Continuing
/vx/ - Videogames and Paranormal
1328 replies and 66 files omitted.
>>192331
I rolled a 1 on Arcana for a modified 12, so I guess Posey wouldn't know in this case.
I have to sleep soon.
I rolled a 1 on Arcana for a modified 12, so I guess Posey wouldn't know in this case.
I have to sleep soon.
>>192331
Barley sits down, and lets his sandyitail come out from his skirt and wrap around his body. His ears go back, and he looks down. “But if I don’t get on that ship, I’ll be left behind. I have to catch up with them. I didn’t mean to miss moving day, I was- I wanted to say good bye to the birds and the flowers and the sea and the rock over the sea past Kirchner’s hill. I didn’t really want to move, but mum said we had to, and I don’t want to. I’ve never been off this island. It is my home. But I don’t want to be left behind…”
If there’s a time slip, it’s a very selective time slip. Posey can see the green light of the flares launched by the GRU. A ghost would usually have an aura that could be felt in the air. Maybe there is one, but it’s lost in the wind and rain. An illusion or a recorded memory would fit what Possy, but it seems to respond to inputs from Posey and others, like it’s intelligent. Like a ghost.
Barley sits down, and lets his sandyitail come out from his skirt and wrap around his body. His ears go back, and he looks down. “But if I don’t get on that ship, I’ll be left behind. I have to catch up with them. I didn’t mean to miss moving day, I was- I wanted to say good bye to the birds and the flowers and the sea and the rock over the sea past Kirchner’s hill. I didn’t really want to move, but mum said we had to, and I don’t want to. I’ve never been off this island. It is my home. But I don’t want to be left behind…”
If there’s a time slip, it’s a very selective time slip. Posey can see the green light of the flares launched by the GRU. A ghost would usually have an aura that could be felt in the air. Maybe there is one, but it’s lost in the wind and rain. An illusion or a recorded memory would fit what Possy, but it seems to respond to inputs from Posey and others, like it’s intelligent. Like a ghost.
>>192333
Posey slowly reaches out to touch the colt
"The ship you speak of... Left a long time ago. This island is all but deserted, save for couple skinny sheep." she says, calmly
"There is nothing left for you here. But I will not leave you behind like the others did. Would you like to come with me?"
Posey slowly reaches out to touch the colt
"The ship you speak of... Left a long time ago. This island is all but deserted, save for couple skinny sheep." she says, calmly
"There is nothing left for you here. But I will not leave you behind like the others did. Would you like to come with me?"
>>192334
Silver looks a bit hesitant, to which he explains himself to his comrades. "I am worried about this being some sort of trap. There are only two ships parked here, one of which would likely torture us and make us disappear while other has Traveler on it."
Spot: Meanwhile, with an investigative flick of her tongue, Kira sees if her keen snek eyes can't tell if there's some sort of deception going on, like this being a disguise or if the colt is just ever so slightly see-through or glowing or something.
[1d20+8 = (17+8) = 25]
Silver looks a bit hesitant, to which he explains himself to his comrades. "I am worried about this being some sort of trap. There are only two ships parked here, one of which would likely torture us and make us disappear while other has Traveler on it."
Spot: Meanwhile, with an investigative flick of her tongue, Kira sees if her keen snek eyes can't tell if there's some sort of deception going on, like this being a disguise or if the colt is just ever so slightly see-through or glowing or something.
[1d20+8 = (17+8) = 25]
>>192334
The foal, sitting, now moves his forehooves and lays down, crossing his forelegs and angling his lips down. Perhaps deliberately, this places him just beyond the reach of Posey’s advancing hoof. Then his eyes angle up towards Posey and his ears move up.
“Can you get me to the ship?”
>>192335
The colt is not translucent or transparent at all, instead being sandy maned, beige coated, wearing a white linen shirt and a dark green skirt plaid in lavender and blue. But he does not cast a shadow, nor do droplets of water accumulate on him or his clothing as it does on everything else.
The foal, sitting, now moves his forehooves and lays down, crossing his forelegs and angling his lips down. Perhaps deliberately, this places him just beyond the reach of Posey’s advancing hoof. Then his eyes angle up towards Posey and his ears move up.
“Can you get me to the ship?”
>>192335
The colt is not translucent or transparent at all, instead being sandy maned, beige coated, wearing a white linen shirt and a dark green skirt plaid in lavender and blue. But he does not cast a shadow, nor do droplets of water accumulate on him or his clothing as it does on everything else.
>>192336
Grab
[1d20+5 = (1+5) = 6]
This is looking like a programmed image. Best way to tell is to touch and roll the save to disbelieve.
Grab
[1d20+5 = (1+5) = 6]
This is looking like a programmed image. Best way to tell is to touch and roll the save to disbelieve.
>>192328
>>192335
Posey approaches the rest of the party and whispers
"This colt barely so much as flinched when I told him that his ship left six decades ago. There is no evidence of his ship being here, or any way for him to have survived even a single night on this island. Despite my best efforts, I have been unable to touch him."
Her expression grows dark
"In my training, I read about monsters who used their psychic powers to create illusions that lured unsuspecting ponies towards their lairs, not unlike angler fish. I have a creeping suspicion that this colt is a figment programmed to lure our herd towards the water..."
>>192335
Posey approaches the rest of the party and whispers
"This colt barely so much as flinched when I told him that his ship left six decades ago. There is no evidence of his ship being here, or any way for him to have survived even a single night on this island. Despite my best efforts, I have been unable to touch him."
Her expression grows dark
"In my training, I read about monsters who used their psychic powers to create illusions that lured unsuspecting ponies towards their lairs, not unlike angler fish. I have a creeping suspicion that this colt is a figment programmed to lure our herd towards the water..."
>>192340
Silver whispers back to Posey, "That is my thought process, too. Unless we are now dealing with time travelers, I believe this may be trick."
Kira, meanwhile tenses up from her spot in the shadows, pounces, and makes her attempt to whump the child.
[1d20+9 = (4+9) = 13]
Silver whispers back to Posey, "That is my thought process, too. Unless we are now dealing with time travelers, I believe this may be trick."
Kira, meanwhile tenses up from her spot in the shadows, pounces, and makes her attempt to whump the child.
[1d20+9 = (4+9) = 13]
>>192341
"A time traveler would have denied their predicament. Even for a confused colt in shock, his reaction was far from normal." Posey replies
"I recommend slowly backing away. If he were a real colt, he would follow us back to the herd."
"A time traveler would have denied their predicament. Even for a confused colt in shock, his reaction was far from normal." Posey replies
"I recommend slowly backing away. If he were a real colt, he would follow us back to the herd."
>>192341
Kira’s pounce is sloppy, at least by her standards. It probably should have worked, but maybe an exceptionally agile colt could have escaped it? Either way, it appears the colt has jumped up - perhaps after rolling over on his back 360 degrees - and is standing across the lane, the one lonely lane of the village, with his back arched up, ears perked up, and eyes widened. He turns his head to Kira, to Posey, then to Silver, stares for about two and a half seconds. “I can’t stay here.” Turning on his back legs, turns around and runs away. The flares of the GRU have sunk by now, and there is no extra light beyond what moonlight seeps through the mists. For the moment, the night is oddly silent.
Kira’s pounce is sloppy, at least by her standards. It probably should have worked, but maybe an exceptionally agile colt could have escaped it? Either way, it appears the colt has jumped up - perhaps after rolling over on his back 360 degrees - and is standing across the lane, the one lonely lane of the village, with his back arched up, ears perked up, and eyes widened. He turns his head to Kira, to Posey, then to Silver, stares for about two and a half seconds. “I can’t stay here.” Turning on his back legs, turns around and runs away. The flares of the GRU have sunk by now, and there is no extra light beyond what moonlight seeps through the mists. For the moment, the night is oddly silent.
>>192343
What direction is he running in?
Attack of opportunity to grab him as he runs away
[1d20+5 = (19+5) = 24]
What direction is he running in?
Attack of opportunity to grab him as he runs away
[1d20+5 = (19+5) = 24]
>>192344
Aha! That had to have touched him.
Grapple
[1d20+9 = (8+9) = 17]
Also preemptively rolling a Will save up disbelieve any illusion:
[1d20+7 = (12+7) = 19] (+2 if the source of the illusion is an aberration or other far realm entity)
Aha! That had to have touched him.
Grapple
[1d20+9 = (8+9) = 17]
Also preemptively rolling a Will save up disbelieve any illusion:
[1d20+7 = (12+7) = 19] (+2 if the source of the illusion is an aberration or other far realm entity)
>>192346
My suspicions have been confirmed
What direction does the colt run in?
Posey looks towards the party
"An illusion. Almost certainly a trap... Question is by who or what? The Traveller?" Posey ponders
My suspicions have been confirmed
What direction does the colt run in?
Posey looks towards the party
"An illusion. Almost certainly a trap... Question is by who or what? The Traveller?" Posey ponders
>>192347
Kira gets up after her sloppy pounce attempt. She rubs her head to deal with a minor bump as she replies to Posey's question. "Well, the shamans talked about how when enough negative energy is present in a single location it can cause the souls of lost creatures to manifest. Maybe the presense of the Traveler is causing this colt's soul to manifest, trapped in the moments before his tragic death? Maybe he tried to catch the boat as it left the island, fell in the water, and drowned? Poor colt, if that's the case..."
Kira gets up after her sloppy pounce attempt. She rubs her head to deal with a minor bump as she replies to Posey's question. "Well, the shamans talked about how when enough negative energy is present in a single location it can cause the souls of lost creatures to manifest. Maybe the presense of the Traveler is causing this colt's soul to manifest, trapped in the moments before his tragic death? Maybe he tried to catch the boat as it left the island, fell in the water, and drowned? Poor colt, if that's the case..."
>>192347
Posey doesn't see the colt running at all. It is gone. Before Posey pounced on it, it was going east, through the village.
Posey doesn't see the colt running at all. It is gone. Before Posey pounced on it, it was going east, through the village.
>>192349
>through the village
Oh wait, that's the direction we're heading anyway, right? I thought we already searched the village.
Anyway, let's go there to find the airpony. If a monster/ghost shows up on the way, do be it.
>through the village
Oh wait, that's the direction we're heading anyway, right? I thought we already searched the village.
Anyway, let's go there to find the airpony. If a monster/ghost shows up on the way, do be it.
>>192352
Alright then, with the colt* nowhere in sight, we should proceed to search the village.
Posey carefully strides towards the village
"Careful, everypony. Whatever created that illusion is sure to be waiting for us." she says to the party, drawing her sword
Alright then, with the colt* nowhere in sight, we should proceed to search the village.
Posey carefully strides towards the village
"Careful, everypony. Whatever created that illusion is sure to be waiting for us." she says to the party, drawing her sword
>>192354
Posey joins him, in the same way she described in the posts above
Just going to take 10 on the perception rolls this time.
Posey joins him, in the same way she described in the posts above
Just going to take 10 on the perception rolls this time.
>>192353
Kira raises her hoof. "Unless it's just a coincidence because of the presence of the Traveler."
Silver raises an eyebrow at this insistence. "You do not believe it to be trap or lure?"
Kira shakes her head. "You've seen how the Traveler's tried to get us to 'join him'. He's been pretty direct with it, telling us to close our eyes and give in. Or when you look into the eyes of the possessed ponies. Or the voices in our heads that are telling us to join him. This just feels too indirect to be something he would do, you know? Subtlety doesn't seem to be his thing."
Silver seems to ponder this with a "Hmmmmmm".
Kira raises her hoof. "Unless it's just a coincidence because of the presence of the Traveler."
Silver raises an eyebrow at this insistence. "You do not believe it to be trap or lure?"
Kira shakes her head. "You've seen how the Traveler's tried to get us to 'join him'. He's been pretty direct with it, telling us to close our eyes and give in. Or when you look into the eyes of the possessed ponies. Or the voices in our heads that are telling us to join him. This just feels too indirect to be something he would do, you know? Subtlety doesn't seem to be his thing."
Silver seems to ponder this with a "Hmmmmmm".
>>192356
"An illusion is always a trap." Posey says decisively
"That colt was not like any ghost that I have seen before, so he must have been an illusion. Any creature capable of generating illusions of that caliber is sure to be formidable. Be on guard." she says as she searches the village
I guess I may as well roll perception
Spot
[1d20+3 = (12+3) = 15]
Listen
[1d20+3 = (6+3) = 9]
Search
[1d20+3 = (9+3) = 12]
Kira or Cavalier should roll Survival. A DC 15 check should lead us right to the airpony.
"An illusion is always a trap." Posey says decisively
"That colt was not like any ghost that I have seen before, so he must have been an illusion. Any creature capable of generating illusions of that caliber is sure to be formidable. Be on guard." she says as she searches the village
I guess I may as well roll perception
Spot
[1d20+3 = (12+3) = 15]
Listen
[1d20+3 = (6+3) = 9]
Search
[1d20+3 = (9+3) = 12]
Kira or Cavalier should roll Survival. A DC 15 check should lead us right to the airpony.
>>192350
Maybe, maybe not. Elements don't quite align perfectly. If it was undead, it has learned that Posey and Kira are trying to capture it and are not trying to help. If it was an illusion, its maker has learned that further interactions are a waste of time.
Maybe, maybe not. Elements don't quite align perfectly. If it was undead, it has learned that Posey and Kira are trying to capture it and are not trying to help. If it was an illusion, its maker has learned that further interactions are a waste of time.
>>192360
>If it was undead, it has learned that Posey and Kira are trying to capture it and are not trying to help.
Were it an undead, would my 28 be high enough to tell what kind of undead it was?
>its maker has learned that further interactions are a waste of time
Hmmm, that's actually unsettling. I thought it was a programmed image, but perhaps it could also be an active participant. In that case, we should be on guard, because we might already be observed...
>If it was undead, it has learned that Posey and Kira are trying to capture it and are not trying to help.
Were it an undead, would my 28 be high enough to tell what kind of undead it was?
>its maker has learned that further interactions are a waste of time
Hmmm, that's actually unsettling. I thought it was a programmed image, but perhaps it could also be an active participant. In that case, we should be on guard, because we might already be observed...
>>192361
It was modifying its responses based off of input. It very obviously had at least some minimum of intelligence behind it.
It was modifying its responses based off of input. It very obviously had at least some minimum of intelligence behind it.
>>192359
[1d20+3 = (14+3) = 17]
"What ghosts have you seen?" Cavaliere asks skeptically. "You took no time to come to a conclusion."
[1d20+3 = (14+3) = 17]
"What ghosts have you seen?" Cavaliere asks skeptically. "You took no time to come to a conclusion."
>>192363
"A few. As I said, I am an expert in the field of the undying." Posey said
"Most spectres have only limited manifestation abilities, and are thus identifiable at close distances by their translucent appearances. The ones who are capable of mimicking living ponies perfectly, however... Are invariably predatory, and likely would have attacked us already."
>>192362
Maybe I should have rebuked it while I had the chance. I have 9 uses of rebuke undead and my control pool is only half full.
"A few. As I said, I am an expert in the field of the undying." Posey said
"Most spectres have only limited manifestation abilities, and are thus identifiable at close distances by their translucent appearances. The ones who are capable of mimicking living ponies perfectly, however... Are invariably predatory, and likely would have attacked us already."
>>192362
Maybe I should have rebuked it while I had the chance. I have 9 uses of rebuke undead and my control pool is only half full.
>>192365
Well, if a 28 on survival in a limited area to track an airpony over firm ground after less than 24 hours doesn't lead us right to him, he would need to be a ghost too.
>she wasn't trying to capture the colt
Posey offered to take him with us on our ship.
Well, if a 28 on survival in a limited area to track an airpony over firm ground after less than 24 hours doesn't lead us right to him, he would need to be a ghost too.
>she wasn't trying to capture the colt
Posey offered to take him with us on our ship.
>>192365
>>192366
Even though she's looking for missing airponies, Kira looks over in the direction of where the colt was going. "...so, where do you think he went? Probably towards the water, reenacting the events leading up to his death. Do you guys think he'll lead us to the missing airpony, or those other Kostroma survivors?"
>>192366
Even though she's looking for missing airponies, Kira looks over in the direction of where the colt was going. "...so, where do you think he went? Probably towards the water, reenacting the events leading up to his death. Do you guys think he'll lead us to the missing airpony, or those other Kostroma survivors?"
>>192368
Kira: "Or we could just investigate where he's gone, with the only purpose of seeing what happens with him." She taps her hooves together. "...I'd find that kinda interesting..."
Kira: "Or we could just investigate where he's gone, with the only purpose of seeing what happens with him." She taps her hooves together. "...I'd find that kinda interesting..."
We rolled perception and survival. Is there anything else we have to roll to search the village for the airpony?
20 posts till 1000, well done.
>>192370
I think GM pone would like us to follow the ghost colt before he disappears, so he can stall for time to rewrite some stuff.
I think GM pone would like us to follow the ghost colt before he disappears, so he can stall for time to rewrite some stuff.
>>192372
He went in the same direction we're going in anyway. We can follow him and search the village at the same time.
He went in the same direction we're going in anyway. We can follow him and search the village at the same time.
Do we see or hear anything in the immediate vicinity once we follow the ghost/illusion into the village?
>>192302
>>192368
>>192367
>>192369
>>192363
Just forget about the damned ghost. I'll get to the search results at some point.
>>191364
"Well..." She says, with a pause as she returns her hoof to the ground.
"You can start by putting back up the items left at the counter back at their places on the shelves. And give me the one and a quarter inch buttons. The beige and mud brown pattern ones, not those cheap yellow-brown ones on top."
>>192368
>>192367
>>192369
>>192363
Just forget about the damned ghost. I'll get to the search results at some point.
>>191364
"Well..." She says, with a pause as she returns her hoof to the ground.
"You can start by putting back up the items left at the counter back at their places on the shelves. And give me the one and a quarter inch buttons. The beige and mud brown pattern ones, not those cheap yellow-brown ones on top."
>>192384
sad griffon noises
"I'm on it, Miss Sewn!" she answers promptly.
Amber tries to keep track of all of High Sewn's requests. It shouldn't be too hard for a smart cookie like her. Though, beige is so similar to yellow, and what distinguishes mud brown from regular brown?
sad griffon noises
"I'm on it, Miss Sewn!" she answers promptly.
Amber tries to keep track of all of High Sewn's requests. It shouldn't be too hard for a smart cookie like her. Though, beige is so similar to yellow, and what distinguishes mud brown from regular brown?
>>192385
Of the many things that Amber has been thrown into up to her neck and had to learn in a short amount of time, is the nuance of so many shades of colors. There is "barley," "sand," "beige," and so many various shades of yellow brown, besides all of the other permutations of brown.
High Sewn says to Amber "the one on the bottom" after she opens the container.
Of the many things that Amber has been thrown into up to her neck and had to learn in a short amount of time, is the nuance of so many shades of colors. There is "barley," "sand," "beige," and so many various shades of yellow brown, besides all of the other permutations of brown.
High Sewn says to Amber "the one on the bottom" after she opens the container.
>>192386
She does not think of herself as much of a visual artist, but she appreciates the intricacy of color. That these are earthy tones brings her extra delight, since she feels she can better describe the hues of her hair and skin as well as that of Mustard's.
She dutifully hoofs over as many buttons as her boss needs, and when there is a window of opportunity puts away the merchandise as neatly as she can.
She does not think of herself as much of a visual artist, but she appreciates the intricacy of color. That these are earthy tones brings her extra delight, since she feels she can better describe the hues of her hair and skin as well as that of Mustard's.
She dutifully hoofs over as many buttons as her boss needs, and when there is a window of opportunity puts away the merchandise as neatly as she can.
>>192387
High Sewn wordlessly takes the buttons and returns to her work of fixing a set of clothing in the back room.
The few minutes until lunch pass without much occurring of note.
High Sewn wordlessly takes the buttons and returns to her work of fixing a set of clothing in the back room.
The few minutes until lunch pass without much occurring of note.
>>192388
Maybe High Sewn is done with her sewing by lunchtime, or maybe not. Either way, Amber approaches and stands off to the side, rubbing her own fetlock.
"Miss Sewn, do you know of any inexpensive places serving vittles? I'm a mite peckish," she asks.
Maybe High Sewn is done with her sewing by lunchtime, or maybe not. Either way, Amber approaches and stands off to the side, rubbing her own fetlock.
"Miss Sewn, do you know of any inexpensive places serving vittles? I'm a mite peckish," she asks.
>>192389
"'Vittles'? 'Peckish'? My dear, even your dialect is..." she moves her right hoof in a circular manner. "Rustic. Well..." moving her eyes, and then her head, to the left, she says "There's a sandwich shop two blocks down and then a few over on 20th and Traveller. That should give you good value and decent food."
"'Vittles'? 'Peckish'? My dear, even your dialect is..." she moves her right hoof in a circular manner. "Rustic. Well..." moving her eyes, and then her head, to the left, she says "There's a sandwich shop two blocks down and then a few over on 20th and Traveller. That should give you good value and decent food."
>>192390
"Several blocks over? Even at a canter's pace, I'll be hard-pressed to go there, order, eat, and come back in time…" she replies, looking rather daunted. "Um, how far away is that from the high school?" Amber provides the name of the school that Mustard Trim attends, but doesn't mention him.
"Several blocks over? Even at a canter's pace, I'll be hard-pressed to go there, order, eat, and come back in time…" she replies, looking rather daunted. "Um, how far away is that from the high school?" Amber provides the name of the school that Mustard Trim attends, but doesn't mention him.
>>192391
She makes a batting motion, as if to dismiss the notion it is too far away.
"That one? Not sure why you'd want to go there, but it's several more blocks south, on Bucephalus, which is one further west of Traveller."
She makes a batting motion, as if to dismiss the notion it is too far away.
"That one? Not sure why you'd want to go there, but it's several more blocks south, on Bucephalus, which is one further west of Traveller."
>>192392
The short mare blinks. She has some idea of how large city blocks are, and makes a quick mental calculation as to whether it could be possible to get there and back with any time to spare, all within a single lunch break. The sandwich shop is sounding to sound like a more practical and delicious option.
The short mare blinks. She has some idea of how large city blocks are, and makes a quick mental calculation as to whether it could be possible to get there and back with any time to spare, all within a single lunch break. The sandwich shop is sounding to sound like a more practical and delicious option.
For purposes of Baltimare City planning, let's say that blocks are rectangles that are wider east to west than north to south. Named streets are always north to south, while numbered streets are east to west, numbered starting at one next to the river, and increasing as you advance north.
>>192393
It should be possible. The high school is also possible, albeit with less time there than if she were to go to the sandwich shop.
>>192393
It should be possible. The high school is also possible, albeit with less time there than if she were to go to the sandwich shop.
>>192394
The speed and endurance of equinity compared to lesser races not possessing four hooved limbs wins out in the end. A smile breaks out over Amber's face as she thanks High Sewn and heads south at a fast pace, the hem of her skirt fluttering behind her.
The speed and endurance of equinity compared to lesser races not possessing four hooved limbs wins out in the end. A smile breaks out over Amber's face as she thanks High Sewn and heads south at a fast pace, the hem of her skirt fluttering behind her.
>>192397
>>192395
Traveller South High School is, oddly, not on Traveller Street. Well actually a part of it is, but the secondary entrance faces Bucephalus, with the main entrance on seventh street. It's actually not that far away from the police station where Amber went a few nights ago...
The building is mostly blocky and rectangular, made of bricks with granite stones for the first five feet, square windows, at least three stories with windows visible from a basement, and big steps going up to the entrance.
>>192395
Traveller South High School is, oddly, not on Traveller Street. Well actually a part of it is, but the secondary entrance faces Bucephalus, with the main entrance on seventh street. It's actually not that far away from the police station where Amber went a few nights ago...
The building is mostly blocky and rectangular, made of bricks with granite stones for the first five feet, square windows, at least three stories with windows visible from a basement, and big steps going up to the entrance.
>>192398
Hopefully no police officers recognize her. Amber, wearing her dress, hair scarf, and her saddlebags (she did not bother to put her cloak back on) pauses at the formidable entrance. For a moment she wonders if it would be trespassing if she went in. Didn't Mustard mention it was a public school though? That must mean it's open to the public and anypony can enter.
She walks up the steep stone steps and pushes or pulls the door to get inside.
Hopefully no police officers recognize her. Amber, wearing her dress, hair scarf, and her saddlebags (she did not bother to put her cloak back on) pauses at the formidable entrance. For a moment she wonders if it would be trespassing if she went in. Didn't Mustard mention it was a public school though? That must mean it's open to the public and anypony can enter.
She walks up the steep stone steps and pushes or pulls the door to get inside.
>>192399
When Amber visited the police station, there were soldiers standing guard outside, an armored car in the public park, and she was searched for bombs as she entered the building.
But this building has no soldiers outside, no guards at the door. Not even a receptionist. Just an entry into a linoleum floored hall with white-washed walls. No pony is immediately visible, but the sounds of clopping and speaking tell her the building is far from empty
When Amber visited the police station, there were soldiers standing guard outside, an armored car in the public park, and she was searched for bombs as she entered the building.
But this building has no soldiers outside, no guards at the door. Not even a receptionist. Just an entry into a linoleum floored hall with white-washed walls. No pony is immediately visible, but the sounds of clopping and speaking tell her the building is far from empty
>>192400
The figurative open door compared to the police station eases her anxiety somewhat. Nonetheless, a large unfamiliar building exudes a certain air of anticipation. Mustard doesn't even know she's coming, and she has no idea what the other ponies here are like. Despite her worries, she follows the signs of life.
The figurative open door compared to the police station eases her anxiety somewhat. Nonetheless, a large unfamiliar building exudes a certain air of anticipation. Mustard doesn't even know she's coming, and she has no idea what the other ponies here are like. Despite her worries, she follows the signs of life.
>>192401
Looking to the right, a white filly with grey mane and tail and a green sweater walks the hall. Behind her, Amber can hear the sound of ponies talking, presumably in a room further down.
Looking to the right, a white filly with grey mane and tail and a green sweater walks the hall. Behind her, Amber can hear the sound of ponies talking, presumably in a room further down.
>>192402
Amber has some butterflies in her stomach, and she's not exactly sure why. Still, she doesn't want to waste all her time wandering blindly, and she turns to ask a question for the filly with a sweater.
"Pardon me. I didn't miss lunch, did I?" Amber guesses that this school probably has lunch at the same time as her job. It was the primary reason for her coming down now rather than after work.
Amber has some butterflies in her stomach, and she's not exactly sure why. Still, she doesn't want to waste all her time wandering blindly, and she turns to ask a question for the filly with a sweater.
"Pardon me. I didn't miss lunch, did I?" Amber guesses that this school probably has lunch at the same time as her job. It was the primary reason for her coming down now rather than after work.
>>192403
She turns around and looks behind her, before turning back to Amber.
"No?" She says, and starts lazily moving forward, possibly past Amber
She turns around and looks behind her, before turning back to Amber.
"No?" She says, and starts lazily moving forward, possibly past Amber
>>192404
Part of Amber is disappointed and hoped for a friendly chat. Chiefly, however, she is relieved that she wasn't the target of sudden interest and can get on with her search. She just has to find wherever students tend to have lunch, which probably is the noisiest part of the building. No doubt it's where the filly is coming from, and Amber heads that direction.
Part of Amber is disappointed and hoped for a friendly chat. Chiefly, however, she is relieved that she wasn't the target of sudden interest and can get on with her search. She just has to find wherever students tend to have lunch, which probably is the noisiest part of the building. No doubt it's where the filly is coming from, and Amber heads that direction.
>>192405
Proceeding that way, Amber sees a pair of blue doors that are held white open. This leads into a wide space with many tables, and very many colts and fillies at these tables with trays in front of them. This is certainly a cafeteria in lunch hour. There is a cacophony of noise.
Proceeding that way, Amber sees a pair of blue doors that are held white open. This leads into a wide space with many tables, and very many colts and fillies at these tables with trays in front of them. This is certainly a cafeteria in lunch hour. There is a cacophony of noise.
>>192406
Amber tries not to stare and gawk, but it's hard. She's never seen so many colts and fillies all together like this! She glances over the crowd, curious as to how many wear clothes, and of those what kind of clothes they wear. Maybe High Sewn is rubbing off on her more than she thought….
Then a devious thought strikes her. She can't possibly have enough time to buy a sandwich at the shop, but she is hungry. Surely they won't mind if one more filly gets a tray of food? She tries to find an empty tray and discern how the little ponies get their lunches.
Amber tries not to stare and gawk, but it's hard. She's never seen so many colts and fillies all together like this! She glances over the crowd, curious as to how many wear clothes, and of those what kind of clothes they wear. Maybe High Sewn is rubbing off on her more than she thought….
Then a devious thought strikes her. She can't possibly have enough time to buy a sandwich at the shop, but she is hungry. Surely they won't mind if one more filly gets a tray of food? She tries to find an empty tray and discern how the little ponies get their lunches.
>>192407
Probably something like half wear clothes. The thickest of jackets are not being worn, naturally, as the building seems to be heated, but a number wear shirts or skirts or at least scarves and bows.
On the opposite side of the hall is a set of rails and food, with a larger mare and a zebra mare at the station. She can see mashed potatoes, broccoli, carrots, and apples as options. And yes, there is a set of trays.
Probably something like half wear clothes. The thickest of jackets are not being worn, naturally, as the building seems to be heated, but a number wear shirts or skirts or at least scarves and bows.
On the opposite side of the hall is a set of rails and food, with a larger mare and a zebra mare at the station. She can see mashed potatoes, broccoli, carrots, and apples as options. And yes, there is a set of trays.
>>192408
For many of the fillies in these halls, some of whom likely bring their own lunches, this selection probably is bland government slop. For hungry little Amber, it's practically a banquet. She has to dissuade herself from ordering some of everything, but very politely asks for broccoli, carrots and an apple from the serving mares. All the while, she looks to see if she can recognize Mustard in the crowd.
For many of the fillies in these halls, some of whom likely bring their own lunches, this selection probably is bland government slop. For hungry little Amber, it's practically a banquet. She has to dissuade herself from ordering some of everything, but very politely asks for broccoli, carrots and an apple from the serving mares. All the while, she looks to see if she can recognize Mustard in the crowd.
>>192409
There's even gravy!
"You didn't get yours already? You better not be comin' for seconds" the zebra mare says. She's noticably smaller and younger than the red pony mare.
"Let the little filly eat. She's starving." The mare says, smiling.
Amber does not see Mustard. Or at least, from this angle, which does not allow her to see everypony in the crowd. It doesn't help that "yellow earth pony" is the single most common color and racial combination in the school, and probably in all of Equestria.
There's even gravy!
"You didn't get yours already? You better not be comin' for seconds" the zebra mare says. She's noticably smaller and younger than the red pony mare.
"Let the little filly eat. She's starving." The mare says, smiling.
Amber does not see Mustard. Or at least, from this angle, which does not allow her to see everypony in the crowd. It doesn't help that "yellow earth pony" is the single most common color and racial combination in the school, and probably in all of Equestria.
>>192410
I have to resist the urge to look through all FiM background ponies to see if yellow earth ponies are the most common. I could swear blue beats it.
"Thank you Miss!" Amber replies. She can hardly believe she got away with it, though it really shouldn't be surprising. It would be wise for this "heist" to not go to her head.
Despite her hunger she won't let up on her singular reason to be there. Delicately holding the tray in her mouth, she continues searching the lunch hall for her coltfriend.
I have to resist the urge to look through all FiM background ponies to see if yellow earth ponies are the most common. I could swear blue beats it.
"Thank you Miss!" Amber replies. She can hardly believe she got away with it, though it really shouldn't be surprising. It would be wise for this "heist" to not go to her head.
Despite her hunger she won't let up on her singular reason to be there. Delicately holding the tray in her mouth, she continues searching the lunch hall for her coltfriend.
>>192411
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq0I-bcBWmA&pp=ygUcbW9zdCBhbmQgbGVhc3QgY29tbW9uIHBvbmllcw%3D%3D
The mare smiles at her. Maybe she knows that Amber isn't actually a student, and maybe she sees so many students that she couldn't possibly know. Hard to say. Either way, it's quite a difference from the officers, who see a cute little filly, and seem to believe in the back of their minds that Amber was there to bomb them, or shoot them.
Is that him? No. Is that him? No. Wait, it's him! No... No it isn't. What about him? No. That one? That one is actually a girl.
Oh! There he is! Amber spots Mustard Trim sitting down at a table next to a set of colts who are talking to each other, one of them laughing. She can see his tail over the side of the bench, and he's leaning forward, knees on the table. He isn't eating, and he isn't talking either. His mouth is closed. He is wearing his black jacket inside, and this jacket is partly how Amber identified him. Interestingly, there is an empty spot directly to his right. Most spaces are not empty. He seems to be at the end of whatever little group is gathered, and his head is pointing to the left. His expression is vaguely melancholic, perhaps tired, or perhaps expressing little at all, with closed lips that point down at the edges.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq0I-bcBWmA&pp=ygUcbW9zdCBhbmQgbGVhc3QgY29tbW9uIHBvbmllcw%3D%3D
The mare smiles at her. Maybe she knows that Amber isn't actually a student, and maybe she sees so many students that she couldn't possibly know. Hard to say. Either way, it's quite a difference from the officers, who see a cute little filly, and seem to believe in the back of their minds that Amber was there to bomb them, or shoot them.
Is that him? No. Is that him? No. Wait, it's him! No... No it isn't. What about him? No. That one? That one is actually a girl.
Oh! There he is! Amber spots Mustard Trim sitting down at a table next to a set of colts who are talking to each other, one of them laughing. She can see his tail over the side of the bench, and he's leaning forward, knees on the table. He isn't eating, and he isn't talking either. His mouth is closed. He is wearing his black jacket inside, and this jacket is partly how Amber identified him. Interestingly, there is an empty spot directly to his right. Most spaces are not empty. He seems to be at the end of whatever little group is gathered, and his head is pointing to the left. His expression is vaguely melancholic, perhaps tired, or perhaps expressing little at all, with closed lips that point down at the edges.
>>192412
Poor Mustard…
Dodging the moving ponies all about, Amber moseys over to the empty spot at the table. She gently sets the tray down and asks, "Mind if I sit here?" to both Mustard and to his wider group.
Poor Mustard…
Dodging the moving ponies all about, Amber moseys over to the empty spot at the table. She gently sets the tray down and asks, "Mind if I sit here?" to both Mustard and to his wider group.
>>192413
Mustard's eyes move over to the right, then back to the left, then firmly to the right, and he jumps back, with wide eyes and fur standing up, completely silent. It were as if Amber had caught him doing something he shouldn't be doing. Not all of the colts at the table take notice of Amber over the noice, but at least one does, a grey pegasus colt with a black mane, who raises an eye brow and says,
"Hello. I haven't seen you here before."
Mustard Trim takes his hoof and moves a pair of glasses, away from Amber and closer towards himself. He also moves his tray further to the left. Mustard has eaten all of the potatoes, but not all of the greens.
Mustard's eyes move over to the right, then back to the left, then firmly to the right, and he jumps back, with wide eyes and fur standing up, completely silent. It were as if Amber had caught him doing something he shouldn't be doing. Not all of the colts at the table take notice of Amber over the noice, but at least one does, a grey pegasus colt with a black mane, who raises an eye brow and says,
"Hello. I haven't seen you here before."
Mustard Trim takes his hoof and moves a pair of glasses, away from Amber and closer towards himself. He also moves his tray further to the left. Mustard has eaten all of the potatoes, but not all of the greens.
>>192414
Amber tries to play down Mustard's surprise, waving a hoof and looking off to the side. In reality, she's trying to come up with an excuse for who she realizes to be his friends.
"Oh, I, uh, usually eat someplace else," she replies. "And I'm new around here too." She looks cautiously over to the colts as she dips down to chew on some carrots.
Amber tries to play down Mustard's surprise, waving a hoof and looking off to the side. In reality, she's trying to come up with an excuse for who she realizes to be his friends.
"Oh, I, uh, usually eat someplace else," she replies. "And I'm new around here too." She looks cautiously over to the colts as she dips down to chew on some carrots.
>>192415
"Amber?" Mustard finally manages. "What are you doing here?"
The grey colt asks,
"You know her?"
Mustard does not instantly respond
"Amber?" Mustard finally manages. "What are you doing here?"
The grey colt asks,
"You know her?"
Mustard does not instantly respond
>>192416
Amber smiles a little as she chews on some vegetables. After she swallows, she responds simply, "We do." She makes no mention as to how well they know each other. "Are you Mustard's friend, too?" she asks the grey colt.
Amber smiles a little as she chews on some vegetables. After she swallows, she responds simply, "We do." She makes no mention as to how well they know each other. "Are you Mustard's friend, too?" she asks the grey colt.
>>192417
"I'm in his class." He answers. Tilting his head to the side, but keeping his purple eyes on her, the grey colt asks
"So you your name is Amber? Where did you come from?"
Amber can feel a hoof, certainly Mustard's right forehoof, reach out and touch her hind leg. It's under the table and not likely visible.
"I'm in his class." He answers. Tilting his head to the side, but keeping his purple eyes on her, the grey colt asks
"So you your name is Amber? Where did you come from?"
Amber can feel a hoof, certainly Mustard's right forehoof, reach out and touch her hind leg. It's under the table and not likely visible.
>>192412
Ok but the line between yellow and orange is vague. Aren't Amber and Mustard more orange-y?
>>192419
Alas! She will have to get her own groceries to be able to actually taste them. At least she managed to prove that there is indeed such a thing as a free lunch.
>>192418
"Do you also do woodworking? Sorry, let me introduce myself. Yeah, and, uh, I'm from around." She idly flaps her hoof again. "The countryside."
Upon being touched, Amber blushes, and Mustard can feel her leg twitch underneath the table. She swishes her tail around underneath her dress, and hopes the other colts just think she's shy.
Ok but the line between yellow and orange is vague. Aren't Amber and Mustard more orange-y?
>>192419
Alas! She will have to get her own groceries to be able to actually taste them. At least she managed to prove that there is indeed such a thing as a free lunch.
>>192418
"Do you also do woodworking? Sorry, let me introduce myself. Yeah, and, uh, I'm from around." She idly flaps her hoof again. "The countryside."
Upon being touched, Amber blushes, and Mustard can feel her leg twitch underneath the table. She swishes her tail around underneath her dress, and hopes the other colts just think she's shy.
>>192420
The grey colt pulls his lips together, and then smiles.
"Wood working? No, I don't do any of that. I'm a flier." He partly expands, and then flexes his wings, though the table won't allow for a full expansion.
"A shame." Mustard says, and picks up and drinks from a glass, evidently of water. Mustard adds, "I met her outside of school, she's new to the city." Mustard rubs her leg under the table
The grey colt pulls his lips together, and then smiles.
"Wood working? No, I don't do any of that. I'm a flier." He partly expands, and then flexes his wings, though the table won't allow for a full expansion.
"A shame." Mustard says, and picks up and drinks from a glass, evidently of water. Mustard adds, "I met her outside of school, she's new to the city." Mustard rubs her leg under the table
>>192421
Amber would be relieved that Mustard was telling the truth if he wasn't touching her all of a sudden. Her leg twitches again. Is Mustard challenging her to touch him back? There is no way, they are out in public! Her reddened face scrunches at him, but the other colt might mistake the expression as being directed at himself, as she replies, "Flying ain't got anything to do with it. If you got hooves and a mouth, you can do woodworking."
Amber would be relieved that Mustard was telling the truth if he wasn't touching her all of a sudden. Her leg twitches again. Is Mustard challenging her to touch him back? There is no way, they are out in public! Her reddened face scrunches at him, but the other colt might mistake the expression as being directed at himself, as she replies, "Flying ain't got anything to do with it. If you got hooves and a mouth, you can do woodworking."
>>192422
"What?" Mustard says, turning his face to Amber.
"Riiiight" the pegasus pony says. "I suppose, country girl, if you don't have wings, you may as well put your hooves and mouth to work."
"What?" Mustard says, turning his face to Amber.
"Riiiight" the pegasus pony says. "I suppose, country girl, if you don't have wings, you may as well put your hooves and mouth to work."
>>192423
Amber lowers her own hoof and very gently lifts Mustard's grasp up and away from her thigh. Her countenance becomes more serene as she turns to the pegasus.
"I suppose that to you your wings are your greatest gift and fill you with romantic musings of blue skies. Yet, ain't they terribly limited? To fly is no longer a gift of birth but something that has become available to all thanks to technology. Meanwhile, only technique and practice limit the possibilities afforded to those who 'put hooves and mouth to work,' as you say. With them a pony can sculpt grand statues, engineer new machines that change lives, or play flowing concertos on any number of instruments. These are the things that bring hope to all our lives and shape the course of the world. Couldn't it be said that wings are merely inflexible appendages meant for weatherponies?"
Amber turns back to her food and continues to eat before it gets cold.
Amber lowers her own hoof and very gently lifts Mustard's grasp up and away from her thigh. Her countenance becomes more serene as she turns to the pegasus.
"I suppose that to you your wings are your greatest gift and fill you with romantic musings of blue skies. Yet, ain't they terribly limited? To fly is no longer a gift of birth but something that has become available to all thanks to technology. Meanwhile, only technique and practice limit the possibilities afforded to those who 'put hooves and mouth to work,' as you say. With them a pony can sculpt grand statues, engineer new machines that change lives, or play flowing concertos on any number of instruments. These are the things that bring hope to all our lives and shape the course of the world. Couldn't it be said that wings are merely inflexible appendages meant for weatherponies?"
Amber turns back to her food and continues to eat before it gets cold.
>>192424
Mustard pulls his hoof away.
The grey pony says,
"Oh, you're a philosopher, too?"
Mustard says, "No one expects you to be, Storm."
He raises both hooves up "And with such small hooves."
Mustard pulls his hoof away.
The grey pony says,
"Oh, you're a philosopher, too?"
Mustard says, "No one expects you to be, Storm."
He raises both hooves up "And with such small hooves."
>>192425
Amber giggles into her own hoof, amused by the comment. She had never seen Mustard make fun of another pony to his face before. This unexpected boldness catches her by surprise but is appealing.
Amber giggles into her own hoof, amused by the comment. She had never seen Mustard make fun of another pony to his face before. This unexpected boldness catches her by surprise but is appealing.
>>192426
For the moment, the grey Pegasus is silent.
Mustard turns to Amber and says in a comparatively hushed voice.
“But really, what are you doing here?”
Then leaning in across the table one down from the grey Pegasus, opposite a deep purple earth pony, is a big, black unicorn. He says to Amber,
“So you’re a wood worker?”
For the moment, the grey Pegasus is silent.
Mustard turns to Amber and says in a comparatively hushed voice.
“But really, what are you doing here?”
Then leaning in across the table one down from the grey Pegasus, opposite a deep purple earth pony, is a big, black unicorn. He says to Amber,
“So you’re a wood worker?”
>>192427
Amber smiles coyly at Mustard. "I'm having lunch with you," she replies.
She's a little surprised by the unicorn. Her ears turn to face him before her head does. "No, actually. I'm a musician…well, trying to be one, right now."
Amber smiles coyly at Mustard. "I'm having lunch with you," she replies.
She's a little surprised by the unicorn. Her ears turn to face him before her head does. "No, actually. I'm a musician…well, trying to be one, right now."
>>192430
"Um, the mandolin." Poor Mustard must remain confused for now as Amber tries to finish her meal.
"Um, the mandolin." Poor Mustard must remain confused for now as Amber tries to finish her meal.
>>192431
“What’s a mandolin?” The deep purple earth pony answers, looking over. Interestingly, it’s a filly. She has a tied-back, pink mane. She is on the same side of the table as Amber, immediately on the other side of Mustard. Mustard Trim starts to eat his greens, leaning in to do so. This makes it harder to see her, at least over the table.
“What’s a mandolin?” The deep purple earth pony answers, looking over. Interestingly, it’s a filly. She has a tied-back, pink mane. She is on the same side of the table as Amber, immediately on the other side of Mustard. Mustard Trim starts to eat his greens, leaning in to do so. This makes it harder to see her, at least over the table.
>>192432
"Oh, it's like a lute," Amber answers, as if the filly would know what a lute is. "Are you two friends of Mustard…like me…or just his classmates?" she asks, casting an annoyed glance at the less-than-friendly Storm.
"Oh, it's like a lute," Amber answers, as if the filly would know what a lute is. "Are you two friends of Mustard…like me…or just his classmates?" she asks, casting an annoyed glance at the less-than-friendly Storm.
>>192434
Amber smiles back. Maybe Mustard isn't surrounded by awful ponies after all. "Just my hooves. Come to think of it, I don't know of a stringed instrument which you play with your mouth. I'm sure there's one I could learn to play…maybe." She becomes a little lost in thought.
Amber smiles back. Maybe Mustard isn't surrounded by awful ponies after all. "Just my hooves. Come to think of it, I don't know of a stringed instrument which you play with your mouth. I'm sure there's one I could learn to play…maybe." She becomes a little lost in thought.
>>192435
“I’m sure you can.” She moves her head to look over Mustard Trim, rather than past him. She continues smiling, and her eyes partly close. I’m sure you can. What is it that brings you here, exactly?” Raising one eye brow, still with a smile.
“I’m sure you can.” She moves her head to look over Mustard Trim, rather than past him. She continues smiling, and her eyes partly close. I’m sure you can. What is it that brings you here, exactly?” Raising one eye brow, still with a smile.
>>192436
Amber pulls her head up and widens her eyes. Partially this is because she was thinking of musical instruments, and partially it's because of anxiety. "Oh, um, it's a good school. It has…good teachers, and good students. The food is…bland. What do you think?"
Amber pulls her head up and widens her eyes. Partially this is because she was thinking of musical instruments, and partially it's because of anxiety. "Oh, um, it's a good school. It has…good teachers, and good students. The food is…bland. What do you think?"
>>192437
She laughs briefly
“No one wants to be in school. Unless…”
Mustard Trim raises his head back up, once again blocking line of sight. He turns his head - not far from where the mare’s head would have been if Amber was maintaining eye contact - towards Amber, and tilts it, flopping an ear down.
“Really?” Mustard says, squinting one eye.
>>192438
Hmmmmmmm
She laughs briefly
“No one wants to be in school. Unless…”
Mustard Trim raises his head back up, once again blocking line of sight. He turns his head - not far from where the mare’s head would have been if Amber was maintaining eye contact - towards Amber, and tilts it, flopping an ear down.
“Really?” Mustard says, squinting one eye.
>>192438
Hmmmmmmm
>>192440
Mustard squints, curling the lips back on one hand of his mouth, showing teeth in that mouth.
“Oh…” he answers, still seeming perplexed, but having evidently received an answer.
“A what now?” The black unicorn asks.
Mustard squints, curling the lips back on one hand of his mouth, showing teeth in that mouth.
“Oh…” he answers, still seeming perplexed, but having evidently received an answer.
“A what now?” The black unicorn asks.
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