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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1787 replies and 32 files omitted.
>>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."
>>151795
"Heh. That's what Dark Denizen thinks. I think a swing, or jazz band would probably be more popular with the patrons."
"Heh. That's what Dark Denizen thinks. I think a swing, or jazz band would probably be more popular with the patrons."
>>151796
"Hmm, maybe, and that was the music I expected coming here. But for once I agree with her choice."
"Hmm, maybe, and that was the music I expected coming here. But for once I agree with her choice."
>>151799
Can a skilled musician really be so particular that he won't talk to ponies based on musical taste?
"That's a shame, you seem plenty nice."
Can a skilled musician really be so particular that he won't talk to ponies based on musical taste?
"That's a shame, you seem plenty nice."
>>151801
"I'm from a hundred-and-fifty miles to the west of here.
I grew up on a small farm and decided to come here to better support my folks. It's been...a big change of pace." She continues with a smile, "How about yourself? Are you from around here?"
"I'm from a hundred-and-fifty miles to the west of here.
I grew up on a small farm and decided to come here to better support my folks. It's been...a big change of pace." She continues with a smile, "How about yourself? Are you from around here?"
>>151807
"I figured you were from the country. I wouldn't have guessed you were that close though."
She pauses at Amber's question, and it seems as if she was not expecting to be asked reciprocally.
"Well, no. I am from Las Pegasus. But I've been in Baltimare several years now."
"I figured you were from the country. I wouldn't have guessed you were that close though."
She pauses at Amber's question, and it seems as if she was not expecting to be asked reciprocally.
"Well, no. I am from Las Pegasus. But I've been in Baltimare several years now."
>>151822
“Well…” she looks down
“I was abducted, I am a stranger in this land…”
She points her beak directly at the ground
“And… other things… so I’m… not alright…”
“Well…” she looks down
“I was abducted, I am a stranger in this land…”
She points her beak directly at the ground
“And… other things… so I’m… not alright…”
>>151820
Her eyes also light up hearing this. "I've never been there, but I heard it's such a beautiful city up in the clouds. Is it true that the sunsets are like nowhere else?"
Does Las Pegasus also have gambling? The association with Los Angeles is obvious but there's no Las Vegas analogue otherwise.
Her eyes also light up hearing this. "I've never been there, but I heard it's such a beautiful city up in the clouds. Is it true that the sunsets are like nowhere else?"
Does Las Pegasus also have gambling? The association with Los Angeles is obvious but there's no Las Vegas analogue otherwise.
>>151832
She pulls her lips back, showing teeth
“Yeah. I suppose you can call it beautiful. Some places were, some times. I don’t know how the sunset looks most other places. But yeah, it was nice watching it from the clouds as it set over the water. Or from the seaside cliffs. Better than watching it vanish into the forest like it does here.”
I think depictions of Los Pegasus are careful to turn the obvious slot machine allegories in the background into arcade games of various kinds, but it’s definitely a Los Vegas parallel with giant “casinos.” If gambling is legal in Equestria anywhere besides on injun reservations, it’s in Los Pegasus.
She pulls her lips back, showing teeth
“Yeah. I suppose you can call it beautiful. Some places were, some times. I don’t know how the sunset looks most other places. But yeah, it was nice watching it from the clouds as it set over the water. Or from the seaside cliffs. Better than watching it vanish into the forest like it does here.”
I think depictions of Los Pegasus are careful to turn the obvious slot machine allegories in the background into arcade games of various kinds, but it’s definitely a Los Vegas parallel with giant “casinos.” If gambling is legal in Equestria anywhere besides on injun reservations, it’s in Los Pegasus.
>>151834
"Lots of ponies went there to vacation before...you know. It must have been fun living there."
Oh, so child casinos then
"Lots of ponies went there to vacation before...you know. It must have been fun living there."
Oh, so child casinos then
>>151835
“Yeah….” She pauses “There we’re a decent number of things to do there. The things the tourists like, we did but they got old. But I was younger then, and had less freedom than I do now.”
If that’s how you want to interpret it. It seemed pretty clear that the animators wanted to depict a modern Las Vegas mega casino, but were restricted by the show’s rating.
“Yeah….” She pauses “There we’re a decent number of things to do there. The things the tourists like, we did but they got old. But I was younger then, and had less freedom than I do now.”
If that’s how you want to interpret it. It seemed pretty clear that the animators wanted to depict a modern Las Vegas mega casino, but were restricted by the show’s rating.
>>151837
No, I meant what they showed on-screen was basically child casinos which exist in real life, with tokens you buy and tickets you win to exchange for prizes. Personally, I think they're fine as long as parents keep tabs on their kids, but a number of people have decried such gambling. In-universe Las Pegasus has more conventional gambling for sure.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I had to grow up a ways before I was let out in the woods by myself. Understandable what with foals going missing time to time, but life gets tejus and I always wanted to explore. So I sneaked out time to time." She grins.
No, I meant what they showed on-screen was basically child casinos which exist in real life, with tokens you buy and tickets you win to exchange for prizes. Personally, I think they're fine as long as parents keep tabs on their kids, but a number of people have decried such gambling. In-universe Las Pegasus has more conventional gambling for sure.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I had to grow up a ways before I was let out in the woods by myself. Understandable what with foals going missing time to time, but life gets tejus and I always wanted to explore. So I sneaked out time to time." She grins.
>>151838
She blinks at some portion of the first half, but then turns her head and says
"Oh really?" at Amber's last words
She blinks at some portion of the first half, but then turns her head and says
"Oh really?" at Amber's last words
>>151839
"I like to be out in the open. Plus, there was a lake and a stream nearby which made for good swimming. I was always careful, and my sense of direction ain't that bad. How about you, did you ever sneak off someplace?"
"I like to be out in the open. Plus, there was a lake and a stream nearby which made for good swimming. I was always careful, and my sense of direction ain't that bad. How about you, did you ever sneak off someplace?"
>>151840
She turns her head, still grinning widely.
“I don’t think I snuck out, ever. I lied more than a few times about what I was doing, or didn’t say all of where I was going.”
She turns her head, still grinning widely.
“I don’t think I snuck out, ever. I lied more than a few times about what I was doing, or didn’t say all of where I was going.”
>>151841
Amber frowns. Sneaking out is one thing, lying is another. I still feel rotten about what I said earlier. And to one's parents no less. I would have gotten a plot-whooping if I tried that.
"Where did you like to head to?"
Amber frowns. Sneaking out is one thing, lying is another. I still feel rotten about what I said earlier. And to one's parents no less. I would have gotten a plot-whooping if I tried that.
"Where did you like to head to?"
>>151843
"Well, that's nice. Going sworping with friends sounds like a really good time. You had cliffs? What were they like?"
"Well, that's nice. Going sworping with friends sounds like a really good time. You had cliffs? What were they like?"
>>151844
"Yeah. Well, seaside cliffs. That's what the waterline was like. Cliffs, though there were beaches below that in many areas, so you could go to the beach. Just jump off, and glide right down. Well, it helps being able to fly." A quick look confirms that she is indeed a Pegasus.
"Yeah. Well, seaside cliffs. That's what the waterline was like. Cliffs, though there were beaches below that in many areas, so you could go to the beach. Just jump off, and glide right down. Well, it helps being able to fly." A quick look confirms that she is indeed a Pegasus.
>>151845
>>150870 →
Seabreeze nods
"Good. So you have at least two specific names. But we need specific plans and evidence. And more importantly, we need to know who else - and what else. If these ponies are a part of a larger network, it will help to learn as much as possible. It seems it will be profitable for you to stay on their tails. Continue posing as one of them. Go deeper. Gain their trust, and learn more,"
>>150870 →
Seabreeze nods
"Good. So you have at least two specific names. But we need specific plans and evidence. And more importantly, we need to know who else - and what else. If these ponies are a part of a larger network, it will help to learn as much as possible. It seems it will be profitable for you to stay on their tails. Continue posing as one of them. Go deeper. Gain their trust, and learn more,"
>>151849
He gives a single, sharp nod
"Good. Do you wish to know anything else, or need anything else?"
He gives a single, sharp nod
"Good. Do you wish to know anything else, or need anything else?"
>>151851
He nods again
“Alright. Thank you. You are dismissed.” He says to Dark Star, still looking at him - rather than down at his papers - as Dark Star remains in the room.
He nods again
“Alright. Thank you. You are dismissed.” He says to Dark Star, still looking at him - rather than down at his papers - as Dark Star remains in the room.
>>151853
Out in the hallway, Dark Star encounters the same bat pony creature thing, who stands by where the main hallway connects with the back hallway that leads to Seabreeze’s office. He says nothing to Dark Star, though his slit-eyes watch him. The hallway is dimly lit, and it isn’t clear that anyone else is there.
Out in the hallway, Dark Star encounters the same bat pony creature thing, who stands by where the main hallway connects with the back hallway that leads to Seabreeze’s office. He says nothing to Dark Star, though his slit-eyes watch him. The hallway is dimly lit, and it isn’t clear that anyone else is there.
>>151855
The creature blinks, and for a moment hesitates to answer. But he does answer:
"For me, it's still ongoing."
The creature blinks, and for a moment hesitates to answer. But he does answer:
"For me, it's still ongoing."
>>151857
He looks down at the hoof, and with little delay extends his own hoof, forming a small smile as he does so. His grip is firm, though his shake is characterized by a kind of quick, jolting motion.
"Stay strong." he says
He looks down at the hoof, and with little delay extends his own hoof, forming a small smile as he does so. His grip is firm, though his shake is characterized by a kind of quick, jolting motion.
"Stay strong." he says
>>151859
Dark Star leaves the bat, walks past him only a dozen or so feet, and walks up the stairwell. The room is on the right, as it has been.
Dark Star opens the door on the hotel room, walks in, and sitting at the table sees a familiar azure white pegasus sitting at the paper-covered table, hind legs crossed, forelges gripping a paperback book held open, and her turquoise eyes watching Dark Star as he enters.
"Haven't seen you in a while" she says, somewhat softly
Dark Star leaves the bat, walks past him only a dozen or so feet, and walks up the stairwell. The room is on the right, as it has been.
Dark Star opens the door on the hotel room, walks in, and sitting at the table sees a familiar azure white pegasus sitting at the paper-covered table, hind legs crossed, forelges gripping a paperback book held open, and her turquoise eyes watching Dark Star as he enters.
"Haven't seen you in a while" she says, somewhat softly
>>151866
"Oh"
She smiles back deviously
"I was about to say. Equestrian colleges are a unicorn-plot. Colleges in general, really"
"Oh"
She smiles back deviously
"I was about to say. Equestrian colleges are a unicorn-plot. Colleges in general, really"
>>151869
"Yes, it is. First, unicorns try to convince society, especially the well off, that it's essential to teach their children maths and science, literature and philosophy. Which makes sense, really. But what is important is that children are sent away and taught by the unicorns, who think they are entitled to a say in how society is run. The unicorns teach this captive audience all sorts of insidious ideas like equality or licentiousness, or the eight hour work day. And so they make the children rebel against their parents, and society starts to lose cohesion. The unicorns try to impose their own idea of what civilization is, although in truth their ideas lead to vice and ruin."
"Yes, it is. First, unicorns try to convince society, especially the well off, that it's essential to teach their children maths and science, literature and philosophy. Which makes sense, really. But what is important is that children are sent away and taught by the unicorns, who think they are entitled to a say in how society is run. The unicorns teach this captive audience all sorts of insidious ideas like equality or licentiousness, or the eight hour work day. And so they make the children rebel against their parents, and society starts to lose cohesion. The unicorns try to impose their own idea of what civilization is, although in truth their ideas lead to vice and ruin."
>>151870
He puts his hoof to his chin in thought
"I would say thats off base,but what i heard today has really opened my eyes to the types of ponies that run the universities and the types that attend."
He puts his hoof to his chin in thought
"I would say thats off base,but what i heard today has really opened my eyes to the types of ponies that run the universities and the types that attend."
>>151871
"It's not though. They try to weasel their way in, and they get worse as the generations go by, because each new one is taught by the last. The merchants are the ones who carry out the revolutions, but it's always the intelligentsia that plants the thought."
"It's not though. They try to weasel their way in, and they get worse as the generations go by, because each new one is taught by the last. The merchants are the ones who carry out the revolutions, but it's always the intelligentsia that plants the thought."
>>151846
Amber nods, not feeling any common connection in regard to that activity. "What's it like swimming in the ocean?"
Amber nods, not feeling any common connection in regard to that activity. "What's it like swimming in the ocean?"
>>151874
"See! Everything they say, no matter how insane it sounds, no matter how horrible, or radical, or out there, is how the world is going to be in just a few generations, Because they teach the children - the children of the powerful. The children who matter. And everything slowly turns in that direction.
When Nimbusia voted to end apartness, and end the system that had kept all of the eastern ponies safe for a thousand years, I felt betrayed, because I did not understand how a majority of my fellow pegasi could vote for that. But the reason is the schooling. The influence of the the colleges and the theaters. A thousand years of wisdom that was not passed onto the children, but replaced by insidious doctrine instead."
"See! Everything they say, no matter how insane it sounds, no matter how horrible, or radical, or out there, is how the world is going to be in just a few generations, Because they teach the children - the children of the powerful. The children who matter. And everything slowly turns in that direction.
When Nimbusia voted to end apartness, and end the system that had kept all of the eastern ponies safe for a thousand years, I felt betrayed, because I did not understand how a majority of my fellow pegasi could vote for that. But the reason is the schooling. The influence of the the colleges and the theaters. A thousand years of wisdom that was not passed onto the children, but replaced by insidious doctrine instead."
>>151873
"Well, I didn't swim that often. More often we hung around on the beach. But it's nice and warm most of the time, but still cool on a hot day. You can feel the water moving. The water could be kind of gross sometimes, with all of the creatures and things in it, but you can have a good time doing things like bouncing beach balls."
"Well, I didn't swim that often. More often we hung around on the beach. But it's nice and warm most of the time, but still cool on a hot day. You can feel the water moving. The water could be kind of gross sometimes, with all of the creatures and things in it, but you can have a good time doing things like bouncing beach balls."
>>151877
"It's a little warmer there, and usually a little less humid. But really the two cities are kind of similar, since they are both kind of subtropical and by the ocean. I prefer the summers there though."
"It's a little warmer there, and usually a little less humid. But really the two cities are kind of similar, since they are both kind of subtropical and by the ocean. I prefer the summers there though."
>>151879
"Sounds nice. I hope to be able to visit one day. What's your name? I'm Amber." She raises a hoof to shake, smiling.
"Sounds nice. I hope to be able to visit one day. What's your name? I'm Amber." She raises a hoof to shake, smiling.
>>151878
"Yes! It is! It infects every civilization. Well, Changelings are smart enough to avoid it, obviously, but it infects every pony civilization. The Riverlands, here. The griffins got hit by it a whole lot harder than we did, with that revolution thirty years ago.
But I am telling you, every single insidious change in society, every single revolution, just go back one or two or three generations, and you'll see some university professor somewhere who started the whole thing. One pony, setting a bomb, a massive bomb, designed to go off decades in the future, usually after they die. And they bury it right underneath the school that will teach our children's children."
"Yes! It is! It infects every civilization. Well, Changelings are smart enough to avoid it, obviously, but it infects every pony civilization. The Riverlands, here. The griffins got hit by it a whole lot harder than we did, with that revolution thirty years ago.
But I am telling you, every single insidious change in society, every single revolution, just go back one or two or three generations, and you'll see some university professor somewhere who started the whole thing. One pony, setting a bomb, a massive bomb, designed to go off decades in the future, usually after they die. And they bury it right underneath the school that will teach our children's children."
>>151880
"I'm Sanguine Saunter" she answers
She (eventually) raises a hoof to shake. Her shake is rather weak, and she breaks off someone early.
"I don't know if... Well. I would hope I could visit again some day."
"I'm Sanguine Saunter" she answers
She (eventually) raises a hoof to shake. Her shake is rather weak, and she breaks off someone early.
"I don't know if... Well. I would hope I could visit again some day."
>>151882
"I wouldn't worry about it," she replies, though her weak smile betrays some doubt.
"How is work at the Club Maurice?"
"I wouldn't worry about it," she replies, though her weak smile betrays some doubt.
"How is work at the Club Maurice?"
>>151881
"Well thats not Good what so ever. i heard a speech tonight. that could be considered just that."
"Well thats not Good what so ever. i heard a speech tonight. that could be considered just that."
>>151884
"Oh really? What did this creature say?"
>>151883
"Well, it can vary. The ponies here are often wealthier, and even when they aren't, they are drunk. Stallions especially will give big tips. Some of the downsides are that Denizen and her companions... Well, you see how she is... now. And sometimes the stallions don't really mind their manners, especially when they are drunk."
"Oh really? What did this creature say?"
>>151883
"Well, it can vary. The ponies here are often wealthier, and even when they aren't, they are drunk. Stallions especially will give big tips. Some of the downsides are that Denizen and her companions... Well, you see how she is... now. And sometimes the stallions don't really mind their manners, especially when they are drunk."
>>151886
"Not..." She pulls her lips back
"Really. At least for me, anyways.
A few waitresses have been fired, Denizen gets a bad temper when the police accuse her of running backroom gambling rings, a couple stallions get hoofsie, a waitress regretted going home with a stallion... there was that one time a stallion got shot, but I wasn't here for that.
The money can be pretty good though."
>>151887
Blue Skies leans in towards Dark Star, and almost whispers into his ear
"Was it a unicorn?"
"Not..." She pulls her lips back
"Really. At least for me, anyways.
A few waitresses have been fired, Denizen gets a bad temper when the police accuse her of running backroom gambling rings, a couple stallions get hoofsie, a waitress regretted going home with a stallion... there was that one time a stallion got shot, but I wasn't here for that.
The money can be pretty good though."
>>151887
Blue Skies leans in towards Dark Star, and almost whispers into his ear
"Was it a unicorn?"
>>151890
"I knew it" She giggles and smiles, and leans back to be in front of Dark Star
"So... What's with the new coat?"
"I knew it" She giggles and smiles, and leans back to be in front of Dark Star
"So... What's with the new coat?"
File (): 2EC3BAF6B93924B64B5A0E11A7511B19-180918.png (176.7 KB, 745x1072, shocked_twilight_vector_by_superponytime.png)
>>151888
Amber recoils in surprise. "That sounds awful. I just started work at a cozy restaurant–my friend also works there, maybe you saw him with me earlier–and I haven't encountered any of that...yet.
Should I be worried?"
Amber recoils in surprise. "That sounds awful. I just started work at a cozy restaurant–my friend also works there, maybe you saw him with me earlier–and I haven't encountered any of that...yet.
Should I be worried?"
>>151891
"Well its like when i had to disguise myself as a zebra. Surprised you realized it was me. i almost got shot getting in."
Dark Star Laughs
"Well its like when i had to disguise myself as a zebra. Surprised you realized it was me. i almost got shot getting in."
Dark Star Laughs
>>151892
She pulls her teeth back a little
"Heh, what? Well, you'll see some of that if you are a waiter for long enough. But it's definitely different here, in a night club. So you just started as a waiter?"
She pulls her teeth back a little
"Heh, what? Well, you'll see some of that if you are a waiter for long enough. But it's definitely different here, in a night club. So you just started as a waiter?"
>>151894
"A hostess, actually. I greet ponies and get them to a table to be waited on, making sure none of the waiters are overloaded. One of them is my friend Mustard."
"A hostess, actually. I greet ponies and get them to a table to be waited on, making sure none of the waiters are overloaded. One of them is my friend Mustard."
>>151893
"Heh, you've got the same body; the same trot to you. Of course I recognize you. You are my Darkie. That, and who else would come here at night? Not many ponies even have a key.
Good to hear they are taking security seriously though."
>>151895
She nods
"Oh, so you really have just started."
She raises an eye brow
"Who is this 'Mustard'?"
"Heh, you've got the same body; the same trot to you. Of course I recognize you. You are my Darkie. That, and who else would come here at night? Not many ponies even have a key.
Good to hear they are taking security seriously though."
>>151895
She nods
"Oh, so you really have just started."
She raises an eye brow
"Who is this 'Mustard'?"
"He's the colt I was with earlier. I've known him only a couple of days, but he seems nice. I let him know I was coming here after work, so he came here to meet with me, which is sweet I guess."
>>151900
"Well i'm infiltrating a group of Students right now. one appears to have been involved with the revolt."
"Well i'm infiltrating a group of Students right now. one appears to have been involved with the revolt."
>>151900
Nodding, Amber replies, "Mhm. He's the only one there my age but he's friendly 'nough. He lives with his ma and still goes to school, so that has to be a varied life for 'im. This was the first time we were ever anyplace together, and it wasn't really planned."
Nodding, Amber replies, "Mhm. He's the only one there my age but he's friendly 'nough. He lives with his ma and still goes to school, so that has to be a varied life for 'im. This was the first time we were ever anyplace together, and it wasn't really planned."
>>151901
"Oh" She says
"You're young enough. I suppose you really would be a freshly starting student."
She blinks
"Which revolt? The local one?"
"Oh" She says
"You're young enough. I suppose you really would be a freshly starting student."
She blinks
"Which revolt? The local one?"
>>151903
"Yea the local one that happend fairly recently. he said he has ties to someponies that were involved and they have a cache of weapons."
"Yea the local one that happend fairly recently. he said he has ties to someponies that were involved and they have a cache of weapons."
>>151909
Amber smirks. "I won't tell anypony if you don't. It was a good drink too, I've never had anything like it. I thought booze was all acrid and put your throat on fire, but that was just like juice."
Amber smirks. "I won't tell anypony if you don't. It was a good drink too, I've never had anything like it. I thought booze was all acrid and put your throat on fire, but that was just like juice."
>>151912
"Lemons I've heard of, but what's a 'passion fruit'? Does it make you fall in love or somethin'?" she sniggers.
"Lemons I've heard of, but what's a 'passion fruit'? Does it make you fall in love or somethin'?" she sniggers.
>>151915
"Yea,sea breeze approved. honestly im not looking too forward to it. i thought when i was little it would be.....different."
"Yea,sea breeze approved. honestly im not looking too forward to it. i thought when i was little it would be.....different."
>>151918
"Well i thought ponies went there to learn useful things to build their intellect. not to become indoctrinated into a Communist philosophy."
"Well i thought ponies went there to learn useful things to build their intellect. not to become indoctrinated into a Communist philosophy."
>>151918
"Having grown up used to what we could grow locally, I don't mind these fancy fruits one bit. Between them, the music, and dancing, I ain't surprised ponies like coming here. It's a good place to relax, if you don't pay heed to the owner." She says this last part in a hushed tone. "What's your favorite fruit and drink?"
"Having grown up used to what we could grow locally, I don't mind these fancy fruits one bit. Between them, the music, and dancing, I ain't surprised ponies like coming here. It's a good place to relax, if you don't pay heed to the owner." She says this last part in a hushed tone. "What's your favorite fruit and drink?"
>>151919
"Huh. I suppose educating earth ponies on things like, well... how to dig holes better makes sense, I guess. But yeah, it's how philosophies like Liberalism seep their way into a society. Like poisonous gas underneath a door."
>>151920
As if in reply to the "pay heed to the owner" remark, the gap between Amber's statements is filled with the sound of a sledge hammer, and bricks falling
Replying,
"Simple vodka and orange juice."
"Huh. I suppose educating earth ponies on things like, well... how to dig holes better makes sense, I guess. But yeah, it's how philosophies like Liberalism seep their way into a society. Like poisonous gas underneath a door."
>>151920
As if in reply to the "pay heed to the owner" remark, the gap between Amber's statements is filled with the sound of a sledge hammer, and bricks falling
Replying,
"Simple vodka and orange juice."
>>151921
"That sounds refreshing?" said almost if unsure. "It must be rough working at these odd hours."
"That sounds refreshing?" said almost if unsure. "It must be rough working at these odd hours."
>>151922
She turns around
"Yeah, the hours are definitely something. But I'm a night owl anyways, and the total number of hours isn't really that many, since I very rarely have to work during daylight at all. It means I can do other things as well."
>>151923
"Hahaha," She laughs at Dark Star's statement
"I should have figured."
She places a hoof in Dark Star's mane
She turns around
"Yeah, the hours are definitely something. But I'm a night owl anyways, and the total number of hours isn't really that many, since I very rarely have to work during daylight at all. It means I can do other things as well."
>>151923
"Hahaha," She laughs at Dark Star's statement
"I should have figured."
She places a hoof in Dark Star's mane
>>151924
"Sounds like a reasonable trade-off. Probably better than working two jobs from the morning to late at night...."
"Sounds like a reasonable trade-off. Probably better than working two jobs from the morning to late at night...."
>>151927
"I'm just glad to be out of debt, you know? That's the only reason I agreed to help her out, and I don't think I want to do anything like that again."
"I'm just glad to be out of debt, you know? That's the only reason I agreed to help her out, and I don't think I want to do anything like that again."
>>151934
"I mean... well, for example, you taking the drink. That wouldn't have been acceptable in many places, but Dark Denizen is okay with it, so long as the police don't harass her over it. And the same with many things."
>>151935
She leans her head back
"Hahaha"
She recovers, and says
"Yes, like that" and runs her hoof through his mane again
"The weeds regrow every year, or even more often than that, and you must pull them out. And that is what the Junior-Crypteia must do to society. That is what the SSA must do. Every day, pull up weeds."
"I mean... well, for example, you taking the drink. That wouldn't have been acceptable in many places, but Dark Denizen is okay with it, so long as the police don't harass her over it. And the same with many things."
>>151935
She leans her head back
"Hahaha"
She recovers, and says
"Yes, like that" and runs her hoof through his mane again
"The weeds regrow every year, or even more often than that, and you must pull them out. And that is what the Junior-Crypteia must do to society. That is what the SSA must do. Every day, pull up weeds."
>>151936
Amber seems taken aback by this. "I thought it was a nice gesture? I know I shouldn't get into spirits until I'm older, but is one drink really that bad? It didn't taste strong at all either."
Amber seems taken aback by this. "I thought it was a nice gesture? I know I shouldn't get into spirits until I'm older, but is one drink really that bad? It didn't taste strong at all either."
>>151942
"I suppose. Anyway, I'm glad to have had the chance to talk, and I'm looking forward to meeting again, Sanguine." She smiles at the flaxen mare.
"I suppose. Anyway, I'm glad to have had the chance to talk, and I'm looking forward to meeting again, Sanguine." She smiles at the flaxen mare.
>>151944
Amber proceeds to break a rule her parents laid down, "Don't wander alone at night," but does it really count as wandering if she's going straight home?
Amber proceeds to break a rule her parents laid down, "Don't wander alone at night," but does it really count as wandering if she's going straight home?
>>151947
It is indeed, late at night. Amber exits through the front entrance, where Dark Denizen and the diamond dog are in the process of adding a wooden door frame.
>>151948
She extends her wings, at least in part, as she lets Dark Star rub her back
"Oh, a book. Withers' Height." It's a piece of Equestrian romantic literature. I couldn't read in this language just a little over a year ago, you know? So I'm still practicing."
It is indeed, late at night. Amber exits through the front entrance, where Dark Denizen and the diamond dog are in the process of adding a wooden door frame.
>>151948
She extends her wings, at least in part, as she lets Dark Star rub her back
"Oh, a book. Withers' Height." It's a piece of Equestrian romantic literature. I couldn't read in this language just a little over a year ago, you know? So I'm still practicing."
>>151949
What ever is the point of adding another door like this? she asks herself, as she proceeds along into the cold, dark night.
What ever is the point of adding another door like this? she asks herself, as she proceeds along into the cold, dark night.
>>151949
He Continues massaging her back
"Oh Really? That's incredible. Why don't you read some of it to me?"
He Continues massaging her back
"Oh Really? That's incredible. Why don't you read some of it to me?"
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