Inside 68: Dawn of a New Season (or two)

[Recaiden]

She stayed on her feet! That's good.

Petting the hound will remind Sekhmet of its true nature; the disguise doesn't include touch. It's more like petting a snake or armadillo than a proper dog.
But it appreciates being pet. Feels like it's safe.
Spend a while just getting used to them, while still and moving.

[bc56]

Streets

Sekhmet likes that the hound likes being petted. It makes her think of an actual dog. She gives it a new command to go stand near the entrance to the shopping center. As it's headed there, she opens her eyes. She was not ready for the full sensations of both bodies, watching herself bound across the parking lot causes her to reel, almost falling over as she compensates for the hound's movement with her normal body. "Woooaaah."

[Recaiden]

Spike goes to wrap a tentacle wing around Sekhmet's shoulder to help keep her steady. Otherwise, she's busy maintaining the dog disguise. It's a lot harder when someone else is moving the hound!

The hound obediently springs up and heads over to the entrance, probably even as Sekhmet is intentionally giving the instruction.
It's possible (but unlikely) that the increased distance between her and the hound makes this even more dizzying

[bc56]

Streets

Sekhmet catches her balance with Spike's help and turns back to look at herself She starts to walk back, proud of herself. The unreal sensation of seeing herself see herself couples with her shock at realizing that the hound was a part of her and breaks her concentration. She stands bolt upright and shrieks briefly in shock, and the hound's mind dwindles back to a point of dim awareness in her mind's eye. "I couldn't tell us apart anymore!" She's genuinely frightened by this development.

[Recaiden]

After a moment of confusion, the dog scampers back over.

Sure you could. You're already back talking to me, right? You just weren't paying attention to the difference - probably for the first time in your life? Spike goes to pat Sekhmet in a hopefully comforting manner. She seems distracted, though.

[billtodamax]

[Midnight Park]

Violet's instincts regarding predators don't usually tell her to be cautious. But hey, no reason to start intimidating this pony when she's being buddy buddy. Violet. Anyone can grab one of these passes? They aren't gonna screw me around are they? Violet asks, keeping Airbrush on track. You're just a painter, sure, but you must know your way around.

[bc56]

Streets

"But..." Sekhmet says, but she can't think of anything to say. She remains silent, but is still shaken by the experience.

[Recaiden]

Spike doesn't really know what to say either. Just manages Don't worry. You did great.
The hound comes and lays at Sekhmet's feet.
Why don't you keep 'em with you?

[bc56]

Streets

"I, uh," Sekhmet begins. She looks down at the hound. Despite everything, it is kinda cute. "Why?"

[Recaiden]

It will let you practice your powers without disturbing ones who are working as scouts, it can help you out and protect you in emergencies, and caring for animals helps people be more responsible. Spike heard from someone who read that in a book once.
Plus they're cute.
It's a pretty unassailable argument.

[bc56]

Streets

"Uh, alright." Sekhmet responds, reaching down to scratch the dog again. "Uh, what do I feed it? Does it need any special care?"

[Rebonack]

[Midnight Park]

"Screw you around?" Airbrush repeats, her ears folding back. "No? Why would they?"

She gives her head a little shake, them smiles.

"It doesn't matter. Yeah! I know my way around the citadel pretty well. Or at least parts of it. It's really big."

Seriously.

The tree is HUGE.

"Some parts are off-limits to visitors, though. State secrets and stuff."

Aaww...

But those are usually the coolest, most destructive parts.

[billtodamax]

Midnight Park

Sure, state secrets. Probably an armoury too right? They got some good stuff in there? Getting distracted. Not important right now. Visitor passes will let me in there? And the princess is probably through there? She asks, nodding toward the big door. Stay on target Airbrush, Violet has stuff to achieve.

[Rebonack]

[Midnight Park]

"I mean, probably?" Airbrush replies with a shrug of her wings. "The armory, I mean. We've been fighting the forces of Orcus, Demon Prince of Undeath pretty much ever since the Princess did her whole apotheosis thing. Turns out Orcus really doesn't like us rescuing and befriending his slaves. I don't do much fighting, though. Mostly just painting."

She's really good at painting.

Then the door is brought up again!

"I think the Princess only comes up here when she's doing big speeches. She's probably somewhere else right now, since she's really busy all the time. The easiest time to find her is when she's holding court. Anyone can talk to her or make requests then."

A beat.

"What did you need her help with?" Airbrush asks. "Is there anything I can help with?"

[billtodamax]

Violet looks at the horse's ass. Not unless you can paint me back into a human. She says. ...can you do that? That would save her a lot of time. Being a horse is fine and all but none of the fun drugs work right anymore. Horse tranqs were alright for a bit but I haven't found an upper yet.

[Rebonack]

[Midnight Park]

Airbrush's eyes widen a bit!

"You used to be human?" she asks, breaking into a smile. "So was I! Before the wights got me. Good thing Team Nightmære rescued me, or I would still be eating people's bones or whatever it is wights do."

They devour people's life energy, Airbrush.

It's horrifically painful and generally awful. A gnawing pit of hunger that can never be filled.

She begins packing up her supplies. She's done with her work for now, anyway. Always more time for inspiration and painting!

For now she has a new friend to help.

"I can't paint you human. Though I could probably do some pretty good human-style body paint. I bet the Princess can break the spell on you, though," she says as supplies vanish into her saddlebags. Though she pauses briefly and glances back at Violet at that last comment. "An upper? You mean like bounce?"

[billtodamax]

Midnight Park

...you got some? Violet asks. What's the market like. You dealing? Violet did not know that ponies could be cool. She glances over to the security guards again. Let's walk and talk. Fly and talk, whatever. She starts heading toward ground level where the visitor passes could be found. Best to stay discreet.

[Recaiden]

"Uh, alright." Sekhmet responds, reaching down to scratch the dog again. "Uh, what do I feed it? Does it need any special care?"

Sekhmet's head is filled with information on the care and feeding of a hive hound scout creature.
They should have meat for 25-100% of their diet, you shouldn't give them anything to drink, trim their side claws regularly, they don't like surprises.
Not too high-maintenance.
And you probably ought to give it a name. For other peoples' sake. Spike learned that the hard way.

[bc56]

Streets

"Thanks." Sekhmet looks down at the "dog." "Come, uh," she thinks of a name, "Ellie. Come."

[Recaiden]

An auspicious name!
Spike nods approvingly and steps back as Ellie hops to its feet.
Keep practicing. You clearly have a talent for telepathy and command. Eventually we'll want to find out how far you can go.
Ellie, take good care of Sekhmet.

She silently signals to the other hound, Spot, that it's time to leave, and Spike and her creatures switch from an illusion of angelic shininess to an illusion of not being there at all.
So to those without a sense for the hive, they disappear.

[bc56]

Streets

"Bye." Sekhmet starts to walk away. She can't do the invisible trick like Spike can. "Ellie, Come." Ellie trots along after Sekhmet, who is worried about how she's going to afford to feed an extra mouth.

[Rebonack]

[Midnight Park]

"No, I don't keep any on me," Airbrush replies incredulously. "You can usually get it if you know your way around Carousel Court's party scene."

Carousel Court has a party scene?

The pegasus will head down toward one of the main entrances, just to show Violet the way.

"It's pretty fun. Messes with pegasus magic, I guess? You used to be human, so you probably noticed that booze was the only thing that worked the same as it used to? Ponies are put together a little different. So they've got their own stuff for each tribe."

Drugs are magic, apparently.

Airbrush will lead Violet through one of the entrances into a rather expansive lobby full of art, mostly. Art and strange objects recovered from the Gloom. Some looks fancy. Some looks foreboding.

"Hi Lampwick," Airbrush calls out to an earth pony behind a counter. "My friend here was hoping to get a visitor's pass. Used to be a human and got poned by some sort of curse I guess?"

The earth pony in question, a fiery red coat with a dark orange mane, raises an eyebrow at Violet. "Rough. Were you hoping for some curse breaking, Miss Violet?"

[billtodamax]

Midnight Park

Yeah well, it's my first time here. What's the best place to party? Violet asks. Oughta see about finding a manufacturer... she adds, mostly to herself. She's distracted from her train of thought by the introduction of yet another horse. Yeah. Horse at the ice cream place told me the princess could help. She in?

[Rebonack]

[Midnight Park]

"There are a couple real good spots. Best depends. You like dancing? Music venues? Raves? Getting smashed?" Airbrush asks.

These are all very important considerations!

But yeah.

More horses.

There are TONS of horses around here.l

Some in uniforms.

Some not.

Quite a few look busy. Though more than a few are just lounging around the lobby playing games.

"Can't say where the Princess is right now. But the 'ice-cream horse' is probably right. The Princess could smash a curse, easy. But she's pretty busy most of the time. Princess and all. Maybe you could come by when she holds court? Make your request there?" Lampwick suggests. "Or we could find somepony else who knows about curses, I guess? I'm sure we've got SOMEPONY on staff who knows how to deal with that sort of thing."

[billtodamax]

Midnight Park

Fresh Freeze! That was her name. Violet says, remembering finally. Distracted again. Look, if you've got another buckin' horse around here that can break this curse I'm not gonna be picky. Probably called uh... bane, or something. Buck, maybe. Violet says, joining the dots in the names she's heard so far. Wait so are you like some kinda light horse. Really good at making candles? That's gotta suck. Violet proclaims.

[Rebonack]

[Midnight Park]

"Sort of, not exactly," Lampwick replies with a shrug and a wane smile. "Anyway, give me a sec. I'll see what I can dig up."

And then?

He swats a button on his desk with a hoof.

"Hey Switchboard. It's Lampwick down in the lobby. Yeah, doing fine. Hey, we've got a living pony down here who's apparently a cursed human? Yeah, wants her fingers back. Probably her full vocabulary of profanity, judging from how she talks. Mhmm. Full on mind-whammy. No, I haven't asked how it happened. Mhmm. Okay. Do you think we've got anypony on staff who could take a look at her? Alright, I'll be waiting."

The button is swatted again and Lampwick looks up at Violet.

"Okay, Switchboard is checking to see if anypony is available to help you out. It might be a few minutes, but she works pretty fast."

That's certainly a start!


[Ineffable Errands]

"Mrrrrrr!"

"Oh hush, you're fine," Zee replies to the cat as she fishes it out of the smallish tree growing along the sidewalk. The feline hisses and spits and then she boops it in the nose with a finger and it promptly passes out. The comatose cat is handed off to a small child at the base of the tree. "There you go, he'll wake up in a few minutes. Just make sure you've got him back inside so he doesn't get scared and run off again, okay?"

"Okay! Thanks missus lady missus!" the child replies before hurrying off with the cat in his arms.

Well.

That was certainly a side-quest.

Though not as bad as the LAST time she left Trog's to get some shopping done. Hopefully she won't discover any horrible plots of doom this time around.

Humming once again, she continues her walk toward Fluxmart.

[5a Violista]

[Fluxmart]

There's a catgirl in the Fluxmart, talking with customer service. She's got purple hair with an electric-blue ribbon in it, and an ugly orange turtleneck. And she's got a list in one hand, presumably a shopping list.

"So do you have any of these parts in the backroom?" she asks, pointing at her list. "There weren't any on the shelves."

"Also, is your gun specialist coming in later today? I need to order a new one." Since she carelessly lost it.

[Rebonack]

[Fluxmart]

Purple, blue, and orange seem like kind of a clashing combination.

The fellow at the help desk, an acne faced late-teen who looks like he hasn't slept nearly enough recently, peers at the list.

"The electronics aisle is B4," her replies in a raspy, nasily voice. "First aid supplies are on F13. We don't sell guns here, miss. Maybe try Skycaptain's across the street?"

Skycaptain's is great if you want a World War Two era firearm. Or an atomic powered ray-gun. All of that art deco pulp adventure sort of stuff. They probably have really cool, heroic looking scarves, too.

Meanwhile!

Zee comes into the market! Supermarket, rather. She grabs one of those little plastic hand-baskets and sets off into the store. She's going to need cooking supplies, that's for sure. And maybe some new Thanksmas decorations for Trog's. Sure it's only a few days after Spooktober, but that's plenty of time to toss all the scary pumpkins and replace them with Thanksmas cheer.

"Let's see... condensed milk and canned pumpkin for the pies..." she mutters as she begins inspecting endcaps for holiday goods. There's one filled with onions and canned green-beans for green-bean casarol. A common Thanksmas favorite. "Need some fresh meats, too..."

She'll probably check there last to make sure it stays cold.

Hopefully it won't be full of flesh eating worms this time.

[5a Violista]

[FluxMart]

If you think that's it, wait until you see the color of her skirt.
...
It's gray. Not the solid gray, though.

The catgirl sighs. "No, I - I already checked B4 but the shelf is empty," she responds, exasperated. Finding the right stores to buy the right things is really hard around here. Sometimes when you find something, it's centuries ahead or behind technologically what you're looking for. "I was wondering if there was more in the backroom but hasn't been stocked yet."

She sighs.
A scarf would be nice, she'll have to pick it up when she gets that pistol.

"Anyway, thanks. F-13. Right." She waves him off and heads towards the first aid aisle, picking up what she's missing. Mostly band-aids or whatever they're called in this store.

"Maybe some snacks would be good, too," she says to herself. That train ride will be long and boring, and she'll probably get hungry again. As soon as she grabs the adhesive bandages, Marin starts walking down the aisles. She's looking up, trying to see how they're labeling the aisles and what kinds of snacks they have where.

[Rebonack]

[FluxMart]

Everyone knows what's going to happen.

Two PCs walking around, not paying attention to their surroundings, and then they literally run into each other. They get to talking, go on an adventure, learn the true meaning of friendship, the works. All that has to happen is someone walks around the corner distracted and POW! Instant character interaction.

...Zee turns the corner on the other side of the aisle, completely missing the catgirl and passing her without second thought.

"Ooh, fresh cranberries," she mutters as she bends down and collects a bag, tossing it into her plastic basket. "What else..."

A moment passes as she examines a selection of dried and fresh fruits.

"Wait!" Zee suddenly exclaims, head snapping around. "Did I just miss some Nexus serendipity? Ummm... OH! There! YOU!"

The catgirl may find Zee pointing straight at her.

Several other patrons give Zee a weird look.