Fallout Equestria: Meat and Mutilation

[Dalinale]

Moonshadow shrugged, Perhaps. I do know there are plenty of ponies out there who seek to abuse their power and other ponies for their own gain. And that Doc isn't one of them. she said.

Stitchheart didn't opt to reply, apparently concentrating on making sure that the small clusters of mechanical do-dads hovering over Doc's legs were doing what they were supposed to do.


Sure, just don't break it. It did let me see through any of Choro's illusions so far, so I'm pretty sure it's working in that regard at least. she said, handing the monocle over.

Strata took the monocle with her magic, and held it up in front of her face. She looked puzzled at first, but then smiled mischievously.

"Hey, would you mind if I try and animate this? For science, I mean." Strata said, sounding more or less pleased with herself, "If it's a evil artifact or something, then it might try and bite us, but if it doesn't do anything, then I'd say it's a perfectly normal magical item."


"Heh, I happen to have been threatened by her, and she attempted to transform a friend of mine into a pig just cause my friend told it like it is," Doc answered, sounding like Greendream was one of those things you default to being disappointed in. "Her spell backfired, and we left her unconscious in a room at Sunnyside. Bloody face from whatever that magical feedback did to her."

It was like karma in action as Doc remembered it.

"My advice, if you have the receipt I'd exchange her for someone else."

Abbas took another sip of his coffee. He had a pained expression on his face.

"She mentioned that, in between screaming about how a pig with hands was in her brain, eating her thoughts." the horse replied, sounding less concerned and more mortified, "Would you happen to know anything about that, as well?"


If Choro's successful she'll move on from here to the campsite out front.

After managing to wash herself without killing herself, Choro was able to successful go towards the lobby! Nopony was around, and the camp outside was rather quiet. A small fire had been started outside, however, and it looked as if four or so ponies were gathered around it.

[Forum Explorer]

Strata took the monocle with her magic, and held it up in front of her face. She looked puzzled at first, but then smiled mischievously.

"Hey, would you mind if I try and animate this? For science, I mean." Strata said, sounding more or less pleased with herself, "If it's a evil artifact or something, then it might try and bite us, but if it doesn't do anything, then I'd say it's a perfectly normal magical item."


If it breaks, you're paying for it. Moonshadow said.

[Inspector Valin]

Ah. This is how it's supposed to be.

Choro sighs a pleasant silent sigh to herself. Even at a distance, the campfire looks lovely. She withdraws a book from her pack, ready to read a little by the firelight, even as sh continues forward. She raises a hoof to the four ponies as she draws closer, smiling at them. It's good to be somewhere safe again.

[DigoDragon]

Abbas took another sip of his coffee. He had a pained expression on his face.

"She mentioned that, in between screaming about how a pig with hands was in her brain, eating her thoughts." the horse replied, sounding less concerned and more mortified, "Would you happen to know anything about that, as well?"

"That... no, I don't think I can explain that one," Doc says. He takes a sip, thinking about the last time he saw Greendream. "Reckon she was never the most stable pony on the guild's payroll."

[Dalinale]

If it breaks, you're paying for it. Moonshadow said.

Strata snorted, and briefly gave the monocle a look of concentration. After a few moments and a tiny flash of magic, Strata stopped holding the object with her magic and let it fall onto her hoof, where it fell on it's edge and stood up. It then began rolling around in a slow circle on Strata's hoof, not wavering at all as it refused to fall flat on it's side. After doing this a few times, it then rolled up Strata's arm and shoulders in a clear violation of physics and stopped only when it was snugly in front of her left eye.

The ghoul then winked at Moonshadow. "I think it likes me."


Ah. This is how it's supposed to be.

Choro sighs a pleasant silent sigh to herself. Even at a distance, the campfire looks lovely. She withdraws a book from her pack, ready to read a little by the firelight, even as sh continues forward. She raises a hoof to the four ponies as she draws closer, smiling at them. It's good to be somewhere safe again.

The ponies sitting at the fire, which was alight in what appeared to be a rubber tire, were the pegusi sisters and the Moss brothers. The pink pegasus was completely asleep, and the older of the two earth pony colts were also asleep. The younger, chubbier brother was eating what appeared to be a protein bar that he occasionally held out towards the fire, possibly to melt the chocolate exterior a little before he munched on it, while Cassidy had three empty beer cans in front of her and was working on her forth, but was otherwise clearly alert.


"That... no, I don't think I can explain that one," Doc says. He takes a sip, thinking about the last time he saw Greendream. "Reckon she was never the most stable pony on the guild's payroll."

The horse leaned back, and shook his head. He seemed rather tired.

"Unfortunately, from the information I have about her, she is among them. She was raised in Stable 83 by two well-to-do parents and has a personal history remarkably devoid of things such as petty theft or recreational drug use. As such, it would be rather unfortunate for her to suddenly be struck by a debilitating mental disorder so soon after getting out of a tricky political situation."

Abbas then took a sip of his coffee.

"In truth, I also picked her because I was interested what she observed of my sister's behavior. Which is the other reason why I am speaking with you."

[Inspector Valin]

The ponies sitting at the fire, which was alight in what appeared to be a rubber tire, were the pegusi sisters and the Moss brothers. The pink pegasus was completely asleep, and the older of the two earth pony colts were also asleep. The younger, chubbier brother was eating what appeared to be a protein bar that he occasionally held out towards the fire, possibly to melt the chocolate exterior a little before he munched on it, while Cassidy had three empty beer cans in front of her and was working on her forth, but was otherwise clearly alert.

Soooo nice.

Choro takes her own seat by the fire, smiling at both River Stone and Cass. She flicks open the book, about to start reading, before something strikes her. "Are we missing a few ponies? Where did Ms. River and Mr. Light go?"

[DigoDragon]

"Unfortunately, from the information I have about her, she is among them. She was raised in Stable 83 by two well-to-do parents and has a personal history remarkably devoid of things such as petty theft or recreational drug use. As such, it would be rather unfortunate for her to suddenly be struck by a debilitating mental disorder so soon after getting out of a tricky political situation."

Abbas then took a sip of his coffee.

"In truth, I also picked her because I was interested what she observed of my sister's behavior. Which is the other reason why I am speaking with you."

Doc tilted his head to one side. "Hmm, a stable stablepony. Would not have guessed it from my interaction with her." His eyebrow raise a bit once he hears about why Greendream is working for Abbas now. Doc sips his coffee.

"Oh? What is it you're looking to find out about your sis?"

[Forum Explorer]

Strata snorted, and briefly gave the monocle a look of concentration. After a few moments and a tiny flash of magic, Strata stopped holding the object with her magic and let it fall onto her hoof, where it fell on it's edge and stood up. It then began rolling around in a slow circle on Strata's hoof, not wavering at all as it refused to fall flat on it's side. After doing this a few times, it then rolled up Strata's arm and shoulders in a clear violation of physics and stopped only when it was snugly in front of her left eye.

The ghoul then winked at Moonshadow. "I think it likes me."


Moonshadow gave Strata a small smile in reply. So did you learn anything from that?

[Dalinale]

Soooo nice.

Choro takes her own seat by the fire, smiling at both River Stone and Cass. She flicks open the book, about to start reading, before something strikes her. "Are we missing a few ponies? Where did Ms. River and Mr. Light go?"

"They went off to track down some mare." Cassidy said, sounding rather uncaring about the subject, although she did have a eyebrow raised.

River Stone coughed before speaking up.

"They want to know where Ms. Shine went." the colt replied, sounding sympathetic.


Doc tilted his head to one side. "Hmm, a stable stablepony. Would not have guessed it from my interaction with her." His eyebrow raise a bit once he hears about why Greendream is working for Abbaas now. Doc sips his coffee.

"Oh? What is it you're looking to find out about your sis?"

Abbas took a small sip of his coffee before calmly replying.

"Sari has lost most of her support in Sunnyside; at the moment, the ponies there under my payroll are holding the area, and the Servants are gone. At the moment, she is holed up on a ship in Oakville. I do not believe she has a plan, and the Olives likely consider her a liability at the moment. At this point in time, I merely wish to know how she was acting when she arrived there."


Moonshadow gave Strata a small smile in reply. So did you learn anything from that?

Strata took a few moments to think the question over; meanwhile, the monocle gently wiggled in place.

"Well, it's not obviously enchanted to resist magic." Strata said, "And it doesn't seem to contain any inherent intelligence. And it's pretty solidly enchanted to have lasted this long. If I had to guess, this antique was made by some noble or another so they could tell whenever someone was trying to hide that they were going grey with magic or something else equally mundane."

[Inspector Valin]

"Ms. Shine?"

So some kind of diamond-pony? Choro's eyes linger longingly on the book before looking down at the colt. She probably should focus on this. She smiles at River Stone. "I haven't met her yet. What's she like?" If this Ms. Shine was enough to demand both Light and River pursue her she was probably important. Or trouble. Or both. It's the Wasteland, you can never quite tell.

[DigoDragon]

"Sari has lost most of her support in Sunnyside; at the moment, the ponies there under my payroll are holding the area, and the Servants are gone. At the moment, she is holed up on a ship in Oakville. I do not believe she has a plan, and the Olives likely consider her a liability at the moment. At this point in time, I merely wish to know how she was acting when she arrived there."

"Hmm, well she strolled into Oakville with those Olives like everything was fine. She seemed fairly upbeat and concerned for the residents. They brought several carts of food... and a bunch of armed ponies to 'protect the town'," Doc said with air quotes. "Course I'm sure it was all planned out. I reckon the leader of the Servants had my friends and I go there cause they knew we'd meddle with the problem of the town's... mayor, Special Snowflake, and of course soon as she was out of the picture nothing was in the way of the Olives walking in like they're the big heroes to save everyone from starvation."

"Though, why is she holed up in a ship? Did the Olives stab her in the back?"

[Dalinale]

"Ms. Shine?"

So some kind of diamond-pony? Choro's eyes linger longingly on the book before looking down at the colt. She probably should focus on this. She smiles at River Stone. "I haven't met her yet. What's she like?" If this Ms. Shine was enough to demand both Light and River pursue her she was probably important. Or trouble. Or both. It's the Wasteland, you can never quite tell.

River Stone perked up, and smiled broadly at Choro.

"Oh, she's nice and sort of short." the colt bluntly replied, "She owns a inn and most of the people who come to Oakville by boat stay there. She's Mr. Light's boss and she looked after my brother and sister and me for about a year after our parents died."


"Hmm, well she strolled into Oakville with those Olives like everything was fine. She seemed fairly upbeat and concerned for the residents. They brought several carts of food... and a bunch of armed ponies to 'protect the town'," Doc said with air quotes. "Course I'm sure it was all planned out. I reckon the leader of the Servants had my friends and I go there cause they knew we'd meddle with the problem of the town's... mayor, Special Snowflake, and of course soon as she was out of the picture nothing was in the way of the Olives walking in like they're the big heroes to save everyone from starvation."

"Though, why is she holed up in a ship? Did the Olives stab her in the back?"

Abbas dispassionately listened to Doc's report and follow-up question, but shook his head at the end of it, and sighed in a way that usually associated with disappointed older siblings.

"From my understanding, Sari and the Olives with her unloaded a great deal of supplies into Oakville and left early the next day. However, they were then attacked by griffons, and the caravan was destroyed, with few survivors, my sister among them. After a slow retreat back to Oakville, they were allowed back inside and were given a damaged boat to shelter in. That is when my spy among Sari's retinue 'perished bravely', and that is where my information ends." the stallion dryly replied, using a slim hoof to make air quotes as he spoke, "Accordingly, I have no idea about what might have happened within the last twenty-four hours, although the Olives likely have no line out of Oakville, given the snowfall."

[DigoDragon]

"From my understanding, Sari and the Olives with her unloaded a great deal of supplies into Oakville and left early the next day. However, they were then attacked by griffons, and the caravan was destroyed, with few survivors, my sister among them. After a slow retreat back to Oakville, they were allowed back inside and were given a damaged boat to shelter in. That is when my spy among Sari's retinue 'perished bravely', and that is where my information ends." the stallion dryly replied, using a slim hoof to make air quotes as he spoke, "Accordingly, I have no idea about what might have happened within the last twenty-four hours, although the Olives likely have no line out of Oakville, given the snowfall."

"The Olives didn't plan to stick around? Hmm, interesting," Doc said, curious as to why they wouldn't remain in the settlement. He remembered that Seaweed mentioned Livewire battling them. Now griffons on the roads? Geez, seems like he might have to make a trip back soon. Only medic in that town was Bay, and she's just a visitor currently on three legs. He hoped Mirror was alright and stayed out of the way. Though Sari might have asked her to return... ugh, Doc tried not to think about worst cases.

"So what is it you're looking to do at this point?" Doc asked him helpfully. "Need a doctor to make a house call? A team to extract your sister out of town?"

[Forum Explorer]

Strata took a few moments to think the question over; meanwhile, the monocle gently wiggled in place.

"Well, it's not obviously enchanted to resist magic." Strata said, "And it doesn't seem to contain any inherent intelligence. And it's pretty solidly enchanted to have lasted this long. If I had to guess, this antique was made by some noble or another so they could tell whenever someone was trying to hide that they were going grey with magic or something else equally mundane."

Or something like that. Moonshadow agreed, putting the monocle away. But back to the topic at hoof; Spirits haunting Doc, and if necromancy can be used to get them to go away.

[Inspector Valin]

Choro follows the little colt's words closely, trying to draw from them something to explain the current situation. This Ms. Shine was an innkeeper, travelling with the party, and Northern Light's employer. As well as some form of guardian for River Moss and her brothers. So this was likely a matter of worry. They would know the missing barpony: River and Light both seem too sensible to worry without due provocation.

This colt just told you that his parents were dead. Like it was nothing. Some part of Choro suddenly feels even colder. Something about this little pony's smiling face coupled with that casual mention of a tragedy.

Stupid Wasteland. Stupid, wretched, cursed Wasteland

The young unicorn coughs when Stone is done, matching his smile. "Ms. Shine sounds like a nice pony. I'll look forward to seeing her." Leaning back for a second, Choro proceeds to stare at her PipBuck, fiddling magically with the sparkly looking device. It's been a tiring few hours, but she's able to hammer out a swift message to transmit to Moonshadow's PipBuck. Just to be sure. River + Light looking for Shine. Left foals @ camp with sisters. Everything ok?

One quick press of the send button and a cleared screen later, Choro returns her attention to her companions. "I don't think we've been introduced properly. I'm Dichoro. Travelling wizard." She tips her hat, smiling at both the drinking pegasister and the little Earth Pony. The book hovers just behind her head: as if the newly cleaned hat and robes weren't quite enough of a clue.

[Dalinale]

"The Olives didn't plan to stick around? Hmm, interesting," Doc said, curious as to why they wouldn't remain in the settlement. He remembered that Seaweed mentioned Livewire battling them. Now griffons on the roads? Geez, seems like he might have to make a trip back soon. Only medic in that town was Bay, and she's just a visitor currently on three legs. He hoped Mirror was alright and stayed out of the way. Though Sari might have asked her to return... ugh, Doc tried not to think about worst cases.

"Not particularly." Abbas replied, sounding dour, "The social situation in Oakville is ambiguous at best and it has a rough reputation simply due to being a port. It would likely take a week in this weather for word of a disappeared caravan to reach the headquarters of the Olive family."


"So what is it you're looking to do at this point?" Doc asked him helpfully. "Need a doctor to make a house call? A team to extract your sister out of town?"

Abbas raised a eyebrow.

"I wouldn't imagine you have any fondness for my sister, or myself. What could bring you to rescue my errant sibling?" the horse asked, finishing his question with a long sip of coffee.


Or something like that. Moonshadow agreed, putting the monocle away. But back to the topic at hoof; Spirits haunting Doc, and if necromancy can be used to get them to go away.

Strata grimaced.

"Probably not. You could try, but some sort of purifying magic would work better. Trying to get rid of a evil spirit with necromancy would be like trying to break a machine with a toolkit that may or may not have anything useful in it, because you're going at it without knowing what the machine is or what it looks like. Going at it with some sort of 'positive' magic would be more like trying to break a machine with a sledgehammer. When it comes to a type of magic like necromancy, trying to dispel it with something that negates it entirely would be the best option."



The young unicorn coughs when Stone is done, matching his smile. "Ms. Shine sounds like a nice pony. I'll look forward to seeing her." Leaning back for a second, Choro proceeds to stare at her PipBuck, fiddling magically with the sparkly looking device. It's been a tiring few hours, but she's able to hammer out a swift message to transmit to Moonshadow's PipBuck. Just to be sure. River + Light looking for Shine. Left foals @ camp with sisters. Everything ok?

One quick press of the send button and a cleared screen later, Choro returns her attention to her companions. "I don't think we've been introduced properly. I'm Dichoro. Travelling wizard." She tips her hat, smiling at both the drinking pegasister and the little Earth Pony. The book hovers just behind her head: as if the newly cleaned hat and robes weren't quite enough of a clue.

"I'm River Stone!" the colt cheerfully replied, apparently in awe at Choro's getup, "I saw you do those fireworks earlier. That was awesome!"

[DigoDragon]

"Not particularly." Abbas replied, sounding dour, "The social situation in Oakville is ambiguous at best and it has a rough reputation simply due to being a port. It would likely take a week in this weather for word of a disappeared caravan to reach the headquarters of the Olive family."

Doc nodded as he sipped his coffee. Interesting, so the Olives didn't lead this... Sari then? Hmm, guess she's not just another neighborly face. From what he overheard, the Olives would of set up their own provisional town mayor and kept control, but this was not following the rumor he had heard.



"I wouldn't imagine you have any fondness for my sister, or myself. What could bring you to rescue my errant sibling?" the horse asked, finishing his question with a long sip of coffee.

"Maybe I'm just a nice stallion," Doc said behind his mug with a casual posture. "I have nothing against you. You were a gracious host if nothing else at the party despite what your sister had me believe. I am planning to return to Oakville after a short side trip to reunite with a friend of mine. If you want your sister rescued while I'm there, I can look into it, but if that's not part of the reason you're here, that's fine too. Just thought to offer."

[Inspector Valin]

Admiration! Confirmation! Respect! From a small colt, but still. Choro could almost feel herself swelling at that grin, and she does her best to act calm as she nods back to Stone. "Thank you. It was fun to put on a show. I used to do that back home in the Stable."

She holds up her PipBuck to River Stone, more out of habit than an actual need for demonstration. It was navy blue, and had small star patterns all across it. Custom painted. Choro sighs pleasently, looking up at the haze that should be the night-time sky.."I've been working on that spell for a while. Next time I try it, the fireworks should feel even better. The heat, the wind, that little flicker in the air as they zoom upwards. It takes practice to get it all just right, but I think I'm almost there."

[Dalinale]

"Maybe I'm just a nice stallion," Doc said behind his mug with a casual posture. "I have nothing against you. You were a gracious host if nothing else at the party despite what your sister had me believe. I am planning to return to Oakville after a short side trip to reunite with a friend of mine. If you want your sister rescued while I'm there, I can look into it, but if that's not part of the reason you're here, that's fine too. Just thought to offer."

Abbas did not have a immediate reaction to Doc's response, and appeared to be studying him for a few moments before he replied.

"If your group would rescue my sister, that would be a great boon for me." Abbas replied, "Of course, that would likely involve a conflict with the Olives. Would you have any issues with killing several members of the Olive family, if necessary?"


Admiration! Confirmation! Respect! From a small colt, but still. Choro could almost feel herself swelling at that grin, and she does her best to act calm as she nods back to Stone. "Thank you. It was fun to put on a show. I used to do that back home in the Stable."


The colt's eyes went wide.

"Ooh, that's why your dressed all funny." the colt replied, giving Choro a extra-large smile, "I'v never met a Stable pony before! There's a wizard in Oakville, but she isn't a Stable pony, but you're both! That's cool."

Meanwhile, Cassidy raised a eyebrow, but finished her beer and placed it in the small pile next to her. She then produced another bottle from somewhere under her sister's head and opened it with a easy twist of a hoof.


She holds up her PipBuck to River Stone, more out of habit than an actual need for demonstration. It was navy blue, and had small star patterns all across it. Custom painted. Choro sighs pleasently, looking up at the haze that should be the night-time sky.."I've been working on that spell for a while. Next time I try it, the fireworks should feel even better. The heat, the wind, that little flicker in the air as they zoom upwards. It takes practice to get it all just right, but I think I'm almost there."

The colt briefly bit his upper lip before replying, in a manner that was really quite odd.

"So, can you do it for real?" the colt asked, his eyes growing wide.

[DigoDragon]

Abbas did not have a immediate reaction to Doc's response, and appeared to be studying him for a few moments before he replied.

"If your group would rescue my sister, that would be a great boon for me." Abbas replied, "Of course, that would likely involve a conflict with the Olives. Would you have any issues with killing several members of the Olive family, if necessary?"

"First time I met an Olive, she was high off drugs and tried to kill me," Doc related to the horse. "So, she's now dead, and I figure my rep with the Olives is just as bad off. I'll try and reason with them first, but if they aren't in the mood to talk, then I won't have a problem using force to get Sari freed."

[Forum Explorer]

Strata grimaced.

"Probably not. You could try, but some sort of purifying magic would work better. Trying to get rid of a evil spirit with necromancy would be like trying to break a machine with a toolkit that may or may not have anything useful in it, because you're going at it without knowing what the machine is or what it looks like. Going at it with some sort of 'positive' magic would be more like trying to break a machine with a sledgehammer. When it comes to a type of magic like necromancy, trying to dispel it with something that negates it entirely would be the best option."


Well I may as well try stabbing the thing with Virida's sword if it comes back. As for 'positive magic', what do you mean by that? Is that something Choro could cast, or is it more like the Fires of Friendship? Moonshadow asked.

[Inspector Valin]

The colt's eyes went wide.

"Ooh, that's why your dressed all funny." the colt replied, giving Choro a extra-large smile, "I've never met a Stable pony before! There's a wizard in Oakville, but she isn't a Stable pony, but you're both! That's cool."

Even that smile can't quite stop the faint wound in Choro's heart at that description of her robes. She may just hear the words 'dressed all funny' when she's sleeping in the grave. Still, she manges a chortle. It's hard to feel negative around River Stone. She tugs on her hat, looking up at it before grinning back at the colt, "So, how does your town's wizard dress? Does she wear... a muffler? A long red coat? A hat made out of bees?"


Meanwhile, Cassidy raised a eyebrow, but finished her beer and placed it in the small pile next to her. She then produced another bottle from somewhere under her sister's head and opened it with a easy twist of a hoof.

Choro raises an eyebrow but doesn't comment, just smiling across at the pegasus. Where do ponies find all this alcohol? Was there a liquor store somewhere in this hospital?


The colt briefly bit his upper lip before replying, in a manner that was really quite odd.

"So, can you do it for real?" the colt asked, his eyes growing wide.

Choro tilts her head sideways, studying Stone curiously, "Do what? You've seen me do magic. Do you mean make real fireworks?"

[Dalinale]

"First time I met an Olive, she was high off drugs and tried to kill me," Doc related to the horse. "So, she's now dead, and I figure my rep with the Olives is just as bad off. I'll try and reason with them first, but if they aren't in the mood to talk, then I won't have a problem using force to get Sari freed."

Abbas seemingly finished his cup of coffee as Doc continued to speak, but the horse continued to drink more then what was seemingly possible, given the size of the cup in question. Actually, Doc's own cup didn't seem any less empty then a few minutes ago, when he woke up.

"I will take that is a yes." the horse replied, before standing up and glancing into the hazy scene of commerce nearby, "Would you follow me, then?"


Well I may as well try stabbing the thing with Virida's sword if it comes back. As for 'positive magic', what do you mean by that? Is that something Choro could cast, or is it more like the Fires of Friendship? Moonshadow asked.

"Well, I don't want to call it 'good' magic, but I guess some might think of it that way." Strata replied, briefly looking worried before continuing, "But yeah, the Fires of Friendship and the Elements of Harmony and stuff like that would work, and so would anything that could be considered 'pure' on a metaphysical level. There's not much in Equestria that would fit that category besides some other magic items, but it's a lot more common among groups that have belief systems involving active protective entities. Honestly, before we jump to any conclusions about Doc being haunted or anything, I'd prefer to see if Choro can't try and fool whatever enchantment is powering the monocle."


Even that smile can't quite stop the faint wound in Choro's heart at that description of her robes. She may just hear the words 'dressed all funny' when she's sleeping in the grave. Still, she manges a chortle. It's hard to feel negative around River Stone. She tugs on her hat, looking up at it before grinning back at the colt, "So, how does your town's wizard dress? Does she wear... a muffler? A long red coat? A hat made out of bees?"

River Stone blinked, and his eyes briefly wandered elsewhere before focusing back to Choro.

"She normally doesn't wear clothes." he finally replied, sounding slightly confused, "But her marefriend usually wears clothes all the time, so it sort of evens out."


Choro tilts her head sideways, studying Stone curiously, "Do what? You've seen me do magic. Do you mean make real fireworks?"

River Stone eagerly nodded his head, and smiled broadly.

"Yeah, can you do it?"

[Inspector Valin]

River Stone blinked, and his eyes briefly wandered elsewhere before focusing back to Choro.

"She normally doesn't wear clothes." he finally replied, sounding slightly confused, "But her marefriend usually wears clothes all the time, so it sort of evens out."

Choro nods sagely, understanding a little better now. She smiles, "Well, that's fine. Personally though, I think a wizard should always wear a pointy hat. Otherwise, how do you know they're a wizard?"


River Stone eagerly nodded his head, and smiled broadly.

"Yeah, can you do it?"

Ah Now it makes sense. Choro takes a second, considering how best to phrase this. "In theory, yes. I studied under Overmare Glass, and a part of that was party preparation. It covered cakes, songs and all the classic parts of an Equestrian celebration. The trouble was that we didn't really have the supplies to make fireworks in the Stable. Being underground and everything; it wouldn't have been safe to fire one. Somepony could get hurt."

It wasn't fun. Choro remembered, a little glumly, just watching videos of a famous firework display as a filly. She'd tried to build up her illusionary version as best she could, but she couldn't be everywhere, or duplicate everything. She sits in silence for a little while before a thought comes to her. Grinning at the colt, Choro pulls a small white and chrome pistol from her pack, complete with a shiny 54 logo on the grip, barrel facing down. "I keep this though. It's a flare: a sort of emergency firework gun. It's for signalling if I ever get in trouble." Looking up at the green tinted sky, Choro sighs pleasantly. "They're also good for shooting at monsters."

Hedged a little here, because I'm not sure if Choro could craft it or not? Demolitions is a separate skill IIRC, but that's for bombs, and Flares (the closest analogy to fireworks) fall under magical energy, which IIRC is usually crafted through Science... but the rules conflict: the ammo rules say you need a perk to craft ammo, whereas that perk itself, Vigilant Recycler, just says 'this makes you more efficient at crafting ammo'. I'm a little confused.

[DigoDragon]

Abbas seemingly finished his cup of coffee as Doc continued to speak, but the horse continued to drink more then what was seemingly possible, given the size of the cup in question. Actually, Doc's own cup didn't seem any less empty then a few minutes ago, when he woke up.

"I will take that is a yes." the horse replied, before standing up and glancing into the hazy scene of commerce nearby, "Would you follow me, then?"

"Alright. Where are we going?" Doc asked as he got up to follow Abbas.

[Forum Explorer]

That would be worth trying, but I don't want to tire Choro out. We're headed into a very dangerous place, and she might need every drop of magic she can muster up. Moonshadow pointed out.

On that note, Doctor, how much time is Doc going to need to recovery? Every minute could mean someponies life. she asked Dr. Stitchheart.

[RCgothic]

Shade smiled geniality, and nodded.

"Well, forgive me for intruding, but may I ask on how Andante is doing?" she asked, sounding polite.

"Well enough," Stellar replies. "For a pony not fond of cold travelling in a blizzard. She and Northern Light accompanied us on to Toronto General once it became clear there was nothing for us in Cabbagetown." Stellar finishes her second glass of punch and places it on the table. She waits patiently for Shade to get to the point.

[Dalinale]

Choro nods sagely, understanding a little better now. She smiles, "Well, that's fine. Personally though, I think a wizard should always wear a pointy hat. Otherwise, how do you know they're a wizard?"

"They do magic." the colt replied, as if it was obvious.


Ah Now it makes sense. Choro takes a second, considering how best to phrase this. "In theory, yes. I studied under Overmare Glass, and a part of that was party preparation. It covered cakes, songs and all the classic parts of an Equestrian celebration. The trouble was that we didn't really have the supplies to make fireworks in the Stable. Being underground and everything; it wouldn't have been safe to fire one. Somepony could get hurt."

The colt blinked again. Choro would've noticed that Cassidy, while silent, had a eyebrow raised.


It wasn't fun. Choro remembered, a little glumly, just watching videos of a famous firework display as a filly. She'd tried to build up her illusionary version as best she could, but she couldn't be everywhere, or duplicate everything. She sits in silence for a little while before a thought comes to her. Grinning at the colt, Choro pulls a small white and chrome pistol from her pack, complete with a shiny 54 logo on the grip, barrel facing down. "I keep this though. It's a flare: a sort of emergency firework gun. It's for signalling if I ever get in trouble." Looking up at the green tinted sky, Choro sighs pleasantly. "They're also good for shooting at monsters."

The colt seemed slightly disappointed, but still leaned towards the pistol, possibly to judge it's monster-shooting capabilities. After a few moments, the colt's brows furled.

"Stables are underground, right? I didn't think the ceilings were that high. Why would ponies down there need them?" he mumbled, before looking up at Choro, obviously confused.


Hedged a little here, because I'm not sure if Choro could craft it or not? Demolitions is a separate skill IIRC, but that's for bombs, and Flares (the closest analogy to fireworks) fall under magical energy, which IIRC is usually crafted through Science... but the rules conflict: the ammo rules say you need a perk to craft ammo, whereas that perk itself, Vigilant Recycler, just says 'this makes you more efficient at crafting ammo'. I'm a little confused.

[Ammo Crafter and Vigilant Recycler are different versions of each other; one working with normal ammo, and the other with magical energy ammo.]


"Alright. Where are we going?" Doc asked as he got up to follow Abbaas.

As Doc stepped forward, the hazy scene around him dissipated like it was merely a mist. Doc found himself standing on a flat, lightly illuminated plain, and stepping forward left him with a rather diminished sense of direction entirely.

"A visual representation of my long-term plans." he replied, sounding slightly amused.


That would be worth trying, but I don't want to tire Choro out. We're headed into a very dangerous place, and she might need every drop of magic she can muster up. Moonshadow pointed out.

Strata nodded.

"Yeah, I think I'll stick around here if you're going off somewhere that you know for sure is dangerous. Also, I'd imagine that she wouldn't be participating, right?"


On that note, Doctor, how much time is Doc going to need to recovery? Every minute could mean someponies life. she asked Dr. Stitchheart.

Stitchheart paused in her typing, and silently turned towards Moonshadow.

"Preferably, a night's rest." the doctor pony replied, sounding slightly haggard.


"Well enough," Stellar replies. "For a pony not fond of cold travelling in a blizzard. She and Northern Light accompanied us on to Toronto General once it became clear there was nothing for us in Cabbagetown." Stellar finishes her second glass of punch and places it on the table. She waits patiently for Shade to get to the point.

Shade gave Stellar a gentle smile, and nodded once before replying.

"Well, I was simply wondering if I give you something." Shade replied, tone pleasant, "If the blink dog can serve as a means of reliable transportation, of course."

Shade, promptly, plucked two small objects from the back part of her mane; they appeared to be two small bluish-grey gemstones, entirely mundane.

"Andante forgot these." Shade said, sounding apologetic. "While I imagine that she intends on returning when she can, they are family heirlooms of hers and I would imagine that she would feel better keeping them on her person."

[Inspector Valin]

The colt seemed slightly disappointed, but still leaned towards the pistol, possibly to judge it's monster-shooting capabilities. After a few moments, the colt's brows furled.

"Stables are underground, right? I didn't think the ceilings were that high. Why would ponies down there need them?" he mumbled, before looking up at Choro, obviously confused.

"Well, we're not planning to stay down there forever!" Choro laughs, more for her own benefit than River Stone's. This struck a nerve. She's tense now. But looking at the colt... You're an ambassador of your Stable. Try and explain it to him. The wizard takes a breath, marshalling her thoughts before starting to talk again, "One day, everyone in the Stables will come up and start helping you. We're not supposed to stay underground forever. We'll build new towns, help with farming, work with you to rebuild Equestria."

A different tone works into the unicorn's voice as she speaks. A kind of fervour, or certainty. This matters to her. Choro's eyes drift towards the CNT, looming on the skyline, and she chuckles darkly, "There's some argument about when we should do that. But most of us agree we have to do it at some point."


[Ammo Crafter and Vigilant Recycler are different versions of each other; one working with normal ammo, and the other with magical energy ammo.]

*nods* That's... not quite an answer though. Both perks imply that you can craft ammo without them, is that correct? (they just help you conserve ammo and make you better at crafting)

[DigoDragon]

As Doc stepped forward, the hazy scene around him dissipated like it was merely a mist. Doc found himself standing on a flat, lightly illuminated plain, and stepping forward left him with a rather diminished sense of direction entirely.

"A visual representation of my long-term plans." he replied, sounding slightly amused.

"Charming," Doc said, looking around at the whole lot of flat nothing. He waited to see if Abbas had a point to make out here.

[RCgothic]

Shade gave Stellar a gentle smile, and nodded once before replying.

"Well, I was simply wondering if I give you something." Shade replied, tone pleasant, "If the blink dog can serve as a means of reliable transportation, of course."

Shade, promptly, plucked two small objects from the back part of her mane; they appeared to be two small bluish-grey gemstones, entirely mundane.

"Andante forgot these." Shade said, sounding apologetic. "While I imagine that she intends on returning when she can, they are family heirlooms of hers and I would imagine that she would feel better keeping them on her person."

"That sounds like a reasonable enough request," Stellar agrees, holding out a hoof for the gemstones. "Even if Captain Jack can't take me back himself, I am a pegasus. It won't take me long to make my way back to Toronto General by myself if necessary."

[Forum Explorer]

Strata nodded.

"Yeah, I think I'll stick around here if you're going off somewhere that you know for sure is dangerous. Also, I'd imagine that she wouldn't be participating, right?"



Stitchheart paused in her typing, and silently turned towards Moonshadow.

"Preferably, a night's rest." the doctor pony replied, sounding slightly haggard.


Good idea.


Does it have to be in a place like this? We can set up a bed he can rest in while we fly toward the factory.

[Dalinale]

"Well, we're not planning to stay down there forever!" Choro laughs, more for her own benefit than River Stone's. This struck a nerve. She's tense now. But looking at the colt... You're an ambassador of your Stable. Try and explain it to him. The wizard takes a breath, marshalling her thoughts before starting to talk again, "One day, everyone in the Stables will come up and start helping you. We're not supposed to stay underground forever. We'll build new towns, help with farming, work with you to rebuild Equestria."

A different tone works into the unicorn's voice as she speaks. A kind of fervour, or certainty. This matters to her. Choro's eyes drift towards the CNT, looming on the skyline, and she chuckles darkly, "There's some argument about when we should do that. But most of us agree we have to do it at some point."


The colt continued to seem confused.

"Uh..." he replied, eyes wide, "Why?"




*nods* That's... not quite an answer though. Both perks imply that you can craft ammo without them, is that correct? (they just help you conserve ammo and make you better at crafting)

[Crafting ammunition requires the proper ingredients (such as bullet casings), a workbench, and a successful Mechanic's check. The two perks that effect ammo crafting allows one to make most types of ammunition. The rules on the Ammo List page regarding crafted ammo specifies that they apply to those listed with the *crafted* price, as they are not normally available for purchase (or are simply very rare).]


"Charming," Doc said, looking around at the whole lot of flat nothing. He waited to see if Abbaas had a point to make out here.

Doc suddenly found himself standing in a large auster room that consisted of white marble flooring and a large low-lying table made of the same material as the floor. All the walls he could see were seemingly made of glass; Doc would immediately recognize that he was looking at an expanse of tall pillars of light that jutted out a of a sea of fog. It would take some time for his eye to adjust before he would have realized that he was looking at a skyline; the pillars of light were massive skyscrapers of a make not unlike those of Manehattan, but were more sparsely placed. The night sky was closer to purple then black and Doc could not see a single star.

The table in the center of the room had a few odd objects on it; one was a simple portable terminal, although it looked pristine. Another was what appeared to be some sort of recollector, although one that was connected to a small oval machine by a thick plastic cord. The last object consisted of a large glass case that seemed to contain dozens upon dozens of small square plastic sticks, some bearing tiny Ministry symbols while some having tiny flags or more obscure markings dotting the wide side of them.

Abbas was silent, and seemed to be interested in Doc's reaction as he looked out the window.


"That sounds like a reasonable enough request," Stellar agrees, holding out a hoof for the gemstones. "Even if Captain Jack can't take me back himself, I am a pegasus. It won't take me long to make my way back to Toronto General by myself if necessary."

Shade dropped the gems into Stellar's hoof. They felt like little chips of ice more than anything else; very light, but rather cold.

Stellar saw that Glorious Dawn seemed to visibly disagree with the idea of flying from Oakville in the way of looking worried; Nightcore, by contrast, just seemed interested in the sight of the gemstones. Neither spoke before Shade did, however. The priestess, as apposed to worried, just seemed slightly surprised by Stellar's remark.

"I would imagine teleportation would be more forgiving, given that you appear to have just come out of surgery, and even moreso if you are intending to exert yourself very soon. Nightcore, couldn't you send her off towards Tauronto General, if you had to?"

The unicorn blinked when her name was spoken, and scratched the back of her head as she considered the prospect.

"Well, yeah, I guess." she admitted, "I wouldn't have the juice left to teleport back here, though."

The unicorn blinked once, and turned towards Stellar. "Do you guys need anything? Supplies wise, I mean."



Does it have to be in a place like this? We can set up a bed he can rest in while we fly toward the factory.

Stitchheart did not seem thrilled by the concept, but she wearily nodded.

"If he insists, I suppose I could lend him my sleeping mask." she replied, nodding once before going back to carving out Doc's left eye with what appeared to be a collection of tiny lasers and few plastic wiggly bits.

[Forum Explorer]

Stitchheart did not seem thrilled by the concept, but she wearily nodded.

"If he insists, I suppose I could lend him my sleeping mask." she replied, nodding once before going back to carving out Doc's left eye with what appeared to be a collection of tiny lasers and few plastic wiggly bits.

We'll leave it up to him, Moonshadow suggested, feeling confident on what Doc's decision would be.

[Inspector Valin]

The colt continued to seem confused.

"Uh..." he replied, eyes wide, "Why?"

"Erm..." Now it's Choro who looks confused. She studies River Stone perplexedly, trying to smile through the uncertainty. "Well, why would we want to live down there forever? Just to be safe?"

That probably was what he meant, wasn't it? And the colt wasn't too far off with the thought. Choro almost face-hoofed. The young Unicorn takes a breath before continuing, a little calmer now. "That's enough for some ponies, but it wasn't why the Stables were built. We didn't want to leave the surface. We were just supposed to stay in them until it was safe to come out and start fixing things." A little twinkle comes into Choro's eye. She gestures to the surrounding rubble and grimy ruins. "Imagine if we were actually able to fully rebuild this city. If we could negotiate with the pegasi up in the clouds to get the sky to clear. With time and hard work, Equestria could return to the way it was. We could at least make things better. Help clear radiation, work on restoring the soil."

[DigoDragon]

Doc suddenly found himself standing in a large auster room that consisted of white marble flooring and a large low-lying table made of the same material as the floor. All the walls he could see were seemingly made of glass; Doc would immediately recognize that he was looking at an expanse of tall pillars of light that jutted out a of a sea of fog. It would take some time for his eye to adjust before he would have realized that he was looking at a skyline; the pillars of light were massive skyscrapers of a make not unlike those of Manehattan, but were more sparsely placed. The night sky was closer to purple then black and Doc could not see a single star.

The table in the center of the room had a few odd objects on it; one was a simple portable terminal, although it looked pristine. Another was what appeared to be some sort of recollector, although one that was connected to a small oval machine by a thick plastic cord. The last object consisted of a large glass case that seemed to contain dozens upon dozens of small square plastic sticks, some bearing tiny Ministry symbols while some having tiny flags or more obscure markings dotting the wide side of them.

Abbas was silent, and seemed to be interested in Doc's reaction as he looked out the window.

Doc looked around the room, curious what this place represented in Abbaas' mind. ...or wherever they were now. He first walked over to the portable terminal and attempted to turn it on. "Is this a place you keep your ideas?" he asked.

[Dalinale]

We'll leave it up to him, Moonshadow suggested, feeling confident on what Doc's decision would be.

Stitchheart shrugged, and went back to her work in carving up Doc's face.

Strata stared at the surgery in progress; she didn't seem sickened, just fascinated. Bertly was also clearly interested as much as a robot possibly could have been; alternativly; the movements he was making with his eyestalks was some sort of robot mating dance and he was attempting to get the surgical pod to respond. Fan Knife, who was also currently standing next to Viridia, also seemed more or less interested at the sight of the stallion's eyeball getting plucked out and the tiny drills that were currently entering the nape of his neck.


"Erm..." Now it's Choro who looks confused. She studies River Stone perplexedly, trying to smile through the uncertainty. "Well, why would we want to live down there forever? Just to be safe?"

That probably was what he meant, wasn't it? And the colt wasn't too far off with the thought. Choro almost face-hoofed. The young Unicorn takes a breath before continuing, a little calmer now. "That's enough for some ponies, but it wasn't why the Stables were built. We didn't want to leave the surface. We were just supposed to stay in them until it was safe to come out and start fixing things." A little twinkle comes into Choro's eye. She gestures to the surrounding rubble and grimy ruins. "Imagine if we were actually able to fully rebuild this city. If we could negotiate with the pegasi up in the clouds to get the sky to clear. With time and hard work, Equestria could return to the way it was. We could at least make things better. Help clear radiation, work on restoring the soil."

"The Enclave will never help anyone who isn't a Enclave-born pegasus." Cassidy spoke up, "They have a healthcare system and a movie industry. They stay up there and don't give a sh*t about what's down here, because everyone down here could die and it wouldn't hurt a single pony up there. They'd try and bomb out every single thing on the planet that offends them, but they'd run out of bombs. Why wouldn't Stables be the same way, if they had giant warships instead of being stuck in the ground behind a giant steel door?"

The pegasus then took another sip of her Unnatural Ice™ branded beer, and looked at Choro with her eyebrows raised. River Stone didn't reply, shutting up when the Enclave was mentioned and looking at the burly pegasus with wide eyes.


Doc looked around the room, curious what this place represented in Abbaas' mind. ...or wherever they were now. He first walked over to the portable terminal and attempted to turn it on. "Is this a place you keep your ideas?" he asked.

"No. That is." Abbas replied, motioning towards the cityscape in front of Doc, before turning towards the table and stepping up near the terminal.

The terminal, although it turned on, did so slowly and only displayed a screen bearing the six Ministry logos in bright colors. Abbas looked at the screen in amusement, and then trotted over towards the glass case and opened it. It immediately became clear to Doc, as the case folded outward, that it had dozens upon dozens of compartments, somewhat akin to a massively complex jewelry case. The individual drawers were marked with symbols akin to the ones on the plastic sticks, but more apparent; one had what looked like a griffon's head in profile, and another had what appeared to be a globe. Abbas opened the one with the globe, and it became clear that there were hundreds of the tiny plastic objects present within it. Abbas then turned towards Doc; the horse's expression became one of bemusement.

"If you could put that on." he said, pointing to the funny recollector-thing that lying on the table, "It would make demonstrating the concept easier then a verbal explanation would."

[DigoDragon]

"No. That is." Abbas replied, motioning towards the cityscape in front of Doc, before turning towards the table and stepping up near the terminal.

"Looking to rebuild this city?" Doc asked casually. He took another look outside. In a way, his own ideas had similar results.



"If you could put that on." he said, pointing to the funny recollector-thing that lying on the table, "It would make demonstrating the concept easier then a verbal explanation would."

The doctor broke away from watching the city skyline and trotted over to the Recollector thing. He puts it on, awaiting what instruction Abbaas had next. Maybe to remember the last time he saw Sari?

[Inspector Valin]

"The Enclave will never help anyone who isn't a Enclave-born pegasus." Cassidy spoke up, "They have a healthcare system and a movie industry. They stay up there and don't give a sh*t about what's down here, because everyone down here could die and it wouldn't hurt a single pony up there. Why wouldn't Stables be the same way? "

The pegasus then took another sip of her Unnatural Ice™ branded beer, and looked at Choro with her eyebrows raised. River Stone didn't reply, shutting up when the Enclave was mentioned and looking at the burly pegasus with wide eyes.

If Choro had been a pegasus, that would've ruffled her feathers. It was an accurate comment; a lot of ponies in the Stable don't care anymore. Not through... hate, just because they didn't really think everything through. Cassidy's question smarts, but... the Stables were better than that, dang it! And thus with a breath, the young Unicorn smiles across the tire fire, "Different founding principles."

Choro takes a breath before beginning her case, "The Enclave exists as a successor nation. Abandoning Equestria and the rest of us is why they exist to start with. The Stables were made to help rebuild Equestria. We did that by protecting ourselves, our books and technical knowledge, but it was always supposed to be temporary. If they believed the surface world was safe, it should be the duty of any self-respecting Overmare to open the doors and lead her ponies out."

[Dalinale]

"Looking to rebuild this city?" Doc asked casually. He took another look outside. In a way, his own ideas had similar results.

Abbas gave Doc a curious look, as if he was surprised by the question.

"This city in particular has never existed." Abbas replied, shaking his head, "But, Tauronto would be a good start."


The doctor broke away from watching the city skyline and trotted over to the Recollector thing. He puts it on, awaiting what instruction Abbaas had next. Maybe to remember the last time he saw Sari?

The recollector was like a crown made of wire and tubing and the occasional shiny glass bit. It was nearly weightless.

Abbas watched as Doc put it on, and then took one of the tiny sticks and stuck it in the little oval thingy that was connected to the recollector. The horse then mumbled something that, to Doc's ears, sounded like phlegmy gibberish. However, he did understand what the horse was saying, which was-

"The device is not a language learning tool, but a general learning device. It is called a Memory Receiver." the horse said, before motioning towards the case, "Each of those memory sticks contain an encyclopedia's worth of information on a given subject, which can instantly be transferred to the minds of any individual with a functioning brainstem. Such knowledge includes information on seventy major pre-war countries, one hundred and twenty languages, advanced chemistry, practical survival skills, and, of course, the ability to duplicate the memory sticks and Receiver itself."


If Choro had been a pegasus, that would've ruffled her feathers. It was an accurate comment; a lot of ponies in the Stable don't care anymore. Not through... hate, just because they didn't really think everything through. Cassidy's question smarts, but... the Stables were better than that, dang it! And thus with a breath, the young Unicorn smiles across the tire fire, "Different founding principles."

Choro takes a breath before beginning her case, "The Enclave exists as a successor nation. Abandoning Equestria and the rest of us is why they exist to start with. The Stables were made to help rebuild Equestria. We did that by protecting ourselves, our books and technical knowledge, but it was always supposed to be temporary. If they believed the surface world was safe, it should be the duty of any self-respecting Overmare to open the doors and lead her ponies out."

Cassidy took another sip of her drink before she replied.

"If the Enclave believed that the surface was safe, then they'd probably start settling down here too. They already shoot up griffon surface settlements and dragon nests when they spot'em, and they have observation posts all over the place. They're probably running on the idea that what they're doing is temporary, too. At one point, everyone down here will probably starve to death and the radiation will go away, and then the army would give the all clear and start setting up farms and stuff."

Cassidy paused, and Choro would've noticed that her tone turned slightly more gentle.

"Choro, the sort of ponies who had the Stables built would've went to the same parties as the ones who made the Enclave. Heck, Scootaloo could've run both Stable Tec and the G.P.D conspiracy by talking to the exact same pegusi, most of the time."

[DigoDragon]

Abbas gave Doc a curious look, as if he was surprised by the question.
"This city in particular has never existed." Abbas replied, shaking his head, "But, Tauronto would be a good start."

Doc's thoughts trailed off as he put the recollector on. "Hmm, yeah. A good start to rebuild the medical infrastructure... delivering care to all..."



"The device is not a language learning tool, but a general learning device. It is called a Memory Receiver." the horse said, before motioning towards the case, "Each of those memory sticks contain an encyclopedia's worth of information on a given subject, which can instantly be transferred to the minds of any individual with a functioning brainstem. Such knowledge includes information on seventy major pre-war countries, one hundred and twenty languages, advanced chemistry, practical survival skills, and, of course, the ability to duplicate the memory sticks and Receiver itself."

"That is... really fascinating!" Doc said excitedly as he sat back comfortably. "So professor, what's tonight's lesson?"

[Forum Explorer]

Stitchheart shrugged, and went back to her work in carving up Doc's face.

Strata stared at the surgery in progress; she didn't seem sickened, just fascinated. Bertly was also clearly interested as much as a robot possibly could have been; alternativly; the movements he was making with his eyestalks was some sort of robot mating dance and he was attempting to get the surgical pod to respond. Fan Knife, who was also currently standing next to Viridia, also seemed more or less interested at the sight of the stallion's eyeball getting plucked out and the tiny drills that were currently entering the nape of his neck.


You know, I really didn't expect surgery to become a spectator sport. Moonshadow said, glancing around. Oh hey Fan Knife! When did you get here?

[Dalinale]

"That is... really fascinating!" Doc said excitedly as he sat back comfortably. "So professor, what's tonight's lesson?"

Abbas took out the memory stick that was in the interface oval, and swapped it with a white one with a gold band wrapped around it.

Doc, rather swiftly, suddenly knew several facts about the Receiver after a brief moment where his mane felt itchy; it was like having a book crammed into his head, and the experience was disorienting in the way that moderate dosages of dissociatives were.

- The main core of the memory transfer technology was developed by two separate parties; the Ministry of Arcane Science and Stable Tec. Arcane Science simply never got around to pursuing memory technology as a learning tool, while Stable Tec presumably used the technology in several Stables, but not to any widespread degree. From Abbas's own information, he believed that the Ministry of Peace had a inferior equivalent, but it was never put into mass production.

- The Receiver as Doc was saw it was actually created by Saddle Arabia, in that Saddle Arabia bought the blueprints from dissatisfied Ministry of Arcane Science employees and assembled it at home, using imported griffon and pony scientists to finish it. The Saddle government threw a rather ludicrous sum of money at the project as both a means to gain worldwide recognition by the countries that were not Equestria and the Zebra Empire and to prepare the country for a transition to a post-war economy where they could turn several hundred thousand horses who were receiving oil money checks and doing little else into productive members of society, after they kicked out the foreigners who were running the important aspects of the Saddle family business, which was running the country and several other client states.

- The Memory Receiver could be described one of the great projects undertaken by a group of governments that were not directly involved in the Equestria-Zebra war, but was only completed in the waning years of the war. The project was mostly powered by optimism; however, with the proper resources, Abbas personally believes that a working copy of it, having the details of creating many valuable objects and substances, could hold the keys to rebuilding much of the world.

- The Saddle government intended to take the place of whatever government, pony or zebra, lost the war; in fact, they were hedging their bets that both would lose and that they could become the world superpower. With a combination of unlimited information access and unlimited resources, the Saddle master plan was, in essence, to dominate world politics until magic-tech was advanced enough to allow to a complete conversion to a post-scarcity civilization, in which only they would have the ability to distribute the techology which would allow for the creation of unlimited food, drink, and energy.

- Abbas only knew of the existence of the device due to his great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great grandfather having bought his way into Equestria by smuggling one of the few final versions created with a full memory library into the hands of the Equestrian government.

That was when the flow of information ended, and Abbas coughed the moment when the surge of data into Doc's head ceased. The look of his face was one of interest in Doc's reaction.


You know, I really didn't expect surgery to become a spectator sport. Moonshadow said, glancing around. Oh hey Fan Knife! When did you get here?

"Five minutes ago." said the ghoul, before glancing at Tenaculum's corpse and then at Bertly.

The robot did not seem to acknowledge the filly's presence. Fan Knife stared at the back of the robot's body for a few moments before focusing her attention at Moonshadow. Moonshadow would've also have noticed that Strata was staring at the ghoul filly like she was a ghost and that Stitchheart was currently focused on being a doctor.

"I couldn't find anything, except for a raccoon. But I killed it, so no issues there." Fan Knife continued, looking back at corpse. "So, uh, sis, did you-"

"No, Naifu, the nurse stallion and the unicorn filly did." Stitchheart replied, turning towards the ponies in the room; her face was in a rigid look of concentration and her eyes, while bloodshot and , were streaked with lines of black instead of red. "If you could, please assist the two pegusi and the unicorn in tracking down some environmental protection suits."

Fan Knife, seemingly startled at being interrupted and then looking more alarmed by several incremental degrees as her sister spoke, just nodded, and looked up at Moonshadow and Viridia. She look on her face went from seeming surprised to diplomatic, and she motioned towards the door.

[Forum Explorer]

"Five minutes ago." said the ghoul, before glancing at Tenaculum's corpse and then at Bertly.

The robot did not seem to acknowledge the filly's presence. Fan Knife stared at the back of the robot's body for a few moments before focusing her attention at Moonshadow. Moonshadow would've also have noticed that Strata was staring at the ghoul filly like she was a ghost and that Stitchheart was currently focused on being a doctor.

"I couldn't find anything, except for a raccoon. But I killed it, so no issues there." Fan Knife continued, looking back at corpse. "So, uh, sis, did you-"

"No, Naifu, the nurse stallion and the unicorn filly did." Stitchheart replied, turning towards the ponies in the room; her face was in a rigid look of concentration and her eyes, while bloodshot and , were streaked with lines of black instead of red. "If you could, please assist the two pegusi and the unicorn in tracking down some environmental protection suits."

Fan Knife, seemingly startled at being interrupted and then looking more alarmed by several incremental degrees as her sister spoke, just nodded, and looked up at Moonshadow and Viridia. She look on her face went from seeming surprised to diplomatic, and she motioned towards the door.

Moonshadow walked outside the room, and turned to Fan Knife. That's the second time today I've seen her eyes do that. Do you know what's going on with that? she asked softly.

[DigoDragon]

That was when the flow of information ended, and Abbas coughed the moment when the surge of data into Doc's head ceased. The look of his face was one of interest in Doc's reaction.

Doc's eyes widened when the info crammed into his mind like an injection. As it ceased, his dilated eyes slowly regained control and he turned toward Abbaas with a look of absolute amazing wonderful joy. "Whoa. I know what this is now. Amazing." After a moment to take all that info and organize it in his head, Doc added,

"What else you got to teach me?"

[RCgothic]

Shade dropped the gems into Stellar's hoof. They felt like little chips of ice more than anything else; very light, but rather cold.

Stellar saw that Glorious Dawn seemed to visibly disagree with the idea of flying from Oakville in the way of looking worried; Nightcore, by contrast, just seemed interested in the sight of the gemstones. Neither spoke before Shade did, however. The priestess, as apposed to worried, just seemed slightly surprised by Stellar's remark.

"I would imagine teleportation would be more forgiving, given that you appear to have just come out of surgery, and even moreso if you are intending to exert yourself very soon. Nightcore, couldn't you send her off towards Tauronto General, if you had to?"

The unicorn blinked when her name was spoken, and scratched the back of her head as she considered the prospect.

"Well, yeah, I guess." she admitted, "I wouldn't have the juice left to teleport back here, though."

The unicorn blinked once, and turned towards Stellar. "Do you guys need anything? Supplies wise, I mean."

Stellar concedes the point that she probably shouldn't be exerting herself with a head tilt. "You're right, I have just been through a major surgery. It's easy to forget." Really, the weirdest part about this whole thing is how the sleeping draught seems to have had no effect.

"I think we're actually doing okay for supplies right now," Stellar replies. "We found a large cache of food not long after we arrived at Toronto General, and with River we were never going to be short of weapons, even before all the new ones we've acquired. Really the only thing we could use for the trip to the cannery are those hazard suits."

[Dalinale]

Moonshadow walked outside the room, and turned to Fan Knife. That's the second time today I've seen her eyes do that. Do you know what's going on with that? she asked softly.

Fan Knife seemed reluctant to reply for quite some time, before shaking her head.

"Right now, it's the second busiest time of the year for her, and she hasn't slept in about a week. Sometimes I just sneak a diazepam tablet in something she's drinking when she gets like this and close up shop for a few days, but I haven't gotten around to it yet." she replied, sounding rather guilty.


Doc's eyes widened when the info crammed into his mind like an injection. As it ceased, his dilated eyes slowly regained control and he turned toward Abbaas with a look of absolute amazing wonderful joy. "Whoa. I know what this is now. Amazing." After a moment to take all that info and organize it in his head, Doc added,

"What else you got to teach me?"

Abbas frowned at Doc's reaction.

"Little else. I shall remind you that this is a dream, and that machine is merely a construct of my mind. Doc Wagon, I do not know where my ancestor's machine is, only that it is in Tauronto. Finding it is my end goal, as expending every last piece of gold that I own would be worth obtaining it, for a brighter future. But in ten years of searching, I have come to the conclusion that it is in a place where lead, not gold, is necessary to reach it. As such, that is the reason I am having this conversation with you."


Stellar concedes the point that she probably shouldn't be exerting herself with a head tilt. "You're right, I have just been through a major surgery. It's easy to forget." Really, the weirdest part about this whole thing is how the sleeping draught seems to have had no effect.

"I think we're actually doing okay for supplies right now," Stellar replies. "We found a large cache of food not long after we arrived at Toronto General, and with River we were never going to be short of weapons, even before all the new ones we've acquired. Really the only thing we could use for the trip to the cannery are those hazard suits."

Nightcore, after taking a few moments to think over Stellar's words, nodded.

"Alright, sounds good to me." she said, standing up and scratching the back of her head, "They dropped off all their stuff in the basement, including the suits, so you could just pick through what they brought over too."

Nightcore then glanced at Shade, and looked at the mare's mug.

"Do you want more wine while I'm down there?"

Shade blinked. "I never drink wine, Nightcore." the priestess replied, sounding surprised at the suggestion.

Nightcore glanced at the mug's contents again.

"Brandy's just a type of wine." Nightcore replied, sounding rather amused.

"It is a distilled spirit. But, no, I could not have any more." Shade said demurely, and then taking a small sip of her drink.

Nightcore glanced at Glorious Dawn, who hesitantly nodded at Shade's reply. Nightcore looked back at Stellar and shrugged, as if the exchange with Shade didn't mean much to her.

"Alright, basement's down thataway." she said, motioning vaguely over towards the hallway leading away from the library, and promptly began walking in that general direction.

[Forum Explorer]

Fan Knife seemed reluctant to reply for quite some time, before shaking her head.

"Right now, it's the second busiest time of the year for her, and she hasn't slept in about a week. Sometimes I just sneak a diazepam tablet in something she's drinking when she gets like this and close up shop for a few days, but I haven't gotten around to it yet." she replied, sounding rather guilty.


Ah. That makes a lot of sense. Moonshadow said, mentally reevaulating all of her recent interactions with Stichheart. Well, I'll try and stop her workload from increasing then, from my friends anyways. In the meantime, I've got to get prepared to attack a meat-packaging factory. I wonder if any of the merchants are selling anti-matrix grenades?

[Inspector Valin]

Cassidy took another sip of her drink before she replied.

"If the Enclave believed that the surface was safe, then they'd probably start settling down here too. They already shoot up griffon surface settlements and dragon nests when they spot'em, and they have observation posts all over the place. They're probably running on the idea that what they're doing is temporary, too. At one point, everyone down here will probably starve to death and the radiation will go away, and then the army would give the all clear and start setting up farms and stuff."

Cassidy paused, and Choro would've noticed that her tone turned slightly more gentle.

"Choro, the sort of ponies who had the Stables built would've went to the same parties as the ones who made the Enclave. Heck, Scootaloo could've run both Stable Tec and the G.P.D conspiracy by talking to the exact same pegusi, most of the time."

The young unicorn taps her hoof in the silence. Cassidy is speculating, but her speculation makes sense. She's still on the same point of similarity. The Enclave and the Stables come from the same place. Could Scootaloo have really done that? "Perhaps. But the principles behind the two are very different. Even if they started with the same intent; protecting 'their ponies' from the war, we went down opposing paths in every sense."

With a glance to her pack, Choro returns the flare gun, and brings out her primary weapon. It's a rifle, white and sleek, but an obviously different design. The 54 is absent: instead it's got a dragonfly atop a cogwheel - a manufacturer's mark. Looking over at Cassidy, Choro's eyes are... a little pleading. She has to be able to explain this, right? "The Stables aren't militaristic at all. At least mine wasn't. If you handed most of those ponies a gun, they wouldn't know what to do with it. I've had to learn, find a gun, practice my aim. That took time, and I'm still not sure how good I am in a real fight. I can believe the Enclave doesn't care about us, would be happy to wipe the surface out, but no pony I grew up with thinks that way. We want Equestria back. And that means all of you too."

[DigoDragon]

"Little else. I shall remind you that this is a dream, and that machine is merely a construct of my mind. Doc Wagon, I do not know where my ancestor's machine is, only that it is in Tauronto. Finding it is my end goal, as expending every last piece of gold that I own would be worth obtaining it, for a brighter future. But in ten years of searching, I have come to the conclusion that it is in a place where lead, not gold, is necessary to reach it. As such, that is the reason I am having this conversation with you."

A slight chuckle escaped the doctor's lips. He slowly removed the crown portion. "Ah, I reckon that's an interesting proposal for a doctor. Still, I am intrigued by your ancestor's machine and would like to recover it for you. What have you found out in your ten years search about it's possible location? Or who may know of its existence besides yourself?"

[Dalinale]

Ah. That makes a lot of sense. Moonshadow said, mentally reevaulating all of her recent interactions with Stichheart. Well, I'll try and stop her workload from increasing then, from my friends anyways. In the meantime, I've got to get prepared to attack a meat-packaging factory. I wonder if any of the merchants are selling anti-matrix grenades?

"The last weapon merchants left a few days ago, but if you want grenades, I'll sell you some." Fan Knife replied, shrugging once, "Because I know where you're going to use them, I mean."


The young unicorn taps her hoof in the silence. Cassidy is speculating, but her speculation makes sense. She's still on the same point of similarity. The Enclave and the Stables come from the same place. Could Scootaloo have really done that? "Perhaps. But the principles behind the two are very different. Even if they started with the same intent; protecting 'their ponies' from the war, we went down opposing paths in every sense."

With a glance to her pack, Choro returns the flare gun, and brings out her primary weapon. It's a rifle, white and sleek, but an obviously different design. The 54 is absent: instead it's got a dragonfly atop a cogwheel - a manufacturer's mark. Looking over at Cassidy, Choro's eyes are... a little pleading. She has to be able to explain this, right? "The Stables aren't militaristic at all. At least mine wasn't. If you handed most of those ponies a gun, they wouldn't know what to do with it. I've had to learn, find a gun, practice my aim. That took time, and I'm still not sure how good I am in a real fight. I can believe the Enclave doesn't care about us, would be happy to wipe the surface out, but no pony I grew up with thinks that way. We want Equestria back. And that means all of you too."

Cassidy looked into Choro's eyes, and the calm look on her face did not waver.

"You can't tell me that Stables are just one big group. The only thing they have in common is that they've been apart from the rest of the world since the bombs dropped. I'v seen four in my life, and every one was different then the last. Have you been to the Stable in this city? Does that metal box," she said, glancing at Choro's Pipbuck, "tell you where others are, or anything like that?"


A slight chuckle escaped the doctor's lips. He slowly removed the crown portion. "Ah, I reckon that's an interesting proposal for a doctor. Still, I am intrigued by your ancestor's machine and would like to recover it for you. What have you found out in your ten years search about it's possible location? Or who may know of its existence besides yourself?"

Abbas glanced out towards the dream-city, and closed his eyes.

"It is likely in a secure place, guarded by individuals who have a vested interest in such a item. At the moment, I can only assume that it lies in the possession of the Guild, or is at least sequestered in one of their holdings, as they are one of the few groups who's internal security I have yet to find a fault in. It may have once been present in either of the Stables present in the city, but if that was the case it has since been smuggled out. If it is still present in Stable 84, it would be entirely out of my reach entirely."

[DigoDragon]

"It is likely in a secure place, guarded by individuals who have a vested interest in such a item. At the moment, I can only assume that it lies in the possession of the Guild, or is at least sequestered in one of their holdings, as they are one of the few groups who's internal security I have yet to find a fault in. It may have once been present in either of the Stables present in the city, but if that was the case it has since been smuggled out. If it is still present in Stable 84, it would be entirely out of my reach entirely."

"Hmm, so look into the guild. I'll see what I can do on that front," Doc says, mentally taking notes. "As to the device, anything I should know about it's operation or danger? Can it erase someone's memory or break it if used improperly? I'd like to be aware of any risks associated with those who may be using it before I can recover it."

[Inspector Valin]

Cassidy looked into Choro's eyes, and the calm look on her face did not waver.

"You can't tell me that Stables are just one big group. The only thing they have in common is that they've been apart from the rest of the world since the bombs dropped. I'v seen four in my life, and every one was different then the last. Have you been to the Stable in this city? Does that metal box," she said, glancing at Choro's Pipbuck, "tell you where others are, or anything like that?"

"No. The Stables themselves are each supposed to have a direct line to StableTec, who will give us the all clear when everything's over. Overmare Glass never heard anything from them and I suspect the Overmares before her didn't either."

Choro glances down at her PipBuck, the shiny star underneath the screen glinting in the firelight. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they could do that? If she could just... contact home again, whenever she wanted? Sighing at the pleasant dream, Choro looks back up to Cassidy "You've seen four different stables?" That's surprising. So many had opened up? The young wizard hums, "I'm... a little surprised they were that different. StableTec built them all, and a lot of our parts and supplies came directly from their catalogue. It's been hundreds of years, different ponies go in different directions, but they started in the same place."

[Dalinale]

"Hmm, so look into the guild. I'll see what I can do on that front," Doc says, mentally taking notes. "As to the device, anything I should know about it's operation or danger? Can it erase someone's memory or break it if used improperly? I'd like to be aware of any risks associated with those who may be using it before I can recover it."

Abbas raised an eyebrow.

"I have little information about the technical details; if I did, I would have had someone attempt to recreate it long ago. However, memory magic is always dangerous."

Abbas paused, and then looked briefly at the computer on the table, and then at Doc.

"However, I would imagine that, unless tampered with, it would not."


"No. The Stables themselves are each supposed to have a direct line to StableTec, who will give us the all clear when everything's over. Overmare Glass never heard anything from them and I suspect the Overmares before her didn't either."

Choro glances down at her PipBuck, the shiny star underneath the screen glinting in the firelight. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they could do that? If she could just... contact home again, whenever she wanted? Sighing at the pleasant dream, Choro looks back up to Cassidy "You've seen four different stables?" That's surprising. So many had opened up? The young wizard hums, "I'm... a little surprised they were that different. StableTec built them all, and a lot of our parts and supplies came directly from their catalogue. It's been hundreds of years, different ponies go in different directions, but they started in the same place."

Cassidy took another sip of her beer as Choro spoke.

"You really don't think that the ponies who built the giant underground shelters didn't come up with their own to keep in contact with what they spent decades building?" Cassidy replied, raising a eyebrow, "I mean, was that Glass mare the only one who would know? Could you've walked into wherever room they kept the special TV and checked yourself?"

[Inspector Valin]

Cassidy took another sip of her beer as Choro spoke.

"You really don't think that the ponies who built the giant underground shelters didn't come up with their own to keep in contact with what they spent decades building?" Cassidy replied, raising a eyebrow, "I mean, was that Glass mare the only one who would know? Could you've walked into wherever room they kept the special TV and checked yourself?"

"I was her assistant. I knew every part of her office and equipment. We had a line to StableTec, who presumably did have their own Stable. We sent reports once a month. But we never heard from them." Choro withdraws one of Strata's books, the one of the Unicornian excavation, flipping it open. She skims the introduction as she continues talking to Cassidy. "Either everything was fine as far as they were concerned, the communications were damaged, or their central stable didn't survive. I've considered all three possibilities, but can't think of anything to prove one above the others."

[DigoDragon]

Abbas raised an eyebrow. "I have little information about the technical details; if I did, I would have had someone attempt to recreate it long ago. However, memory magic is always dangerous."

Abbas paused, and then looked briefly at the computer on the table, and then at Doc. "However, I would imagine that, unless tampered with, it would not."

Doc nodded at the reply, accepting what it is. "Fair enough. I'll see to having it boxed up so no one plays around with it." He makes another mental note, one to talk to Choro about memory magic and how to mitigate damage from it.

"Oh, one thing with your sister--While I am happy to rescue Sari from her predicament, I may want to hire some help in the attempt. Think you could arrange a few caps so I can grease a couple hooves? I know the right ponies for the job."

[Dalinale]

"I was her assistant. I knew every part of her office and equipment. We had a line to StableTec, who presumably did have their own Stable. We sent reports once a month. But we never heard from them." Choro withdraws one of Strata's books, the one of the Unicornian excavation, flipping it open. She skims the introduction as she continues talking to Cassidy. "Either everything was fine as far as they were concerned, the communications were damaged, or their central stable didn't survive. I've considered all three possibilities, but can't think of anything to prove one above the others."

The introduction to Strata's book was rather dry, but concise; the excavation took place about fifteen years into the war and was funded primarally by the Equestrian government to explore a site that was believed to have been a Unicornian outpost located to the the north of the Crystal Empire's borders.

Cassidy was silent as Choro spoke and flipped through the book, and then coughed.

"So, you haven't been to another Stable."

It didn't sound like a question.



"Oh, one thing with your sister--While I am happy to rescue Sari from her predicament, I may want to hire some help in the attempt. Think you could arrange a few caps so I can grease a couple hooves? I know the right ponies for the job."

Abbas gave Doc a curious look.

"I am several days of travel away from you." the horse replied, "But, I will reimburse you for any money that is spent in saving my wayward sister."

[DigoDragon]

Abbas gave Doc a curious look.

"I am several days of travel away from you." the horse replied, "But, I will reimburse you for any money that is spent in saving my wayward sister."

Doc chuckled. "Err, right. Dreamwalking. A reimbursement is what I meant to say. That will suffice for who I have in mind," the stallion says. He glances over out to the cityscape out there in.... the mind's eye.

"Curiosity question--how many equines can you reach out to at once with this dream?"

[Forum Explorer]

"The last weapon merchants left a few days ago, but if you want grenades, I'll sell you some." Fan Knife replied, shrugging once, "Because I know where you're going to use them, I mean."


Very cool. Do you have any anti-matrix grenades? Moonshadow asked.

[Dalinale]

Doc chuckled. "Err, right. Dreamwalking. A reimbursement is what I meant to say. That will suffice for who I have in mind," the stallion says. He glances over out to the cityscape out there in.... the mind's eye.

"Curiosity question--how many equines can you reach out to at once with this dream?"

Abbas briefly glanced at the dream-city at the same time Doc did.

"Assuming I have the correct materials, as many as the dream could hold without becoming unstable." the horse replied.


Very cool. Do you have any anti-matrix grenades? Moonshadow asked.

Fan Knife shrugged.

"Probably. I'm pretty sure that regular grenades would work just fine on robots, though."

[Forum Explorer]

Fan Knife shrugged.

"Probably. I'm pretty sure that regular grenades would work just fine on robots, though."

Anti-matrix grenades are better. Plus they won't hurt my friends on a bad throw. Moonshadow said.

[DigoDragon]

Abbas briefly glanced at the dream-city at the same time Doc did.

"Assuming I have the correct materials, as many as the dream could hold without becoming unstable." the horse replied.

"Ah, costly stuff I reckon?" Doc replied, curiosity never truly satisfied. He wanted to bring one more in, but... no, Abbas might not have the materials. If he did, they're probably costly. 'Sides, he rather have privacy with the other pony he had in mind.

"Actually, I probably shouldn't waste your time. I reckon all my pertinent questions to your two quests have been answered. Should I see myself out, or...?"

[Inspector Valin]

The introduction to Strata's book was rather dry, but concise; the excavation took place about fifteen years into the war and was funded primarally by the Equestrian government to explore a site that was believed to have been a Unicornian outpost located to the the north of the Crystal Empire's borders.

Cassidy was silent as Choro spoke and flipped through the book, and then coughed.

"So, you haven't been to another Stable."

It didn't sound like a question.

That got Choro's attention quickly. Unicornia had extended that far north? Even if the outpost had been small, it was interesting, especially when taken in combination with Silver Frost's tale. The outpost might have been reclaimed from the founder of Everfrost by a Bullion loyal duke or earl. Would that have been through treaty with the Crystal Empire, or could this have predated...

The young unicorn is lost in hypotheticals and possibilities. Cassidy's words bring her back to reality with an embarrased start. Looking up, Choro nods, a little confused at her tone. "Err... no, never. I've lived in a Stable all my life, and left by choice. Why would I go and find a different one?"

[Dalinale]

Anti-matrix grenades are better. Plus they won't hurt my friends on a bad throw. Moonshadow said.

Fan Knife snorted.

"Except for the ones with cybernetic parts." she replied, giving Moonshadow a look that said many things, few flattering about the pegasus, "If it can take out a brainbot, then it could take out anyone with servos in their spine. The only difference between the two are the metal to meat ratios."


"Ah, costly stuff I reckon?" Doc replied, curiosity never truly satisfied. He wanted to bring one more in, but... no, Abbas might not have the materials. If he did, they're probably costly. 'Sides, he rather have privacy with the other pony he had in mind.

Abbas didn't seem surprised by the question.

"Besides the requisite oils, the rarest involved in arranging this were the hair samples." the horse replied.


"Actually, I probably shouldn't waste your time. I reckon all my pertinent questions to your two quests have been answered. Should I see myself out, or...?"

You could jump out the window." Abbas replied, motioning towards the glass panel; he sounded slightly curious, "That would allow you to wake up, if you are able to."


The young unicorn is lost in hypotheticals and possibilities. Cassidy's words bring her back to reality with an embarrased start. Looking up, Choro nods, a little confused at her tone. "Err... no, never. I've lived in a Stable all my life, and left by choice. Why would I go and find a different one?"

Cassidy blinked.

"Because you took a look around here and found the way back in was shut behind you?" the pegasus replied, with a confused look on her face, "And, for a curious kid, I would've thought you would've wanted to see how the rest of them did."

[DigoDragon]

You could jump out the window." Abbas replied, motioning towards the glass panel; he sounded slightly curious, "That would allow you to wake up, if you are able to."

"Hmm. That might be a bad idea," Doc explained to Abbas. "I had gone under for surgery and I don't know if the procedure is done yet. Rather difficult to tell time in the subconscious, and startling myself awake if the procedure is ongoing would be unpleasant. Why, curious to see if I can fly in your dreamland?"

[Inspector Valin]

Cassidy blinked.

"Because you took a look around here and found the way back in was shut behind you?" the pegasus replied, with a confused look on her face, "And, for a curious kid, I would've thought you would've wanted to see how the rest of them did."

Choro tilts her head, looking at Cassidy curiously, before realization dawns. With that, the young unicorn's face melts into a grin and she starts to chuckle. "Heh. I understand, now. The "Poor little Stabledweller" effect. Life inside is so much easier, you assume I'm looking for a way back?"

Choro sighs contentedly. It wasn't that strange a line of thinking, really. She smiles across at Cassidy, glancing at River Stone with the same warm look. "Believe it or not, things weren't as bad as I was expecting. They aren't good, to be sure, but we've spent the better part of two hundred years having nightmares about the surface world. It would be hard to live up to that." She glances up at Strata's book, mind drifting back to Unicornian days; of monsters, brigands and dark wizards. She's lost in imaginings for a little before faintly coming back to reality with an embarrassed cough. "As to other Stables... it's interesting, yes, but not critical. They were all built the same way, run the same way... they'd be like distant family members. If one were nearby, I might be..."

Sudden pause. A point almost visibly strikes Choro. she takes a breath. "That reminds me, have you heard of a Stable 84? Was that one of the ones you've visited?" She tries really hard not to look at the young colt next to her while pondering how best to phrase this. "I saw a unicorn with some Stable gear marked 84. The logical guess would be they were local to Tauronto."

[Forum Explorer]

Fan Knife snorted.

"Except for the ones with cybernetic parts." she replied, giving Moonshadow a look that said many things, few flattering about the pegasus, "If it can take out a brainbot, then it could take out anyone with servos in their spine. The only difference between the two are the metal to meat ratios."


Oh, damnnit, you're right. Moonshadow looked disgruntled. I bet those parts are going to require maintenance every once in a while as well. At the very least, they'll require a specialist if they get damaged. Why did I not think of this stuff before they got into the pod?

[Dalinale]

"Hmm. That might be a bad idea," Doc explained to Abbas. "I had gone under for surgery and I don't know if the procedure is done yet. Rather difficult to tell time in the subconscious, and startling myself awake if the procedure is ongoing would be unpleasant. Why, curious to see if I can fly in your dreamland?"

"Curious? No, I know you can. It's my dream." Abbas replied, "As for you waking up, it is entirely possible that you will simply continue to dream, if you attempt to will yourself awake."


Choro tilts her head, looking at Cassidy curiously, before realization dawns. With that, the young unicorn's face melts into a grin and she starts to chuckle. "Heh. I understand, now. The "Poor little Stabledweller" effect. Life inside is so much easier, you assume I'm looking for a way back?"

Choro sighs contentedly. It wasn't that strange a line of thinking, really. She smiles across at Cassidy, glancing at River Stone with the same warm look. "Believe it or not, things weren't as bad as I was expecting. They aren't good, to be sure, but we've spent the better part of two hundred years having nightmares about the surface world. It would be hard to live up to that." She glances up at Strata's book, mind drifting back to Unicornian days; of monsters, brigands and dark wizards. She's lost in imaginings for a little before faintly coming back to reality with an embarrassed cough. "As to other Stables... it's interesting, yes, but not critical. They were all built the same way, run the same way... they'd be like distant family members. If one were nearby, I might be..."

Sudden pause. A point almost visibly strikes Choro. she takes a breath. "That reminds me, have you heard of a Stable 84? Was that one of the ones you've visited?" She tries really hard not to look at the young colt next to her while pondering how best to phrase this. "I saw a unicorn with some Stable gear marked 84. The logical guess would be they were local to Tauronto."

Cassidy seemed mildly amused by Choro's words; curiously, River Stone did, as well.

"That Stable's the one that's open but has ponies still in it. Stable eighty-three is the one that's open but isn't lived in by Stable ponies." the colt cheerfully replied, "My parents were from there."

Cassidy waited patiently for the colt to finish speaking, apparently listening to what he had to say, and replied after he did.

"Stable 84 produces most of the water in Tauronto; they sell most of it to a cartel of water merchants, who then sell it how they like it. It's about three days north of here, if you flew. The first floor is open for visitors who can shell up a stupid amount of caps, but you can't spend the night. Apparently, it's about half-empty, because about half of the ponies in there left a few decades ago, but all the other one's I'v seen were pretty empty, so I'm probably not one to ask."


Oh, damnnit, you're right. Moonshadow looked disgruntled. I bet those parts are going to require maintenance every once in a while as well. At the very least, they'll require a specialist if they get damaged. Why did I not think of this stuff before they got into the pod?

Fan Knife snorted, but the amused look on her face quickly softened into something approaching pity.

"It sounds good." she replied, continuing to walk briskly down the hall as she did, "Anyone who get's have their body turned into metal gets to step away from most of the problems they were shafted with when they were born. My sister had to deal with some of the test subjects for the prototypes for some of the prosthetics she has to offer; most of them were not veterans, which is what she thought they were, because it's not like this country didn't spew out enough of them. Most of the first test subjects were really rich tech guys and really poor ponies; the rich ponies thought they could live forever if they had magnets in their hooves, and the poor ponies came in to have their ear canals ripped out and replaced because they wanted drug money. Honestly, I don't know why they'd think robots were the future if they could watch one for fifteen minutes, but I'm not a Equestrian."

Fan Knife was quiet for a bit before she continued speaking, in a somewhat awkward manner.

"Also, my sister is more into gene therapy." she continued, "It's the whole 'you can't try and be more than a pony if you don't know what being a pony means' thing."

[DigoDragon]

"Curious? No, I know you can. It's my dream." Abbas replied, "As for you waking up, it is entirely possible that you will simply continue to dream, if you attempt to will yourself awake."

"Hmm, 'suppose that's a fair point. I'f i'm still under I would be drugged up and wouldn't feel anything if I could awaken. Alright, guess there's one way to satisfy curiosity." Doc walks over and opens a window. He takes a look around for another building to fly over to and then takes a breath... or... hmm, guess if this is a dream, he's not really doing that is he?

The stallion clears his mind and thinks 'flight'. 'Wings'. He's been traveling with a flock of pegasi. He's seen them do it all the time. Just gotta imagine wings sprouting from his back and lifting him into the air, right? And with that he jumps out of a perfectly serviceable building.

[Inspector Valin]

Choro hums a little to herself, nodding at the information the two had to share. So two local Stables have actually been open for a while? One retained inhabitants, and were trading with the rest of Tauronto for water. That would be this Stable 84. But some ponies had left. Including the mare on the basement level, possibly. It would be one more journey to take, but if she had to travel north anyway for Last Stop...

The little picture from before. The other identifying sign. Probably wouldn't mean anything to most ponies though. Almost absently, Choro withdraws the yellow haz-mat helmet with the six pointedpink star, turning it above the campfire so both River Stone and Cassidy can see it. "I don't suppose either of you recognize this?"

[Dalinale]

"Hmm, 'suppose that's a fair point. I'f i'm still under I would be drugged up and wouldn't feel anything if I could awaken. Alright, guess there's one way to satisfy curiosity." Doc walks over and opens a window. He takes a look around for another building to fly over to and then takes a breath... or... hmm, guess if this is a dream, he's not really doing that is he?

The stallion clears his mind and thinks 'flight'. 'Wings'. He's been traveling with a flock of pegasi. He's seen them do it all the time. Just gotta imagine wings sprouting from his back and lifting him into the air, right? And with that he jumps out of a perfectly serviceable building.

Doc found himself barreling through the sky, barely having the time to register never feeling the presumable glass window separating him and the outside dream-world shattering as he fell forward. Soon enough, he found himself passing bright pillars of rainbow-colored lights, the air cool and the ground and sky vaguely misty. If he focused on either of them, he might have been able to assume that the earth and sky were cut from the same grey mass, held up by pillars of festive-colored light. Doc couldn't see his wings while he was flying, but the sudden rush of air and speed was certainly interesting, if disorienting.


Choro hums a little to herself, nodding at the information the two had to share. So two local Stables have actually been open for a while? One retained inhabitants, and were trading with the rest of Tauronto for water. That would be this Stable 84. But some ponies had left. Including the mare on the basement level, possibly. It would be one more journey to take, but if she had to travel north anyway for Last Stop...

The little picture from before. The other identifying sign. Probably wouldn't mean anything to most ponies though. Almost absently, Choro withdraws the yellow haz-mat helmet with the six pointedpink star, turning it above the campfire so both River Stone and Cassidy can see it. "I don't suppose either of you recognize this?"

River Stone blankly stared at the hazmat helmet.

"That's the Ministry of Arcane Science's symbol, kiddo." Cassidy replied, sounding rather surprised, as if she never imagine saying what she was, "I'd say it just means that it used to be their property."

[Inspector Valin]

"Heh. Right. Sorry. Thought that was... a different colour. More a lilac?"

Choro hides her face in her book, looking to resume her place and trying very hard to pretend that she wasn't embarrassed right now.

[DigoDragon]

Doc found himself barreling through the sky, barely having the time to register never feeling the presumable glass window separating him and the outside dream-world shattering as he fell forward. Soon enough, he found himself passing bright pillars of rainbow-colored lights, the air cool and the ground and sky vaguely misty. If he focused on either of them, he might have been able to assume that the earth and sky were cut from the same grey mass, held up by pillars of festive-colored light. Doc couldn't see his wings while he was flying, but the sudden rush of air and speed was certainly interesting, if disorienting.

'This is pretty fun! Why couldn't I have a pair of wings, again?' He makes a loop and heads back toward Abbas' tower. It's been a pleasure, but he probably should get back to... his own mind or however exiting dreamland works. Doc makes another loop and then closes his eyes, imagining his wings folded together. He lets himself fall, not looking, just feeling the rush go past him as he drops downward with a clear mind.

[RCgothic]

Nightcore, after taking a few moments to think over Stellar's words, nodded.

"Alright, sounds good to me." she said, standing up and scratching the back of her head, "They dropped off all their stuff in the basement, including the suits, so you could just pick through what they brought over too."

Nightcore then glanced at Shade, and looked at the mare's mug.

"Do you want more wine while I'm down there?"

Shade blinked. "I never drink wine, Nightcore." the priestess replied, sounding surprised at the suggestion.

Nightcore glanced at the mug's contents again.

"Brandy's just a type of wine." Nightcore replied, sounding rather amused.

"It is a distilled spirit. But, no, I could not have any more." Shade said demurely, and then taking a small sip of her drink.

Nightcore glanced at Glorious Dawn, who hesitantly nodded at Shade's reply. Nightcore looked back at Stellar and shrugged, as if the exchange with Shade didn't mean much to her.

"Alright, basement's down thataway." she said, motioning vaguely over towards the hallway leading away from the library, and promptly began walking in that general direction.

Stellar watches the exchange impassively until Nightcore points her in the right direction.

"Ok, thanks," she says. She inclines her head towards Shade. "It was nice to meet you," she says as she excuses herself.

[Dalinale]

"Heh. Right. Sorry. Thought that was... a different colour. More a lilac?"

Choro hides her face in her book, looking to resume her place and trying very hard to pretend that she wasn't embarrassed right now.

River Stone didn't seem to know how to react, so he just looked at Choro in confusion. Cassidy seemed less surprised, however, and briefly extended her good wing towards Choro in what was probably a sympathetic gesture.

"Don't feel dumb, kid. You have a clearer picture about how the world was then most of the ponies I'v met, and I'v been around a bit. Honestly, most ponies just figure out what a first-aid box looks like, and stop there. I don't think most of the Steel Rangers even know who Applejack was, honestly." the pegasus replied, smiling in a way that was sort of awkward on her face and probably indicated that she was trying her best to make Choro comfortable and doing that wasn't something she normally did, an effect of the alcohol, or a mixture of A and B.


'This is pretty fun! Why couldn't I have a pair of wings, again?' He makes a loop and heads back toward Abbas' tower. It's been a pleasure, but he probably should get back to... his own mind or however exiting dreamland works. Doc makes another loop and then closes his eyes, imagining his wings folded together. He lets himself fall, not looking, just feeling the rush go past him as he drops downward with a clear mind.

Doc first felt as if he was heading straight into a cloud of fluff, but then he woke up and his vision was obscured by a cold puff of air going directly into his face. He then would have realized that his legs felt numb, along with his face and, actually, he felt like he was on heavy painkillers.

Stitchheart was looking up at him from a few feet away from the terminal, and looked at Doc like she was trying to As apposed to horse-dreamland, the mare was a splash of color in a room that was otherwise devoid of it, sans for a small wooden desk and Bertly, who was holding out a hospital robe towards him.

"Good evening, Doctor Wagon!" the robot cheerfully said, all eyes on Doc.

Stitchheart, meanwhile, seemed content at waiting for Doc's reaction at being spoken to by the robot.


Stellar watches the exchange impassively until Nightcore points her in the right direction.

"Ok, thanks," she says. She inclines her head towards Shade. "It was nice to meet you," she says as she excuses herself.

Shade smiled demurely at Stellar's goodbye. Glorious Dawn merely seemed worried.

Regardless, Nightcore quickly made her way to the cellars, which quickly proved to contain what looked like several thousand caps worth of exotic and obscure scientific devices that was probably one of the larger and interesting displays of wealth Stellar would have seen in her life. What was once a library's storage area had been converted to a sort of workroom, with a large central table big enough to support a brahman that was loaded down with machinery both mundane and magical, and three different desks, two large iron shelving racks absolutely packed with miscellaneous objects, and several bookshelves evened out the ambiance. The room was lit by several dull lights on the ceiling, along with two low-burning candles placed on the desk, which also seemed to be the source of the pleasant vanilla scent that greeted Stellar.

Nightcore, apparently looking as ready to get this done as much as Stellar clearly did, quickly fetched what appeared to be six sets of rubbery-looking hazmat uniforms, which all looked only slightly used. Three had slots for wings, while one had a small bump on the dome that was presumably to allow for a horn. Each had a simple Arcane Science logo on the helmet and none had any obvious rips or tears.

"Stellar, if I knew the dog would pull you out as soon as you finished surgery, I would've kept them waiting." the unicorn said, visibly apologetic as she floated the stack of suits towards her, "I know those two are creeps, but they have their hearts in the right place."

Nightcore then paused, and glanced at Stellar's legs, or, more likely, her fresh surgical scars. The unicorn didn't flinch, or at least didn't visibly, and Stellar could tell that the unicorn was also glancing at her wings with curiosity. When she met Stellar's eyes again, she was raising a eyebrow and she was grinning lightly.

"So, was it a impulse buy, or..." the unicorn asked, suddenly sounding playful.

[DigoDragon]

"Good evening, Doctor Wagon!" the robot cheerfully said, all eyes on Doc.

Stitchheart, meanwhile, seemed content at waiting for Doc's reaction at being spoken to by the robot.

"Evening, B... sorry, I must have dozed off... did I miss anything?" Doc asked in a groggy state.

[Forum Explorer]

Fan Knife snorted, but the amused look on her face quickly softened into something approaching pity.

"It sounds good." she replied, continuing to walk briskly down the hall as she did, "Anyone who get's have their body turned into metal gets to step away from most of the problems they were shafted with when they were born. My sister had to deal with some of the test subjects for the prototypes for some of the prosthetics she has to offer; most of them were not veterans, which is what she thought they were, because it's not like this country didn't spew out enough of them. Most of the first test subjects were really rich tech guys and really poor ponies; the rich ponies thought they could live forever if they had magnets in their hooves, and the poor ponies came in to have their ear canals ripped out and replaced because they wanted drug money. Honestly, I don't know why they'd think robots were the future if they could watch one for fifteen minutes, but I'm not a Equestrian."

Fan Knife was quiet for a bit before she continued speaking, in a somewhat awkward manner.

"Also, my sister is more into gene therapy." she continued, "It's the whole 'you can't try and be more than a pony if you don't know what being a pony means' thing."

I guess. Well regardless, it's too late to do anything about it now. Stellar and Doc will have to live with it and that's that. Moonshadow said dully, shrugging. Moonshadow sighed. Well, I guess all I can do now, is to make sure I place my grenades carefully.

[RCgothic]

Shade smiled demurely at Stellar's goodbye. Glorious Dawn merely seemed worried.

Regardless, Nightcore quickly made her way to the cellars, which quickly proved to contain what looked like several thousand caps worth of exotic and obscure scientific devices that was probably one of the larger and interesting displays of wealth Stellar would have seen in her life. What was once a library's storage area had been converted to a sort of workroom, with a large central table big enough to support a brahman that was loaded down with machinery both mundane and magical, and three different desks, two large iron shelving racks absolutely packed with miscellaneous objects, and several bookshelves evened out the ambiance. The room was lit by several dull lights on the ceiling, along with two low-burning candles placed on the desk, which also seemed to be the source of the pleasant vanilla scent that greeted Stellar.

Nightcore, apparently looking as ready to get this done as much as Stellar clearly did, quickly fetched what appeared to be six sets of rubbery-looking hazmat uniforms, which all looked only slightly used. Three had slots for wings, while one had a small bump on the dome that was presumably to allow for a horn. Each had a simple Arcane Science logo on the helmet and none had any obvious rips or tears.

"Stellar, if I knew the dog would pull you out as soon as you finished surgery, I would've kept them waiting." the unicorn said, visibly apologetic as she floated the stack of suits towards her, "I know those two are creeps, but they have their hearts in the right place."

Nightcore then paused, and glanced at Stellar's legs, or, more likely, her fresh surgical scars. The unicorn didn't flinch, or at least didn't visibly, and Stellar could tell that the unicorn was also glancing at her wings with curiosity. When she met Stellar's eyes again, she was raising a eyebrow and she was grinning lightly.

"So, was it a impulse buy, or..." the unicorn asked, suddenly sounding playful.

"It was a... sudden one time opportunity," Stellar attempts to explain as she attempts to pack the six uniforms into her saddlebags. "Honestly, considering the work I've had done I feel amazing! The strangest thing is that I'm supposed to be out cold under a heavy sedative... I don't know why that's not been effective," she confides. A sudden though occurs. "Oh, um, actually there was one thing we could do with! Do you have any healing potions? We've been through the wars a bit since leaving and our reserves are pretty much non-existent."

[Inspector Valin]

River Stone didn't seem to know how to react, so he just looked at Choro in confusion. Cassidy seemed less surprised, however, and briefly extended her good wing towards Choro in what was probably a sympathetic gesture.

"Don't feel dumb, kid. You have a clearer picture about how the world was then most of the ponies I'v met, and I'v been around a bit. Honestly, most ponies just figure out what a first-aid box looks like, and stop there. I don't think most of the Steel Rangers even know who Applejack was, honestly." the pegasus replied, smiling in a way that was sort of awkward on her face and probably indicated that she was trying her best to make Choro comfortable and doing that wasn't something she normally did, an effect of the alcohol, or a mixture of A and B.

That... was a little touching, honestly. Choro smiles back at Cassidy, dabbing her eye with her hoof. It takes her a second to form the words, and when she speaks, the little wizard is oddly quiet."Thank you. I've spent so long studying history. Even in areas where our records were less focused, I don't like making mistakes like that."

Silence. The fire crackles a little. There's not really enough light for reading right now, and Choro has done far too much spellcasting already today to be comfortable with her horn. Instead, she puts Strata's book away, tucking it safely into her bag before snuggling closer to the tire. She glances between Stone and Cassidy, and their two sleeping siblings with a smile. "Do you two have dreams?" Wait, did that expression survive the apocalypse? It's not like this is the sort of society with clear career paths. Without thinking, Choro holds up a hoof. "Not literally. Do you have goals? Ambitions? A plan for where you're going with your lives?"

[Dalinale]

"Evening, B... sorry, I must have dozed off... did I miss anything?" Doc asked in a groggy state.

"Well, lad, last time I saw you you were not fifteen percent machinery!" Bertly cheerfully replied, somehow sounding proud, "Even your new eyes are even from a Robronco subsidiary! Oh, and the lasses are off fetching some equipment for the little factory adventure you were plotting."

Stitchheart, seemingly content with the robot's conversing with Doc, glanced at the pod's terminal.

"The machine was picking up very odd brain activity, Wagon." Stitchheart said, sounding conversational, "Which is odd, given that one of it's more useful functions is to prevent dreaming under full anesthesia. But, for whatever reason, you seem to have broken it. Could you explain why that is possible?"

Stitchheart then paused, and glanced at the hospital robe Bertly was holding.

"Also, please put on that robe."


I guess. Well regardless, it's too late to do anything about it now. Stellar and Doc will have to live with it and that's that. Moonshadow said dully, shrugging. Moonshadow sighed. Well, I guess all I can do now, is to make sure I place my grenades carefully.

Fan Knife snickered, and continued walking until she came to a complete stop at what appeared to be another supply closet not especially far from where she first took Viridia and Moonshadow; this one, however, had a small sign placed over it that said 'keep oUt' in a rather childish scribble.

"Hey, unicorn, keep out." Fan Knife said, looking up at Strata with force in her voice.

Strata didn't seem offended, but she shook her head regardless, and took a few steps back.

As Fan Knife opened the door, revealing what appeared to be another storage space, Moonshadow's Pipbuck made a odd beeping noise. This startled Strata, but the ghoul filly just gave the pegasus a curious look.


"It was a... sudden one time opportunity," Stellar attempts to explain as she attempts to pack the six uniforms into her saddlebags. "Honestly, considering the work I've had done I feel amazing! The strangest thing is that I'm supposed to be out cold under a heavy sedative... I don't know why that's not been effective," she confides. A sudden though occurs. "Oh, um, actually there was one thing we could do with! Do you have any healing potions? We've been through the wars a bit since leaving and our reserves are pretty much non-existent."

Nightcore chuckled at Stellar's statement regarding the apparent failings of the post-apocalyptic medical treatment she was undergoing, but seemed more concerned when she mentioned the lack of potions. She began to rub the back of her head as she adverted her gaze away from Stellar, over towards a random spot in the wall.

"Ah, well, I kind of used up most of my potion stock helping the ponies who got hurt in the pirate attack. Amadi's all out, too." she replied, shuffling her hooves on the floor and sounding rather embarrassed by the admission. The unicorn then looked over to the shelving to her right, and she hovered over what appeared to be a moderate-sized first-aid kit, butterfly sticker and all. The box was covered in a moderate layer of dust, but otherwise looked pristine. She hovered it over towards the pegasus with a hesitant smile.

"You guy's can have this, though." the unicorn said, with another hesitant grin, this one larger then the first. As the unicorn opened it, it was rather easy to tell that the contents of the box were a few grades above that Stellar was used to. Half the things within it gave off a light glow, for one thing. "Honestly, I'd go with you all if I could, but there's too much stuff to deal with here, and I couldn't leave Glory alone with just gloomy ol' Shade for company."

[Box contains three rolls of Magical Bandages, the contents of a Doctor's Bag, and seven tablets of Rad-Safe. Another bottle, containing something called Day-Away, was apparently a tasteless, strong sleeping potion, as well.]


That... was a little touching, honestly. Choro smiles back at Cassidy, dabbing her eye with her hoof. It takes her a second to form the words, and when she speaks, the little wizard is oddly quiet."Thank you. I've spent so long studying history. Even in areas where our records were less focused, I don't like making mistakes like that."

Silence. The fire crackles a little. There's not really enough light for reading right now, and Choro has done far too much spellcasting already today to be comfortable with her horn. Instead, she puts Strata's book away, tucking it safely into her bag before snuggling closer to the tire. She glances between Stone and Cassidy, and their two sleeping siblings with a smile. "Do you two have dreams?" Wait, did that expression survive the apocalypse? It's not like this is the sort of society with clear career paths. Without thinking, Choro holds up a hoof. "Not literally. Do you have goals? Ambitions? A plan for where you're going with your lives?"

River Stone shut his mouth when Choro said 'not literally'. Cassidy, however, seemed to understand what Choro was saying immediately.She leaning back slightly and glanced at the snoozing pegasus to her left, who, at the moment, was sleeping like a baby,

"Find a safe spot to settle down, a job, patricide, the usual. I'd probably be taking care of whatever kids my sister ends up popping out, so that's about as far as I've gotten on the settling down side of things."the pegasus said, rather cheerfully.

[DigoDragon]

"Well, lad, last time I saw you you were not fifteen percent machinery!" Bertly cheerfully replied, somehow sounding proud, "Even your new eyes are even from a Robronco subsidiary! Oh, and the lasses are off fetching some equipment for the little factory adventure you were plotting."

Doc slowly blinked a few times. He was numb and sore around his eyes, but he was able to see pretty well with the visor attachment. He could feel like there was more he could see, almost like a mental switch. Hmm, something to work on getting used to! Doc smiled at Bertly and Stitchheart.

"I reckon we got paid for helping you and your sis with the basement?" Part of him was slightly sad no one stayed, but on the other hoof the factory was serious business, so collecting some gear and loot is an efficient use of their time.



"The machine was picking up very odd brain activity, Wagon." Stitchheart said, sounding conversational, "Which is odd, given that one of it's more useful functions is to prevent dreaming under full anesthesia. But, for whatever reason, you seem to have broken it. Could you explain why that is possible?"

Stitchheart then paused, and glanced at the hospital robe Bertly was holding.

"Also, please put on that robe."

Doc slowly stepped out of the pod, his balance wobbly still from the drugs. He felt a tiny bit taller? Perhaps around the legs and hooves, but not nearly as noticeable as the muscle mass he had gained. He looked better sculpted, felt stronger, and his reflexes a little more... well, the coordination will have to wait until the drugs wear off. He put on the robe, having a little trouble with the second sleeve, but succeeding without needing help.

"Dreams... yeah, I was dreaming..."

Memories came and went, but the majority of the visions faded quickly; A Doc Wagon of some other world where here he was the dream... ponies he didn't quite recognize, but were... oh, there was Abbas! He wanted... a machine. Yeah, a learning tool. Doc must write all this down before he forgot.

"Dunno why it's possible. Maybe my brain is wired in an interesting way that defeats your machine? Was a nice dream though. I was in an office tower overlooking a grand city... I think I was a pegasus, as I was able to fly around in the dream. I also remember... speaking with someone, and they needed my help to rescue their... daughter? No, sister. It was strange, like I knew the equines mentioned. Hmm." He shrugs a little.

[Forum Explorer]

Moonshadow checked her pipbuck, wondering what the beeping signified.

[Inspector Valin]

River Stone shut his mouth when Choro said 'not literally'. Cassidy, however, seemed to understand what Choro was saying immediately.She leaning back slightly and glanced at the snoozing pegasus to her left, who, at the moment, was sleeping like a baby,

"Find a safe spot to settle down, a job, patricide, the usual. I'd probably be taking care of whatever kids my sister ends up popping out, so that's about as far as I've gotten on the settling down side of things." the pegasus said, rather cheerfully.

"Aww... she wants to find love?" Choro looks down at Strawberry, the pink pegasus' earlier water-glugging gone from her mind. That was sweet. She smiles back at Cassidy, "It's a good dream. Something to strive towards. Real, grounded, and utterly possible. I wish you both luck with it."

The young unicorn lets the words hang in the air for a second, before gazing behind her. She has come so far north now. "I left the Stable because of my dreams. I've read every book we have six times at least. I..." Choro tenses, trying to find how best to say it. She has to try and explain this to someone. This seems like th right time. "I wanted to try and help ponies. The Stable is safe, no one there needs me. Out here I could learn more magic. I could be better. And I could try to help ponies who are in trouble. I thought I could do more good out here." Sweet Celestia, it sounds so idiotic when you say it aloud. So arrogant. One little Stable Dweller, fix everything wrong in the world. Choro looks down at the fire, silent for a second. "I'm going to head north eventually. Try to find a safe way to reach the Crystal Empire. Knowledge, history and glory. Oh, it would be amazing to walk those streets again"

Choro is gone from the conversation for a second, her mind dancing through impossibly magestic towers. Soon enough though she blinks, returningto reality with an embarrased cough. "How about you, River Stone?" She turns towards the colt with a smile. "Do you have something you want to do when you're older? Run a business, like your sister? Become an adventurer, like Doctor Wagon?"

[Dalinale]

Doc slowly blinked a few times. He was numb and sore around his eyes, but he was able to see pretty well with the visor attachment. He could feel like there was more he could see, almost like a mental switch. Hmm, something to work on getting used to! Doc smiled at Bertly and Stitchheart.

"I reckon we got paid for helping you and your sis with the basement?" Part of him was slightly sad no one stayed, but on the other hoof the factory was serious business, so collecting some gear and loot is an efficient use of their time.

"You will. I will have Fan Knife give you it; as you can see, I have been too preoccupied to go to my safe." Stitchheart calmly replied, apparently watching Doc's movements.


Doc slowly stepped out of the pod, his balance wobbly still from the drugs. He felt a tiny bit taller? Perhaps around the legs and hooves, but not nearly as noticeable as the muscle mass he had gained. He looked better sculpted, felt stronger, and his reflexes a little more... well, the coordination will have to wait until the drugs wear off. He put on the robe, having a little trouble with the second sleeve, but succeeding without needing help.

"Dreams... yeah, I was dreaming..."

Memories came and went, but the majority of the visions faded quickly; A Doc Wagon of some other world where here he was the dream... ponies he didn't quite recognize, but were... oh, there was Abbas! He wanted... a machine. Yeah, a learning tool. Doc must write all this down before he forgot.

"Dunno why it's possible. Maybe my brain is wired in an interesting way that defeats your machine? Was a nice dream though. I was in an office tower overlooking a grand city... I think I was a pegasus, as I was able to fly around in the dream. I also remember... speaking with someone, and they needed my help to rescue their... daughter? No, sister. It was strange, like I knew the equines mentioned. Hmm." He shrugs a little.

"Oh, you dreamed you could fly." Stitchheart said, sounding almost disappointed, before tisking at Doc's shrug. "Well, the machine can be fixed. You, however, are not a machine, and need to lie down before you hurt yourself."

Stitchheart then frowned, and that frown briefly turned into a scowl that would've made Doc suddenly remember that Stitchheart and Fan Knife were sisters. Stitchheart then produced a measuring tape from one of her pockets, and walked over towards the stallion.

"First, however, I will need you to flex your right arm." she said, "To test the muscle implants. If they are not properly secured, then they could break, along with your bones and most of the structure of your legs."


Moonshadow checked her pipbuck, wondering what the beeping signified.

Moonshadow... had mail, apparently. From an unknown Pipbuck.


"Aww... she wants to find love?" Choro looks down at Strawberry, the pink pegasus' earlier water-glugging gone from her mind. That was sweet. She smiles back at Cassidy, "It's a good dream. Something to strive towards. Real, grounded, and utterly possible. I wish you both luck with it."

Cassidy's eyes widened slightly, and glanced at her sister, and then Choro. The pegasus then looked as if she was about to crack up laughing, but she kept shaking her head and seemingly attempting to suppress her laughter. 'Seemingly', as she was at least four beers into the night and it was quite possible that pegusi were, when it came to processing alcohol, lightweights.


The young unicorn lets the words hang in the air for a second, before gazing behind her. She has come so far north now. "I left the Stable because of my dreams. I've read every book we have six times at least. I..." Choro tenses, trying to find how best to say it. She has to try and explain this to someone. This seems like th right time. "I wanted to try and help ponies. The Stable is safe, no one there needs me. Out here I could learn more magic. I could be better. And I could try to help ponies who are in trouble. I thought I could do more good out here." Sweet Celestia, it sounds so idiotic when you say it aloud. So arrogant. One little Stable Dweller, fix everything wrong in the world. Choro looks down at the fire, silent for a second. "I'm going to head north eventually. Try to find a safe way to reach the Crystal Empire. Knowledge, history and glory. Oh, it would be amazing to walk those streets again"


Cassidy listened to Choro's monologue after she stopped trying to kill herself vi smothering, and nodded her head after she finished. Then she took a sip of her beer, apparently not feeling as if she had anything to say.


Choro is gone from the conversation for a second, her mind dancing through impossibly magestic towers. Soon enough though she blinks, returningto reality with an embarrased cough. "How about you, River Stone?" She turns towards the colt with a smile. "Do you have something you want to do when you're older? Run a business, like your sister? Become an adventurer, like Doctor Wagon?"

River Stone shook his head.

"I don't know." he replied, "Probably what my sister does."

[DigoDragon]

"You will. I will have Fan Knife give you it; as you can see, I have been too preoccupied to go to my safe."

"And rightfully so, I imagine," Doc agreed.



"Oh, you dreamed you could fly." Stitchheart said, sounding almost disappointed, before tisking at Doc's shrug. "Well, the machine can be fixed. You, however, are not a machine, and need to lie down before you hurt yourself."

Stitchheart then frowned, and that frown briefly turned into a scowl that would've made Doc suddenly remember that Stitchheart and Fan Knife were sisters. Stitchheart then produced a measuring tape from one of her pockets, and walked over towards the stallion.

"First, however, I will need you to flex your right arm." she said, "To test the muscle implants. If they are not properly secured, then they could break, along with your bones and most of the structure of your legs."

"Sure, seems reasonable to inspect the work." Doc flexed his right foreleg for Stitchheart.

[Hazuki]

Viridia, who had replaced her gear since Stitcheart's wing examination, trotted discreetly over to beside Fan Knife.

[Inspector Valin]

Cassidy's eyes widened slightly, and glanced at her sister, and then Choro. The pegasus then looked as if she was about to crack up laughing, but she kept shaking her head and seemingly attempting to suppress her laughter. 'Seemingly', as she was at least four beers into the night and it was quite possible that pegusi were, when it came to processing alcohol, lightweights.

Cassidy listened to Choro's monologue after she stopped trying to kill herself vi smothering, and nodded her head after she finished. Then she took a sip of her beer, apparently not feeling as if she had anything to say.

River Stone shook his head.

"I don't know." he replied, "Probably what my sister does."

Choro looks a little confused at Cassidy's reaction, raising an eyebrow at the chuckling. Still, she seems... content at least. Thus instead she looking to River Stone, smiling at the colt. "That's fair. I used to want to work in maintenance, with my parents. That's what everypony expected me to do until I got my Cutie Mark. Family tend to stick together in the same line of work."

Just to check, does Stone have his mark?

[Dalinale]

"And rightfully so, I imagine," Doc agreed.

Stitchheart made a noise, as if the topic of giving money up to someone else was one that she was uncomfortably unfamiliar with.


"Sure, seems reasonable to inspect the work." Doc flexed his right foreleg for Stitchheart.

Stitchheart observed the movement of Doc's muscles closely, but in a clearly clinical fashion. Doc might have noticed by now that Stitchheart didn't seem to be especially thrilled to be measuring his suddenly moderately buff self.

"Well, they seem stable." she mumbled, before glancing at Bertly, and then Doc.

"I would send you off to bed, but your friends seem intent on leaving shortly." she replied, "So, if you would put on that robe and rest nearby until your friends arrive to fetch you, I suppose we will be done for the day. Until then, take care not to irritate the surgical scarring and treat yourself properly."


Viridia, who had replaced her gear since Stitcheart's wing examination, trotted discreetly over to beside Fan Knife.

The first thing Viridia would have noticed when Fan Knife flicked on the lights was the giant wall mural of a red sun that took up the better part of the back wall. The second thing she would have noticed was that it was clearly someone's room.

A small sofa bed took up most of the right corner of the room; a thin, albet large grey blanket covered it, as well as a small mound of pillows that looked like they had been taken from patient rooms from around the hospital. The rest of the room was more haphazard, but ultimately inline with what Viridia had seen of well-doing wasteland ponies; there were three small filly-sized bookcases, all fully stocked, a small dresser decorated with odd doodads, and a small glass case that contained a short rifle and what appeared to be some sort of curved sword with an ornate scabbard; this formed a crude living area of sorts, with a small fuzzy blanket in the middle of the room forming a makeshift carpet. To the left of Viridia, there was some sort of funny tiny wooden stage that had a strip of paper surrounded by small jars and what appeared to be cut rubies, each the size of a pony's hoof. In addition, there appeared to be something like a walk-in closet in the rough center of the room, near the bed, and Fan Knife headed towards it when she opened the door and quickly vanished, as she didn't turn on any lights inside it.


Choro looks a little confused at Cassidy's reaction, raising an eyebrow at the chuckling. Still, she seems... content at least. Thus instead she looking to River Stone, smiling at the colt. "That's fair. I used to want to work in maintenance, with my parents. That's what everypony expected me to do until I got my Cutie Mark. Family tend to stick together in the same line of work."

Just to check, does Stone have his mark?

[Yes; River Stone's cutie mark is a rock with moss on it.]

River Stone frowned at that.

"I don't like that. If different ponies did different things, then a family would be safer, right?"

[Hazuki]

Viridia wanted to look over the room some more, then decided to follow Fan Knife. Into the closet.

[Inspector Valin]

River Stone frowned at that.

"I don't like that. If different ponies did different things, then a family would be safer, right?"

"Indeed. But somepony needs to do the same things. To keep the old ways alive, and make sure they're still done well." Choro's mind turns back to a few past conversations. She tries to keep smiling at River Stone. "It's an old dilemma. Following in our parents hooves, or making our own path. Some ponies like sticking to what they know. To what their family's always done. Others prefer to be free of that. To do their own thing, even if it's to help their family."

The young unicorn glances at Cassidy, then at the sleeping older Moss brother, then back at the hospital. She's starting to feel tired. Her lids droop a little as she starts rummaging through her bags. "Life is... like a series of paths through a dark forest. We don't always know where we're going next, where the next turn leads. All we can know is where we're trying to get to in the end. Does that make sense?"

[DigoDragon]

Stitchheart observed the movement of Doc's muscles closely, but in a clearly clinical fashion. Doc might have noticed by now that Stitchheart didn't seem to be especially thrilled to be measuring his suddenly moderately buff self.

"Well, they seem stable." she mumbled, before glancing at Bertly, and then Doc.

"I would send you off to bed, but your friends seem intent on leaving shortly." she replied, "So, if you would put on that robe and rest nearby until your friends arrive to fetch you, I suppose we will be done for the day. Until then, take care not to irritate the surgical scarring and treat yourself properly."

Doc nodded. "Back home it's often said doctors make the worst patients, but I'll do my best to buck the trend." He adjusted the robe a bit, then looked back at Stitchheart.

"You alright? You seem a bit bothered by something."

[Dalinale]

Viridia wanted to look over the room some more, then decided to follow Fan Knife. Into the closet.

Fan Knife's closet was surprisingly large and robust. Also, filled with guns, weapons, armor and other interesting things. The guns had their own glass case; they mostly seemed to be of markedly foreign make, with most being painted a bright orange and most of the rifles seemingly cruder then most guns Viridia would have been used to. Most of the arms in the room were lovingly displayed, as well; Viridia saw three individual swords, similar to the one in the main room, as well as a longer, more curved variation that was about as long as she was. At the very end of the room, past a small pile of clothing that Fan Knife was rooting through; was another pair of fake plastic ponies wearing clothing; one had a rather fancy hat and a plain black military-type outfit on, while another was hidden under a set of armor that seemed to be hidden under a suit of armor consisted of a set of fancy armor made of brightly painted lacquered wood and metal, with a matching short sword that bore a similar red-on-yellow coloring as the armor itself.


"Indeed. But somepony needs to do the same things. To keep the old ways alive, and make sure they're still done well." Choro's mind turns back to a few past conversations. She tries to keep smiling at River Stone. "It's an old dilemma. Following in our parents hooves, or making our own path. Some ponies like sticking to what they know. To what their family's always done. Others prefer to be free of that. To do their own thing, even if it's to help their family."

The young unicorn glances at Cassidy, then at the sleeping older Moss brother, then back at the hospital. She's starting to feel tired. Her lids droop a little as she starts rummaging through her bags. "Life is... like a series of paths through a dark forest. We don't always know where we're going next, where the next turn leads. All we can know is where we're trying to get to in the end. Does that make sense?"

"Yeah. My sister alway's tells me to only listen to her as long as it's good for the rest of the family, though." the colt replied, sounding rather confused.
.

Doc nodded. "Back home it's often said doctors make the worst patients, but I'll do my best to buck the trend." He adjusted the robe a bit, then looked back at Stitchheart.

"You alright? You seem a bit bothered by something."

Stitchheart looked Doc in the eye when he posed the question.

"I am fine, Wagon." Stitchheart said, frowning regardless, as she prodded Doc's upper forearm, "I am mearly concerned about the aftereffects of undertaking strenuous activity after a heavy surgery."

[Inspector Valin]

"Yeah. My sister alway's tells me to only listen to her as long as it's good for the rest of the family, though." the colt replied, sounding rather confused.

"That's her trying to give you choice. To make sure she doesn't press you into doing something you don't want to do. To tell her if she's made a mistake." Choro is perhaps a bit too drowsy to be quite coherent. Her hat bobs a little on her head, as if to emphasise this point. Still, she smiles at River Stone. "It's wise of her. Not everypony can think like that. You have a very good sister."

[DigoDragon]

Stitchheart looked Doc in the eye when he posed the question.

"I am fine, Wagon." Stitchheart said, frowning regardless, as she prodded Doc's upper forearm, "I am mearly concerned about the aftereffects of undertaking strenuous activity after a heavy surgery."

"From one doctor to another, I empathize with your concerns," Doc said with experience. "We're skilled surgeons, but equine bodies aren't like a motor you can put right back to service once it's repaired. They need time to heal and strengthen."

"This canning factory is a danger to the area and needs to be dealt with quickly, but I know I'd be useless if I'm still full of pain meds and open incisions. I'll rest a bit before going. My friends should too. It's... night out, isn't it? Think we all should sleep before tackling an automated factory that doesn't."

[Forum Explorer]

Moonshadow checks her mail, idly following Viridia as she reads it.

[Hazuki]

Fan Knife's closet was surprisingly large and robust. Also, filled with guns, weapons, armor and other interesting things. The guns had their own glass case; they mostly seemed to be of markedly foreign make, with most being painted a bright orange and most of the rifles seemingly cruder then most guns Viridia would have been used to. Most of the arms in the room were lovingly displayed, as well; Viridia saw three individual swords, similar to the one in the main room, as well as a longer, more curved variation that was about as long as she was. At the very end of the room, past a small pile of clothing that Fan Knife was rooting through; was another pair of fake plastic ponies wearing clothing; one had a rather fancy hat and a plain black military-type outfit on, while another was hidden under a set of armor that seemed to be hidden under a suit of armor consisted of a set of fancy armor made of brightly painted lacquered wood and metal, with a matching short sword that bore a similar red-on-yellow coloring as the armor itself."...cool." Viridia followed Fan Knife over to the pile of clothing and gave a longing look at the fancy hat on the mannequin. She hoped they weren't autons.

[Dalinale]

"That's her trying to give you choice. To make sure she doesn't press you into doing something you don't want to do. To tell her if she's made a mistake." Choro is perhaps a bit too drowsy to be quite coherent. Her hat bobs a little on her head, as if to emphasise this point. Still, she smiles at River Stone. "It's wise of her. Not everypony can think like that. You have a very good sister."

The colt nodded.

"I get that a lot." he replied, before looking at Choro quizzically.

"Do you need to sleep?" he asked, sounding about as concerned as a child could be.


"From one doctor to another, I empathize with your concerns," Doc said with experience. "We're skilled surgeons, but equine bodies aren't like a motor you can put right back to service once it's repaired. They need time to heal and strengthen."

"This canning factory is a danger to the area and needs to be dealt with quickly, but I know I'd be useless if I'm still full of pain meds and open incisions. I'll rest a bit before going. My friends should too. It's... night out, isn't it? Think we all should sleep before tackling an automated factory that doesn't."

"It's nearly six in the morning."

Stitchheart then coughed.

"Your friends said that you were to sleep on the way there." the doctor continued. "I would imagine that would be a conversation you would have with them, however. If necessary, the robot will be able to provide basic care until you are able to fully function."


Moonshadow checks her mail, idly following Viridia as she reads it.

Choro had apparently sent her a message; Northern Light and River Moss were off somewhere that wasn't at the camp. Hrm.

Moonshadow found herself in a room that was a treasure trove of old stuff. There was a uniform display that looked like it could have come from a cloudside museum and the whole room was stuffed with chests and safes and weapon cases.

[Moonshadow might want to roll Int or Perception.]


"...cool." Viridia followed Fan Knife over to the pile of clothing and gave a longing look at the fancy hat on the mannequin. She hoped they weren't autons.

The fancy hat in question was a black one with a wide brim and a thin line of red circling around it. It certainty looked fancy, and sort of intimidating.

"That uniform is actually mine. It was a gift from my mom." Fan Knife spoke up, pulling out one rubbery hazmat suit from the pile as she spoke, sounding wistful, "I have one my size, but it looks silly."

[Viridia's also encouraged to roll for Perception, because it's easier then going through every single object in the room.]

[DigoDragon]

"It's nearly six in the morning."

Stitchheart then coughed.

"Your friends said that you were to sleep on the way there." the doctor continued. "I would imagine that would be a conversation you would have with them, however. If necessary, the robot will be able to provide basic care until you are able to fully function."

"Oh wow, nearly daylight... or what passes for it living under the clouds," Doc said with a little bit of surprise. He regarded the idea his friends had as odd. "Hmm, yeah I should talk to them about it. They probably have the notion to pull me around in a sled before I even have breakfast. Alright, let me go nap before I get dragged off to Walt Deathney World. Bertly, mind accompanying me?"

Doc reached out with a hoof to shake Stitchheart's. "Thank you, for the hospitality, the patience, and everything else in between."

[Hazuki]

The fancy hat in question was a black one with a wide brim and a thin line of red circling around it. It certainty looked fancy, and sort of intimidating.

"That uniform is actually mine. It was a gift from my mom." Fan Knife spoke up, pulling out one rubbery hazmat suit from the pile as she spoke, sounding wistful, "I have one my size, but it looks silly."

[Viridia's also encouraged to roll for Perception, because it's easier then going through every single object in the room.]"Don't you like the hats? I like fancy hats." Viridia said.

Perception: [roll0] vs 7

[Dalinale]

"Oh wow, nearly daylight... or what passes for it living under the clouds," Doc said with a little bit of surprise. He regarded the idea his friends had as odd. "Hmm, yeah I should talk to them about it. They probably have the notion to pull me around in a sled before I even have breakfast. Alright, let me go nap before I get dragged off to Walt Deathney World. Bertly, mind accompanying me?"

"Of course!" the robot replied, rather bombastically, "If infringements on Robronco's intellectual property exist there, then it would be my sworn duty to oppose them!"


Doc reached out with a hoof to shake Stitchheart's. "Thank you, for the hospitality, the patience, and everything else in between."

Stitchheart eagerly shook Doc's hoof.

"And thank you for your presence here. Any sign of competent medical staff in Equestria is something that can only better the world, in it's current state." the ghoul replied, sounding somewhat more cheerful than before.


"Don't you like the hats? I like fancy hats." Viridia said.

Perception: [roll0] vs 7

"No, the hat's fine." Fan Knife replied, adjusting her own, perhaps self-consciously, "It just wouldn't match with anything else I own."

Fan Knife briefly glanced at Viridia, who was apparently looking straight at her; this caused the filly to turn towards her task at hand, and apparently do her best to not look at Viridia, lest she see the purplish blush on her face.

[DigoDragon]

Stitchheart eagerly shook Doc's hoof.

"And thank you for your presence here. Any sign of competent medical staff in Equestria is something that can only better the world, in it's current state." the ghoul replied, sounding somewhat more cheerful than before.

"Agreed, and thank you."

Doc turns to leave, wobbling slightly as the meds in him still hold some sway over his motor functions. He walks slowly and carefully, stopping at the patient rooms nearby. Not seeing Stellar in any of them, he looks over to Bertly. "Guess she's off with the others. Or on the roof again. Hmm." He then begins the careful trek towards the lobby.

"Before I take that nap, Bertly, you mind grabbing a bag of mine from the sled outside? It's the tan one with my cutie mark on it. Has some components inside that I was tinkering with," Doc explained. "I got Physician's Hooves; fiddling with stuff helps me relax, but all I got on is a robe and Dr. Stitchheart will probably be upset if I go out there in the cold so soon after my surgery."

[Hazuki]

"No, the hat's fine." Fan Knife replied, adjusting her own, perhaps self-consciously, "It just wouldn't match with anything else I own."

Fan Knife briefly glanced at Viridia, who was apparently looking straight at her; this caused the filly to turn towards her task at hand, and apparently do her best to not look at Viridia, lest she see the purplish blush on her face.Viridia put a thoughtful hoof to her chin. "Maybe you could buy a new outfit, from one of the traders?"

[Inspector Valin]

The colt nodded.

"I get that a lot." he replied, before looking at Choro quizzically.

"Do you need to sleep?" he asked, sounding about as concerned as a child could be.

"Err..."

Choro looks at River Rock, a little guilty feeling. She could use the sleep, but... she shouldn't leave the kid with a dangerous mercenary, should she? She glances across at Cass, drunk and with a broken wing. Nah. He'll wake me up if something happens. And she's a good pony. It won't.

Confident, Choro nods, a little groggy. "That sounds good. Night!" Wishes given, the wizard falls down atop the saddlebags she carries. Soon enough, she is fast asleep.

[Forum Explorer]

Choro had apparently sent her a message; Northern Light and River Moss were off somewhere that wasn't at the camp. Hrm.

Moonshadow found herself in a room that was a treasure trove of old stuff. There was a uniform display that looked like it could have come from a cloudside museum and the whole room was stuffed with chests and safes and weapon cases.

[Moonshadow might want to roll Int or Perception.]


I'm sure Viridia would be happy to help you find something. Moonshadow said. Though, speaking of traders, it seems that Northern Light and River Moss are wandering around looking for Andante.


Perception [roll0] vs 9

[Dalinale]

"Agreed, and thank you."

Doc turns to leave, wobbling slightly as the meds in him still hold some sway over his motor functions. He walks slowly and carefully, stopping at the patient rooms nearby. Not seeing Stellar in any of them, he looks over to Bertly. "Guess she's off with the others. Or on the roof again. Hmm." He then begins the careful trek towards the lobby.

Bertly didn't directly reply, although the robot's fans went into overdrive as he followed Doc; presumably due to the ambient cold of the hospital.


"Before I take that nap, Bertly, you mind grabbing a bag of mine from the sled outside? It's the tan one with my cutie mark on it. Has some components inside that I was tinkering with," Doc explained. "I got Physician's Hooves; fiddling with stuff helps me relax, but all I got on is a robe and Dr. Stitchheart will probably be upset if I go out there in the cold so soon after my surgery."

"Of course, lad, but what part of outside?" the robot replied, chipper but sounding mildly confused.


Viridia put a thoughtful hoof to her chin. "Maybe you could buy a new outfit, from one of the traders?"

Fan Knife shook her head.

"I have plenty of clothing. I have three of these jackets and a set of ballistic armor for each of them." she said, rubbing the place where her nose should've been as she spoke, "And some shirts and...stuff."


Confident, Choro nods, a little groggy. "That sounds good. Night!" Wishes given, the wizard falls down atop the saddlebags she carries. Soon enough, she is fast asleep.

Choro's sleep was dreamless and undisturbed. If she dreamed, it would be a pleasant one.


I'm sure Viridia would be happy to help you find something. Moonshadow said. Though, speaking of traders, it seems that Northern Light and River Moss are wandering around somewhere.

"They're probably trying to find the bathrooms or or something." the filly said, carefully removing a third hazmat suit from the pile, apparently uninterested in the movements of ponies she didn't know.


Perception [roll0] vs 9

Most of the guns in the room were about of the same quality as the ones Moonshadow had seen in the lost and found, but there were other things of note;

- The military outfit and the suit of armor next to it could have fetched a good price in the Enclave; more interestingly, however, was the fact that most of the heavier sections of primitive-looking armor wasn't wood or metal, but rather a familiar sort of light ceramic plate, with the lighter sections seemingly consisting of lighter metal alloys, all made to look far more primitive than it really was.

- The small shrine in the corner of the room that Moonshadow passed on her way into the closet had two emeralds placed on it; she already noticed that. What Moonshadow would have also noticed, however, was that the gems had tiny marks on them that seemed to form a wavy pattern.

- There was a low-framed flat filing cabinet that Moonshadow would have recognized as the sort that could store canvas paintings present in the back corner of the room, partially covered by a white sheet.

- A small safe was present close to the filing cabinet, partially hidden behind a television set.

- A large wooden chest, one covered with wax seals and small pieces of paper, took up most of the right corner of the closet and had a very large, robust lock on it.

- The record player that was set close to the door, placed on a wooden box for support, seemed to be in good condition, although Moonshadow didn't see any records in the room.

[DigoDragon]

"Of course, lad, but what part of outside?" the robot replied, chipper but sounding mildly confused.

"When you exit the doors, it should be on the right. The bag I want is on a large red sled with some other bags and a stack of old newspapers." Doc pointed in the general direction the sled was left at to his recollection.

[Hazuki]

"They're probably trying to find the bathrooms or or something." the filly said, carefully removing a third hazmat suit from the pile, apparently uninterested in the movements of ponies she didn't know. "They're going to get themselves killed." Viridia frowned. "If I have to take care of two kids and Andante, I'm gonna be pissed."

[Forum Explorer]

Most of the guns in the room were about of the same quality as the ones Moonshadow had seen in the lost and found, but there were other things of note;

- The military outfit and the suit of armor next to it could have fetched a good price in the Enclave; more interestingly, however, was the fact that most of the heavier sections of primitive-looking armor wasn't wood or metal, but rather a familiar sort of light ceramic plate, with the lighter sections seemingly consisting of lighter metal alloys, all made to look far more primitive than it really was.

- The small shrine in the corner of the room that Moonshadow passed on her way into the closet had two emeralds placed on it; she already noticed that. What Moonshadow would have also noticed, however, was that the gems had tiny marks on them that seemed to form a wavy pattern.

- There was a low-framed flat filing cabinet that Moonshadow would have recognized as the sort that could store canvas paintings present in the back corner of the room, partially covered by a white sheet.

- A small safe was present close to the filing cabinet, partially hidden behind a television set.

- A large wooden chest, one covered with wax seals and small pieces of paper, took up most of the right corner of the closet and had a very large, robust lock on it.

- The record player that was set close to the door, placed on a wooden box for support, seemed to be in good condition, although Moonshadow didn't see any records in the room.

Oooh, this is nice. Moonshadow said, taking a closer look at the armor. Is this your personal set Fan Knife? she asked.


"They're going to get themselves killed." Viridia frowned. "If I have to take care of two kids and Andante, I'm gonna be pissed."

Where is Andante anyways?

[Hazuki]

Where is Andante anyways?"She told me to say that she's doing groceries." Viridia said. "I'm pretty sure it was something like that."

[Forum Explorer]

"She told me to say that she's doing groceries." Viridia said. "I'm pretty sure it was something like that."

So she's not doing groceries then, Moonshadow said wryly.

[Dalinale]

"When you exit the doors, it should be on the right. The bag I want is on a large red sled with some other bags and a stack of old newspapers." Doc pointed in the general direction the sled was left at to his recollection.

The robot hovered in place for quite some time before replying.

"Ah, of course." it replied, before bobbing in the air once, "I will go there immediately!"

The robot promptly began to fly down the hall, his sensors taking care to observe his surroundings from all directions. Doc saw the bot vanish around a corner.


"They're going to get themselves killed." Viridia frowned. "If I have to take care of two kids and Andante, I'm gonna be pissed."

Fan Knife glanced at Viridia; she looked rather confused.

"Why? Are they her kids or something?" she asked, taking a moment to rest from digging through the pile.


Oooh, this is nice. Moonshadow said, taking a closer look at the armor. Is this your personal set Fan Knife? she asked.

"I own it, but I have only have had to use it a few times." Fan Knife replied, shaking her head, "I prefer lighter armor, like what I'm wearing right now. That bushi armor is too heavy to do what I'm good at in, but I do train in it when I have spare time."

[Hazuki]

Fan Knife glanced at Viridia; she looked rather confused.

"Why? Are they her kids or something?" she asked, taking a moment to rest from digging through the pile. "The little guys are River's brothers, but she takes care of them. If she dies, they're not old enough to take care of themselves." Viridia explained.

[DigoDragon]

The robot hovered in place for quite some time before replying.
"Ah, of course." it replied, before bobbing in the air once, "I will go there immediately!"

The robot promptly began to fly down the hall, his sensors taking care to observe his surroundings from all directions. Doc saw the bot vanish around a corner.

Doc followed the robot, just to be sure he went out the lobby entrance and not some place unrelated. He also made a mental note to have Choro do some maintenance on Bertly later. Poor 'bot probably hasn't had a good check up in decades.

[Inspector Valin]

Choro's Dreaming
Darkness. Darkness, blood, fire and that scream. Pain and anger and wrath. Darkness was not evil but in the darkness, evil lies. The darknesses behind the eyes. Subtle, hidden. Endless hidden eyes, watching, always watching. You are not the judge. You can not judge, and they can not be judged. But you must judge. If you don't, who will? The world has two camps, those who do not care and those who care too much. One brings nothing but emptiness, one burns everything. Which are you? What will you be?

"Doesn't matter" said the darkness. "I know what you are."

"Petty. Small. Little minded. Useless. Worthless."

Afraid.

It hangs. It echoes. And the darkness laughs. Two voices, male and female, old and harsh, fading back and forth in demented chorus. "You're too frightened to do anything. Too frightened to do what must be done." The words are everywhere, and they are as chill as pitch. The spectres don't stop, circling unseen through the void "When the situation has become serious, when the stakes are clear, what does The Great Dichoro do? You back away, back down. Hiding behind politeness, innocence, that idea that Stable Dwellers don't really know the consequences of the Wasteland. Leave it to others to make your choices, fight your battles, shed their blood to win your wars."

Laughter again. Cold and bitter as a blizzard, as both voices join. Mocking. The little cog deserves nothing but mockery. "Weak willed, without knowledge, sense or true conviction. You're a pathetic excuse for a wizard, little filly." filly. filly the old pony sneers, two great red slanted eyes rising out of the darkness. Beneath him, the shadow of his counterpart chuckles dryly, looking down at the wizard from her podium with bemused contempt. "Hardly worthy of the name. The predecessors you look up to were guardians and heroes. Who do you protect? What good do you do? How many lives will pay because you..."

And with that, the voices fade. One final one has come, old, familiar. And it holds dominion here. "That's quite enough of that. Not now. The day is done with. Dreams are a time for happiness."

Because in dreams, we forge the start of a brighter tomorrow.

Fire. Fire crackling over dark, rich oak wood. There's a rusty iron pot above it, red hot, and a delicious smell wafts out from it. This a mighty bonfire, set in some kind of woodland glen. The stars twinkle above. It's an older time, a happier time. Perhaps a better time. There are many ponies here, perhaps a score, and their clothes are as bright as their coats. Their wagons are circled around the fire, painted with stars and suns, swirls and sparkles. Some older ponies are sitting on the wagon-steps; smoking a pipe, nursing a foal or lost gazing up at the stars. Most however are dancing around the campfire, to simple catchy tune played on some kind of thin looking stringed implement by a bright eyed young mare

"When you're faced with deprivation
'cause you dare defy your station
We still honour our old nation
and a world that's young and green."

"For we stand proud under blue skies
And these roves still keep us fools dry
So good ponies raise your hooves high
and come spend a dance with me!"

Choro is lost there, in the moment. The ponies don't seem to notice her. She doesn't mind. Sharing in this moment, even by proxy, is more than enough for the little wizard. Everything is wonderful. Everything is beautiful. She leans back against one of the wagons with a contented sigh, casting her gaze around the campsite, looking at th ponies one by one. Some of the faces seem a touch familiar, a short blue mare, and a white coated stallion with long legs dance into each others arms, a young buck stands in the doorway behind them, watching along with Choro. His face was too stoic to give much away. By the pot, a young mare and her sister were chatting merely away, straining to make themselves heard above the lively music. And sitting in a chair, overlooking it all, is an old brown stallion with a beard and glasses.

His eyes. Something about his eyes seems familiar. It almost feels like he's looking straight at Choro. Like she could lose herself in those deep green pools. But that's impossible, This is just a dream. Nothing bad can happen in a dream.

[Forum Explorer]

"I own it, but I have only have had to use it a few times." Fan Knife replied, shaking her head, "I prefer lighter armor, like what I'm wearing right now. That bushi armor is too heavy to do what I'm good at in, but I do train in it when I have spare time."

It kinda reminds me of power armor. Well, in appearance at least. Moonshadow said. It's got an aesthetic, but it's still clear that it works as armor. Equal parts art and wargear.

[Dalinale]

"The little guys are River's brothers, but she takes care of them. If she dies, they're not old enough to take care of themselves." Viridia explained.

Fan Knife seemed surprised.

"Why? They can defend themselves, right?" she said, pulling out three more hazmat suits and placing them beside her, and then looking up at Viridia. The dead filly, quite plainly, looked confused. "And why would it be you?"


Doc followed the robot, just to be sure he went out the lobby entrance and not some place unrelated. He also made a mental note to have Choro do some maintenance on Bertly later. Poor 'bot probably hasn't had a good check up in decades.

Bertly looked like he was briefly checking every door to see if it would lead outside before finally ending up in the lobby, where he then proceeded to fly forward into the dark.


It kinda reminds me of power armor. Well, in appearance at least. Moonshadow said. It's got an aesthetic, but it's still clear that it works as armor. Equal parts art and wargear.

Fan Knife nodded. "Yeah. It's design is archaic, but it's well made enough that it has it's uses. Functionally, it's about as good as the upper tiers of combat outfits made in Equestria, and uses most of the same materials. It could stop a bullet and take a knife, and it's not hard to move around in, but, to be honest, it hurts my shoulders if I wear it too long."

[DigoDragon]

Bertly looked like he was briefly checking every door to see if it would lead outside before finally ending up in the lobby, where he then proceeded to fly forward into the dark.

Doc slowed down to a stop as he got to the darkness. 'Err... oh, a chance to try out these new eyes. Le'ts see if I can...' He concentrates at the darkness, flipping a mental switch that felt new and foreign. His eyes blinked and switched to the nightvision mode. Doc's ears perked up as everything took on a green tint.

"Oooh, this is neat!" He then walked through the dark to the exit. Clutching his robe, he looked outside to see how well he could see Bertly out there.

[Hazuki]

Fan Knife seemed surprised.

"Why? They can defend themselves, right?" she said, pulling out three more hazmat suits and placing them beside her, and then looking up at Viridia. The dead filly, quite plainly, looked confused. "And why would it be you?""They can't. And I kinda sorta convinced them to leave their homes in the first place." Viridia explained. "I mean, I'd probably try to find a better place and pony to leave them with, rather than try to raise them myself, but y'know." She paused. "I don't know if Andante could take that, though. I'm her favorite."

[Inspector Valin]

Looking out over everything, the tower. Glowing green above Tauronto proper. There's always a tower. A Wizard has to have a tower. A city has to have a tower. A heart. A focal point. When the tower falls, the city falls with it.

The faint music of the campsite drifts across the bay. Choro sits on a bench in the shade, smiling at sunlight playing off the water. She looks upwards, towards the top of the tower. Yes, still the same. A grand edifice of carved stone, with sharply curved Bahoofian windows and statues marking out each level. At the top, a flight of black birds circle, cawing gently across the evening sky. The young wizard turns her eyes out, towards the shore. There are families on the beach. Colts and fillies playing happily, splashing in the shallow water while their parents look on, laughing and chuckling at the energy of the young. There is probably a small town somewhere nearby, Fortitude or Hope or something of the kind. That's not her home though, not here. This island is, standing on the border of land and sea.

They called it the Tower of Ravens. Nopony has ever found the original: it's known as one of the Lost Wonders of Wizardry. Some scholars dismissed it as breezy-talk, but that's never been enough to quash a good legend. Apparently, in ancient times, a young unicorn of noble blood was imprisoned here by a cruel Duke, as punishment for rejecting his advances. The finest knights of the Three Kingdoms sallied forth to find her, but the Duke's enchantments and three magical raven guards rendered the tower beyond mortal sight. In time, the knights abandoned their quest, one by one, leaving the mare alone upon the isle.

The young unicorn's heart sank when the ravens brought news of the last knight's failure. The young mare cried. She sobbed. She begun to fall into despair, sitting in front of her tower, looking out upon the world that would not help her. But on the seventh night, she looked up at the stars. And with the lights of the darkened sky dancing before her, she found her hope again. When the morning came, she climbed the tower to speak with the ravens. The black birds were all too happy to caw at her, mocking the final failure of every knight in the land to save one little filly. The maiden was unruffled by their words. Instead, she looked up towards the trio with a cunning smile

"Prey, good birds?" she said, eyes twinkling, "Now that we are alone here, just how will you pass the time?"

The ravens looked at her. Then they looked at each other, confused. They had not considered that the duke's charge left them every bit as trapped as the unicorn. The same magic that bound her here bound them to the tower as well. Now there were no more knights looking for the unicorn maid, they were no longer permitted to leave. They wouldn't have known the word before, but the three birds had spent so long following the doings of so many different ponies, that to be bound to one spot forever after would be... boring.

The birds could not outright defy the duke. He was their creator, their master. But as long as the young unicorn remained on the island, and they with her, everyone was free to do as they chose. So the ravens begun to teach the young noblemare the deeper secrets of magic: every last drop of lore and mystery they had gained in their many years of service to the duke. And when the day finally came that the mage was powerful enough to destroy the wards around the tower, three happy cawing ravens flew by her side as she sailed back towards the shore. She would go on to become known as Mimir the Wise, a legendary archmage of her generation. But that tower, that had once been her prison, would remain her home.

With a pleasant sigh, Choro rises from her bench, turning towards the door. She steps through, and hears the welcome hum of terminals and devices, lighting up and readying themselves for use. She can experiment later though. For now, she wants to watch the sunset from the top of the tower, like Lady Mimir used to do. The young unicorn grins looking at the flight of winding stairs. It will be a long climb, but worth it in the end.

[Forum Explorer]

Fan Knife nodded. "Yeah. It's design is archaic, but it's well made enough that it has it's uses. Functionally, it's about as good as the upper tiers of combat outfits made in Equestria, and uses most of the same materials. It could stop a bullet and take a knife, and it's not hard to move around in, but, to be honest, it hurts my shoulders if I wear it too long."

Yeah, armor can be rough if you aren't used to it. Or if it isn't properly fitted. Moonshadow said. And it's not worth giving up flight for. So I stick to the lighter armors, at least until I get an opportunity to get ahold of some power armor.

[Dalinale]

"Oooh, this is neat!" He then walked through the dark to the exit. Clutching his robe, he looked outside to see how well he could see Bertly out there.

Bertly seemed to be doing fine; Cassidy seemed somewhat startled by the robot when she got a glimpse of him, but seemed to calm down after a few moments. Eventually, they seemed to be engaged in conversation.


"They can't. And I kinda sorta convinced them to leave their homes in the first place." Viridia explained. "I mean, I'd probably try to find a better place and pony to leave them with, rather than try to raise them myself, but y'know." She paused. "I don't know if Andante could take that, though. I'm her favorite."

Viridia heard the breezie in her hair giggle lightly.

Fan Knife, however, just seemed content to let the subject drop, and shook her head.


Yeah, armor can be rough if you aren't used to it. Or if it isn't properly fitted. Moonshadow said. And it's not worth giving up flight for. So I stick to the lighter armors, at least until I get an opportunity to get ahold of some power armor.

Fan Knife raised a eyebrow, and she sniffled, which was impressive for someone who was missing most of her nose.

"Power armor isn't reliable enough to use without some sort of support. There's plenty of things that can pry it open, and if it's shut down, you'd be stuck in a tin can, while probably in the air. Could you even operate it if you found a set?"

Fan Knife paused, and glanced at Viridia before continuing.

"The reason I wanted to keep the unicorn out is that I want to know about those zebras you found downstairs." Fan Knife continued, voice keeping the same deliberate tone as before, "I don't have anything against zebras, they make decent tea, but you're from the closest thing to a working Equestria and Viridia's the closest thing to a normal Equestrian, so I'd just like to know what you thought of them when you saw them, and how they acted."

[DigoDragon]

Bertly seemed to be doing fine; Cassidy seemed somewhat startled by the robot when she got a glimpse of him, but seemed to calm down after a few moments. Eventually, they seemed to be engaged in conversation.

Doc recognizes that big attention-grabbing robe anywhere. He tightens the robe around himself and trots out into the snow toward the camp.

cold hooves. cold hooves. cold hooves. cold hooves.

As soon as he reaches Choro, Doc just gives a quick wave to Cassidy. "One sec," he says politely before setting to work. He gently moves the young unicorn mare aside and starts pulling all his clothes and then some out, dressing himself and wrapping up in warmth. Oh yes, warm clothes. Oooh, fresh scent too! 'Nicely washed, Choro. Thank you.' he thinks to himself.

Doc then looks for his box of hamdingers and the newspaper pile he was collecting.

[Hazuki]

Fan Knife paused, and glanced at Viridia before continuing.

"The reason I wanted to keep the unicorn out is that I want to know about those zebras you found downstairs." Fan Knife continued, voice keeping the same deliberate tone as before, "I don't have anything against zebras, they make decent tea, but you're from the closest thing to a working Equestria and Viridia's the closest thing to a normal Equestrian, so I'd just like to know what you thought of them when you saw them, and how they acted." "They seemed decent enough." Viridia shrugged. "I don't think they're spies or anything like that - a bit too...blunt, I guess? I mean, they're probably dangerous in the 'I could stab you' type, some of 'em, but if you're getting danger, that's the kind you want, right? And they were willing to talk, so they're not complete jerks."

[Forum Explorer]

Fan Knife raised a eyebrow, and she sniffled, which was impressive for someone who was missing most of her nose.

"Power armor isn't reliable enough to use without some sort of support. There's plenty of things that can pry it open, and if it's shut down, you'd be stuck in a tin can, while probably in the air. Could you even operate it if you found a set?"

Fan Knife paused, and glanced at Viridia before continuing.

"The reason I wanted to keep the unicorn out is that I want to know about those zebras you found downstairs." Fan Knife continued, voice keeping the same deliberate tone as before, "I don't have anything against zebras, they make decent tea, but you're from the closest thing to a working Equestria and Viridia's the closest thing to a normal Equestrian, so I'd just like to know what you thought of them when you saw them, and how they acted."

Pegasus power armor doesn't really have that problem. It needs to be light enough to fly, so even shut down, I doubt it's heavier then your set in there. If it shut down mid-flight I might be in trouble though that would pretty much require being shot in mid air by an anti-matrix weapon of some kind. It's been a long time since I did any traning in power armor, but I'm sure I could figure it out. Moonshadow said, tapping the glass around the suit of armor.

Here that Viridia? You're officially more normal then me. Moonshadow said, winking at Viridia. The zebras were alright. Their leader seemed a tad on the fanatical side, but she doesn't seem to be out to continue fighting a 200 year old war, and like Viridia said, she was willing to talk. I would put money on her being some sort of military though.

[Inspector Valin]

Choro sleeps through it all, whinnying cutely as Doc approaches. Her hat now rests atop her head like a shade.

Last bell. The students are on their feet swiftly, swarming out through the door. Ms. Moss chuckles, picking up her bag and following her pupils out. Soon little Cog was left in the room, scratching at her book. Soon enough, the job is done, and Shiny's books are together in her bag. The young teen looks towards the door, but hesitates. She just sits there in silence for a little, the rest of the CHS student body bustling through the corridor. If she puts leaving off a little longer, she could avoid all the jostling around the lockers. Cog's always hated the lockers. Everyone's so loud, so close together. Plus she won't have to...

"So, are you going to ask him?"

It can be annoying never knowing when your friend is in the room with you. Cog jumps, obviously surprised. Turning around, she sees the dark blue smiling face of Moonshadow looking back at her. The loveable delinquent slinks forward, propping herself up on the desk next to her stay-at-home friend. "It's the last day before the flipping dance. If you're going to get a date for the Formal, you have... perhaps five hours to do it in. And you don't know his number. So you'll probably have to find him before he leaves the school building. "

"I can't. You know I can't." Cog shakes a little, edging her chair away from the door. "I'll just... hide in here. I don't want to ask. It's stupid. I left it too late."

"I still don't get why you care about a dance at all. You normally skip them. Stupid hormones." Moonshadow snorts, looking bored at the thought of the coming Formal, before shaking Cog's shoulder and laughing. "Just... ask him already! It's not hard! What's the worst that can happen?"

"He says no and laughs at me. And laughs every time he sees me. And tells his friends that I thought I could go to the Fall Formal with him..." There's tears entering Shiny's eyes now, and her voice is quavering. Her friend waves a hand,

"Stop. Just... frecking stop, Cog. You idiot."

Moonshadow sighs, flicking her jacket slightly to fix the half moon while trying to think. "C'mon. Look at you! He'd be stupid to turn you down. You're smart, and kind, and..." And trying to talk self confidence to the worried shy girl is not going to work any time soon And it's hard to think of anything else nice to say Cog'd believe. With a frown, Moonshadow meets her friend's gaze, face briefly turning serious "Look, just ask. Ok? If you get a no, that's it. His loss. But if you don't talk to him, you're going to be upset with yourself all through winter break. And nobody wants that." Least of all the people who care about you, silly little wallflower. Trying a supporting smile, Moon leans forward and gestures towards the window. "If you try, and get turned down, I'll get you a milkshake at Joe's, and we'll blow off the stupid dance together tomorrow. Ok? We'll find something to do instead, just us."

Cog sniffs, straightening her beanie and meeting Moonshadow's gaze. She has to wipe her eye. "Promise?"

That won the old roguish grin Moonshadow was so good at. "Cross my heart, hope to die, lightning fall down from the sky, now move it!" Laughing, Moony jumps down from her desk, playfully pushing Cog towards the door. "I've got detention with Wagon till four, I'll find you later at Melodies. Good luck!"

And with one quick shove out the door, Shiny Cog is part of the human sea of CHS students come leaving time. She slips through the crowd, muttering apologies and 'scuse me's as she goes. She just carries on past the lockers, making for the main door. Sure enough, he's right there, leaning against the two horses statue with a bored look on his face. Tall, athletic but not overbuilt, with that perfectly parted golden hair and perfectly tailored white suit with dice and sickle emblem. He looks immaculate. Beautiful. His purple scarf blows in the afternoon breeze, matching his eyes perfectly. It is not fair that one person gets to look so good. Slowly, tensing a little more with every step, Cog walks across the courtyard. She stops just in front of her crush, who turns to look at the younger student, curious.

"Erm... Viridian? I.. wanted to ask you something."

[Dalinale]

Doc recognizes that big attention-grabbing robe anywhere. He tightens the robe around himself and trots out into the snow toward the camp.

cold hooves. cold hooves. cold hooves. cold hooves.

As soon as he reaches Choro, Doc just gives a quick wave to Cassidy. "One sec," he says politely before setting to work. He gently moves the young unicorn mare aside and starts pulling all his clothes and then some out, dressing himself and wrapping up in warmth. Oh yes, warm clothes. Oooh, fresh scent too! 'Nicely washed, Choro. Thank you.' he thinks to himself.

Cassidy seemed profoundly confused at the robot, but relaxed slightly when Doc walked out of the building and Bertly didn't shoot at him or anything most people associated with wasteland robots.


Doc then looks for his box of hamdingers and the newspaper pile he was collecting.

The box of hamdingers looked as if it was bulging for some reason; the cause of the disturbance was rather neatly explained by a quick glance at the pile of blankets and the small bit of white fuzz poking out of the box.


"They seemed decent enough." Viridia shrugged. "I don't think they're spies or anything like that - a bit too...blunt, I guess? I mean, they're probably dangerous in the 'I could stab you' type, some of 'em, but if you're getting danger, that's the kind you want, right? And they were willing to talk, so they're not complete jerks."

Fan Knife listened to Viridia's assessment, nodded once, and turned towards Moonshadow.


Pegasus power armor doesn't really have that problem. It needs to be light enough to fly, so even shut down, I doubt it's heavier then your set in there. If it shut down mid-flight I might be in trouble though that would pretty much require being shot in mid air by an anti-matrix weapon of some kind. It's been a long time since I did any traning in power armor, but I'm sure I could figure it out. Moonshadow said, tapping the glass around the suit of armor.

Fan Knife shrugged.

"I'd guess most don't practice wearing powered-down armor, right? At best, it would be a cause to retreat." she asked, as if she was intending on making a point before dropping the subject.


Here that Viridia? You're officially more normal then me. Moonshadow said, winking at Viridia. The zebras were alright. Their leader seemed a tad on the fanatical side, but she doesn't seem to be out to continue fighting a 200 year old war, and like Viridia said, she was willing to talk. I would put money on her being some sort of military though.

"Ponies play dress up in old uniforms all the time." Fan Knife said, "So do horses and zebras. How could a fanatical military zebra not be here to fight a war, though? And how could you tell that she was a military mare, and not some up-jumped gang leader trying to claim a history?"

[DigoDragon]

Doc feeds some newspaper to the fire. He nudges the box of hamdingers closer to keep them warm and places three cans of sparkle cola next to that in case they get peckish for a snack. The stallion sits down and relaxes...

Then he looks at the colts, then looks around, then to Cassidy.

"Did the colts big sis, River, step out a moment?" he asks.

[Hazuki]

"Ponies play dress up in old uniforms all the time." Fan Knife said, "So do horses and zebras. How could a fanatical military zebra not be here to fight a war, though? And how could you tell that she was a military mare, and not some up-jumped gang leader trying to claim a history?"
"She knew a hippo who's part of their Legion thing, who we met." Viridia answered.

[Forum Explorer]

Fan Knife shrugged.

"I'd guess most don't practice wearing powered-down armor, right? At best, it would be a cause to retreat." she asked, as if she was intending on making a point before dropping the subject.



"Ponies play dress up in old uniforms all the time." Fan Knife said, "So do horses and zebras. How could a fanatical military zebra not be here to fight a war, though? And how could you tell that she was a military mare, and not some up-jumped gang leader trying to claim a history?"


Moonshadow just nods to that, letting Fan Knife have the last word on the subject.

She was very formal and concerned about the chain of command. Reminded me of a few friends back home. As for the war thing, I said she didn't look like she was here to fight a war that ended 200 years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if they were planning on attacking one of the groups in Tauronto. She just seems to recognize that Equestria is basically dead, and isn't treating every pony she meets as a solider of the enemy. Moonshadow explained.

[Dalinale]

Doc feeds some newspaper to the fire. He nudges the box of hamdingers closer to keep them warm and places three cans of sparkle cola next to that in case they get peckish for a snack. The stallion sits down and relaxes...

Then he looks at the colts, then looks around, then to Cassidy.

"Did the colts big sis, River, step out a moment?" he asks.

Cassidy just nodded at Doc in reply. Doc, due to being a person who existed in the wasteland, knew what a pony with a mild buzz looked like, and Cassidy was nursing one. Her sister was snoozing next to her, and the pegasus had one wing over her, along with a blanket. While the mare seemed alert and aware, it seemed clear that she was in her own zone, as it were.

"Yep!" said River Stone loudly, giving Doc a chubby-cheeked grin, "She went with Mr. Light to find Ms. Andante."


"She knew a hippo who's part of their Legion thing, who we met." Viridia answered.

Fan Knife blinked, and briefly looked towards the chest that occupied the corner of the room before focusing back on the pegusi.

"A hippo?" she replied, sounding honestly like a dumbfounded sixteen year old filly.


Moonshadow just nods to that, letting Fan Knife have the last word on the subject.

She was very formal and concerned about the chain of command. Reminded me of a few friends back home. As for the war thing, I said she didn't look like she was here to fight a war that ended 200 years ago. I wouldn't be surprised if they were planning on attacking one of the groups in Tauronto. She just seems to recognize that Equestria is basically dead, and isn't treating every pony she meets as a solider of the enemy. Moonshadow explained.

Fan Knife looked relatively unsurprised by Moonshadow's words, compared to how she reacted at being told that a hippo lives in Tauronto.

"Well, I guess tracking them down wouldn't hurt." she admitted, "I'm surprised Tenaculum didn't try and kill her. He's killed Equestrian zebras, so I wouldn't think he'd shy away from taking out a actual ranking Zebra legion leader."

[DigoDragon]

"Ah, so your sis hired a mercenary babysitter. Well, efficient," Doc remarks amicably. "Hope they find Andante. If she's been gone this long, I'm wondering if she disappeared into one of the more dangerous halls of the hospital. I went to the far side just for a box of tea and I saw some weird stuff."

The stallion concentrates on the ground and changes his vision back to normal. He looks pleased at himself.

"Well, on a brighter note, Stone, I learned from an interesting source that most of the Olives have been driven out of Oakville. If I can convince the rest to leave, the town can hopefully regain its independence."

[Hazuki]

Fan Knife blinked, and briefly looked towards the chest that occupied the corner of the room before focusing back on the pegusi.

"A hippo?" she replied, sounding honestly like a dumbfounded sixteen year old filly.Viridia followed her eyes to the chest. "Yeah. Brutus. We killed pirates together."

[Inspector Valin]

The bells chime out, a bright and friendly peel ringing over the campus, a clarion call for the most sacred and improtant event of the day. Lunchtime! In Classroom 3-13, the gifted young unicorns rise up as one great body of pastel hues, making for the door at an eager gallop. Dichoro chuckles, a little slower than her classmates thanks to the need to tidy her robes and wizard hat, but following close behind them. It's break! A chance to talk with her friends, relax, and enjoy a good book or two with good food and good company. The kitchens have been working on a wonderful Apple Crumble, and the smell has wafted all the way to Three-Thirteen. Nothing could possibly spoil this...

"Just a moment, Dichoro. We need to have a word"

The words are almost enough to petrify the would be wizard. Slowly, hoof by hoof, she turns around and gingerly trots back towards her instructor's desk, doing her best to seem polite and unruffled. Professor Wagon is looking over some essays from another class, teal crystal-weve robe falling to the floor around him. Right now, the old Earth Pony is sagely stroking his beard with his hoof, seemingly absorbed in his work. Like a polite student, Dichoro stands there, waiting nervously, trying to wrack her brain about just what he could have called her for. Finally, Wagon looks up, towering over his pupil from that wizened oak chair.

"I just wanted to tell you... good job." And the cold detached teacher is gone. Those green eyes twinkle with quiet confidence, as Doc continues. "You've been working hard on your spell memorization. Lightning, teleportation, illusions. You're coming along as a wizard, Choro. You're a different mare to the pony who showed up last year, thinking she knew everything. Now... you just might convince me that you do."

Blush. Praise from Professor Wagon always means a lot. Choro shuffles her hooves, trying to hide under her hat, "Thank you, sir"

"So why haven't you entered the Spellmeister contest yet?"

Choro reels at the revelation. Of course that was it. Spellmeister. The Grand Wizarding Talent Show (and beauty pageant, if you ask some) And the faculty have put Professor Wagon in charge of it this year. The old stallion's hoof rests on the poster behind his desk; a filly and colt both dressed like Hoofdini gesturing to a silhouette in centre stage. The stallion chuckles. "When I was a colt, I was first in line for our year's Spellmeister. A chance to show off! To show everypony what I can do. In front of the Princess, no less!" Doc looks out the window, sighing pleasantly in reminiscence, before turning back to his student with an earnest look. "I know you're a little afraid of crowds, but you don't want to miss a chance like that, Choro. Trust me. Some opportunities only happen once. And regrets... those can last a lifetime."

I don't have an act! I don't... I... The young wizard plays through argument after argument in her head, bu it's no use. None of them will get through to Wagon. Instead, Dichoro nods, smiling weakly. "I promise, I'll think about it sir. If I suddenly work out just what my super amazing magical talent is, I'll be sure to let you know."

"Mmm." Professor Wagon seems dissatisfied with that answer. For a long second, he stars at Choro, considering the young mare before slowly starting to speak, "Just remember. Sometimes we have to push ourselves. Both for personal growth, and for the sake of those we care about. Even when that's something we feel uncomfortable with, there are times when we must reach beyond our limits." Advice given, the old professor returns to his marking, though perhaps a keen observer might note a twinkle in his eye. "I'll expect an entry from you by the end of the week. That will be all, Dichoro."

[Dalinale]

"Ah, so your sis hired a mercenary babysitter. Well, efficient," Doc remarks amicably. "Hope they find Andante. If she's been gone this long, I'm wondering if she disappeared into one of the more dangerous halls of the hospital. I went to the far side just for a box of tea and I saw some weird stuff."

The stallion concentrates on the ground and changes his vision back to normal. He looks pleased at himself.

"Well, on a brighter note, Stone, I learned from an interesting source that most of the Olives have been driven out of Oakville. If I can convince the rest to leave, the town can hopefully regain its independence."

River Stone blinked, and then shrugged.

"Okay." the colt replied, not sounding especially enthusiastic

He then scratched the back of his head. His eyes, already large, widened slightly.

"Are the pirates going to come back?" he asked, sounding rather worried.


Viridia followed her eyes to the chest. "Yeah. Brutus. We killed pirates together."

Fan Knife looked mildly surprised, but shook her head.

"Well, if a steady stream of zebras are being sent up in northern Equestria and are going further up north, then that's worth learning about. I'll talk to the zebra and see what she has to say."

Fan Knife, after shuffling around the hazmat suits she had wiggled out into a neat pile, glanced at Viridia looking at the chest and then at Moonshadow.

"That's where I keep all the martial weapons from my home." she replied, motioning first to the suits on display and then at the chest, "Want a look?"

[DigoDragon]

River Stone blinked, and then shrugged.
"Okay." the colt replied, not sounding especially enthusiastic

He then scratched the back of his head. His eyes, already large, widened slightly.
"Are the pirates going to come back?" he asked, sounding rather worried.

"If they're smart, no," Doc replied. "If half the stories I heard on how soundly they were thumped are true, they'll mosey on elsewhere. Depending on what my friends and I find at the canning factory we're gonna hit, maybe we can bring the town some robots or turrets to keep it well defended. I'm going back to Oakville after the factory's shut down, so it's an idea I can talk to the town about. Your sis could probably help set up the defenses too if y'all are interested in going back."

[RCgothic]

Nightcore chuckled at Stellar's statement regarding the apparent failings of the post-apocalyptic medical treatment she was undergoing, but seemed more concerned when she mentioned the lack of potions. She began to rub the back of her head as she adverted her gaze away from Stellar, over towards a random spot in the wall.

"Ah, well, I kind of used up most of my potion stock helping the ponies who got hurt in the pirate attack. Amadi's all out, too." she replied, shuffling her hooves on the floor and sounding rather embarrassed by the admission. The unicorn then looked over to the shelving to her right, and she hovered over what appeared to be a moderate-sized first-aid kit, butterfly sticker and all. The box was covered in a moderate layer of dust, but otherwise looked pristine. She hovered it over towards the pegasus with a hesitant smile.

"You guy's can have this, though." the unicorn said, with another hesitant grin, this one larger then the first. As the unicorn opened it, it was rather easy to tell that the contents of the box were a few grades above that Stellar was used to. Half the things within it gave off a light glow, for one thing. "Honestly, I'd go with you all if I could, but there's too much stuff to deal with here, and I couldn't leave Glory alone with just gloomy ol' Shade for company."

[Box contains three rolls of Magical Bandages, the contents of a Doctor's Bag, and seven tablets of Rad-Safe. Another bottle, containing something called Day-Away, was apparently a tasteless, strong sleeping potion, as well.]

"That's okay, I'm sure all this will come in useful," Stellar says as she adds the first aid kit to the hazard suits. "I should probably get back, if Captain Jack's up to it."

She pauses on the way out, and turns to place an earnest hoof on Nightcore's shoulder. "Hey. I just want to thank you and Glory for your help. You didn't have to help us like this, and we really appreciate it."

[Forum Explorer]

Fan Knife looked mildly surprised, but shook her head.

"Well, if a steady stream of zebras are being sent up in northern Equestria and are going further up north, then that's worth learning about. I'll talk to the zebra and see what she has to say."

Fan Knife, after shuffling around the hazmat suits she had wiggled out into a neat pile, glanced at Viridia looking at the chest and then at Moonshadow.

"That's where I keep all the martial weapons from my home." she replied, motioning first to the suits on display and then at the chest, "Want a look?"

Sure, Moonshadow said.

[Dalinale]

"If they're smart, no," Doc replied. "If half the stories I heard on how soundly they were thumped are true, they'll mosey on elsewhere. Depending on what my friends and I find at the canning factory we're gonna hit, maybe we can bring the town some robots or turrets to keep it well defended. I'm going back to Oakville after the factory's shut down, so it's an idea I can talk to the town about. Your sis could probably help set up the defenses too if y'all are interested in going back."

River Stone stared at Doc with wide eyes.

"I don't think she want's to go back." he replied, shaking his head.


"That's okay, I'm sure all this will come in useful," Stellar says as she adds the first aid kit to the hazard suits. "I should probably get back, if Captain Jack's up to it."

Nightcore nodded.


She pauses on the way out, and turns to place an earnest hoof on Nightcore's shoulder. "Hey. I just want to thank you and Glory for your help. You didn't have to help us like this, and we really appreciate it."

"Hey, it's no biggie." the unicorn replied, seemingly surprised at Stellar's words, "I mean, you guys saved her life from a ghoul, and after helping with those pirates, it's the least we could do."

Nightcore then briefly glanced at the ceiling; the look on her face briefly turned into one of mild annoyance, but it quickly became more easygoing when she glanced back at Stellar.

"Honestly, I wish I could do more, but I'm tied up here." she admitted, sounding relatively dispirited, "I know you guys could use all the help you can get, but all I can do is give you some supplies."


Sure, Moonshadow said.

Fan Knife trotted over towards the chest, and opened it up with a quick upwards shove. She then, rather improbably lifted out what appeared to be a eight-by-four plastic container almost the size of the chest that, to Moonshadow, certainly looked like military surplus. She then opened it up; the foam-lined case contained a few medium-sized cardboard boxes, each looking rather aged.

The filly then proceeded to pull some choice objects out; first, a stack of small, thin books that she gently placed on the floor. She then pulled out a few smaller cases; in all, Fan Knife pulled out two pistol cases, a canvas bag, and three moderate-sized black cases that could have contained either blades or rifles. Fan Knife then took out something that was rather novel; it was what appeared to be a bagging hook, entirely made of metal and with the blade wrapped in bubble wrap. Fan Knife glanced warmly at the weapon, and then tossed it towards Moonshadow.

[DigoDragon]

River Stone stared at Doc with wide eyes.

"I don't think she want's to go back." he replied, shaking his head.

"No? Hmm, guess she's grown accustomed to traveling. Well, and she fancies Viridia," Doc said.

As he was conversing, the stallion opened his bag with the various components he was collecting. He casually organized some things, and then other parts he prodded and assembled, looking over his schematic plans for his "Medibuck" idea. He looked pretty relaxed while his hooves fiddled with things. "Traveling place to place is a harder life, maybe downright dangerous, but there was only so much I could learn back home at the Community. If I wanted to study cybernetics and build up a medical company of my own, it necessitated that I go out there. So far, it's paying off. But that's the life I chose for myself. How about you, Stone? Do you miss Oakville, or is more mercenary life like Cassidy and myself so far looking more interesting?"

[Dalinale]

"No? Hmm, guess she's grown accustomed to traveling. Well, and she fancies Viridia," Doc said.

The colt seemed nonplussed, and shrugged.

"It's kind of gross." he replied, nodding once.


As he was conversing, the stallion opened his bag with the various components he was collecting. He casually organized some things, and then other parts he prodded and assembled, looking over his schematic plans for his "Medibuck" idea. He looked pretty relaxed while his hooves fiddled with things.

Doc saw that Bertly was paying attention to the contents of the bag, silently hovering as it seemed the robot content to do. Cassidy seemed less interested, and the pegasus seemed more concerned with shifting the position of her sister so she didn't smother herself in the blanket that covered her.


"Traveling place to place is a harder life, maybe downright dangerous, but there was only so much I could learn back home at the Community. If I wanted to study cybernetics and build up a medical company of my own, it necessitated that I go out there. So far, it's paying off. But that's the life I chose for myself. How about you, Stone? Do you miss Oakville, or is more mercenary life like Cassidy and myself so far looking more interesting?"

River Stone looked at Doc like Doc was crazy.

"No, I don't like going to cold and sad places, even if there is fun stuff in them." the colt replied solemnly, his attention slowly drifting to the hulking architectural heap that was Tauronto General Hospital, "I think I would like to go back home. My sister has always said that ponies who keep traveling from place to place are the one's trying to find homes, and that it was good that I already had one. I'm pretty sure she's right, or at least pretty right."

[DigoDragon]

"No, I don't like going to cold and sad places, even if there is fun stuff in them." the colt replied solemnly, his attention slowly drifting to the hulking architectural heap that was Tauronto General Hospital, "I think I would like to go back home. My sister has always said that ponies who keep traveling from place to place are the one's trying to find homes, and that it was good that I already had one. I'm pretty sure she's right, or at least pretty right."

Doc nodded sagely. "There is some wisdom in what she said. I'll make sure Oakville is safe, and you talk with your sister about where is best for you and your family to be." He removed the pair of little rubber bat toys and offered them to Stone if he'd like them to play with. He then looks over at Cassidy.

"How about you, Cassidy?" Doc asked her. "Got a home to return to?"

[Forum Explorer]

Fan Knife trotted over towards the chest, and opened it up with a quick upwards shove. She then, rather improbably lifted out what appeared to be a eight-by-four plastic container almost the size of the chest that, to Moonshadow, certainly looked like military surplus. She then opened it up; the foam-lined case contained a few medium-sized cardboard boxes, each looking rather aged.

The filly then proceeded to pull some choice objects out; first, a stack of small, thin books that she gently placed on the floor. She then pulled out a few smaller cases; in all, Fan Knife pulled out two pistol cases, a canvas bag, and three moderate-sized black cases that could have contained either blades or rifles. Fan Knife then took out something that was rather novel; it was what appeared to be a bagging hook, entirely made of metal and with the blade wrapped in bubble wrap. Fan Knife glanced warmly at the weapon, and then tossed it towards Moonshadow.

Moonshadow caught it, barely. Balancing it awkwardly, Moonshadow took a practice swing with the weapon, wincing at how still and unnatural the motion felt. I'm not very good with melee weapons, she admitted.

[RCgothic]

Nightcore nodded.

"Hey, it's no biggie." the unicorn replied, seemingly surprised at Stellar's words, "I mean, you guys saved her life from a ghoul, and after helping with those pirates, it's the least we could do."

Nightcore then briefly glanced at the ceiling; the look on her face briefly turned into one of mild annoyance, but it quickly became more easygoing when she glanced back at Stellar.

"Honestly, I wish I could do more, but I'm tied up here." she admitted, sounding relatively dispirited, "I know you guys could use all the help you can get, but all I can do is give you some supplies."

Stellar smiles at Nightcore. "Thanks anyway," she says. "Now. I really should get back."

She lets Nightcore escort her out, and then makes her way back towards the inn where she last saw Captain Jack.

[Dalinale]

Doc nodded sagely. "There is some wisdom in what she said. I'll make sure Oakville is safe, and you talk with your sister about where is best for you and your family to be." He removed the pair of little rubber bat toys and offered them to Stone if he'd like them to play with.


River Stone, after taking the bats, blinked. The colt, apparently pleased in his new aquisition, shuffled himself away from the fire, although close to his brother, apparently heading for the Moss family's belongings.


He then looks over at Cassidy.

"How about you, Cassidy?" Doc asked her. "Got a home to return to?"

Cassidy took a few seconds more then it would normally have been expected of a pony to make eye contact. When she did, she snorted.

"Once, on about the other side of the country, called the Hub." the pegasus replied, raising a eyebrow, "Then we got kicked out. My sister racked up too much debt there, so we had to leave. We kept going northeast because it kept seeming like the best thing to do. Now, we don't have much of a home."

The pegasus shrugged, nonchalantly.

"If I had to guess, you'd have to go to a place where there's not too much of anything around before it's safe to stop moving. You can't go up, it's not worth going down, and living on the same space where most other people live is the sort of thing that get's you killed if you're not like other people. We were heading for Fillydelphia, a year ago, but then we heard that Ashery got killed by some Talons, and right after that we met Flagon."

Cassidy winced, and finished her beer, and took out another one, this time one that was apparently under her sister. The pegasus cracked the can open, took a sip, winced, and continued to speak.

"The closest thing to someplace decent to live in in six years of traveling was a village filled with a bunch of drugged up drunken hillponies who wore clown makeup all the time that was out in the middle of absolute nowhere. Nice people, but it was sort of cult-y, and my sister liked it way too much, so I dragged her out of there as soon as I could. If I ever have to go through the middle of Equestria again, it's above the clouds so I don't have to look at it. So, I'm never going there again."


Moonshadow caught it, barely. Balancing it awkwardly, Moonshadow took a practice swing with the weapon, wincing at how still and unnatural the motion felt. I'm not very good with melee weapons, she admitted.

Fan Knife shrugged.

"No one's really good with dealing with melee weapons they are not expecting." the filly replied, like it was obvious, "I know you know that you're decent at not being seen, and that's enough, most of the time. The only ponies around here who always look up are the ones who have to deal with griffons all the time, and you'd know better then me how much griffons are bad at hiding. Besides, blades don't make noises; even magic rifles make sounds when they discharge."

The filly took a few steps back, and then beckoned Moonshadow forward with a hoof.

"I'm interested in seeing a few practice swings. Try thinking about the back of the neck of someone you don't like, and see what happens. Use you're mouth to hold it; holding that with a hoof looks sort of silly."


Stellar smiles at Nightcore. "Thanks anyway," she says. "Now. I really should get back."

The wizard laughed heartily, and led the way back out. Glorious Dawn smiled at Stellar on her way out, but was currently occupied in cleaning up the mess in the living room. The house was otherwise quiet.


She lets Nightcore escort her out, and then makes her way back towards the inn where she last saw Captain Jack.

Mirror Armor and Seaweed were right where they were supposed to be. Amadi had apparently left for metaphorical greener pastures. Captain Jack was sitting happily in the living room, having his head scratched by the room's other pony occupant.

"Hmm?" said Shade, although she wasn't immediately recognizable. She was sitting on her haunches and was gently scratching the tiny dog's left ear with a hoof, to the obvious pleasure of the dog in question. The pale mare was wearing a black hooded robe with little white markings around the sleeves and collar which were likely meant to appear to be stylized stars. Stellar could also tell that she was also wearing purple fuzzy boots and what was probably a purple jacket under the robe.

"Oh, good, Stellar. My apologies, I have changed my mind; I would prefer to see Andante sooner now then later." the earth pony said, standing up and taking a moment to gently pat the blink dog on the head, "I would rather like to use this wonderful creature to accompany you."

Captain Jack cheerfully ran over towards Stellar, and began rubbing his forehead on Stellar's hooves, apparently desiring further ear scratches. Meanwhile, Shade stood nearby, giving her a faultless smile.

[DigoDragon]

"Once, on about the other side of the country, called the Hub." the pegasus replied, raising a eyebrow, "Then we got kicked out. My sister racked up too much debt there, so we had to leave. We kept going northeast because it kept seeming like the best thing to do. Now, we don't have much of a home."

The pegasus shrugged, nonchalantly.

"If I had to guess, you'd have to go to a place where there's not too much of anything around before it's safe to stop moving. You can't go up, it's not worth going down, and living on the same space where most other people live is the sort of thing that get's you killed if you're not like other people. We were heading for Fillydelphia, a year ago, but then we heard that Ashery got killed by some Talons, and right after that we met Flagon."

Cassidy winced, and finished her beer, and took out another one, this time one that was apparently under her sister. The pegasus cracked the can open, took a sip, winced, and continued to speak.

"The closest thing to someplace decent to live in in six years of traveling was a village filled with a bunch of drugged up drunken hillponies who wore clown makeup all the time that was out in the middle of absolute nowhere. Nice people, but it was sort of cult-y, and my sister liked it way too much, so I dragged her out of there as soon as I could. If I ever have to go through the middle of Equestria again, it's above the clouds so I don't have to look at it. So, I'm never going there again."

Doc listened to Cassidy's story. He looked concerned when she winced, contemplating which of her injuries might be aggravated. He gives a short nod of understanding. "While it sounds a bit like sarcasm when you mention what a good sister you are, you honestly do care a lot for Strawberry there. Not too many folks can handle family with drug issues, or put their own needs aside for their sibling. If you want some help with an intervention or something, maybe there's something I can do."

"Have you considered the lifestyle of a caravaneer? You're always on the go from one place to the next, sure, but you get the benefit of not overstaying your welcome in one settlement while still making friends. Like, I have this idea of starting a caravan business, but as a mobile clinic. I'd have a team of medics travel from town to town offering medical services and training. It'll do good for settlements that don't have their own doctor."

The stallion crumples up a little bit of newspaper for the fire. "Of course, in addition to hiring some medical staff, I'd need a few good ponies that know how to handle a gun. Maybe someone whose been around and has the street smarts. I haven't traveled a lot myself, mostly lived in the Manehattan area studying medicine."

[Hazuki]

"Aww. And here I thought I was your sparring partner." Viridia pouted poutily at Fan Knife.

[Inspector Valin]

Neighponese comics. Those things... they were so strange! The art, the angles, the weaponry. Violence and bitterness and so much meditation on the dark. But that wasn't all they were. There was something she hadn't seen much of before, something that Stable 54 didn't really have a place for. Equestria was some things, but not everything. To preserve what they were, they strove to omit what they were not. Those characters fought, but they fought for brighter things, and better days to come. Many didn't lose that sense of optimism, that positive drive to change the world. They were princes, knights, gallant saviours who ride into the darkness with a smile and a laugh, even when the world is bleak.

Heroes. They were heroes

The rush of air is the first thing she feels, followed by the rustle of velvet and the gentle grinding of the gears. Opening her eyes, the young unicorn sees bars all around them, and a marble flor with a rose patten by her hooves. They're in the elevator, of course. Just like always, climbing to the top together in this cage of iron roses, wind blowing through their manes at the ascent. Choro looks outwards, into the blue void, past the winding spiral of stairs that encircles the ascent. There's light above them, radiating down from the Heavenly City. The city that oversees the duels of the rose...

"Hey. Are you ok?"

Viridia puts a hoof on Choro's side, steadying her. Viridia; so poised, so pretty, so perfect; in her slick black jacket and epaulettes, sword at the ready. The older mare's smile is gone for a second, looking towards the little wizard with concern, before lapsing back into that ever-present grin. It's so easy to feel better when she does that. "One more battle to get through. Fate of the world hangs in the balance. It's not like it'd be the first time, right?" The sword-bearing pegasus laughs, straightening the rose in her jacket's lapel with a flex of her wing, before meeting Choro's eyes. She speaks slowly, her tone more serious. "I know it's intense. Really. I'm scared too..."

Some part of Choro's mind snorts at that, Liar!

Viridia continues unabated. "But you don't have to be scared. You've got me. And I'm awesome." That grin shines like the sun. Viridia flicks her mane towards the door."Now come on! It's time to change the world. Together" And as if on cue, the elevator comes to a gentle halt, iron doors pulling away. All that remains is the blinding light of the duelling field. Viridia exits first, moving at a confident canter into the unknown. Right there, standing above the world in fine clothes, with a blade that shines like starlight and all the confidence of the world in her eyes... she is every bit a hero. A legend. A prince.

I wish I could be like you.

https://derpicdn.net/img/2014/7/18/677471/thumb.png

So yeah (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gB6zK0hxlEg). Utena is my favourite anime show, and it was referenced in the show proper back in Scare Master (http://sailormoonnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/my_litte_pony_s05e21_sailor_moon_rei_ayanami_utena _bulma_ranma.jpg). Thus I have at least 50% grounds for claiming it's show canon! :smallwink: It... was too tempting to use the imagery for a dream sequence. Feel I kinda botched it but... eh. Best to move forward. :smallredface:

[Forum Explorer]

Fan Knife shrugged.

"No one's really good with dealing with melee weapons they are not expecting." the filly replied, like it was obvious, "I know you know that you're decent at not being seen, and that's enough, most of the time. The only ponies around here who always look up are the ones who have to deal with griffons all the time, and you'd know better then me how much griffons are bad at hiding. Besides, blades don't make noises; even magic rifles make sounds when they discharge."

The filly took a few steps back, and then beckoned Moonshadow forward with a hoof.

"I'm interested in seeing a few practice swings. Try thinking about the back of the neck of someone you don't like, and see what happens. Use you're mouth to hold it; holding that with a hoof looks sort of silly."


Moonshadow shrugged, took ahold of the weapon with her mouth, and swung.

[roll0] vs 38 (11+27 (aiming)) 68 if it's supposed to be a fake sneak attack.

[Dalinale]

Doc listened to Cassidy's story. He looked concerned when she winced, contemplating which of her injuries might be aggravated. He gives a short nod of understanding. "While it sounds a bit like sarcasm when you mention what a good sister you are, you honestly do care a lot for Strawberry there. Not too many folks can handle family with drug issues, or put their own needs aside for their sibling. If you want some help with an intervention or something, maybe there's something I can do."

Cassidy raised a eyebrow, but didn't reply.


"Have you considered the lifestyle of a caravaneer? You're always on the go from one place to the next, sure, but you get the benefit of not overstaying your welcome in one settlement while still making friends."


Cassidy stared at Doc as if she was doubting his intelligence.


"Like, I have this idea of starting a caravan business, but as a mobile clinic. I'd have a team of medics travel from town to town offering medical services and training. It'll do good for settlements that don't have their own doctor."

Cassidy leaned forward slightly.

"So, how would a group of ponies who couldn't afford to attract a medical pony in the first place afford the prices of someone who needs to keep skilled ponies on staff, along with guards and provisions?" she asked, voice low.


The stallion crumples up a little bit of newspaper for the fire. "Of course, in addition to hiring some medical staff, I'd need a few good ponies that know how to handle a gun. Maybe someone whose been around and has the street smarts. I haven't traveled a lot myself, mostly lived in the Manehattan area studying medicine."

"Where's the bits?" the pegasus asked, leaning back and giving Doc a look, "I mean, if you're looking to hire medical ponies who are not already attached to a community, then that's a lot of money. If you're hiring guards who wouldn't be tempted from robbing extremely valuable cargo, like medical equipment, then that's also a lot of bits. And then there's hauling all that stuff, which there's no guarantee of profit, unlike, say, water."


"Aww. And here I thought I was your sparring partner." Viridia pouted poutily at Fan Knife.

"What? We just met today." Fan Knife replied, turning slightly towards Viridia, and adverted her eyes from Viridia's pout like it was the sun, "And ponies should have multiple sparring partners, anyway."


Moonshadow shrugged, took ahold of the weapon with her mouth, and swung.

[roll0] vs 38 (11+27 (aiming)) 68 if it's supposed to be a fake sneak attack.

Fan Knife seemed less than impressed, but she didn't sound disappointed.

"You'll get better with practice." she replied, "It's hard to attack naturally with something you're holding in your mouth, but you'll get used to it over time. How about you and Viridia try and fight? She's about as good with her sword as you are with the kama, so you'll learn more about what you're doing wrong through training then what I could tell you right now."

[DigoDragon]

"So, how would a group of ponies who couldn't afford to attract a medical pony in the first place afford the prices of someone who needs to keep skilled ponies on staff, along with guards and provisions?" she asked, voice low.

"I'm gonna take a cue from Dr. Stitchheart's business model," Doc explained confidently. "She makes nearly all of her money for this hospital by providing cybernetics to big clients. A good cybernetic surgeon is hard to come by, and I'm studying up on it now to be one of the few. With a mobile clinic, I could service clients that are out of reach from those like Stitchheart."



"Where's the bits?" the pegasus asked, leaning back and giving Doc a look, "I mean, if you're looking to hire medical ponies who are not already attached to a community, then that's a lot of money. If you're hiring guards who wouldn't be tempted from robbing extremely valuable cargo, like medical equipment, then that's also a lot of bits. And then there's hauling all that stuff, which there's no guarantee of profit, unlike, say, water."

Doc chuckled. "Aye, that there is the universal rub. I am working on that; making contacts with those who might wish to invest in my ideas, taking various mercenary and medical jobs to raise the caps, designing some devices of my own to use and sell," the stallion listed. He held up the beginnings of his Medibuck device as an example.

"I mean, yeah, my idea will take years to fully realize. It won't be easy and there's gonna be lean times head for me. But I'm a stallion with a good head on my shoulders and the ambition to make it work out."

[Dalinale]

"I'm gonna take a cue from Dr. Stitchheart's business model," Doc explained confidently. "She makes nearly all of her money for this hospital by providing cybernetics to big clients. A good cybernetic surgeon is hard to come by, and I'm studying up on it now to be one of the few. With a mobile clinic, I could service clients that are out of reach from those like Stitchheart."

The pegasus blinked.

"Her model would only work when there's a big mix of very rich and poor individuals in one place that come to her, though." she replied, glancing up at the hospital briefly before glancing at Doc, "Besides, no one thinks about cybernetics. Seriously, nopony does. Most ponies could never afford it, or the eventual upkeep they'd have to shell out for it. The amount of money those ponies could save if they could afford a cybernetic surgery would be enough to get them totally cured of whatever was making them sick in the first place, too."


Doc chuckled. "Aye, that there is the universal rub. I am working on that; making contacts with those who might wish to invest in my ideas, taking various mercenary and medical jobs to raise the caps, designing some devices of my own to use and sell," the stallion listed. He held up the beginnings of his Medibuck device as an example.

"I mean, yeah, my idea will take years to fully realize. It won't be easy and there's gonna be lean times head for me. But I'm a stallion with a good head on my shoulders and the ambition to make it work out."

Cassidy sighed.

"Look, dude," the pegasus said, stretching her good wing slightly before replying, and wincing as she did so, "You seem smart, but something like a traveling medic would only work on the small scale. I'v seen one or two, and they were decent people, but they usually took alcohol for payment and half the time they didn't walk away with a gain, because most ponies in the sort of places that don't have doctors spend what bits they have on food and water and shrug and die if they get cancer, because that's what ponies in those sort of places. They die.

Those sort of ponies wouldn't be able to have enough caps for basic care even if all their friends chipped in, because they'd be dirt poor. You might be fine with not getting cash or barter in exchange, and that's fine, but most ponies would, and the moment a caravan leader loses the trust of the ponies who are expecting to get paid, then that's the exact moment where they end up in a shallow grave off the side of a highway."

Cassidy took another sip of her beer.

"Seriously, you need to think on the short term. You're smart enough that you could build a house, settle down somewhere far, far away from anyone else, and live til you're eighty and die, respected and remembered by whatever extended brood you have. Frankly, half the people I'v known will probably die from choking on a iguana bone or cancer or whatever the world decides to do. Honestly, if the Enclave came down right now, I'd rush in front of the first ship I see and start shooting at it. Energy weapons only hurt for a few seconds.

[DigoDragon]

"Look, dude," the pegasus said, stretching her good wing slightly before replying, and wincing as she did so, "You seem smart, but something like a traveling medic would only work on the small scale. I'v seen one or two, and they were decent people, but they usually took alcohol for payment and half the time they didn't walk away with a gain, because most ponies in the sort of places that don't have doctors spend what bits they have on food and water and shrug and die if they get cancer, because that's what ponies in those sort of places. They die.

Those sort of ponies wouldn't be able to have enough caps for basic care even if all their friends chipped in, because they'd be dirt poor. You might be fine with not getting cash or barter in exchange, and that's fine, but most ponies would, and the moment a caravan leader loses the trust of the ponies who are expecting to get paid, then that's the exact moment where they end up in a shallow grave off the side of a highway."

Cassidy took another sip of her beer.

"Seriously, you need to think on the short term. You're smart enough that you could build a house, settle down somewhere far, far away from anyone else, and live til you're eighty and die, respected and remembered by whatever extended brood you have. Frankly, half the people I'v known will probably die from choking on a iguana bone or cancer or whatever the world decides to do. Honestly, if the Enclave came down right now, I'd rush in front of the first ship I see and start shooting at it. Energy weapons only hurt for a few seconds.

Doc nudged his doctor's bag. "Well, I'm already on the 'small scale' of being a traveling medic. So... honestly I can only move up from here, right?" he says with a sheepish little smile. "Like I said, it's a vision that would realistically take years to see reality. Short term, I continue to save lives where I can and make money by saving a rich horse's little sister from a gang. But I just dislike to believe that simply surviving is all there is to life. You know? If there is an opportunity in my future to do something more worthwhile with my skills, I'll try it. Worst case is it don't work and I go back to what I'm doing now... or maybe I get shot anyway. As long as it isn't by the Enclave. I bet those jerks pee on earth pony corpses for spite." Doc chuckles a little at the spot of humor. He then glances at Cassidy's wings.

"Would you like me to take a look at those?" he asks Cassidy politely, pointing to her wings. "No charge or anything. Maybe I can do something about your discomfort."

[RCgothic]

The wizard laughed heartily, and led the way back out. Glorious Dawn smiled at Stellar on her way out, but was currently occupied in cleaning up the mess in the living room. The house was otherwise quiet.

Mirror Armor and Seaweed were right where they were supposed to be. Amadi had apparently left for metaphorical greener pastures. Captain Jack was sitting happily in the living room, having his head scratched by the room's other pony occupant.

"Hmm?" said Shade, although she wasn't immediately recognizable. She was sitting on her haunches and was gently scratching the tiny dog's left ear with a hoof, to the obvious pleasure of the dog in question. The pale mare was wearing a black hooded robe with little white markings around the sleeves and collar which were likely meant to appear to be stylized stars. Stellar could also tell that she was also wearing purple fuzzy boots and what was probably a purple jacket under the robe.

"Oh, good, Stellar. My apologies, I have changed my mind; I would prefer to see Andante sooner now then later." the earth pony said, standing up and taking a moment to gently pat the blink dog on the head, "I would rather like to use this wonderful creature to accompany you."

Captain Jack cheerfully ran over towards Stellar, and began rubbing his forehead on Stellar's hooves, apparently desiring further ear scratches. Meanwhile, Shade stood nearby, giving her a faultless smile.

Stellar bids Glory and Nightcore a friendly goodbye.

She's a little surprised by Shade's presence, but still manages to smile a greeting despite her vague feelings of distrust towards the mare. "If Captain Jack's okay with that I don't see why not."

[Forum Explorer]

Fan Knife seemed less than impressed, but she didn't sound disappointed.

"You'll get better with practice." she replied, "It's hard to attack naturally with something you're holding in your mouth, but you'll get used to it over time. How about you and Viridia try and fight? She's about as good with her sword as you are with the kama, so you'll learn more about what you're doing wrong through training then what I could tell you right now."

Well Viridia? You up for giving me a go? Moonshadow said, placing the weapon down so she could speak clearly.

[Dalinale]

Doc nudged his doctor's bag. "Well, I'm already on the 'small scale' of being a traveling medic. So... honestly I can only move up from here, right?" he says with a sheepish little smile. "Like I said, it's a vision that would realistically take years to see reality. Short term, I continue to save lives where I can and make money by saving a rich horse's little sister from a gang. But I just dislike to believe that simply surviving is all there is to life. You know? If there is an opportunity in my future to do something more worthwhile with my skills, I'll try it. Worst case is it don't work and I go back to what I'm doing now... or maybe I get shot anyway. As long as it isn't by the Enclave. I bet those jerks pee on earth pony corpses for spite." Doc chuckles a little at the spot of humor. He then glances at Cassidy's wings.

"The short term's the only term, for the record." the pegasus replied, vaguely waving towards the fire, "For all you know, you could have cancer, or that filly who's sleeping there has cancer. The fact that you can think about anything else but survival means that's you're in a better position then most ponies around here. If you were born in a little village in the middle of the desert that had to use a rain catcher in order to survive, then you wouldn't even be thinking about the future. Goals are nice, but they have to be realistic. Honestly, if you were serious, I don't know why you wouldn't just go head back to Manehattan or somewhere else and set up shop like the ghoul's doing. That's better then just wandering around and hoping that the next town you come across can afford to have teeth pulled, or hasn't been taken over by raiders. It's a whole 'nother ballpark away from the cities, Doc."

Cassidy then looked up briefly, and glanced at Doc.

"Also, just so you know, I wouldn't drink rainwater until you boil it." she replied, giving him a relatively serious look.


"Would you like me to take a look at those?" he asks Cassidy politely, pointing to her wings. "No charge or anything. Maybe I can do something about your discomfort."

The pegasus briefly flapped her good wing, looking lightly irritated.

"I paid the ghoul good money to get my wing in this splint; I don't know if you've worked on wings or not, and I'm not going to risk it."



She's a little surprised by Shade's presence, but still manages to smile a greeting despite her vague feelings of distrust towards the mare. "If Captain Jack's okay with that I don't see why not."

"Ah, good." the priest replied, and glanced at the dog in question. "Well, I imagine that it would prefer to take you fir..."

Stellar's hearing went out around the same time that her vision was eclipsed by a black orb of nothingness; she then found herself falling continually forward into what was either a metaphorically endless expanse or a real one. The gusts of hot howling wind rushing past her head could have been the moist breath of some great shaggy beast or from the interior of a warm seaside cave. In a few seconds, however, Stellar found herself laying upwards in the leftmost corner of the room she had chosen to sleep on, sprawled on what was some ancient pile of discarded towelettes.

About five seconds after she came to, the great ball of nothingness that indicated the blink dog's presence appeared in the other left corner of the room; Shade was expelled from it in a rather undignified manner, but still landed on all fours. The priestess shakily rose to all fours, and looked rather disoriented; Stellar heard some jingly-sounds come from the earth pony's general direction, as if she was wearing a great deal of jewelry under her clothing. Meanwhile, Captain Jack was sitting contently in the same corner Shade appeared out of, wagging his pink little tongue and looking like, for all intents and purposes, like the worlds happiest mop head.

[DigoDragon]

"The short term's the only term, for the record." the pegasus replied, vaguely waving towards the fire, "For all you know, you could have cancer, or that filly who's sleeping there has cancer. The fact that you can think about anything else but survival means that's you're in a better position then most ponies around here. If you were born in a little village in the middle of the desert that had to use a rain catcher in order to survive, then you wouldn't even be thinking about the future. Goals are nice, but they have to be realistic. Honestly, if you were serious, I don't know why you wouldn't just go head back to Manehattan or somewhere else and set up shop like the ghoul's doing. That's better then just wandering around and hoping that the next town you come across can afford to have teeth pulled, or hasn't been taken over by raiders. It's a whole 'nother ballpark away from the cities, Doc."

"I could go back to Manehattan, but that's the easy way out for me. I want to do something really worthwhile that helps others; no guts, no glory, no risk, no reward," he said with determination. "I recognize that I'm rather unique out here. Ain't many stallions that have skills, smarts, all their teeth, and yet are just an all-around decently nice guy who helps others without expecting something in return all the time. I got short term plans. I got mid-term and long term plans too."

Doc throws a crumpled newspaper ball into the fire. "Let's look it at from your way. If I got cancer and gonna die anyway, well then what do I really have to lose if I try to do some good? I've saved the life of a water baron, a ship medic's leg from amputation... saved that ghoul's life from her old colleague that tried to murder her after 200 years..." he said, idly looking at the hospital. "If my idea of a mobile clinic is too far fetched, well I'll just scale down and set up shop in some quiet little town. If no town can afford me, well I can keep traveling and saving lives along the way. If anything, at least I went out and tried something. And if none of my future goals work out, well... there's a water baron still selling water and a ghoul still patching up folks here for cheap. I couldn't have accomplished any of that staying home in Manehattan."

The stallion smiles at himself, yet acknowledging that he is an anomaly. A strange creature of kindness in a world of indifference. He prods some more at his invention. "I dunno what else I can say, Cassidy. It's just in my nature to care about folks. I barely know you and I'm already thinking up two detox plans to help your sister ween off the drugs. Why? Dunno. Yeah, I should keep reality in check and keep my hooves on the ground because earth ponies think all practical-like, and I do. Usually. I just have this... I dunno what you wanna call it... desire, to make a difference. Even if just a small one. I'll settle for making a small change in a few people's lives, settle in a nice little town and raise a family... I'm flexible."



Cassidy then looked up briefly, and glanced at Doc. "Also, just so you know, I wouldn't drink rainwater until you boil it." she replied, giving him a relatively serious look.

Doc chuckled lightly. "Charcoal filter too. Helps a bit with the taste."



The pegasus briefly flapped her good wing, looking lightly irritated. "I paid the ghoul good money to get my wing in this splint; I don't know if you've worked on wings or not, and I'm not going to risk it."

"You do remember that I wrapped up your wing before the ghoul put that splint on, right?" he asked with a sly smirk. "I grew up in a Manehattan hospital similar to this one and studied medicine for a decade. I can mend wings, horns, beaks, and whatever else gets broke in a pony, zebra, or griffon body. I've set broken bones with nothing more than twine and sticks."

Doc lays back a bit and stares up at the sky. "But uh... I mean if you want references, just ask the three pegasi I travel with. I've patched them up plenty of times. Your call though. Dr. Stitchheart does good work too, so your money was well spent."

[Hazuki]

Well Viridia? You up for giving me a go? Moonshadow said, placing the weapon down so she could speak clearly."Alright. But I'll need something other than the Blueblood." Viridia said. "It'll cut you to ribbons if it so much as scratches you."

[Inspector Valin]

Choro whinnies happily, still lost in sleep as the two ponies above her talk. She should probably be woken up by this, but it's been a long night, with above average amounts of spellcasting, radiation and shotgun shrapnel. Plus she was almost covered in a giant dead pony mutant's stomach acid. A competent psychiatrist would probably just give her a long look and wave her away

Ponies in those sort of places die... shallow grave... I save lives... Earth Pony corpses...wouldn't even be thinking about the future

Wandering around and hoping...no guts, no glory... no risk, no reward...what do I really have to lose... already thinking up two dozen plans... make a difference.

Choro? Choro?

"Chorus! Come over here!"

Dr. Legato Chorus looks away from the great iron-framed window, complete with its view out over the Windsby Weather estate, and trots across the floor to join her detective friend. She glances gingerly at the great weather machines that dominate the room as she passes, clanking and whirring away as rain clouds pass by on conveyors. Her companion, Paddy Wagon waves her towards the microscope, having seemingly found the correct two samples. Scrunching her eyes, Legato squints down at first one snowflake, then the other, trying to spot some slight difference between the two. She swaps the slide back once. Then again. These fine glass slides are so awkward. Oh to be a uni...

"There! Do you see it?"

Wagon leans over his friend, as if he could share the microscope with her, narrating what Legato was looking at with the eagerness of a true enthusiast. Which he seemed to have for almost every area of trivia the two of them have ever encountered. "Tenebra swirl on the outer limbs. It's a patented Windsby design, made to capture starlight, and only ever used for night snowfall. Both of these two Tenebra sets are made with a point three recurring spiral-chisel. It's a work of art befitting our Great Weather Company here. Very precise, even if most ponies will never get to see it. There's no question that this is an accurate Windsby design."

"Yes, yes, yes. We knew that, Wagon." Legato sighs, either she's a step behind or her friend's tripped over himself. Pattern recognition, unfortunately, isn't in her favour. Still, she takes a step back from the microscope, gesturing around the factory floor. "Our suspect is a pegasus, who had access to the Windsby Weather plant. We have no reports of missing materials, but that's still the only explanation for our unexplained snowfall. I don't see..."

"Well, of course you don't! You're a doctor, not a weather technician." Paddy takes a step to the side, placing a hoof against a weighting wrought iron furnace. He breaths in deeply before turning back to Legato, raising a hoof with a cry, "Think! They're a professional. They used the correct snowtype for the area, and the time, But they're using hoof crafted snowflakes instead of factory assembled ones. They know their craft, but had to make their own snow rather than stealing or buying it. That's why there wasn't any missing cloud report: they never had to break in to set this scheme in motion."

Chorus frowns, trying to keep up with her companion's theorizing. "So they had access to this factory... but don't any more?"

"Close. If they had regular access to the factory, they'd know that the Tenebra Swirl has been scaled back to Hearthswarming and Winter Moon. Plus the occasional Nightmare Night. Regular snow no longer employs them for budgeting reasons, and any excess is bought up quickly by Flake collectors." Paddy, mostly satisfied by his colleague's progress, starts to exposit a little of his conclusions. "Our mystery pegasus had a connection to Windsby, has weatherworker training, but doesn't work here. Doesn't interact much with the staff, otherwise they'd have been able to use some of the season's regular snow to cover their escape. That suggests an ex-employee."

"Well, quickly then, Wagon! We have to go back to the factory's records..." Dr. Chorus wheels, about to break into a galop before realizing her mistake. She turns back to Wagon, an eyebrow raised accusingly. "Suggests? So your actual theory says that they aren't a former employee?"

"You're catching on." Paddy was grinning that familiar smug grin. He doesn't even bother to nod, trotting over to Legato's side. "They wanted us to focus our attention on the factory. They used signature Windsby snow. It's a safe guess that their connection to Windsby Weather is less than amicable. But an ex employee would either be old or injured: a poor match for our fast moving criminal." The great detective pats the long suffering Chorus, gently leading her back towards the centre of the floor. "That's why I insisted we spend our lunch at the cantina. The workers mentioned a Winter Flare in passing, becoming sedate after his name was raised. A glance at the incident logs might not have revealed a break in, but it did confirm an unfortunate accident that led to Winter's early retirement from Windsby Weather. And a Miss Sidereal Flare recently opened up a new boutique weather parlor."

Packing the two sample snowflakes into the chilled section of his equipment bag, Paddy Wagon smiles warmly across at his chronicler, a gleam in his eyes. "Not quite a matter of certainty. But the odds are well and truly in our favour. Come, Legato! The game's ahoof!" And with those words, Paddy Wagon and Legato Chorus are off at the gallop, ready for adventure and danger and all the mysteries of the world. Nothing could ever truly hope to hold those two back.

[RCgothic]

"Ah, good." the priest replied, and glanced at the dog in question. "Well, I imagine that it would prefer to take you fir..."

Stellar's hearing went out around the same time that her vision was eclipsed by a black orb of nothingness; she then found herself falling continually forward into what was either a metaphorically endless expanse or a real one. The gusts of hot howling wind rushing past her head could have been the moist breath of some great shaggy beast or from the interior of a warm seaside cave. In a few seconds, however, Stellar found herself laying upwards in the leftmost corner of the room she had chosen to sleep on, sprawled on what was some ancient pile of discarded towelettes.

About five seconds after she came to, the great ball of nothingness that indicated the blink dog's presence appeared in the other left corner of the room; Shade was expelled from it in a rather undignified manner, but still landed on all fours. The priestess shakily rose to all fours, and looked rather disoriented; Stellar heard some jingly-sounds come from the earth pony's general direction, as if she was wearing a great deal of jewelry under her clothing. Meanwhile, Captain Jack was sitting contently in the same corner Shade appeared out of, wagging his pink little tongue and looking like, for all intents and purposes, like the worlds happiest mop head.

"Good boy," Stellar says, ruffling Jack's ears. Then she turns to Shade. "Ok, let's go and find Andante. Seeing as how I'm not sleeping anyway."

[Dalinale]

"I could go back to Manehattan, but that's the easy way out for me. I want to do something really worthwhile that helps others; no guts, no glory, no risk, no reward," he said with determination. "I recognize that I'm rather unique out here. Ain't many stallions that have skills, smarts, all their teeth, and yet are just an all-around decently nice guy who helps others without expecting something in return all the time. I got short term plans. I got mid-term and long term plans too."

Cassidy rolled her eyes.


Doc throws a crumpled newspaper ball into the fire. "Let's look it at from your way. If I got cancer and gonna die anyway, well then what do I really have to lose if I try to do some good? I've saved the life of a water baron, a ship medic's leg from amputation... saved that ghoul's life from her old colleague that tried to murder her after 200 years..." he said, idly looking at the hospital. "If my idea of a mobile clinic is too far fetched, well I'll just scale down and set up shop in some quiet little town. If no town can afford me, well I can keep traveling and saving lives along the way. If anything, at least I went out and tried something. And if none of my future goals work out, well... there's a water baron still selling water and a ghoul still patching up folks here for cheap. I couldn't have accomplished any of that staying home in Manehattan."

"Congrats, you've saved lives. I'm sure Manehatten wasn't lacking in ponies who could use the help." the pegasus replied, giving Doc a odd look that was somewhere between judging and wondering.


The stallion smiles at himself, yet acknowledging that he is an anomaly. A strange creature of kindness in a world of indifference. He prods some more at his invention. "I dunno what else I can say, Cassidy. It's just in my nature to care about folks. I barely know you and I'm already thinking up two detox plans to help your sister ween off the drugs. Why? Dunno. Yeah, I should keep reality in check and keep my hooves on the ground because earth ponies think all practical-like, and I do. Usually. I just have this... I dunno what you wanna call it... desire, to make a difference. Even if just a small one. I'll settle for making a small change in a few people's lives, settle in a nice little town and raise a family... I'm flexible."

Cassidy slowly shook her head.

"Dude, you're arguing from a position of ignorance. You just told me that you haven't seen much of the world. I have. It wasn't worth the trip. You're talking like you know more then you do, and you're talking like you're more important then you are. You're not even a stallion who has a funny death wish, just one that doesn't know what he's talking about."

The pegasus proceeded to take another sip of her drink.


"You do remember that I wrapped up your wing before the ghoul put that splint on, right?" he asked with a sly smirk. "I grew up in a Manehattan hospital similar to this one and studied medicine for a decade. I can mend wings, horns, beaks, and whatever else gets broke in a pony, zebra, or griffon body. I've set broken bones with nothing more than twine and sticks."

Doc lays back a bit and stares up at the sky. "But uh... I mean if you want references, just ask the three pegasi I travel with. I've patched them up plenty of times. Your call though. Dr. Stitchheart does good work too, so your money was well spent."

Cassidy snorted again, and shook her head.

"No, I'm fine." she said, sounding firm.


"Alright. But I'll need something other than the Blueblood." Viridia said. "It'll cut you to ribbons if it so much as scratches you."

Fan Knife looked like she was suppressing the urge to smile at Viridia's reply.

Viridia then found that the filly was handing her a small sword; it sort of looked like the one Fan Knife had on display, but was smaller, less ornate, and certianly looked a bit cheaper. It looked like it weighed about as much as the Blueblood Blade did, but it, presumably, only had one bladed side.

[Viridia get's a Zebra Sword from Fan Knife's hammerspace.]


"Good boy," Stellar says, ruffling Jack's ears. Then she turns to Shade. "Ok, let's go and find Andante. Seeing as how I'm not sleeping anyway."

Shade blinked, and looked around the room. The smile she gave Stellar was one of suppressed confusion.

"Wonderful." she replied, brushing some dust off her robe as she glanced at the bed, "If you wouldn't mind, I would prefer if you led the way."

[DigoDragon]

"Congrats, you've saved lives. I'm sure Manehatten wasn't lacking in ponies who could use the help." the pegasus replied, giving Doc a odd look that was somewhere between judging and wondering.

"Back home? We have several doctors," Doc said. "Kind of crowded, professional-wise, but they got the best help available in the area."



"Dude, you're arguing from a position of ignorance. You just told me that you haven't seen much of the world. I have. It wasn't worth the trip. You're talking like you know more then you do, and you're talking like you're more important then you are. You're not even a stallion who has a funny death wish, just one that doesn't know what he's talking about."

The pegasus proceeded to take another sip of her drink.

Doc put his partly assembled invention down and looked her in the eye. "I don't need to travel half across Equestria to know things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. It's a wasteland. Everybody's out toiling just to survive another morning. A cap buys a wooden nickel's worth. Basic knowledge is getting lost. Shopkeepers keep a gun under the counter. Punks are running wild in the street and there's nobody anywhere who seems to care about what to do, and there's no end to it. We know the air is unfit to breathe and our food is unfit to eat, and we sit in our little hovels while outside in the city we had fifteen homicides and sixty-three violent crimes, as if that's the way it's supposed to be."

"I know things are bad — worse than bad. It's crazy! It's like everyone everywhere gave up the will to live, so folks don't go out anymore. We sit in our little shanties, and slowly the world we are living in is dying, and all anyone says is: 'Please, at least leave us alone in our hole in the ground. Let me have my canned beans and my lantern and my makeshift radio and I won't say anything. Just leave us alone.'" The stallion gets up and points to the sky.

"Well, I'm not gonna leave the world alone. I'm going to get MAD! I'm not gonna protest with little signs on my lawn. I'm not gonna just sit here idly complaining about how it used to be better — I don't want to tell anyone what to do, because I wouldn't know what to tell anyone to make things better. I don't know what to do about the radiation and the lack of sun and the Enclave and the crime in the streets. All I know is that I'm going to get up, and I'm going to get mad. I'm not going to sit idly by and waste away like everyone else Because I'm a pony being, Luna-dammit! My life has value!'"

He takes in a breath to calm down, glancing at Bertly. "So when my friends get back, I'm going to gather some resources, and I'm going out there to do something about the wasteland. I have doctor skills and know how to use a gun. The future isn't certain, but if ponies like you keep thinking that there's no point in life then that's all you'll ever be. And that ain't who I am. I am going to go out there and do something to break this hellhole cycle of defeatism and death, or die trying because doing nothing leads me to being dead anyways, so I got nothing to lose. I'm going to go find like-minded individuals and then we'll figure out what to do about the radiation and the pirates, and the food crisis. But first, I'm getting up onto my hooves, hold my head up high, and yell 'I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!'"

[Forum Explorer]

Moonshadow picked the bagging hook back up.

igh then, les do thes, Moonshadow mumbled, taking a practice swing at Viridia.

[roll0] vs 38

[RCgothic]

Shade blinked, and looked around the room. The smile she gave Stellar was one of suppressed confusion.

"Wonderful." she replied, brushing some dust off her robe as she glanced at the bed, "If you wouldn't mind, I would prefer if you led the way."

"All right," Stellar says, setting off towards the room where the team had all been quartered previously.

[Dalinale]

Doc put his partly assembled invention down and looked her in the eye.

Cassidy seemed remarkably unfazed.


"I don't need to travel half across Equestria to know things are bad. Everybody knows things are bad. It's a wasteland. Everybody's out toiling just to survive another morning. A cap buys a wooden nickel's worth. Basic knowledge is getting lost. Shopkeepers keep a gun under the counter. Punks are running wild in the street and there's nobody anywhere who seems to care about what to do, and there's no end to it. We know the air is unfit to breathe and our food is unfit to eat, and we sit in our little hovels while outside in the city we had fifteen homicides and sixty-three violent crimes, as if that's the way it's supposed to be."

"I know things are bad — worse than bad. It's crazy! It's like everyone everywhere gave up the will to live, so folks don't go out anymore. We sit in our little shanties, and slowly the world we are living in is dying, and all anyone says is: 'Please, at least leave us alone in our hole in the ground. Let me have my canned beans and my lantern and my makeshift radio and I won't say anything. Just leave us alone.'" The stallion gets up and points to the sky.

"Well, I'm not gonna leave the world alone. I'm going to get MAD! I'm not gonna protest with little signs on my lawn. I'm not gonna just sit here idly complaining about how it used to be better — I don't want to tell anyone what to do, because I wouldn't know what to tell anyone to make things better. I don't know what to do about the radiation and the lack of sun and the Enclave and the crime in the streets. All I know is that I'm going to get up, and I'm going to get mad. I'm not going to sit idly by and waste away like everyone else Because I'm a pony being, Luna-dammit! My life has value!'"

He takes in a breath to calm down, glancing at Bertly. "So when my friends get back, I'm going to gather some resources, and I'm going out there to do something about the wasteland. I have doctor skills and know how to use a gun. The future isn't certain, but if ponies like you keep thinking that there's no point in life then that's all you'll ever be. And that ain't who I am. I am going to go out there and do something to break this hellhole cycle of defeatism and death, or die trying because doing nothing leads me to being dead anyways, so I got nothing to lose. I'm going to go find like-minded individuals and then we'll figure out what to do about the radiation and the pirates, and the food crisis. But first, I'm getting up onto my hooves, hold my head up high, and yell 'I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!'"

The camp sight was quiet for several moment.

River Stone, rather slowly, began to clap, but his brother, who had awakened sometime around when Doc was talking about homicides and looked a little unnerved by the situation, patted the colt's shoulder and gave him a look that discouraged him from clapping further.

Cassidy began staring at Doc sometime during the middle of his speech.

Bertly, rather remarkably, spoke up first.

"As long as your methods are in line with those approved by Equestria, I would be pleased to assist you in this venture!" the robot cheerfully replied, "And by that, I mean that you should refrain from associating from such radical political groups that are under investigation and or banned in Equestria."


Moonshadow picked the bagging hook back up.

igh then, les do thes, Moonshadow mumbled, taking a practice swing at Viridia.

[roll0] vs 38

Fan Knife smiled as she looked up at Viridia, but she immediately became annoyed at the fact that there was a plastic cup connected to what appeared to be a string of fishing line hovering outside the closet, one that clearly originated from outside the room and, given the aura of magic, probably originated from a familiar ghoul. The filly sighed, nodded at Moonshadow, and shook her head.

Fan Knife then produced a small club from a sleeve, and then quietly began to walk out of the closet after giving Viridia an affirmative nod.


"All right," Stellar says, setting off towards the room where the team had all been quartered previously.

At first, it seemed like the Captain desired to stay behind, but after leaving the room Stellar felt the weight of the dog suddenly appear on her back, which then promptly began to settle down.

Finding the stairs was rather easy, and Shade kept up with Stellar. She kept looking up at the relatively pristine nature of the hospital, apparently in surprise; alternatively, the slight earth pony had mild buzz and was avoiding looking at the light fixtures. She moved steadily enough, although she did seem to be doing her best not to have her boots make comical squeaky noises on the tile, and she seemed rather relieved by the shabbier, darker appearance of the upper level.

When she stopped at one closed door a few hallways away from where Stellar knew the group was being housed, she had a curious look on her face. She silently motioned towards Stellar in a manner that would've indicated for the pegasus to gently take flight (which was impressive, because hoof signals were hard), and raised a hoof over her mouth. Despite this, she did not look especially worried.

[DigoDragon]

The camp sight was quiet for several moment.

River Stone, rather slowly, began to clap, but his brother, who had awakened sometime around when Doc was talking about homicides and looked a little unnerved by the situation, patted the colt's shoulder and gave him a look that discouraged him from clapping further.

Cassidy began staring at Doc sometime during the middle of his speech.

Bertly, rather remarkably, spoke up first.

"As long as your methods are in line with those approved by Equestria, I would be pleased to assist you in this venture!" the robot cheerfully replied, "And by that, I mean that you should refrain from associating from such radical political groups that are under investigation and or banned in Equestria."

Doc glanced around. He smiled at Stone, glad that the inspirational speech from his heart touched someone. Two someones actually, if Bertly's comment was an indication. The stallion turned to say something else to the robot, but that was when he realized the medicine high wore off. So Doc slowly sat down, slightly wobbly, and cleared his throat.

"Thank you," he graciously said.

Doc pulled out a bottle of water and took a sip to relieve his dry lips.

[RCgothic]

At first, it seemed like the Captain desired to stay behind, but after leaving the room Stellar felt the weight of the dog suddenly appear on her back, which then promptly began to settle down.

Finding the stairs was rather easy, and Shade kept up with Stellar. She kept looking up at the relatively pristine nature of the hospital, apparently in surprise; alternatively, the slight earth pony had mild buzz and was avoiding looking at the light fixtures. She moved steadily enough, although she did seem to be doing her best not to have her boots make comical squeaky noises on the tile, and she seemed rather relieved by the shabbier, darker appearance of the upper level.

When she stopped at one closed door a few hallways away from where Stellar knew the group was being housed, she had a curious look on her face. She silently motioned towards Stellar in a manner that would've indicated for the pegasus to gently take flight (which was impressive, because hoof signals were hard), and raised a hoof over her mouth. Despite this, she did not look especially worried.
Stellar gives Shade a quizzical look, but does as she is bid.

[Hazuki]

Viridia did a sword thing with her sword in response to Moonshadow's hooking. She didn't really know what Fan Knife's nod meant.

[roll0] vs Around 40?

[Dalinale]

Doc glanced around. He smiled at Stone, glad that the inspirational speech from his heart touched someone. Two someones actually, if Bertly's comment was an indication. The stallion turned to say something else to the robot, but that was when he realized the medicine high wore off. So Doc slowly sat down, slightly wobbly, and cleared his throat.

"Thank you," he graciously said.

Doc pulled out a bottle of water and took a sip to relieve his dry lips.

"Well, as a Mister Orderly, it is my purpose to help others!"

The robot paused, and amended his previous statement.

"Through medical procedures, of course. You made some statements regarding the possible inefficiencies of Equestria's prefabricated council houses regarding sheltering low-income individuals were rather suspicious, but your intent is more inclined towards preforming more general charitable acts, which is, of course, acceptable."


Stellar gives Shade a quizzical look, but does as she is bid.

Shade quietly opened the door.

There was enough light in the room that was being provided by a small electrical lantern on a small table in the middle to illuminate it; a raggedly dressed orange-ish earth pony was sprawled on the floor and was laying completely still. The left side of the earth pony's head was slightly dented in a way that skulls usually prevented. The rest of the room was otherwise mundane and had little in the way to indicate the violence that had occurred.

"Well, this is unfortunate." the priestess calmly replied, sounding genuinely sympathetic. She made no move to step inside the room, and glanced at Stellar. "Would you happen to have any medical training?"


Viridia did a sword thing with her sword in response to Moonshadow's hooking. She didn't really know what Fan Knife's nod meant.

[roll0] vs Around 40?

Viridia's sword thing managed to sword thing the air, but Moonshadow's hooking managed to hook her around the leg. It was sort of in slow-motion and was really not dramatic, and the thumping noise of a small metal rod hitting soft flesh, followed by the sound of Strata crying out in pain, which was apparently something dead things felt, was probably far more interesting then the duel she was involved in.

[Forum Explorer]

So...think we should do something about that? Moonshadow said, nodding towards the door and Strata's yelp of pain.

[DigoDragon]

"Well, as a Mister Orderly, it is my purpose to help others!"

The robot paused, and amended his previous statement.

"Through medical procedures, of course. You made some statements regarding the possible inefficiencies of Equestria's prefabricated council houses regarding sheltering low-income individuals were rather suspicious, but your intent is more inclined towards preforming more general charitable acts, which is, of course, acceptable."

Doc chuckled softly. "Right, well, glad you understand I meant well with what I said. Sometimes it can be hard to put one's feelings into words." He glanced over at Cassidy with a nod, just wanting to show he had nothing against her. Doc wasn't sure how she felt, but guess one couldn't win them all. Unless perhaps you had good look like Viridia.

"So... did River or Northern say where they were searching for Andante?" he asked, generally in the direction of Cassidy and the colts.

[Dalinale]

Doc chuckled softly. "Right, well, glad you understand I meant well with what I said. Sometimes it can be hard to put one's feelings into words."

"Of course." said Bertly, who was a robot and probably didn't have feelings.


"So... did River or Northern say where they were searching for Andante?" he asked, generally in the direction of Cassidy and the colts.

River Rock motioned behind Doc.

"The hospital." the colt dully replied.

[RCgothic]

Shade quietly opened the door.

There was enough light in the room that was being provided by a small electrical lantern on a small table in the middle to illuminate it; a raggedly dressed orange-ish earth pony was sprawled on the floor and was laying completely still. The left side of the earth pony's head was slightly dented in a way that skulls usually prevented. The rest of the room was otherwise mundane and had little in the way to indicate the violence that had occurred.

"Well, this is unfortunate." the priestess calmly replied, sounding genuinely sympathetic. She made no move to step inside the room, and glanced at Stellar. "Would you happen to have any medical training?"


"Not enough to fix a shattered skull," Stellar says, concerned, flitting into the room to check for vital signs by pressing her ear against the pony's chest and holding a feather over his airway to detect any air currents.

[DigoDragon]

River Rock motioned behind Doc.

"The hospital." the colt dully replied.

Doc made the motion of an amused snort, but no sound came out. "Nowhere specific inside then? Hmm. I swear, if that mare is just passed out drunk somewhere, I'm going to be real cross."

He continues working on his invention, occasionally glancing around.

"Hey Bertly, after we shut down this meat factory for inappropriately using Robronco tech, were you thinking of coming back here or would you be up to hang out with me on another adventure? It'll involve rendering medical aid to some folks in Oakville. Hopefully not alongside shooting anyone, though nothing's off the table at the moment."

[Dalinale]

"Not enough to fix a shattered skull," Stellar says, concerned, flitting into the room to check for vital signs by pressing her ear against the pony's chest and holding a feather over his airway to detect any air currents.

The pony was breathing, albeit faintly. He had a heartbeat and, as far as Stellar could tell, most of his head was intact. The spot where it was caved in was sopping wet with blood, however, and there was enough oozing out of the rough wound to be obviously life-threatening.



"Hey Bertly, after we shut down this meat factory for inappropriately using Robronco tech, were you thinking of coming back here or would you be up to hang out with me on another adventure? It'll involve rendering medical aid to some folks in Oakville. Hopefully not alongside shooting anyone, though nothing's off the table at the moment."

The robot took a rather long time to reply.

"If medical aid is required, I would be perfectly happy to assist." the robot replied, sounding cheerful.

[DigoDragon]

The robot took a rather long time to reply. "If medical aid is required, I would be perfectly happy to assist." the robot replied, sounding cheerful.

"Awesome! I reckon regardless of circumstances, several folks there will need medical assistance," Doc said happily. "Oakville doesn't have a doctor of their own and the one medical pony that came in on a fishing ship broke her leg the day she arrived. I'm sure we can do some good for the residents."

The stallion referred back to his schematics a moment. "Though first thing is first--that factory. Bertly, you were around this city for some time, right? You know anything about the canning factory off to the east?" Doc checked on the notes he took earlier. "I believe it was called the Crunchymunch Mealtime facility."

[RCgothic]

The pony was breathing, albeit faintly. He had a heartbeat and, as far as Stellar could tell, most of his head was intact. The spot where it was caved in was sopping wet with blood, however, and there was enough oozing out of the rough wound to be obviously life-threatening.


"He's still alive," Stellar informs Shade. "Finding Andante's going to have to wait. Stay here. Or come with. Whatever."

Stellar gently displaces Captain Jack (she hopes he understands), and gathers the pony up into her forelegs. As quickly yet carefully as she can she starts flying towards Stitchheart's surgery.

[Dalinale]

The stallion referred back to his schematics a moment. "Though first thing is first--that factory. Bertly, you were around this city for some time, right? You know anything about the canning factory off to the east?" Doc checked on the notes he took earlier. "I believe it was called the Crunchymunch Mealtime facility."

Bertly took some time to reply.

"I am not aware of any businesses operating in Equestria with that name." the robot replied, sounding disappointed.


"He's still alive," Stellar informs Shade. "Finding Andante's going to have to wait. Stay here. Or come with. Whatever."

Shade shook her head, and clearly seemed content to stand around in the room.


Stellar gently displaces Captain Jack.

The blink dog quietly teleported off Stellar's back, and onto Shade's. The earth pony was visibly startled at the dog landing on her shoulders, but calmed immediately when she saw the black lumpy doggie.


As quickly yet carefully as she can she starts flying towards Stitchheart's surgery.

Stellar found Stitchheart sitting at her desk and reading a small book, while sipping at her tea. When the ghoul stood up as Stellar entered the room, the tired look on her face didn't change.

"Gently lay them over there." the ghoul said, sounding tired and rather unenergetic. She then motioned towards a empty spot on the table nearest to Stellar and produced a small vial of what was presumably a healing potion and a scalpel, "I will handle it from here. Thank you."

[DigoDragon]

"I am not aware of any businesses operating in Equestria with that name." the robot replied, sounding disappointed.

"It's alright. Thought I'd ask anyway."

Doc continued working on his Medibuck project. After a few minutes, he looked around. "Anyone getting hungry? I mean, it's morning and I don't know when any of our friends are returning. Maybe we ought to cook up something? I can see if the merchants are awake. There's a couple donkeys that have fresh fruit for 10 caps or less a piece."

[Hazuki]

"Yep." Viridia trotted over in Strata's direction.

[Inspector Valin]

As if at the mention of food, the gently slumbering wizard begins to stir, waving a hoof at the air a little before blinking and opening her eyes. Everything seems.... mostly the same. The campsite, the light level, the gathered ponies... with one extra.

"Oh. Hello Doctor." Choro straightens her hat a little as she sits up, still on the drowzy side. It probably hadn't been that long since she'd laid down. But the Wasteland is the Wasteland. You take sleep when you can get it.

[Dalinale]

"It's alright. Thought I'd ask anyway."

Doc continued working on his Medibuck project. After a few minutes, he looked around. "Anyone getting hungry? I mean, it's morning and I don't know when any of our friends are returning. Maybe we ought to cook up something? I can see if the merchants are awake. There's a couple donkeys that have fresh fruit for 10 caps or less a piece."

The colts eagerly nodded. Cassidy, however, just shook her head.

"No, me and my sister had some of the free food the ghoul's had out earlier." she replied. "The yellow curry stuff."


"Yep." Viridia trotted over in Strata's direction.

Viridia found Strata rubbing her right hoof leg and sniffling in a manner that was really sort of pathetic. The unicorn glanced at Viridia once before focusing back on her leg. The ghoul's leg didn't seem visibly wounded, although it was questionable if ghouls could get bruises if they looked bruised already, so Viridia might not have been the best judge to tell.

Fan Knife was standing a few feet away, wielding the club in her mouth and giving Viridia a quizzical look. The filly raised her eyebrows once before speaking, which she managed to do despite wooden handle of the weapon she was biting down on.

"What? She didn't do what I told her to do." she replied, giving Viridia a wide-eyed expression of innocence.


As if at the mention of food, the gently slumbering wizard begins to stir, waving a hoof at the air a little before blinking and opening her eyes. Everything seems.... mostly the same. The campsite, the light level, the gathered ponies... with one extra.

"Oh. Hello Doctor." Choro straightens her hat a little as she sits up, still on the drowzy side. It probably hadn't been that long since she'd laid down. But the Wasteland is the Wasteland. You take sleep when you can get it.

The Moss colts stared at Choro. Cassidy seemed to barely notice that she was awake and looked like she was still drinking, which was sort of dimly impressive. Also, Bertly was hovering next to Doc, and seemed to notice her immediately.

"Lass, it's illegal to sleep in a public area such as this one." the robot said, halfheartedly, "Best not do it again."

Bertly's eye-stalks then apparently scanned the rest of the makeshift camp for a brief period of time, before settling back on Choro again. The robot's red-eyed gaze was dispassionate, but it didn't appear as if it had anything else to say.

[DigoDragon]

"Oh. Hello Doctor." Choro straightens her hat a little as she sits up, still on the drowzy side.

"Good morning, Princess Celestia," Doc said cheerfully, "Ready to raise the sun and start your day?"



The colts eagerly nodded. Cassidy, however, just shook her head.

"No, me and my sister had some of the free food the ghoul's had out earlier." she replied. "The yellow curry stuff."

"Oh, they had curry? Shucks, that sounds good," the stallion said. "Well, bon apetit as they used to say in Prance."

Doc starts packing his things away. "Alright, I'll go see what I can fetch for breakfast. So Rock, Stone, myself... you want something, Choro?"

[Hazuki]

"You don't punish people with weapons. That's what hooves are for." Viridia chided Fan Knife, then looked to Strata. "What happened?"

[Inspector Valin]

The Moss colts stared at Choro. Cassidy seemed to barely notice that she was awake and looked like she was still drinking, which was sort of dimly impressive. Also, Bertly was hovering next to Doc, and seemed to notice her immediately.

"Lass, it's illegal to sleep in a public area such as this one." the robot said, halfheartedly, "Best not do it again."

Bertly's eye-stalks then apparently scanned the rest of the makeshift camp for a brief period of time, before settling back on Choro again. The robot's red-eyed gaze was dispassionate, but it didn't appear as if it had anything else to say.

The words are surprisingly effective to Choro: she's on her hooves siftly, dusting her hat and coughing apologetically. "Sorry, Mr. Bertly. I was a bit too tired."


"Good morning, Princess Celestia," Doc said cheerfully, "Ready to raise the sun and start your day?"

Rubbing at her eye with her hoof to clear a little of the sleep, Choro chuckles, "Can I be one of those Princesses who falls asleep for centuries instead?"


"Oh, they had curry? Shucks, that sounds good," the stallion said. "Well, bon apetit as they used to say in Prance."

Doc starts packing his things away. "Alright, I'll go see what I can fetch for breakfast. So Rock, Stone, myself... you want something, Choro?"

There's a gleam in Choro's eyes at Doc's question, though she looks away, a little embarrassed. "Yes please. I can probably help pay for it too, right?" The young unicorn glances around the strange little group, unsure of herself. It still felt weird leaving two colts in the company of a drunken mercenary. "Should we go together? It'd probably be better to make one big meal for all four of us: right? Some kind of broth or the like?"

[Forum Explorer]

Viridia found Strata rubbing her right hoof leg and sniffling in a manner that was really sort of pathetic. The unicorn glanced at Viridia once before focusing back on her leg. The ghoul's leg didn't seem visibly wounded, although it was questionable if ghouls could get bruises if they looked bruised already, so Viridia might not have been the best judge to tell.

Fan Knife was standing a few feet away, wielding the club in her mouth and giving Viridia a quizzical look. The filly raised her eyebrows once before speaking, which she managed to do despite wooden handle of the weapon she was biting down on.

"What? She didn't do what I told her to do." she replied, giving Viridia a wide-eyed expression of innocence.


Moonshadow nodded, and looked to Strata. You really need to get a handle on that curiosity of yours. she said.

[DigoDragon]

Doc nodded, "Sure, we can go as a group. The colts can pick out what they want too."

[RCgothic]

Stellar found Stitchheart sitting at her desk and reading a small book, while sipping at her tea. When the ghoul stood up as Stellar entered the room, the tired look on her face didn't change.

"Gently lay them over there." the ghoul said, sounding tired and rather unenergetic. She then motioned towards a empty spot on the table nearest to Stellar and produced a small vial of what was presumably a healing potion and a scalpel, "I will handle it from here. Thank you."

"I found him unresponsive in a side room," Stellar tells Stitchheart, laying the injured pony down where she was told.

She pauses before she leaves. "Doctor? You look exhausted! Do you want me to find Doctor Wagon? Or maybe just a mug of coffee?"

[Dalinale]

"Good morning, Princess Celestia," Doc said cheerfully, "Ready to raise the sun and start your day?"

One of the Moss siblings made a gagging sound.


"You don't punish people with weapons. That's what hooves are for." Viridia chided Fan Knife, then looked to Strata. "What happened?"

Fan Knife seemed dismayed by Viridia's chiding, and began to rummage through her jacket, apparently looking for something.

Meanwhile, Strata, giving Viridia a look that was rather effective, given that it was coming from an adult who looked like they had been putrefying in a ditch for a month.

"I was trying to see if the filly had anything crazy in her room, like a zebra flag or whatever." Strata replied.

Fan Knife gave Strata an incredulous look, shook her head, and held out her hoof. She was holding a tablet of something roughly the size and general shape of a peppermint, although it was a bright yellow-green and glowed softly in a way that was slightly eye-watering.

Strata took the tablet with her magic, apparently confused, and Fan Knife then turned to Viridia, sounding relativly chipper.

"I could break her legs and her spine if I wanted to; all she'd need to do is find a radioactive stone and rub her face in it, and she'd be fine." the ghoul filly replied, her tone relatively casual.

Strata suddenly seemed rather alarmed.


The words are surprisingly effective to Choro: she's on her hooves siftly, dusting her hat and coughing apologetically. "Sorry, Mr. Bertly. I was a bit too tired."

"It's fine, lass." the robot replied, sounding distant.


Moonshadow nodded, and looked to Strata. You really need to get a handle on that curiosity of yours. she said.

Strata didn't opt to reply, and simply glanced at Moonshadow as she popped the glowing tablet into her mouth and swallowed it. The ghoul then blinked.

"Huh." she said, then glancing at Fan Knife with a look of confusion on her face.

The ghoul filly shrugged.


"I found him unresponsive in a side room," Stellar tells Stitchheart, laying the injured pony down where she was told.

Stitchheart didn't immediately reply; instead, she pulled out what appeared to be a roll of gauze and a small container of what appeared to be a purple gel. Instead, she dispassionately took a measured glance at the head wound and began to quickly rub some of the gel on a sheet of gauze.


She pauses before she leaves. "Doctor? You look exhausted! Do you want me to find Doctor Wagon? Or maybe just a mug of coffee?"

"Fetch Fan Knife, if you would." the thin ghoul tonelessly replied.

[DigoDragon]

One of the Moss siblings made a gagging sound.

Doc giggled at the reaction. He finished packing his things and got up to stretch his sore limbs. Every joint felt stiff. "If they have cabbage I know a basic cabbage stew. Probably add other vegetables to make it more interesting."

[RCgothic]

Stitchheart didn't immediately reply; instead, she pulled out what appeared to be a roll of gauze and a small container of what appeared to be a purple gel. Instead, she dispassionately took a measured glance at the head wound and began to quickly rub some of the gel on a sheet of gauze.

"Fetch Fan Knife, if you would." the thin ghoul tonelessly replied.

"Okay," Stellar says. With one last lingering look of concern, she takes off at high speed to look for Fan Knife, calling out occasionally so the Filly has a chance to hear and know she's being looked for.

[Hazuki]

"I could break her legs and her spine if I wanted to; all she'd need to do is find a radioactive stone and rub her face in it, and she'd be fine." the ghoul filly replied, her tone relatively casual.

Strata suddenly seemed rather alarmed. "That's...pretty awesome." Viridia remarked. If it weren't for the fact that being a ghoul might make her as unattractive as Shade, it would sound awfully tempting. "But still, not cool. Not everyone's as good at dealing with pain as super ninja badasses." She grinned, then looked to Strata. "And what the crap were you thinking? Only a ninja can sneak up on another ninja, and you're not even wearing an orange jumpsuit. Also, we were in there. Don't you think we'd have mentioned if we saw a bunch of Zebra paraphernalia? She doesn't have any, by the way. Just a bunch of neat stuff."

[Dalinale]

Doc giggled at the reaction. He finished packing his things and got up to stretch his sore limbs. Every joint felt stiff. "If they have cabbage I know a basic cabbage stew. Probably add other vegetables to make it more interesting."

"Do you cook fish?" River Rock spoke up as he stood, taking a moment to help his little brother do the same before continuing, "My sister can cook fish, if there's any around. There should be, anyway."


"Okay," Stellar says. With one last lingering look of concern, she takes off at high speed to look for Fan Knife, calling out occasionally so the Filly has a chance to hear and know she's being looked for.

[She should roll Perception.]


"That's...pretty awesome." Viridia remarked. If it weren't for the fact that being a ghoul might make her as unattractive as Shade, it would sound awfully tempting.

On the other hand, you could look like Joyous Noise. Honestly, though, even if half the dead ponies you know look better then half of the living ones, dipping your head into a glowing puddle to become immortal isn't a good idea and I would suggest against it.


"But still, not cool. Not everyone's as good at dealing with pain as super ninja badasses."

Against all logic, Fan Knife blushed slightly. The filly adverted her gaze from Viridia for a few moments and began looking at a interesting water stain on the ceiling.


She grinned, then looked to Strata. "And what the crap were you thinking? Only a ninja can sneak up on another ninja, and you're not even wearing an orange jumpsuit. Also, we were in there. Don't you think we'd have mentioned if we saw a bunch of Zebra paraphernalia? She doesn't have any, by the way. Just a bunch of neat stuff."

The ghoul shrugged.

"What? I just saw the sword she had, and that looked like models of some of the zebra swords I'm familiar with." the unicorn replied, "I thought it was good to check."

Fan Knife gave Strata a irritated look and shook her head.

"Some zebra swords are similar to what comes from Zhou, and those are usually good, because they're close to how swords in Neighpon are made. Most zebra swords, though, are mass-produced crap made in one of their own styles." the filly flatly complained.

Strata raised a eyebrow. "I think you're getting your timeline mixed up, because the zebras had about fifty different weapon styles. It's sort of like saying that a style of zebra cooking resembles Prench cooking, when the Mendi had developed it when the Prench were still just a band of nomadic sheep herders. Are you sure that Neighpon just didn't manage to develop some martial arts and weapon styles that resembled zebra styles through parallel development, or-"

Strata stopped talking when Fan Knife raising one of her hooves off the ground; the filly seemed entirely calm, and glanced at Moonshadow.

"I'm heading back to camp." Strata said, pivoting away from the pegusi and the ghoul filly and promptly walking away from the room, favoring one leg as shuffled away.

Fan Knife then glanced at Viridia.

"I didn't hit her." she said, sounding as if she considered it an accomplishment worth noting.

[DigoDragon]

"Do you cook fish?" River Rock spoke up as he stood, taking a moment to help his little brother do the same before continuing, "My sister can cook fish, if there's any around. There should be, anyway."

"I've cooked fish on rare occasion. I'm not great at it, but let's see if anyone's selling some. Might even find your sis on the way." Doc packs the hamdinger box too and leads the group inside to the stores. He keeps an eye out in case they do pass River and/or Northern.

Perception [roll0] v 7

[Hazuki]

Fan Knife then glanced at Viridia.

"I didn't hit her." she said, sounding as if she considered it an accomplishment worth noting."Oh. My bad. You were standing over here with a club in your hands." Viridia pointed out. "How'd she get hurt?"

[Forum Explorer]

The ghoul shrugged.

"What? I just saw the sword she had, and that looked like models of some of the zebra swords I'm familiar with." the unicorn replied, "I thought it was good to check."

Fan Knife gave Strata a irritated look and shook her head.

"Some zebra swords are similar to what comes from Zhou, and those are usually good, because they're close to how swords in Neighpon are made. Most zebra swords, though, are mass-produced crap made in one of their own styles." the filly flatly complained.

Strata raised a eyebrow. "I think you're getting your timeline mixed up, because the zebras had about fifty different weapon styles. It's sort of like saying that a style of zebra cooking resembles Prench cooking, when the Mendi had developed it when the Prench were still just a band of nomadic sheep herders. Are you sure that Neighpon just didn't manage to develop some martial arts and weapon styles that resembled zebra styles through parallel development, or-"

Strata stopped talking when Fan Knife raising one of her hooves off the ground; the filly seemed entirely calm, and glanced at Moonshadow.

"I'm heading back to camp." Strata said, pivoting away from the pegusi and the ghoul filly and promptly walking away from the room, favoring one leg as shuffled away.

Fan Knife then glanced at Viridia.

"I didn't hit her." she said, sounding as if she considered it an accomplishment worth noting.

I think trying to spy on someone is worth a smack or two. If Fan Knife wanted her in her room, she'd have invited her in. Moonshadow said. Not apologizing for trying to eavesdropping is pretty bad as well. Then she also pretty much accused Fan Knife as being a zebra something or another.

[Dalinale]

"I've cooked fish on rare occasion. I'm not great at it, but let's see if anyone's selling some. Might even find your sis on the way." Doc packs the hamdinger box too and leads the group inside to the stores. He keeps an eye out in case they do pass River and/or Northern.

Perception [roll0] v 7

As Doc walked back into the hospital, he would have avoided colliding with Strata, who wasn't paying much attention to where she was going. The ghoul was favoring one of her legs and looked annoyed at something, but the look on her face softened when she glanced at Doc and the two colts following him.

"We should leave this place, it's silly." she said, after apparently assessing the situation.


"Oh. My bad. You were standing over here with a club in your hands."

What in the world are hands?


Viridia pointed out. "How'd she get hurt?"

Fan Knife blinked.

"No, I did hit her with my club. But I didn't just then, when I had the justification to." she replied, motioning towards the spot where Strata was previous standing.


I think trying to spy on someone is worth a smack or two. If Fan Knife wanted her in her room, she'd have invited her in. Moonshadow said. Not apologizing for trying to eavesdropping is pretty bad as well. Then she also pretty much accused Fan Knife as being a zebra something or another.

Fan Knife nodded and shrugged. "Well, she's gone now, so there's no real point in talking about it anymore. We should probably get back to training."

[RCgothic]

Perception [roll0] vs 4

[DigoDragon]

"We should leave this place, it's silly." she said, after apparently assessing the situation.

Doc glances around. "Is it that bad? Well, I suppose being run by a pony that wears a fresh skin every couple of months might be disturbing to some... is everything alright?" Doc finally asks, pointing to her slight limp. "Choro, the colts, and I are going to buy some food and cook up a breakfast. Care to join us? If nothing else, you'd have company that is relatively less silly."

[Hazuki]

What in the world are hands?Look, I'm a pegasus with a donkey name and a minotaur dialect. Deal with it.



Fan Knife nodded and shrugged. "Well, she's gone now, so there's no real point in talking about it anymore. We should probably get back to training.""'Kaaaaay."

[Inspector Valin]

Choro looks towards the newly arrived Strata with a touch of worry, a little unsure on what the professor meant but not wanting to push further. "Yes, certainly. A little walk will do us all some good." The young mare gets up, adjusting her saddlebags and nodding to Cassidy, before turning to follow Doc, Strata and the colts.

[Forum Explorer]

Okay then. Moonshadow returned to training.

Time skip please! Describe what happens if you want, but I don't want to RP out the whole training montage to get my perk.

[Dalinale]

Doc glances around. "Is it that bad? Well, I suppose being run by a pony that wears a fresh skin every couple of months might be disturbing to some... is everything alright?" Doc finally asks, pointing to her slight limp. "Choro, the colts, and I are going to buy some food and cook up a breakfast. Care to join us? If nothing else, you'd have company that is relatively less silly."

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine. That little imp in the mall ninja outfit hit me with stick, but I'm good." Strata replied, her voice becoming a little more cheerful when she apparently noticed the presence of the Moss brothers, "And sure, I could use something to eat."


Look, I'm a pegasus with a donkey name and a minotaur dialect. Deal with it.

Well, technically, you have an Equestrian name. I mean, you just met a pony named Cassidy. That's a weird nonsense name.


"'Kaaaaay."

Fan Knife nodded, and motioned towards Moonshadow.


Okay then. Moonshadow returned to training.

Time skip please! Describe what happens if you want, but I don't want to RP out the whole training montage to get my perk.

Fan Knife then disappeared.

Moonshadow would've realized that she was in for a bad time when she felt like she was being given a massage by a buffalo with eight legs. For a brief moment, she was in the air and her brain didn't have time to react to get her wings to move, which was sort of thrilling in a terrifying way, and suddenly she was back on the ground, but sprawled on her back and with a small filly standing next to her, with a amused look on her smug face.

"Alright Enclaver, time for hoof-on-hoof combat training." she said, with sadistic cheer.

Moonshadow's vision was then blocked off by the sight of one of Fan Knife's steel-shod back hooves moving at high speed towards her face.

[Given the funny nature of time, assume that Moonshadow get's the ever living sh*t beaten out of her while Viridia watches. Moonshadow doesn't take any damage, as she's just getting roughed up.]


Perception [roll0] vs 4

Stellar found Moonshadow and Fan Knife locked in combat, in that Fan Knife was holding one of her hooves behind her as she moved her head every so often to dodge Moonshadow's attempts at slicing her neck open. The filly looked profoundly bored, but her eyes widened when she noticed the pegasus.

Also, Viridia was there, being Viridia.


Choro looks towards the newly arrived Strata with a touch of worry, a little unsure on what the professor meant but not wanting to push further. "Yes, certainly. A little walk will do us all some good." The young mare gets up, adjusting her saddlebags and nodding to Cassidy, before turning to follow Doc, Strata and the colts.

The room where the donkey's store was sheltered in was open slightly, but there was a low mesh gate in front of it. The lights were off, as well.

[Doc or Choro would be advised to make appropriate roles.]

[DigoDragon]

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine. That little imp in the mall ninja outfit hit me with stick, but I'm good." Strata replied, her voice becoming a little more cheerful when she apparently noticed the presence of the Moss brothers, "And sure, I could use something to eat."

Doc couldn't help but give a little giggle-snort at that description of Fan Knife. "Mall ninja... I see. Well, I do need to talk to her later about the reward she owes us. I'll keep in mind about that stick. Anyway, let's first get cookin'."



The room where the donkey's store was sheltered in was open slightly, but there was a low mesh gate in front of it. The lights were off, as well.

[Doc or Choro would be advised to make appropriate roles.]

"Hello? Anyone awake? Got some hungry customers this morning!" Doc said, almost singing out the words like a song.

Perception [roll0] v 7
Intelligence [roll1] v 7
Luck [roll2] v 6

Okay, so no musical number just yet... :3

[RCgothic]

Stellar found Moonshadow and Fan Knife locked in combat, in that Fan Knife was holding one of her hooves behind her as she moved her head every so often to dodge Moonshadow's attempts at slicing her neck open. The filly looked profoundly bored, but her eyes widened when she noticed the pegasus.

Also, Viridia was there, being Viridia.


"Uh, hey?" Stellar interrupts, confused at first but quickly figuring this is just a sparring session.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I just found a pony with their skull crushed. Your sister wants to see you, Fan Knife," she says.

[Inspector Valin]

Choro flinches at Professor Strata mentioning Fan Knife hitting her. That... well, no pony seemed too agitated by it, but the idea is enough to make the young mare tense. No one should treat a mare of learning in that way. She glances towards the Prof, a little worried before shaking her head and trying to smile along. Live in the moment, right? They're all together, the day is good: what could be better? She trots along with the group, withdrawing Professor Strata's account of that excavation but occasionally glancing up, just to make sure she's still with her friends.

[roll0] Perception 6
[roll1] Luck 5
[roll2] Int 9!

[Hazuki]

[Given the funny nature of time, assume that Moonshadow get's the ever living sh*t beaten out of her while Viridia watches. Moonshadow doesn't take any damage, as she's just getting roughed up.]That was kinda hot.


"Uh, hey?" Stellar interrupts, confused at first but quickly figuring this is just a sparring session.

"Sorry to interrupt, but I just found a pony with their skull crushed. Your sister wants to see you, Fan Knife," she says.Viridia glomped Stellar.

[RCgothic]

Viridia glomped Stellar.

"Oh, um, hey Viridia!" Stellar says, going bright pink and awkwardly enfolding Viridia in a wing hug.

[Dalinale]

"Hello? Anyone awake? Got some hungry customers this morning!" Doc said, almost singing out the words like a song.

Perception [roll0] v 7
Intelligence [roll1] v 7
Luck [roll2] v 6

Okay, so no musical number just yet... :3

It took a few moments, but the wide head of Stan the donkey popped out from behind the door. The jack in question was clearly unamused, but he fiddled with the gate for a few moments and lifted it away from the door. He then glanced back at Doc and Choro and the others, clearly annoyed.

"Well, fine, get in here." the donkey grumbled, before turning on the lights and stepping away from the doorway.



"Sorry to interrupt, but I just found a pony with their skull crushed. Your sister wants to see you, Fan Knife," she says.

Fan Knife seemed unsurprised, and she shrugged her shoulders, nodded once towards Moonshadow, and walked past Stellar without another word.


Choro flinches at Professor Strata mentioning Fan Knife hitting her. That... well, no pony seemed too agitated by it, but the idea is enough to make the young mare tense. No one should treat a mare of learning in that way. She glances towards the Prof, a little worried before shaking her head and trying to smile along. Live in the moment, right? They're all together, the day is good: what could be better? She trots along with the group, withdrawing Professor Strata's account of that excavation but occasionally glancing up, just to make sure she's still with her friends.

[roll0] Perception 6
[roll1] Luck 5
[roll2] Int 9!

Choro would have noticed that the fruit on display looked to be in slightly rough shape; some had little bruises on them, while others looked like they had been mishandled during the shipping process. While it was still a bountiful storefront for wasteland standards, it would make the bartering process easier if it was brought up.


That was kinda hot.

No comment.

[DigoDragon]

"Well, fine, get in here." the donkey grumbled, before turning on the lights and stepping away from the doorway.

"I'll not waste you time browsing needlessly. I'm going on an expedition into a dangerous area, so I've already got in mind what I'd like to acquire," Doc said confidently as he began organizing the list in his mind. "Also, I'd like to know if you happen to have any fish in your stock?"

Because no one wants to drag things out with shopping, I'll just make a wish list to keep it quick & convenient to run down--

To sell:
Surgeon's Outfit
Energy Drink (100% GM Juice)
A 500-Bit Note (Collector's item!)
10mm Pistol
.357 Revolver
Riot Shotgun (x1)
Battle Saddle
Winterized Leather Armor

To buy:
Sewing Kit
Winterize kit (for the Security Armor)
Ammo .44 (x30)
Ammo Shotgun Shell (x16)
Speed Loader (.44)
Riot Shotgun Laser Sight
Weapon Maintenance Kit
Fish (to feed 5)

[Forum Explorer]

I
Fan Knife seemed unsurprised, and she shrugged her shoulders, nodded once towards Moonshadow, and walked past Stellar without another word.


Moonshadow nodded back, breathing heavily, as she stayed standing. Until Fan Knife was out of sight, where she promptly allowed herself to collapse on the ground. Ahhh, I haven't been this battered since my mom tried to teach me to use wingblades. Moonshadow groaned.

[Inspector Valin]

"We could perhaps do with some fruit, too. There are a few pieces in your lot here that seem to have taken a little transport damage. Light bruising, ect."

Choro points the more noteworthy pieces out, trying to resist a little smile at some of her observations. Having to inspect party supplies back in the Stable paid off. She nods politely to Stan, "They're still good, they just look a little less presentable than the others. We could take them off your hooves, and leave the storefront looking even better. Restocking our supplies, tidying things up for you: that's the sort of trade that everyone likes, right."

[Dalinale]

"I'll not waste you time browsing needlessly. I'm going on an expedition into a dangerous area, so I've already got in mind what I'd like to acquire," Doc said confidently as he began organizing the list in his mind. "Also, I'd like to know if you happen to have any fish in your stock?"

"Yeah." Stan replied, "Freeze-dried filets."

Stan took a small notebook off the front counter and opened it; it was a rather large log book, and the donkey nodded once at Doc before glancing back down at the book.

"If your planning on selling, do you want credit instead of cash?" the donkey asked.


"We could perhaps do with some fruit, too. There are a few pieces in your lot here that seem to have taken a little transport damage. Light bruising, ect."

Choro points the more noteworthy pieces out, trying to resist a little smile at some of her observations. Having to inspect party supplies back in the Stable paid off. She nods politely to Stan, "They're still good, they just look a little less presentable than the others. We could take them off your hooves, and leave the storefront looking even better. Restocking our supplies, tidying things up for you: that's the sort of trade that everyone likes, right."

The donkey glanced at Choro, apparently surprised by her speaking at all. Glancing over towards the fruit counter, he snorted once and shrugged.

"I'll mark down the price a little." the donkey replied, shaking his head.

[Barter rolls here are temporarily Easy]

[DigoDragon]

"Yeah." Stan replied, "Freeze-dried filets."

Doc will look to the colts for approval or not. If they nod, he'll purchase them.



Stan took a small notebook off the front counter and opened it; it was a rather large log book, and the donkey nodded once at Doc before glancing back down at the book.

"If your planning on selling, do you want credit instead of cash?" the donkey asked.


"Yeah, that might work out easier for the two of us since I'm buying about as much as I'm selling," Doc replied. "And do you have any fancy top hats?"

[Dalinale]

Doc will look to the colts for approval or not. If they nod, he'll purchase them.

River Rock nodded, and River Stone was distracted by the presence of clothing and was currently rooting through what looked like a pile of sweaters.


"Yeah, that might work out easier for the two of us since I'm buying about as much as I'm selling," Doc replied. "And do you have any fancy top hats?"

The donkey shrugged, and glanced at Doc's wares.


Surgeon's Outfit

Stan gave Doc a hard look.

"Did you just take this from somewhere nearby?" the donkey grumbled, "Forty caps for it, and my silence."


Guns total.

The donkey inspected the guns, and seemed moderately pleased by the presence of the shotgun.

"Three thousand caps for the guns and armor." the donkey replied, prodding the leathers with interest.


GM Juice

The donkey stared at the green bottle, and then glanced at the nutrition information on the back. He seemed dumbfounded.

"I'll put you down for a hundred for this." he mumbled, adding a few tally marks to the notebook.


500-Bit Note

Stan snorted when he saw the note.

"Are you kidding me?" he said, rolling his eyes. "Five caps."

[If Doc wants to dispute anything, he'd best roll Barter.]

[DigoDragon]

Barter [roll0] v. 18 (Critical success?!)

"The outfit is actually from Manehattan. One of the finest hospitals still standing," Doc said. "And you gotta admit the weapons are in really good condition. Very reliable weapon even after all these years."

[Dalinale]

Barter [roll0] v. 18 (Critical success?!)

"The outfit is actually from Manehattan. One of the finest hospitals still standing," Doc said. "And you gotta admit the weapons are in really good condition. Very reliable weapon even after all these years."

Stan glanced at the coat again, and seemed as if he was checking for any logos or identifying marks. Eventually, the donkey then glanced at the pistols once again, apparently checking the finish and for any apparent wear. He then glanced at Doc, seemingly satisfied.

"Fine, seventy-five caps for the coat. And three thousand and two hundred for the combat gear and the firearms. Don't know why you're parting with a shotgun made for the Night Guard, but whatever." the donkey replied, sounding like a grumble.

Doc would have noticed that Strata, who was busy looking at some of the cloths with River Stone, seemed wierded out by something the donkey said. River Rock, meanwhile, seemed really startled by the numbers Stan was rattling out and was glancing at the fancy shotgun Doc was selling with wide eyes.

[DigoDragon]

"Thank you, that is a most agreeable sum," Doc said to the donkey. He smiles at his friends before the second part of this transaction. "Alright, so... six of the frozen fish, a good top hat, and let's see what you got for ammo..."

Doc's credit is 3380 caps. Assuming the donkey has all these items in stock:

General & Medical
___ Sewing Kit (5 caps)
___ Winterize Kit (20 caps)
___ Weapon Maintenance Kit (20 caps)
___ 50 yards rope (50 caps)
x10 RadSafe (200 caps)
_x4 Rad Away (240 caps)
_x6 Healing Potions (150 caps)
_x6 Magic Bandages (120 caps)

G&M Total: 805

Food & Drink
x12 Fresh apples (120 caps*)
_ x8 Canned food (40 caps, prewar I assume)
_ x6 Freeze dried fish (??)

F&D Total: 160 caps +whatever fish is worth.

Guns & Ammo
___ Assault Rifle (300 caps)
___ .44 Speed Loader (20 caps)
___ Riot Shotgun Laser Sight (300 caps)
___ Assault Rifle Extended Mag (50)
___ Assault Rifle Laser Sight (100 caps)
___ Long Rifle Scope (200 caps)
x40 Ammo, Shotgun Shells (40 caps)
x50 Ammo, .44 (75 caps)
x80 Ammo, 5.56mm (80 caps)
_x4 Ammo, MFC (6 caps)

G&A Total: 1171

So far spent about 2136 caps (again, assuming donkey has it in stock and at listed prices). Gonna wait on Choro in case she wants something, I can apply the remainder towards her.

*Doc was quoted (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?441544-Fallout-Equestria-Grits-And-Ghouls&p=20601628&viewfull=1#post20601628) that fresh produce doesn't go above 10 caps per piece, so estimating at that price).

[Dalinale]

"Thank you, that is a most agreeable sum," Doc said to the donkey. He smiles at his friends before the second part of this transaction. "Alright, so... six of the frozen fish, a good top hat, and let me see what you got for ammo."

Stan snorted, and went back behind the counter; he then brought up a cardboard box full of bullets.


Sewing, Weapon Maintenance, and Winterize kits.

Doc would have noticed that the thread and clothing supplies were well picked through; understandable, given the conditions, but still annoying.

"Twenty-five caps each." the donkey replied, glancing at the boxes of old cloth and sewing supplies Doc hauled up.


Ammo .44 (x30) and Ammo Shotgun Shell (x16)

The donkey individually counted out the bullets Doc required, flipped through the small notebook he had placed down on the counter, flipped through it until he came to what appeared to be a chart.

"Alright, I can give a deal for these. Forty-five caps for thirty .44's and twenty caps for the shells." Stan mumbled.


Speed Loader (.44) Riot Shotgun Laser Sight

The donkey's mood seemingly soured when Doc brought up weapons accessories, but he shook his head and headed for the back room of the shop. In a few minutes, the donkey came back with a small metal tube and a fancy-looking metal rectangle.

"Thirty caps for the speedloader, three hundred and seventy-five for the tactical shotgun laser sight." the donkey grunted.


Six fish

The freeze-dried fish filets the donkey motioned towards seemed non-freezer burned and seemed perfectly edible.

"Eight caps per filet." the donkey intoned, after he glanced back at what appeared to be a price list.


Top Hat

"All hats are ten caps." Stan replied, raising a eyebrow.

[DigoDragon]

"All hats are ten caps." Stan replied, raising a eyebrow.

Doc mentally ticks off amounts in his head from his available credit as he gathers the purchased items. He then tries on several hats, looking for three in specific; a good top hat that should fit a certain Enclaver he knows, a nice sun hat (http://bpc.h-cdn.co/assets/16/12/480x480/gallery-1458917796-target-tan-floppy-sun-hat-black-band.jpg) for his lady in waiting, and a slick pale rider (http://cineplex.media.baselineresearch.com/images/79876/79876_full.jpg) hat for himself. Once he finds the right ones, he'll mentally add 30 caps to the running total. "You got a spare cardboard box or something I can put the top hat in? It's a gift and I wouldn't want it crushed while transporting."

Once he has the acquired items aside, he then looks over at the food again and then toward the gun racks. Doc looks for a decent condition assault rifle. "Alright, a dozen apples, eight cans of assorted fruits and vegetables if you carry any, and then for weapons... I'll take that assault rifle there, four score of 5.56 ammo and a laser sight for it, plus if you have a rifle scope for a cowboy repeater, four Magic Fusion Cells, and 15 yards of rope."

Doc will pause to let the donkey gather these items.

[RCgothic]

Moonshadow nodded back, breathing heavily, as she stayed standing. Until Fan Knife was out of sight, where she promptly allowed herself to collapse on the ground. Ahhh, I haven't been this battered since my mom tried to teach me to use wingblades. Moonshadow groaned.

"If you ever feel nostalgic, I'd be happy to resume your lessons," Stellar says with a straight face.

"Fan Knife been teaching you guys new tricks? Oh, and by the way, have any of you seen Andante? Captain Jack interrupted by recuperation to take me back to Oakville, and Shade accompanied us back here. She's quite keen to find Andante - I think there's some sort of Mayoral election about to take place."

[Inspector Valin]

But how much should I take? Fruit and vegetables decay over time, right? So perhaps just enough for a couple of days?

Choro is interrupted in her thoughts about rationing by the far more decisive Doc. Nodding gratefully to him, she beckons towards the rough curtain she remembered from before. "Would you mind if I double checked your magical item section, Mr. Stan?" She dips her hat to the donkey, trying to smile politely. "We're planning to go shut down a factory staffed by deadly robots who are turning equines into meat for some reason. I might be able to find something we can use in there."

[Forum Explorer]

"If you ever feel nostalgic, I'd be happy to resume your lessons," Stellar says with a straight face.

"Fan Knife been teaching you guys new tricks? Oh, and by the way, have any of you seen Andante? Captain Jack interrupted by recuperation to take me back to Oakville, and Shade accompanied us back here. She's quite keen to find Andante - I think there's some sort of Mayoral election about to take place."

No thanks, Moonshadow said, ruefully rubbing at a bruise. And I don't know where Andante is. Seems like everypony is looking for her right now. But more importantly Viridia spotted a scout from the meat factory, so dealing with that place has been my priority.

[Dalinale]

Doc mentally ticks off amounts in his head from his available credit as he gathers the purchased items. He then tries on several hats, looking for three in specific; a good top hat that should fit a certain Enclaver he knows, a nice sun hat (http://bpc.h-cdn.co/assets/16/12/480x480/gallery-1458917796-target-tan-floppy-sun-hat-black-band.jpg) for his lady in waiting, and a slick pale rider (http://cineplex.media.baselineresearch.com/images/79876/79876_full.jpg) hat for himself.

Doc found all the hats he was looking for, without fail.


Once he finds the right ones, he'll mentally add 30 caps to the running total. "You got a spare cardboard box or something I can put the top hat in? It's a gift and I wouldn't want it crushed while transporting.

The donkey pulled out a cardboard box that was under the counter that looked like it was being held together by duct tape and hope. He placed it on the counter, and pushed it slightly towards Doc.


Once he has the acquired items aside, he then looks over at the food again and then toward the gun racks. Doc looks for a decent condition assault rifle. "Alright, a dozen apples, eight cans of assorted fruits and vegetables if you carry any, and then for weapons... I'll take that assault rifle there, four score of 5.56 ammo and a laser sight for it, plus if you have a rifle scope for a cowboy repeater, four Magic Fusion Cells, and 15 yards of rope."

Doc will pause to let the donkey gather these items.

Stan didn't look like he was budging to go towards the apples, but Strata seemed to notice that the donkey was trying to light Doc on fire with his eyes and hovered twelve moderately shiny red apples towards the counter along with a small stack of fruit cocktail, apparently eager to make herself useful, or apparently just to alleviate her boredom. After a few more seconds, a coil of rope gently landed on the counter as well, plucked from a more obscure section of the shop's shelves.

Stan, apparently surprised by the ghoul using her magic, went over towards the firearm case and gathered the rifle Doc was pointing at (which already came with a laser sight attached to it), along with a rifle scope, and brought up a ammo box from behind the counter, as well as four small blue crystal tube thingies.

"One hundred and twenty caps for all the fruits, canned and fresh." the donkey said, motioning towards the gathered produce, "The assault rifle will be four hundred and fifty caps, and the scope for the repeater will be two hundred and fifty caps. The ammo will cost eighty caps, and fifteen yards of rope will be nineteen caps."

The donkey then glanced at his sheet, and looked back at Doc. The jack, looking quite exhausted, showed Doc the chart he had been previously writing everything down, apparently for Doc's benefit.

"That will be one thousand, five hundred, and fifty two caps. You're credit was originally three thousand and two hundred caps, and would be one thousand, six hundred, and forty eight caps after this transaction. Do you have any questions?"


"If you ever feel nostalgic, I'd be happy to resume your lessons," Stellar says with a straight face.

"Fan Knife been teaching you guys new tricks? Oh, and by the way, have any of you seen Andante? Captain Jack interrupted by recuperation to take me back to Oakville, and Shade accompanied us back here. She's quite keen to find Andante - I think there's some sort of Mayoral election about to take place."

Viridia didn't hear a peep from the tiny breezie in her hair.


But how much should I take? Fruit and vegetables decay over time, right? So perhaps just enough for a couple of days?

Choro is interrupted in her thoughts about rationing by the far more decisive Doc. Nodding gratefully to him, she beckons towards the rough curtain she remembered from before. "Would you mind if I double checked your magical item section, Mr. Stan?" She dips her hat to the donkey, trying to smile politely. "We're planning to go shut down a factory staffed by deadly robots who are turning equines into meat for some reason. I might be able to find something we can use in there."

Stan leveled his gaze towards Choro; the jack seemed rather tired, although that could have been due to the fact that it was extremely late at night.

"Go." the donkey replied, voice firm.

[DigoDragon]

The donkey pulled out a cardboard box that was under the counter that looked like it was being held together by duct tape and hope. He placed it on the counter, and pushed it slightly towards Doc.

"Thank you," Doc said as he took the box and packed the top hat into it. He marked the box, 'canned foods'.



"That will be one thousand, five hundred, and fifty two caps. You're credit was originally three thousand and two hundred caps, and would be one thousand, six hundred, and forty eight caps after this transaction. Do you have any questions?"

"One proposal, two questions," Doc replied with a restrain on his energy. Yeah, the donkey is annoyed at him and slightly shortchanged him on the credit, but even with that in consideration he was getting a lot more credit for his barter, so he wasn't going to complain. Well, time to wrap things up. Hopefully Choro finds something useful to add to this pile of goodies.

"First, I'll pay a hundred caps if you double the shotgun and .44 ammo," he said, knowing he's overpaying a little just to keep the donkey agreeable. "Second, do you have the means to repair an old pre-war watch, and third, what do you have for medical goods? I'm looking for radiation drugs, like Rad Away and RadSafe, and healing items like potions and magic bandages, if you have any for sale."

[Inspector Valin]

Choro doesn't need to be told twice. She bows politely to both Doc and Stan, leaving the two to continue haggling while she ducks into th magical items section. This place needs a proper inspection, over occultic focus or no.

[roll0] Science 85
[roll1] Per 6
[roll2] Int 9

[Dalinale]

"One proposal, two questions," Doc replied with a restrain on his energy. Yeah, the donkey is annoyed at him and slightly shortchanged him on the credit, but even with that in consideration he was getting a lot more credit for his barter, so he wasn't going to complain. Well, time to wrap things up. Hopefully Choro finds something useful to add to this pile of goodies.

Stan gave Doc a look that, before the war, was likely reserved to managers of retail stores dealing with overenthusiastic couponers.


"First, I'll pay a hundred caps if you double the shotgun and .44 ammo,[/COLOR]" he said, knowing he's overpaying a little just to keep the donkey agreeable.

The donkey nodded; he may or may not have rolled his eyes.


"[COLOR="#8B4513"]Second, do you have the means to repair an old pre-war watch,

"Depends on how screwed up it is." the donkey immediately replied.


and third, what do you have for medical goods? I'm looking for radiation drugs, like Rad Away and RadSafe, and healing items like potions and magic bandages, if you have any for sale."

The donkey gave Doc a odd look.

"Of course we do." the donkey replied, "Our medical supplies are of top quality."

The donkey then went behind the counter, and moved a large box that was in the back towards the front. He then heaved it up on the counter, for Doc's viewing pleasure. The donkey then began to count out the additional ammo Doc requested, occasionally giving a concerned look over towards the general direction of Choro.

[There are five units of Painkillers, ten units of Bandages, and five units each of Rad-Away and Rad-Safe in the box.]


Choro doesn't need to be told twice. She bows politely to both Doc and Stan, leaving the two to continue haggling while she ducks into the magical items section. This place needs a proper inspection, over occultic focus or no.

[roll0] Science 85
[roll1] Per 6
[roll2] Int 9

The total sum of the rooms interesting contents (Sans what she already found on her previous search) looked like this-

- A relatively small among of the objects (roughly ten percent) were either non-magical in nature or had some extremely specific uses that would require equipment to determine. The most grievous offender that Choro would spot was a fancy-looking set of a dozen sealed potion beakers that, going by a quick look at the back, likely contained nothing but colored sugar-water. Some of the jewelry on display also did not give off immediate magical auras, although that could simply indicate that they required triggers to function. Most of the other potions on display were healing potions or were specialized potions with medical uses; several seemed to be specialized towards immunizing individuals to different varieties of poison, while another, somewhat humorously, declared itself to be a "Potion of Greater Tetanus Resistance".

- There were several pieces of jewelry that likely had immediate magical functions, although they were hard to determine, given that all of them were in secure cases. The living tiara made of wood and autumn leaves that attracted Choro's attention earlier was probably fitted for a deer and likely had some obscure ritual significance. A larger, second tiara, this one made of what appeared to be several solid strands of white gold and on display near the wooden one, was studded with rubies, one centered in the middle and seemingly giving off a faint glow.

- One object of note in the jewelry section was what appeared to be a odd steel mask that resembled a pointed crown in general shape, although if worn it would surely cover most of the upper face of anyone who would wear it properly and it provided no obvious way of providing sight for whoever would deign to put it on. It was rather pretty, however, being covered in intricate, fluid-looking metalwork that was likely meant to resemble tongues of flame.

- The other funny piece of headgear in the jewelry section was actually a cage that was about as tall as Choro was, and about a foot and a half wide. Regardless, the cage had a spot for a pony to stick their head in, no matter how odd it would be to do so, and it didn't appear to be evil.

- The weirdest pickled thing in a jar on display resembled a black animal paw made of shiny brown chitin, like a bear leg made of cockroach shells. It was unlabeled, but, unless it was a mutant, there was only so many things it could have possibly belonged to. [Choro might want to roll Survival]

- The books in the unsecured section mostly consisted of what appeared to be pre-war textbooks for higher level magical studies, all rather well worn. Three focused on magical robotics, another focused on magical healing, while another appeared to be a bestiary regarding magical and exotic creatures of northern Equestria. There were two other books that didn't seem to focus entirely on magical subjects present on the shelves; one was titled 'A Theory on the Formation of Equestrian Society' that had a front cover that was entirely obscured by several different offical-looking black stamps that sort of merged into a big blob of censoring, while another was titled 'On The Sociology of the Equality Cult', which didn't bear any censorship stamps but did seem to be slightly burnt around the binding.

- The books in the secured section, however, were in a glass case that obscured all but the shapes of the practical library within it; most of the tomes seemed very old, and, of course, very valuable.

- The 'evilist' thing in the room was probably the stuffed rabbit in the cage with the door with a lock facing inwards. This was a obvious conclusion due to the fact that Choro spotted what looked like a razor blade hidden under the rabbit's left paw, as well as some hidden yarn placed under a fake bush. A quick glance at the bottom of the taxidermy case revealed that, yep, there were magic runes carved on the bottom.

[DigoDragon]

"Depends on how screwed up it is." the donkey immediately replied.

Doc takes out the fancy watch and shows it to him. "What do you think? Repairable?"



[There are five units of Painkillers, ten units of Bandages, and five units each of Rad-Away and Rad-Safe in the box.]

"How much for the whole box? And what's your going rate for healing potions?"

[Dalinale]

Doc takes out the fancy watch and shows it to him. "What do you think? Repairable?"

Stan glanced at the watch, leaning in slightly, and grunted.

"Yep." he replied, leaning back.


"How much for the whole box? And what's your going rate for healing potions?"

Stan raised a eyebrow.

"First off, we sold all of our healing potions to the ghoul who runs this joint." the donkey coolly replied, "That was our deposit on this fine little room we are standing in today. Secondly, the contents of the box would cost," the jack paused, glancing down at the box before him, "One thousand and four hundred caps, total."

[DigoDragon]

Stan glanced at the watch, leaning in slightly, and grunted.
"Yep." he replied, leaning back.

Stan raised a eyebrow. "First off, we sold all of our healing potions to the ghoul who runs this joint." the donkey coolly replied, "That was our deposit on this fine little room we are standing in today. Secondly, the contents of the box would cost," the jack paused, glancing down at the box before him, "One thousand and four hundred caps, total."

Doc was a little disheartened that their variety of medical supplies was narrow. He'll have to speak to Stitch or Fan about healing potions. "Alright, then how much for just the RadSafe and the watch repair?" the stallion asks.

[Inspector Valin]

Choro potters merrily about the secure area for a while, pressing her muzzle against case after case. This really has been a rather wonderful little trove. More and more, she's regretting not taking Baquir up on his offer.... but not to worry. One or two of these items would surely be helpful in the factory.The young mare trots past the curtain soon enough, tipping her hat to Doc. "There are some potions that you should possibly take a look at, Doctor. Some healing vials, some that look like poison wards. Most of them seem specialized though: medicinal draughts for very specific situations." She lists off some of the labels as best she can: hopefully Doc will be able to make better buying decisions on medical items than her.

So how many workable potions did Choro find? Doc likes 'em, so I think we need numbers here, how many healing, how many specialized other things? And dibs on Tetanus Resistance! (Given the hygiene levels of the factory...)

*hums* Wonder if Alchemy might be something for Choro to look into.

The young wizard's list given to Doc, she turns her attention to the Donkey across the counter. "I'd be interested in the prices on your books. And the headwear! The tiaras and crown stand out: you've some nice pieces on offer. Actual deer woodworking..." Choro grins at Stan, trying her hardest to seem smart. see, she was a wizard! She knows what she's talking about. The stablemare coughs, tugging at the edge of her robe "I'd like a closer look at the sealed books, if you don't mind. I assure you, I'm quite qualified to read any magical text, and it's rather hard to know what you have when they're kept in a glass case I'm afraid."

[DigoDragon]

"There are some potions that you should possibly take a look at, Doctor. Some healing vials, some that look like poison wards. Most of them seem specialized though: medicinal draughts for very specific situations." She lists off some of the labels as best she can: hopefully Doc will be able to make better buying decisions on medical items than her.

The stallion's ears perk up upon hearing the list. Doc glances at the donkey, he doesn't say anything just yet. He waits to see what he says on the cost of fixing this watch first.



The young wizard's list given to Doc, she turns her attention to the Donkey across the counter. "I'd be interested in the prices on your books. And the headwear! The tiaras and crown stand out: you've some nice pieces on offer. Actual deer woodworking..." Choro grins at Stan, trying her hardest to seem smart. see, she was a wizard! She knows what she's talking about. The stablemare coughs, tugging at the edge of her robe "I'd like a closer look at the sealed books, if you don't mind. I assure you, I'm quite qualified to read any magical text, and it's rather hard to know what you have when they're kept in a glass case I'm afraid."

"Anything medical in that collection?" Doc asks Choro with curiosity.

[Dalinale]

Doc was a little disheartened that their variety of medical supplies was narrow. He'll have to speak to Stitch or Fan about healing potions. "Alright, then how much for just the RadSafe and the watch repair?" the stallion asks.

"Two hundred for all of the RadSafe." Stan replied, before glancing at the watch, "And I'm not the local watch-repair donkey. Start's off at fifty caps an hour, though."



So how many workable potions did Choro find? Doc likes 'em, so I think we need numbers here, how many healing, how many specialized other things? And dibs on Tetanus Resistance! (Given the hygiene levels of the factory...)

Twelve in total, with three resembling healing potions of unknown grades and three having more obscure purposes. The rest were unlabeled, but looked markedly different than a healing potion.



The young wizard's list given to Doc, she turns her attention to the Donkey across the counter. "I'd be interested in the prices on your books. And the headwear! The tiaras and crown stand out: you've some nice pieces on offer. Actual deer woodworking..." Choro grins at Stan, trying her hardest to seem smart. see, she was a wizard! She knows what she's talking about. The stablemare coughs, tugging at the edge of her robe "I'd like a closer look at the sealed books, if you don't mind. I assure you, I'm quite qualified to read any magical text, and it's rather hard to know what you have when they're kept in a glass case I'm afraid."

"Do you have five hundred caps on you?" Stan bluntly asked, "That's the hazard fee, in case you explode. You're obvious qualifications aside, bleach is expensive and if you get eaten or possessed, I'm the one who'll need to clean up the mess."


Anything medical in that collection?" Doc asks Choro with curiosity.

"Those potions are specialties; potions and oils and the like not traditionally available in Equestria." Stan spoke up, glancing over at the restricted area, sounding bored. "From sources not approved of by our dear hostess in charge of this fine hospital complex. While some might have medical purposes, they are not to be treated as mass-produced healing potions, as they work entirely differently."

[DigoDragon]

"Two hundred for all of the RadSafe." Stan replied, before glancing at the watch, "And I'm not the local watch-repair donkey. Start's off at fifty caps an hour, though."

"Alright, two for the RadSafe, and I'll buy in three hours toward the watch repair. Hopefully that'll be enough." Doc mentally checks off 350 from his credit as he puts the watch on the counter. He figures he has just under 1200 left.



"Do you have five hundred caps on you?" Stan bluntly asked, "That's the hazard fee, in case you explode. You're obvious qualifications aside, bleach is expensive and if you get eaten or possessed, I'm the one who'll need to clean up the mess."

Doc looks over to Strata with a concerned look. He's never been in a shop where the merchant didn't know if any of his wares were explosively lethal. He then looked around to make sure the River brothers weren't touching anything that was potentially explody.



"Those potions are specialties; potions and oils and the like not traditionally available in Equestria." Stan spoke up, glancing over at the restricted area, sounding bored. "From sources not approved of by our dear hostess in charge of this fine hospital complex. While some might have medical purposes, they are not to be treated as mass-produced healing potions, as they work entirely differently."

"Ah, Apologies. I was actually asking about the books," Doc says. "Got any... actually, it'll be faster if I just peek at your mundane collection while you answer this lovely mare's questions. I'll be right back." He steps over to scan the mundane totally not gonna explode book section for anything on one of the following four topics; Medicine, Mechanics, Earth Pony Magic, & Everfrost.

Perception [roll0] v. 7
Luck [roll1] v. 6

[Dalinale]

"Alright, two for the RadSafe, and I'll buy in three hours toward the watch repair. Hopefully that'll be enough." Doc mentally checks off 350 from his credit as he puts the watch on the counter. He figures he has just under 1200 left.[\

Stan handed over two of the small pill bottles, and moved the watch closer to himself.


Doc looks over to Strata with a concerned look. He's never been in a shop where the merchant didn't know if any of his wares were explosively lethal. He then looked around to make sure the River brothers weren't touching anything that was potentially explody.

Strata was currently busy putting on scarves and hats in front of a mirror and was paying very little attention to what Doc was doing. Unless jackets were explody, the Moss siblings were likely safe, as well.

"Ah, Apologies. I was actually asking about the books," Doc says. "Got any... actually, it'll be faster if I just peek at your mundane collection while you answer this lovely mare's questions. I'll be right back." He steps over to scan the mundane totally not gonna explode book section for anything on one of the following four topics; Medicine, Mechanics, Earth Pony Magic, & Everfrost.


Perception [roll0] v. 7
Luck [roll1] v. 6

The shop's book and magazine section looked well-used, but that was the way books were when the last one was made about two hundred years ago.

- Equine Health was a moderate-sized book that looked like a guide for griffon doctors about pony patients. From a medical perspective, they both seemed relatively in line with what Doc knew, but the side-by-side colored anatomy sketches that came with it looked like they could be very useful, as they listed equivalents to parts of pony anatomy for both griffons and cattle and were medical textbook-grade.

- Regarding Earth Pony Magic looked like it was a condensed version of a larger text that, regardless, would likely be useful to him. It looked like it was a reprint of a earlier book approved by the Ministry of Image, so it was likely in line with what Equestria itself considered to be commonplace among those who wished to be philosophical about earth ponies.

- You Didn't Get a Apple on Your Ass So You Could Become President didn't look like it could help Doc in any way, but it sure sounded funny. It seemed to be a transcript of a play, but it looked like the binding had been recently repaired, which probably meant someone really liked what was written in it.

[DigoDragon]

Doc picked out the three books and returned to the counter. "What are you asking for these?" he inquired.

[Hazuki]

"Fan Knife been teaching you guys new tricks? Oh, and by the way, have any of you seen Andante? Captain Jack interrupted by recuperation to take me back to Oakville, and Shade accompanied us back here. She's quite keen to find Andante - I think there's some sort of Mayoral election about to take place.""You brought Shade? Why not just shoot me straight in the **** instead?" Viridia groaned. "She said she was getting groceries, or whatever." She added, helpfully. Hey Viridia, say groceries, that'll make sure everything's smooth and great and not the lamest excuse ever. Why thanks, Andante, this is the best idea you've had since banging the moon-pony.

[Dalinale]

Doc picked out the three books and returned to the counter. "What are you asking for these?" he inquired.

Stan glanced at the books Doc brought over.

"I thought window shopping died with Manehattan." the donkey grumbled, before glancing at the books in question. "Twenty caps for the play, and thirty each for Equine Health and the philosophy guide."


"You brought Shade? Why not just shoot me straight in the **** instead?" Viridia groaned. "She said she was getting groceries, or whatever." She added, helpfully.

Viridia heard a odd buzzing noise near here ear, akin a particularly high-pitched bee, and then she felt the tiny thing in her mane flutter out of it and land on the bridge of her nose.

The other two pegasi would've noticed that there was a very small bug thing on Viridia's face that looked like Andante Shine with antenna and oversized butterfly wings. The tiny fairy thing had a mildly annoyed look on it's face before shifting to something more pleasant as it looked at Moonshadow first, and then at Stellar. The critter then coughed before speaking.

"I apologize for my intrusion, but we must find Shade, there's no time to explain." the breezie said, before pausing and taking a look down both sides of the hall, and seeing nothing but peaceful, quiet isolation in a large building complex with little in the way of immediate threats. After a few moments of shuffling her hooves on Viridia's nose, she then coughed again.

"The explanation would take too long." the breezie clarified, sounding flustered, "There is a long and tedious journey ahead of us, and this place offends the senses."


Hey Viridia, say groceries, that'll make sure everything's smooth and great and not the lamest excuse ever. Why thanks, Andante, this is the best idea you've had since banging the moon-pony.

Got to wonder if her brain capacity got smaller when she shrunk. But no, seriously, if Andante chats with Shade about the whole 'necromantic sword' thing, Shade might get more annoying because she's a priestess of some nebulously evil legendary pony. If you could drop Shade off with Amoise Bleugh and leave her here, that would be about the best option for everyone involved, because then Shade would be far away from what's important, which is what you're doing.

[Hazuki]

"The explanation would take too long." the breezie clarified, sounding flustered, "There is a long and tedious journey ahead of us, and this place offends the senses.""Oh come on! What was the point of hiding you for so long if you're just going to hop out anyway?" Viridia huffed. "That was valuable grooming time you've just gone and wasted."


Got to wonder if her brain capacity got smaller when she shrunk. But no, seriously, if Andante chats with Shade about the whole 'necromantic sword' thing, Shade might get more annoying because she's a priestess of some nebulously evil legendary pony. If you could drop Shade off with Amoise Bleugh and leave her here, that would be about the best option for everyone involved, because then Shade would be far away from what's important, which is what you're doing.But I'd have to, like, talk to her to get her to go see Army Cheese. Haven't we all seen enough horrors today? ...and did I mention she's ugly?

[Dalinale]

"Oh come on! What was the point of hiding you for so long if you're just going to hop out anyway?" Viridia huffed. "That was valuable grooming time you've just gone and wasted."

"I don't know what that blasted robot has said since it has been out of sight." the breezie said, turning around on Viridia's nose and scooting to the left a little, so she was looking Viridia in the eye; "And I hid for so long because your mane is a excellent way to travel, but now my absence has clearly been noted and now it is time to reappear, as a pony."


But I'd have to, like, talk to her to get her to go see Army Cheese. Haven't we all seen enough horrors today? ...and did I mention she's ugly?

If Armie Bleg and Shade get all buddy buddy and decide to stick back here with his gang, then it would mean that there would no real chance of Shade deciding to stick around when it's time to get out of the frying pan. It's either this or hauling her ambiguously evil ass all over Equestria because her airy-fairy girlfriend keeps throwing money at the other pegusi for her keep.

Also, she's not ugly, just off-putting because she acts funny; if she's ugly, then Livewire was ugly. If she wore a nun getup instead of those weird robes, then we wouldn't be having this conversation.

[Hazuki]

"I don't know what that blasted robot has said since it has been out of sight." the breezie said, turning around on Viridia's nose and scooting to the left a little, so she was looking Viridia in the eye; "And I hid for so long because your mane is a excellent way to travel, but now my absence has clearly been noted and now it is time to reappear, as a pony.""Okay, how do we do that?" Viridia asked. "And Bertly only knows 'cause you told him. Totes your fault."


If Armie Bleg and Shade get all buddy buddy and decide to stick back here with his gang, then it would mean that there would no real chance of Shade deciding to stick around when it's time to get out of the frying pan. It's either this or hauling her ambiguously evil ass all over Equestria because her airy-fairy girlfriend keeps throwing money at the other pegusi for her keep.

Also, she's not ugly, just off-putting because she acts funny; if she's ugly, then Livewire was ugly. If she wore a nun getup instead of those weird robes, then you wouldn't be calling her ugly.Oh come on, Doc and Stellar aren't stupid enough to side with an obviously evil pon-ahahaha I couldn't even get through that!

She has an ugly soul. And what's a nun?

[Dalinale]

"Okay, how do we do that?" Viridia asked. "And Bertly only knows 'cause you told him. Totes your fault."

Andante shrugged, and then replied.

"I would imagine we have enough ponies here to attempt to repair one of the sky vehicles in the parking lot to flying capacity." the breezie said, glancing at Moonshadow briefly before looking back at Viridia, "But, ultimately, that would depend on whether or not we could use the teleporting dog as a transportation device, if it does not get tired from doing so."


[I]Oh come on, Doc and Stellar aren't stupid enough to side with an obviously evil pon-ahahaha I couldn't even get through that!

Truly, you a shepherd of a needy flock.


She has an ugly soul. And what's a nun?

A nun is like a monk, and a monk is like a priest who's figured out that they can spend their whole lives in a comfortable old building with a bunch of other ponies and get free food and make artisanal alcoholic products without paying taxes in most jurisdictions. Most were probably teachers at some point who got together on the weekends to drink and smoke and play cards, and then some got the bright idea to turn it into a lifestyle.

[Hazuki]

Andante shrugged, and then replied.

"I would imagine we have enough ponies here to attempt to repair one of the sky vehicles in the parking lot to flying capacity." the breezie said, glancing at Moonshadow briefly before looking back at Viridia, "But, ultimately, that would depend on whether or not we could use the teleporting dog as a transportation device, if it does not get tired from doing so." "Uh, I meant how do we turn you into a pony?"


Truly, you a shepherd of a needy flock.Totally. I mean, I can't heal the sick, slip into the shadows, hack into death machines, cut mutants into a thick red paste, or create awesome displays of magic. But sarcastic comments? I've got those on lockdown, baby.


A nun is like a monk, and a monk is like a priest who's figured out that they can spend their whole lives in a comfortable old building with a bunch of other ponies and get free food and make artisanal alcoholic products without paying taxes in most jurisdictions.I'd be jealous, but it's not like I have to pay taxes. Almost makes almost dying every day worth it!

[Dalinale]

"Uh, I meant how do we turn you into a pony?"

Andante blinked.

"Well, I would require some gemstones." she replied, glancing briefly at one of her tiny hooves before replying, "And I would handle the rest of the process."


Totally. I mean, I can't heal the sick, slip into the shadows, hack into death machines, cut mutants into a thick red paste, or create awesome displays of magic. But sarcastic comments? I've got those on lockdown, baby.

Sarcastic comments are probably more useful than self defense abilities. If you can't get a one-liner off before you fight, then you probably shouldn't be fighting, in my opinion.


I'd be jealous, but it's not like I have to pay taxes. Almost makes almost dying every day worth it!

At this point, can you really rule that out? I mean, in the last week, you've fought a alicorn, a giant robot, and talked to a dragon. If someone came up to you and tried to tax you, you shouldn't be surprised.

[DigoDragon]

Stan glanced at the books Doc brought over.

"I thought window shopping died with Manehattan." the donkey grumbled, before glancing at the books in question. "Twenty caps for the play, and thirty each for Equine Health and the philosophy guide."

"Okay, sounds good," Doc said. "I'll take them. Stone, Rock, Strata, anything else we need for breakfast besides the fish?"

[Inspector Valin]

Choro is quietly alternating between surprise at Stan's description of his books, anger at the implied dismissal of her skill (pay for everything upfront, just in case it explodes my left flank) and genuine uncertainty. Not about the books: if they were so volatile, then transporting them at all would be prohibitively dangerous. But these donkeys weren't going to listen to her, and she couldn't ask Doc for that many caps.

Eventually, the young pony sighs, quietly bowing to defeat. She tries to smile politely at Stan. "If that is at all typical, then I fear your secure section is too rich for me. I apologize for taking up your time." Apology given, she looks to Doc with a more genuine smile, "Do we have fruit? I'm not sure how much it's best to take."

[DigoDragon]

"I have a dozen apples, but do use up the remainder of my credit if you think I should buy more," Doc said. "Do you need ammo? Now is the time."

[Dalinale]

"Okay, sounds good," Doc said. "I'll take them. Stone, Rock, Strata, anything else we need for breakfast besides the fish?"

River Rock held up two large onions and a bag of raisins, and River Stone placed three bottles of water on the counter.

"Forty caps total for all of that." Stan replied, giving Doc a look that made the donkey seem as if he thought he was giving Doc a break.



Eventually, the young pony sighs, quietly bowing to defeat. She tries to smile politely at Stan. "If that is at all typical, then I fear your secure section is too rich for me. I apologize for taking up your time." Apology given, she looks to Doc with a more genuine smile, "Do we have fruit? I'm not sure how much it's best to take."

Stan said nothing, and went back to his caps calculations.


"I have a dozen apples, but do use up the remainder of my credit if you think I should buy more," Doc said. "Do you need ammo? Now is the time."

Strata hovered over two items over towards the front counter; one was a rather nice-looking blue scarf that looked like it was sized for a buffalo, and the other was a book called Selling the Sun: Celestia's Secret Role In Establishing The Post-Abdication Economic Boom that had the rough dimensions of a hardback large-print edition of a Manehattan phonebook.

Stan glanced at the title of the book, and gave Strata a odd look. The ghoul, suddenly slightly flustered, wiped her forehead. Stan then rolled his eyes.

"Fifteen caps for the scarf, and thirty for the brick." the donkey muttered.

[DigoDragon]

"Forty caps total for all of that." Stan replied, giving Doc a look that made the donkey seem as if he thought he was giving Doc a break.

"Fifteen caps for the scarf, and thirty for the brick." the donkey muttered.

"Alright, go ahead and subtract these from my credit," Doc said agreeably. He let the colts carry whatever of their items they wished, and he'll carry the rest. Grilled onions would be pretty good with fish (really, onions were great when grilled period). He then took the scarf and donned it on Strata, because the size of it was rather curious and he just needed to see how it looked on the ghoul. Also, just to be nice in case the donkey decided to charge her for using a mirror.

"Cozy, that's for sure."

[Inspector Valin]

"If you could find a flare round or two? I'm stocked on rifle ammunition, but I only had two rockets. Now I just have one." Choro blushes a little at Doc's offer, coughing politely. "They shouldn't be needed on the surface, but if the factory extends underground, some light might be useful. Robots and monsters can see in the dark better than most ponies can, and I don't think they'll be nice and let us take time to find a light switch.."

[DigoDragon]

Doc nods at the request and awaits to see if the donkey has any flare rounds. "Alright so, flares and maybe a flashlight."