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Occupied Equestria - Midnight
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.155000
155006 155654
Continuing
2292 replies and 20 files omitted.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156429
156430
>>156428
Silver nods.

"If you do not have sleeping bags or bedding, I can get them for you."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156430
156491
>>156429
Marery tells the foals
"Go. Get your things."

And she asks Silver
"Do you not have beds for them to stay in?"
Amber Sunset
5ebdd7d
?
No.156431
156432
>>156428
Amber giggles as her mane is ruffled.

"Music makes ponies happy. I love playing for you, but you're right. I'll keep practicing until I'm as good as I can be, and I'll bring happiness to the world."

"Speaking of, no they didn't…they assured me that one day they'd find a husband for me. But many of the best stallions around were sent off, except for some fogeys, so I don't see how they could do that now…. Anyway, from what I've seen it's hard to find good work that'll support a family, and I don't want a stallion to have that kind of burden on his lonesome." Her ears dip down.
Anonymous
b84260f
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No.156432
156433
>>156431
The cohort most affected is the 19-24 male cohort immediately above Amber. As Amber would likely have been expected to be married to a stallion just slightly older than her, this dearth of single stallions - all of whom would have been of good health and reasonable moral character - affects her more than most.

He smiles at her giggling, and pulls in closer to her.
"They wanted to find a stallion for you? Didn't they tell you to beware of stallions in the city?"
Amber Sunset
5ebdd7d
?
No.156433
156434
>>156432
"No, a country stallion. And what they told me is to not let any strangers touch me. But fortunately, you're not a stranger," she says, nuzzling her forehead against his cheek.
Anonymous
b84260f
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No.156434
156435
>>156433
He has a smile as she nuzzles him, which quickly goes away.

"They told you not to touch anyone? Did they... have somepony specific in mind?"
Amber Sunset
5ebdd7d
?
No.156435
156436
>>156434
"Um…no?" She looks befuddled by his question.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156436
156437
>>156435
"They told you not to touch anyone, come back single, and they'd set you up with someone they know?"
Amber Sunset
5ebdd7d
?
No.156437
156438
>>156436
"They didn't say anything about that, just to not let strangers touch me."
Anonymous
b84260f
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No.156438
156439
>>156437
"Okay..." He looks clearly disturbed.

"Did they give you any kind of warning about colts or stallions?"
Amber Sunset
5ebdd7d
?
No.156439
156441
>>156438
"Well, that some might 'try to take advantage of me,' so be careful when talking or meeting with them."
Anonymous
b84260f
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No.156441
156442
>>156439
He looks at her for a moment or so in silence.
"Did they elaborate upon that at all?"
Amber Sunset
5ebdd7d
?
No.156442
156443
>>156441
"Yes, of course," she says, smiling. "I shouldn't accept any job without a written contract or an upfront payment. "I shouldn't sign any contract without understanding what it means, and I shouldn't pay for anything without getting something back."
Anonymous
b84260f
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No.156443
156444
>>156442
He shakes his head, and frowns.

"Amber, can we talk?" He looks around the kitchen.

"I think we might want to go outside for this."
Amber Sunset
5ebdd7d
?
No.156444
156445
>>156443
She shrugs. "Sure, why not?" and follows where he leads.
Anonymous
b84260f
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No.156445
156446
>>156444
He moves out of the kitchen, says hello to his mother (who is in the living room), cautiously looks upstairs, looks out the back door, and then back to his mother. He tells her that he would go on a quick walk around the block with Amber. She asks how long they will be gone, he says only a few minutes and only a block or so, and she says to be careful. Mustard Trim walks with Amber out the front door and onto the sidewalk outside. It is twilight, and it feels rather cold outside. He walks with Amber, looking around, crosses the street, walks a little further, and continues to look around. Then finally, he speaks to Amber:

"Did you parents tell you anything about sex?"
Amber Sunset
5ebdd7d
?
No.156446
156448
>>156445
She looks confused about what he's trying to get at. "Uh, yeah. There are two sexes, male and female. Ain't that what you mean?"
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156448
156449
>>156446
"Did your parents tell you not to have sex before marriage, that you could get pregnant, and to watch out for stallions looking to seduce you?"

He is not wearing his jacket, and must be cold
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156449
156450
>>156448
She blinks with a blank expression. "Well, I know I shouldn't kiss without intendin' to marry…you're saying that could have issues?" She looks slightly alarmed by that information. "Stallions haven't come after me though, and I don't have to worry now that I have you."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156450
156451
>>156449
He stands there, looking at her with uncertainty.

It's pretty clear that his mother's paranoia, trust issues, and apprehensions about sexuality have infected Mustard Trim. Unlike Veneer, he doesn't have the finances to simply walk away from it.

"So they did tell you not to kiss anypony without intending to marry them?"
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156451
156452
>>156450
"Uh…well it's more of an understood thing. If you kiss somepony on the lips, you should marry them.…" She blushes and looks off to the side, painfully aware that it's clear she wants to marry him–or is just breaking the rule.

"Why is this so important again?"
Anonymous
b84260f
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No.156452
156453
>>156451
By contrast, Mustard Trim has a distressed and guilty expression.

"Amber. You know after what we did together, those country stallions are not going to want to marry you. Well, maybe they will. But it's going to be a blemish. Like a bruise on an apple. Your parents certainly will not like it."

A beat
"I'm sorry."
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156453
156454
>>156452
Painful memories of last night's dream come rushing back, and she looks panicked. "You're not going to tell them, are you? Nopony has to know. We're good at keeping it secret, right?" she asks with a nervous smile.
Anonymous
b84260f
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No.156454
156455
>>156453
He is not smiling at all
“No. I’m not. And I’ll keep it a secret. Any stallion in the future, at least while you’re young, is going to ask about it. He’ll probably be looking for and expect bloody sheets.”
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156455
156456
>>156454
She frowns. "Oh. Well, I still go by what I said last night."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156456
156457
>>156455
He looks slightly relieved. Slightly.

"Okay... I'm sorry Amber."
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156457
156458
>>156456
Now she is worried. By bringing up different stallions he was implying that he had no plans of marrying her. Although he never explicitly promised her that, she was hoping he would view their relationship as more than temporary. "I didn't mean I wanted to marry a country stallion, Mustard. I…I don't know what the future will hold, but I don't regret being with you one bit." She paws the ground anxiously.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156458
156459
>>156457
"Okay." He says. "I just needed to be sure. I needed to be sure so that I don't regret it."
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156459
156460
>>156458
"I wouldn't make you regret any of this, not when I love you so," she says tearfully. "Don't doubt me, please."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156460
156461
>>156459
He smiles to her, and holds up a leg so that he is open to place her in a hug.
"How long will you love me?" He asks
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156461
156462
>>156460
The filly walks right up to him and whispers in his ear. "Forever."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156462
156463
>>156461
He moves his leg up in a beckoning fashion. Clearly her simply walking up next to him isn't good enough.

He has a wider smile.
"But what if you meet somepony while playing music? What if I'm not adventurous enough for you? You say no other stallion has approached you. So what happens if one does, and he can play the guitar, or can go to more places, or is more mysterious, or something?"
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156463
156464
>>156462
She turns around so they are now side by side, head to head, and snuggles up to him. He can feel her woolen dress, with warmth seeping through, rub against his fur. "Mustard, there is only one of you. Nopony can match what you've done for me, and you'll always be in my heart."
Anonymous
b84260f
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No.156464
156465
>>156463
He places his leg around her, and rubs his neck against her head

"You're a sweet little filly. No, I do not regret coming back to you at all. Want to talk more about our future plans, and see what we have in common?"
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156465
156467
>>156464
He can feel his neck being tenderly nuzzled.

"Mhm, let's do that."
Anonymous
d10b1ba
?
No.156466
156467
>>156279
"well see you later."
he walks back over to nadir
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156467
156468 156469
>>156465
He moves his leg down, and begins to walk with Amber along the sidewalk, besides these lines of rowhouses.

"Well, as I've told you, I am a little conflicted. You see, a part of me thinks that I should go into construction. But another part of me thinks I should work directly for the mills that make these things. And still another part of me thinks I should look at it even more broadly. See if any schooling helps."

>>156466
She gives a little wave as Solar Night walks away.

Nadir is already looking at Solar Night, looking slightly angry and with her ears down.
"Who is she?" She asks
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156468
156470 156471
AmberSunset.png
>>156467
Her familiar smile returns as she walks along with Mustard Trim.
"You're definitely competent enough to work in a mill, but there's a creative spark in you. I saw that with your engineerin' works, and I think you can better express that in construction. Schooling might not be a bad idea but I don't know what you learn in those classes."
Anonymous
d10b1ba
?
No.156469
156471
>>156467
"she said her name was cold morning. i asked her wear we could find some books."
Anonymous
d10b1ba
?
No.156470
156471
>>156468
Cute pone.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156471
156472 156473
>>156468
He smiles, and looks away for a moment, before returning to Amber
"I wouldn't call working in the mill 'uncreative. You see, that's where the decorative trim, moldings, mantels, friezes, and wainscoting are made. You use the machine and with the right move to it, the patterns are cut into the wood, and shaped, ad sent to whoever will buy it. Sometimes a standard pattern, sometimes custom made."

>>156469
"Oh... kay..." She says. Her ear twitches, and she looks agitated.
"How will we get books?" She asks. "Already it looks like I will fail. This is too much stuff to memorize. How will I read all of that? How will I get those books?"

>>156470
A cute indeed
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156472
156474
>>156471
"I didn't know it was quite that involved. Your talent is woodworking, ain't it? Sounds like a perfect gig for you." She beams at him encouragingly.
Anonymous
d10b1ba
?
No.156473
156474
>>156471
"well we could study together if you want. and i think i have some money left over."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156474
156475 156480
>>156472
"Sort of. Something like that." He does have a wide smile.

"My mother thinks the erector sets are just stupid toys. She thinks they are a waste of money. But you see the creativity in them. I like that..."

>>156473
She stops frowning, and her ears move back up.
"I think I would want to study with you. Did you understand most of that lecture?"

She stands up (she sat down in front of him briefly) and moves her side a little closer to him
"You have... money left?"
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156475
156476
>>156474
"Erector sets? What an odd name! But they let you be an engineer and build whatever you want, I can't believe she doesn't see their worth."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156476
156477
>>156475
"Yes, thank you! I love building the sets. You can follow instructions, and you can try to make your own things. Those are just two of the ones I won. I would like to own more... That's actually some of what I spent my money on before you came."
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156477
156478
>>156476
"Well, don't spend so much money on mares, save up so you can teach yourself construction," she says with a twinkle in her eye.

"I wish I could work on those with you, but I'm plum awful with technical matters. I'm glad you can fill in my deficiencies, you're smarter than most ponies give you credit for."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156478
156479
>>156477
"Heh. I will apply as an apprentice in a mill or in a construction company as soon as I graduate"

He looks back at her, and places his hoof on her neck, and starts rubbing her behind her ear.

"Why don't I tell you another of my goals. I want to get married. I want to do it young. My mom, I think, would like it if I moved out not all that long after I graduate, and I don't really mind that. So long as I have the right filly."
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156479
156481
>>156478
filly is rubbed

"I–I want to get married young too. It's the best time to do it, my ma would say, and I'm getting to the age where most fillies get hitched. There is something that really appeals to me too, being able to face the world with a pony you love more than anypony else." She has a blush on her cheeks. And being able to kiss and cuddle without any guilt… she thinks.
Anonymous
d10b1ba
?
No.156480
156483
>>156474
"Yea, i did understand most of it. yea a little."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156481
156482
>>156479
He rubs the little filly s'more, flopping her ear down.

"And for foals, I want four of them, I think. And early. Fairly young."
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156482
156483
>>156481
Her ear feels soft and velvety, and she coos as he pets her atop the head.

"Mmm, only four? I think it's possible to raise even more, if the older siblings help out."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156483
156484 156485
>>156480
"You should tell me more about it later. When we have to review for the test."
She looks away, and the two presumably start to walk out of the lecture hall. She says to Solar Night

"I don't understand why I am required to study Equestrian History at all. It's not my history. It's not my herd. I am not Equestrian, and my ancestors were not and would not have been welcome in Equestria."

>>156482
"Hehehehe" He giggles, and now furiously rubs her neck while pressing her head into his side
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156484
156486
>>156483
She brushes her cheek against his coat, inevitably messing up some of his hairs.
Anonymous
d10b1ba
?
No.156485
156486
>>156483
""Yea i will for sure. Yea i can understand. that train of thought. although, learning history is good to not make the same mistakes of the past."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156486
156487 156490
>>156484
He doesn't mind at all. He is naked right now, and Amber is in her full dress. He rubs up against her more so, and moves his muzzle back, biting at her ear.

>>156485
"So many mistakes" She says

"Yeah, you're right, I think. June says that knowing history and economics is important. All I really know is that all of these stallions who sound like they know what they are talking about know history, and they know it better than me.

I kind of wish I could study bat pony history instead though. Or world history. I would kind of like to know more about the griffins. Or the changelings even. Or the zebras..."
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156487
156488
>>156486
She is mindful that he might expose himself in public like he mentioned had happened to him several times before. But she doesn't mind what he's doing at all. Giggling, she mentions, "Mustard, we're in public, teehee."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156488
156489
>>156487
"Then let me take you back" He says to her.

"Did you say you start your cycle sometime in the spring? Do you know about when, exactly?"
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156489
156492
>>156488
"You keep sayin' cycle, I don't know what you mean by that."
Anonymous
d10b1ba
?
No.156490
156492
>>156486
"Yea im sure we can next semester. it would be very interesting."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156491
156492
>>156430
"Not at moment, but I can fix that."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156492
156493 156500 156519
>>156490
She looks at him with a small smile
"Maybe that is what I will study. History. It seems kind of difficult now though. Maybe it will be easier later."

Alright, now Solar Night is off to his next thing

>>156489
"I'm trying to guess when you'll have your first foal, Amber."

>>156491
"Well... Good. You know we don't usually let foals stay with unmarried males. And these two foals especially we want to keep away from older stallions. But I see they like you, and we know you can keep them safe. So I will trust you with them, at least for the weekend."
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156493
156494
>>156492
"I…I don't know when? When a foal is born, doesn't he or she spring from a rainbow and be delivered in a cloud?"
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156494
156495
>>156493
If Amber had hopes of keeping her mane straight, those hopes are now dashed as he ruffles her mane yet again.
"When will you be in heat, Amber?"
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156495
156496
>>156494
mane is ruffled
"When I'm feelin' funny? It's never come earlier than late March for me."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156496
156497
>>156495
"So it sounds like you have until about... March of next year until your first foal is born. Fourteen more months or so. You'll be... 18? Is that alright with you?"
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156497
156498
>>156496
"Nineteen, actually. Wait, how do you know I'll have a foal then?" She looks very confused by his prediction.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156498
156499
>>156497
"Well, if you get pregnant at the end of that cycle, if it ends around the beginning of May, then it takes 11 months for the foal, you're looking at a due date of around about April of next year, or maybe March."
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156499
156501
>>156498
"Oh." A blush tinges her cheeks. "You think I'll get pregnant then?"
Anonymous
d10b1ba
?
No.156500
156501
>>156492
Which class?
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156501
156502 156505
>>156499
"I can make it happen if you want it to happen." He answers confidently and proudly

>>156500
I'm wondering if Solar Night could or should have a break in his classes... But most likely, Political Organization.
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156502
156503
>>156501
Her blush deepens. "I, I…sorry, this is just all so sudden," she answers bashfully.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156503
156504
>>156502
He pulls away, and looks at her with a neutral expression.
"Okay." He says. "That's about where my mind has been at too."
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156504
156506
>>156503
"I mean," she answers with a furtive smile, "I arrived in Baltimare just last week and already you're asking to have foals with me. I'm honored, really, and I love you, b-but let's give it some time and see where it takes us."
Anonymous
d10b1ba
?
No.156505
156508
>>156501
Its up to you to break or not.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156506
156507
>>156504
A short, curt "Okay." Is all he has to say to Amber's reply
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156507
156508
>>156506
She nuzzles his neck. "I hope you don't think I sank your plans."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156508
156509 156513
>>156505
On to class number 2: Introduction to Political Science: Political Organizations. Solar Night does not share this class with Nadir, although for what its worth, Optic Lens from the party the night before can be seen in the class. This one takes place in comparatively regular class room in the sense that it it's composed of tables of two seats together in rows. The total class size is smaller than the last class, but it's going to be completely full.

Where would Solar Night prefer to sit? In terms of how close to the front, and if any kind of student is preferred to sit next to.

>>156507
"No, I just wanted to know what your plans were." He answers indifferently.
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156509
156510
>>156508
I didn't offend him, did I? Why is he so aloof?

"I do plan on having foals soon in my life, but I didn't plan on starting this year! I don't have any plans other than those goals I mentioned, because I didn't know at all what to expect from Baltimare and things change so rapidly. I hope you understand…"
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156510
156511
>>156509
"I understand." He says. "I wasn't particularly keen on getting married, because things change and in this city, you don't really have a set future. I just wanted to see if you were on the same page, and you are." The two arrive outside the door of his house.
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156511
156512
>>156510
"Uh huh…."

Amber feels disappointment that the romantic moment was ruined, and confusion on what seems to be a lie from Mustard. He was so serious earlier. She lets him open the door before entering herself.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156512
156514
>>156511
He has nothing to say to her. He just turns around, opens the door, holds it open with his foreleg, and stares at her with blank expression as she enters into the home.
Anonymous
d10b1ba
?
No.156513
156515 156516
>>156508
Dark Star looks for a free seat
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156514
156515 156517
>>156512
He's judging me, isn't he? she thinks to herself.

"Beautiful day out, ma'am," she calls to Dahlia. "A bit chilly though."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156515
156516 156517 156518 156550
>>156513
Simply take a free seat. Works well enough. The professor comes in. It's a short grey unicorn stallion with a black mane. He looks to be very young, even younger than the last stallion. Probably not that much older than 30. Solar Night actually missed the first day of class, so the explanation of the class has evidently been missed.

Solar Night does, however, hear the Stallion's thesis of the class. The Stallion claims that the class will cover primarily a conflict that he believes defines the more than thousand year history of the Principality of Equestria, from the coming together at the first Hearthswarming in the time before the Princesses, to its formal dissolution on August 6th of last year. It is a conflict that he claims survives its death, and exists in every other nation on the planet; That conflict is the conflict between local governance, and central governance. This conflict is actually much more obvious in Baltimare than in basically any other region of Equestria, as Baltimare successfully negotiated regional autonomy, and has successfully reached a similar, probably more favorable agreement, with the new government - even though both settlements required the spilling of massive amounts of blood to reach.

[1d2 = 1]
[1d2 = 2]

>>156514
"Yes it is."
She says from the bed, looking back to Amber from he couch in the living room. Mustard Trim walks past Amber, towards the stairs.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156516
>>156513
>>156515
Solar Night sits next to a stallion who smells like cigarettes, and leaves his backpack on the table. He is an earth pony stallion who looks like... well, rather skinny, brown in color, with a short black mane.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156517
156518
>>156514
>>156515
Not "The bed." Dahlia is on the couch in the living room
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156518
156520
>>156515
>>156517
She would hate to leave it off on a sour note with Mustard, but it is getting late. Amber picks up her green headscarf and starts tying it underneath her chin. She says to Dahlia, "Thank you, ma'am, for letting me come over. It was a pleasure meeting you, and Mustard is lucky to have you as his ma," with a gentle smile.

Have to sleep. Merry Christmas!
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156519
156520
>>156492
"I promise I will not let you or them down."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156520
156522 156528
>>156518
"Oh, you're welcome, dear." She says with a warm smile. She looks over to the far left, confirming that Mustard Trim has indeed left the first floor of the house. Her smile goes away. She says to Amber,

"Why don't you come a little closer. Come over here."

>>156519
She nods. It takes several minutes for the two foals to come down. Each one has a massive bag, almost as big as themselves full of this. Mint Marine especially is laden with a pack that weights him down on his back, while White Orchid is blinded walking with a giant bag in front of him.
Amber Sunset
8788bc9
?
No.156522
156523
>>156520
"Sure." Amber approaches to within whispering distance.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156523
>>156522
She takes another look over her shoulder, then turns back to Amber with a serious expression. She leans forward towards Amber.

"If he knocks you up... or hits you... or hurts you... tell me. Please, by all means, tell me. I will take care of it."
Amber Sunset
5ebdd7d
?
No.156524
156525
She looks shocked that Dahlia would think her son is capable of that.

"Mustard would never hurt me," she says confidently. "But…" she looks hesitant. "I would tell you."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156525
156526
>>156524
She nods her head.
“He won’t. I’ll make sure of that.” She gives a smile, though it’s authenticity is questionable. “Thank you, dear. You don’t need to ever feel like you’re taking a risk here.”
Amber Sunset
5ebdd7d
?
No.156526
156527
>>156525
Her words only add to her worries.

"No need to be harsh with him, he's only ever been a gentlecolt," she tries reassuring Dahlia.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156527
156529
>>156526
She nods her head firmly.
“Right. That’s how I raised him to be. And that is how he is going to continue being “
Silver "The Floof" Sword
d3bc666
?
No.156528
156530
>>156520
Silver's eyes widen at the sight, remembering all of the stuff he bought for them.

"Did either of you need any help carrying all that?"
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156529
156530
>>156527
"Okay. Anyway, take care." She makes sure she hasn't forgotten anything, waves goodbye, and leaves.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156530
156531 156532
>>156528
Mint Marine:
“I… I think I do.”
He is over burdened.

White Orchid:
“Mhmrhmhm”
White Orchid starts to tip over forward.

>>156529
“Oh… aren’t you going to say goodbye to Mustard? Don’t you want him to walk you back? Are you going somewhere?”
Dahlia immediately recognizes that something is wrong, and her facial expressions demonstrate that she is worried. She does not stand up from her seat on the couch.

The time is somewhere between 6 and 6:30 PM. It’s now actually dark outside, with the last gleaming light of astronomical twilight disappearing in the West. Amber’s location is the south-center of the city, just north of the river. It’s kind of cold with a little wind, but there is no rain.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
d3bc666
?
No.156531
156533
>>156530
Silver does his best to lift the burden from the two colts' shoulders, which is hard without putting strain on his bad shoulder.
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156532
156533 156534 156536
>>156530
"He needs to finish his studying. Plus, I live a ways away so I'd better set out now. Thank you, and I'm looking forward to seeing you again." Despite her reassuring tone, she decides Mustard wants to be alone right now. There will be plenty of chance to see him again tomorrow.

Amber sets out along the most familiar route back home, at least what she can recognize in the dim light. She realizes she needs to buy cookery and looks for the off-chance a kitchen supply shop is open on the way.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156533
156534 156535
>>156531
Silver is both substantially stronger, and is a full-grown unicorn with reasonable telekinetic powers. All the same, it’s a large quantity of toys and books in each bag, and even worse the bags aren’t really tied together, so if they are not held down, they could let everything fall out.

>>156532
Daylight Dahlia stands up from her couch, entirely unpersuaded that she hasn’t scared off Amber, or the two didn’t break up for good before they reentered the house. But it isn’t her choice.

It’s probably a 25 minute walk to Amber’s apartment. It’s unsavory to make it alone, but it’s not an especially threatening time of night. Street lights illuminate the way.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156534
156536
>>156532
>>156533
[1d20 = 15]
Silver "The Floof" Sword
d3bc666
?
No.156535
156536
>>156533
With care and caution, Silver tries his best.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156536
156537 156539
>>156532
>>156534
Exactly why Amber chooses to end her day on a negative note after so many good hours, and why she chooses her colt friend’s last emotion towards her to contemplate for the next 23 hours is that she offended him, made no effort to fix the problem, did not reassure him that she loved him, and leaves without even a hug goodbye in the early hours of the night… I have no idea. Amber keeps her secrets, and she got free food, sex, and a use of an otherwise boring Sunday afternoon out of it, so she came out ahead. The bars are still open, and will be for many more hours.

For the best shopping, go straight north into the city center, and only later turn due east to head to the apartment. This is the best choice for decent quality businesses, the simplest instructions for following directions home, and also the safest in terms of avoiding crime. While there isn’t a kitchen supply store per se, she certainly walks across a store selling such supplies. Amber’s funds are limited, however. She needs another payday soon.

>>156535
Silver manages to get both bags, and the foals are ready to move.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
d3bc666
?
No.156537
156538
>>156536
Silver leads the two foals outside, with their immense amount of stuff. He turns his head to them once outside.

"Do not mind Mala's current appearance, he got like that during fight."
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156538
156540
>>156537
Mala’s appearance could be worse, as he appears to have made an effort to clean his mouth and forelegs. Judging by the matting on his fur, and tending flecks of brown, dried blood further away from his lips, he must have licked it off. Only Mala’s left foreleg, which he holds up on the dash, is visible. His right foreleg is hidden by the door. He has the window rolled down and is looking towards Silver.

Mint Marine reacts first with joyful surprise. “I didn’t know you had a car.” And then apprehension at the mention and sight of Mala’s disheveled, brown flaked fur, and then fear when he sees the blood stains in the back seat. White Orchid is already acclimated to the matter, and sits in the back.
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156539
156541
>>156536
Although Amber was, perhaps excessively, polite, everypony makes a faux pas eventually, especially a simple peasant girl. Part of her regrets leaving her love without clearing things up with him, though she reassures herself that time heals all wounds and she'll see him, fresh and renewed, just tomorrow. Indeed, he had offended her by proposing foals before she has even had time to think about it, and before he formalized any offer of marriage. Mustard is indeed the stallion she wants to reproduce with, eventually, but jumping into such a commitment after only a week in Baltimare? A tad bit excessive. Anyway, that was certainly a wonderful day to follow a wonderful night, and she's happy to get that much out of it.

All Amber needs is a pot and some basic cutlery, and she goes inside the store to see how much it would cost her.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
d3bc666
?
No.156540
156541
>>156538
Silver opens the passenger-side door for Mint Marine.

"Yes, I got shot couple of times, and Mala helped to save White Orchid by biting and subdueing one of assailants. I am sorry for bloodstains, I am hoping to clean them out when I get chance."
Anonymous
a992572
?
No.156541
156542 156549
>>156540
Mint Marine gets in the vehicle, clearly scared. White Orchid takes the seat on the right, because that is the one with the blood. But he tries to keep away from the blood stains, sitting at an awkward angle.

Mother Marery comes outside, and watches the process. She says to the foals “It’s for your protection, little ones.”

>>156539
She’ll have the whole night, and the work day tomorrow to contemplate it. And whatever happens, she’ll see him at work.

A big pot set can be had for 55 bits. Or a nice single one for 20 bits, or a cheap single pot for 8 bits. A big cutlery set costs 30 bits, a knife set also about 30 bits, or just a few individual items for 3 bits each.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
d3bc666
?
No.156542
156543
>>156541
Silver puts their stuff in the trunk, and smiles and waves at Marery.

"I will keep them safe!"
Anonymous
a992572
?
No.156543
156544
>>156542
She waves to him, although she has a serious expression.
“Be careful” she says

Silver can see that Mala has been grasping the automatic and holding it right by the door, attempting to keep it out of sight. He looks to Silver wordlessly as he gets in the car.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156544
156545
>>156543
Silver smiles at him before setting off. Next is finding a store to buy either a couple of sleeping bags or cots.
Anonymous
a992572
?
No.156545
156546
>>156544
Easy enough. The hardest part is parking the car, which requires parallel parking.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156546
156547 156548
>>156545
>parallel parking
shudders
How far is the nearest, non-parallel parking spot?
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156547
156548
>>156546
Let’s find out.
[1d20 = 14]
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156548
156566
>>156546
>>156547
One block over.
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156549
156551
>>156541
Amber gets the nice single pot and one spoon, amounting to 23 bits hopefully. She remembers she can use her own knife to chop up vegetables. But she doesn't have a cutting board. How much does a cheap slab of wood cost?
Anonymous
6e7995c
?
No.156550
156551
>>156515
Dark Star listens
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156551
156552
>>156549
About 6 bits. Wood must be in short supply.

>>156550
The professor explains that the dynamic between centralized and decentralized power has been at play in every disagreement in Equestrisn history from its founding to after its end, snd that many other disputes - monarchy versus democracy, the power of the aristocracy, national identity versus tribal identity, socialism versus capitalism - have either been masks for disputes between central and regional power, or have played out through disputes between centralized and decentralized power. He highlights multiple disputes in history. The transformation of the Hearthswarming Covenant nations into the single nation of the Principality of Equestria (a process of increasing centralization), the rise of feudal claims and the Princesses’ Court (mostly decentralization), the waning of the Church (actually a consolidation of power to the central government), and the recent rise of democracy and socialism. He promises that the governments of other nations like the Changeling Hives and the Griffonian Empire, which have experienced the same processes in even more dramatic fashion.

He feigned neutrality, but it can be sensed that the professor prefers centralized authority. The students of the class tend to prefer decentralized government, which creates some friction between himself and the students. Note that not every student disagrees. The Anarchists of Baltimare, as the professor notes in passing, are very strong proponents of decentralized power (unlike the Communists, who are centralists). This is probably the source of the friction.
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156552
156553
>>156551
She bites the bullet and buys one. Better than scratching up her countertop.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156553
156554
>>156552
It is done.

Amber has 13 bits remaining
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156554
156555
>>156553
One more thing. She needs to buy some postage stamps.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156555
156556
>>156554
Though Amber lives in a fantasy land of talking magical unicorns and dragons, the post office is not open at 7 PM on a Sunday.
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156556
156557
>>156555
She'll pick up some tomorrow. She proceeds back to her apartment.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156557
156558
>>156556
And so she goes back, carrying her pot, a spoon, and a board. She arrives alone to find her apartment is… messy.
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156558
156559
>>156557
Quite an understatement. She starts by cleaning the floor, recognizing that there has been…leakage.

She has a washboard and tub, right?
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156559
156560
>>156558
Tub, yes. Washboard… I don’t think so

The floor is not in pristine condition.
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156560
156561
>>156559
She fills her tub with soapy water, gets a sponge, and starts the dreaded task. At least it brings back memories of the best night in her life.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156561
156562
>>156560
Well… the floor at least looks cleaner now.
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156562
156563
>>156561
Looking up, Amber assesses how badly the bed fared.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156563
156564
>>156562
The bed is okay. The sheets… not so much.
Amber Sunset
c2bda4c
?
No.156564
156565 156569
>>156563
She diligently takes the sheets and scrubs them the best she can with fresh water in the washtub, hanging them up afterwards.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156565
156569 156575
>>156564
There are four distinct fluids on the bedsheets. Among these is a smal quantity of blood that forms the only proof that Amber was a virgin when she was taken the night before. Mustard Trim might be nostalgic for it as a memento, but in any case, blood is hard to wash off.

[1d20 = 16]
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156566
156567
>>156548
Score! Silver parks here to avoid the hassle, and just decides to trot down to the store. Before he goes he asks the foals if they want to come along.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156567
156568
>>156566
White Orchid does not. Mint Marine is uncertain, but once White Orchid shakes his head, he follows.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156568
156569
>>156567
Silver puts White Orchid's protection in Mala's capable paws, and goes to the store with Mint Marine.

"I am sorry about all of this, Mint."
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156569
156570 156575
>>156565
>>156564
I was not intending another reply, if that was not clear

>>156568
I meant that Mint Marine follows White Orchid in not leaving the car… but this works I guess.

“So… is this going to be like a sleep over? What’s happening?”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156570
156571
>>156569
Shit, misunderstood that. Nevermind Mint following, then.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156571
156572
>>156570
A sleeping bag is a bit of an odd item, but can be found and had all the same, in this instance, among outdoors supplies. Silver acquires two with some of his remaining money
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156572
156573
>>156571
If different colors are available, he gets ones appropriate to the colts' colors, and returns to the car with them paid.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156573
156574
>>156572
Not quite. Green, brown, and black. He gets two, and has that checked off
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156574
156576
>>156573
With that taken care of, the car takes off towards his house.
Amber Sunset
5ebdd7d
?
No.156575
156576
>>156565
>>156569
Sorry, was napping. I may have the coof, looking for horse paste now

"This will never come out completely," she grumbles. Nonetheless she washes them as best as she can, and tells herself never to give these to a guest.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156576
156577 156578
>>156574
The distance isn’t that great in an automobile. Silver arrives with the three of them. Both Mint Marine and White Orchid look out their windows at the Beach house.

Mint Marine [He has a better view]
“Is this… is this it?”

>>156575
F
At least it isn’t that much blood. Most of the stains have come out. Most of it.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156577
156579
>>156576
Silver stops in front of the house.

"Yes it is. Home sweet home."
Amber Sunset
5ebdd7d
?
No.156578
156579
>>156576
Having spent a good amount of time scrubbing her sheets and the blanket cover, she hangs them up and cleans up miscellaneous spots in the room.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156579
156580 156581
>>156577
The colts exit the vehicle.

White Orchid
“Wow…. This is nice!”
White Orchid, and then Mint Marine, trot around the house, looking around.

>>156578
Fortunately, the mess is contained to the one location on the floor, and the bedsheets. Unfortunately, Amber doesn’t have a quick way of drying anything.
Amber Sunset
5ebdd7d
?
No.156580
156583 156618
>>156579
She'll have to wait, and sleep with the spare sheet and the blanket without the cover.

Tired after all that cleaning, she picks up the mandolin and strums some tunes, almost absent-mindedly.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156581
156583 156586
>>156579
Silver smiles, and exits the vehicle.

"Take look around, I am going to alert household as to your arrival. Mala, it may be good idea to go up to bathroom and take bath."
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156583
156585
>>156580
Amber’s neighbors are the sole audience of her private session.

>>156581
Mala nods, places the pistol under the seat, looks around, and exits the vehicle, wasting no time going inside and upstairs.

Mint Marine runs around the house towards the sea, while White Orchid follows Mala, wanting to go inside the house.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156585
>>156583
Silver goes in before White Orchid does, hoping to address everyone before they see the colt.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156586
156587
>>156581
Silver can see Paper Clipping and Jubilosa together in the living room. They must have been talking to each other. Both of them look towards Silver.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156587
156588
>>156586
"Hello everyone, I am sorry to interrupt. I know bed situation is bit cramped at moment, but...we will have couple of visitors with us for next couple of days."
Anonymous
a992572
?
No.156588
156589
>>156587
Jubilosa blinks
“What?”

White Orchid looks into the living room
“A Griffin!”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156589
156590
>>156588
Silver pauses at White Orchid's interjection, looks back at the colt, then again at the griffon and stallion in the living room.

"White Orchid, meet Jubilosa and Paper Clipping. Jubilosa, Paper Clipping, meet White Orchid."
Anonymous
a992572
?
No.156590
156591
>>156589
Paper Clipping is laying the opposite direction on the couch as he was before Silver left, but otherwise looks like he hasn’t moved. He pokes his head up in a surprised expression, like he just got caught. Jubilosa is standing up, snd moves a little closer.

“Hello… where did you come from?”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156591
156592
>>156590
Silver answers for him.

"To make long story short, White Orchid and another colt here named Mint Marine were involved in...mission I was part of only short time after I arrived in city. It seems mission is not entirely done, and for their safety they will be staying here until I sort it out, which will be soon."
Anonymous
a992572
?
No.156592
156593
>>156591
“Oh… kay…” Jubilosa says to Silver. She looks down towards White Orchid, who looks up to her.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156593
156594
>>156592
Silver looks between the two of them.

"Soooo...yes. How have things been while I was gone?"

Silver limps slightly as he makes his way to towards the kitchen to get a drink of water. Jubee and Clip may notice this.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156594
156595
>>156593
"We're out of alcohol" Jubilosa announces.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156595
156596
>>156594
"I see. I will get some more when I go out again."
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156596
156597
>>156595
I can't really think right now what the dialogue would be like between the characters
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156597
156598
>>156596
Silver goes to get his drink of water from the kitchen. He continues talking with the people in the living room as he does so.

"May I be nosey about what you were talking about."
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156598
156599
>>156597
"The War, I suppose." It's Paper Clipping who answers. "National Service and all of that."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156599
156600
>>156598
"That sounds interesting." He comes out into the living room with a glass of water. "Anything specific?"
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156600
156601
>>156599
“Militia and the draft.” He answers. “The concept.”
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156601
156602
>>156600
"I can guess you are both opposed to drafts for obvious reasons."
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156602
156603
>>156601
"I am. She... Not entirely." He answers
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156603
156604
>>156602
Silver looks rather intrigued at Jubilosa.

"Really?"
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156604
156605
>>156603
"It's not black and white" She says
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156605
156606
>>156604
Silver tilts his head.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156606
156607
>>156605
"It's justified sometimes, I think." She answers
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156607
156608
>>156606
"Hmm. Maybe. It depends on who is ruling, I think."
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156608
156609
>>156607
Jubilosa,
"That's more or les what I said."

Paper Clipping:
"The temptation to abuse it will mean it can and will be misused by any ruler."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156609
156610
>>156608
"Hmmmm...that is also true. Both views are accurate I think."
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156610
156611
>>156609
Paper Clipping:
"Well you can't just say that! Either it's right, or it isn't."
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156611
156612
>>156610
"I do not know, they both have valid points of argument."
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156612
156613
>>156611
Paper Clipping scrunches, but Jubilosa seems to accept this
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156613
156614
>>156612
Silver finishes his glass of water, and puts it on a nearby table or the kitchen counter, whatever's closer.

"I should go check on Mint Marine. If you want you can talk to White Orchid, or show him around, or whatever you wish to do."
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156614
156615
>>156613
Jubilosa:
"Uh, okay"

White Orchid sits before Paper Clipping, who looks down to him. Paper Clipping is only something like six or seven years older than him.
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156615
156616
>>156614
Silver goes out the backdoor into the backyard area.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156616
156617
>>156615
Mint Marine is by the water
Silver "The Floof" Sword
ad6ad2b
?
No.156617
157085
>>156616
Silver trots down to meet him, silently sitting next to him to look at the ocean or see whatever it is the colt is doing.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156618
156619
>>156580
I'm still completely at a loss as to why Amber would just ghost her boyfriend. The only times you ever do that to someone is if you are breaking up with them and do not respect them enough to explicitly tell them "hey, I'm breaking up with you" or if you are trying to demonstrate to your partner that you have more leverage in the relationship by showing them that you can and will simply remove them from your lives if they displease you.
I mean, Amber can do what she wants, but I think that a public shouting match or physical violence would have been a healthier way to resolve the argument than to make sure the argument is still ongoing by the time the two are forced to work together in the same business the next day
Amber Sunset
8788bc9
?
No.156619
156621
>>156618
I'm sorry, my autism is showing. The way I resolve disagreements irl is to wait for the other person to forget about it and then continue on as if nothing has happened. That's probably not a good tactic in this case.
Anonymous
f26d989
?
No.156621
156656
PetZeSkies.gif
>>156619
pets
Like, if Amber had yelled up to his room "I have to go clean my room," it would have been transparently a lie and obviously an effort to slip away from conflict because she doesn't want to apologize for offending him, but at least Mustard Trim wouldn't be left wondering if she had intended to break up with him. Now, he's going to spend the night, the morning, the school day, and the early afternoon wondering if he has a girlfriend, and if the mare he sees tomorrow is his ex or not. Dahlia is going to wonder if she scared Amber off, Mustard is going to wonder if he should even go into work at all, Veneer is going to wonder if she should tell Dahlia that Amber is terrible so that Dahlia doesn't have to feel bad for scaring her off....
Amber Sunset
54615d3
?
No.156656
156658
>>156621
I see what you mean. We should redo that scene, then
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156658
156659
>>156656
I really don't mean to steer or invalidate player actions. Amber can leave Mustard to go out to a nightclub, get drunk, and have unprotected sex with a Zebra musician, then see Mustard again the next day like nothing happened. She can find a cat, cut it's head off, place the decapitated corpse on Mustard's door and write in her own blood "you belong to me forever" on the windows. She can tell Mustard's whole family that they are a bunch of psychos that she wants nothing to do with. And yes, she can just walk out of the house without saying anything to him. All I am saying is that the move is so thoroughly out of left field that I cannot gauge what the intent of the action was, and I absolutely cannot imagine what Mustard Trim would think that Amber was trying to do with that.

The smallest change would be to have Amber walk up to his room, tell him from the threshold of the door "I really have to go buy a pot and postage stamps, I love you and had a good time meeting your family, see you tomorrow," and she leaves the house before he can respond that the Post Office is closed on Sunday night. This course of action will have her leaving without doing what he wanted her to do, which is to explain to him why she backed down on the foal question after telling him so many times she wants him. It means that he'll still be wondering how much she cares, whether he made her mad, whether she is having second thoughts about the relationship, or whether she just can't bare to be in the room with him after she has displeased him. It means the argument is going to have to resume a different day. But this one change means that he isn't going to have to wonder if he is still in a relationship, or whether she just broke up with him. And Dahlia and Mustard aren't going to each be wondering whether it was Mustard, Dahlia, or Amber, who made the mistake that ended the relationship.
Amber Sunset
54615d3
?
No.156659
156663
>>156658
Don't tempt me into turning Amber into Patrick Bateman and making her a sigma mare. That would be too much fun.

But you're right.

Amber Sunset, after thanking Dahlia for her hospitality and bidding her good evening, goes up the stairs and stops outside Mustard's room. She doesn't understand why he seems mad at her, and with ears folded low she says,

"Um, thank you for taking me to see your family and…everything. I love you, but I need to do some cleaning and write home. I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Take care." Without another word she turns around and leaves.

Her evening proceeds otherwise as planned. She buys her household supplies but sadly not postage stamps, goes back home, cleans everything, and practices on her mandolin. Thoroughly tired after a satisfying day, she offers a prayer to the goddesses:

"Princesses, thank you for watching over me, helping me to find love, friendship and a new family here. Please help me make a decision on whether I should bear foals so soon, or whether I should convince Mustard to wait a little while. I love you and I hope you come back to Equestria again. Amen."

She climbs into her bed, sleeping on her side with only the thin spare sheet insulating her from the cold. Before she drifts off to sleep her last thoughts are of Mustard and of everything they did lately.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156663
156665
Spoilered
>>156659
Mustard Trim tries to say something to Amber as she leaves the room. No matter, Amber is on her way out. Dahlia sees nothing odd about Amber leaving at 6:30 on a work/school night, and happily waves Amber goodbye.

"Come back again" She says

Amber still only has 13 bits out of her ill-gotten gains from a couple nights before. While she does have a pot, a bed, furniture, a new simp and a few other things to show for it, clean and dry bedsheets is not one of those, nor is food. Amber's blanket is also still wet.

Does the Princess still hear prayers? Does she have any power to answer them? All the same, Celestia's love carries on in Amber.

Amber is alone in her bed, with no bedsheets, no blanket, and no big, muscular zebra jazz artist nor scrawny, beta small town colt to keep her warm. From the future, she feels a chill wind blow, slowly creeping its way through her soul and filling her with anxiety...
Amber Sunset
54615d3
?
No.156665
156667
>>156663
And so she rests fitfully. Trying to sleep in such conditions can make anypony grumpy, and already she misses Mustard's presence from the night before. But who knows what the future will bring?
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156667
156669
File (hide): 5A3930027D8E1B9A3354F6521F895127-2439404.webm (2.3 MB, Resolution:1280x720 Length:00:00:27, large (1).webm) [play once] [loop]
large (1).webm
>>156665
Do you feel it, little pony? That undefined fear. That dread. It comes at her with an inevitability to it. Like the inevitability of death, or of old age and the health and beauty that die long before the last life processes cease. There's a tenacity to the feeling. Perhaps Amber may feel that it's the realization that the only ponies who will ever love her unconditionally are her parents. Perhaps it's the fear that Amber will never be able to achieve her dreams of musical stardom. Perhaps it's the fear that she is going to marry a woefully inadequate, boring stallion when she could do so much better. But the truth is that the danger is much more imminent. Much more unavoidable. For the beast that haunts her, hunts her, and stalks her in the night is none other than the realization that the next day is...

Monday

Amber has gone to sleep at 2 or 3 AM the past two nights, and slept late, so she finds it difficult to go to sleep at 9 PM tonight. She has ample time in her bed to be alone with her emotions and thoughts. Any fears, desires, hopes that linger in the back of her mind migrate to the fore. She becomes intimately acquainted with all of her feelings as she has time to ruminate on them.
Amber Sunset
54615d3
?
No.156669
156671 156674
>>156667
kek

She must face uncomfortable thoughts indeed. Will Mustard be demanding all through life, giving her the silent treatment whenever she inadvertently upsets him? Will he be able to support an entire family on his lonesome, when he doesn't even know what career he'll pick yet? If she follows through with his wishes for foals, after this year she won't be able to work or do much of anything to support them. Can't she enjoy her youth and satisfy her wish for adventure just one or two years longer? Was she perhaps premature in falling in love with Mustard Trim with all these considerations, when there may be stallions who are older, financially stable, stronger, or more patient? Would those hypothetical stallions even want her at all, or agree to marry her?

All these are tough questions to answer for the little filly, so she focuses on other things. Mustard's support for her playing, his concern about her, his generous and caring nature, his energetic body…these let her dismiss more pragmatic concerns at least temporarily. Her parents were able to raise a family on their own on a farm, why shouldn't she be able to in the city? He's never been with a mare before, surely he'll soften around her, and he's smart enough to get ahead in life. She'll be happy here, she assures herself.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156671
156672 156674
>>156669
As bad as her romantic situation is, an even worse problem is that she's going to have to work retail tomorrow morning.

Terrified as Amber is that her dreams of being an adventurer will be cut short by early motherhood, she should remember that in the magical world of Equestria, leaving behind your foal to be raised by your sister and her roommate while you and your husband go on exciting adventures travelling around the world is always an option.
Amber Sunset
54615d3
?
No.156672
>>156671
Oh no, the nightmare that is retail. At least she isn't a waitress.

That is certainly an option which occurs to her. She does have a sister with a foal of her own, though it probably would be discourteous to have her foster-raise a foal for one's own selfish desires. Veneer could not be trusted, at least not yet, and although Dahlia might be happy to do it she might disapprove of the reasons. Amber could always do the responsible option, which would be to raise her family to adulthood and then adventure, but who's to say the world will still be around then in these times? also it would take actual centuries for the campaign to go on that long
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156674
156677
6259060.png
>>156669
>>156671
Exactly when Amber falls asleep is hard to say, though it does not occur until long after she lies in bed.

Amber's dreams are filled with sound. Like the night before, they are filled with music, and the music is more memorable than any sight or image.

The first, fragmented memory that Amber has is of encountering a very large, orange stallion with odd, foreign looking ornate dress, a jeweled headpiece, and braided mane who approaches her beneath the gold-trimmed walls of a restaurant or night club. He speaks in strained Ponish with a strong accent, and approaches Amber directly with a request. He says that he has come in from out of town, and is looking for a mare. When she asks details, all of his answers lead to a tablet of some sort, though its relation with this mare is uncertain. Mustard Trim is there, and he wants no part of it. He is open and remorseless in his jealousy of the attention Amber gives the stallion, and he tells Amber he thinks the stallion is dangerous. Amber does not heed Mustard, and leaves him to get in the stallion's automobile. Her feelings towards the stallion are entirely non-romantic, and not of a sexual nature. But there is no denying that in his mystery, in that aura he gives off of something new and different, he provides her with a feeling she cannot get from Mustard Trim. And all the while, at every point in the dream, the viol of that aging griffin plays, filling her ears with intrigue. There is surely much more to this dream, and Amber knows it did not end with her entering his car, but the conclusion evades her waking recollection.

The second dream is shorter, as Amber sits under a spotlight playing her Mandolin on the stage of what seems to be a music hall, likely remembered from Childhood. It's Amber's own Greensleeves that fills this section - not that that song is what she would be playing in the moment, but it is what accompanies the memory. There is a crowd of ponies watching, and at least in thought, Mustard Trim is among those in the first row.

The third memory is of Amber sitting down in a field of tall grass before a river mouth that slowly empties into a bay. A light wind blows the grass and the tops of nearby trees. There are two small foals next to Amber, one the color of wheat, and the other a light cream color, and she understands that a stallion sits just to the left and behind her. The sound is of that filly from the church singing the folk songs of the old Equestria.

The final dream is recalled in more detail. This one too is filled with the haunting notes heard in Club Maurice, which play over nigh every moment. In this dream, Amber comes to the conclusion that she will never be able to escape the music, and asks the pegasus filly at Club Maurice where to find the viol player. She tells her to simply wait, and follow him home. This, she does, following him down the dim streets, past the smell of garbage, around the barking of dogs, and across an antique bridge, over a poluted river next to decaying mills with grand smoke stacks. She follows him down a narrow, winding street, until she comes to an apartment building. She does not go up immediately, but sticks around. From the floors above, she hears the music, and it is not like the music she has heard before, nor indeed, any music she has ever heard before. A whole orchestra plays on enchanted instruments. As she cannot hold back the curiosity any longer, she goes up to the room, and knocks on the door. It is unlocked, and she opens it. Dancing lights, a dog made of energy...

Amber wakes up. It's an hour earlier at least than she intended to wake up. She has to work retail in a few hours...
Amber Sunset
54615d3
?
No.156677
156678
>>156674
She wakes up and groggily ponders her vivid dreams, their brilliant sounds and sight, before they can be forgotten. What a strange and exotic stallion, surely he did not come from Equestria? She doesn't feel any guilt for meeting this odd and imposing figure in her dream, but tries to think about where she saw that sort of dress and braided mane in her history books. [1d20+6 = (1+6) = 7]

The third gives her pause. It felt similar to how she got her cutie mark, but evidently it wasn't that scene from her life, as it was in a different place and she wasn't the size of those foals. Those second and third dreams must be visions of the future and snapshots of her hopes. Will these be realized? Who can say.

The last dream gives her pause. She hangs onto the magical notes for as long as she can, though she cannot hope to interpret what she saw.

Reluctantly she gets up and stretches.
Anonymous
b84260f
?
No.156678
156679
>>156677
Sun ain't even up yet.

The dress and braids belong to the young maidens of Yakyakistan, who wear such dress on their wedding days.

Amber tries to reimagine the symphony of the last dream. The notes are unfortunately hard to perceive in the ear. Not that Amber has any difficulty in imagining music, mind you, but some ethereal quality of the music renders it difficult to reproduce, even in the mind. This is note a problem Amber encountered in the Club Maurice.

Amber has an entire hour before she even intended to wake up. She could go out and eat breakfast.... if she had any money. She could go to the post office... if they opened before she had to be in work. She could practice the Mandolin... if she doesn't mind her neighbors hearing it at this hour. She could go out for an early morning walk. She could walk all the way to her coltfriend's house and politely ask him to join her for twenty minutes before work and school so they could talk about their feelings and their dreams. She could even go back to sleep. Okay, that last one is just wishful thinking.
Amber Sunset
54615d3
?
No.156679
156680
>>156678
Amber really doesn't want to lose those ethereal notes forever, so at the risk of upsetting her neighbors she tries her best to recreate them in the real world. She grabs her mandolin and tries to match tempo, pitch, and every other characteristic of the music, though she can never truly match it.

Perform: [1d20+3 = (9+3) = 12]