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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>>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.”
[Read more] 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.
[Read more] >>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.
[Read more] 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."
[Read more] 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.
[Read more] 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."
[Read more] "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."
[Read more] 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."
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