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>>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."