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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1887 replies and 32 files omitted.
>>152970
Iron didn't mind taking things slow and careful, making sure to keep up with Sands leading the way currently.
Iron didn't mind taking things slow and careful, making sure to keep up with Sands leading the way currently.
>>152971
The trio continue their way across logs, past unhealthy trees, and past medium sized animals - goats? Alpacas? Hard to say without taking the time to look at each one - that graze just a little further up the hillside on each side of the river, but do not come down to drink from it. On the opposite side of the bank, the river splits off southward, and Iron and company must turn around the bend onto a tributary that mergers at the fork. This new river is a big wider, with more flow than the last, and the banks are taller and wider apart with steep slopes up hill sides. They walk through another black rivulet that joins with the river, though this one is mercifully shallower and more full of stones than the last, although it is much wider. The group comes to a particularly wide section with exposed mud and a shallower slope, in view of a large, iron truss bridge.
Black Cauldron speaks after her long silence.
"I think it might be here. Or very near here."
The trio continue their way across logs, past unhealthy trees, and past medium sized animals - goats? Alpacas? Hard to say without taking the time to look at each one - that graze just a little further up the hillside on each side of the river, but do not come down to drink from it. On the opposite side of the bank, the river splits off southward, and Iron and company must turn around the bend onto a tributary that mergers at the fork. This new river is a big wider, with more flow than the last, and the banks are taller and wider apart with steep slopes up hill sides. They walk through another black rivulet that joins with the river, though this one is mercifully shallower and more full of stones than the last, although it is much wider. The group comes to a particularly wide section with exposed mud and a shallower slope, in view of a large, iron truss bridge.
Black Cauldron speaks after her long silence.
"I think it might be here. Or very near here."
>>152975
Silver nods.
"Yes, Silver Sword. I was hoping you could tell me what it takes to adopt, or become foster parent."
Silver nods.
"Yes, Silver Sword. I was hoping you could tell me what it takes to adopt, or become foster parent."
>>152973
Iron looks left to right, wondering where she might be pointing at exactly on where to go. He was expecting it to be inside a cave, and this place didn't really look like one.
Iron looks left to right, wondering where she might be pointing at exactly on where to go. He was expecting it to be inside a cave, and this place didn't really look like one.
>>152976
“Adoption? Well, that’s under the law of the autonomous zone now. I don’t quite have the requirements memorized. Generally there must be a married couple with no prior felonies. The orphanage tries to prioritize practicing members of the church, though I don’t think the autonomous zone allows us to make that a condition. As for being a foster parent, that may be easier, because it isn’t subject to the same laws.”
>>152977
This is very nearly the opposite of a cave, out in the open, in the middle of a river and its wide, sandy bank.
“Adoption? Well, that’s under the law of the autonomous zone now. I don’t quite have the requirements memorized. Generally there must be a married couple with no prior felonies. The orphanage tries to prioritize practicing members of the church, though I don’t think the autonomous zone allows us to make that a condition. As for being a foster parent, that may be easier, because it isn’t subject to the same laws.”
>>152977
This is very nearly the opposite of a cave, out in the open, in the middle of a river and its wide, sandy bank.
>>152978
"So where exactly is the thing?" Iron whispers out loud to Cauldron, unsure where to start looking.
"So where exactly is the thing?" Iron whispers out loud to Cauldron, unsure where to start looking.
>>152981
Iron nods, now understanding why they were here. Without further doubts, he soon starts scanning the places Cauldron highlighted as possible spots for the package to be in.
Iron nods, now understanding why they were here. Without further doubts, he soon starts scanning the places Cauldron highlighted as possible spots for the package to be in.
>>152985
>>152984
Iron doesn't have much luck in his little section of the river, but Black Cauldron moves to a section just a little further down, closer to the bridge. There, an angular piece of rotted wood sticks out of rows of mud, exposed in the low water levels of the river. And below this, sticks up an exposed portion of rusted iron. White Sands sees this too, and she rushes out closer to inspect it.
>>152984
Iron doesn't have much luck in his little section of the river, but Black Cauldron moves to a section just a little further down, closer to the bridge. There, an angular piece of rotted wood sticks out of rows of mud, exposed in the low water levels of the river. And below this, sticks up an exposed portion of rusted iron. White Sands sees this too, and she rushes out closer to inspect it.
>>152986
Iron, noticing the other two grouping up, promptly trots towards where the two mares were looking.
Iron, noticing the other two grouping up, promptly trots towards where the two mares were looking.
>>152987
The mud is not completely exposed. Rather, portions of it are an inch or two submerged beneath the river water, while portions stick out. White Sands more so that Black Cauldron tries to get near it.
White Sands:
"So... What is it?"
Black Cauldron:
"Large iron containers, each filled with about 76 pounds of metallic mercury. They were on a cart on the edge of the cliff, up there. But they fell, or rather I think the ground beneath the cart fell into the river, and they were lost for almost a century. A year or so ago, heavy rains washed away much of the soil, and you can see them now while the river is low. And that is what we are here for; these flasks."
The mud is not completely exposed. Rather, portions of it are an inch or two submerged beneath the river water, while portions stick out. White Sands more so that Black Cauldron tries to get near it.
White Sands:
"So... What is it?"
Black Cauldron:
"Large iron containers, each filled with about 76 pounds of metallic mercury. They were on a cart on the edge of the cliff, up there. But they fell, or rather I think the ground beneath the cart fell into the river, and they were lost for almost a century. A year or so ago, heavy rains washed away much of the soil, and you can see them now while the river is low. And that is what we are here for; these flasks."
>>152988
Iron does not try to eagerly get his hooves on it, remembering the harness that had been placed on it precisely because it was going to come into use but doesn't quite understand how it would work, so he simply allows Cauldron to explain how they should take out the packages out.
Iron does not try to eagerly get his hooves on it, remembering the harness that had been placed on it precisely because it was going to come into use but doesn't quite understand how it would work, so he simply allows Cauldron to explain how they should take out the packages out.
>>152989
Black Cauldron stares at it for a minute longer:
"It looks like they are still buried in mud."
Black Cauldron stares at it for a minute longer:
"It looks like they are still buried in mud."
>>152990
With that observation, Iron soon leans into the mud, grabs the containers with his mouth and carefully tries to pull him out.
With that observation, Iron soon leans into the mud, grabs the containers with his mouth and carefully tries to pull him out.
>>152991
Either Iron's teeth will break off like so many corn kernels off of a cob, or the rusted outer layers of the flask will peel off into Iron's mouth in a similar way, but with certainty, the ~37 kilogram flask will not so easily be pulled out of the suction of the mud.
Either Iron's teeth will break off like so many corn kernels off of a cob, or the rusted outer layers of the flask will peel off into Iron's mouth in a similar way, but with certainty, the ~37 kilogram flask will not so easily be pulled out of the suction of the mud.
>>152992
Iron exhaled softly, mouth still holding the thing but not attempting to pull it. "Sthuck," he mumbles, somewhat frustrated.
Iron exhaled softly, mouth still holding the thing but not attempting to pull it. "Sthuck," he mumbles, somewhat frustrated.
>>152993
Black Cauldron opens Iron's own bag, and pulls out a relatively small shovel.
"Dig around it, then use both hooves to pull it out. Or place a rope or something under the bottom and pull it out. There are more under the mud."
Black Cauldron opens Iron's own bag, and pulls out a relatively small shovel.
"Dig around it, then use both hooves to pull it out. Or place a rope or something under the bottom and pull it out. There are more under the mud."
>>152994
Letting go of the container, Iron soon takes the shovel, looks at it for a few seconds before ultimately sinking the pointy end near the most visible container to start his digging progress.
Letting go of the container, Iron soon takes the shovel, looks at it for a few seconds before ultimately sinking the pointy end near the most visible container to start his digging progress.
>>152997
Iron successfully excavates around the one Iron flask. But what is more, he's found another two, and what looks like a third in a grouping. He's also found ruined wood, rocks, and discoloration in the mud.
Iron successfully excavates around the one Iron flask. But what is more, he's found another two, and what looks like a third in a grouping. He's also found ruined wood, rocks, and discoloration in the mud.
>>152998
Iron takes one look at the time of day before looking at Cauldron. "How long should we stay here?"
Hopefully Sands or Cauldron are already starting to place the container he dug out on him or in a safe, unsinkable place.
Iron takes one look at the time of day before looking at Cauldron. "How long should we stay here?"
Hopefully Sands or Cauldron are already starting to place the container he dug out on him or in a safe, unsinkable place.
>>152978
"Hmm, marriage. Alright. Say you started fostering foal, and then got married at later date. Could you then adopt foal you were fostering?"
"Hmm, marriage. Alright. Say you started fostering foal, and then got married at later date. Could you then adopt foal you were fostering?"
>>153000
*screams internally*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5BSyFjKGkg
It's mid afternoon.
Black Cauldron:
"We need to leave quickly."
White Sands:
"As long as it takes."
The flasks, which weigh a little bit more than eighty pounds, are located in thick mud where there isn't really a firm location to stand. The mares are unable or unwilling to pick the flasks up themselves.
>>153001
"Well.... perhaps?"
*screams internally*
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5BSyFjKGkg
It's mid afternoon.
Black Cauldron:
"We need to leave quickly."
White Sands:
"As long as it takes."
The flasks, which weigh a little bit more than eighty pounds, are located in thick mud where there isn't really a firm location to stand. The mares are unable or unwilling to pick the flasks up themselves.
>>153001
"Well.... perhaps?"
>>153002
With a shrug, Iron places one of the flasks himself with his mouth while glancing at Sands to use her telekinesis to safely secure it on him before continuing to dig out the rest.
With a shrug, Iron places one of the flasks himself with his mouth while glancing at Sands to use her telekinesis to safely secure it on him before continuing to dig out the rest.
>>153003
And again, the item resists being removed so easily. It's not the heaviest of all possible items, but it does weigh the same as a bag of cement, or two thirds of White Sands' body weight, or eleven rifles. Neither Iron's mouth nor White Sand's magic will free it from its century-long tomb of silt and clay.
And again, the item resists being removed so easily. It's not the heaviest of all possible items, but it does weigh the same as a bag of cement, or two thirds of White Sands' body weight, or eleven rifles. Neither Iron's mouth nor White Sand's magic will free it from its century-long tomb of silt and clay.
>>153002
He smiles.
"I am interested, but I need bit of time before I can do so. Need to set up room for foal and all of that."
He smiles.
"I am interested, but I need bit of time before I can do so. Need to set up room for foal and all of that."
>>153004
Scrunching lightly, Iron opts to instead pick it up with his hooves and with the aid of Sands' telekinesis guide it to its proper place.
Scrunching lightly, Iron opts to instead pick it up with his hooves and with the aid of Sands' telekinesis guide it to its proper place.
>>153006
Silver continues to smile for a bit, before a more somber expression takes hold.
"I am not sure it is my place to ask, but...what happened to cause White Orchid and Mint Marine to be where they were, in that horrible 'business'?"
Silver continues to smile for a bit, before a more somber expression takes hold.
"I am not sure it is my place to ask, but...what happened to cause White Orchid and Mint Marine to be where they were, in that horrible 'business'?"
>>153007
Sands is only able to do so much. Iron can pull it up with both forehooves, but doing so causes him to not be able to walk normally. And any effort at lifting places more weight on his hooves, which sink into the mud. It isn't quite quicksand, but it's certainly not solid ground, and every bit of force and weight causes each hoof to sink deeper.
>>153008
She blinks
"What... do you mean?"
Sands is only able to do so much. Iron can pull it up with both forehooves, but doing so causes him to not be able to walk normally. And any effort at lifting places more weight on his hooves, which sink into the mud. It isn't quite quicksand, but it's certainly not solid ground, and every bit of force and weight causes each hoof to sink deeper.
>>153008
She blinks
"What... do you mean?"
>>153009
Iron's snout scrunches further before glancing at Cauldron. "How fragile is this thing?" he questions, all too eager to chuck it off the mud.
Iron's snout scrunches further before glancing at Cauldron. "How fragile is this thing?" he questions, all too eager to chuck it off the mud.
>>153010
"I don't know. It's made of iron and it's already survived a landslide. But's it's been rusting and corroding away for a century, so it's much weaker than before. The quicksilver itself is liquid. It's extremely poisonous, it will dissolve many metals, and it is very expensive. We don't really have an alternative way of carrying it."
>>153011
"Well..." she looks away. "The crime syndicate. They came and took them."
"I don't know. It's made of iron and it's already survived a landslide. But's it's been rusting and corroding away for a century, so it's much weaker than before. The quicksilver itself is liquid. It's extremely poisonous, it will dissolve many metals, and it is very expensive. We don't really have an alternative way of carrying it."
>>153011
"Well..." she looks away. "The crime syndicate. They came and took them."
>>153012
Iron frowns softly before an idea pops in his head, pulling out the trusty rope and showing it to the telekinetic pony in the group. "Take this end of the rope and tie it into a really sturdy tree," he requests "and then I will use it to climb out with one of the flasks and can probably go back in to dig a little more."
Iron frowns softly before an idea pops in his head, pulling out the trusty rope and showing it to the telekinetic pony in the group. "Take this end of the rope and tie it into a really sturdy tree," he requests "and then I will use it to climb out with one of the flasks and can probably go back in to dig a little more."
>>153015
White Sands has gotten herself dirtier than Iron may have imagined, standing there knee deep in mud. She takes the rope, and tries to walk back to the shoreline, eventually coming to Cauldron, who looks around for something to tie it to. Fortunately, she seems to have expected something like this to occur, so she has a stake which, when combined with the uprooted trunk of a dead tree, eventually provides a stable base for the rope.
>>153016
“The government doesn’t run the orphanage. The church does. And there’s been all sorts of new expenses, with the new war orphans, the blockade, and getting cut off from Canterlot.”
White Sands has gotten herself dirtier than Iron may have imagined, standing there knee deep in mud. She takes the rope, and tries to walk back to the shoreline, eventually coming to Cauldron, who looks around for something to tie it to. Fortunately, she seems to have expected something like this to occur, so she has a stake which, when combined with the uprooted trunk of a dead tree, eventually provides a stable base for the rope.
>>153016
“The government doesn’t run the orphanage. The church does. And there’s been all sorts of new expenses, with the new war orphans, the blockade, and getting cut off from Canterlot.”
>>153018
"They really should provide funds. I am sorry to hear that. I can not believe any gang would be so absolutely despicable as to do anything like that. You would have to have no morals in slightest."
"They really should provide funds. I am sorry to hear that. I can not believe any gang would be so absolutely despicable as to do anything like that. You would have to have no morals in slightest."
>>153019
Sister Marery replies to Silver’s first remark first.
“No. The government should stay out of it.”
Then she says,
“Yes, it’s truly terrible what some ponies will do to others who are down on their luck. But that’s what happens when ponies prioritize money over harmony.”
Sister Marery replies to Silver’s first remark first.
“No. The government should stay out of it.”
Then she says,
“Yes, it’s truly terrible what some ponies will do to others who are down on their luck. But that’s what happens when ponies prioritize money over harmony.”
>>153023
"I figured, they are biggest gang in Baltimare, but which boss from Waterfront Gang did you borrow from?"
"I figured, they are biggest gang in Baltimare, but which boss from Waterfront Gang did you borrow from?"
>>153024
“Well…” she looks away
Then she looks back to Silver
“I think… well… the lower level was a pony named Street Wise, but I don’t think it was him in charge. I think it was a pony named Bargain Strength.”
“Well…” she looks away
Then she looks back to Silver
“I think… well… the lower level was a pony named Street Wise, but I don’t think it was him in charge. I think it was a pony named Bargain Strength.”
>>153025
"Hmm..."
Silver files that information away for later.
"I wonder if other crews within Waterfront Gang know about what they did. They are rather well compartmentalized, to avoid one double-agent from compromising entire gang."
"Hmm..."
Silver files that information away for later.
"I wonder if other crews within Waterfront Gang know about what they did. They are rather well compartmentalized, to avoid one double-agent from compromising entire gang."
>>153026
She shakes her head
“I don’t… I don’t know. I would rather it remain a secret, and they don’t know that I told you that.”
She shakes her head
“I don’t… I don’t know. I would rather it remain a secret, and they don’t know that I told you that.”
>>153027
"Hmm. Alright then."
Silver looks around him at the garden.
"On different subject, can you tell me about garden?"
"Hmm. Alright then."
Silver looks around him at the garden.
"On different subject, can you tell me about garden?"
>>153028
She looks down at the flower bushes. Bare of flowers and largely naked in the winter, they appear as messes of thorns.
"In my spare time, I like to tend to flowers. Keep them trimmed, and keep the weeds out."
She looks down at the flower bushes. Bare of flowers and largely naked in the winter, they appear as messes of thorns.
"In my spare time, I like to tend to flowers. Keep them trimmed, and keep the weeds out."
>>153031
"There is kirin mare I am living with who is trying to start her own garden at our house. Any tips I could pass on to her?"
"There is kirin mare I am living with who is trying to start her own garden at our house. Any tips I could pass on to her?"
Spark has been gone a while, but hopefully I can catch up on everything I have to do soon and get back to playing.
>>153046
"Well, I suppose first is how we can get started. I also have question about Earth Pony Magic, if it is possible for pony with Earth Pony as parent to have it."
"Well, I suppose first is how we can get started. I also have question about Earth Pony Magic, if it is possible for pony with Earth Pony as parent to have it."
>>153047
“If they are an earth pony, then yes, they should have it. As for how to get started on gardening, well, there’s almost too much to say. I would say you need to start with figuring out what it is you want to garden, and why you are gardening. After that, figure out where you are going to build your garden.”
“If they are an earth pony, then yes, they should have it. As for how to get started on gardening, well, there’s almost too much to say. I would say you need to start with figuring out what it is you want to garden, and why you are gardening. After that, figure out where you are going to build your garden.”
>>153050
Silver smiles, evidently happy with that answer, and returns to the topic at hoof.
"I believe she wants spice and vegetable garden. She wants to plant some spices especially that come from her homeland. We live in coastal area so we built raised garden walls and are planning on filling it with more fertile soil than what is there in yard."
Silver smiles, evidently happy with that answer, and returns to the topic at hoof.
"I believe she wants spice and vegetable garden. She wants to plant some spices especially that come from her homeland. We live in coastal area so we built raised garden walls and are planning on filling it with more fertile soil than what is there in yard."
>>153053
“Using a raised bed with transferred soil means you can make it just right, but be careful if what you use. Not too much manure, not too much clay or sand. Make sure the soil is neither too acidic nor too basic. And know what the plants you are planting need. Do they really grow in the climate of Baltimare? Do they need more water than what the rain provides? And what is the drainage like in your raider beds? What does it need to be? The answers can be different for different plants, so be careful of raising them in the same beds.”
“Using a raised bed with transferred soil means you can make it just right, but be careful if what you use. Not too much manure, not too much clay or sand. Make sure the soil is neither too acidic nor too basic. And know what the plants you are planting need. Do they really grow in the climate of Baltimare? Do they need more water than what the rain provides? And what is the drainage like in your raider beds? What does it need to be? The answers can be different for different plants, so be careful of raising them in the same beds.”
>>153054
"Hmm...there is lot to consider. When you learned how to garden, did you have any books to guide you?"
"Hmm...there is lot to consider. When you learned how to garden, did you have any books to guide you?"
I am going to be tied up most of this week and the next, but maybe I can figure out how to get something done this weekend.
Everyone in this thread is a cute pony
>>153059
“Well… there’s the ‘Encycolpedia of Gardening,’ by Tea Sander. Or ‘A History of Gardening in Equestria’ by Alice Amber. I like ‘A Book About Roses’,that’s it’s name, by Reynard Hole. I suppose if will depend on what sort of gardening you want to do, exactly. I like flowers, Roses in particular.”
>>153085
Yay! A spectator!
“Well… there’s the ‘Encycolpedia of Gardening,’ by Tea Sander. Or ‘A History of Gardening in Equestria’ by Alice Amber. I like ‘A Book About Roses’,that’s it’s name, by Reynard Hole. I suppose if will depend on what sort of gardening you want to do, exactly. I like flowers, Roses in particular.”
>>153085
Yay! A spectator!
>>153091
“Well, yes. It’s a hobby of mine, really. Sister Leather Sickle knows more about Horticulture generally.”
“Well, yes. It’s a hobby of mine, really. Sister Leather Sickle knows more about Horticulture generally.”
>>153093
“We don’t have a lot of free time, really.” She cuts a bush with pruning shears. “But what time we do have, we focus productively.”
“We don’t have a lot of free time, really.” She cuts a bush with pruning shears. “But what time we do have, we focus productively.”
>>153094
Silver looks inquisitively at what she's doing as he asks his next question.
"I imagine...how did you and other Sisters here get into this line of...work, I suppose? Was it calling?"
Silver looks inquisitively at what she's doing as he asks his next question.
"I imagine...how did you and other Sisters here get into this line of...work, I suppose? Was it calling?"
>>153095
“I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say it is the meaning of my cutie mark, but, we’ll, yes. You could say it is a calling. I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.”
“I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say it is the meaning of my cutie mark, but, we’ll, yes. You could say it is a calling. I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.”
>>153100
"Well, alright."
He smiles at Sister Marery.
"Thank you for all of your help. I need to check on my friend and make sure he is doing okay."
"Well, alright."
He smiles at Sister Marery.
"Thank you for all of your help. I need to check on my friend and make sure he is doing okay."
>>153102
"As it was wonderful seeing you."
He bows to the nun, and returns to the orphanage building. Not knowing where Mala and Mint Marine are, he looks where Mint came from originally.
"As it was wonderful seeing you."
He bows to the nun, and returns to the orphanage building. Not knowing where Mala and Mint Marine are, he looks where Mint came from originally.
>>153112
A rust brown colt sits outside of the room. Looking into the room - a larger room with multiple beds and a pile of objects on the floor by a bed - is Mint Marine standing with a book opened and propped up on the bed by magic, and Mala sitting in a somewhat awkward looking way, hunched over and looking at the book.
A rust brown colt sits outside of the room. Looking into the room - a larger room with multiple beds and a pile of objects on the floor by a bed - is Mint Marine standing with a book opened and propped up on the bed by magic, and Mala sitting in a somewhat awkward looking way, hunched over and looking at the book.
>>153114
The colt sits down, just out of line of sight from the bed at the end of the dorm hall, though he leans over to look in. His hindquarters are on the floor, and his hooves in front of him. His ears are down.
He raises his hoof, and points inside.
“That”
The colt sits down, just out of line of sight from the bed at the end of the dorm hall, though he leans over to look in. His hindquarters are on the floor, and his hooves in front of him. His ears are down.
He raises his hoof, and points inside.
“That”
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