[FwM] The Trotting Dead-Mlp without the Kiddy Thread XVI

[Grif]

"Maybe you're simply overthinking this. It's just a letter, and I don't think she's a bad pony. How bad could it be?"

Moving this along.

Tyrol shrugged. "True, I suppose. C'mon, let's finish this, then I can go ask Staccata if she knows." He started plodding along towards the Guild proper.

[Kelvin360]

Arvadraa follows in his wake, her hooves moving so easily along soft earth and hard rock as to leave little trace of her passing. Small rodents and the occasional bird pause to watch the pair move along, and every so often one will bravely come to join them or hitch a ride on the flutter pony's back. "It occurs to me that I don't know Staccata, or at least not very well. Does she keep to herself?"

[Grif]

Arvadraa follows in his wake, her hooves moving so easily along soft earth and hard rock as to leave little trace of her passing. Small rodents and the occasional bird pause to watch the pair move along, and every so often one will bravely come to join them or hitch a ride on the flutter pony's back. "It occurs to me that I don't know Staccata, or at least not very well. Does she keep to herself?"

Tyrol let the corners of his lips curl up. "Somewhat. She's... ah, she's naturally wary of ponies she doesn't know very well. Part of that is the bad experience she had in the past, another part is the nature of her... *ahem* job now. At least unofficially."

[Kelvin360]

"Now I don't know much, but that little pause and throat-clearing seems like more than just a need for a lozenge," She says playfully. "Not tasks she enjoys putting in the public eye?"

[Grif]

"Now I don't know much, but that little pause and throat-clearing seems like more than just a need for a lozenge," She says playfully. "Not tasks she enjoys putting in the public eye?"

Tyrol had to pause and rub the back of his head sheepishly. "You can say that. Even with me, she keeps quite a bit to herself. I'm think in some ways she enjoys her secretive methods."

[MCerberus]

Tyrol had to pause and rub the back of his head sheepishly. "You can say that. Even with me, she keeps quite a bit to herself. I'm think in some ways she enjoys her secretive methods."

Oddly enough, there appears to be an arrow painted on paper in front of the pair, pointing into an alleyway. It seems to be put up in order to be noticed.

[Grif]

Oddly enough, there appears to be an arrow painted on paper in front of the pair, pointing into an alleyway. It seems to be put up in order to be noticed.

Tyrol came to a halt just before the sign, raising an eyebrow. "If it's a trap, then it's a little too obvious." he said, looking this way and that.

[Kelvin360]

The flutter pony looks at him incredulously. "You're think-...you...hang on." She tilts her head to the side and mouths out a few words, then nods. "Your rationale is that it's obviously a trap, so it can't be a trap? At least let me check it with a bird first."

[Grif]

The flutter pony looks at him incredulously. "You're think-...you...hang on." She tilts her head to the side and mouths out a few words, then nods. "Your rationale is that it's obviously a trap, so it can't be a trap? At least let me check it with a bird first."

"At this point, it could be some sort of devious double-bluff, where they want you to think it's too obvious a trap, but it's actually a trap... or huh, maybe even a triple bluff..." His voice trailed off as he considered the possibilities. The guard scratched his head for a bit more, then shrugged. "What's the worst that could happen?" he said, as he followed the sign.

[MCerberus]

"At this point, it could be some sort of devious double-bluff, where they want you to think it's too obvious a trap, but it's actually a trap... or huh, maybe even a triple bluff..." His voice trailed off as he considered the possibilities. The guard scratched his head for a bit more, then shrugged. "What's the worst that could happen?" he said, as he followed the sign.

Well you usually have to cut the Gordian naught in these sorts of scenarios. Instead of double-thinking madness, sometimes you have to assume that the obviously trapped area is obviously trapped. The alleyway would be interesting to try and figure out what could be there. Lots of debris to hide ropes and mechanisms. And of course a newspaper that may or may not hide the snare.

Tyrol should be observant if he doesn't want to be tied up and upside-down suspended in the air.

[Kelvin360]

Arvadraa steps ahead of the guardspony smoothly, twirling the both of them about in a sort of dance maneuver. She places herself as a firm line between him and the alley, and draws her bow. "'What's the worst that could happen'. I'm supposed to be the naive one here, remember? Just let us investigate."

[Grif]

Arvadraa steps ahead of the guardspony smoothly, twirling the both of them about in a sort of dance maneuver. She places herself as a firm line between him and the alley, and draws her bow. "'What's the worst that could happen'. I'm supposed to be the naive one here, remember? Just let us investigate."

For a moment there, Tyrol frowned, almost bristling in annoyance. Then he shook his head as his demeanour relaxed again. "Let's see what you got then."

[Kelvin360]

She turns and whistles, bringing out creatures of fur and feather to carefully canvas the area, sniffing or prodding about for hidden dangers or unfriendly creatures. Arvadraa elects to keep an arrow nocked and both eyes on the surrounds, awaiting a jumpscare of some sort, most likely. Unfortunately, without her active direction, the animals are still just animals - while helpful, they're not particularly bright, and bound to trip over something if they don't see it right away.

[MCerberus]

She turns and whistles, bringing out creatures of fur and feather to carefully canvas the area, sniffing or prodding about for hidden dangers or unfriendly creatures. Arvadraa elects to keep an arrow nocked and both eyes on the surrounds, awaiting a jumpscare of some sort, most likely. Unfortunately, without her active direction, the animals are still just animals - while helpful, they're not particularly bright, and bound to trip over something if they don't see it right away.

Either there's nopony there or somepony is really good at hiding. Roll for perception! Anyway... there is a rope snare trap present, but the small animal friends would not likely to be able to trip it due to the lack of weight. Perhaps they would recognize that something hidden behind objects form a device of some sort?

[Kelvin360]

Under her insight, perhaps. But with her thoughts elsewhere, all is simply found to be clear. Clear, at least, until flutter pony hooves begin to traverse unstable ground. She makes it a point to move ahead of Tyrol, more than likely more concerned for his safety than his masculinity. But there is a literal darkness to her eyes that implies she is hardly one to trust what she sees in this place.

[MCerberus]

Under her insight, perhaps. But with her thoughts elsewhere, all is simply found to be clear. Clear, at least, until flutter pony hooves begin to traverse unstable ground. She makes it a point to move ahead of Tyrol, more than likely more concerned for his safety than his masculinity. But there is a literal darkness to her eyes that implies she is hardly one to trust what she sees in this place.

One hoof in the wrong spot trips the snare trap. A rope begins to close around the flutter pony's hoof, attempting to immobilize its victim. At the same time, somepony has thrown smoke pellets down into the alleyway.

[Kelvin360]

With various squeak, screeches and squawks, the animals scatter to the four winds, the flurry of motion creating quite the screen of its own. But Arvadraa has seen these snares before, and she hates them. More importantly, she was expecting its ilk. Digging her rear legs into the dirt, she grabs for her knife, using her agility to her advantage. "Get to the public! GO!"

[Benson]

"Is there a safe berth for th' Cirrus while we're over there?" Sandy chimed in from the back. "Forests an' marshes ain't well known for good landin' spots. We may have t'keep th' old girl in th' air while we work on hoof."

"Given the thick forested surrounding area....we would either have to ground the Cirrus miles away in the plains which I don't really want to do, or yes, anchor her in the air while non-fliers can take the mechs, riding double, and drop down to the village-town." Gearstride responded working her jaw a little. Frankly, she wasn't a planner, she was more into the go by ear/winging it sort of brouhaha.

[Grif]

With various squeak, screeches and squawks, the animals scatter to the four winds, the flurry of motion creating quite the screen of its own. But Arvadraa has seen these snares before, and she hates them. More importantly, she was expecting its ilk. Digging her rear legs into the dirt, she grabs for her knife, using her agility to her advantage. "Get to the public! GO!"

"The what?" Tyrol blinked, but only for a moment as he spied the smoke pellets being thrown into the alley. The earth pony backed up, already drawing his shield and retreated as fast as he could from the alley.




"Given the thick forested surrounding area....we would either have to ground the Cirrus miles away in the plains which I don't really want to do, or yes, anchor her in the air while non-fliers can take the mechs, riding double, and drop down to the village-town." Gearstride responded working her jaw a little. Frankly, she wasn't a planner, she was more into the go by ear/winging it sort of brouhaha.

"Given the choices, I'd prefer if we anchor the Cirrus in the air. Perhaps one of us can stay behind, and man the ship in case we need a quick getaway," Silverpine suggested. "We could also do some recon from the air, if need be, once we get there."

[MCerberus]

"The what?" Tyrol blinked, but only for a moment as he spied the smoke pellets being thrown into the alley. The earth pony backed up, already drawing his shield and retreated as fast as he could from the alley.

As Tyrol begins to back away, a mare's voice can be heard. Slightly displeased, and apparently coming from a place of elevation. "You're making it hard to have a private conversation." That seems directed at the flutter pony, whose companions shouldn't find it too difficult to gnaw through the restraint if so inclined.

And with Tyrol seeming to be leaving, it means that the guard is alone if the situation presents itself...




"Given the choices, I'd prefer if we anchor the Cirrus in the air. Perhaps one of us can stay behind, and man the ship in case we need a quick getaway," Silverpine suggested. "We could also do some recon from the air, if need be, once we get there."

[Kelvin360]

"I'm so pleased to have displeased you. I won't let you hurt anypony!" Her eyes have gone a solid black as she kicks off and spins about, several ropes dropping through the efforts of a well-used knife and well-placed squirrels. Still somewhat tied, her wings beat behind her, keeping her aloft as the smoke continues to rise. She closes her soon-to-be-useless eyes and hopes that her ears can protect her. "Now stop toying with us. I'm not afraid to let loose somepony who isn't as nice as I am."

[Grif]

As Tyrol begins to back away, a mare's voice can be heard. Slightly displeased, and apparently coming from a place of elevation. "You're making it hard to have a private conversation." That seems directed at the flutter pony, whose companions shouldn't find it too difficult to gnaw through the restraint if so inclined.

And with Tyrol seeming to be leaving, it means that the guard is alone if the situation presents itself...


"I'm so pleased to have displeased you. I won't let you hurt anypony!" Her eyes have gone a solid black as she kicks off and spins about, several ropes dropping through the efforts of a well-used knife and well-placed squirrels. Still somewhat tied, her wings beat behind her, keeping her aloft as the smoke continues to rise. She closes her soon-to-be-useless eyes and hopes that her ears can protect her. "Now stop toying with us. I'm not afraid to let loose somepony who isn't as nice as I am."

Tyrol craned and turned his head about, scanning his smoky surrounding futilely for the source of the voice. He started coughing, as the smoke enveloped him. "Whoever you are, you're not gonna get away with this." The guardpony was still retreating and away from Arvadraa. He'd be reaching the main street soon enough at this speed.

[MCerberus]

"I'm so pleased to have displeased you. I won't let you hurt anypony!" Her eyes have gone a solid black as she kicks off and spins about, several ropes dropping through the efforts of a well-used knife and well-placed squirrels. Still somewhat tied, her wings beat behind her, keeping her aloft as the smoke continues to rise. She closes her soon-to-be-useless eyes and hopes that her ears can protect her. "Now stop toying with us. I'm not afraid to let loose somepony who isn't as nice as I am."


Tyrol craned and turned his head about, scanning his smoky surrounding futilely for the source of the voice. He started coughing, as the smoke enveloped him. "Whoever you are, you're not gonna get away with this." The guardpony was still retreating and away from Arvadraa. He'd be reaching the main street soon enough at this speed.

No reply comes the way of the flutter pony. Instead of messing with or locking down the trapper mare, the mysterious figure chases after Tyrol. Careful observation will detect the figure on the roof. The mystery pony tries to close in on the guardpony to throw a bola. Unfortunately, the smoke and the pony moving through it trying not to cough would make aiming something of a chance, especially if Tyrol jumps or dodges.

Cirrus

"Marshes? That, uh, shouldn't cause any problems. Unless it's a wild nature zone. Are we going over one of those?" Flying down wouldn't be an issue for Mach, even if some others would need to be lowered down. Still, talking about forests next to marshes. Well, Equestrian forests are always hit or miss for weird uncontrolled weather and monsters.

[Grif]

No reply comes the way of the flutter pony. Instead of messing with or locking down the trapper mare, the mysterious figure chases after Tyrol. Careful observation will detect the figure on the roof. The mystery pony tries to close in on the guardpony to throw a bola. Unfortunately, the smoke and the pony moving through it trying not to cough would make aiming something of a chance, especially if Tyrol jumps or dodges.

Tyrol's eyes squinted as he spied the outline of the war, before being distracted by another urge to cough. By the time he recovered, it was just as that mysterious pony was throwing her weapon. The guard's eyes widened and he quickly threw himself forward to dodge the bolas, raising his shield instinctively. Unfortunately that little dodge also halted his backwards momentum out from the alley.

[PurityIcekiller]

[Cirruser and Cirruser]

Night Jewel perked up her ears. "We have smaller flying machines? Nice! I've flown before by magical means, but never by mechanical ones. I'd like to learn how to pilot them. Their controls are probably more complicated than I'm used to, but at least I won't have to figure out they can fly at all when I'm already in midair and being chased down by a guard patrol, so it should be easier this time."

[Back At The Shop]

With Scoops having either gone or simply not said anything, Blades was starting to get restless again. She began tossing daggers at the Dawnstrider poster halfheartedly.

"Would be nice to have a real target for once..."

She was more concerned with speed than with accuracy, so although a fairly large number hit the poster, most were near the edges. Some were high, some were low, some were off to one side or the other, some were well-placed, and one shimmerite dagger actually seemed to swerve to hit the target dead-centre.

"...Hold on a bangin' moment here."

She took the dagger and tossed it again, deliberately aiming too high. Once again, it was on target. She tried again with another shimmerite knife, this one aimed a bit to the left, and got another bullseye.

"Now that's just not what ya're sposed to do! Ya're sposed to do what I make ya do! That's just bangin' unnatural." She shook her head and began stowing away the weapons. "Some of the magic ones work just fine, but these ones... I probly should just melt 'em down or something to make 'em behave right."

[MCerberus]

Tyrol's eyes squinted as he spied the outline of the war, before being distracted by another urge to cough. By the time he recovered, it was just as that mysterious pony was throwing her weapon. The guard's eyes widened and he quickly threw himself forward to dodge the bolas, raising his shield instinctively. Unfortunately that little dodge also halted his backwards momentum out from the alley.

Instead of a pursuit, the figure on the roof doesn't seem to be chasing after Tyrol anymore. Likely with surprise and time rapidly running out, it isn't worth engaging anymore. "We'll have our little talk later then," the pony says before attempting to leave the area.

[Grif]

Instead of a pursuit, the figure on the roof doesn't seem to be chasing after Tyrol anymore. Likely with surprise and time rapidly running out, it isn't worth engaging anymore. "We'll have our little talk later then," the pony says before attempting to leave the area.

Given her vantage in altitude, and the fact that both Tyrol and Arvadraa are still down in the alley meant that she shouldn't be facing any trouble escaping. "What talk?" Tyrol asked warily, even if he knew he wouldn't get an answer.

Once the smoke cleared and the pony gone, Tyrol would hurry back to untie or otherwise help Arvadraa out of her bindings.

[Kelvin360]

Only to be tackled and enveloped by a furious flutter pony, surely. Arvadraa spreads her wings like a shield in front of him as she hovers, forehooves already clutching a strung bow. "Guardhouse. Now!"

[Grif]

Only to be tackled and enveloped by a furious flutter pony, surely. Arvadraa spreads her wings like a shield in front of him as she hovers, forehooves already clutching a strung bow. "Guardhouse. Now!"

Tyrol had to roll his eyes, but at the same time, knew better than to argue with her. There'll be time for that later. So instead, he started legging it for the alley entrance, the smoke clearing enough by now that there isn't really much of an impediment.

[MCerberus]

Tyrol had to roll his eyes, but at the same time, knew better than to argue with her. There'll be time for that later. So instead, he started legging it for the alley entrance, the smoke clearing enough by now that there isn't really much of an impediment.

There is no sign of the figure that caused all this trouble. They don't appear to be interested in causing more at this point.

[Kelvin360]

The guards and civilians of Bridle Shores are treated to the very odd sight of two pony-shaped figures exiting at full-tilt, and sometimes even hovering a few feet off the ground, surrounded by a buzzing cloud of birds, rodents, small mammals, stray dogs, various insects, and a few smoke-riddled amphibians. On the threshold of the guardhouse, they disperse all at once, blanketing the area in a living smokescreen that makes it decidedly unclear which entrance they took.

Around the side of the building, on the interior, Horne aims an arrow out on the street with both eyes open. "Would you care to elaborate on why a hit has been taken out on you? We hate being caught up in those, in case you weren't aware."

[Grif]

The guards and civilians of Bridle Shores are treated to the very odd sight of two pony-shaped figures exiting at full-tilt, and sometimes even hovering a few feet off the ground, surrounded by a buzzing cloud of birds, rodents, small mammals, stray dogs, various insects, and a few smoke-riddled amphibians. On the threshold of the guardhouse, they disperse all at once, blanketing the area in a living smokescreen that makes it decidedly unclear which entrance they took.

Around the side of the building, on the interior, Horne aims an arrow out on the street with both eyes open. "Would you care to elaborate on why a hit has been taken out on you? We hate being caught up in those, in case you weren't aware."

"Honestly? I don't know." Tyrol said with a surprisingly nonchalant shrug, his expression sanguine. "And second, that looked less like a hit and more of... something. Iunno. A weird prank. No weapon was drawn-- you can put down that bow by the way-- and I'd expected a lot more ponies were it actually a serious attempt."

[Kelvin360]

She awoke, not with a sudden exclamation of a startled mind, nor the sharp gasp that heralded a stunned body, but as though from a long, deep sleep. She remembered going to sleep. She didn't remember this. The ground is cold and hard here, the dirt of the old natural world with the rough cobblestones of an area in which the citizenry has not bothered to expand overmuch. She knows because she lies on it now, soaking it with the blood of several minor and one deep cut on her already-scarred flesh, as though reminders of ancient wounds rended anew.

Arvadraa shivers and tries to blink the tears of pain and haze of fatigue out of her eyes, to little avail. She doesn't know where, but she knows she is in Bridle Shores, still, a small comfort. Her wings flap experimentally until she draws their thin membranes closer to her body, wincing - it feels as though one of them is also torn, if not entirely broken. Around her, there is no evidence of a scuffle, no clue as to why she might have suffered such a catastrophe as is now evident on her skin and fur. Her eyes, pitch black even though the shadow skin that accompanies this shade is absent, scan the ground for anything...something...

But no. No debris, no other bodies. She is simply alone, sprawled in some back alley with wounds to suggest she lost a fight - and badly - but with no memory. No memory...no thought. And a lingering despair. But no shock, not really.

It has been almost a month since they began. At first, it was as though she became lost in her own thoughts. She would stare into space and then realize an hour had passed, just her standing alone until something shook her from reverie. Then came the nightmares, some unseen force chasing her with undeniable malevolence, and a table, a table with handles and claws and shackles and syringes, beckoning her at every turn, but she knew even in dreams that if she lay down, she would cease to exist.

And then, blackouts. Most often during sleep, sometimes without. She would awaken to find herself in a different place, at a different time. Sometimes she was holding something, or in the middle of a task. Blades, Flare and Stellar have absolutely noticed, but most of their measures have come to no avail. Bonds slip away, watchful eyes dim or become distracted long enough for her to disappear. The flutter pony has become like a ghost in her own life. And now this. It isn't surprising. But that doesn't mean she's not afraid.

And so, once again, she hauls herself up and, with clenched teeth, begins the long, painful journey back to Heavy Metal, occasional droplets of blood forming a trail behind her.

---

Heavy Metal

With morning comes the mail. Most of it is common letters, or bills, or the type of friendly greetings Stellar would happily burn, most days. One, however, is a plain envelope addressed to Arvadraa, the very pony absent from the building when everyone awakens. It has no return address. Although, depending on her view, this may not be the most important thing on Blades' plate this morning.

[PurityIcekiller]

With morning comes the mail. Most of it is common letters, or bills, or the type of friendly greetings Stellar would happily burn, most days. One, however, is a plain envelope addressed to Arvadraa, the very pony absent from the building when everyone awakens. It has no return address. Although, depending on her view, this may not be the most important thing on Blades' plate this morning.

At the time she got the message, Blades had just finished affixing the head of a giant rat to a pike. She was going through a trying time, and passing animals felt the worst of it. Flare had gone off to find herself, Stellar was occupied, and now Arvadraa was slipping away from her as well. The isolation and restlessness gnawed at her. Although she had managed to occupy herself for a time with keeping up with the shoppe's various orders, trying out new forms of weaponry, writing letters to her parents, and torturing the local wildlife, it was only a matter of time before she snapped completely.

Ominous unsigned mail for her wayward apprentice didn't do much to improve her mood.

"Now what's this on 'bout?" she hissed as she shoved the pike aside. "'Vadraa's got a secret admirer or something? If somepony's botherin' her, I'll put 'em up right next to that big rat." With one swift motion, she drew a knife and sliced the envelope open to see what was inside.

[Kelvin360]

Ms. A.U. -

Enclosed as you requested. For the final time, however, I must warn you of the inherent danger. There are no guarantees of what you're looking for, and the traps won't make it easy on you. My end of the bargain is done. Please don't contact me again.

Inside is a neatly folded treasure map of sort, 'x' marking the spot of some sort of ruin or dungeon in the eastern hills.

This is also, incidentally, around the time when Arvadraa herself shows up, various wounds and all. Her first question is a hazily mumbled "Do we have any water...?" when she gets close enough.

[PurityIcekiller]

Ms. A.U. -

Enclosed as you requested. For the final time, however, I must warn you of the inherent danger. There are no guarantees of what you're looking for, and the traps won't make it easy on you. My end of the bargain is done. Please don't contact me again.

Inside is a neatly folded treasure map of sort, 'x' marking the spot of some sort of ruin or dungeon in the eastern hills.

Blades flicked her ears. Something about that letter bothered her a bit.


This is also, incidentally, around the time when Arvadraa herself shows up, various wounds and all. Her first question is a hazily mumbled "Do we have any water...?" when she gets close enough.

"Oh, hey, 'Vadraa!" Blades immediately brightened up. "The tap's on the left, next to the gunpowder stores. Ya know, I didn't know ya had a last name. What is it?"

Then she noticed the poor flutter-pony's condition. "...What happened to ya, anyway?"

[Kelvin360]

"Oh, hey, 'Vadraa!" Blades immediately brightened up. "The tap's on the left, next to the gunpowder stores. Ya know, I didn't know ya had a last name. What is it?"

Then she noticed the poor flutter-pony's condition. "...What happened to ya, anyway?"

The flutter pony comes to a grinding halt only once inside, letting her momentum carry her further than she honestly believed she could walk. She leans firmly against a wall and winds up crushing her broken wing, eliciting a loud, painful exclamation as she goes instinctively tumbling away from it and onto the floor, where blood from her injuries begins to pool around her.

"Nngh...Blades?" She shakes her head firmly to clear her eyes, but it isn't apparent whether she can see very well, if at all - her pupils are too well concealed by the uniform blackness. "Can't remember. How bad is it?"

[PurityIcekiller]

The flutter pony comes to a grinding halt only once inside, letting her momentum carry her further than she honestly believed she could walk. She leans firmly against a wall and winds up crushing her broken wing, eliciting a loud, painful exclamation as she goes instinctively tumbling away from it and onto the floor, where blood from her injuries begins to pool around her.

"Nngh...Blades?" She shakes her head firmly to clear her eyes, but it isn't apparent whether she can see very well, if at all - her pupils are too well concealed by the uniform blackness. "Can't remember. How bad is it?"

"A bangin' mess, that's what it is."

After a moment, Blades trotted over and picked up Arvadraa onto her shoulders. She then carried her into the back to clean and dress her wounds.

"Ya sure it isn't that Horne fellow? 'Cause he's made plenty of trouble for ya before... No squirmin', all right? That'll make this easier."

[Kelvin360]

"A bangin' mess, that's what it is."

After a moment, Blades trotted over and picked up Arvadraa onto her shoulders. She then carried her into the back to clean and dress her wounds.

"Ya sure it isn't that Horne fellow? 'Cause he's made plenty of trouble for ya before... No squirmin', all right? That'll make this easier."

Arvadraa hisses softly at such contact, but holds in any exclamation more severe. Some part of her notes ironically that at least the herbs she's been gathering lately for first aid will find some use. She tries to remain as still as possible and, for the most part, succeeds, give or take a few involuntary twitches, especially where her broken wing is concerned. "I've thought about it. But I also think I'd notice hurting myself this badly."

"Not to mention-"

"No, Horne, stop - it's my mouth." She sighs. "He says he's a tag-along in my body. Everything that happens, he feels and suffers for. If nothing else, I trust that he likes himself enough to avoid his own pain and death."

[Grif]

[Outside Heavy Metal]

"... hey, Star. Did you remember this shop being here?" Esmeralda nudged her coltfriend, as they walked past. "Come to think of it, I don't recall the last time we actually walked down this particular street."

[HalfTangible]

[Outside Heavy Metal]

"... hey, Star. Did you remember this shop being here?" Esmeralda nudged her coltfriend, as they walked past. "Come to think of it, I don't recall the last time we actually walked down this particular street."

Lone Star blinked and glanced up at the store, wing draped over his marefriend. I've seen it a few times - mostly when flying - but I've never gone in. He turned his gaze back to her. Why? Did you want to?

[Grif]

Lone Star blinked and glanced up at the store, wing draped over his marefriend. I've seen it a few times - mostly when flying - but I've never gone in. He turned his gaze back to her. Why? Did you want to?

"Well, I suppose I just have an idle curiosity as to what this particular store sells, and I'm not in any hurry to be anywhere at the moment," she said with a shrug. "So the question becomes, why not?"

[HalfTangible]

"Well, I suppose I just have an idle curiosity as to what this particular store sells, and I'm not in any hurry to be anywhere at the moment," she said with a shrug. "So the question becomes, why not?"

Lone Star looked up at the sign. Because Heavy Metal means either a very narrow target market or a terrible pun?

...

They walked in.

[PurityIcekiller]

Arvadraa hisses softly at such contact, but holds in any exclamation more severe. Some part of her notes ironically that at least the herbs she's been gathering lately for first aid will find some use. She tries to remain as still as possible and, for the most part, succeeds, give or take a few involuntary twitches, especially where her broken wing is concerned. "I've thought about it. But I also think I'd notice hurting myself this badly."

"Not to mention-"

"No, Horne, stop - it's my mouth." She sighs. "He says he's a tag-along in my body. Everything that happens, he feels and suffers for. If nothing else, I trust that he likes himself enough to avoid his own pain and death."

Once the most severe bleeding was stopped, Blades set up a splint for the wing.

"That's good. Least he's keeping down. Still don't like it. If he's not hurtin' ya, I wonder what is..."


Lone Star looked up at the sign. Because Heavy Metal means either a very narrow target market or a terrible pun?

...

They walked in.

Inside, the couple was greeted by a large number of weapon racks, several armour stands, and a severed rat head on display. One wall was lined with a wide variety of polearms, swords of various sizes and shapes were displayed on another, and there were even a few daggers hanging from the ceiling around the edges. In one corner was the furnace, with the anvil not far away. In the back was the door to the living quarters.

Blades perked up her ears. "Huh? Think I heard something."

Still carrying Arvadraa, she trotted out to greet the arrivals.

"Oh, hiya! Ya should've knocked!" She gave Esmeralda and Lone Star an unhinged-looking grin. "Ya here to buy things? I mean, there's not a lot of other reasons ya'd be here... Well, ya'd be here to sell things too. Are ya sellin' things, then? 'Cause that's 'bout the only thing ponies come in here for... Or maybe ya're burglarizin' the place, 'cause ya came in without knockin'..." She drew a knife from her belt, but kept smiling. "So what do ya want? Weapons? Tools? Tools that work as weapons? Armour? Bits? Lil' sharp things embedded in yar skull? Come on, then!"

[HalfTangible]

Once the most severe bleeding was stopped, Blades set up a splint for the wing.

"That's good. Least he's keeping down. Still don't like it. If he's not hurtin' ya, I wonder what is..."



Inside, the couple was greeted by a large number of weapon racks, several armour stands, and a severed rat head on display. One wall was lined with a wide variety of polearms, swords of various sizes and shapes were displayed on another, and there were even a few daggers hanging from the ceiling around the edges. In one corner was the furnace, with the anvil not far away. In the back was the door to the living quarters.

Blades perked up her ears. "Huh? Think I heard something."

Still carrying Arvadraa, she trotted out to greet the arrivals.

"Oh, hiya! Ya should've knocked!" She gave Esmeralda and Lone Star an unhinged-looking grin. "Ya here to buy things? I mean, there's not a lot of other reasons ya'd be here... Well, ya'd be here to sell things too. Are ya sellin' things, then? 'Cause that's 'bout the only thing ponies come in here for... Or maybe ya're burglarizin' the place, 'cause ya came in without knockin'..." She drew a knife from her belt, but kept smiling. "So what do ya want? Weapons? Tools? Tools that work as weapons? Armour? Bits? Lil' sharp things embedded in yar skull? Come on, then!"
Lone Star's return grin was like something out of a bad horror movie. I came here to have my life threatened by a moron, and am not disappointed. Do you accept payment in the form of a broken jaw to the tune of Bon-bon Jovi?

...

His grin fell off of his face, replaced by dull boredom. Seriously though, we wanted to find out what kind of store this was. Looks like the answer is 'weapons shop.' Got any cannons? I like cannons.

[Grif]

Inside, the couple was greeted by a large number of weapon racks, several armour stands, and a severed rat head on display. One wall was lined with a wide variety of polearms, swords of various sizes and shapes were displayed on another, and there were even a few daggers hanging from the ceiling around the edges. In one corner was the furnace, with the anvil not far away. In the back was the door to the living quarters.

Blades perked up her ears. "Huh? Think I heard something."

Still carrying Arvadraa, she trotted out to greet the arrivals.

"Oh, hiya! Ya should've knocked!" She gave Esmeralda and Lone Star an unhinged-looking grin. "Ya here to buy things? I mean, there's not a lot of other reasons ya'd be here... Well, ya'd be here to sell things too. Are ya sellin' things, then? 'Cause that's 'bout the only thing ponies come in here for... Or maybe ya're burglarizin' the place, 'cause ya came in without knockin'..." She drew a knife from her belt, but kept smiling. "So what do ya want? Weapons? Tools? Tools that work as weapons? Armour? Bits? Lil' sharp things embedded in yar skull? Come on, then!"


Lone Star's return grin was like something out of a bad horror movie. I came here to have my life threatened by a moron, and am not disappointed. Do you accept payment in the form of a broken jaw to the tune of Bon-bon Jovi?

...

His grin fell off of his face, replaced by dull boredom. Seriously though, we wanted to find out what kind of store this was. Looks like the answer is 'weapons shop.' Got any cannons? I like cannons.

Unnerving and unhinged smile to normal ponies perhaps. To Esmeralda it was merely Smile No. 17, type A. Certainly one she hadn't been expecting, but not entirely unprecedented. She offered Blades a sweet smile in return, and spoke after Lone Star, "Well, that's one question answered, at least." She cocked her head at the sight of Arvadraa, apparently being carried by the earth pony. "What are you doing to that poor pony, might I ask?"

[Kelvin360]

Arvadraa looks morbidly surprised in regard to her situation of still being carried about the shop, but clearly lacks the strength to do anything about it. "I'm not poor, I'm an ascetic..." she mumbles in a voice somewhere between Grumpy Cat and Drowsy Chaperone. "And you're blurry. Wait, no, there's blood in my eye. What's happening, should I heat the forge...?"

[PurityIcekiller]

Lone Star's return grin was like something out of a bad horror movie. I came here to have my life threatened by a moron, and am not disappointed. Do you accept payment in the form of a broken jaw to the tune of Bon-bon Jovi?

"Oh, ya want me to break yar jaw? I can do that!" Blades put away the knife and pulled out her hammer instead. "Kind of hard to do it in tune, though..."


His grin fell off of his face, replaced by dull boredom. Seriously though, we wanted to find out what kind of store this was. Looks like the answer is 'weapons shop.' Got any cannons? I like cannons.

"Wait, ya don't want yar jaw broken? All right, then. I haven't got cannons in stock yet, but I could start makin' one for ya if ya're willin' to wait a while. Come to think of it, I should really be makin' 'em anyway."


Unnerving and unhinged smile to normal ponies perhaps. To Esmeralda it was merely Smile No. 17, type A. Certainly one she hadn't been expecting, but not entirely unprecedented. She offered Blades a sweet smile in return, and spoke after Lone Star, "Well, that's one question answered, at least." She cocked her head at the sight of Arvadraa, apparently being carried by the earth pony. "What are you doing to that poor pony, might I ask?"

"Oh, 'Vadraa? I was just gettin' her patched up. She's been through rough things."


Arvadraa looks morbidly surprised in regard to her situation of still being carried about the shop, but clearly lacks the strength to do anything about it. "I'm not poor, I'm an ascetic..." she mumbles in a voice somewhere between Grumpy Cat and Drowsy Chaperone. "And you're blurry. Wait, no, there's blood in my eye. What's happening, should I heat the forge...?"

"Just relax, 'Vadraa." Blades deposited her by the furnace, then lit the fire so that she could be warm.

[HalfTangible]

"Oh, ya want me to break yar jaw? I can do that!" Blades put away the knife and pulled out her hammer instead. "Kind of hard to do it in tune, though..."


Lone Star blinked. What, you're going to pay me? How do you stay in business?

... Eh, I probably can't afford a cannon anyway.

[Grif]

"Oh, 'Vadraa? I was just gettin' her patched up. She's been through rough things."

"Just relax, 'Vadraa." Blades deposited her by the furnace, then lit the fire so that she could be warm.

"Rough things? Those seem a tad more serious than merely rough," Esmeralda observed. Not that she actually cared... much—she was still working on the empathy part—but on an intellectual level, she was curious as well.


Lone Star blinked. What, you're going to pay me? How do you stay in business?

... Eh, I probably can't afford a cannon anyway.

"I thought you could at least afford one with all the profits from your bookstore, no?"

[PurityIcekiller]

Lone Star blinked. What, you're going to pay me? How do you stay in business?

"Well, it's not like I just sell! I buy stuff too! If ya've got old weapons or such that ya want to get rid of, I'll buy 'em! Then I can sell 'em to somepony else or melt 'em down to make new things. Or ya could just give me yar old stuff for free. Not a lot of ponies do that for some reason, though. Mostly, they do it when they're runnin' away or bleedin' a lot."


"Rough things? Those seem a tad more serious than merely rough," Esmeralda observed. Not that she actually cared... much—she was still working on the empathy part—but on an intellectual level, she was curious as well.

"Well, it's not like I can say much more, 'cause I haven't a bangin' clue what happened." Blades shook her head. "But no parts of her are comin' off. That's not bad, right?"


... Eh, I probably can't afford a cannon anyway.


"I thought you could at least afford one with all the profits from your bookstore, no?"

Blades got a thoughtful look. "It depends, really. If ya just want a small one with no place to put it, no things to move it with, no shots 'n no powder, I could give it to ya cheap, but ya could only really club things with it. It'd cost quite a bit more if ya wanted a bigger one with wheels, 'n ya'd have to pay for the shot too. Cannonballs aren't that hard to make 'n don't need the really good metal, but they still take quite a bit of iron if ya want enough to fire, 'specially the large ones. Of course, if ya've got a heat source, ya can get smaller cannonballs 'n make 'em nice 'n hot so they expand, 'n they'll set things on fire too! Just don't heat 'em too much, 'cause then they'd blow the whole thing to scrap 'n ya'd have to get a new one."

[Bridle Shores Lake]

Obsidian Flare wandered, looking for a good place to establish herself. She wasn't entirely sure what she should be doing, but felt that she at least needed a place of her own. She was currently considering an obsidian tower above a good network of underground tunnels, where she would have shelter and a suitably grand, archmage-worthy aesthetic. Finding a good position wasn't easy, however; she just couldn't figure out what she wanted.

Eventually, she happened across the lake. Not being the type to just walk around obstacles, she decided to use her powers to cross. She focused her magic on the bottom of the lake, cracking the crust and sending a burst of hot magma shooting up. When the molten rock met the water, it cooled and solidified rapidly, forming pumice. The trapped air bubbles inside allowed it to float, making a raft that could carry her.

As she got into the raft, she contemplated some more. "Hmm... Perhaps a volcanic island? But I would need a large island, and this lake is too small for that..."

It was at this point that she noticed that the pumice wasn't the only thing to come up from the lake bed. She had also floated some old-looking armour to the surface.

"Huh! I know not that there was anything under there." She looked over the armour carefully, and gave it a quick once-over with her magic. "There is power in it. I wonder what it is?"

She brought the armour ashore, not realizing just what she was unleashing.

[Kelvin360]

Blades shook her head. "But no parts of her are comin' off. That's not bad, right?"

"Nngh...could've fooled me. We're...making a cannon? Why are we making a cannon?"

[sildra45]

[Bridle Shores Lake]

Obsidian Flare wandered, looking for a good place to establish herself. She wasn't entirely sure what she should be doing, but felt that she at least needed a place of her own. She was currently considering an obsidian tower above a good network of underground tunnels, where she would have shelter and a suitably grand, archmage-worthy aesthetic. Finding a good position wasn't easy, however; she just couldn't figure out what she wanted.

Eventually, she happened across the lake. Not being the type to just walk around obstacles, she decided to use her powers to cross. She focused her magic on the bottom of the lake, cracking the crust and sending a burst of hot magma shooting up. When the molten rock met the water, it cooled and solidified rapidly, forming pumice. The trapped air bubbles inside allowed it to float, making a raft that could carry her.

As she got into the raft, she contemplated some more. "Hmm... Perhaps a volcanic island? But I would need a large island, and this lake is too small for that..."

It was at this point that she noticed that the pumice wasn't the only thing to come up from the lake bed. She had also floated some old-looking armour to the surface.

"Huh! I know not that there was anything under there." She looked over the armour carefully, and gave it a quick once-over with her magic. "There is power in it. I wonder what it is?"

She brought the armour ashore, not realizing just what she was unleashing.

The armor was silver and gold, with large wings and a blade for the mane. Most certainly combat armor, but seemingly too extravagant for a real battle. It was surprisingly light for its thickness...probably not meant to take many hits, if at all.

A deep voice floated through the air, barely a whisper, as the water drained from the pieces before Flare.

And who is this that has released me from my frozen prison? Do you come seeking power? Fame? The recipe for the best cookies on this continent?

The armor was pulling itself together as the voice began to speak a little gibberish, before the words became logical again as it stood itself up...empty.

Ah, sorry, Luna sent me all into pieces before she froze me and tossed me under the lake. Introductions, of course. I am Simmer, the Meteor Warrior and Maple Muncher. Who might you be?

[Grif]

"Well, it's not like I just sell! I buy stuff too! If ya've got old weapons or such that ya want to get rid of, I'll buy 'em! Then I can sell 'em to somepony else or melt 'em down to make new things. Or ya could just give me yar old stuff for free. Not a lot of ponies do that for some reason, though. Mostly, they do it when they're runnin' away or bleedin' a lot."

"Well, it's not like I can say much more, 'cause I haven't a bangin' clue what happened." Blades shook her head. "But no parts of her are comin' off. That's not bad, right?"


Blades got a thoughtful look. "It depends, really. If ya just want a small one with no place to put it, no things to move it with, no shots 'n no powder, I could give it to ya cheap, but ya could only really club things with it. It'd cost quite a bit more if ya wanted a bigger one with wheels, 'n ya'd have to pay for the shot too. Cannonballs aren't that hard to make 'n don't need the really good metal, but they still take quite a bit of iron if ya want enough to fire, 'specially the large ones. Of course, if ya've got a heat source, ya can get smaller cannonballs 'n make 'em nice 'n hot so they expand, 'n they'll set things on fire too! Just don't heat 'em too much, 'cause then they'd blow the whole thing to scrap 'n ya'd have to get a new one."



"Nngh...could've fooled me. We're...making a cannon? Why are we making a cannon?"

"I believe we have not agreed to making a cannon yet. I mean, as far as I can tell, we have not agreed to any such arrangement. Although... uh, I'm not exactly sure why that topic was ever brought up in the first place. Hm, oh yes, Lone Star wanted one."

[HalfTangible]

Lone Star shrugged. Eh, forget it. I don't have the bits for it.

[Kelvin360]

Arvadraa mumbles sleepily. "Well we...have herbs, repairs, and a crazy underage migrant worker. She's not actually here right now."

[PurityIcekiller]

The armor was silver and gold, with large wings and a blade for the mane. Most certainly combat armor, but seemingly too extravagant for a real battle. It was surprisingly light for its thickness...probably not meant to take many hits, if at all.

A deep voice floated through the air, barely a whisper, as the water drained from the pieces before Flare.

And who is this that has released me from my frozen prison? Do you come seeking power? Fame? The recipe for the best cookies on this continent?

The armor was pulling itself together as the voice began to speak a little gibberish, before the words became logical again as it stood itself up...empty.

Ah, sorry, Luna sent me all into pieces before she froze me and tossed me under the lake. Introductions, of course. I am Simmer, the Meteor Warrior and Maple Muncher. Who might you be?

Flare raised an eyebrow. Something about this seems familiar. I wonder how many others are locked away.

"You speak to Obsidian Flare, archmage of the earth, the oldest and most powerful unicorn alive. I seek purpose and an understanding of just what has been happening the past few hundred years. I must say, I've never seen anything quite like you before."


"Nngh...could've fooled me. We're...making a cannon? Why are we making a cannon?"


"I believe we have not agreed to making a cannon yet. I mean, as far as I can tell, we have not agreed to any such arrangement. Although... uh, I'm not exactly sure why that topic was ever brought up in the first place. Hm, oh yes, Lone Star wanted one."


Lone Star shrugged. Eh, forget it. I don't have the bits for it.

"No cannons? A pity. It'd be nice to do something new for once."


Arvadraa mumbles sleepily. "Well we...have herbs, repairs, and a crazy underage migrant worker. She's not actually here right now."

Blades gave Arvadraa a perplexed look. "Wait, are ya thinkin' of sellin' Stellar? She might object to that a lil' bit, 'cause of that whole slavery thing she went through. 'Sides, I thought ya didn't like that sort of stuff either. 'N there's not much of a point to it either..."

After a moment, she turned her attention back to Lone Star and Esmeralda. "Oh, ya're still here. Right, right. Well, I can get ya something else, too. Other good weapons, some armour to protect ya, tools to help ya... What exactly do ya do, exactly?"

[HalfTangible]

"No cannons? A pity. It'd be nice to do something new for once."



Blades gave Arvadraa a perplexed look. "Wait, are ya thinkin' of sellin' Stellar? She might object to that a lil' bit, 'cause of that whole slavery thing she went through. 'Sides, I thought ya didn't like that sort of stuff either. 'N there's not much of a point to it either..."

After a moment, she turned her attention back to Lone Star and Esmeralda. "Oh, ya're still here. Right, right. Well, I can get ya something else, too. Other good weapons, some armour to protect ya, tools to help ya... What exactly do ya do, exactly?"

I write books, occasionally fight by singing and/or this metal wing. He wrapped one foreleg around Es' shoulders and kissed her cheek. Esmeralda's an ice mage and a mercenary. A damn good one, at that.

[Grif]

After a moment, she turned her attention back to Lone Star and Esmeralda. "Oh, ya're still here. Right, right. Well, I can get ya something else, too. Other good weapons, some armour to protect ya, tools to help ya... What exactly do ya do, exactly?"


I write books, occasionally fight by singing and/or this metal wing. He wrapped one foreleg around Es' shoulders and kissed her cheek. Esmeralda's an ice mage and a mercenary. A damn good one, at that.

A grin and a surprisingly chaste kiss back on his cheek as she regarded Blade. "What he said. Though work has been scarce these days; not much demand for someone for someone of my caliber... or maybe because Icy is the one that usually gets the work." Which was true. Icy was generally regarded as the more stable of the odd pair. :smalltongue: She sighed theatrically and leaned against her love. "And so here we are. Reduced to window shopping."

[sildra45]

Flare raised an eyebrow. Something about this seems familiar. I wonder how many others are locked away.

"You speak to Obsidian Flare, archmage of the earth, the oldest and most powerful unicorn alive. I seek purpose and an understanding of just what has been happening the past few hundred years. I must say, I've never seen anything quite like you before."


"And likely never will again! Though I must say, did you say past few hundred years? Being frozen under a lake with a bed of volcanic glass somewhat muddles ones sense of time. Ooh...thyme...wonder how'd that go with chocolate chips...ah, I do digress."

The armor rattled a little before it seemed to 'set', and when it moved, it moved almost organically, rather than clunkily like heavy armor usually does around a pony. He gave her a little walk around, as if sizing her up.

"Archmage of the earth, you say. Must admit, not a title I ever heard of, nor a name that sparks any memory, not that it's what it once was anyhow."

The wings flicked open and closed a few times, the 'snick' of the bladed feathers rustling getting less noisy with each flick, until there was barely a hiss from them.

"Though my memory of the wind under my wings is quite clear still. Oh, how I miss that feeling. And cake...I miss cake. Oh, especially golden cake. So dense...so moist...so sweet! You wouldn't happen to have any on hoof would you?"

[Kelvin360]

Blades gave Arvadraa a perplexed look. "Wait, are ya thinkin' of sellin' Stellar? She might object to that a lil' bit, 'cause of that whole slavery thing she went through. 'Sides, I thought ya didn't like that sort of stuff either. 'N there's not much of a point to it either..."

"Nngh...Blades, if something I say doesn't make sense, I probably meant it another way. Or maybe I shouldn't talk when I'm in pain."


A grin and a surprisingly chaste kiss back on his cheek as she regarded Blade. "What he said. Though work has been scarce these days; not much demand for someone for someone of my caliber... or maybe because Icy is the one that usually gets the work." Which was true. Icy was generally regarded as the more stable of the odd pair. :smalltongue: She sighed theatrically and leaned against her love. "And so here we are. Reduced to window shopping."

"That's not a bad thing. Our last job resulted in a bomb that killed more than a hundred ponies. Whenever I hear somepony complain about living a 'quiet' life I want to laugh and cry at the same time."

[PurityIcekiller]

"And likely never will again! Though I must say, did you say past few hundred years? Being frozen under a lake with a bed of volcanic glass somewhat muddles ones sense of time. Ooh...thyme...wonder how'd that go with chocolate chips...ah, I do digress."

The armor rattled a little before it seemed to 'set', and when it moved, it moved almost organically, rather than clunkily like heavy armor usually does around a pony. He gave her a little walk around, as if sizing her up.

"Archmage of the earth, you say. Must admit, not a title I ever heard of, nor a name that sparks any memory, not that it's what it once was anyhow."

The wings flicked open and closed a few times, the 'snick' of the bladed feathers rustling getting less noisy with each flick, until there was barely a hiss from them.

"Though my memory of the wind under my wings is quite clear still. Oh, how I miss that feeling. And cake...I miss cake. Oh, especially golden cake. So dense...so moist...so sweet! You wouldn't happen to have any on hoof would you?"

Flare stared in confusion for a moment. This "Simmer" managed to make the likes of Blades seem downright stable by comparison.

"I... suppose you may be confused. Centuries of imprisonment make it hard to remember clearly; I know that from experience." She shook her head. "But if you want cake, I am not the best pony to ask. My first try at baking, I learned that a 'lava cake' was just a figure of speech. Perhaps ponies in the nearby town can help you."


"Nngh...Blades, if something I say doesn't make sense, I probably meant it another way. Or maybe I shouldn't talk when I'm in pain."

"Oh. Fair 'nough, then."


I write books, occasionally fight by singing and/or this metal wing. He wrapped one foreleg around Es' shoulders and kissed her cheek. Esmeralda's an ice mage and a mercenary. A damn good one, at that.


A grin and a surprisingly chaste kiss back on his cheek as she regarded Blade. "What he said. Though work has been scarce these days; not much demand for someone for someone of my caliber... or maybe because Icy is the one that usually gets the work." Which was true. Icy was generally regarded as the more stable of the odd pair. :smalltongue: She sighed theatrically and leaned against her love. "And so here we are. Reduced to window shopping."

"Huh! Well, just so ya know, I've got special steel that'll hold up to extreme cold, so it wouldn't shatter so easy with yar ice magic."

That might have been either an offer or a threat. Or possibly both. It was hard to tell with Blades.

"Ya know, we might have a lil' matter that the adventuresome types could deal with, if ya've got the time. Which ya probly do, 'cause of ya bein' out of work 'n all."


"That's not a bad thing. Our last job resulted in a bomb that killed more than a hundred ponies. Whenever I hear somepony complain about living a 'quiet' life I want to laugh and cry at the same time."

"Oh, yeah, that. Don't really remember a lot of it, 'cept that the pony who hired us was terrible with mares, 'n there was a good deal of sneakin', 'n everypony in our group was kind of tryin' to kill each other by the end, 'n Horne got in the way... Not real professional stuff. If I get this kind of thing again, I'd rather everypony be workin' together. Also, more stabbin' things."

[Grif]

"Huh! Well, just so ya know, I've got special steel that'll hold up to extreme cold, so it wouldn't shatter so easy with yar ice magic."

That might have been either an offer or a threat. Or possibly both. It was hard to tell with Blades.

"Ya know, we might have a lil' matter that the adventuresome types could deal with, if ya've got the time. Which ya probly do, 'cause of ya bein' out of work 'n all."


"I'll keep that special 'steel' in mind," Es replied dryly, leaning in on Lone Star, very much unsure how she should respond to that. Nominally, she didn't need it, ice can cut pretty sharp if you know how, but it still wouldn't hold up to actual steel. Though if there was actual steel Es would probably be finding another way to deal with it already. Like freezing a limb off. Still.

"Oh? What sort of matter? Do tell." Then she blinked. "Oh, I really must be terminally bored if I'm listening to random offers of adventure from strangers."

[HalfTangible]

"I'll keep that special 'steel' in mind," Es replied dryly, leaning in on Lone Star, very much unsure how she should respond to that. Nominally, she didn't need it, ice can cut pretty sharp if you know how, but it still wouldn't hold up to actual steel. Though if there was actual steel Es would probably be finding another way to deal with it already. Like freezing a limb off. Still.

"Oh? What sort of matter? Do tell." Then she blinked. "Oh, I really must be terminally bored if I'm listening to random offers of adventure from strangers."

Star's wing draped over her. I'm interested, too. Need to get my hooves dirty.

[PurityIcekiller]

"I'll keep that special 'steel' in mind," Es replied dryly, leaning in on Lone Star, very much unsure how she should respond to that. Nominally, she didn't need it, ice can cut pretty sharp if you know how, but it still wouldn't hold up to actual steel. Though if there was actual steel Es would probably be finding another way to deal with it already. Like freezing a limb off. Still.

"Oh? What sort of matter? Do tell." Then she blinked. "Oh, I really must be terminally bored if I'm listening to random offers of adventure from strangers."


Star's wing draped over her. I'm interested, too. Need to get my hooves dirty.

"Well, there's this thing that 'Vadraa got just a lil' while ago. 'N apparently she has a last name now."

Blades took out the map and unfolded it.

"See? Something in the east hills, I reckon. The place, not the name. Don't know where her name came from. Well, either of them, really. Have ya ever noticed that names in this town tend to be totally different from names... Well, ya don't come from my town, but back where ya come from, maybe? Well, depend on where ya're from. I mean, if ya're from Prance or something..."

After a few moments, she regained her train of thought enough to turn this tangent into a secant.

"Or maybe ya're from the eastern hills or something? Maybe near there? Would be good if ya knew the land. I wonder what's over there? The letter just said it was kind of dangerous, 'n 'Vadraa was lookin' for it... Ya know, I should probly bring that black sword. Would be nice to get it more use."

[Grif]

"Well, there's this thing that 'Vadraa got just a lil' while ago. 'N apparently she has a last name now."

Blades took out the map and unfolded it.

"See? Something in the east hills, I reckon. The place, not the name. Don't know where her name came from. Well, either of them, really. Have ya ever noticed that names in this town tend to be totally different from names... Well, ya don't come from my town, but back where ya come from, maybe? Well, depend on where ya're from. I mean, if ya're from Prance or something..."

After a few moments, she regained her train of thought enough to turn this tangent into a secant.

"Or maybe ya're from the eastern hills or something? Maybe near there? Would be good if ya knew the land. I wonder what's over there? The letter just said it was kind of dangerous, 'n 'Vadraa was lookin' for it... Ya know, I should probly bring that black sword. Would be nice to get it more use."

Esmeralda brought the map closer and squinted at it with one eye. "Well, this looks like some ways off Bridle Shores. I know the area, if not the location where the maps says it leads to. Rugged wilderness all around there." She blinked as Blades mentioned a black sword. "Black sword?"

[HalfTangible]

Esmeralda brought the map closer and squinted at it with one eye. "Well, this looks like some ways off Bridle Shores. I know the area, if not the location where the maps says it leads to. Rugged wilderness all around there." She blinked as Blades mentioned a black sword. "Black sword?"

Lone Star took his wing off of Es' back to move forward and get a closer look at the map. Hrm. Don't think I've been out there.

[Kelvin360]

This revelation seems to take a bit of the uncomfortable mystery out of the situation for Arvadraa. "Wild...wilderness? That does sound like somewhere I'd want to go..."

[PurityIcekiller]

Esmeralda brought the map closer and squinted at it with one eye. "Well, this looks like some ways off Bridle Shores. I know the area, if not the location where the maps says it leads to. Rugged wilderness all around there." She blinked as Blades mentioned a black sword. "Black sword?"

"Yep! Here, let me show ya."

Blades trotted out of the room for a moment. When she returned, she was carrying a broadsword made of an unnaturally dark metal, as if it were actively draining light from its surroundings. She swished it through the air with an ease that suggested either it wasn't as heavy as it looked or she was exceptionally strong (or possibly both). An experienced eye would recognise it as gloomium.

"Nice, isn't it? Cuts through magic easy as anything, 'n it's not too shoddy with other things either. 'N it doesn't do weird things like other magic weapons do."


Lone Star took his wing off of Es' back to move forward and get a closer look at the map. Hrm. Don't think I've been out there.


This revelation seems to take a bit of the uncomfortable mystery out of the situation for Arvadraa. "Wild...wilderness? That does sound like somewhere I'd want to go..."

"Huh! Looks like 'Vadraa'll be the guide, then. She gets on well with animals, 'n knows plenty 'bout plants. Have ya been there before, 'Vadraa?"

[Kelvin360]

Arvadraa shakes her head firmly, bewildered. "It's possible! But I don't recognize it at all. If I knew my way around it, I don't think I'd need a map, anyway. I suppose if we meet any furry friends who recognize me, we'll have our answer!"

[Grif]

"Yep! Here, let me show ya."

Blades trotted out of the room for a moment. When she returned, she was carrying a broadsword made of an unnaturally dark metal, as if it were actively draining light from its surroundings. She swished it through the air with an ease that suggested either it wasn't as heavy as it looked or she was exceptionally strong (or possibly both). An experienced eye would recognise it as gloomium.

"Nice, isn't it? Cuts through magic easy as anything, 'n it's not too shoddy with other things either. 'N it doesn't do weird things like other magic weapons do."

"I seeeeeee..." Esmeralda said, eyeing that sword critically. Now that's one magic weapon she'd need to watch out for. Potentially anti-magic, by all accounts she heard of gloomium.



"Huh! Looks like 'Vadraa'll be the guide, then. She gets on well with animals, 'n knows plenty 'bout plants. Have ya been there before, 'Vadraa?"


Arvadraa shakes her head firmly, bewildered. "It's possible! But I don't recognize it at all. If I knew my way around it, I don't think I'd need a map, anyway. I suppose if we meet any furry friends who recognize me, we'll have our answer!"

The ice mage coughed. "Well. I hate to interrupt, but if we're really going to embark on this adventure although frankly I don't see any profit in it, then perhaps we should discuss when we plan to set out and what supplies do we need for this journey."

[PurityIcekiller]

Arvadraa shakes her head firmly, bewildered. "It's possible! But I don't recognize it at all. If I knew my way around it, I don't think I'd need a map, anyway. I suppose if we meet any furry friends who recognize me, we'll have our answer!"

"Huh! Guess it'll be a real exploration then!"


"I seeeeeee..." Esmeralda said, eyeing that sword critically. Now that's one magic weapon she'd need to watch out for. Potentially anti-magic, by all accounts she heard of gloomium.

Blades grinned, flourished the sword once more, then stowed it away.


The ice mage coughed. "Well. I hate to interrupt, but if we're really going to embark on this adventure although frankly I don't see any profit in it, then perhaps we should discuss when we plan to set out and what supplies do we need for this journey."


"Well, there's a lot ya'd probly want for a thing like this. Weapons for sure, 'cause ya never can have too many weapons. Torches, but they kind of count as weapons too, don't they? 'N flint, of course. Food, unless Arvadraa's lil' critters can rustle something up. Rope's good to have, too. Also blankets, 'cause it can get cold up in the hills.

"As for when... Well, we'd better make sure 'Vadraa's ready. Can't have her travellin' when she can barely lift her legs, right? 'Sides that, if ya've got anything to do first, maybe ya'd better get to it."

[Grif]

"Huh! Guess it'll be a real exploration then!"

Blades grinned, flourished the sword once more, then stowed it away.


"Well, there's a lot ya'd probly want for a thing like this. Weapons for sure, 'cause ya never can have too many weapons. Torches, but they kind of count as weapons too, don't they? 'N flint, of course. Food, unless Arvadraa's lil' critters can rustle something up. Rope's good to have, too. Also blankets, 'cause it can get cold up in the hills.

"As for when... Well, we'd better make sure 'Vadraa's ready. Can't have her travellin' when she can barely lift her legs, right? 'Sides that, if ya've got anything to do first, maybe ya'd better get to it."

"Well, actually, no. If we had something better to do, we wouldn't be here," Esmeralda stated bluntly. Then she turned her head towards Lone Star. "What do you think? A crazy adventure to some place deep in the wilderness, guided solely by a map clearly written by one who's delirious?"

[HalfTangible]

"Well, actually, no. If we had something better to do, we wouldn't be here," Esmeralda stated bluntly. Then she turned her head towards Lone Star. "What do you think? A crazy adventure to some place deep in the wilderness, guided solely by a map clearly written by one who's delirious?"

What are we waiting for? He asked, puzzled. Everything you just said sounded pretty good to me. Look at it this way: even if it's completely safe and uneventful as she suggests, you and I can sneak off to make out in the trees or something. And this time no one will walk in on us.

[Kelvin360]

"Well, actually, no. If we had something better to do, we wouldn't be here," Esmeralda stated bluntly. Then she turned her head towards Lone Star. "What do you think? A crazy adventure to some place deep in the wilderness, guided solely by a map clearly written by one who's delirious?"


What are we waiting for? He asked, puzzled. Everything you just said sounded pretty good to me. Look at it this way: even if it's completely safe and uneventful as she suggests, you and I can sneak off to make out in the trees or something. And this time no one will walk in on us.

Arvadraa isn't the type to scowl, so Horne scowls for her, putting her tone completely at odds with her facial expression. "I didn't make the map. Have we met? This feels like a dinner date, but I don't know either of you. How many days did I lose?"

[PurityIcekiller]

"Well, actually, no. If we had something better to do, we wouldn't be here," Esmeralda stated bluntly. Then she turned her head towards Lone Star. "What do you think? A crazy adventure to some place deep in the wilderness, guided solely by a map clearly written by one who's delirious?"


What are we waiting for? He asked, puzzled. Everything you just said sounded pretty good to me. Look at it this way: even if it's completely safe and uneventful as she suggests, you and I can sneak off to make out in the trees or something. And this time no one will walk in on us.

"Hey, hey, ya probly shouldn't go splittin' up for kissin'. That's breakin' somewhere 'round five rules of adventures." Blades chuckled. "Ah, well, good to have ya, at least. We'll go right as soon as 'Vadraa's sure, 'n I reckon that'll probly be soonish?"


Arvadraa isn't the type to scowl, so Horne scowls for her, putting her tone completely at odds with her facial expression. "I didn't make the map. Have we met? This feels like a dinner date, but I don't know either of you. How many days did I lose?"

"I don't know 'em either. Just met 'em today. Don't know who made the map either, but ya apparently asked for it. 'N I don't remember quite when ya left, but I think it was... Two days? Three days? Really not sure."

[sildra45]

Flare stared in confusion for a moment. This "Simmer" managed to make the likes of Blades seem downright stable by comparison.

"I... suppose you may be confused. Centuries of imprisonment make it hard to remember clearly; I know that from experience." She shook her head. "But if you want cake, I am not the best pony to ask. My first try at baking, I learned that a 'lava cake' was just a figure of speech. Perhaps ponies in the nearby town can help you."


"Hawhaw! A literal lava cake? I must see this someday! I might even be able to eat it, as I am now. Then again, what would lava taste like, I wonder...I digress. Nearby town you say? Does it have sweets? I may have to break some bones though if they refuse to make it for me. Hmm...or maybe make them use their own bones to bake if they don't do it the first time...bones...wonder what kind of taste that would impart to sweets. Probably not so good...alright, ix nay on the bones in the cooking, just for breaking. Mm...breakfast, haven't had a breakfast in....say, would you know how long I've been in there?"

During his speech, his hoof tapped his chin several times in thought, his wings snicking open and closed based on how 'aggressive' his thoughts seemed to get.

[PurityIcekiller]

"Hawhaw! A literal lava cake? I must see this someday! I might even be able to eat it, as I am now. Then again, what would lava taste like, I wonder...I digress. Nearby town you say? Does it have sweets? I may have to break some bones though if they refuse to make it for me. Hmm...or maybe make them use their own bones to bake if they don't do it the first time...bones...wonder what kind of taste that would impart to sweets. Probably not so good...alright, ix nay on the bones in the cooking, just for breaking. Mm...breakfast, haven't had a breakfast in....say, would you know how long I've been in there?"

During his speech, his hoof tapped his chin several times in thought, his wings snicking open and closed based on how 'aggressive' his thoughts seemed to get.

"I am unsure as to whether Mistress Blades would be fond of you or immediately try to melt you down."

Flare briefly pondered which course of action would be less problematic: Leading the clearly unstable, dangerous being into town, or not giving the clearly unstable, dangerous being what he wanted. She decided to go with the former.

"It seems I must be your... What is the word? It begins with a 'ch' sound, does it not? Well, your escort, anyway. But you must behave." She raised one hoof for dramatic effect. "Do you know what 'bits' are? They are what you will be using to buy your treats, more than threats... Well, actually, threats are more common around here than I thought they'd be, but that's not how it's supposed to work, I think... At any rate, I shall show you to the bakehouse."

[sildra45]

"I am unsure as to whether Mistress Blades would be fond of you or immediately try to melt you down."

Flare briefly pondered which course of action would be less problematic: Leading the clearly unstable, dangerous being into town, or not giving the clearly unstable, dangerous being what he wanted. She decided to go with the former.

"It seems I must be your... What is the word? It begins with a 'ch' sound, does it not? Well, your escort, anyway. But you must behave." She raised one hoof for dramatic effect. "Do you know what 'bits' are? They are what you will be using to buy your treats, more than threats... Well, actually, threats are more common around here than I thought they'd be, but that's not how it's supposed to work, I think... At any rate, I shall show you to the bakehouse."


"Bits? Not threats? But I like threats! Well...when I'm giving them, not getting them. Though most threats against me mean nothing anyways. Bakehouse you say? Sounds like my kind of place! Do they serve breakfast? Actually, what time is it anyways..."

His head tilted towards the sky, trying to locate the sun or moon to determine the time of day, though once he caught sight of the sun, his wings would flick out to full spread, the blades making only a slight snick as they locked into place.

"Of course...there are two who deserve many threats from me...but that can wait until I've had sweets."

His tone was much more serious and less 'addled' sounding, until he looked down again at Flare, seeming to shake himself as his wings 'snicked' back into place.

"Then again, sweets are always more important than....whatever I was just thinking about."

[PurityIcekiller]

"Bits? Not threats? But I like threats! Well...when I'm giving them, not getting them. Though most threats against me mean nothing anyways. Bakehouse you say? Sounds like my kind of place! Do they serve breakfast? Actually, what time is it anyways..."

His head tilted towards the sky, trying to locate the sun or moon to determine the time of day, though once he caught sight of the sun, his wings would flick out to full spread, the blades making only a slight snick as they locked into place.

"Of course...there are two who deserve many threats from me...but that can wait until I've had sweets."

His tone was much more serious and less 'addled' sounding, until he looked down again at Flare, seeming to shake himself as his wings 'snicked' back into place.

"Then again, sweets are always more important than....whatever I was just thinking about."

Flare put a hoof down. "Do not waste time on revenge, Simmer. The ponies in question are likely long dead. Just follow me until you know enough to live in modern times."

Apparently, integrating this pony into society would be harder than Flare expected. Probably not too surprising to an outside observer, however.

"Anyway, the bakehouse is this way. I believe they are open now. I will buy your cake if you behave." With that, she started for the town bakery.

[sildra45]

Flare put a hoof down. "Do not waste time on revenge, Simmer. The ponies in question are likely long dead. Just follow me until you know enough to live in modern times."

Apparently, integrating this pony into society would be harder than Flare expected. Probably not too surprising to an outside observer, however.

"Anyway, the bakehouse is this way. I believe they are open now. I will buy your cake if you behave." With that, she started for the town bakery.

Simmer rubbed a hoof over his helmet, the scraping noise almost akin to nails on a chalkboard, before he started to follow.

"And here I thought the celestial sisters would at least last a few thousand years. I guess even Alicorns can meet their match in time. Well, more time for sweets then! Oh, will it be a chocolate cake with peppercorn frosting?"