1716 replies and 20 files omitted.
>>159206"Admittedly, I have been shot many times recently. I may be quart low on blood. Thank you, doctor."
He sits up, examining his work.
"What do I owe you?"
>>159207She leans into him, rubs her head against him, and purrs.
>>159208"500 Bits" He says.
It's not quite as good as the public hospital. But his stitch sewing is decent.
>>159209He Puts his arm around her
>>159209Sweet Celestia! Hopefully they got at least that much from the money in Bargain's office.
>>159211Probably? It hasn't been counted or accounted for.
>>159210She lets him wrap his arms around her, and looks up to Dark Star with a smile, and her big, turquois eyes.
>>159212Probably a good idea to do, then.
>>159212Dark Star Kisses Her Cheek
>>159214"Hehe" Her cheek is kissed
>>159213Is Silver going back to the car?
>>159215Probably not a good idea until the vet gets paid.
>>159214"Dark Star? Could you get rolls of money out from car, please?"
>>159216"No Problem."
He trots out and brings it back
>>159215>>159217Once he brings it back, Silver counts out what they got.
>>159217>>159218In bills, mostly 20s, there are 1760 bits
>>159219Silver counts out 500 Bits and gives them to the vet, effectively taking it out of his share of the loot.
>>159221>>159217Silver looks at his companions.
"Alright, ready to go?"
>>159222"Yea, I'm ready when you are. Need some help back to the car?"
>>159223>>159224"No, I think I have it. Thank you though. Let us go."
The trio had back to the car. Silver gets in the driver's seat.
"Alright, did you want to fence and split what we got from...that place, before I take you two home?"
>>159225"Yea that would be a smart idea."
>>159225>>159226So the items will be liquidated and
then the money is split, rather than splitting the items and later liquidating them?
>>159076Alas, so much beauty had to have had come from a dysfunctional royal family. At least the pitfalls of griffon folly throughout history provide the basis for works of art and music. Amber only wonders what music will be made to commemorate these tumultuous times, or if they are bad enough that even the arts themselves aren't immune–as what's happened to this unlucky party.
>>159229Dark Star Drives to the Griffin Pawn Shop
>>159237Or, at least, Silver can be given the directions to go there. Or even he could try to instruct Dark Star in how to drive.
>>159242Silver looks at the car, and considers giving control of the vehicle to Dark Star, who cannot drive. Dark Star gets in the car seat, Silver gives direction on how to change gears. After a minute, Silver decides that he's only a
little high on opiates right now, and it's okay to put a
little stress on fresh wounds, so he's good to drive right now. He takes the drivers seat, and starts the car, going to the location of his favored fence.
>>159242>>159240>>159243Dark Star, however, can go in. The store is marked as belonging to a Jeweler. I believe he's been there before.
Are there any particular items Dark Star will be fencing or not fencing?
>>159244>I believe he's been there before.i think so, yes
>Are there any particular items Dark Star will be fencing?Yes. the jade dog, the silver coins,
the wedding bands from the diamond dogs Assuming Silver doesn't want any of these items
>>159245Dark Star enters, and sees what is familiar as a jewelry store, with stainless steel display cases. There is a grey minotaur off to the far left, working at a desk behind the counter, examining something with a magnifying glass. But he is not the one who greats Dark Star. That would be an especially fat, white feathered griffin, who looks directly at Dark Star with a very much please smile.
"Nice to see you again." He says
Is Dark Star not exchanging the gold coins?Undertoe's gold chain (admittedly he probably wouldn't have thatThe women's jewelry that Blue Skies got? >>159246"Hello, I have some stuff for trade, today."
I think the coins would be more valuable the way they are.
I Don't think its on him
She can keep that >>159247"Ah." He nods
"Well, let me see" He says
>>159248Dark Star walks over to the counter And places the Goods on it
>>159249He takes each in kind
"1 bit silver coins, Equestrian Canterlot Mint." He turns it. "Actually, Dodge Junction Mint." He counts them out
"One, two, three.... eighteen coins in total."
He picks up one of the wedding rings.
"Oh. One that still has the diamond set in it. This is a rather nice one, by comparison." He examines the wedding ring that was pulled off of Bargain Strength. He looks inside.
"Oh. It's engraved. We'll have to burn that out." He says. He spends a little more time looking at the ring, and then picks up the other one, the ring that belonged to the Diamond Dog.
"This looks like an engagement ring. Simpler. Metal, no gem." He looks at it, then sets it down. Then he picks up the jade dog. "This... What is this? Some sort of Equestrian artifact. That, I do not specialize in. You'd be better off taking that to someone who sells antiquities.
He looks up at Dark Star.
"850 for the lot. Except for this." He pushes away the jade dog
>>159250"850? seems a bit light for the Good Stuff I brought to you here."
"I Think 1,000 would be much more fair."
He puts the jade dog back into his bag
>>159251"Heh" He smiles
"Hardly. 850 is well over a month's income, as is, and for what? A mundane band, and a few silver coins? 850 is more than fair."
>>159252Dark Star smiles as well and looks him in the eyes
"Mundane? My dear griffin these are no mere bands. they date back at least 50 years and were owned by a very powerful creature. I could do 950 bits"
>>159253"Do they?" He picks up the engagement ring.
"Simple gold. Markings are..." He picks it up. "Out of Baltimare. I estimate of recent make." Then he picks up the wedding ring. "This one is out of a jeweler in Manehattan. I'm not as sure as to when it was made, but that jeweler is still in business, and has certainly not been around more than 50 years."
He looks over to Dark Star
"Does the name 'Graceful Vine' mean anything to you?"
>>159254"Are you calling me a liar,sir?"
>>159255He closes his eyes, and slowly opens them, looking away.
"I only mean that in these changing economic times, my appraisal may be a bit more accurate."
>>159256"I have no doubt in your abilities my friend and these times are very much changing economically speaking. Perhaps 950 was too rich for your blood, I apologize. but the lowest I can go is 900."
>>159257He takes a moment, sitting there in silence
"Alright... 900 bits." He says
>>159258Dark Star Extends his hoof for a hoof/claw shake
"It was Good Doing business with you"
>>159259He shakes Dark Star's hoof. His grip is strong. His shake is not. He counts out 900 in bills, and tenders them to Dark Star.
"See you next time." He says
>>159261He gives a thin but pleased smile with his fat face, and nods
>>159262Dark Star Takes his Bits and the jade dog then heads back to the car
>>159266Dark Star reenters the car.
There is now 900 bits, plus the 1760 bits from earlier, minus the 500 bits from the surgery.
There is still the gold coins, the meteorite, the jade dog, and the vials, a watch, handcuffs, a telescope, the two pistols, pistol magazines, shotgun shells, the notebooks, and the map.
>>159265>>159266Silver looks at his companions.
"Did it all go well? Any other place we need to go?"
>>159268See
>>159267 for the accounting of the goods.
>>159268>>159267Dark Star Steps back into the car smiling from ear to ear
"I Out haggled a griffin."
He sets the bits pouch down on the console of the car,between the 3 of them
>>159270>>159267Silver considers what else is left.
"Know of any other places that would take what else we got?"
>>159271"Well, he said we might try an antiques dealer."
>>159271>>159272"You want to sell everything?" Blue Skies asks
>>159272>>159273"Well, is there anything you would rather keep?"
>>159274Dark Star Takes out the Meteorite
"This Rock looks neat."
>>159274"I'm not really sentimental about that whole experience." She answers
>>159276Silver nods in agreement.
>>159275"It does look very unusual. I have never seen rock like that before."
>>159277"Want to take a look? Theres also this."
He Takes out the Jade dog
>>159278Silver does inspect the mysterious rock, but also comments on the dog.
"Hmm...it looks like it is made of jade. It must come from East Zebrica near Kirin lands. Very valuable."
>>159278>>159279"That is kind of pretty" Blue Skies says
"I don't know what it is." She says
>>159279"The Griffin said it might be an Artifact from Equestria"
>>159280>>159281"Maybe, but I have never heard of any jade in Equestria before. I think it is not from here."
Silver gives the rock back to Dark Star.
"There are ponies who study rocks at college, right? If we can not or do not want to sell it, maybe one of them will know what this is."
>>159282Dark Star touches his hoof to his chin in thought
"I Think there are some ponies that study rocks."
>>159280>>159283"Anyways, we can go to antiques for jade dog if we want to."
>>159284"Fine by me, i'm curious about it now. Seems much more mysterious."
>>159280>>159285Time to drive to the antique store, then!
>>159286>>159287Is this a trip specifically to sell the jade dog?
>>159286>>159287There are multiple possible antiquities stores, but one is recommended for discretion: Curio's Corner. Over on Westhaven.
>>159296The shop can be found not that far from the waterfront in Cowtown. The location is a one-and-a-half story building with a high, sloped roof, and a wooden board exterior. The name appears in white letters over the entrance.
>>159297>>159298Anytime a shop has "Curio" in the name, it sounds fancy. Silver parks in front.
"You want to go in on your own, Dark Star, or everyone go in?"
>>159300>>159297"I guess I will go. You stay here."
Silver grabs the jade dog (as well as any other possibly antiqued item) and goes inside the shop.
>>159301Inside are a number of shelves with... well, curios. A porcelain carousel. A taxidemied wild cat. A vintage lamp. A zebrican shield. A pulley from a sailing ship. Some kind of... Saddle Arabian(?) cap. There is a counter at the far end that is unattended, but nearby, looking down at something obscured from view by the counter, is an adolescent unicorn filly, white in coat and with a burnt orange mane.
>>159303The filly turns her head and looks over to Silver. She has wide, bright purple eyes.
“Yes?”
>>159304Silver thinks she will one day grow into a beautiful mare. For now, he wonders about the filly's position in the store.
"Do you own this place?"
>>159305She is old enough to be sexually mature, but young enough to be a felony, and will remain so for several years.
“No.” She answers.
>>159306gaspSilver wouldn't dare do that with her! Fillies are for pure!
"Who does?"
>>159300Dark Star is left alone in the car with Blue Skies
>>159307Uh huh
"The owner is in the back" She says
"Why do you ask?"
>>159308"I have something to have appraised, and maybe sell."
He pulls the jade dog out of his bags, and shows it.
>>159309The filly moves away from her position, and walks over towards the counter. She places her hooves on the counter, and leans over to look at the jade dog.
"What is it?"
>>159310"I do not know, not entirely, but I believe it is artifact made in far East Zebrica. It is only place I know of where jade is mined."
>>159311She moves in more closely, with her muzzle leaning over the counter, looking at the artifact.
"I see..." She says. She adds, "I guess I can ask the owner to look at it." She says
>>159308Dark Star looks out the window if the car
"Do you really think those two diamond dogs are together?"
>>159313"Kind of... yes, I think so. Or in the same realm, at least. Floating about."
>>159314"Why do you believe that?"
He asks with curiosity in his voice, still looking out the window
>>159315"It's the wisdom our ancestors gave to us." She says. "We know that what we are, is something unlike what we see. And though what we see is corruptible and destructible, what we are can never perish."
>>159316He turns and looks at her
"That sounds interesting. i don't think i've ever heard anypony think something like that before."
>>159317The filly moves away. She says, "I'll see if she's available." And moves away from the counter, into the backroom, although she looks back towards Silver first. "Just a minute."
A little time elapses before the filly appears in the room. She looks at Silver, and the way she looks at his side and what he's wearing makes it clear she is afraid that he stole something. After more time, maybe 30 seconds, a unicorn mare enters the room. She is peach in color, and with a bright blue mane that she wears long and straight.
"There's something you want me to look at?" She asks
>>159318She tilts her head
"Really? No one has ever spoken to you about these things?"
>>159319"Not really, The Priest at the church tried but i was always there for food. i wasn't really interested in hearing about it then, starving has that effect."
>>159320She shakes her head.
"It's for this reason the philosopher recommends the citizenry not work, or work as little as possible, and share everything equally."
>>159321"That sounds a little like communism."
>>159322She rolls her eyes.
"Not even remotely close. Obviously this only applied to the citizens. Not to the workers or the slaves. And all of this was for a spiritual aim. The communists would have everyone be a slave, and the only purpose be to obtain what could be had with money, since they can't perceive anything else."
>>159319Silver nods, and shows her the jade dog.
>>159323"Very Intriguing. what else would your philosophers say?"
>>159324She looks at it, and says
"Oh, that's a Neighuatl, maybe a Coltec statuette of one of their gods."
>>159325She smiles, and actually laughs.
"They said a lot of things. You're going to have to be more specific."
>>159326Silver looks surprised.
"Truly? But why is it made of jade? I have only heard of jade coming from East Zebrica."
>>159326He Smiles
"Well tell me your favorite thing they say, i guess,"
>>159328"That everything that is and ever will be has a purpose. That that purpose is inherent in what it is."
>>159327"There's a source in the Yucoltan. Just one. They would trade for it. There was a set of materials they considered important; jade was one of them."
>>159329"Really? What's my purpose then?"
Dark Star Touches his chin
>>159330"For an earth pony, it's usually till the soil and extract fruit from it, while continuing the earth pony race. It's more nuanced than that, but close enough. Just look at your cutie mark, and remember what makes you happy, and what makes you feel alive. That will tell you all you need to know."
>>159331"Yea i can see that, but we don't live in the 7th Century anymore though. the world has changed."
>>159332"Ponies haven't" She says
>>159333"I would say that we have. along every since industry became a thing."
>>159334"How has that changed anything?" She asks
>>159335"Life and death is easier now, you don't think that hasn't had an effect on our minds, at all?"
>>159329"That is amazing! I wonder where that source came from."
>>159336She blinks
"If anything, fewer ponies die now than before. Disease, famine... even violence. It was all more common before. I don't think the fundamentals have changed, because what is fundamental about a creature is and has always been its needs. Needs haven't changed, even if what is around to satisfy them has. I would say it's all the same. Your purpose is the same."
>>159337"It's like... volcanic, or something, I don't know, I'm not a geologist." She takes a closer look at the statuette.
>>159338Silver lets her do so. As she does so, he asks, "So, what is with your young assistant?"
>>159339"She's an apprentice. Sometimes, I let her tend the store while I am busy."
>>159338"Maybe, Maybe. but what is an Earth pony without any fields to plow?"
There seems to be some sadness in his eyes as he asks this question
>>159340"She seems quite dedicated from what little I have seen."
>>159341"The same as a seed without a plowed field." She answers. Her expression is a little dampened compared to her confident assertions just a few seconds before.
>>159342"Good." She says
"This one looks a lot like one I gave to a friend." She says
>>159345"Yes." She says, squinting at it
>>159346squeakyPony is hugged. She is soft, and smells of lavender.
>>159347He sighs, but doesn't let her go yet.
>>159348"I don't know how to make you understand," she says, "but when the philosophers ay it out, it all makes sense." The pony is still in Dark Star's embrace
>>159347"Did Neighuatl make multiple of them?"
>>159349Dark Star says nothing, while hugging Her tighter
>>159350"They would have made many statuettes, but each is hoof made." She continues staring at it.
>>159351squeakyShe sort of just lets him do this, hugging her intensely.
>>159352"I Understand what you are saying, but there's not really a place for me anymore."
>>159353She doesn't reply. At first. But then,
"There wasn't for me either after I was disowned. I had to look for a place. I had to make one."
>>159354Dark Star Lets Her go and sits back in the seat.
"We are very much a like."
>>159355"Maybe." She says
"We ended up paired together here, didn't we?"
>>159356"We did. maybe you are right about everything having a purpose, even the specific events that brought us together."
>>159357"Well that's.... not quite what I meant..." She looks away for a moment. "Things have purposes, but events don't." She looks directly towards Dark Star, with her hooves close together, and smiles.
>>159352"Well, that explains it. I do not know your friend, but I know this is not theirs."
>>159359"Where did you get it?" She asks. "May I see it?"
>>159358"I'm not so sure about events not having purposes as well. We would never have met otherwise."
Dark Star Smiles Back at Her
>>159361She smiles to Dark Star. She raises a hoof, and start petting him around the shoulder.
>>159360Silver hopes he can come up with plausable explanation.
"I am bit of adventurer. I found this in holding of bandits to south of city. Gave me something to remember them by."
He showcases his treated bullet wounds.
>>159363She looks at the wounds, and nods
"I see... well, I would guess a value of in or around maybe 300 bits at the higher end, and 200 bits at the lower end."
>>159362Dark Star kisses her on the cheek
>>159365She closes her lips in a wider smile
"hehe"
>>159364"Hmm...300 sounds fair, I would say."
>>159368"Do you buy such items, or do you only do appraisals?"
>>159369"I sell and trade them, including overseas." She answers
>>159366He takes out his bottle of whiskey and takes a sip, before offering it to blue.
>>159371She looks down at the whiskey, and then picks it up, and takes a swig.
>>159370"Would you then be willing to buy this one?"
>>159373She looks at it a little closer
"I swear, it looks just like his... Perhaps." She says
>>159372"My First Day of college went pretty well."
>>159374"Well...perhaps we can make trade, then?"
>>159375"Oh really?" She says
>>159376"Alright, 200 bits." She says
>>159377"Yea, i mean i learnt about some ancient pony kingdoms in history. that was very interesting. the professor talked about An Earth Pony empire."
He grins
>>159379“I said it might resell as high as 300. I can’t pay for rent, taxes, and worker salaries by paying 300 bits on an item that might sit on the shelves for eight months before finally selling at 250.”
>>159378“Oh
really?” She repeats with a different inflection, and no grin.
>>159380Silver scrunches.
"It was bit misleading to mention 300."
>>159380"Yea really, he also talked about a Pegasai nation."
>>159381“Well, I didn’t know why you were asking. If it were for insurance, I’d appraise it for 300. If it were for estate taxes, I’d appraise it for 200.” She pauses “I kind of want to put it side to side to his to compare them.” She says. “Makes me wonder…”
>>159382She smiles. “And what did he say?”
>>159383"Well then, I suppose 200 will work."
>>159383"Well he mentioned that they re were governed on honor and Military glory, as well as having a military rule."
>>157694 →Very Interesting spoiled text that i found here
>>159385"Well, let us make deal."
>>159386She pulls her lips back in a confident, almost malign smile, and nods.
>>159387Blue Skies pets the yellow earth pony
>>159388“Alright.” She pulls out a set of notes, and counts them.
“200 bits.”
>>159389Silver gives over possession of the jade dog, and takes the money.
"Thank you!"
>>159390And so, Silver has 200 bits.
>>159391Silver better return to the car before the owner starts investigating the matter further. He waves goodbye before going back out to the car.
>>159389"Seems pegasi have a tendency to do that wherever they are."
>>159392She waves s hoof goodbye, examining the jade dog, while Silver enters the vehicle. Both Blue Skies and Dark Star are in the back seats.
>>159393She smiles wide, and nods slowly. “Everything has a purpose that accords with the sort of thing it is.” She says.
>>159394>>159393Silver gets going rather shortly after getting in the driver's seat, going away from the store without a clear destination.
"I managed to get 200 for statue. It turns out owner was friend of Bargain Strength and gave it to him as gift, but hadn't yet realized it was same one."
>>159394"Yea it truly seems that way."
>>159395"Really? That is a shock. although she probably does know."
>>159395She closes her eyes, and nods confidently…
>>159395… until she hears what Silver has to say
“What?! She saw you?!”
>>159398She looks over with a frightened expression.
"You didn't mention us, did you?"
>>159398"What happened in there?"
>>159399"Of course not, I said I got it from bandits' store in jungles south of city."
>>159400"Nothing bad happened, my friend."
>>159401"How did she react when you told her?"
>>159401"You know she's going to realize it's the same one. And that you stole it."
>>159403"Me, but most importantly not you or Dark Star."
>>159402"She seemed to accept it."
>>159403Dark Star glances over at the windows
>>159404"Hopefully you are right."
>>159405They are well on their way away by this time, fortunately.
>>159403"O... kay..."
>>159405>>159406"Well, what had it been you or Dark Star who went inside instead of me?"
>>159407"I Do Not Know."
He Sips some of his whiskey
>>159407"Then they'd want to kill us." She says
>>159410"Well yes" She says.
"Do you think that organization would want to take it lying down?"
>>159408She takes his whiskey, and takes another drink
>>159411"No, except they don't know that we did it though."
>>159413"I Don't follow, are you speaking of the Blackhooves?"
>>159414"No. The Waterfront Gang. They will go after Silver, as they have reason to believe he is connected."
>>159417"That is worrying, Silver might need to get a dye job."