1571 replies and 211 files omitted.
>>172201"Well, maybe Talonvera as the site of the defeat of Imperial forces... or Midora, for being at the heart of the Federation... Or Aguila, for being the site of the visitation of Sycea to Saint Estancia..."
>>172354"What?" Helping hooves says timidly, looking at the small item.
Bat Pony:
"Well... maybe I could, too."
>>172356"Go ahead, take it. You deserve it, plus I would feel bad if I gave the others here something but gave you nothing."
Kira opens up her coils for the bat pony to join in the snek hugs.
>>172353>she gave up the hot pursuit of AlluringCould she just follow him to his home?
He's at single digit HP, heavily wounded, and acid burned. He couldn't have gotten that far on his own.
>>172355Silver smiles at his Jubee.
"That is amazing amount of history." He plants a kiss on the end of her beak.
>>172358An hour after he's already left? That's more than enough time for him to seek help.
>>172359Griffu is kissed at the end of her beak"
Hehehe"
>>172360Then I'll have to get him while he's doing it.
Posey goes over to his apartment.
>>172361Posey goes to the apartment building. She knows it's the second floor on the right.
>>172362Posey makes sure her face is covered as she enters the building.
She attempts to open the door.... And midway knocks politely on it.
(preferably still at night)
>>172367
>Posey, instead of running after a witness 25 seconds after killing a guy - someone who likely would have been lost on his way out of the building - decides instead to debone a turkey
Well, when I made that decision, I thought that deboning the turkey would help me kill aforementioned witness in an evil and horrific way. I spent an hour doing that because leaving the scene with a bag of bones is easier than doing so with a whole body.
I have to do something now.
Or she could just deal with it some other day, idk.
>>172360Silver resumes cuddling his griffon, but lets out a solemn sigh after a few seconds.
"I wish I remain here in this state forever...but, sadly, there are things that need to get done today."
>>172357The bat pony looks a little nervous, but accepts the hugs, walking over a part of her tail and into her coils.
>>172370Jubilosa gives him a pouty expression
"Already? Aww..."
>>172371"I know, I know. But, there is no rest for wicked."
>>172371Kira wraps her snake tail around the three ponies, and gives them all a gentle cozy snek hug.
>>172372She smiles
"Hehe, okay. Just don't get up to
too much, will you?"
She takes her claws and
ruffles Silver's fur
>>172373Kira is now faced with a serious issue. For all of her size, hugging three ponies at once is a challenge. And there are three more ponies in the room who have thus far gone unhugged. How could she hope to hug them all?
>>172374Hmm...she could wrap around them all as a group.
>>172375For the three ponies by Kira, this is feasible enough, just wrapping around all three in a single coil. However, even this fails to maximize the surface area of scale to fur contact. Furthermore, there are three more as-yet unhugged ponies further away from her.
Like maybe if all six ponies stood shoulder to shoulder she could hug all of them on one side? But probably not on both sides.
>>172376Hmmmmm...perhaps she could use a second hug to hug the other three ponies?
>>172377Perhaps. Perhaps she could.
>>172378Kira ceases her hugging of Rover, Cuay, and the bat pony, and offers a hug to the three remaining, unhugged ponies.
>>172379"Sure, I'll do it" The pink mare, Helping Hooves, walks forward, ready to be hugged.
The last two remain hold outs
>>172380Kira gives her her full attention with an especially good snek hug, to hopefully make the last two holdouts jealous.
Hmmmm...
[1d20+3 = (12+3) = 15]
>>172381>>172382Though the mare opens her mouth in evident fear as coils wrap around her, she rapidly warms to it, smiling as they pile around her, and when Kira places her hooves around her, Helping Hooves closes her eyes and nuzzles her.
"Well, I guess I'll join as well" The black stallion says, and walks towards Kira.
The white unicorn mare sighs, looks away, and says "ugh... I'm afraid of snakes... I'll join too"
And with that, both ponies submit to be hugged.
>>172383Although she has to divert attention to these two new ponies away from Helping Hooves, Kira lets out an extremely happy and satisfied
ssssssss as she finally gets to gently and snuggly hug all of the present ponies, albeit in two separate hugs. Perhaps even this small, positive experience will help shift these ponies' perceptions of lamias in a positive direction.
>>172384Even in these limited interactions, Kira has a better understanding of the tactile feel and olfactory expression of the ponies. Mostly, the ponies are medium-sized ungulates not radically different from her usual prey, or even from at least the upper half of other lamias, although hugging a creature standing on its feet is a bit of a new experience for her. However, the chests feel slightly different, even from other lamias, and especially of note is how some of them have two extra appendages in the form of wings.
The biggest difference is the smell. These ponies clearly bathe regularly or semi regularly, have a subdued yet still present horsey smell, and especially the two mares have hints of added smells like lavender or raspberries.
But really, hugging ponies feels
good.
Helping hooves attempts to pet her on her scaled portion, though only briefly.
>>172385Kira is very happy to learn this. She makes a note to hug more ponies in the future.
Judging from how she feels Kira's muscles relax around her hoof, Helping Hooves gets the feeling that Kira likes being pet.
>>172386Helping Hooves attempts to pet her s'more, primarily around her midsection, all on the scaled part, and mostly on the back.
>>172387Kira lets out another satisfied
ssssssssss as Helping Hooves continues to pet her. It's fascinating feeling how her muscly body reacts to the touch.
>>172388The bat pony joins in stroking her back. He's a bit harder on her, however
>>172389Kira doesn't seem to mind, as she doesn't seem to be hurt. She still enjoys the extra petting, doubly so from getting pet twice at the same time.
>>172390The black stallion moves off to do something, while Free Rover attempts to scratch his hoof under her muzzle, extending his leg out a long way, and clearly aware that this might be invasive
>>172119Amber responds with a small smile and holds up the case with the viol. "Why of course. But fortunately, I have important business with the Ministry of the Arts, and can be let through. If you doubt it, all you need is a sweet serenade with my precious viol and you will be convinced."
>>172391Thankfully for Rover, her response is a wide happy smile, and to flick her tongue out. Clearly, she is
loving the attention. Who knew getting pets and scratches from ponies would feel just as good if not better than hugging ponies?
>>172392Either roll diplomacy, or play some music for him.
Move his soul if need be>>172393"You're a cutie, miss" Rover says, scritching under her neck more
Cuay also starts petting her, though he moves to the back on her pony segment
>>172394He gets one chance to escape unchanged.
[1d20+4 = (20+4) = 24] >>172395Diplomacy roll if it wasn't clear
>>172392>>172395>>172396He looks down at the viol, then up at Amber with an oddly malign smile
"The Minister is waiting for you. Come in"
He opens the gate for her.
"He'll be in the office across from the entrance to the inner walls, to the right."
>>172397>>172397"Thank you kindly," Amber responds. Her confidence grows as she approaches the magnificent structure, sanctuary finally within reach.
>>172394Kira giggles at Rover's comment, as she turns into a limp noodle in the middle of the room from all of the pets and scritches.
>>172398Amber has heard that over in Equus, in the far north, the polar bears have made a hold out of a mountain. Over in the Changeling lands, a terminite mound greater than any ever before pierces the sky. And up in the Arcturian lands, at the very edge of the Dread Peninsula, ancient magicians built a castle greater than any existing before. All of these castles may be larger than the castle complex in Hellquill. Maybe, maybe they aren't. But the castle complex Amber is entering into is one of the largest in the entire world, the largest in all of the griffin lands, and certainly the largest Amber has ever seen.
Amber goes through the gate, and through a gate on an old, stone wall that leads to a passage between an inner wall and an outer wall that in old times was likely a cart path, but now has cobble stones and evidently is a path for vehicles. The stones have a sort of reddish hue, and above her are several large, stone towers with red tile roofs. She goes along this trail for several hundred feet, until she's rounded the inner wall. There is a second mote - Amber walked over a bridge and up a hill to get to the gate - and she crosses it over a wooden bridge. She opens out to an open landing, where there are several buildings, trees, and green grass. To her left and now a bit behind her are two curved towers at the entrance of a gate. She knows that this is the gate to enter the inner castle, and the Palace of the Grand Master. But that isn't necessary.
To her right are a series of several buildings, but one three story pink colored modern-looking building with red tile fits the description.
>>172399Rover becomes bolder, and tries to scratch around her ears and touch her mane.
Meanwhile, the bat pony and Helping Hooves attempt to rub her belly
>>172400Kira's ears fold and flop around Rover's hoof. Her mane is short and simple, well suited to a mare who works physically, and feels very much like any other pony's mane. Her belly twitches and trembles, and Kira starts giggling like crazy at the bat pony and Helping's touch.
"W-wait, stop! That t-tickles!"
>>172400The fortress, built long ago perhaps as an indomitable bulwark against pony expansion, is a standing testament to the resilience of griffons when they stand together, as difficult as it may be for that to happen. A day or two of tours of the castle would be warranted once there's time.
The Grand Master…of all of Hellquill? A few thoughts race through Amber's mind, notably the potential to change history for better or worse. The power of music is truly untested, of course, and the excitement is enough to quell even Amber's great fatigue. What better way to end this performance than with a crescendo?
Amber approaches the inner gate.
>>172402To be clear, is Amber
not wanting to go to where the Art Director/Minister is? Is she wanting to go into the Palace?
Is she looking to put on a performance?
>>172401The bat pony simple scritches, although Helping Hooves continues to rub her in a circular pattern. Circular Cuay actually stops, and does something else. Rover continues rubbing her around her neck.
>>172403Amber is a newcomer to Hellheim. Had the Palace been in a different section of the city, as she had assumed, then the original plan would not have been questioned at all. But, as a performer, there is an irresistible draw toward the theatric and grand, even at the cost of all sense and reason. Safety is for pedestrians, Amber is an
artist. The show may go on well or it may go on poorly, but it will go on all the same.
>>172404Amber does need to be careful though, as she is fully aware that her brand of music is an acquired taste, and not every ear is ready to, nor fit, to hear it.
But very well.
Where shall she perform?
And what piece most fits the occasion?
>>172403Despite her protestations about it being ticklish, Kira continues to giggle and seems to be enjoying all of this attention.
>>172405Only the Grand Master himself, wherever he may be, is fit to hear it. As for the music itself, a conflict starts to emerge and writhe deep within herself, melodic yet tumultuous in its tones.
>>172407But first, how to get to him?
>>172408It's a matter of looking at the inner gate first of all.
>>172409Another gate, another guard to get past
>>172406more rubbingmore scritchingmore pettingThe white mare briefly comes in and touches Kira's snake-back
Cuay says to her,
"We are almost ready, ma'am."
>>172410It's interesting how smooth and nice her scales are. Some ponies assume that snake skin would be scaly or even slimy, but the ponies present are getting a first-hoof example of how they aren't.
"Mmmghu, greeeeeaaat, thaaaaank yooooouuuu..."
>>172411More petting and rubbingBut then Kira can here in a decidedly derisive tone,
"Alright you snake, listen here."
But Kira can see that these words are not directed at her. Rather, the white unicorn and Free Rover have gone over towards Neela, who has been on the other side of a desk from this scene.
"You lucked out when you stayed home that night, and you lucked out again when you found a sponsor willing to look after you in Baltimare. Now because I trust that literal snake more than you we'll go along with it. But you need to know that she holds onto your papers. And if you run away from her, or trick her, and you get caught without papers, or worse, with false papers, you will never have anything approaching that level of freedom again. You are not a pony. You don't even look Olenian. You will not get away with 'My ID got stolen'. You will be found."
The white unicorn walks away, but unfortunately, does not come back to pet Kira.
Free Rover does. He scritches Kira's chin again.
>>172412The nope noodle smiles, and her tongue sticks out.
"You definitely seem the most undisturbed, Rover," she directs towards the pony scritching her chin.
>>172413"When I was colt, we'd pick up snakes on the ranch, and make a game out of daring other colts to do it. My uncle had a constrictor as a pet too and I'd handle that one. Let' 'em crawl over my shoulders."
He looks at her
"You look more like a filly, anyways."
>>172414Kira looks back at him, and continues to smile.
"I think I'm probably a bit too heavy to crawl over your shoulders. The hugs were more than good enough, though. It gives me hope that I've already found ponies willing to be firendly with me."
>>172415He doesn't quite smile
"Not so many ponies 'round here grew up catching snakes on the ranch. You won't find that everywhere. You are going to need to be patient with 'em. Even if they get aggressive with you."
>>172416Kira gives him a determined nod.
"I will!"
A low growl from her stomach brings her back to reality, and she gets back up from the floor.
"Well I supposed we had better get on it, if everything's taken care of. I've got a lot to take care of, being in a new city. I hope I get to see all of you again under pleasant circumstances!"
>>172417He looks over to Cuay, then back to Kira
"No, you're about set. Wait for the light to cross the street, don't trust 'Neela', and remember everything is made for somepony smaller than you."
Helping Hooves seems somewhat spooked by the growl.
Rover:
"Anything else we can do for you, ma'am?"
>>172418Kira nods at Rover again.
"Understood. I think I'm all set. Just wish me luck, and I hope you all have a great day!"
She looks to Neela.
"Ready to go?"
>>172419The black stallion walks over, takes the chains off of Neela, but places a collar on her neck and gives Kira a leash. Neela was remuzzled long ago, which explains the relative peace and quiet of the last minutes.
Neela looks at Kira with resentment, which probably means "Yes"
>>172420"Oh, uh, alright then." Taking the leash, she bids her newfound friends goodbye and makes for the exit with Neela, leaving the Customs building.
>>172421Neela at first does not move, but then moves along next to Kira. Kira has to take a different hallway, then outside, then into an odd new world of concrete pavement, brick buildings, and a large number of creatures. Not just ponies, but griffins too. Both carts and automobiles move by, and many creatures seem unsettled by her appearance. It's likely a good thing that Kira has on her backpack and other assorted clothing, to make her look less like a wild monster.
>>172365>>172368>>172369I've gathered that GM really does not want to run a side quest for Posey to catch Alluring, so I guess that will just have to wait until some other time. I'm just going to just move on to the tank parts retrieval quest, whenever that's ready to begin.
Where does Posey need to go for this? I recall it was a swamp, but I don't see any other details.
>>172423>AlluringI suppose it’s possible to rewind the clock so that Posey can try to catch him leaving, or for her to infiltrate the hospital and catch him there. Other than that, best to wait.
>>172424Infiltrating the hospital is an interesting idea, but idk.
Does Posey know the general area in the swamp she needs to go to find the tank parts? Or does she need to find that information himself.
>>172422So...many...
ponies! It's all so overwhelming, so many friend shaped beings all over, of all different colors with all so many different details and features! She just wants to go out and hug them all!
...hmm, Kira has to pull herself together, lest she lose herself in the need to hug all of the friend-shaped ponies. She instead begins by turning to Neela.
"Alright, let's get these things off of you..."
Kira begins removing the straps, harnesses, and muzzle that the customs ponies put on Neela.
>>172429It’s just a muzzle and a collar.
Needs wiggles out, jumps back, stares at Kira and has her legs slightly apart in a stance like she is ready to runaway.
>>172431Kira sets the muzzle and collar on the ground, backs up slightly, and holds up her hooves.
"I am not going to do anything bad to you, I just want to keep you out of trouble."
>>172432She turns quickly to the side, as if to run, but then stops. If Kira looks, she can see that back over near the exit, the police mare has come outside, and is looking their way. She is at least too far away to hear anything said. Needs then turns back, and looks towards Kira.
>>172444"Like I said, I just want to keep you out of trouble. Honest. Unfortunately, we have to stay together for that to happen."
>>172447To the south and east, on the edge of the Hayseed district and the Kululu Forests. It's quite a ways off the beaten path, away from the rail lines and the highways, from the city and towns.
>>172448"What do you think you are doing here?" She asks Kira in a rather derisive tone
>>172449Kira seems...confused, by the nature of the question.
"Uh...come again?"
>>172450"This. Bribing the Fascists so they would sell me as your pet. What do you think you are doing here? Reforming a bad doe? Is this some kind of religious mission to you? Or were you really hoping to eat me after all?"
>>172451Kira continues to be confused.
"No...? You're not a pet, or food. I just didn't want to see you sent to a prison colony or...worse. Both of our homes no longer exist, and I felt bad."
>>172452"What? What do you mean?"
>>172453"They said you were from...Lushi, right? I'm from the city of Dhamaji, in Southeastern Zebrica. We were conquered, and my tribe is being hunted down and exterminated."
>>172454She tilts her head
“Who would hunt the Nagavanshi?”
>>172455"Talonsvaal. They built a gold mine in our lands, started to pour poison in our drinking water. Our tribe's warriors kicked them out of the mine, but they came back with guns and machines and artillery. We never stood a chance..."
>>172449>It's quite a ways off the beaten path, away from the rail lines and the highways, from the city and towns.Is it accessible within a day's travel?
>>172458If automobile or boat assists, then yes
>>172457"Talonsvaal, as I said. The Talons. They're a griffon country, relative newcomers to our part of Zebrica."
>>172459Okay, Posey will ask Mason to drive her, when he has the time to do so.
>>172461"The Nagavanshi humbled..." She says, evidently to herself
"So that is why you are here?" She asks
>>172462"I was sent to ask for refuge for my tribe. Tales about Equestria's legendary spirit of friendship and harmony had even reached our ears. Sadly, it seems our information was...out of date. Still, I can't give up. I need to convince Halcyon Shores to let us in."
>>172462I think that was supposed to be directed at the other.
>>172463She rolls her eyes and her head while her ears wiggle
"Ha, 'Friendship and Harmony?' they stingy in giving
that out. And good luck with getting the fascists to let in
your kind. They don't even want zebra and griffins anymore."
>>172459Posey would like to have Mason drive her at least part of the way.
>>172465"I have to try! The lives of my tribe depend on me!"
She smiles at the deer she's tried to save from slavery.
"You know, I would really appreciate help. I promise I'll do everything along the way to help you out too, maybe we can convince them to give you a new, proper ID."
>>172467She scrunches
"Good luck. And good luck with that too."
>>172468Kira's tongue flicks out for a second.
"Come on, I know we can do it! What is there to lose? Not trying would have the same effect as failure."
>>172469Still unimpressed
"And what do you want me to do exactly?"
>>172470"Just help me however you're able. Something tells me a deer like you has a lot of really useful skills."