were either much brighter, or much darker when he was young. He turns his head to look at her with milky blue eyes.
"Huh?"
As the walkway around the dance floor is rather large, this takes a moment.
Amber approaches the area just below the stage, where the griffin is picking up his case. He is rather old with grey feathers the color of rain-laden clouds, though something about his appearance implies there were either much brighter, or much darker when he was young. He turns his head to look at her with milky blue eyes.
"Huh?"
>>151728
"I heard your music earlier this evening and it was unforgettably beautiful. I haven't heard such melodies in a long time, so I wanted to meet you. You're wonderfully talented."
"I heard your music earlier this evening and it was unforgettably beautiful. I haven't heard such melodies in a long time, so I wanted to meet you. You're wonderfully talented."
>>151729
He looks at her with a plain, or even hardened expression, and blinks his eyes. Small twitches and movements imply age has been unkind to him.
"Danke, uh, thank you" he says, after what seems to have been a deliberate delay. He speaks very slowly, seriously, and with an atrocious accent:
"I play the... klang and the melodie given to me with the biggest respect, as you should all music."
He looks at her with a plain, or even hardened expression, and blinks his eyes. Small twitches and movements imply age has been unkind to him.
"Danke, uh, thank you" he says, after what seems to have been a deliberate delay. He speaks very slowly, seriously, and with an atrocious accent:
"I play the... klang and the melodie given to me with the biggest respect, as you should all music."
>>151730
She nods in response. "Oh yes, I could sense that. I play the mandolin but I'm still practicing. I'm nowhere near good enough to play in public though." She continues, "Have you dedicated your whole life to music?"
She nods in response. "Oh yes, I could sense that. I play the mandolin but I'm still practicing. I'm nowhere near good enough to play in public though." She continues, "Have you dedicated your whole life to music?"
>>151731
"My life and more" He replies, looking to the side for a moment, and then locking his eyes back on Amber
"To play for a crowd" he shakes his head "That is not the sign of love of music. To play for a crowd is to make money and to pay rent." He pauses again
"Practice more. Practice in the night. Practice, and the Bragi may bless you."
"My life and more" He replies, looking to the side for a moment, and then locking his eyes back on Amber
"To play for a crowd" he shakes his head "That is not the sign of love of music. To play for a crowd is to make money and to pay rent." He pauses again
"Practice more. Practice in the night. Practice, and the Bragi may bless you."
>>151732
She pays heed to his words. "Thank you, mister.
It was a pleasure to get to meet you." She pauses, in case the old gryphon has anything more to say.
She pays heed to his words. "Thank you, mister.
It was a pleasure to get to meet you." She pauses, in case the old gryphon has anything more to say.
>>151733
He does not say anything to her. He looks away, wearing an expression of uncertainty, or perhaps sadness, and picks up the case, trying to hold it over his shoulder.
He does not say anything to her. He looks away, wearing an expression of uncertainty, or perhaps sadness, and picks up the case, trying to hold it over his shoulder.
Despite her respect for this skilled musician, his demeanor gives her second thoughts. Is this really the result of wholehearted devotion to music, a melancholic life ending in playing to a gruff audience just to get by? Playing nightly at a club would be alright as a stepping stone of a career, but that dismal reality being all that awaits at a summit is not what she hopes for.
Her mind less at ease than it was before, she trudges to Dark Denizen's office.
Her mind less at ease than it was before, she trudges to Dark Denizen's office.
>>151735
Amber doesn't make it far before a waitress approaches her
"Huh. He doesn't normally talk to ponies." And after a pause
"Get back here. Denizen is impatient. She's in a bad mood because of the fire regulations."
She trots very quickly, leading Amber back to the office. When Amber enters, Denizen, standing up next to her desk rather than behind it says,
"Did you get lost on the way to my office? Where is it?"
Amber doesn't make it far before a waitress approaches her
"Huh. He doesn't normally talk to ponies." And after a pause
"Get back here. Denizen is impatient. She's in a bad mood because of the fire regulations."
She trots very quickly, leading Amber back to the office. When Amber enters, Denizen, standing up next to her desk rather than behind it says,
"Did you get lost on the way to my office? Where is it?"
>>151736
Amber blinks. "No, ma'am. I have it right here." She nervously approaches the desk, digs up the documents like before, and leans over the desk to deposit them. She then retreats backwards and waits for her reaction.
Amber blinks. "No, ma'am. I have it right here." She nervously approaches the desk, digs up the documents like before, and leans over the desk to deposit them. She then retreats backwards and waits for her reaction.
>>151737
She reaches out her hoof, then quickly withdraws it to wipe her hoof off on a cloth. She again extends her hoof, takes the envelopes, and looks into them, going through the documents one by one, looking at them intently.
She reaches out her hoof, then quickly withdraws it to wipe her hoof off on a cloth. She again extends her hoof, takes the envelopes, and looks into them, going through the documents one by one, looking at them intently.
>>151738
The young orange mare bites her lip in worry. What if he had picked out the wrong papers when he gave them to her? What if something is missing? What if there is something in there she doesn't like?
The young orange mare bites her lip in worry. What if he had picked out the wrong papers when he gave them to her? What if something is missing? What if there is something in there she doesn't like?
>>151741
I don't believe that anything was drawn to Amber's attention. She should have just the two sets which she carried in her jacket
I don't believe that anything was drawn to Amber's attention. She should have just the two sets which she carried in her jacket
>>151743
She looks down, presses a set of something into an envelop, slides an image out of the other one, stares at it, and then slams it back in.
"Then it is done." She says
She looks down, presses a set of something into an envelop, slides an image out of the other one, stares at it, and then slams it back in.
"Then it is done." She says
>>151744
She breathes a sigh of relief. "You probably want your gun back, too," she says. She makes no move to pull out the weapon, in case her guards might get alarmed.
She breathes a sigh of relief. "You probably want your gun back, too," she says. She makes no move to pull out the weapon, in case her guards might get alarmed.
>>151746
I have a terrible memory and I haven't been keeping proper notes this quest, so unfortunately I don't know. She may have been searched when entering the police station, in which case she didn't have it on her. Wait, did she leave it by a dumpster somewhere?
I have a terrible memory and I haven't been keeping proper notes this quest, so unfortunately I don't know. She may have been searched when entering the police station, in which case she didn't have it on her. Wait, did she leave it by a dumpster somewhere?
>>151747
I distinctly remember this post >>145039 →, and this post is where Amber actually lost possession >>144983 →
I distinctly remember this post >>145039 →, and this post is where Amber actually lost possession >>144983 →
Thank you, now I remember!
Amber clarifies, "I gave the gun as 'evidence' to be let in, and I was allowed onto the second floor. I told them I found it by a dumpster near Hoebuck."
Amber clarifies, "I gave the gun as 'evidence' to be let in, and I was allowed onto the second floor. I told them I found it by a dumpster near Hoebuck."
>>151749
"Hoebuck? Where Customs killed all of those griffins?"
She curls her nostrils
"Finally they've done something useful. Anyways, hopefully they'll believe that. I would have preferred to have the gun back, but no one ever thought we'd be out of this situation for free. That was quick thinking, I suppose. Anyways, Did they suspect anything?"
"Hoebuck? Where Customs killed all of those griffins?"
She curls her nostrils
"Finally they've done something useful. Anyways, hopefully they'll believe that. I would have preferred to have the gun back, but no one ever thought we'd be out of this situation for free. That was quick thinking, I suppose. Anyways, Did they suspect anything?"
>>151750
She shakes her head. "Nuh-uh. Hanging around long enough to get the papers was a little suspicious, but Scabbard knows how to talk his way out of a situation. I had to pretend to be his fillyfriend." She scrunches when she says that last sentence.
She shakes her head. "Nuh-uh. Hanging around long enough to get the papers was a little suspicious, but Scabbard knows how to talk his way out of a situation. I had to pretend to be his fillyfriend." She scrunches when she says that last sentence.
>>151751
"Heheh" She laughs at Amber's misfortune
"That sounds like him. I'll tell him you're too young for him. He'll be coming for his payment soon enough, I am sure."
"Let us hope that was all of the relevant information. And that nothing finds its way back to you, or to us. This could grow to become very much out of hoof. You should hope you never understand just what is at stake here."
"Heheh" She laughs at Amber's misfortune
"That sounds like him. I'll tell him you're too young for him. He'll be coming for his payment soon enough, I am sure."
"Let us hope that was all of the relevant information. And that nothing finds its way back to you, or to us. This could grow to become very much out of hoof. You should hope you never understand just what is at stake here."
>>151752
"I'd prefer to stay ignorant about all this," she says, frowning. "I don't think I'll get in trouble, at least I hope not. I didn't come to Baltimare to end up in the hooscow."
"I'd prefer to stay ignorant about all this," she says, frowning. "I don't think I'll get in trouble, at least I hope not. I didn't come to Baltimare to end up in the hooscow."
>>151753
"The what now?" She says to Amber's last word. She pauses for a moment, then laughs.
She leans forward, moves a hoof across over the table, and invades Amber's personal space in a way she hasn't experienced in almost half an hour. She ruffle's Amber's mane
"You'll be fine. If anything, you've done well for your first night, little country filly."
"The what now?" She says to Amber's last word. She pauses for a moment, then laughs.
She leans forward, moves a hoof across over the table, and invades Amber's personal space in a way she hasn't experienced in almost half an hour. She ruffle's Amber's mane
"You'll be fine. If anything, you've done well for your first night, little country filly."
>>151754
She's not sure if she wants to work for this mare again, but she managed to get out uninjured and is not an outlaw...yet. Still, she's ill at ease and shows it.
She's not sure if she wants to work for this mare again, but she managed to get out uninjured and is not an outlaw...yet. Still, she's ill at ease and shows it.
>>151755
Dark Denizen either never notices Amber's ill ease, or (more likely) doesn't care. She is still giggly, which if anything is a refreshing change from literally knocking down her own building with a sledge hammer.
"I suppose... I'll have your debt erased."
Dark Denizen either never notices Amber's ill ease, or (more likely) doesn't care. She is still giggly, which if anything is a refreshing change from literally knocking down her own building with a sledge hammer.
"I suppose... I'll have your debt erased."
>>151756
"You can do that?" she asks, blinking. She thinks for a moment, and continues, "You know about it?"
"You can do that?" she asks, blinking. She thinks for a moment, and continues, "You know about it?"
>>151757
She tilts her head down slight, and forms a small, almost malign grin
"You didn't think we looked into who you are before approaching you?"
She tilts her head down slight, and forms a small, almost malign grin
"You didn't think we looked into who you are before approaching you?"
>>151758
Amber retracts with a pensive look on her face. "I suppose you would, but I didn't think it would be possible with me hardly knowing anypony around...." She gets the sense it would be a bad idea to get this lady mad at any point, as it would be hard to hide.
Amber retracts with a pensive look on her face. "I suppose you would, but I didn't think it would be possible with me hardly knowing anypony around...." She gets the sense it would be a bad idea to get this lady mad at any point, as it would be hard to hide.
>>151759
"I just know what I was told, and that is that a filly with the same name as you, and the same adorable expression and coat, borrowed some money from someone else a few days ago. We can have that debt erased. I sort of assumed that was why you were here."
"I just know what I was told, and that is that a filly with the same name as you, and the same adorable expression and coat, borrowed some money from someone else a few days ago. We can have that debt erased. I sort of assumed that was why you were here."
>>151760
She nods. "It's been weighing on my mind for some time, and even with two jobs it'll take a while to pay it all.
She nods. "It's been weighing on my mind for some time, and even with two jobs it'll take a while to pay it all.
>>151761
"You will be released from that. Who will eat the cost, we will figure out later, but you will be released. And to keep silent about all you have seen here, all you have done here, perhaps another 200 bits."
"You will be released from that. Who will eat the cost, we will figure out later, but you will be released. And to keep silent about all you have seen here, all you have done here, perhaps another 200 bits."
>>151762
For the first time since she has entered the office, she smiles at this news. She feels a nagging at the back of her mind about how this is illicit money and she shouldn't accept it.. It's just a piece of paper, I wasn't hurting anypony. Plus, I won't have such a rocky start to life here.
"Thank you, ma'am."
For the first time since she has entered the office, she smiles at this news. She feels a nagging at the back of her mind about how this is illicit money and she shouldn't accept it.. It's just a piece of paper, I wasn't hurting anypony. Plus, I won't have such a rocky start to life here.
"Thank you, ma'am."
>>151763
She opens a drawer, and pulls out notes. The mare scrunches, and Amber can see why. All of the currency produced is of the red paper money that High Sewn disfavored at the store.
She counts out some amount, and tenders it to Amber by pushing it across the desk.
"Again. Do not. Go telling ponies, even those you trust, about what you've done and seen tonight."
She opens a drawer, and pulls out notes. The mare scrunches, and Amber can see why. All of the currency produced is of the red paper money that High Sewn disfavored at the store.
She counts out some amount, and tenders it to Amber by pushing it across the desk.
"Again. Do not. Go telling ponies, even those you trust, about what you've done and seen tonight."
>>151764
Amber stares at the bills. They're not shiny gold, but they still say bits on them, so why are ponies unhappy with them? As soon as Denizen's hoof leaves the table Amber picks up the cash and slowly stows it away.
"You needn't worry about that, ma'am. I know how to be confidential," she says with a nervous smile.
Amber stares at the bills. They're not shiny gold, but they still say bits on them, so why are ponies unhappy with them? As soon as Denizen's hoof leaves the table Amber picks up the cash and slowly stows it away.
"You needn't worry about that, ma'am. I know how to be confidential," she says with a nervous smile.
>>151767
“Oh, yes. One of the waitresses said this was left for you.”
She pushes over a piece of paper with writing on it
“Oh, yes. One of the waitresses said this was left for you.”
She pushes over a piece of paper with writing on it
>>151769
"Sorry I had to leave. Had a great time with you tonight. Hope to do it again. You can contact me at 410-0837, or at 1110 Summervale.
- Mustard Trim"
"Sorry I had to leave. Had a great time with you tonight. Hope to do it again. You can contact me at 410-0837, or at 1110 Summervale.
- Mustard Trim"
>>151770
Poor feller. His ma will probably whoop him for being out so late, all because he just wanted to make sure I was okay. It's nice that I know how to reach him now, maybe we can meet when it's not so inconvenient.
She smiles gently. "Please thank her for me. I think I'll head home now."
Poor feller. His ma will probably whoop him for being out so late, all because he just wanted to make sure I was okay. It's nice that I know how to reach him now, maybe we can meet when it's not so inconvenient.
She smiles gently. "Please thank her for me. I think I'll head home now."
>>151771
“She’ll be there on your way out” she says, and blinks
“I need a doorframe…” she says to herself
“She’ll be there on your way out” she says, and blinks
“I need a doorframe…” she says to herself
>>151773
She is staring at Amber almost as soon as she exits. The flaxen colored mare, with the black, tied back mane. It’s the same mare who served Amber the Hurricane, who talked to the guests when Amber entered, and who directed her to the back room.
She is staring at Amber almost as soon as she exits. The flaxen colored mare, with the black, tied back mane. It’s the same mare who served Amber the Hurricane, who talked to the guests when Amber entered, and who directed her to the back room.
>>151774
https://youtu.be/YEITVTcGbzc
Amber beams at her. "Thank you kindly for the help. Everything is going well."
https://youtu.be/YEITVTcGbzc
Amber beams at her. "Thank you kindly for the help. Everything is going well."
>>151778
"He had to leave, but wants to meet up again sometime and he gave me his address." Amber is relieved that the flaxen mare didn't read the note, though she doubts Dark Denizen shares the same scruples.
"He had to leave, but wants to meet up again sometime and he gave me his address." Amber is relieved that the flaxen mare didn't read the note, though she doubts Dark Denizen shares the same scruples.
>>151780
Amber replies, "He exhorted me to practice more, that playing for a crowd is just to make money, and that all music should be played with the greatest respect." She pauses and adds, "But he seemed awful somber to me...."
Amber replies, "He exhorted me to practice more, that playing for a crowd is just to make money, and that all music should be played with the greatest respect." She pauses and adds, "But he seemed awful somber to me...."
>>151782
"I haven't seen him talk with... well, almost anyone. Denizen likes him. But even she can't get more than a few words with him. I don't think he likes.... playing for, well, playing for other creatures. I mean... like it's alien to him, or beneath him."
"I haven't seen him talk with... well, almost anyone. Denizen likes him. But even she can't get more than a few words with him. I don't think he likes.... playing for, well, playing for other creatures. I mean... like it's alien to him, or beneath him."
>>151783
"I got that feeling. But I suppose he has no choice.
No wonder he looks so sad and doesn't want to talk. He loves music with his whole heart but playing here cheapens it for him.
No offense."
"I got that feeling. But I suppose he has no choice.
No wonder he looks so sad and doesn't want to talk. He loves music with his whole heart but playing here cheapens it for him.
No offense."
>>151784
"I don't know if it's that" she says
"There's this rumor going around that he was the private musician for the Von Katerinbergs, and fled when those two counties fell. Some one else says they passed by his apartment and heard him playing with a whole orchestra. I don't know, I just... I wonder, some times.."
"I don't know if it's that" she says
"There's this rumor going around that he was the private musician for the Von Katerinbergs, and fled when those two counties fell. Some one else says they passed by his apartment and heard him playing with a whole orchestra. I don't know, I just... I wonder, some times.."
>>151785
Amber tries to recall who the von Katerinbergs are....
Knowledge (geography): [1d20+4 = (5+4) = 9]
Amber tries to recall who the von Katerinbergs are....
Knowledge (geography): [1d20+4 = (5+4) = 9]
>>151786
Somewhere over in the Griffin lands. It's sort of in the Empire but not really. There was this young girl who was not just a despot but literally insane, and an older male in a different kingdom who was murderous towards the ponies there.
Somewhere over in the Griffin lands. It's sort of in the Empire but not really. There was this young girl who was not just a despot but literally insane, and an older male in a different kingdom who was murderous towards the ponies there.
>>151789
She shrugs. "Sounds like music is all he has ever had, in any case. Maybe the orchestra was him playing next to a gramophone?"
She shrugs. "Sounds like music is all he has ever had, in any case. Maybe the orchestra was him playing next to a gramophone?"
>>151792
"I've been to an orchestra once and there are dozens and dozens of ponies all playing together. If he managed to fit that many in his apartment, I'd like to know how."
"I've been to an orchestra once and there are dozens and dozens of ponies all playing together. If he managed to fit that many in his apartment, I'd like to know how."
>>151793
"Yeah, that's exactly what I would like to know too. I don't know, he just seems a little strange."
"Yeah, that's exactly what I would like to know too. I don't know, he just seems a little strange."
Anonymous
c77989a
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No.