Post by: Telgin on February 07, 2013, 10:58:25 pm
A few of you will probably recognize what this is off the bat. For those of you who don't, this is a direct successor to my old community fort from late 2011, Dawnpick (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=96608.0). If you're not familiar at all with Dawnpick, that's okay! I do recommend that you go back and read the fort updates if you get a chance though, which are linked from the first post. They will help place the setting. The bottom line is that this is a fort based on My Little Pony, but the canon is very different from what is in the cartoon.
This is not a succession fort, despite the fact that it's a successor to my previous fort. Don't be confused, it's just a community fort.
The Story Begins
It's been five years since the events of Dawnpick came to a close. A few things have happened since then in that little mining town, but this is a story about another group of ponies. This is the story of the Fellowship of Hope, a group of ten brave ponies who heeded the call of the king and queen of Coupledye.
The populations of Coupledye and its attendant lands have grown considerably over the past decades, and resources are starting to be spread a bit thin. Twenty years ago Virtue Cookales led an expedition to seek out new sources of rich minerals to fuel the economy. But ponies do not live on steel alone.
This is the story of Virtue's younger brother Temperance Scribebakes, and his expedition to fulfill a more basic need. Coupledye needs more food, and new farming communities are being established throughout the land. Temperance volunteered for the most distant and challenging of the new sites, eager to prove himself to the royalty and everypony in Coupledye.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Embark.png)
My, what a nice place you've picked out to journey to, Temperance.
Temperance and his band have traveled for three months to reach the rolling plains that they were promised, and in celebration of arriving he has christened the lands Duskfields. Will he succeed and bring more honor to the family and himself?
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Neighbors.png)
Or is he doomed in ways he cannot begin to imagine?
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Intro.png)
Huge thanks to Kryptid for all of the artwork you see here!
From right to left, Smoothblock, Case Study (on the rock), Flamberge, Maize, Temperance, Crosshair, Wood Chips (way in the back), Cream Puff (on the ground), Holly and Veneer (way in the back) settle in after a long journey and prepare to put in the hard labor to build Duskfields up strong. This is their story. Hopefully, it won't be a short one...
Temperance's Journal, 1st Granite, 269
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
We're here. It's not as impressive to look at as I expected, but we're here all the same. After three months of slogging our way here, we've made it. At least it's warm. Trudging through snow the whole way here wouldn't have been very fun at all.
There's so much work to be done. I've talked with Virtue a dozen dozen times about how she started things out in Dawnpick. I've heard every last little detail. She even let me read some of her diary to see what decisions she made, and which were mistakes. I think I know how to proceed. It's going to be a huge amount of work, but I'm ready. I'm not scared to put in some effort. And I know the others aren't either.
Which is good, because I've already got work laid out for most of them, and there's plenty of lugging stuff around for the rest. The land's fairly level, thank goodness, but there's still a bit of earth moving to be done so I've asked Smoothblock to look into it. That ought to give her something to do to get her out of my mane for a little while. Holly too. I don't think the two are getting along too well, which is somewhat understandable. I'll get Holly to start knocking some of these trees down to let her vent a bit, and to get us something for Veneer and Wood Chips to start working with.
As for me and the others, there's a lot of unloading to do.
I'll probably keep reciting all of Virtue's warnings in my head as we unload everything. That keeps coming back to me whenever I don't have anything else to occupy my mind. She begged me not to come. Begged me. I know she means well, but I'm a thirty five year old stallion. I can handle myself.
Anyway, I did some debating and I think I'm going to name this place Duskfields. It's kind of a small nod to her and Dawnpick, even if she didn't like the idea of me coming out here. Maybe she'll get a kick out of the name when she gets my letter. But more to the point, it's getting dusky, and the name just stuck with me. Far off to the north, I can see what looks like a small dust storm sweeping the land. I didn't expect that out here, but it's a minor inconvenience. We'll weather a dust storm with no problem.
Tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Post by: Telgin on February 07, 2013, 10:59:03 pm
Claimed Pony List
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Update Milestones
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Game Save Snapshots
I'll be posting one of these per game year, or at other significant breaks in time.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Rules
As a whole, I'm not enforcing much in the way of hard rules. This is a community fort that mostly abides by the general standards and rules of a community fort. If there's an unclaimed pony you want, have at them and post journal entries from their perspective. If this develops into roleplaying like Dawnpick did, then feel free to have fun with that too. If you want to keep your involvement comparatively light, then by all means, keep it to journals if you want!
If there end up being a lot of players, I may enforce a player limit to help rein in the sanity a bit, but for the moment, there is none.
I reserve the right to change these rules as things develop!
Spoiler: Claiming a pony (click to show/hide)
Spoiler: Setting (click to show/hide)
) associated with plants and rain.Spoiler: FAQ (click to show/hide)
IRC
RPing developed, but the game is over now so I've removed the link to the IRC chat room.
Postmortem Analysis
Spoiler: Contains Graphs (click to show/hide)
Disclaimer
Just as with Dawnpick, I'm releasing the setting of Duskfields and any and all content produced by me to be used in future stories, games, artwork or any other media. Not that I expect anyone to actually want to use this or anything.
"You threw the bad memory away. But it came back."
Post by: zomara0292 on February 07, 2013, 11:27:44 pm
Edit: it is also nice to see you again, Telgin.
Post by: Khenal on February 07, 2013, 11:30:11 pm
Yes! I've been selected to join an expedition, finally! I had to keep lowering my expectations, and looks like I got stuck with one going a long ways off, but I am finally out of here! No more cooking with old or preserved stuff! We'll get to grow our food, and I can give ponies fresh meals! I can't wait!
Prologue 2
Are we seriously headed someplace called "The Hills of Worry"? Maybe I shouldn't have lowered my standards quite so much.
Granite 1, 269
Well, we're finally here, so I guess I'll stop procrastinating and actually write regularly in this thing. Temperance seems pretty excited, but this place gives me the creeps. Still, the soil looks good, even if some of the plants in it look unsettling. I hope the seeds we brought will grow well. I wonder if anypony can get seeds from the native plants. Maybe they're tasty. I doubt it, but you never know.
Post by: jaxler on February 07, 2013, 11:32:44 pm
Post by: Telgin on February 07, 2013, 11:34:14 pm
Ah, finaly. I have been waiting so long for this. Might i take Vaneer? And, i know it might be asking bit much, but I would like To see his personality to. As before, I am far to lazy to make him a character of my own right.
Edit: it is also nice to see you again, Telgin.
Certainly! Here you go:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
If you want him, he's yours. Good to see you back too. :)
Post by: Dsarker on February 08, 2013, 12:07:27 am
Post by: Splint on February 08, 2013, 12:14:37 am
Post by: Lycaeon on February 08, 2013, 12:29:56 am
I would request a pony but I don't have much time to post journals. :-\
Post by: melkor on February 08, 2013, 02:44:00 am
Post by: vkiNm on February 08, 2013, 06:11:26 am
Crosshair's Diary Prologue 1
Hello Diary! Today was the bestest day ever! There was an expedition going out to settle a farming colony or something and they wanted somepony to go and make sure that the wild critters there are at bay and keep everypony safe, I applied and they accepted! Finally I'll be out of this old boring job and finally get a chance to BE somepony! So I brought you to keep note of all the exciting experiences I'll get from day one onwards! Oh I so do hope they'll have crossbows for me to use! It's going to be so great and there's going to be so much to do, I'm sure of!
Crosshair's Diary Prologue 2
Diary, I know you can't answer me this, but.. Why does anypony would even wants to go to someone that's named "The Hills of Worry?" that name already got me worried.. But I'm sure we'll be fine! I mean, what's the worst thing that can happen?
Omigosh Cream Puff is in this expedition too! I LOVE her food and she's such a great friend! Well! I guess the travel won't be so boring afterall! We'll talk about /everything/! maybe gossip about the stallions in our expeditions, take about what we're going to do, her new recipes, I thought I couldn't get more excited, well I'm wrong! This is going to be the best expedition ever!
Granite 1, 269
Hauling. So much Hauling. I thought I'm here to keep ponies safe and shoot critters! But I guess I can't complain, even the boss's hauling.. Although he's a Unicorn and I don't think his back gets hurt or his wings gets strained from hauling logs and rocks from places to places.. But then again, I probably shouldn't try flying with a boulder on my back..
Post by: Maklak on February 08, 2013, 06:15:43 am
Post by: TheBronzePickle on February 08, 2013, 01:03:47 pm
Post by: TALLPANZER on February 08, 2013, 02:19:39 pm
SmoothBlock's notes, entry one: Well here I am on my way with a group of settlers going to found a farming village. Probably not my best idea, but I was drunk. We got a leader named Temperance... more swamp whiskey for me I guess! A militant named Flamberge, he has a curvy sword, and that's all I got to say about that. CaseStudy, more like FlankStudy. CrossHair, food on target. CreamPuff, too easy. Holly, has an axe, likes to wave it around and polish it. Veneer, I think he might be a fruit vendor. Maize, who I hope knows how to grow pigtails! WoodChips, who I really should warn about CaseStudy. Ha-Ha! I got a million of 'em.
Entry two: Was out drinking today when the boss comes up and tells me to level the hills around here. I can do that, no problem, Just remember to work from the top down. Now I thought I should dig on the cellars for stores first, maybe a furniture store for our beds, hint hint! sleeping outside in the rain sucks! Oh well, time for a fine cigar.
Post by: Telgin on February 08, 2013, 09:55:48 pm
Posting to watch. I'll take a scrub in the militia when one comes. I'd prefer the name be Splint, but hey, whatever you think for a name will work.
Splint's a workable pony name, although I'll name every migrant who arrives with a profession relevant name as I did in Dawnpick. You can decide then what you'd prefer. :)
Quote from: vkiNm
Can I have Crosshair's Avatar and see her stats and such, please? Thanks
May I see Maize's stat block, please?
Ah, yes, of course. I should have posted all of these up front. Here's the embark pony info, other than Veneer since I already posted him. If anybody wants relationships, just ask.
Spoiler: Ponies (click to show/hide)
I'm hoping to get an actual update posted tonight, probably covering the first half of the first year.
Post by: TheBronzePickle on February 08, 2013, 10:19:38 pm
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Maize%20Avatar.png)
Maize's thoughts, Prologue
I've found a chance to get out of the city! Farming colonies are being made all across the land, and I get to be part of the most distant one! Hopefully there won't be that many others with us.
Maize's thoughts, Granite 1, 269
9 other ponies. Could have been better, but it could have been worse, too. I've so far been able to avoid getting anyone talking to me. A quick flash of my horrid smile turns them right back around! Thank you, father, were it not for your beatings, I might actually have to socialize! As for the other ponies, from what I can tell they're mostly working on giving me a plot of land to do my work. Hopefully I won't be expected to do anything until they finish, I'd hate to accidentally bump into someone.
Post by: Kryptid on February 08, 2013, 11:04:49 pm
Case Study's Journal, 1st Granite, 269
If there's anything good to say about travelling, it's that you get plenty of exercise. It definitely helps supplement the jogging that I would have normally done during that time. Of course, even the physically active need their rest and I'm not exception; I'm going to look forward to getting a full night's sleep. A fatigued doctor makes mistakes and mistakes cost lives. I'm not predicting that my services will be needed in the imminent future, but one can never be too cautious when exploring uncharted territory. There are any number of things that could cause harm here, be it wild animals, poisonous plants or even construction accidents. Hopefully, no one will make any stupid decisions. Especially this early in the game. Nonetheless, I find myself stunned time and time again at the injuries I've witnessed in the past that others have sustained doing fool-hardy things.
The land looks fine and we have plenty of supplies, but I know that the future can often hold unwholesome surprises. Nevertheless, I won't worry myself with that. At least not for now. My main concern now is the blend of fellow ponies that have traveled here with me. Our leader, Mr. Temperance, seems level-headed and intelligent. I hear tell that his older sister was a successful expedition leader herself. In short, I trust him. Most of the others seem to be minding their own business. One ruffian I'm trying to stay clear of is this corpulent unicorn mare named Ms. Smooth Block who seems to love the ill-advised pleasures of smoking and alcohol. Her voice is so unnaturally deep that I cringe when thinking about what damage her habits must have done to her lungs. Her personality is rather grating as well. I suppose I can't say that I'm surprised, seeing as any sizable group must have individuals with incompatible interests and habits. That's enough rambling from me for one day. I should get ready for some shut-eye.
Post by: Telgin on February 09, 2013, 12:54:26 am
This is the first fort update, and there's not a lot that's happened, as you'd expect. I wanted to play until I got migrants, but that was going to take a very long time, so I'll cut it at the end of spring for now. Tomorrow I'll have another update for you all.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
Temperance's Journal - 2nd Granite, 269
Today marks the first real day of work. While we've been sorting through the goods and figuring out what goes where, there's not a whole lot most of us can do at the moment. Smoothblock is still working away at flattening some of the hill off to the west, but Holly has the real work cut out for her. There are just tons of trees around, and until most of them are cut down we don't really have anywhere to set up shop.
We managed to find a little space for a carpenter's shop and a craftshop at least. As soon as ponily possible, Veneer and Wood Chips will have some wood getting cut into planks to help set up some shelter.
In the mean time, the rest of us are taking a little while to familiarize ourselves with the area and pick some of the local plants.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/1.png)
Well, that ought to keep them busy for a while. I didn't realize this embark was so heavily forested. There are lots of local plants growing too, maybe a few I didn't bring with me.
While sorting through the things in the wagon, something unexpected caught my eye.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/1-b.png)
A small bin of steel bars. There was a note attached to it too:
Quote from: The Letter
Temperance,
I couldn't stop you from going on this expedition, but even still there was a little something I felt I could do to help you out. I know your request for some iron couldn't be filled in time for you to bring any with you, so I'm going to give you something even better.
In this crate are eight bars of some of the best steel we've produced in Dawnpick. I know you won't be wearing any armor, but maybe you'll find a good use for it. I'm going to personally see to it that more iron and steel is sent your way. We're swimming in it here, and you need it a lot more than we do.
Sorry, I'd have brought more but it was all I could carry with me!
Love,
Sis
I didn't really feel homesick at any point on the way out here until I read that, but I have to say, even though I've only seen Virtue a few times in a decade and a half, I'm already missing her.
There's a lot of work to be done though, maybe that'll get my mind off of it.
7th Granite, 269
It's taking every bit as long as Virtue said it would to get things rolling around here, and we've just now set up the sawmill. That should speed up future construction work a dozen fold at least. While they were at it, I had Wood Chips and Veneer throw together a few pieces of furniture for the upcoming communal dorm. I also had them make a few armor stands.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/2.png)
There's no great place to put them yet, so we set them up out of the way. I could tell Flamberge and Crosshair were getting antsy, and this is a way for them to vent some of their energy in a productive way. They've both been training for most of the day, and I can tell they're happier now.
19th Granite, 269
Well, I knew it was going to take a while, but poor Holly just can't seem to cut the trees down fast enough. She's got a small corner cleared out at least, and for now that's enough room to put down a small patch of farm land and start building some temporary shelter. I hate to be selfish, but the first thing is going to be somewhere for me to lay out the books so I can actually try to manage this place.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/3.png)
A nice little office for him to work from. Housing is up next. When there's room.
As room opens up we'll start building some housing immediately. We've barely scratched the surface of what needs to be built. Homes for ten ponies, someplace to eat, a proper place for the soldiers to train and keep their things in, somewhere for Case Study to treat injured or sick ponies, a barn or warehouse...
I'm really starting to appreciate how much planning Virtue had to put into Dawnpick now!
13th Slate, 269
Things are coming along more slowly than I could have ever imagined. My new office is finally mostly complete, although the finishing touches have been on hold for weeks now as we divert attention to getting housing set up.
On the way out of my office today, I noticed Maize sleeping in the fields by herself. I'm thinking perhaps I should speak with her at some point. She seems to be avoiding the rest of us, and I wonder if she's a bit homesick or depressed. We don't have anywhere to really sleep yet, but the fields are one of the last places I'd pick.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/4.png)
Well, at least the ground's flat I suppose.
We're working on getting a place to sleep though. We've all been sleeping on the floor in here in shifts, but having some actual beds would be nice. Soon. Very soon.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/5.png)
17th Felsite, 269
Things are really shaping up. It took every bit as long as Virtue said it would, but we've got room for everypony to sleep inside now!
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/6.png)
Yeah, the design for the dorms I decided on is going to take even longer than Dawnpick's I do have skilled carpenters with me this time at least.
I really should commend Veneer and Wood Chips for the work they've put in. The work they've done so far is superb. There's only a few rooms ready so far, so a lot more to go, but we'll get there. We were promised a caravan from Coupledye by winter, and I'm hoping to have this place looking like a real farm in some fashion by then. I know they won't let me down.
We also got some space set up for the animals we brought with us. The sheep have been moved to a little pasture set aside to the south, and some nest boxes for the chickens were placed up near the fields. A few eggs for breakfast every once in a while sounds nice.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/7.png)
The sheep, camel and yak can chill here for now.
1st Hematite, 269
Today marks the first day of summer, and I must say we've come a long way already. At this rate we'll have individual rooms for everypony in no time, but I think I may take a detour on that to start work on a dining room of some sort. Cream Puff has been working in our makeshift kitchen for a while now, but it would be much better for everypony if we had all of that inside of course.
Space is starting to become a premium already though, and I've asked Holly and Smoothblock to get to work on clearing some space out for us. That's going to take a while, so we might as well start now.
Well, it's late, so I think I'm heading to bed after getting something to drink. I really must say that freshly made tomato juice tastes so much better than the stuff we got back in Coupledye.
I think I'm going to like it here.
Post by: KingStrongbeard on February 09, 2013, 01:33:06 am
Commander Flamberge Field Journal Entry #1
I have been assigned to an expeditionary force to form a new settlement in The Hills of Worry. I have heard several tall
This is my first command position, though I don't have any proper soldiers with me and am chronically under-supplied, I have my sword, two helmets, and two peytrals, and that is it. My superiors have tasked me to recruit, train, and equip a militia for the area from these pioneers, and whatever material we can scrounge up. It won't be easy.
Commander Flamberge Field Journal 1st Granite, 269
We have finally arrived at our new home. Though it doesn't look it yet. The trees and undergrowth are thick enough to choke a dragon. The miner, Smoothblock, I think her name was, has started flattening the hills. Such strength, while not uncommon among earthponies, is still staggering. The rest of the party took to clearing the trees and shrubbery. Seems some of the local plants may be edible, though they don't look that tasty. Still anything's better than the magically dehydrated rations they fed us in the army.
Temperance has decided to call this place, Duskfields. The name I suppose, fits a farming town in The Hills of Worry.
Commander Flamberge Field Journal 2nd Granite, 269
It has come to my attention that we have been gifted several bars of steel, by Lady Virtue. I believe these should be used to produce a surplus of weapons so that everypony here can have something to defend themselves with, in the case of bandits or wild animals. I will recommend spear tips be forged to Temperance, as soon as we can spare time to set up a forge.
Commander Flamberge Field Journal 7th Granite, 269
A spot has been cleared and set aside for me to practice, I am most appreciative. I have also found my first recruit, a
Commander Flamberge Field Journal 17th Felsite, 269
We finally all have a bed to sleep in and a roof over our heads, the dorms are cramped but beat the hell out of sleeping in the dirt. Veener and Woodchips have done a splendid job. Still no sign of trouble, but Crosshair and I have been spending our time patrolling and training. She is a talented young mare, I could not have done better for a first recruit.
Post by: vkiNm on February 09, 2013, 08:32:38 am
Crosshair's Diary, 2nd Granite, 269
I couldn't help but notice that we're gifted by several bars of what must be the shiniest steel bars I've ever seen in my life. Apparently it's from our leader's sister, Duchess Virtue of Dawnpick, I think I've heard of her from somewhere, probably in the news or something like that. I'm sure if she made it to Duchess and made it into the news, then she probably done something to deserve it. Here's hoping that it's in the blood line! I wouldn't mind if one day Temperance becomes Duke Temperance! That'd be neat.
Crosshair's Diary, 7th Granite, 269
I guess they noticed how we were getting antsy and bored to our bones and set up a place to practice! It's not much, quite literally just a flat ground to play in. But I appreciate that! Flat ground's in the trend nowadays. Also apparently I've been recruited by our awesome Militia Commander Flamberge! He made me a captain, It's so awesome! He's even got a very, Very big sword with him too! I'm not really much for close hoof-to-hoof combat myself, but I think I'd like to get taught by him about that.
Crosshair's Diary, 17th Felsite, 269
Today's the day we finally slept properly! Well, not entirely so, but, We have roofs over our heads now! I missed that. And you can only sleep on clouds for so long, and when you got something flying up and bit you right in the flanks, suddenly sleeping on clouds isn't so very nice anymore. But I guess I'll just drag one down to the dorms and sleep there, should be good.
Everything's finally taking shape and I can't be happier with my position here, I thought they'd make me be some sort of just another guard amongst the other dozen or something but I've been made Captain! When you thought life couldn't get any better, it put a surprise on the silver plate for you. Here's hoping that won't change any time soon!
Me and the Commander have been spending quite a lot of time together, training and patrolling to make sure nothing bad's going to pop up and eat our ponies. I can't help but to notice that every once in a while he would tell me to sit on a cloud with him to 'guard' the area and be a lookout, something about training my patience and focus or something like that I don't know. It's pretty awesome! And I don't know if it's just me, but the Commander's been talking oddly around me lately. I mean, normally he'd use that strong authoritative barks or that deep statement that didn't leave any room for doubts, but he seems to be speaking softer around me. Not that it's bad or anything, just something to note down.
clueless adorkable pegasus is clueless.
Post by: TheBronzePickle on February 09, 2013, 08:40:05 am
~Maize's thoughts~ 2nd Granite, 269
I got to check out some of the local plants today. Not that I need to, of course, I'm certain that our commander was bright enough to pack radishes, and radishes are all we could ever need. Even so, they say variety is the spice of life, and I'm not one to disagree with a nugget of wisdom like that, so I found a nice secluded area and started picking. Maybe some day I might find a new kind of radish!
7th Granite
The two soldiers of our group now have their own practicing area set away from the rest of us. I can't say I'm not a little jealous, but at the same time I'm thankful that there's that much less chance I'll end up bumping into someone. Father always said I was too clumsy.
19th Granite
Finally, a farm plot! It's a bit close to everyone else, but as long as I just ignore them and do my work everything should work out fine. Now, where are those seeds?
17th Felsite
They've got 'communal dorms' they're setting up. The beds look nice, I suppose, but there's far too many people around to sleep. Besides, nothing beats the familiar comfort of plowed field to sleep in. Father said I'd best get used to sleeping outside, and he was so right! Thanks again, Father, you always knew best!
Oh, and they made a home for the animals. Good thing, since if they'd gotten into my radishes, we probably wouldn't have animals any more.
Post by: Khenal on February 09, 2013, 01:35:47 pm
Cream Puff's Diary
Granite 2
I can't believe I forgot to mention Crosshair! She made the trip out here bearable, I would have been bored out of my skull without her! It's nice to have a good friend like her here. Not much has happened otherwise, though Temperance found a crate of steel ingots which are apparently from his sister. Commander Flamberge thinks they should be used for weapons or maybe armor, which makes sense, I guess. But hopefully we can spare some for a new chef's knife and some other utensils and cooking equipment.
Granite 7
Crosshair and Flamberge have been training together, which is nice, I suppose. Crosshair has a lot of energy, and Flamberge thinks she'll make a good soldier. She's quite a shot with a crossbow, but I don't know how she'll do in melee. Still, she's excited and happy, so it'll probably work out.
Granite 19
The first field has been tilled! I can't wait until we have some crops to harvest. I tried talking with Maize, but she doesn't seem to really like other ponies. Well, too bad for her. We're both going to be responsible for feeding the others, so we're going to see a lot of each other!
Granite 21
I've been talking with the livestock. Well, the sheep, mostly. I can't understand a word the camel speaks, and the yak just nods or shakes his head. At least, I think he's a he. He's pretty hairy and hasn't said anything, so it's hard to tell. I could ask him, but that's a bit rude. The sheep, though, are fairly talkative. I wish we had a few cows, though. I mean, sure, you can milk a sheep, but you can't really make cream or butter from it! How am I supposed to make my namesake without cream?!
Felsite 17
Buildings are going up at a pretty good clip. At this rate, I'll soon have a real kitchen to work in, instead of the improvised one I have now.
Post by: TALLPANZER on February 09, 2013, 04:25:25 pm
SmoothBlock's Journal - 2nd Granite, 269
Well, lot of hills for me to turn into fields, at least it's work. It looks like we will need to clear some trees to make any buildings at all, Holly got right to it. Please let the first thing we build be a still, I want to see if I can turn these plants and berries into booze.
SmoothBlock's Journal - 7th Granite, 269
A week and still pounding hills, really we are going to need a sand pit and clay pit, even if we live in nice wood homes. The guards have a place to practice. Talked to Veneer, turns out he's a carpenter, not a fruit salesmen. He asked me to lunch, I said yes and now he's all jitters around me... I think my voice scared him.
SmoothBlock's Journal - 19th Granite, 269
Hah, a real field is up! Now Maize can grow us some booze fuel! Why she always smiling at me when I try to talk to her? The silence just gets so awkward that I walk away. Next time she does that I'm going to just tell "Oh boopy, you have a lovely smile!" maybe that will brake the ice she carries around with her.
SmoothBlock's Journal - Granite 21st, 269
Saw Cream Puff talking to the live stalk today, I forgot we could do that.... So I went to ask the sheep when they will be ready to be sheared, need wool to make bags to hold sand.
SmoothBlock's Journal - Felsite 17th, 269
This many hills is a lot for one pony. Got lodgings now, I hope I don't drunk'nly stumble into anypony ells's bed. That hospital is going to need a well.
Post by: TheBronzePickle on February 09, 2013, 08:17:49 pm
~Maize's Thoughts~ 1st Hematite, 269
Miss... Smoothblock, I think her name was, tried to talk to me again. I tried smiling at her, but... she told me my smile was pretty. I guess I should have been happy that someone thought well about me, but... I was so shocked that someone... well, anyway, I ended up just walking off, lying in my little bed in the field, and crying. Everypony was watching me, and it made me cry even harder. When I finished, it was already getting dark, so I just laid there and drifted off. I don't think I've ever cried that long... well, not since Mama and Father were gone... I just hope I didn't get Miss Smoothblock in trouble or anything.
At least there's individual rooms getting done now, so maybe I'll just be able to hide in mine once it's done. Or... I guess I'll have to try socializing. Maybe with that Cream Puff, just to start, just to get used to it...
Father, why can't you come back and beat some sense into me like you always did?
Post by: KingStrongbeard on February 09, 2013, 08:37:16 pm
*Bad according to a number of our critics, not necessarily my opinion.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Crosshair%20Avatar.png)(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png)
Flamberge, in his armor such as it was, surveys the area from the sky, it was little more than a flat piece of ground, with a couple armor and weapon stands, a short distance away from camp, but that made it more than sufficient. Today was to be his proper day as Commander, he had found one pony among the others with some idea of how to use a weapon and had recruited them, her name was Crosshair and she seemed very enthusiastic about the opportunity. He was looking forward to this.
Crosshair showed up right on time with her trusty crossbow and a quiver of wooden bolts, It might not look much, but she have prided herself with it. Beaming happily to the fact that she have an actual training grounds and /something/ to do besides hauling boulders and logs now! She’s in such a good mood that she’s even humming a little catchy tune that only ponies seems to be able to produce.
"Morning recruit," says Flamberge as he lands near Crosshair, "First thing, first, we need to get you suited up in your armor. There is a helmet and a peytral on the stand, get dressed then we can begin."
“Yes commander!” Crosshair happily chirped as she trots over to the armor stand and dressed up as ordered, she was quick to put on her gear, probably have had experienced with it somewhere. Her tail flicked from sides to sides in excitement of a proper training day! She’s just bursting with energy and happiness.
Flamberge remains professional and resists watching the mare's tail as she flicked it about while putting on the bronze armor, but only just.
When she is finished he clears his throat and says, "Yes, um, well because it is only the two of us, I plan to do this a bit differently than a normal boot camp. First, I need to know, what kind of experience you have? You said you are familiar with the crossbow, yes?"
Crosshair nodded proudly. “Yup! I like to think I’m a pretty good shot, and I have some experience with wearing armor, nothing too big though. I needed to fly afterall!” She answered happily as she beams an invasive happiness at her commander.
Flamberge smiles, but raises an eyebrow, “Experience with wearing armor? Were you in army, or...”
“The guards.” She chirped. “There weren’t really much to do though, just boring patrols and more boring patrols and even more boring patrols.” She said, waving a hoof at how boring it was.
"I see. A bit of background on myself is in order I expect. I am a member of the Coupledye Military, and was just promoted to Commander recently. Before that I served as a swordspony in the airborne infantry. I don't have much experience with a crossbow, but I will help in what ways I can. I'll see about getting us an archery range set up in the future, but for now, I'd still like to see what you got. We'll use this tree," he gestures to one at the edge of the cleared area, away from the campsite, "we'll consider that knot on the left hoof side there, to be the bulls-eye."
Flamberge marks a line in the earth, "See if you can hit it, reliably, from here, if you can we'll move the line back some more, and so on until you can't."
Crosshair spends her time doing just as told, shooting at her target with careful patience that didn’t look like she had it in her at all, being so energetic and such. But she managed it, and happily did as her commander told her to. It was one of the bestest days for her since she arrived here.
Flamberge watched Crosshair for a time, but having little in the way of constructive criticism to add, she was already a better shot than him, he eventually went a short distance away, took out his long and curving sword and began to work on some individual drills.
As they both trained, Crosshair found herself looking at his way every once in awhile. She did not know why, but it felt good to do so, felt safe. And made her train with increasing vigor. It was good, so she didn’t question it.
As the sun began to set Flamberge decided to call it a day. The two ponies were completely drenched in sweat from all the exercise on the warm spring day. As Crosshair took off her helmet she flipped her mane backwards, Flamberge caught himself staring, she was an incredibly beautiful mare, and had great potential as a soldier. When he thought she had noticed him staring he cleared his throat, and said, though blushing, "Um, Crosshair, you have experience as a guard, and are well above average for a recruit... I have a lot of work ahead of me, building our militia, and I would like to be able to count on your help, thus I am making you our first militia captain."
That made the young mare gasp deeply as her eyes widen up to the size of plates, she let out an adorable squee but quickly catch herself and returned to beaming brightly with wide smiling grin. “Thank you, Commander!” She chirped. Beaming with nearly uncontainable glee.
Flamberge continues, "I realize that the title is rather meaningless at the moment, as we are the only two soldiers here, but we will have more settlers arriving in a few months, and I'll have my hooves full and will need your assistance, dealing with...a lot of things, if you are willing."
Crosshair nodded at that, still bristling with happiness and excitement, even a whole day of work couldn’t keep her energy down “Anything you need me to do, Commander!”
Flamberge smiles, “Good to hear it Captain, we will meet here tomorrow after breakfast to go and patrol the area, until then, dismissed.” The Commander salutes his new captain and then goes back to placing his gear on the rack.
The pegasus mare saluted her Commander and return the armors to it’s rightful place before fluttering away to get a well-earned washing and rest afterwards. Even being a ball of energy she is, rest still a popular pass-time to her. She gave her commander a last look before finally flying away out of his view.
Post by: Omicega on February 09, 2013, 09:48:29 pm
Post by: Kryptid on February 09, 2013, 11:49:56 pm
Case Study's Journal - 2nd Granite, 269
No sense in being a one-trick pony when so much needs to be done. I've asked Mr. Temperance what I can do to help get the ball rolling around here. He has assigned me to search for useful and edible herbs that may be found in the surrounding countryside. I'm not a botanist, but fortunately my collection of books will likely contain some information of value. I'm hoping I can locate some medicinal plants that will come in handy when treating injuries (and my headaches, as I'm running low on my personal remedy...).
17th Felsite, 269
Despite the cramped and somewhat stressful conditions, there haven't been any arguments or violent confrontations. I'm thankful for that, as I can't stand yelling or any other loud sounds. I'd still appreciate not having to sleep in such close proximity to everypony; I need my personal space. I'll exercise some patience in the mean time. A lot has been accomplished overall and I have been impressed with how disciplined everypony has been about getting work done. Ms. Holly and Ms. Block have a lot on their shoulders and have somehow managed to perform their jobs with minimal help from others. I find it almost a paradox that Ms. Block has proven capable of such vigorous physical labor. In the meantime, Ms. Puff has seen to it that we have all been sufficiently fed. I suppose the plants I've been gathering have been satisfactory.
Post by: Pokon on February 10, 2013, 01:53:07 am
Post by: Telgin on February 10, 2013, 03:07:31 am
Mind if I claim Woodchips?
Sure thing, he's yours!
And another update. A bit longer this time and with a tiny bit of Fun already!
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
Temperance's Journal - 2nd Hematite, 269
I've been spending a little time trying to get to know everypony out here a little better, and I think I'm making some headway. I started out by watching the soldiers train a bit today, and I must say that while I haven't heard them say too much when off duty, I think they're becoming quite good friends.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/8.png)
I also heard that Flamberge has made Crosshair a captain of the upcoming militia. It's good to know that they're taking this seriously, but I can't help but wonder if he's getting a bit ahead of himself? We haven't seen much in the way of wildlife out here, much less anything hostile. I suppose if we do, they'll be ready at least.
Other than that, everypony seems to be in good spirits. I think I've been working poor Holly too hard, so I'm going to give her a little time off to recover. The carpenters could probably use some too, considering how they've been working pretty much nonstop since we got out here.
Maize worries me though. She seems to prefer spending as much time as she can away from us, and while she smiles I wonder if there's something going on inside she's not telling us. I hate to be too nosy, but I don't want anypony to be needlessly unhappy out here. I think I am going to speak with her in the morning to see if anything's troubling her.
3rd Hematite, 269
Well, that didn't get me too far. I tried talking with Maize, but she just seems evasive and nervous. I felt like I was pushing too hard, and she seemed eager to get back to work so I left her alone. Maybe I'll try talking with the others and see if they can get anything out of her.
13th Hematite, 269
There hasn't been a whole lot going on lately, aside from the first wheat harvest. That's exciting, since it means we're actually a farm now. Cream Puff spent a while this afternoon milling some of it into flour and trying to figure out what to do with it. We've also got some eggs from the hens ready to use, so I'm sure she'll think of something tasty.
The other interesting bit is Flamberge coming to me asking if we could put some of that steel to use making more equipment for the militia. I can scarcely call what we have a militia, but without much else to use it for I gave him the go ahead. He set up a small forge with the anvil we brought with us, and set to work on something or other.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/9.png)
Enough armor for a full uniform for the two soldiers, to start with. Then some more gear for upcoming soldiers when I get useless migrants.
15th Malachite, 269
Well, I knew the day was coming, but I didn't realize it would be this soon. Early this morning we had a small caravan of ponies arrive, having set out from Coupledye to join us out here. We can definitely use some extra hooves to help out, but we've got to feed and house them, and that was challenging enough for just ten of us. Well, we'll manage. Here's the list of new arrivals:
A unicorn mare named Serenity, who is apparently a psychiatrist,
A unicorn stallion named Praetorian, who is skilled with a spear,
A pegasus stallion named Redhat, who is also skilled with a spear,
An earth pony stallion named Lathe, who is a carpenter,
An earth pony mare named Morning Dew, who is a farmer
A pegasus stallion named Millstone, who is a miller and presser
A pegasus stallion named Steel Rivet, who is an armorer and married to:
A pegasus mare named Heartfelt, who is a milker, shearer and general animal caretaker, and their son:
A pegasus colt named Cumulus.
Serenity, Praetorian and Redhat are already claimed.
I think they were all a bit surprised to find that there wasn't really anywhere for them to stay or eat yet, but we're working on that hard. At least Lathe should be a huge help to Veneer and Wood Chips, and will help get things put together faster.
1st Galena, 269
The new ponies are fitting in nicely, thank goodness. Housing is still coming together slowly, but it is coming together. Speaking of which, this place is a bit of a haphazard mess, now that I've taken a little while to really notice it. The housing is the start of the first real organization, but it's going to be a long, slow process.
Setting up the archery range for Crosshair was the first real indication that we've got to start moving stuff around soon. It won't happen tomorrow, but sooner than later.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/10.png)
A mess indeed. Random farm up north west. A forge north east. Animals down south, and an archery range to the southeast. Sorting this out is going to take some time.
At least productivity isn't suffering too badly. Flamberge and Steel Rivet put that steel to good use and produced a few pieces of armor and two spears to round out the militia's equipment a bit. I know they've got to feel a bit safer now, and as a result so do I. At least that hasn't been tested yet.
Now that we've got Heartfelt to help out with the livestock, we've also got some yarn and milk too. It's not much, but it's a start! I'm sure Cream Puff is looking forward to putting that milk to use. The yarn we'll probably need to make some bags with, since we're having a time keeping up with mill production.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/11.png)
A small start indeed. The milk will probably just chill in the stockpile forever and ever, since cooking with liquids is such a crapshoot now, but maybe one day it'll get used.
Food stocks are looking good though. Cream Puff has produced a lot of very fine tasting food. I especially like the egg sandwiches she makes most mornings.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/12.png)
I do have to wonder about one particular sandwich I saw somepony eating though. I've never tried tomato juice with peanut butter... and I'm not sure I'm going to try it any time soon either.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/13.png)
Could be worse, I suppose.
15th Galena, 259
I took a little while to speak with Flamberge today to see how he and the other troops are holding up. He filled me in on how he's set things up, which is what amounts to two “companies”. First company is ponies armed with melee weapons, and second company are marksponies. As he admitted, it's a bit overkill when you've got just 4 militia ponies, but the structure will hold over for when we get more in the future. So far it's just him, Praetorian and Redhat in first company, and just lonely Crosshair in second company. I don't have plans to upsize the militia much in the immediate future, but it's good to know he's on top of things at least.
Oh, and I must say, he was looking quite commanding in the armor Steel Rivet made out of some of the steel. The spears he made are quite nice too.[/i]
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/14.png)
It'll do until I get more iron and steel. That's going to take a long time compared to Dawnpick.
I'm sure Smoothblock would love to be digging up some more iron for us to smelt, but her experimenting earlier proved that the land is saturated with water just below the surface. We won't be digging down very far any time soon, so we'll be relying on what we get from the caravans for now. Which is absolutely nothing so far, of course.
20th Galena, 269
Holly hasn't had too much to do recently, so I've had her, Case Study and Smoothblock picking a few of the local plants again. They haven't turned up a whole lot, unfortunately, but Holly did manage to turn up a few sunflowers today.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/15.png)
The sunflowers themselves aren't all that useful, but we'll be able to squeeze some oil out of their seeds if we ever need them. I've never cared for the seeds myself, but I know a lot of ponies like to eat them.
While I was updating the stocks on our food supplies, I noticed that the little bit of fermented fruit juices we had lying around are gone, and only freshly squeezed stuff is left. That's good, I don't want to see ponies getting drunk. I don't want to have to deal with that...
I grabbed a snack while I was there though, and Cream Puff's cooking nearly floored me this time. I don't think I've ever had such an amazing sandwich!
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/16.png)
No tomato juice on this one. :)
4th Limestone, 269
The writing on this page is unsteady.
I haven't been this frightened in a very, very long time. Maybe never.
Today, the badger ponies came.
Well, it was just one. And that's all it took.
Morning Dew was out in the fields tending to the plants, when it ambushed her. She tried to run for her life, but it stabbed her in the legs several times, and she collapsed from the pain.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/17.png)
Uh oh...
Flameberge and Crosshair were close by, thank the gods, so they immediately leaped upon the badger pony and started attacking it. I don't mind admitting I was scared out of my mind at this point, so I ran back with everypony else who wasn't involved and watched from a distance. Flamberge and Crosshair struck it over and over again with their hooves and weapons, but the fight lasted for ages...
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/18.png)
Stupid badger pony wouldn't die...
Flamberge seemed like a stallion possessed as he crushed the life from the beast pony. I'm glad I wasn't there to get a close look, and I left it to him to sort out the corpse...
I was more interested in getting Morning Dew to Dr. Case Study immediately. I hurried off to go check on her, praying she was still alive. Maize beat me to it though, and she rushed the poor stricken mare back to the temporary dorms where Case Study set to work on her. She was alive.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/20.png)
That's her in the top bed. I don't imagine the others will be sleeping too well with her right there, but whatcha gonna do?
I checked with him afterward, and he said the wounds were serious but not life threatening. She should recover, but it's going to take some time, and we don't have proper facilities for it. Thank the gods Case Study can work with what we have.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/19.png)
It's not so bad. As long as she doesn't get an infection, she'll be right as rain soon enough.
This is pretty terrifying. Virtue wasn't kidding. She told me about the badger ponies... and now I know personally. I hope Morning Dew is going to be alright. She has to be. And we have to make sure this never happens again.
I have a lot of thinking to do...
Post by: jaxler on February 10, 2013, 05:27:31 am
Redhat's journal
11th Hematite, 269
Annnnnd here I am, walking and walking and walking and occasionally flying my way to a little spot in the middle nowhere. The annoying stallion over in the capital (who convinced me this wasn't going to be a trip to my own demise) promised me this would be an opportunity at a better existence in society, a new chance at life and to go on an adventure! well... i suppose he'd make a half decent salesstallion... the ever so "exciting" adventure has just been me and another 8 ponies walking and walking and walking and occasionally flying for miles on end. not to mention the little foal spends half his time being annoying and asking "are we there yet". I've had to sleep in the dirt every day, and we don't even get up at an appropriated time. what kind of pony wants to wake before the sun is even done rising? if i could head back to the nice inn at the capital, i would... also it seems our food is starting to run out. maybe if we're lucky whoever is running this caravan will actually be competent enough at navigation to get us to our destination before we're locked in moral combat over who eats who. well, at least that would be "exciting".
15th Malachite, 269
We finally made it! my best outfit may be ruined from sleeping in the dirt one too many times on the way here, and I've gone two days without breakfast or dinner, but we're here! there are only a few building up, though it seems things are getting done in a timely fashion around these parts, though that doesn't detract from being stuck sleeping in these bloody community dorms.... if i have to sleep in a bed next to another sweaty stallion who smells of rotten tomatoes I will seriously pull out my own mane. at least things could be worse i suppose. a bed is nicer than the dirt, and my old best set of clothes could attest to that.
as for the management in this place, the big word going about is that he's related to some baroness, or thane or grand poobah in some spot off in the middle of nowhere that's slightly more "established" than this random assortment of wooden shacks. Apparently his only credential for being in charge of protecting the lives of others is that his sister is qualified in the running a town. I swear if could have talked to the stallion who convinced me coming out here was a fine idea i'd have slapped him across the face.
1st Galena, 269
so houses are finally being erected, but seeing how i wasn't exactly among the first "pioneers" to come to this spot in the middle of nowhere, i'm close to the bottom of a relatively long waiting list. Well, at least I was among the third wave of ponies ready to throw their lives away, as more are expected to show, so i guess i could be in a less desirable spot on the list. Also i'd like to note whoever invented the tomato juice and peanut-butter sandwich is brilliant. whoever was daring enough to put these two together on a sandwich and serve them is a genius of the highest caliber. not to mention it tastes perfect (to my surprise).
28th Galena, 269
I think i'll try to join the militia. anything would be better than staying outside all day moving about logs to the stockpiles. I've spent some time working with a spear before, so I expect my assistance will be desirable in the militia. Also i heard stabbing things was a good way to release stress.
4th Limestone, 269
god, today i watched a pony get stabbed, possibly crippled, another pony lose all his equinity in a primal rage and then another pony beaten into a pile of bloody red mush. I've looked at my last few past entries, and I knew this wasn't going to a walk in the park, but i hadn't expected this. I thought moving away from the big city for a change would finally put an end on the amount of senseless violence, but then again no "adventure", as that salesstallion called it, would be complete without a good bit of bloodshed. seeing something kill in cold blood... it makes me grow sick of the world around me. I feel out of place almost. and for somepony to gain such blood lust at the sight of an enemy... the act of killing is something should do with a certain amount of formality and a great bit of reason as to how you justify the act of bringing about the end of another being's mortal existence. Though, to often something like this happens, some idiot walks into a village and tries to rush up to some pony and remove it's legs, only to be pummeled into a mush by a half pony half berserker. The amount of chaos in this world is in this world is simply disgusting.
Post by: TheBronzePickle on February 10, 2013, 10:00:06 am
~Maize's thoughts~ 3rd Hematite, 269
Temperance talked with me some today. I'm starting to wish I had done more than just brush off his questions, but... I don't know anymore. Father was always right... but now I'm not so sure. Next time somebody talks to me, I'll try saying something, and maybe it'll all work out.
13th Hematite
Our first crops are now harvested! It's only wheat, but it's better than naught at all, and it gave me something to do. I had to work closely with Cream Puff, but it wasn't really uncomfortable like I thought it would be. I even tried talking a little bit.
15th Malachite
More ponies. It's going to be very cramped in the dorm, and house-building seems to be slow going. Looks like I'll be sleeping in the dirt that much longer. I'll have to tell Temperance that he can put me back in line for a room so someone else can have a bed to sleep in.
1st Galena
Cream Puff is a really good cook. I wish Father had let me cook, if all cooking is half this good it would have been so much better than having to eat grass and wild garlic all day. Maybe if I talk to Cream Puff enough, she'll teach me.
4th Limestone
Nopony said anything about badger ponies...
One of the new ponies, a farmer like me, was working in the fields when it came... I wanted to stop it... I wanted to leap in and take it so that poor pony didn't have to get hurt... but I couldn't. The military ponies- I mean, the first ones, the Commander and the markspony, stopped it, though. They destroyed it. I'm thankful we have such powerful warriors to protect us. I rushed out to the mare and snatched her up, brought her to the first bed I could get to. Her back legs were torn to shreds... that monster... I hope it suffered as much as Father...
Father...
Post by: Pokon on February 10, 2013, 12:24:32 pm
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Wood%20Chips%20Avatar.png)
Entry 1: So I am going to the Hills of Worry. Apparently some duchess's cousin or whatever has decided to survive a few weeks up there, and theres a good chance the place might actualy survive.
For the record, my name is Wood Chips. I chip wood. Realy well, apparently, considering ponies think that I do it for bits.
Entry 2: So, it's been a week with my fellow settlers. I only knew Venee out of all of them, good colt with a good head on him, but at the very least the ponies here are toleratable. Mostly. Holly is our little tree-cutter, and she hardly looks like one. Case Study is a odd one, same with Temperance, our little duchesses
But let me tell you about Smoothblock.
She's short, fat, smokes, and drinks. She's everything I should not see in a mare, probably. If that's so, why am I....
Entry 3: Well, I keep getting told I am doing a good job with making beds. Hardly. Stop, Temperance. Stop. I am doing my job. If anything, Holly is working too slow.
Also, I need to talk to Flamberge. Crosshair looks like a nice lass, and in a place like these friends are a dime a dozen.
Entry 4: More bloody praise by the local duchess brother.
Also, Maize has issues. Scary little bugger. Started bawling after little miss F&L complimented her. Bah, daddy issues are a dime a dozen in places like this.
Also, considering everypony was doing it, I chatted with our Yak today. Funny bugger, at that, but lonely. Also, our camel has a brother down south who lives with the zebras. Who knew?
Entry 5: So we have a bunch of new ponies.
Also, Flamberge went nutso on a monster who was mauling on of them. Saved the mares life. Blast it all, I am getting the stallion a drink if it's the last thing I do!
Post by: Khenal on February 10, 2013, 12:54:10 pm
Cram Puff's Diary
Hematite 5
It's one of those boring, in-between times, Diary. It feels like I've put something impressive in the oven and have to wait for it, understand? Crosshair and Flamberge are getting on like a house on fire, which is good. Flamberge seems like a rather stable stallion, I think Crosshair could use somepony like that in her life. I really should get to know him, too. Another friend is always good.
Speaking of new friends, I keep talking to Maize, and I think I might be finally getting to her. She doesn't just smile and nod any more, at least. She told me the wheat harvest should be ready in about a week, which had me very excited. Wheat means Flour! With milk and eggs, I can actually get some real cooking done, instead of just sandwiches.
Hematite 13
Yes, we have wheat! I've been working on milling into flour and daydreaming about everything I can make with it! I hate to admit it, but sandwiches are probably going to continue to be a staple in our diets, but at least it'll be on fresh bread from now on. I wonder if we have any syrup hidden around here. It'd be nice to surprise everypony with some pancakes for breakfast.
Malachite 15
Migrants! A bunch of them, too: eight new faces to feed and meet. I haven't introduced myself yet, but two of them carry themselves a lot like Flamberge, so they're probably soldiers like him. Seems weird to me that we'd get more martial ponies around here, though. Despite my initial misgivings about the area, Duskfields is pretty serene. Still, better safe than sorry, I suppose.
Galena 20
Made egg sammiches for everypony for breakfast today, and they came out perfect! Even better, Holly came back with a sunflower head in the afternoon. I like to eat the seeds toasted, but they can also be pressed for cooking oil. Hopefully Maize can get us a crop of them going soon.
Limestone 4
And here I thought we had managed to escape the badgerponies. Poor Morning Dew was jumped by one today, and it cut up her legs pretty bad. Crosshair and Flamberge were on him pretty quickly, though, and probably saved her life! Even more surprising, they had hardly dealt with the brute before Maize rushed up and carried her fellow farmer to a bed for rest and care by Case Study. He says infection is her biggest danger right now, though it'll probably be a bit before she can walk.
I really should commend Maize when I see her next. It was really brave to grab Dew like that. Everypony was too stunned to do anything, but she just knew there was a pony in danger.
Post by: Dsarker on February 10, 2013, 07:23:21 pm
Praetorian to Dapper Blade, commander of the guard, and all of my former comrades, may the blessings of the gods be upon you.
I give thanks to Amug and Nokzam, for they have protected me and this group through this travel to Duskfields, the newest part of the Meandering Gloss. I thank them too for your comradeship through my service with the guard, both at home and abroad.
I had thought that my leaving would trouble you greatly, for there seemed no reason for me to leave the city - indeed, with Star Treasure, the weight would seem to be on staying there - but so I did. I write this letter, therefore, to explain my reasons.
My reasons for leaving are two. Firstly, I have always felt a call to serve where I can help ponies the most. At home, though, the chance of my defending a pony with spear and shield are limited.
My second reason is a private affair, and I would ask that you keep it to yourself. Star Treasure - the mare I loved - has been taking up with another stallion. It was my fault, I suppose. I was always too busy with work. To whatever happiness she can find, I leave her.
Enough of that, however. There are far more pressing needs. On my trip here, I witnessed an attack on a Rainbow caravan by badger ponies, which gave me an example. The badgers were well motivated, skilled, and equipped. The Rainbows took close formations to shield themselves from the badger crossbows, but when they did, other badgers were upon them in a rush, striking some down and scattering the others. When they extended their formation to avoid this, they would be struck by the bolts.
To this end, I suggest a new strategy be devised - in a similar situation, our heavy troops would be as helpless. Light skirmishers integrated into the ranks could prove a useful supplement.
To my replacement, in particular, I can recommend the inn on Quaint Dove Street, as the innkeeper is a veteran. Tell him that Praetorian can vouch for you.
Dapper, tell Silver Boulder I've arrived when you see him next.
May Babin give us his gifts in plenty.
Ad Amici 1.2
Praetorian to Lightning Tumble, professional flier. If you are well, I am glad.
I had thought, given our mutual regard and the friendship that existed between us, that I was not likely to be harmed and held up to ridicule for your sake, nor my own lover seduced by you. If her own noble rank was not a sufficient protection for her, then either my own loyalty to Coupledye or the friendship that existed between us ought to have been sufficient to stop it.
As it is I see that she has been predated on and I abandoned by the last pony in the world who ought to have done so. I am accordingly in sorrow and wearing mourning dress, while actually in travel to my next assignment. And seeing that your conduct in this affair has neither been reasonable nor in accordance with the milder methods of old times, you must not be surprised if you live to repent it. I did not expect to find you so fickle towards me and mine.
For myself, meanwhile, neither my sorrow nor ill-treatment by any individual shall withdraw me from the service of the state.
Ad Amici 1.3
Praetorian to Munifex, his brother. May all the blessings of Nokzam be with you.
It is good to write to you, for I am now at my destination. This camp here is disorganised in the extreme. It is somewhat strange to be assigned to a group of civilians, rather than the soldiers I am used to dealing with. They've been out here six months nearly, and they haven't even got a full wall built. Not even dorms, so at least I've been able to sleep under the stars again.
There are two other soldiers here, as well as the other militarily-inclined pony I was assigned here with. Their names are Flamberge and Crosshair. Crosshair's a pegasus mare, uses a crossbow. Flamberge is a pegasus stallion, uses a sword. That makes four military ponies for fifteen civilians. We could certainly use some more militia ponies. A full maniple would be nice, but I suppose we can't have everything.
The important civilian here is Temperance. He is the leader of this group, and seems to be tolerably well-suited to that role. Aside from that, they're the typical civilian stock.
Pass my greetings onto father and mother.
May the blessing of the Gods be upon you.
Written by my own hoof, this 15th of Malachite 269.
Ad Amici 1.4
Praetorian to Dapper Blade, commander of the guard, may the gods bless and keep you this day.
Truly Babin has blessed me, for at last I have been properly assigned to my new squad. I have been given command of this small unit, consisting of myself and the military pony who traveled with me. Of course we have no full squads, but perhaps this will change with time.
It seems there are about nineteen ponies here. We have four soldiers to fifteen civilians. Our first priority is, of course, to get a wall up. If we can get one of those up, we have a better chance of holding off an attack. I have made this suggestion to the militia leader here, a sensible pegasus pony named Flamberge. Hopefully it will be done.
Much still awaits being done. We do not have beds for everypony to sleep in, and armour is still rare. This place is chaotic. We have little organisation, and things are being done haphazardly. But if we can build a wall, then we might have a chance at getting this place suitable for living in.
Tell Silver Boulder that I will write him soon, and congratulate him on his finding a mare.
Written by my own hoof, this 15th of Galena.
Nokzam be with you all.
Ad Amici 1.5
Praetorian to Silver Boulder, architect and mason, may Gasis' blessing be with you this day.
Praise be to Nokzam above, for she has protected us. We were attacked today by a badger pony, and though one of the civilians was hurt, it didn't seem to be too bad of an injury.
It seemed that the civilian, a farmer I believe, was out in the fields tending the plants when the badger pony stabbed her in the legs. It seems the pain immobilised her - do you remember Tribune? - but Flamberge, the head militia pony here, saved her by drawing the badger pony away. Crosshair, another militia pony, joined in the fight while another civilian pony - I cannot remember her name - brought back the wounded pony. At least there's another civilian with a modicum of courage. Perhaps the ones here are not all bad after all - though I do know one (not here, at least) that if I saw again, I would gut without a second thought.
I heard of your mare. I wish you luck with this relationship, and perhaps it will turn out better than mine.
Write to Duskfields, and your letter will find me.
Written by my own hoof, this 4th of Limestone.
May Gasis' keep you and your love safe.
Post by: jaxler on February 10, 2013, 10:03:48 pm
Redhat started to put his gear. it had been a rather hard day of practice, and was finally about to gain the ability to retire. "So... Preatorian, when should i show up tomorrow?"
"At seven of the clock. We'll spar a bit, then go for a short march, about five hours or so, then we'll have a bit more general exercise, then have another sparring session."
"Sounds fair is suppose... when do you expect I’ll be able to leave?"
"Five o'clock, I suppose." Praetorian shrugs. "It'd really be a bit better if we had more ponies here. But I suppose we'll have to make do with what we have."
"Again, sounds fair... though more ponies would be nice."
“Well, we can't change that," says Praetorian. "Would be nice to have a wall, and a proper fort. But we don't have either of those. So we'll make do."
"well those are on the list of tings to be done, but as things stand, if a group of more than a few badger ponies would end us."
"That's as may be. But I'd ask you to stop spreading that around. We'll manage come badgers or discordants."
"you know, the discordants or organized... they lack the brutish rage of the badgers. if they show i can promise you, as things currently stand, we'd be dead."
"I've served on the frontlines before, son. If they show, we'll give them a bloody nose."
"What if they've done the same? And, one would assume a group of them would at least have every pony in their ranks be in armor, and for the record, I am not you, son."
Praetorian sighs. "Fine. You want to despair for your life? Despair for it, then. But if they come, I intend to kill every single one of them, and I won't die alone. The Discordants aren't some invincible force, all-knowing and all-conquering. They have weaknesses. And you will only help them by going on about how we'll all die if they come."
Redhat sighed and gave him a look. "sorry, me /dear/ captain, just i feel if if nobody is pointing out the obvious issues, they lose their sense of urgency."
"Yes, so saying that we'll all die to somepony who agrees with your ideas is the right way to go about it."
“If you're so afraid of death, then why join the military?"
"Because one with a spear is more capable at protecting himself."
"Protecting /your/self? Put that out of your mind. You're here to protect the other ponies, not yourself."
"a military's job is to kill in the name of whoever hired, or forced you to join. saying otherwise is a lie."
Praetorian slaps Redhat across the muzzle. "You are /wrong/. I may not have the luxury of quantity here, but I'm damned if I'll give up /quality/, too. You will shape up, or get out."
Redhat winced a little at the slap. "oh.... did I offend? I'm sorry. i thought it was a guards job to guard and a soldiers job to slay"
"A guard's job is to protect the civilians from themselves. A soldier's job is to protect the civilians from others."
"than tell me, are those discordants who attack villages, and slay mares and foals soldiers?"
"No. They're barbarians."
"no, the badgers are barbarians, those creatures are just as intelligent and developed as us, just more cruel."
"Intelligence does not stop a being from being a barbarian."
"they are organized. They are as much a soldier as you are. and regardless, what if somepony who was in charge of you, a commander, a king, a duke, told you to kill somepony random in the street. no reason given. Just go and kill. Would you? A good ideal soldier would."
Praetorian glares at Redhat. "Have you got /nothing/ inside that head of yours? Haven't you been /listening/ to what I've been saying? They
kill innocents. Ipso facto they are not soldiers. If somepony who was in charge of me told me to kill somepony for no reason, only an
unstallionly pony would do so."
"then you just defected, you committed treason and you disobeyed a direct order. good job."
"You have /no/ understanding of military discipline, do you?"
"I've got a little lesson for you. This fort needs a moat. You're going to dig it.”
"the act of tyrants are done by men like you and me, who given a spear and a shield will do whatever they're told."
"More babbling. Go on. Get to digging."
"I will not question my captain, regardless of the order."
"Good. Get to digging. How many more times do I have to tell you this?"
"you aren't a very jolly one now are you?"
"Time's a-wasting."
Redhat starts to walk off. "God, and I thought we were getting along swimmingly"
Post by: Kryptid on February 11, 2013, 01:29:16 am
Morning Dew let out a muffled cry as she shifted in the bed, feeling stabbing pain run up her legs yet again. The pain just wouldn’t go away, no matter which way she twisted or turned, and it was almost impossible to lay still. She sniffled and clenched her teeth as she flexed a knee. There was a lot of blood too, but her hooves hurt too much to bring them up to look at them. Was she going to be okay?
“Just relax now, Ms. Dew, everything is going to be quite alright,” the slender earth pony remarked calmly, “I’ve seen much worse than this”. What he hadn’t told her was that the “worse” cases he had seen were when he had access to superior medical facilities than he currently possessed. Nevertheless, Case Study felt that the could control the problem with what he had at hoof. The bleeding wasn’t as bad as it could have been; the main blood vessels in the leg remained unsevered.
Among the plants he had gathered, he had worked with some of them to produce ground-up pastes and extracts that would help to sanitize wounds and numb pain. In theory, at least. The stallion pulled the lid off of a glass jar filled with clear liquid. “Now hold as still as you can, Ms. Dew, the pain will go away soon,” he remarked before grasping a cloth to soak the fluid mixture of anaesthetic and antiseptic in. After a few seconds of wetting, he pulled it out and pressed it to the wound before wrapping the entire assembly in an outer, dry cloth. He repeated the process with the second leg. “It may take a few minutes for the hurting to completely subside, but you’ll make it.” He offered his hoof to squeeze if she felt the necessity to express her suffering until then.
Fear managed to work its way through the pain on her face as he moved to apply the bandages, and she winced and cried out as each was applied, eagerly accepting his hoof to squeeze. She was panting and breathing a hundred times a minute as he finally finishes applying the bandages, and it took several full minutes for her to begin calming down. The pain was definitely getting better, but wasn’t completely gone.
Study’s facial expression remained steely and unchanged throughout the event, but that didn’t mean he lacked sympathy. He simply felt that he could be more efficient by suppressing his emotions during medical procedures. “I’ll let that sit for a while until the bleeding stops. You’re certainly going to need stitches, but it shouldn’t require too many. I’ll do what I can to reduce the pain further in the meantime.” As he attempted to clean up the blood that had already stained the bed, Case Study tried to get Morning Dew’s mind off of her condition, “So, you’re one of the farmers here now? Was that your profession before coming to Duskfields as well?”
The mare dried some of her tears on the pillow under her head and made another small sniffle. “That-that’s right. I was pa-art of the group that arrived recently.” She blinked and thought for a moment. “I was a farmer back home too. A-a place called Glittergleam.”
“I’m certain your services will be well-appreciated here. Working the fields is both a difficult and commendable job. I believe Mr. Temperance seeks to turn farming into the main economic venue in this territory, so I’m sure you’ll have no problem keeping work,” Study answered as he grabbed a list of notes he had written about what plants and other supplies he had in his inventory, “Let me know if the pain gets any worse, and I’ll apply more anaesthetic.”
“Uh... it-it still hurts some,” she said, testing a leg for an instant before halting the motion. “D-did you say something about s-stitches earlier? Is that going to h-hurt?”
He raises his eyes from his papers, “Your wound is too deep to heal naturally, so stitches will be in order. Now, now, don’t let fear of pain bother you, as I’m currently working on making a more concentrated pain-killing formula than what I have already used.” He rubbed his sharp chin with a hoof, “I do have something that might help calm you and relieve excess stress.” Case Study reached over and grabbed a bunch of flowers with his teeth. They were violet with yellow specks across each petal. After pulling the leaves and colorful parts off, he offered a stem to Morning Dew. “Chew on this. The juices within it should help. Just try to relax and let me worry about what to do next. Don’t be startled if you start to feel a bit sleepy.”
“O-okay,” she said, accepting the stem with her mouth. She set to chewing on it immediately, eager for any sort of relief. After a few moments she imagined she could already feel it taking effect, but it had to be her imagination. “Th-thank you.”
A few minutes later, she was definitely feeling something. She just wanted to shut her eyes and forget about everything. That sounded like such a great idea that she did, and soon enough she was in a light sleep, oblivious to whatever further treatment the doctor had in store for her.
Post by: KingStrongbeard on February 11, 2013, 01:42:54 am
Commander Flamberge Field Journal 13th Hematite, 269
Finally was given permission to work with the steel bars we were given, I did what I could, but I'm no craftspony, still, nopony else even knew where to start.
Commander Flamberge Field Journal 1th Malachite, 269
New civies have arrived, fortunately the soldiers I was expecting came with them. Praetorian and Redhat, spearponies. I had a quick talk with each of them, and decided to put Praetorian in charge of the spear squad, as it's captain, as he seemed a bit more disciplined then his fellow.
Commander Flamberge Field Journal 4th Limestone,269
A honey badger pony attacked a farmer today. I can't recall anything after that until Crosshair was pulling me away from the creature's completely pulverized corpse.
I have gathered that we set upon it, and I killed it with my bare hooves, and I did not stop once it was dead, and kept striking it until she intervened.
I have made inquires and the farmer, Morning Dew, is stable. Her right legs were injured but Dr. Case Study believes she will recover as long as she doesn't get an infection. That is good to hear. Apparently miss Maize was the one to pull her away from the combat. I thought she was just a timid little mare, but I suppose there is more to her than I thought, I should commend her on her bravery when I next see her.
Post by: Impending Doom on February 11, 2013, 10:58:32 pm
1st of Malachite, 269
We arrived at our destination this morning. Truth be told, when Dutchess Virtue told me of this new settlement - which I've learned has been christened 'Duskfields' - I was expecting accomodations to be quite spartan, but the sparseness of this place is still quite striking. A mere few steps in any direction, and one finds oneself entirely engulfed by untamed wilderness - admittedly quite a liberating experience for a mare who had never before set hoof outside the city's walls.
But I haven't the time to commune with nature right now. I should locate the leader of this venture - a unicorn stallion, one Temperance - and inquire about setting to work. Hard labor and isolation can cause undue stress, and it would do well to begin addressing that before it becomes a major issue.
4th of Limestone, 269
I think I will be postponing my long walks in the woods for the forseeable future.
A badger pony came out of the forest today, and assaulted one of the farmers. I didn't see the attack in progress, and thankfully the local militia was able to contain the situation before anypony else was injured. As I understand, miss Morning Dew is expected to recover quickly, thanks to our resident doctor. However, it's likely those cuts on her legs aren't the only wounds she sustained. I should see about speaking to her later.
Post by: Khenal on February 11, 2013, 11:15:27 pm
Cream Puff is at her improvised kitchen, working on some fresh flatbread. Her glorified campfire isn’t really built for real baking yet, but she’ll make do.
Praetorian walks over to the cook, shield and spear slung. “Excuse me, miss...uh, miss. You got any food going?”
She looks up from her pan and gives him a smile. “Cream Puff, hun. And I sure do! Mostly sammiches until I get a real kitchen, though.” She flips the breads over so they can finish cooking. “What can I get you?”
“Just plain bread will do fine, miss Cream Puff,” says the soldier, with an ever-so-slightly gruff tone to his voice.
She quirks an eye at him. “Just bread? How can I keep a soldier strong and fit with just bread? How about some eggs on it, or some tomato jam?” She starts digging through her supplies, looking like she’s not going to just take ‘bread’ for an answer.
Praetorian shakes his head. “No, just bread will do fine. It’s what we got while on the march.”
She laughs, then favors him with a smile. “Hun, you aren’t on the march right now. And I’m not leaving anypony to just bread as long as I’m running the kitchen, no matter how improvised it is. Your job is to protect us, and my job is to make sure you have the energy to do so. So.” Her smile fades from her eyes, but stays on her lips. “What can I get you?”
“Well...” Praetorian ponders. “Maybe...Maybe a bit of dried fruit as well?”
The smile returns to her eyes as she returns to her pan and removes the flatbreads from it. “You want that like a sammich, or do you like eating piecemeal?” she asks as she starts looking for whatever fruit they have.
“Uh, piecemeal,” says the soldier, hoping he got it right. Civilians and their foods. He’d never understand them.
She nods and soon returns her attention to him, a bag of dried fruit on her wing. She scoops up a few pieces of fresh bread to join the fruit, then motions for him to take a seat. “Hope you aren’t too busy to sit while you eat, Hun.”
“...No, no, I’m not too busy,” says Praetorian as he takes the seat. “Did...Did you want to talk about something?” He quirks his face at Cream Puff.
“Well, you’re new, so I don’t know you. I like to get to know ponies, makes it easier to cook for them.” She points a wing at his spear. “Been carrying that long?”
Praetorian looks where she’s pointing, and nods. “I’ve been in the military for my sixteen years, and got my diploma. That’s why I’m here now. Sort of a retirement, without the dullness that it typically brings.”
She nods and follows him, handing him his food once he’s seated. “No real plates yet, sorry. Want to use your shield?” she sits across from him, still looking friendly. “Probably why they put you in charge of that guy with the hat.”
Praetorian nods, and slides the oval shield off his back. “Redhat. He’s not the easiest of ponies to deal with, no. Still, I’ve known some ponies who were worse than he is, and we managed to get them in shape.” He shrugs, and takes a bite of the bread, chewing thoughtfully.
She chuckles. “I bet, heh. Saw him working on the ‘moat’ earlier. Sounds like he needs discipline.”
“He’ll definitely need it,” says Praetorian, “especially if we do have another badger pony come. He thinks we’re all doomed already.” The unicorn snorts. “If we had any other choice, I’d get rid of him, but we don’t.”
Puff nods and takes a bite of bread as well. “Hmm... needs just a little more salt. Anyway, I’m sure you’ll get him sorted. I’ve never heard of the badgerponies being organized enough to doom even a small settlement, but I’m not a militiamare.” she says with a wink. “I’m just a chef who wanted the space to make her own food and bring my own brand of happiness.”
“You do make good food,” says the soldier.
She gives him a warm smile in response. “Thanks! I should be, I’ve been at it long enough, heh. I can’t wait until we have room for a real kitchen. And a few cows. And more crops. There’s always something more, you know?”
“I suppose,” replies her guest. “I’m not really used to anything other than bread and the occasional fruit.”
Puff gives him an almost predatory look and grin. “I’m going to take your pallete on a journey, hun. This is no soldier’s mess, this is my kitchen. I’ll accept when you don’t like something, but you are not going to get away with just fruit and bread next time. I take my job as seriously as you take yours.” She smiles for a few moments, then blinks and facehoofs. “I can’t believe I never asked your name!”
“Praetorian, miss Cream Puff,” says the soldier with a smile beginning to form on his face.
“Praetorian, huh? Sounds like military is in your blood then. And just Cream Puff, or even Puff. I’m not real big on formality, as I’m sure you’ve noticed.” she says with another smile.
“Hmm, no, I don’t think I would have noticed if you hadn’t told me,” Praetorian says with a hint of a laugh in his voice.
Puff laughs and stands up, finishing her bread. “I think we’re going to get along just fine, Praetorian!”
“Perhaps we will. Perhaps we will.”
“Want any more bread or fruit, Hun? This’ll be your last chance to get out of here with just those to eat.”
“No, I think this’ll keep me for a short amount of time,” Praetorian says, still smiling. He stands up. “I think I’d better go, then, and savour these last few moments alone.”
She nods and waves him off with a wing. “Don’t let me keep you then. And don’t be afraid to ask for seconds if you’re hungry! Take care!”
Praetorian nods, and still smiling, leaves the pegasus to her duties.
Post by: TALLPANZER on February 11, 2013, 11:48:05 pm
“We can forment radishes, can’t we? that makes gin, doesn’t it?” SmoothBlock looked over the vegetables she had gathered and placed on the table in the “brewery”
“Gin is usually potatoes or corn, and you’re thinking beets for rum. If we had more wheat, you might be able to get some beer, though.” says Cream Puff, eying the improvised still.
“Beer, some beer would be nice. Think we could get Maize to go for it?” SmoothBlock rubbed her chin and lifted a barrel with her magical field.
“I think she’s growing more, but you’ll have to wait for harvest. by ‘more wheat’ I meant ‘any wheat that isn’t flour’. I milled all of it, I think.” Cream Puff searches her memory, wondering if she had left any besides what Maize would need to plant another crop.
SmoothBlock put her head inside the barrel, holding it over her head with both hooves as she sat on her haunch.
Cream Puff gives the mare an odd look, wondering if she should leave the still in her hooves.
“It’s so you can’t hear me cryin...” SmoothBlock popped the barrel off her head and stuck out her tongue.
Cream Puff chuckles. “Some simple juice won’t kill you, Smooth. If you’re that hard up, though... hide a barrel of whatever juice you like somewhere. It won’t be particularly strong, but in a week or so, it should do until we can get something real. And we aren’t so hard up for drinks that we’ll miss a barrel.” she says with a smile.
“Thanks Puff, you're a dear. Maybe I can try beet juice?” SmoothBlock looked over the still again. “Do I need yeast?”
She shakes her head. “Beet juice should work, but you don’t really need yeast. Just leave it open with a cloth over it for a day, then seal it back up and let nature do it’s work. Filter it, maybe distill it further, then drink.”
“Barrel, cloth, beet juice. Heh, all here. Guess I’ll get on that. Anything else you need? I really ain’t got much to do now that some pony is digging the ‘moat’ instead of me.” She levitated the lid off a barrel of beet juice.
Cream Puff thinks for a few moments. “A real kitchen would be nice, but that’s more on the carpenters than you. Any luck getting down to stone? A granite top would be nice to work on.”
“Water everywhere, just a unit down, I would need to hook up a pump to drain it. I don’t know if we got the wood to spare.” Smooth placed a pigtail cloth over the open barrel.
“I know Holly is working her flank off to fell the trees, and the carpenters are working to get it turned into buildings. Not too surprising they can’t spare the time to make a pump.”
“I’m trying to make it myself. Not going so great. Making gears out of wood is hard, I tried talking to the carpenter ponies, but they get all awkward around me. Puff, am I intimidating?”
SmoothBlock drew out a cigar and lit it with a cantrip.
“Intimidating? No, not really.” She considers leaving it at that, but she’s never been accused of being subtle. “More like... distracted. Like you wouldn’t remember details about making something complicated like a pump.”
“Oh, damn, well, gotta keep trying I guess. Not a lot of stone coming on the caravans, as in none so far, we got enough to make the well and that might be it.” Smooth took a long drag of her cigar.
Puff idly waves away the smoke with a wing, glad pegasi are able to manipulate stuff like that so easily. “I’m sure you’ll get it eventually. We’re hardly supposed to be a mining settlement, but it’d be nice to not have to import heavy stone.”
“Yeah. Hope I can at least dig us a well. Fresh water would be nice for, well, pretty much everything.” Smooth inhaled the smoke through her nostrils and smiled, holding the cigar in her magic.
“Ain’t that the truth. Think all that water you’re hitting could be funneled into a well?”
SmoothBlock rubbed her chin and rolled her eyes from side to side a few times. “Yeah, but it would be muddy, unless we put it in clean cistern, with an under current.”
“Or no current. Still water will let stuff like that sink.” She shrugs. “Either way, a well would be nice, for the hospital and my kitchen.”
“I’ll see what I can do.” She took another puff off her cigar “How did you mix tomato juice with peanut butter anyway?”
Cream Puff gives her a grin. “Trade secret!”
“Heh heh, damn, things are tasty.” SmoothBlock nodded, went to the juice press and loaded it with wild tomatoes.
Puff chuckles. “You’re the second pony to tell me that. Flamberge likes them, too. They aren’t bad, but I don’t think they’ll exactly be the next food craze to sweep the nation.” she says with a smile.
“Must just be your skill then, heh ha.” SmoothBlock tapped off the ash from the tip of her cigar “Has Maize been sleeping outdoors again? I’m kind of worried about her.”
“I’m pretty sure she’s been using the dorm. She’s pretty timid, but I think she was just exhausted from... well, farming.” she says, unsure if SmoothBlock was aware the poor mare cried herself to sleep. “I still can’t believe she took poor Morning Dew to a bed.”
“I know right? Mare is a hero, really cares about us. Wish I could do something to make her feel more welcome here. Like, you know, like she belongs.” SmoothBlock tapped her cigar on her muzzle.
Puff nods. “Just need to give her time and be friendly.”
“I’ll give it a shot.” SmoothBlock pressed the tomatoes into juice. “any juice you need for cooking up anything special?”
Cream Puff thinks for a few moments, then shakes her head. “Nothing in specific. I like cooking with just about everything, and tomato juice is the only thing I’ve really had any requests for yet, heh.”
“Back to work for me then. I’ll see about that table, maybe I can pull some stone from the aquifer with my magic.” SmoothBlock stacked the barrels of tomato juice.
“I should get back to the kitchen, too. I hope your hooch goes well, take care!”
“Have a lovely day, Puff.” SmoothBlock smiled and waved.
Post by: KingStrongbeard on February 11, 2013, 11:50:42 pm
Two long scenes to follow...Sorry about the length, though nothing that important happens in them, and if you don't care about Flamberge/Crosshair, they are entirely skip-able.
The first scene to follow takes place the day after our first scene, so the Badger Pony hasn’t arrived yet, nor has Praetorian or Redhat.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Crosshair%20Avatar.png) (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png)
Flamberge stands in the training field. He has his sword in his hooves, and is cleaning the blade, while waiting for Crosshair to arrive.
Crosshair was /totally/ not napping and woke up late as she arrived hurriedly, her mane was slightly messy and unkempt and she panted as she almost crashed into the ground in front of her commander, giving him a salute, “Morning Commander!” She managed with an energetic smile.
Flamberge places a hoof to his helmeted head and shakes his head, “Good morning Captain.”
Putting his hoof back upon the ground he adds, “Get your armor on and make sure you have a full quiver, we are going out to explore the area, we need to have a better idea of the lay of the land if we are going to defend this area.”
The mare saluted sharply, and with a ‘Yes sir!’ she’s already gone to gear up, putting on her armor and helmet before returning just seconds later, geared up and ready to follow her commander away to patrol the surrounding dangerous lands of mystery and unknown.
Flamberge spreads his wings, "We are going to begin by circling the area from above, keep an eye out for any signs of large animals, and especially campsites other than ours."
He smiles, "And try and keep up." and then he takes off, Crosshair followed close by. Keeping eyes out on their surroundings, and even armored, she doesn’t show to be any less energetic.
The two ponies fly around the area for a while, making a circle a couple miles in radius around the camp. Some wild boars were spotted a ways away, but they were heading away from Duskfields and were thus left undisturbed. Nothing else out of the ordinary was seen.
"Captain!" shouts Flamberge over the sound of wind in his ears, "We are going to land down there," he gestures, "and head back on hoof."
Flamberge then makes a loop in the air and goes in for a landing at a speed a bit higher than was strictly safe. Crosshair, however, was not so used to land in a crowded forest in armor, and as she circles around to land, she crashed face-first into a tall tree at a speed faster than what she’d liked, luckily, her helmet probably saved her life from that cash as the tree suddenly stops her motion with a big thick loud ‘Thunk!’
When Flamberge hears the 'thunk' he rushes over to Crosshair, who was motionless upon the ground. "Crosshair! Are you okay! Don't try to move yet." he says, fearful she may have injured her neck.
Crosshair was seeing stars, and have the worst hangover ever. “I’m fine Commander!” She said, or at least that’s what she tried to, it actually came out more as jumbled mumbles and groans as the world just kept spinning and the ground decide to dance. All she could hear was ringing from her metal helmet crashing into the tree, as she tried to stand up, she realize that she’s absolutely covered in snails.
She freaked the fuck out.
Flamberge tries to calm the frightened mare, "Crosshair, calm yourself! You just hit your head you need to stay still," he says, oblivious to her true source of fear.
Her injuries all forgotten, she tries wildly to shake the slimy snails off of her to no anvil. “SNAILS!” She screamed at the top of her lungs, possibly scaring away woodland critters in the surrounding area as she freaked out.
Flamberge realizes the source of the mare's trouble, and springs into action. "Crosshair! Freeze and I shall get them off you!" he orders.
Crosshair stopped and froze as ordered, but her legs were quivering and trembling, her eyes looking nervously from side to side rapidly, her pupil dilated into a small dot as she held her breath, trying to hold herself together, which isn’t working out too well.
Flamberge walks over to the mare and brushes most of the critters off with a few swipes of his left wing. The few that remain he picks up by the shell with his pony mouth and tosses them aside. The last one he plucks off her in this fashion had been sliding down her left cheek.
Having removed the last of the snails he speaks again, "There that's the last of them."
Even with the last of them out, the mare still looked like she’s about to cry, her legs all stiff and limp like jelly at the same time, and it’s obvious she’s having a little trouble breathing again after being covered in snails like that.
Flamberge attempt to sooth the visibly upset mare, "Shhhh, it's okay Crosshair, they are gone, you are fine, everything's fine, there is no reason to cry. Just take a few, deep breaths."
Crosshair struggle to regain control of her breathing, and with his help, began to calm down more and more, enough to finally move her legs and wings again.
"Here." says Flamberge in as calming a tone he can manage, as he begins to hover in the air, his forehooves still touching Crosshair, "Let's go sit on a cloud where there are no sn...things around."
Still shaken, Crosshair nodded silently. She’d love to be anywhere but anywhere near the possibility of having more snails fall onto her. And clouds sounds like a mighty fine place to be.
Flamberge leads Crosshair to a small cloud above the forest and the two pegasi take a seat.
The smaller pony took her seat, tucking her legs close under herself and her wings even closer as she tries to quiver all those slimy feeling off of her. And trying not to embarasses herself further in front of her commander. “I-I’m sorry.. f-for Freaking out, Commander..” she apologized.
Flamberge nods, "Its okay, a lot of ponies have irrational fears, why, if it had been me, and the snails were replaced with rodents, I wouldn't have done much better...not that you are allowed to tell anypony else that, Captain."
That actually made her smile and calm her down a little, she giggled before quickly stifles it into a grin. Doing a little salute. “Aye aye, Commander.” but that only made her return to giggling.
Flamberge smiles and chuckles a bit with the giggling mare, "Sooo. Snails? Any idea why they bother you so?"
Crosshair shudders just at the mention of them alone. “They’re all so.. Slimy and icky and have weird eyes and-” She shudders once more. “They’re just so disgusting!”
Flamberge nods, then before he can respond notices a small snail he had missed was hanging on Crosshair's mane, in an attempt to remove it without the mare noticing, and possibly panicking again, he says, “Yes, I suppose that makes sense,” and moves a bit closer to her and reaches around her to grab the snail with his hoof and then flicking it away to plummet to a snaily death some hundreds of feet below the cloud layer.
The small mare blinked in confusion as she feel her commander touching her mane like so, blushing faintly across her face. “Commander?” She asked, unsure of what he’s doing. But not moving away.
Flamberge blushes, realizing what his actions might have been misconstrued as, and knowing how inappropriate that would be with her being his subordinate, so he moves away his hoof and moves himself away a bit as well.
"Uh, sorry, you just had, a... leaf, in you mane, it's gone though." he lies.
She smiled at that, clueless as ever. “Ah, Thank you commander!” She said sweetly. plucking another string at his heart no doubt.
"No problem," replies Flamberge, still blushing.
The two ponies spend the next hour or so sitting upon the cloud keeping watch over the surrounding area, before heading back to town, and calling it a day.
____________________________________________________________
Months later.
4th Limestone, 269
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Crosshair%20Avatar.png) (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png)
Flamberge and Crosshair, are walking along the edge of the town, when they hear a mare’s scream. Flamberge and Crosshair take off into the air toward the source of the sound. When the two militia ponies arrive on the scene they find one of the new migrants under attack by a Honey Badger Pony. The farmer had numerous stab wounds along her right legs and was struggling to get away.
Flamberge lets out a mad cry and slams into the Honey Badger at full speed, Crosshair was the next to slam both of her forehooves onto the badger pony, both of them effectively tackling the honey badger to the ground where It was doomed to be beaten with violence to make a diomedian blush. Crosshair had her crossbows out and whacking at the thing over and over again when her hooves just aren’t beating it enough.
The thief quickly passes out without putting up much of a fight and then in short order lays dead on the ground. Though the enraged militia commander does not stop his assault. Several moments pass, the badger's bronze helmet had been collapsed under the onslaught, badger pony brains leaking out the visor, every bone in the creatures body had been ground to meal, it was barely identifiable as a pony creature at all any more.
At some point during the beating, Maize arrived and carried the injured pony to safety.
"Ragahh!" shouts the enraged Flamberge as he continues striking it, blind to the world around him. Crosshair panted and blinked as she came out of her battle high, finally realizing what’s going on she went wide-eyed at the sight before her in surprise. “Commander! It’s dead! You can stop now!” She tried to shout at him through his enraged shouts, having to try and pull him away from the pulp.
Flamberge does not cease his attack, not until Crosshair touches him, when he turns to her, and appears about to strike her next, his face still contorted in rage. He only barely manages to stop himself in time.
The commander sits down, breathing heavily, and sees the blood on his hooves and the mess beside him.
Crosshair had recoiled with wide eyes, startled and somewhat frightful at the thoughts that her commander looked like he almost tried to strike her down like the honey badger.
"...Crosshair...What...what happened?" asked Flamberge still shaken.
She quickly shakes away her fright, “You.. uh, went brutal on that badger pony, sir.” She answered.
"Was anypony injured...did I hurt anypony?" asks Flamberge his eyes fixed on the ground.
“Just the honey badger thief, sir.” Crosshair answered, quickly calming down from that little scare. “You didn’t hurt anypony.”
Flamberge stands up, looks at the corpse again, and says, "I...I need to get cleaned up. Excuse me." He move to walk away from the mess, toward the forest. He passes Praetorian on the way and tells him to take his squad and search the area for more Badger Ponies.
Worried about her Commander’s safety and of what he might do alone, Crosshair followed. Quickly catching up to him “Are you alright, Sir?” she asked with concern.
Flamberge stops, seems to think to himself, then says, "I... no." he continues walking.
The smaller mare followed close by. “With your permission, sir. What’s wrong?” she asked.
Flamberge looks around, there were too many civilians around, all reacting to the recent attack, “I...can’t tell you. Not here, at least, come with me.” he continues walking toward the forest.
Unconcerned of her own safety, Crosshair followed her commander with complete trust to the forest.
Flamberge leads Crosshair to a small stream in the woods, he leans down and begins to wash the blood and mud from his hooves, and does not look at the little mare, "Crosshair, you know, I've been in a number of fights over the course of my life, but... I can't remember a one of them."
That surprised her. “You.. can’t?”
He shakes his head, "No, I remember the build up sure but," Flamberge pauses, "then it all goes black, I wake up with their blood on me, and no memory of how it got there, when I go into that state, I just lose all control, I've even hurt my own best friends. I shouldn't have taken this position. I should have said no. I'm not fit to Command anypony. I thought I could control it, but I can't. I should go back to Coupledye, I should leave."
Seeing her Commander blabbering and breaking down in front of her, Crosshair couldn’t help but to walk up close to him and wrap her forelegs around his neck as she sits down, pulling him into a hug with her hooves stroking his mane softly. “No you shouldn’t.. If there’s a stallion who I can trust my life on, and knows what he’s doing, It’s you. You’re the best Commander I can ever ask for, Sir.”
Flamberge leans into Crosshair, allowing her to stroke his mane, "But Crosshair, what if next time... . The first thing I remember after blacking out, was the sight of you recoiling from me, if I hadn't stopped... I never want to frighten you like that again, and, if I had hurt you, I couldn't live with myself, Crosshair. Just being here I put everypony at risk, especially you... and the rest of the militia. I should go back to Coupledye, work in my father's blacksmith shop like he wanted."
She smiles at him reassuringly. “Commander, I’m a Markspony. I won’t be there to recoil at you the next time, Today I just have had forgotten my bolts is all.”
“So instead I attack Praetorian, or Redhat, or someother pony?” questions Flamberge.
“It won’t happen, Commander.” She said with confidence.
“It’s happened before, what makes you so sure it won’t again?” he asks.
“Because it didn’t happen this time, Commander. You stopped yourself. You can control it.” She urged on.
“Well,” begins Flamberge, “I think I was only able to stop because it was you, Crosshair.”
“Me? What makes me so special?” questions Crosshair.
“Because Crosshair, I think, I love you.” answers Flamberge looking into her eyes.
[End of Scene, we’ll get to find out what happens next when Crosshair’s player returns from her trip in three days. Good luck in your competition Kitkat.]
Post by: Telgin on February 12, 2013, 01:58:20 am
Temperance was sitting in his small office, paging through his books. The new arrivals meant a lot of things had to be updated in his notes, so he was already setting to that. More beds, more housing, food rations... this was going to take a while. He frowns as he looks at the numbers. At least they had plenty to get by. Before he can continue, he is interrupted by a knock at the door.
He looks up from the stock records he was tending to. Now, who could that be? One of the newcomers? He steps over to the door and pulls it open. “Yes? Can I help you?”
On the other side of the door stands a bespectacled unicorn mare, with saddlebags across her back. “Mr. Temperance? I’d like to have a word, if you aren’t too busy.”
Temperance shakes the confused expression from his face and makes a smile. “Oh, yes, of course, come right in.” He returns to the far side of his desk and motions for her to take a seat. “What did you want to talk about?” What was this mare’s profession again? Had he even asked yet?
The mare takes her seat gratefully. “Well, I suppose I should introduce myself first.” She holds out a hoof. “Dr. Serenity, Doctor of Equine Psychology, Coupledye University.”
Temperance accepts the hoof and gives a slightly weak shake. “A pleasure to meet you Dr. Serenity.” He raises an eyebrow. “It seems you’ve already heard of me.”
Serenity nods. “Yes. I was asked to come out here by a Dutchess Virtue. She mentioned you frequently.”
At that, he’s completely unable to contain his surprise. A tiny flicker of a glower forms on his face, but he quickly contains it. “Oh, she did? That... that’s interesting.” He studies her briefly. “A doctor of psychology, you said? So... is that why she hired you?”
“Yes. She mentioned her own experiences with managing a new settlement, dealing with incompatible personalities, and the much deeper issues that seem to be so common among those who settle out here.”
That sounded like Virtue. That sounded a lot like Virtue. He nods slowly, putting the pieces together. “I see. Yes, she told me she’d had innumerable issues with that. Fortunately, we haven’t had any problems with that out here.” Not yet, anyway. Maize was worrisome though... “I’m not sure how much work you’ll have, I’m afraid.”
The doctor nods. “I understand. Still, I’d like it if you’d tell me about any odd behavior you notice. And most importantly, please let ponies know that if they have any problems, or just need to talk, I’m always available.”
“Of course,” Temperance replies with a tiny smile. He taps his hoof idly on the desk for a few moments. “Actually, doctor, there is somepony you may want to go see. One of the farmers. Maize. She seems very evasive, to the point of sleeping out in the fields instead of with the rest of us.” He considers if he should say more, and decides to add, “She is beginning to worry me a bit.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ll see about speaking to her as soon as I can. Where might I find her?”
He sighs. “She pretty much stays out in the fields permanently. She has two braids, I’m sure you’ll recognize her.” He glances down at the list of things that still needed to be built in Duskfields and said, “I, uh... imagine you’ll need someplace to really work. It’s... going to be a while before that’s possible though, I’m afraid.”
The doctor sighs. “That does make my job a bit more difficult, but I think I can manage.”
“Sorry,” he says with an apologetic expression. “If I’m not here, feel free to use my office though. It’s probably the only place remotely private out here for now.”
“I appreciate that, thank you very much. Would you mind if I kept my books in here as well?”
He shakes his head. “Oh, no, if you can find somewhere to stash them, feel free.” There was plenty of room. At least until he found a better place to get her situated.
Post by: Khenal on February 12, 2013, 06:58:30 pm
Maize wanders through the rows of plants on the farm plot, checking the health and growth of each with tender care.
Cream Puff makes her way to the field, humming to herself. When she spots Maize, she waves and heads more for her than simply the field.
As she finishes looking over a slightly wilted sunflower and giving it some water, Maize looks up and spots Cream Puff. “Oh, hello,” she says softly, her weak, shy voice not always easy to hear.
Puff smiles at her and flutters over the plants, not wanting to disrupt Maize’s work. “Heya Maize! I’ve actually been looking for you. Should have expected to see you hard at work.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s hard...” Maize lets her head drop, obviously unused to being praised. “I’ve always liked growing things.”
“Just because you like it doesn’t mean it’s not hard work. You’re also really good at it, Maize. The wheat you grew was great, should keep everypony in fresh bread for a good while.” Puff wings slow circles around Maize, enjoying a bit of quiet time with the soft-spoken mare.
Maize just shrugs and looks back down at the plants, resuming her inspection. “I’ve been wanting to ask... why does everypony keep praising me for helping Morning Dew?”
“Because you reacted to help her before anypony else. And I mean actually help her, not just beat the stuffing out of the badgerpony.” She lands carefully beside Maize. “You helped her when everypony else could only stare.”
“But... that’s all I could do.” Maize’s head dips a bit. “It’s not like I was doing anything brave, like protecting her.”
Puff rolls her eyes a bit at that. “You got her to the Doc, and basically snatched her out from under that badger pony’s nose. Nopony else had the guts to get anywhere near her, but you carted her to a bed like the wind.” She gently tries to lift Maize’s gaze with a wing. “Don’t cry about what you can’t do, but be glad in what you can.”
Maize looks up at her, a bit teary-eyed, but smiling a bit as well. “I... I guess... I guess I’m just not used to being praised. Father always told me I wouldn’t ever be good for anything, and Mama didn’t really ever talk to me much. I used to think it was because she didn’t really like me, but...” She looks down and sighs. “I don’t think I should talk about this.”
Cream Puff lays a wing over her withers, hoping to reassure the mare. “It’s alright, Maize. I think they missed out, and I think you’re a good pony. Just remember you’re not alone, and you can always talk to me, ok?”
Maize sighs again and looks around at the plants. She checks out one of the sunflowers, a fast-growing one that was already noticeably taller than the ones around it. “D... do you think Morning Dew would like a sunflower by her bed? I mean, if one grows fast enough to bloom before she gets well...”
Puff smiles and nods. “I think she’d appreciate it, Maize. Even if they aren’t her favorite, it’s the thought that counts. I know I’d love one if it were me.”
Maize smiles and nods. “This one might bloom pretty soon at the rate it’s growing.” She looks around. “Oh, I also meant to ask. Are there any other plants I need to be growing?”
Puff thinks for a few moments, then shrugs. “A good variety is the most important thing. Wheat and sunflowers are great foundations for a meal, but ponies don’t live on bread alone, heh. Pretty much whatever you want to grow is fine.”
Maize nods. “Anyone ask for anything?”
“Heh, I’ve had a few requests for the tomato juice and peanutbutter sammiches, but that’s it so far.”
“I can try growing peanuts if we have any.” Maize looks around. “I think we’ve got tomatoes growing somewhere in here, too.” The mare heads down a little more until the two reach a bare crater in the field, about the size of a pony.
The significance of the barren spot almost slips past Puff, but the gears turn and she soon turns to give Maize a stern look. “Maize... you’re not still sleeping out here, are you?”
Maize notices the stern look and nearly prostrates herself. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know...” She seems rather like she’s going to cry.
Cream Puff immediately softens and hugs Maize. “Oh Hun... you don’t need to sleep out here. We have the dorms, and they’re even working on getting individual rooms up. Why don’t you want to sleep in a bed?”
“I... I do, but... the dorms are so full of ponies, it’s much more comfy out here.” Maize softens her rigid pose and snuggles a bit into Cream Puff’s hooves. “The dirt’s nice and soft in the field, and the plants smell wonderful, and the stars and firebugs are like dozens of little nightlights watching over me...”
Cream gently pats Maize’s back as she thinks for a few moments. On the one hoof, she doesn’t want Maize to think she has to sleep alone in the field. On the other, she seems to really enjoy sleeping under the stars....
Buck it, she’s still not sleeping alone if she can help it. “Hey Maize... how about a little camp-out tonight? I’ll grab a cloud and sleep out here with you.”
Maize beams, but keeps her head down a little, still submissive. “You.. you don’t have to...”
She chuckles and meets Maize’s eyes. “I want to. You made it sound nice out here, and Flamberge snores.” she says with a smile and a wink.
Maize chuckles a little. “I don’t even know what ‘snores’ is, but I guess it’s not very nice...”
“He’s a loud sleeper, heh. I’m told I snore a bit, too, but sleeping on a cloud tends to keep me quiet.”
Maize nods. “I don’t think I’d mind too much. The crickets and cicadas are pretty noisy at night, and it doesn’t bother me.” She paws at the dirt of her makeshift bed a little. “What’s a bed like?”
“How about you find out tomorrow night?” Puff suggests.
“I... I don’t know...” Maize sighs. “I don’t think I could even go in the dorm with all those ponies...”
“Is that it? I can bring a bed out here, or at least the mattress. I can almost guarantee it’s better than the ground.”
“I think that would be nice.” Maize looks at the ground. “I’ve never slept on a mattress. Father always made me sleep outside. Said I should get used to it, because I’d be sleeping there forever.”
Cream Puff puts a hoof on her withers and gives her a gentle squeeze. “Well, now you can choose if you want to sleep outside or not. It’s up to you, not him.”
“Y... yeah...” Maize nods. “I still... like it outside. But I think I might enjoy it once there’s a room built for me, too.” She looks wistfully at the sky. “I guess we’ll see.”
Puff smiles, picturing Maize curled up and sleeping peacefully in her own bed, a sunflower on the window sill. “Yeah... we’ll see.”
Post by: Dsarker on February 13, 2013, 06:44:09 am
Praetorian, captain of the hastiferi stationed at Duskfields, to Dapper Blade, commander of the Guard in Coupledye, may all the gods abundantly bless you this day and always.
I thank Nokzam when I think of you, for you have done great things for me by your training and comradeship through the years. In the battle of Mareway, your actions led to my survival, and glory to the both of us.
Today I write to you for two reasons. The first is more pleasant. We had a badger pony attack at the fort. Though one civilian, a farmer, was injured, another (by the name of Maize) rescued her while the fight was still going on (another military pony, named Flamberge, my current commander, had engaged the badger pony). Maize seems to have saved the wounded pony's life, carrying her to the sawbones for treatment.
The second is a less happy one. Though I am in nominal command here, the sole pony over which I am captain is ill-disciplined, defeatist, and seems to see no difference between a soldier and a common murderer. I have no idea why he joined up, given as he appears to have no care for his fellow ponies, nor anything besides himself.
I can tell you, Dapper, that if we were serving in a full squad, I'd have had him hanged as an example to the rest. As it is, there's little I can do. He claims experience with a spear, and if this place is as dangerous as ponies say it is, I have no choice but to keep him.
To my replacement, I have another suggestion. Wine is good, but it loosens stallions' tongues. Keep it in moderation.
The blessings of the gods be upon you all.
Post by: Pokon on February 13, 2013, 03:37:30 pm
Entry 6:
Blarg,I feel lonely.
......
Well, I havent had the time to hang out with anyone. Luckaly, it seems like the fort is mostly complete, structure-wise, so that opens up a lot of free time. I suppose it's only fair that I say who I wish to see.
The new solder, Praetorian looks decent-ish. I thought at first he was a wine-guzzling twit that got sent up from the warmer southern coasts, but he's a genuine solder, along with Flamberge. Religious, too. Reminds me of my great-uncle.
Speaking of those two, I was thinking about setting up a party. I have some spare drinks with me, and it's not like we can't use a cheering up. Something for the ponies who have been here for awhile, or just important.
Guest List:
Temperance (Want to see him drunk.)
Flamberge&Crosshair (Pick out a single table for them, with something mind-altering on it.)
Case Study ( Need to know him better, probably.Never hurts to know your doctor in the mining buisness)
Holly
Smoothblock (Going to put a move on her, Swamp Whisky in tow. Ramol help me.)
Cream Puff (She looks like a fun drunk, anyway)
Veneer
Maize (Girl needs a drink in her system)
Praetorian (Again, looks like a decent fellow)
Post by: Dsarker on February 13, 2013, 09:18:43 pm
Maize, as always, tends to her fields. She doesn’t really seem to go elsewhere, except maybe to get food.
The day’s training being over, Praetorian makes his way over to the fields. The mare out there was the one he’d been meaning to congratulate on her rescue of the wounded farmer some days ago. Upon spotting the farmer, he nods to her, and says “Hello there, miss Maize.”
Maize looks up and spots the approaching soldier, her head quickly dipping back down. She says something unintelligible.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite catch that,” says the soldier, with a friendly tone in his voice, as he moves closer.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Maize’s voice is only just audible now. “I said hello and asked how I could help you.”
“Oh, pardon my manners. My name is Praetorian, and I was just passing by and I thought I’d say hello to the heroine of the hour,” says the soldier, as he wonders to himself why the mare seems to be so frightened.
“Oh...” Maize blushes. “Thank you, but I don’t deserve to be called a hero.”
“You saved that wounded pony’s life. Without even having anything to protect yourself with. That’s fairly heroic,” says the soldier.
“But... heroes are supposed to be ponies who overcome their fear...” Maize lowers her head. “I was only more afraid of what would happen if I did nothing.”
Praetorian is ever-so-slightly concerned by the pony’s demeanour. “Still, you did a good deed, and without thought for reward. And did not Equinius write ‘How worthy of eternity is a national character that rewarded exploits so distinguished with honour only, and whereas it enhanced the value of its other wreaths with gold, refused to allow the rescue of a citizen to be a thing of price, thus loudly proclaiming that it is wrong even to save the life of a pony for the sake of gain’?”
Maize blushes a bit more and lowers her entire body a bit, seeming almost to be bowing in shame. “I... don’t know who that is... and I don’t really understand what all that means...”
“Hey,” says the soldier, lowering himself. “Hey. What’s wrong? Gods above, even I don’t understand what that old windbag was talking about most of the time. And you seem to be a lot more down on yourself than I am. So...what’s wrong?”
Maize looks up a little. “I... you sound so smart, and... I never really got many ponies saying good things about me before, especially not smart ponies like you. It... just feels weird when somepony so much better than me thinks good of me. I mean,” she takes a breath and a glance around, “I used to live on the street. I’ve only seen a single book in my life, and whatever was in it looked like nothing but little nonsense scribbles. All I’ve learned, I taught myself.”
“Ah, is that it? Well, miss Maize, you’re a hero, so I can trust you with this.” He looks around furtively. “I only learned to read after my first five years in the army, and that was because I needed it for the promotion. So we’ve at least got a little bit in common. And here’s a secret that took me a long time to learn. Everypony that seems better than you or I, most of that’s just confidence and practice. I’m certainly not as good as you are at farming, so you’re better than me on that, I’ve never gone into a fight without armour and a weapon, so you’re better than me on that, too, and I’ve never been that much of a hero, so you’re way ahead of me there, too.” He pauses for a bit. “And... if you want to learn how to read, I can probably give you a bit of help there, too.”
Maize smiles. “You... would? I mean, I don’t want to be a bother...”
“Hah, not much of a bother to help a certified Hero of the Kingdom,” says Praetorian with a little smile.
“I... I would like that, then.” The farm pony stands back up, though her head still hangs a little low. She never really seems to hold it too high. “When... when do I begin?”
“Well, when do you want to start?” asks the soldier. “I’ve got training to do, but other than that I’m mostly free.”
Maize looks around. “If you’ll wait just a moment, then, I want to look at these last few crops...” She bows her head again. “If you don’t mind too much...”
“‘Course I don’t mind, take as long as you need.”
Post by: jaxler on February 13, 2013, 11:56:06 pm
redhat walked up to the “kitchen” looking for some a decent meal, hoping he could get another “peanut butter and tomato juice” sandwich.
Cream Puff is just checking the stores of food, and gives the stallion an absent wave as she still has her head in a barrel. “What can I get you, Hun?” comes her muffled welcome.
the pony smiled a little and walked up to the barrel. “well, i’d kill fo another one of those delightful tomato juice sandwiches.”
Her chuckle echos in the barrel before she pulls her head out to get a look at him. “I never expected those to get so popular.” she says with a wide smile.
“Well, even they don’t just more for me is suppose.”
She nods and sets about making the sammich for him. “So, what’s your name, Hun?”
“the name’s redhat”
She smirks and gestures at his headwear with a wing. “Would have never guessed. So, you’re in the military, yeah?”
“heh... yeah i’m in the militia” he said, taking a seat.
“For how long? You don’t exactly seem the type to make a career of it.”
“just joined recently” he said, still smiling.
She finishes making the sammich and walks over to Redhat with it on her wing. “What’s it like? Praetorian seems a rather structured stallion.”
“it’s annoying.” he said, picking up the sammich. the stallion then made sure his hat was still nice and on the right spot on his head.
“Looks about like what I’d expect in the army.” she says with a shrug.
“no it’s not that. the man demands respect and shows me none.”
Puff gives him a bit of a flat look. “He is your commanding officer.”
“i only give respect when it is earned. i can act, and pretend like i do, but if the stallion does something to me that offends me, I will do something about it.”
Cream Puff chuckles at him. “Red, you ever think the military isn’t for you?”
“yes, your point?” he said, giving her an odd look.
“My point is, I don’t think you can take him, and if you can get that chip off your withers, you might learn something from him.”
“Personally, I don’t plan on just dropping universal respect like that.”
“You need to give some to get some, Red. He’s had 16 years in the army, I’d say that earns him at least a bit, even if he wasn’t your boss.”
“... that doesn’t give him the right to think himself better than me”
She chuckles again. “I doubt he thinks that. He might be more skilled than you, and have a lot more experience, but I doubt he thinks he’s ‘better’ than you. I’m telling you, Red, get that chip off your shoulder sooner rather than later. Otherwise, you’ll probably be digging that moat until we have an ocean.”
Redhat sighed. “ugh... you have a point...”
She pats him on the shoulder. “Of course I do! I’m the chef! And the one who prepares your meals is never wrong!” she says with a wink, then laughs.
redhat laughed a little. “yeah... thanks.”
“Any time, Red.”
Post by: Fr0stByt3 on February 14, 2013, 07:52:25 am
Post by: KingStrongbeard on February 14, 2013, 10:56:03 pm
That stunned her, It stunned her worse than crashing into that tree a while ago. She just stood there, blinking as her little pony brain tries to process what she just heard.
Flamberge realizes it was a mistake to blurt that out, she was his subordinate gods damn it,there are lines that shouldn't be crossed. He tries to pull away from her while says, "I...I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that..."
Crosshair blinked and shake her confusion out of her when she feel him pulling away from her “Oh!.. um, it’s.. It’s alright, Commander. Really! I’m just.. r-really surprised..” She said, rubbing the back of her neck with a wing as she feel a burning blush coming up. “I just never thought... w-well.. I mean, I don’t think a mare like me could...”
Flamberge now confused and already blushing with embaressment asks, "What do you mean? A mare like you could what?"
“W-well sir, I just.. don’t think that anypony would.. um.. love, a mare like me..” She said out with folded ears.
"Captain, what would ever make you think that?” asks Flamberge, “You are a strong, clever, and beautiful young mare, anypony's dream come true. I can't believe you didn't have all the young stallions fighting over you back home."
That made the poor mare blushes even further. “Well.. I’m too eager, brash, does things without thinking first and a little dumb according to other ponies..” she said, lowering her head slightly.
Flamberge smiles, "Well, it may be true, that you act a little over eager sometimes, and it wouldn't hurt you to learn to think before you leap sometimes, but I find those qualties of yours quite endearing Crosshair, and you are certainly not dumb, no matter what anypony else might have told you."
Crosshair pawed the ground softly and shyly with a hoof as she smiles up at her commander with a faint blush. “Thank you, Commander.. but.. You’re my Commander, wouldn’t you deserve somepony.. better?” she asked nervously, as if still unsure if what she heard was right.
Flamberge shakes his head, "I don't want anypony better, whatever you mean by that, I want you...but I understand if you would prefer a pony more level headed than me, or somepony smarter, or somepony with a job less likely to lead them to an early grave. But when I said I love you Crosshair, I meant it. I can't imagine better than you."
She finally smiles up some. “I’d be honored, Commander.. If.. If you don’t mind me, I’m quite.. um, inexperienced with love.. nopony really loved me before besides family..” She spoke again, embarrassed.
"Well then, we have that in common Crosshair," replies Flamberge.
“Perhaps, Commander, perhaps.”
Flamberge was confused by her usage of the word perhaps here, but thought it best not to pry, at least not right away. Flamberge moves back to be beside her, "We'll need to head back to town soon," he says, "they'll be wanting to know where we are....but let's wait a few more minutes first, okay?"
The mare smiled a happy smile at him. “Of course, Commander.”
Post by: Kryptid on February 15, 2013, 12:38:21 am
Cream Puff walks around the settlement, looking for Case Study. The stallion had missed another meal, and she is not going to have a pony going hungry on her watch! She carries a vegetable medley sammich on her wing as she searches for the stallion.
The pale blue pony in question was lying under a tree in the middle of their territory. His red eyes scanned a book about equine anatomy. There were plenty of crimson marks throughout its pages, accompanied with notes he had written in the past. Study had gotten caught up in medical literature again, focused to the point where he had practically lost all sense of time.
“Aha!” spouts Cream Puff as she spots her target, then she heads over to him to favor him with a glare. “Case Study.”
For the first few moments, her words sounded like background noise. It was only when Puff’s shadow overcast the papers before him did the earth pony become aware of her presence. An ear twitched as he raised his angular muzzle in her direction, “Yes? Can I help you, ma’am?”
“Don’t you ‘ma’am’ me, buster! You keep feeding that!” she points at his head. “Instead of feeding that!!” she gestures to the rest of him. “A doctor should know better!”
The stallion was a bit taken aback by the pegasus’ attitude, but he understood what she was trying to say. He raised an eyebrow, taking mental note of the sandwich she was carrying, “Time for a meal already? I do suppose it is later than I predicted.” Study placed the bookmark in its proper place and closed the cover, “My apologies, Ms. Puff, but I have a tendency to get ‘lost in the clouds’ when I read. Based on the nature of your opening statement, and the presence of food in your hoof, I predict that the reason you are here is self-evident?”
Sweet merciful Nirmek, can this pony talk. She gives him a flat look and holds her wing for him to take the food. “Yes.”
He stood up and stretched his back, feeling a bit surprised. The pony wasn’t used to others approaching him so directly, nor was it typical for them to bring him food unrequested. He accepted the edible offering, “Well, this is unexpected. I don’t recall sending for anything. This was your idea?”
She nods, softening her stance slightly as it seems the stallion might actually start eating soon. “It was. I don’t let ponies go hungry on my watch, even if they forget to eat. I brought you a mixed vegetable sammich, nice and healthy and filling.” She softens further as she talks a little about her job, her passion.
It was a nice thought, especially the healthy part. At least it wasn’t one of those questionable tomato juice and peanut butter sandwiches. He took a bite. It was rather pleasant, especially since he was hungrier than he originally believed he was. Case swallowed the piece, “That’s quite kind of you. I do appreciate your consideration. What might I owe you for your trouble?”
She smiles as he finally starts to eat. “Nothing, Case. It’s just what I do, you know? If you really want to try to pay me back, just make sure Morning Dew will be alright.” she says with a dismissive wave of her wing.
“Huh, well that’s very nice. If you won’t accept money, then I suppose I’ll just owe you a favor in the future.” He consumes a second piece of the vegetable-and-bread concoction, “As far as Ms. Dew is concerned, she has a bit of an infection. I don’t expect it will get worse, but it will prolong her recovery time. I really need something more here than simple herbs to stave off illness.”
“Well, soap is just fat and lye, right? If we can get the sunflowers grown soon enough, we’ll just need somepony to make some lye.”
“Indeed. Having that substance on hoof could really aid in my practice. A magical artifact that does the same thing would be welcomed as well...not that I’m likely to come across one.” Half the food had now disappeared down the hatch. “I suppose I’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for us in terms of medicinal resources, as we are still young on this land.”
She nods and sits next to him, enjoying the shade. “So, what were you reading? Must have been good to keep you from a meal.”
Peaking at the book out of the corners of his rhomboidal eyes, he explained, “I was near the end of chapter three of an anatomy book I had received as a gift some years ago. To be more specific, I was trying to get a better handle on the placement of blood vessels within pony legs. If any part of Ms. Dew’s flesh were to become gangrenous, it’s of the utmost importance that my cuts be precise and avoid puncturing any large veins.” The last mouthful was popped in, defying the unpleasant nature of the conversation.
She smirks at him. “Yeah, that sounds like it would be bad.”
“Assuming one did not wish to bleed to death, yes. I’m not particularly concerned at the moment. The worst that will happen to her is probably nothing more than scarring, as well as the necessity for using crutches for a short while. I wouldn’t be surprised if some hairline fractures were initially present as well.”
“I just hope she pulls through alright. I’m glad it sounds like she will. A funeral would be pretty depressing this early in our time here. Not to mention how Maize would probably react.”
Case Study knew of Maize bringing the injured mare in, but hadn’t known much of her. He tended to mind his own business until somepony else’s business became his, “The farmer...the tall one, correct? I hear she’s become something of a minor celebrity in Duskfields. Not that I know many of the details.”
Puff nods and puts on a smile. Maize might be too modest to be proud of what she did, but Puff is perfectly happy to be proud for her. “That’s her! She brought Morning Dew in to see you before the dust could even settle on that fight.”
“Interesting,” he swished his gray-white tail, “So this Ms. Maize...what do you know of her? I suppose I should take the opportunity to be as well informed as the other ponies are about this farmer.”
Puff thinks for a few moments, deciding what Maize might not want a total stranger to know. “Well, she’s timid and soft-spoken, and nice to a fault. And she’s an amazing farmer.”
“That matches my first impressions of her. I’ve seen her alone in the fields often. Not that it’s any of my business what she likes to do in her spare time.”
Puff looks at him sideways, wondering what his bedside manner is like and if poor Morning Dew is bored out of her mind. “Don’t you want to get to know the ponies who you might have to save?”
He paused for a moment, “Familiarity can be a double-edged sword, Ms. Puff. One may enjoy the cheerful company of another in pleasant times, but what of the times when that same pony is lying before you with a gaping wound that needs to be addressed with urgency? Emotions can cloud judgment. That, in turn, can lead to life-changing, nay, deadly mistakes. Knowing that one may be responsible for the termination of their friends life isn’t something I want to experience.”
Puff shrugs. “I’d expect saving a friend’s life would be quite the motivation. And losing one... well, I don’t stop using an oven just because I get burned. I’d say the positives outweigh the negatives, myself.”
“An optimistic outlook. If you can manage that worldview, then by all means enjoy it. I’m simply a realist. I know there is good and bad in this world and that either one can come at the most unexpected of times. I prefer to distance myself emotionally so that the negatives affect me less. That makes it easier to pick up the pieces and move on with life.”
Cream Puff quirks an eyebrow at him. “Having friends makes it easier. But, if you want to throw out the foal with the bath-water, that’s your business.”
“I have no problem with friends in concept, Ms. Puff. I mean to say that I am not a social butterfly, looking for new acquaintances at every turn. I feel that those who will be important in my life will reveal themselves to me when the time is right. However, I do feel that one should not rely on others too much when the only one you can count on at the end of the day is yourself.” Case looks up at the clouds in the sky, “Such seems to have done me well so far, at least.”
She chuckles at him. “Yeah? Well, ‘yourself’ almost left you hungry today.”
He rubs his temple, “If my stomach were to fail in reminding me of that, my migraines certainly would not have. Low blood sugar is one of several things that can trigger them. Not to bore you with my personal problems, though.”
She gets up and gives him a cheeky smile. “See? I got you food and kept you from having a migraine! Aren’t friends great?”
The doctor placed a hoof under his bony chin, “Yes, I suppose that’s true. For that, I thank you once more.” He looks at the position of the Sun, “I hope I haven’t kept you from any important business with my ramblings, Ms. Puff. If so, I apologize yet again.”
She shakes her head. “It’s no problem, Case. It’s what friends are for. I’ll be giving you another earful if you forget lunch again, though. Fair warning.” she says with a smile.
“I see. I’ll attempt to be more prompt next time, assuming I don’t have my hooves full with some emergency.”
She chuckles. “I suppose an emergency will get you off the hook, Doc. Don’t be a stranger, alright?”
The lankey stallion nods, “Yes, I’ll be seeing you later. I wish you good luck with your cooking.” Although he never formed a true smile throughout the encounter, Case Study did feel a tinge of happiness in that somepony had actually paid him attention.
“Thanks! Enjoy your book!” She gives him a friendly wave, then heads back towards her improvised kitchen. After all, she’d have to start preparing for dinner soon.
Post by: Khenal on February 15, 2013, 01:25:12 am
Cream Puff busies herself with cleaning her makeshift kitchen; the lunch rush is mostly over, and she expects the few stragglers to be by soon for a meal. She hums to herself as she finishes making some flatbread.
The militia commander, Flamberge, approaches the improvised kitchen, he has a beaming smile on his face, Cream Puff doesn't think she's ever seen him this happy. "Good evening Cream Puff," says the stallion, "I hope I'm not too late for some lunch."
She smiles at the stallion as he approaches. “Heya ‘Berge! You’re just in time for some fresh bread! You want a sammich, or just something piecemeal?”
“Hmm, surprise me.” says Flamberge.
She thinks for a few moments before grinning at him and setting to work. “So, having a good day, I take it?”
Flamberge nods, “Is it that obvious,” he says with a chuckle.
She chuckles and nods as she works on his food. “Well? Spill!”
Flamberge looks off to one side, “Well, I don’t know if I should. She might not want everypony to know.” he says intentionally saying too much.
Puff smirks at him. “Don’t make me threaten you with no lunch, ‘Berge!” she says with a wink.
“You wouldn’t dare!” he says in a joking tone.
“Watch me!”
Flamberge and Cream Puff lock eyes and a mental tug of war takes place before Flamberge finally consents, "Alright, alright, I'll tell you, yesterday, I...told Crosshair... that I was in love with her, and she didn't turn me down. She acted surprised, but, she likes me too."
She rolls her eyes at him as she picks up his meal, then walks over to him. “Well, duh! She loves you, too!”
Flamberge leans back a bit, “Oh, I don’t think so. She never said she did at least. Someday I hope that’s true, but I don’t think it is yet.”
She gives him a ‘you can’t be that dense’ look, but doesn’t repeat herself. “Well, you talked, so I guess you get your meal. Viola!” With a flourish, she reveals his meal: A peanut butter and tomato juice sammich with some sauteed veggies on the side.
“Tomato juice and peanut butter, my favorite, just like mother never made.” says Flamberge as he takes the food, “Thank you Cream Puff.”
She smiles, always happy to have somepony enjoy her food. “Any time, ‘Berge.” She turns to head back to her kitchen, then pauses and looks him in the eyes. “And Flamberge? Take good care of Crosshair. She’s my best friend. If you break her heart, I’ll serve you yours.”
Flamberge nods, “I promise, but don’t worry, she’s my markspony captain, and a hell of a shot, if I did, she could shoot me in the back herself no problem.”
She smiles at him, glad he understands. “Good! Speaking of, how do you think her training’s going?”
Flamberge pauses, pops one of the veggies on his plate into his mouth, chews and swallows before responding. “It’s...okay. Her target practice is good and all, but I know it isn’t the same as shooting a moving target, and I’ve show her the basics of self-defense in melee, but she is still not comfortable in the armor, and she won’t last in close range against somepony who knows what they are doing.”
“Well, melee is your job, right? You keep them away and she puts small holes in important bits of them?”
“On paper yeah,” responds Flamberge, “But it is just me, Praetorian, and that Redhat up there. Even a small group of discordian’s could overwhelm us, or just have some run past. I mean, the odds of them taking an interest in a town this size is slim, but if they do, I want all of us to be ready. If we had the metal to spare, I’d have forged a spear for everypony here by now, but we don’t have the material....I’m probably just being paranoid, forget I said anything.”
“Nah, that paranoia is probably at least partially why you’re still alive in the army, yeah? No spear for me, though. A couple quality chef’s knives would be nice, though.” she says with a chuckle.
“Heh, Well, we’ll see what we can do, if I can ever get enough spare metal to work with.” replies Flamberge.
They engage in some more small talk as Flamberge eats, then he says his farewells to return to his duties. Puff smiles at him as he goes, chuckling to herself about how dense stallions can be.
Post by: Dsarker on February 15, 2013, 02:03:18 am
As the small caravan trundled into the place they were travelling to, Praetorian looked around, and spotting the buildings, began making his way over there. His orders had been clear. He was to meet with the current leader of the group, a Mr Temperance, and report to him. There was also another soldier or two here, but they could wait until afterwards. As he looked around the settlement, he tried to find the pony whose description he had been given.
Temperance was busying himself with the large stockpile in the center of what he liked to think was the start of the town, picking over everything and jotting down stock records. They really needed to get this mess a bit more organized, soon. He fails to notice anypony approaching him, consumed in his current task as he was.
Praetorian looked the pony up and down. “Mr Temperance?” he asked, taking out the little paired bronze tablets from his pack. The two tablets, affixed to each other by hinges, had seven seals keeping the opening shut.
Temperance looks up from his work. “Hmm? Oh,” he says, turning to face the pony. He glances at the mass of ponies slightly behind Praetorian wandering into the settlement and quickly surmises what was going on. “Ah, you... must be from Coupledye, right?” He offers a hoof. “You seem to know me already, Mr...”
“Praetorian. My diploma, Mr Temperance.” He hands over the sealed bronze tablets. “I’ve been...assigned here, sort of.”
Temperance’s eyes widen a bit as he realizes who he’s talking to. “Oh, of course,” he says, glancing inside the tablets. He wasn’t really sure what he was looking at, so he nods approvingly and returns them. “It’s a pleasure to have you out here, having another soldier will definitely help.” He hesitates. “Although you sound a bit unsure of that?”
“If there’s anything out here, I don’t see it concertedly attacking such a small and probably weathless town. Maybe large animals or an occasional desperate bandit looking for food. Other than that... Well, I might be able to help there, but a good wall will keep them out anyway,” says the soldier.
Temperance smiles and makes a small chuckle. “Yes, well, I certainly hope you’re right. I suspect that you are. Still, I know that there are some surprisingly crafty bandits that prey on these little settlements, so it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.” Hopefully Flamberge and the other soldiers wouldn’t end up becoming a glorified guard policing drunkards, but he wasn’t going to say anything of the sort. He looks around for a moment searching for somepony. “In any case, perhaps you’d like to meet commander Flamberge? You’ll be working with him a lot.”
“Yes, that would be good,” agrees Praetorian. “Shall we?”
Temperance leads Praetorian back toward the “training grounds”, which are little more than two armor stands standing in the middle of the plains. “This is where he and captain Crosshair have been training. It’s not much, I know.” Almost nothing, really. But priorities were elsewhere. “It’s a work in progress. I’m not sure where Flamberge is right now...”
At those words Flamberge and Crosshair descend from the sky, in their armor. Crosshair sets off to the armor rack, while Flamberge greets Temperance and the new pony, “Hello, Temperance, sir, we just returned from patrol, saw some more boars up north, but they were heading toward the river, not this way. Nothing else to report.”
Temperance smiles at him. “Good, good.” He gestures at Praetorian. “Commander, this is Praetorian, a new arrival in Duskfields and your new colleague.”
“Good day, commander,” says the new guy with a salute.
Flamberge returns the salute in kind. "Good day to you as well." Flamberge looks over Praetorian.
Praetorian is a brown-coated unicorn with a black mane, and wears segmented plate with a red tunic underneath. His tail is short and even.
"You look like you will do just fine. You are the soldier I was told to expect from Coupledye, yes?" questions the militia commander.
“I believe so,” says the unicorn with a nod.
"Excellent. Temperance, I have a few more questions for Praetorian. Did you have anything else you wanted to say first?" asks Flamberge.
Temperance shakes his head. “Oh, no, no, nothing else on my mind.” He looks between all of the military ponies present and takes a step back. “I’ll let you all get acquainted. If anypony needs me I’ll be counting the bags of seeds.”
"So, Praetorian. I was told you have combat experience? Is that true?" asks Flamberge.
“Yes, commander. I’ve served my sixteen years,” says the spearpony.
"Sixteen years? Very good." Flamberge wasn't sure what else to say about that, Praetorian had served longer than him and yet he was the one supposed to be in command, it felt odd to him to have seniority over a more experienced soldier.
Flamberge looks over the soldier's segmented mail. "I am glad you brought some equipment of your own, we are chronically under supplied out here."
“Well, of course,” says Praetorian. “Not much else for me to do, eh?” He smiled. “Don’t really have much of a talent outside the military. It’s good to be doing something I know again.”
Flamberge nods, “With you here, that brings us to only three soldiers, but hopefully we’ll be enough for now. Now, I’ll show you around the camp such as it is, and you can get settled, you’ll join Crosshair and I for training starting tomorrow.”
“That sounds good, commander. It’ll be good to be serving with you,” says Praetorian, following the militia commander.
Post by: Impending Doom on February 15, 2013, 02:55:07 am
After unpacking the last of her work materials and storing them safely in Temperance’s office, Serenity heads out into the fields, searching for her first ‘patient’.
Maize is easy enough to find. She’s lying amongst her crops, in a small bed-like mound of dirt, and staring at the clouds. She looks rather childish with her hooves hovering over her small frame.
Well, that certainly looked odd enough to be her. The doctor approaches her. “Excuse me, are you Miss Maize?”
The mare quickly, if unsteadily, rolls over to her feet and picks herself up, giving her body a quick shake to get rid of a little dust. She looks up at the new face, a little red-cheeked. “Y~yes, ma’am?”
Serenity extends a hoof. “I’m Dr. Serenity. Mr. Temperance asked me to come speak with you, if you have the time.”
“Oh...” The mare glances at the ground worriedly. “Did... did I do something wrong?”
“Oh, no, nothing like that. He just... wanted me to ask you a few things, that’s all.”
Maize nods a little and looks up again. “Oh. So... what do you want to ask me, then?”
Serenity moves to sit beside Maize. “Well, Mr. Temperance told me that you’ve been acting very... evasive. You seem to go out of your way to avoid interacting with the others.”
Maize backs away a little, her head dipping down and her eyes falling. “I’m sorry... I’ve really been trying, but it’s kind of new to me... I’m sorry...”
Serenity raises a hoof to stop her. “Nopony is upset with you about this, Maize. Just... concerned. Now, why do you avoid other ponies so much? Is there something about them that bothers you?”
“N-no... everypony here is so nice...” She offers a quick smile before looking at the ground again. “I just... I can’t really handle other ponies... I get overwhelmed...”
“So then I take it you aren’t accustomed to working alongside other ponies? What did you do before you came out here?”
“I...” Maize seems to be really conflicted. “I... lived on the street. I never really knew anything I could use in the city, so... I just looked through folks’ trash and slept on whatever soft patch of grass or dirt I could find.”
“That’s quite a hard life. You didn’t have any family to stay with?”
Maize’s eyes begin to tear up a little as they go out of focus, her head pointing solidly at the ground. “I... I don’t really want to... talk about my family...”
Serenity pauses. There was definitely something there, but if she pressed for more information Maize may shut her out. “...Okay. Let’s talk about something else, then. You said you’ve been trying to socialize with other ponies?”
Maize brushes the tears forming in her eyes away and looks up again. “Y~yeah, I have... I talk to Cream Puff, and sometimes I talk a little with other ponies...”
Serenity nods. “I’ve met miss Cream Puff, in passing. She seems like a nice enough mare. Do you two get along well?”
Maize nods. “Yeah, she’s really nice. It’s... really nice to talk with her as I tend the plants.”
“That’s very good. Having a friend like her will make improving your social skills much easier.”
Maize looks around. “Yeah... I guess so...” She tries think of something. “M-may I be... excused, please? I’d like to... check the plants, and... you know, to...” Her voice falters off.
Serenity quirks an eyebrow at this. “Well, I did have a few more questions... will you be gone long?”
“I... y-yeah... I will...” Maize is obviously uncomfortable, her hoof scraping the dirt as she avoids eye contact as best she can manage, and her head hanging extra low.
The doctor stands. “Well, in that case, I suppose we can speak more later. Could you come by Mr. Temperance’s office after you’re done?”
“Umm... okay...” Maize starts to back away. “S-see you, I guess...”
Serenity smiles. “Yes, see you.” With that, she turns to leave.
Maize doesn’t even pretend to ‘check her plants’ as Serenity departs, instead opting to plop down into her bed and cover her face. Serenity can faintly hear the sound of sobbing for a moment before the sound can no longer penetrate the air between her and the mare.
Serenity quickens her pace, heading back to the office.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Serenity%20Avatar.png) (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
Temperance was sitting in his office. Or well, he was sleeping in his office, propped against his table and snoring almost inaudibly. It was late in the afternoon, and his sleep schedule had been off for the past few weeks as he worked as needed and when he could. He’d only
been there a few minutes too, but that’s all it took for him to slip off into dreamland.
Without bothering to knock first, Serenity opens the door and pokes her head inside. “Mr. Temperance?”
He starts in response and snaps up. “Huh? What?” He blinks a few times. “Oh, Dr. Serenity. How can I help you?”
Serenity enters the office, finding a chair and slumping into it with a sigh. “I just had a talk with Maize.”
He runs a hoof down his face and tries to jostle himself awake. “Oh, you did? You... don’t sound too enthusiastic.”
“She’s obviously suffered some type of severe trauma, something to do with her family. I wasn’t able to get much information out of her about it, though.”
Temperance is silent for a moment, but he’s clearly troubled. “I see... that’s not what I was hoping to hear...” Not that he really knew what he wanted to hear.
Serenity sits upright. ”...I’d like to start seeing her regularly, in your office if you don’t mind. Maybe if I get to know her, earn her trust, she’ll open up to me more...”
He nods. “That sounds like a good idea. If you had a specific time for regular appointments I can work around that.” He pauses and asks in a quiet tone, “You think you can help her though?”
She raises a hoof to her forehead. “I’ve seen a lot in my line of work. Mental disorder. Loss and grief.” Serenity stares at the floor, her voice hushed. “... domestic abuse...” She looks back to Temperance. “I don’t think it’s anything I can’t handle.”
“Good. That’s... that’s good,” he replies. “I didn’t realize it was anything that serious. She was quiet on the trip out here, but seemed alright otherwise. I certainly don’t want anypony around here to suffer through something like this though.” He glances down to his desk and back up. “I understand that you’ve probably got some privacy concerns here, but... would you mind keeping me updated on her? I’d like to know she’s alright.”
“Of course. As expedition leader, you have a right to know.” Serenity allows a small smile to cross her muzzle. “It’s good that you’re so concerned for the well-being of those under you.”
Hearing that makes him smile a bit himself. Maybe he was doing things right. “Thank you. I’m sure you’ll do a good job.”
Post by: Telgin on February 15, 2013, 02:56:15 am
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
Temperance's Journal - 7th Limestone, 269
Another one of those dust storms blew past this afternoon. Something is definitely strange about them. I've seen them off in the distance a few times, but this is the first time one has come this close to us. They look red. The soil around here isn't red though, so that's pretty mysterious. More mysterious is how it seems to just vanish a short way away from the camp site. I'm probably just worrying too much, but I get an odd feeling watching them. Almost as if something is telling me we shouldn't be here.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/22.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/21.png)
Now, why would you think that, Temperance?
Well, the storms haven't bothered anypony yet, since they haven't even hit the camp, so I won't worry too much. I'm more concerned about the badger pony that attacked us, and the consequences of it. We finally got his remains cleaned up and moved. They drug him off a ways off where nopony in the camp can really see him, but perhaps I should have asked to have it be a bit further off. The militia can still probably see him from where they train.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/23.png)
A new refuse pile and dump site are off out of the way. Maybe the corpse can motivate the troops a bit? At least I think I got all of the teeth out of the fields.
14th Limestone, 269
I've been checking in on poor Morning Dew every day since she was injured, and she's slowly recovering. Her spirits seem to be improving too, which is good. I think I've seen Serenity heading over here, so she's probably been talking with her. She was very shaken up for a while, and if I'd been attacked and stabbed twice I'd probably be shaken up too. Well, I am, really, but not like she is. Next time I see Maize, I'm going to send her Morning Dew's thanks along with mine. She is a very brave pony. In fact, one of the new rooms should be done tomorrow. It's hers, and I don't think anypony would object.
I wish Case Study had a proper place to treat Morning Dew, though. He's been doing a great job with what he has, but he said that without a properly sterilized facility, one of her hooves has become infected. He doesn't seem worried, so I'm not, but it could become serious. Morning Dew didn't seem too concerned, so he may not have told her yet.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/25.png)
She'll be alright. Probably.
Because of this, I've had the carpenters halt working on the dorms for now and instead focus on setting up a proper hospital. It's going to be small for a long time, but anything has to be better than having nothing but the dorms to work in. I know the other ponies will appreciate it too. I'm not sure that anypony had gotten a particularly good night's sleep since Morning Dew was moved there.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/24.png)
It's a start, even if it's a bit too late to really help Morning Dew.
That means more work for Holly clearing out room for the hospital, but I think she can appreciate the reason.
I'm more concerned about Wood Chips. I think I may have rubbed him the wrong way somehow recently. I mentioned that I was sure he and the others would get it put up quickly and in good shape, but he seemed a bit irritated. Maybe I'm working the carpenters too hard too?
22nd Limestone, 269
I'm not entirely sure what happened, but I saw Smooth Block standing off near the northern part of the camp watching Redhat dig a trench. When I asked about it, she told me that Praetorian ordered it for some reason, and that he'd be digging a defensive trench around the whole camp. It's a great idea, I admit, but that's her job, not his. When I asked about that, she just laughed and made some joke about insubordination.
Maybe I'll talk with Praetorian about it later. For now, a defensive trench sounds like a good idea, so I won't interrupt the process.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/25-b.png)
23rd Limestone, 269
Parasprites!
That's what I woke up to Holly shouting this morning. Sure enough, when I galloped outside, that's what I saw. There were so many of them, chasing the mare back from the forest...
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/26.png)
And of course, all of the food is outside, and if they get to it and eat it all... hoo boy, that would be a disaster.
They're halting construction of the hospital since they keep swarming the workers. We can't afford any hold ups, so I was glad to see Flamberge leading all of the soldiers in a sweep of the camp to clear or scare them all away. I... I'm pretty sure I saw Flamberge gutting the little things with his sword. How a pony can have such precision I have no idea.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/27.png)
Flamberge is in the process of perforating a lung and spilling that one's guts.
The soldiers were doing their best to drive away or kill the little things. Flamberge and Praetorian must have killed five apiece, and Redhat and Crosshair were chasing a few away from the food. It was no use though.
Flamberge killed 13, actually. Redhat got 7, Praetorian got 5, and Crosshair only got 1.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/28.png)
Well, this could be bad. I've seen ponies survive this without going insane. Let's hope she can!
The parasprites made off with several months of food, but Flamberge and the other soldiers managed to kill at least twenty of them. They're gone now. I was checking our stocks and I think we'll be alright. We're going to be cutting it close until the next harvest, but we should be fine.
Poor Cream Puff was absolutely losing it over the food being ruined though. I feel bad for her, but I didn't dare try to say anything to her while she's like this.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/29.png)
She's very quick to anger too. I hope she'll pull through.
5th Sandstone, 269
Morning Dew left the hospital today. She's still limping a bit from her wounds, as you'd expect, but she seems to be doing much better overall. She headed back out to the fields today too, although I could tell she was a bit anxious about it. I think I may move the training area out closer to the fields Maybe that will help give her some peace of mind. Me too, come to think of it.
Well, as a first project for her, now that she's back to work, was for her and Maize to set up another small farm plot for some flax. We need more thread and cloth for bags, since milling flour out of the wheat has already used up all of the bags we brought with us. We've got a bit of cloth left over we could make some bags out of, but I'm loathe to use it all up in case Case Study needs any more for wound dressing again.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/30.png)
I don't want to be swimming in flax, and this is temporary, so a small plot will do for now.
Speaking of Maize, I'm growing more concerned about her. Dr. Serenity spoke with her some and she thinks that the mare has some very deep issues. I don't really know what to do about it, but I feel bad for her. I really hope the psychiatrist can help her. I've given her free reign to use my office when I'm not here to counsel her whenever she needs it.
13th Sandstone, 269
Poor Cream Puff is still pretty upset about the parasprite thing. She came and complained to me about the fact that we're letting all of the food sit out in the open, and that if we were being more careful about that we wouldn't have had to worry about the parasprites taking the food. I guess she's right, and we'll probably start working on remedying that soon.
I wish she wouldn't yell at the animals though. What did the poor chickens do to her?
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/31.png)
She was doing rather more than just yelling at them, I'm afraid...
If she hasn't already, I really ought to ask Serenity to talk to Cream Puff. I'm no good at that sort of thing, apparently.
Anyway, Veneer told me this afternoon that they'd finished closing in two of the hospital rooms, so that's plenty better than what Case Study had before. I'm officially calling the hospital ready for use, even though it's a far cry from being done. We've just got too much work to do to keep on it right now.
I think I'll see about drawing up some plans for a real kitchen and dining room now. But we're still so far behind on housing...
1st Timber, 269
I'm glad to say Cream Puff has finally calmed down. I think she's been talking with Serenity, and whatever she said to her must be helping. Unfortunately I think I only made it worse when I tried talking to her.
Or, maybe she's happier because we've really started on a decent place to cook and eat. It's just a few walls so far, but we're going to have a nice little tavern before too much longer. My long term goals are to make it a nice place with some sleeping room for travelers and merchants, but for now it's going to be little more than a glorified kitchen with some dining tables tossed up to give ponies a decent place to eat.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/33.png)
Had to move the animals to set it up, but it'll be a right and proper place to dine soonish.
Which, oddly enough reminds me that we still have no well. I'm juggling so many things right now I can't decide what should be done next and what can wait. At least there is room for everypony to sleep inside, and we do have enough food and drink for now. So a well can wait I suppose.
While I was watching the carpenters put the walls up (Wood Chips seems to be less irritated lately, that's good), I noticed a group of strange ponies approaching from the south. More ponies from Coupledye...
An earth pony mare surgeon named Convalescence and her husband,
A pegasus stallion clothier named Patches,
A pegasus stallion carpenter named Flying Buttress and his wife,
A pegasus mare carpenter named Sand Paper (she prefers Sandy), and
A pegasus stallion plant processor named Chaff.
The doctor I'm sure will be worth her weight in gold sooner or later, but I'm mostly happy to have the carpenters to help us. The more of them there are, the faster we can get the remaining buildings put up. The clothier should be pretty useful too, since we don't have anypony to really make any new bags or clothing when ours wear out.
I spent an hour or so showing them around and introducing them to everypony. The carpenters I put to work straight away, since Veneer, Wood Chips and Lathe have been working around the clock.
And I just realized it's already autumn. Where has this year gone?
Post by: Khenal on February 15, 2013, 03:29:01 am
Limestone 7
I've seen those odd clouds around, but only at a distance when I take a nice flight to relax. Then, today, one almost blows over the settlement! Thankfully, it dissipated just outside. Still, I don't like the look of those things. The sooner I get a kitchen with a roof, the better.
The date is messy and scribbled over, but Limestone 23 can just barely be deciphered among the mess of swears directed at parasprites.
Limestone 24
Those motherbucking parasprites!! Every time I start to calm down, I catch a glimpse of one of those dead bastards and then I fly off the handle again! They ate my glorious meals! Those sammiches are for ponies, you shits!
Ok, calmed down a little again. When I saw what they were doing, I lost it. I kicked over the cooking stand and upended a few barrels before storming off towards a room. I kicked a chicken out of the way, then kicked the door down to boot before laying on the bed to seethe. I should probably go apologize to the chicken... but all I can think about is another swarm of those motherbuckers swooping down to eat all my delicious food again! I need to talk to Temperance and convince him to get the food inside somewhere!
Timber 1
So, I've been talking with Serenity. She says I have anger problems, which isn't too surprising. I'm usually a friendly mare, but when my buttons get pushed... anyway, she's rather soothing to talk to. I'm pretty sure she's been talking with Maize, too, but I didn't want to bug her about it. Well, not too much. I can understand that some things are private.
Oh, and there are some new faces around! Another doctor, a family of carpenters, a tailor, and somepony who was eying the quern and the fields. I didn't get to talk to them much, though, dinner was pretty busy and I didn't have a chance to.
Post by: TheBronzePickle on February 15, 2013, 10:44:20 am
~Maize's thoughts~ 7th Limestone, 269
H͕̳͖í̝̖̻̪͔͚̗s͖̺̜ ̭̦b͖̪̟͞re҉̮̮̭̩̰̝a̫̤͈̜̫̠t̷͙͚̞̯̰h̬̩̤͙̞ ̞s̺̻̪w̹͎͞e̙̘e͚̝͎p̴̩̟̫s̻͉̖̻ ̮̤̮̟͖t̜̯̦̪̮̫̰h̰̝̗͇͝ͅe̢͎̩̟͍͚͇͓ ͞l͢a̴͉͖̤͇̤nd̤̮̭
̠̟I̖̳̱ͅt̠̞̭̦͙̮͝ ̯̫̣͢c̻̩̦͈̯͖͟ͅo̱̺̪͕̼n͚̭̱͇̕s̷͔͕̺͎̼u̴̩̲̝͈͓̟̗m̵e͔͙̯̥s̰̟̮̱̫ ̞̳̭aĺ͔͖̞͇̮̹̖l̯̘ ̘̜̯̪̣̟ͅi̫̻͉̰̜͔n̼̬̭̖̪̺͘ ̷̞̮̞̭͉̘i͇t̕s̢ ̴̫̹̤͎̦͔p̟̠͕͚̖̠à̙t̳ͅh̖̟̜̯̰
͕̙͙̠A̵̤̜͕̘͖ͅn̢̹̪̻̰̪̝͎d ̰̪͙̼f̨̺̳̠̱̮r͔̩̝o̖͎m̷ ̨t̻h̡̙̪͎e̖͍ ͏͖̲̘a̹͓̻s̡̤̺̦̙̼̺̻h͏̣̤̥̝̜e̯̙̳s
Ar̮̤̗̫̠̙̳e̱͚̫̰͍̗ ̸͙͎̲b̖̭o͔̪͎̥̞͘r͙n̼̮̥̯͔ ͎͖̪̮h̰̘̝̺̱̪̖i̮̪̦̪s̸̹̠͉̳͓ ͔̜͎͚c͚̲͇̼̻͔͟h̳̱̣̬̝͟i̖͖̙̗l͈͉̫d̗͇re͔̥̲͎̙̞̹n͈̤
̥͈̩̳̤̳̯͠Her̭̝̘͍̬ͅe̼̱̞͎͍ to̰͉ sp̻̺̠͇r̤̲̞͈͖͖͜è͔͍̠a͈̟̹͟d͖̜ ̵͔͎̯̘̳̗ṱ͔͍h͖̮͙̻̱͚e҉͖̰͖̹͓ ̥̝̖̱͎̩̖w̠̫͉̗͖̪̻o͏͈͙̳ṛ̭d͙̰͓̝̥̀
̮̘̦ͅO̷f̠̦͈ ̲̞̹̬͕C̠̫͡h̬̥̹a̺̪o-
Owww, my heaaaad.....
14th Limestone
I went to see Morning Dew today. I brought the sunflower, too, she seemed to really like it. She seemed to be doing really good, but I had to tell Case Study about the little bit of brown growing on her hoof. He promised she'd be alright, and that he'd excise it immediately. That means 'cut off,' right?
Temperance also told me he'd be making the new bedroom mine. I told him he didn't have to, but he insisted, because I'm 'a hero'. I don't feel like a hero still, but I can't really say no, and it is a nice room...
23rd Limestone
Oh, how I hate parasprites. I used to have to stomp the little buggers when they came and tried to eat all my plants. These are a lot bigger than the ones back home, though, the soldiers were having to chop them up with swords.
They even stole poor Cream Puff's sandwiches! I tried to talk to her, but she was so angry and I had to go tend to the farm eventually. I hope she's okay.
5th Sandstone
Morning Dew came out to work today. I guess that means she's better, although it looks like she still can't walk perfectly. I managed to show her around the farm, at least. She gave me a hug, too, and thanked me for saving her. I... was caught by surprise and freaked out for a moment, but I was able to calm myself before anything bad happened. I even gave her a hug back! I wonder if that means I'm getting better.
13th Sandstone
Oh, Cream Puff... apparently she's been beating up on the chickens. The poor little thing got its leg broken. It reminded me a lot of when Fa-... my father had that dog...
I hope I don't have to remember it next time I talk to her...
1st Timber
Cream Puff is better now. It's nice to be able to talk to her without her yelling curses at the air. Plus, a couple more ponies showed up. It's starting to feel kind of cramped, even in my beloved field.
Post by: Pokon on February 15, 2013, 05:46:21 pm
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Wood%20Chips%20Avatar.png)
Entry 7:
There is a red cloud.
I know what that means. I just hope no one else does. I want this place to last. Discord-ponies are feral beasts.
Oh gods.
I need to talk to Temperance. He might not know.
"The next entry looks hastly-written and filled with scratched-out sentences and pictures"
Entry 8:
Well, where to start?
Heard that the pony who got mauled by a badgerpony has a infected hoof. Never thought I would have to build a coffin this early.
Heard Maize talking to herself. Going to talk to Case Study about it eventualy.
Temperance has been looking at me oddly. I hope he's not upset at me.
Parasprites. A lot of them.
Flamberge went crazy on them. Lots of dead 'sprites.
It's always the quieter ones. Cream Puff went nuts on a chicken.
Two new carpenters. Two pegusi. Nice folk. Going to suggest that they try and stay off the surface if they see the red clouds.
Need to start a party. This place needs a party. They make everything better.
Post by: Khenal on February 15, 2013, 09:12:01 pm
Cream Puff flies low and slow around Duskfields, looking for her friend. After her talk with Flamberge, she simply had to get the news from Crosshair, too! She didn’t have to worry about missing dinner, either. She had set a few cast-iron pots into the ashes for a nice casserole. If she did it right, the fire should be fully out by the time it’s done, and ponies can serve themselves if she’s a bit late. But all that is in the background of her mind. Right now, she needs to find Crosshair!
Crosshair wasn’t entirely too hard to find, she have spent the majority of the day in the training yard shooting targets but since the afternoon, she have been taking her rest on a low cloud that she pulled close to the ground. Not so far away from the farms where farmers work, another good excuse for her to keep watch and rest at the same time.
Puff picks up speed as she spots her friend, and zooms in to give her a tackle hug that rocks the cloud. “Crosshair!”
“Gah!” exclaimed the startled mare who was very much buried into the fluffy cloud by her friend. her legs waving all around for a bit before her face resurfaces from the clouds, she blinked a couple of times before beaming brightly. “Cream!” she said and returns the hug, giving her a greeting nuzzle.
Puff nuzzles her in return before finally letting her regain her hooves on the cloud. “Having a good day?” she asks, almost prancing as she looks like she already knows the answer.
“Just keep getting better!” Beamed Crosshair as she got back to her hooves only to sit back down with her legs tucked to herself. Her wings ruffled slightly to her sides. “And you?”
“Doing well, too!” she replies with a big smile, hardly able to contain herself. “Anything good in specific?” she asks, being about as subtle as she is able, so not very.
“Well, You visit and we gets to talk, That’s something great!” Crosshair giggled, being teasingly evasive.
Puff starts poking her with a hoof. “Come ooooonnn, don’t tease me like this! I know there’s more than just me! Spill it!”
Crosshair Rolled her eyes slightly to the side and giggled as she’s poked. Saying innocently “Oh what ever would that be?”
“Maybe a certain tall, dark stallion said something?” she says, still poking Crosshair.
“Oh alright, you got me.” She giggled some more. “So! How much do you know already?”
Puff points her hoof at Crosshair’s face as she smiles in victory. “Just that he confessed his love and you didn’t turn him down! Have you two kissed yet?”
That made the other mare blush. “W-what? Of course not yet! And, well, yeah, no. Not yet.” She said, laughing her awkwardness away. “It’s still kind of too soon, you know?”
“Aw, you mean he didn’t just sweep you off your hooves, kiss you, and confess his eternal love? How did he, then?” Puff seems to be hanging on her friend’s every word, wanting to know every detail, and maybe living a little vicariously through her.
“Well, It’s not /that/ pretty, really. It was after we killed that Badger pony and he had a break down about his problem that I can’t tell you what it is, I think I help made him feel better and he just confessed that it’s because he loves me. I’m not going to lie, I was stunned harder and longer than crashing into a tree.” Crosshair said, giggling.
Puff assumes Flamberge’ ‘problem’ is something simple like shakes or maybe throwing up after a fight. She can see him having those and wanting to hide them. “Did you confess right back?”
“Well.. um, not really.. I mean, He’s a great stallion! But that’s just it, he’s my Commander.. I don’t really.. you know, I wasn’t sure if it’s the best for him to fall for me.. I mean, There must be better mares out there for him, right?”
Puff pokes her in the nose. “You gotta stop thinking like that, mare! He’s already fallen head over hooves! Even if you don’t tell him, I’d be willing to bet he’d just quietly pine and suffer alone. You can’t just try to force him away!”
“I’m not! honest! I mean, he’s my commander! I can’t say no to him, right?”
“Pfft.” dismisses Puff, waving her hoof like trying to dissipate some unpleasant odor. “Sure you can, if you really don’t love him. He can’t order you to love him, after all. But it seems to me that you do.”
“Well.. He’s a great Stallion, He knows what he’s doing and is really strong and have an amazing beard!”
“So what’s the problem?” she asks with a cheeky grin as she waggles her eyebrows.
“I just don’t really believe that I’m good enough for him, you know?” Crosshair sighed softly
Puff throws her hooves up in frustration. “I’m not asking if you’re ‘good enough’...” she says, even going so far as to use her wings for the air quotes. “...I’m asking if you love him!”
Crosshair blinked. “Well... I think so? I mean, yeah! I can’t think of any reason why I wouldn’t be.”
Puff smiles in satisfaction and sits back down. “Then tell him!”
Crosshair rubs the back of her neck softly with her wings “Well.. I don’t know..” She said nervously, clearly quite shy about this subject.
Puff rolls her eyes, but finally eases back on the throttle. Apparently mares can be pretty dense about this stuff, too. “Well, I guess you don’t have to tell him right now. Still, you really should tell him sooner rather than later.”
“Yeah.. you’re right Puff, I should. Maybe at that party that we’ve been invited to? what do you think?”
“That’s a great idea!” she replies, nodding. She’d prefer sooner, but then again, she’s not the one in love. Crosshair is.
“Anyway though! How have you been? I’m sorry I haven’t been able to visit you so much to talk and all lately. But I did see that you get to talk to a lot of ponies!”
“Oh yeah, I know just about everypony now. Probably because they can’t run from me and eat at the same time.” she says with a laugh. “I’ve missed talking with you, though. Flamberge keeps you pretty busy.”
“That he does.” Crosshair giggled. “You know, I really should visit you more often. I do miss your sammich and cookings, They’re all very delicious, especially when it’s newly prepared!”
Puff nods and gives her a playful wink. “Yes you should. And I should come track you down more often, too! It feels like we have so much to catch up on!”
Crosshair beamed brightly and give Cream Puff another hug. “Yep! It’ll be great to just relax and talk to you again, There’s just soo many things to talk about!
She nods happily and hugs Crosshair in return. “How about we take a fly and catch up then?”
With that, the two set for the sky, chattering happily as they talk about nothing in particular.
Post by: Kryptid on February 16, 2013, 12:36:18 am
This was going to be an interesting opportunity to study something novel. Well, novel from the good doctor's point of view. The small brown bag being carried in his mouth was relatively slack and nearly empty. Case Study cleared away what space he could from the table in his crudely-constructed office and placed the sac down on top of it. Grabbing it by the bottom with his teeth, he emptied its contents into the view of daylight. It was a mashed pile of different colors, part squishy and part crunchy. The stallion had only ever heard of parasprites before the recent infestation, and now he would finally get a chance to observe them up close. Well, their pummeled remains, anyway.
In minutes past, Case had collected several of the tiny corpses from the fields. They weren't much to look at. Choosing a good starting place from the mess of compound eyes, translucent wings and gooey hemolymph wasn't going to be easy. He would have preferred whole specimens with the internal organs still intact. However, swords and pony hooves tended to be unkind to preserving such details. With tools, paper and quill in hoof, he got to work.
He was particularly interested in two aspects of parasprite anatomy; feeding and reproduction. Their ability to consume food items larger than themselves without increasing in size to match was of note. Reproduction was equally intriguing, as they seemed to convert edible items rapidly into offspring of equal size to themselves. Case Study was certain that magic had to be involved somewhere in both processes. The earth pony had found little reference to studies involving parasprites in the literature. Perhaps most equines had been satisfied with regarding them as pests and squishing them instead of taking a closer look?
Too bad Case had never looked too deeply into entomology, as he was having great trouble understanding anything he was looking at within the slimy viscera he was picking through. Most of the the internal bits were too damaged to make much sense of, but a few pieces survived. He drew what pictures he could of these enduring items, noting their location and to what other organs they were linked. The lack of a decent magnifying glass was frustrating him further, making his drawings rather generic and low in resolution.
His working theory, mostly just speculation at this point, was that parasprites have some kind of tissue or organs connected to their stomach that processes the majority of the food they consume into pure magic. As magic is intangible and weightless, that would explain how the small, round creatures can eat something as large as a pie or melon in one bite. That magic would then be used to hyper-accelerate the growth of eggs within the animal's body, allowing them to grow to full size in seconds or minutes. If his suspicions were true, then parasprites could represent a valuable source of knowledge regarding the anatomical relationship between organic matter and enchantments. Perhaps in the distant future, that knowledge could be used to help unfortunate unicorns which have lost their horns regrow them. It might also be used in a more general sense to quickly regrow lost limbs or tissues in the body of other injured ponies.
It was a nice dream, but probably not something to be realized within his lifetime. This was doubly true if he was stuck with specimens and equipment of such poor quality. His lack of being a unicorn or some other magical equine was likely going to hinder his progress it further still. After attempting to tease more information from the remains for another hour, Case finally gave up and discarded the crushed bodies in a waste bin before cleaning off the table. Ideally, he would like to see the internal anatomy of a still-living sprite in action. As he finished tidying up, the stallion knew that wasn't likely to happen and headed off towards the make-shift kitchen. At least he wouldn't offend Cream Puff by being late for dinner again.
Post by: Khenal on February 16, 2013, 04:37:39 pm
Maize is practically invisible amongst the tall plants of the farm, especially with her head at the ground pulling up weeds.
Puff slowly glides down from the clouds, making lazy circles as she homes in on the fields and her friend. She had hated avoiding Maize for the last few days, but she just couldn’t let the timid mare see her hopping mad. But she was finally starting to feel calmer... or at least less angry.
Maize looks up at the pegasus coming down and waves as best she can before popping her head back down to rip polk salad out of the dirt.
Puff waves back at Maize, though her smile is a bit forced. She soon touches down next to her, feeling a bit awkward. “Heya Maize.”
“Hi, Puff.” Maize gives her a more genuine smile, a few bits of various weeds still draped over her lower teeth and lips.
“So, uh... how’re you doing?”
“I’m alright.” Maize chews on one of the stray leaves in her mouth. “I hear you’ve been kind of angry, though.”
Puff lowers her eyes and sighs. “Yeah...”
“Hey, don’t sweat it. The parasprites stole our food. I’d be pissed, too, if they came and ate my crops.” Maize drops her head. “I don’t know about beating up on a poor chicken, though...”
Puff winces at that and looks away. “Yeah... Serenity says I have anger problems...”
“Well... if you ever need a punching bag...” Maize offers a smile as she tries to reassure her friend.
Puff gives her a pained look. “Please don’t say that... even as a joke. I don’t want to hurt you or the chickens. I just... I go get the eggs, and... and their eyes, they remind me of... them.” Puff shudders as she tries to stomp down the anger rising again.
Maize’s gaze falls. “I’m sorry. I... don’t really know how to make a good joke.” Her hoof scratches at the ground. “I wish I could make you feel better...”
Puff gives Maize a quick hug. “Just knowing you care helps, Hun. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” The irony of telling Maize to go easy on herself is completely lost on Puff.
“Yeah... I guess...” Maize hugs her back. “Maybe you should be a little less hard on yourself, too. It’s not your fault that the parasprites came, and it’s not anypony... well, anybody, else’s for that matter.”
“Maybe... but it is my fault for acting like I have been.” A few tears threaten to fall from her eyes as she talks.
“Maybe I can help a little. With plants.” Maize opens up a pouch, revealing some old, dried out leaves. “This is coca. It’s not really anything special, it makes your mouth numb when you chew it, and it helps keep your mind off things. I grew a small farm of it for some guy once in exchange for a place to sleep, he let me take a whole bush’s harvest in exchange.” She takes a bit out and offers it to Puff.
Puff eyes a leaf, then accepts it, popping it in her mouth to chew. Her eyes quickly widen and she spits it out. “Blech! That tastes nothing like chocolate!” She starts to try to wipe the bitter taste from her tongue, then realizes she almost literally spit Maize’s gift back in her face. “Um... Sorry, Maize...”
“It’s coca, not cocoa, and it’s okay.” Maize giggles. “You have to get used to the taste. It’s worth it once you do, though, especially with a toothache.”
Puff can’t help but smile when Maize giggles. “I bet Case Study would like to get his hooves on something like that then. I think I’ll try to tough it out without, though. That might have been the worst thing I have ever done to my tongue.” She gives Maize a quick nuzzle. “Thanks for the offer, though.”
Maize nods. “Sorry I still couldn’t help you feel better... I might try growing some coca here if other ponies are interested, though.”
“Well, I am starting to feel a bit better for simply talking with you.”
Maize grins. “That’s good. Anyway, our next harvest should be ready soon. Hopefully we can do something good with all the sunflower seeds.”
Puff nods, glad to have the conversation on a more happy track. “I’m thinking of doing a nice vegetable tempura once we get some oil, though we’ll probably want to set at least a bit aside to make some soap.”
“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen soap.”
Cream Puff quirks an eye at Maize, and can’t resist giving her friend a sniff. “Well, you don’t smell like you’ve never seen it.”
“There are other ways. If all else fails, a nice stream works, and some plants can be used, too.” Maize grins. “Quite a few herbs leave a nice aroma.”
Puff nods, knowing how much she enjoys herbs like thyme and rosemary. “Still, it’ll be nice to get a real clean. I hope there’ll be enough to have a supply for the hospital and for everypony to have a good bath. I bet you’ll love it!”
“I suppose you could put the herbs in the soap... give it a nice smell and all.” Maize thinks. “Hmm... citrus? Mint... maybe some parsley?”
“ooooohhh...” Puff gets a whimsical look on her face as she imagines all the different scents that could be infused into soap. “Citrus and some kind of flower would smell wonderful in soap.”
“Rose would be good. Imagine smelling like roses...” Maize grins goofily as she closes her eyes and imagines the scent.
“Mmm...” Puff smiles as she imagines it. “We definitely need to get some soap going.”
Maize nods and spots another weed, reaching down and quickly ripping it from the dirt. “Maybe some weed poison, too...”
Puff nods, then shrugs. “Yeah, but I have no idea where we’d get something like that.”
“There’s always cat pee. If you’re really desperate.” Maize looks around. “Guess what animal we don’t have?”
Cream Puff gives her a cheeky look. “Cows.”
“Exactly.” Maize smirks right back. “Cows would be nice, though, at least for fertilizer. Maybe a caravan will have some.”
“Hopefully. It’d also be nice to get some cow’s milk. The sheep try, but I don’t think I can make cream from what they give. Should be some nice cheese, though.”
“Ever had water buffalo cheese? That’s really good.” Maize licks her lips. “It’s soft and smooth and it’s got a very gentle flavor...”
“I don’t think I have, actually.” Puff glances around, then lowers her voice. “Is our water buffalo a mare? He, or she, is a bit too hairy for me to tell, and I didn’t just want to straight out ask. It’d be a bit rude.”
Maize thinks. “...Have you tried looking between the legs? If there’s one dangly thing, it’s a stallion. If there’s udders or anything like that, it’s a mare.”
“I tried sneaking a peek, but I couldn’t tell through all the hair...”
“Well... you could always give it a closer look...”
Puff actually blushes slightly. “I think asking would be less embarrassing, for both of us.”
“Nah, just... make out like you thought it was a mare and you wanted to milk it, and hope it is...” Maize sighs. “Would still be kind of embarrassing if it wasn’t, though...”
“Heh, can you imagine the jokes if I try to milk it and find out it’s a stallion?” Puff giggles as she pictures the hilarity.
“You know, you could still milk it... it just wouldn’t be the right kind of milk.”
Puff scrunches up her face in exaggerated disgust, then dissolves into laughter.
Maize busts into laughter as well. “I wonder... what kind of cheese... that would be!”
Cream Puff gasps for air as she keeps laughing, glad for something light-hearted to lift her spirits.
Maize lies down as she tries to catch her breath. “Oh... goodness... I haven’t... laughed this... hard... in a while...”
Puff nods as she keeps giggling. “Me... me neither... Whew! Ah... thanks Maize. I needed that.” She stands back up and offers Maize a hoof as well, still chuckling.
Maize goes one further and moves to embrace Puff. “No problem. What are friends for?”
She happily hugs Maize in return, fighting back tears of happiness now. What are friends for, indeed.
Post by: Dsarker on February 16, 2013, 09:40:27 pm
Maize seems out-of-place as she wanders through the training area for the militia, searching for Praetorian.
Praetorian is busy moving through the drills with Redhat. Spear rattles against shield, but when he spots Maize approaching, he raises his shield and knocks the spear down into the ground. “Redhat. Go and get something to eat and drink. We will resume training soon.” Without waiting for a response, he moves over to Maize.
“Miss Maize, it’s good to see you again. Did you need something?” he asks.
“I’m sorry to bother your training,” Maize responds as she looks down and gently shies at the ground, “but I found this...” She holds up a small note. “I know it’s addressed to me, but I can’t read half the words on it.”
Praetorian gently lifts her head with a forehoof. “It’s okay. You aren’t a bother, Miss Maize,” he says. “Now let’s take a look at this note together, hmmm?”
Maize’s lips curl into a very small smile as she nods. “Alright.” She opens up the note and shows it to Praetorian, looking at it as well. “Miss Maize, you are cor... cord...”
“Remember. Separate the sounds. Cor is the first, so what’s the second?” Praetorian says.
“Di? Al... ly. Cor-di-al-ly.” Maize raises an eyebrow. “What’s ‘cordially’?”
“It’s the fancy word for ‘nicely’, or ‘politely’,” says Praetorian. “Good job. So what’s the next word?”
“In-vit-ed. Invited. To a party.” Maize’s eyes widen. “A party? Here?”
“That’s what it seems to be,” says Praetorian. “Is there anything more?”
“Seems to be directions to the party.” Maize shrugs. “I don’t think we’ll need them, unless they’re holding it in the woods for some reason.”
“Does it say who will be hosting the party?” Praetorian asks.
“Wood... Chips...” Maize looks around the small village. “That’s one of the carpenters, isn’t it?”
“Sounds like it,” Praetorian agrees.
Maize sighs. “I... don’t know. Why would somepony I hardly know invite me to a party?” She looks around again, more shiftily. “Am I the only pony who got an invitation? Is he... planning something?”
“I don’t know. If you want, I could find out for you, or come along with you, if you’d prefer,” says the soldier, “but I think if he tried to do anything to you, there’d be a lot of ponies very angry with him, and I among them.”
“Y-yeah, you’re right.” Maize seems to perk up a little. “I shouldn’t be so distrustful, anyway... it’s just, this isn’t the first time I got an invitation like this.” She shudders for a brief moment.
“Hey...” Praetorian puts a hoof on her withers. “Hey. What’s wrong?”
“Some... noble invited me to dinner, once, while I was on the street.” Maize shakes her head. “I should have known something was up. After all, I was a hobo. What would a noble want with me?” She sighs. “Thank Amug I don’t drink alcohol, turns out he put opium in the wine. He... wanted to violate me. I managed to get out before his servants could get me... I left that town fast.”
Praetorian clasps the mare in a hug. “You don’t need to worry about that anymore. I...I mean, we won’t let that happen to you. Ever.”
Maize nods and presses her head into Praetorian’s neck. “I know... thank you. For teaching me how to read, for protecting us...” She grins. “Being my friend...”
“I don’t have too many friends that I would miss the opportunity to be your friend, Maize. You are an amazing pony. I hope you know that,” says Praetorian.
“So are you.” Maize pulls back, but not before giving Praetorian a peck on the cheek. “I hope you know that.”
Praetorian freezes for a second at the kiss, but recovers as quickly as he can. “Well, I can’t argue with you there,” he says, with a little grin starting to form.
Maize smiles back. “I think you should check around for an invitation of your own. I doubt Wood Chips wouldn’t want to invite you, too.”
“I’ll give it a look,” says the stallion. “Sure wouldn’t want to miss it.” Not for the world, he thinks to himself.
Post by: Dsarker on February 16, 2013, 09:46:52 pm
Post by: KingStrongbeard on February 17, 2013, 04:17:00 pm
Commander Flamberge Field Journal 7th Limestone, 269
We've had a couple of sightings of strange red dust storms, they give me a bad feelig. Whatever they are, they aren't normal weather. I considered instituting a Weather Patrol draft and having the pegasi help me blow them away, but not knowing what they are, and that they have not come towards the town yet, I have not yet done so. I'll keep my eyes open for any heading towards the town though.
Commander Flamberge Field Journal 22nd Limestone, 269
Praetorian ordered Redhat to dig the defensive trench in place of Smoothblock. I asked him about it, and he said it was a disciplinary action, for insubordination. A bit surprised to hear that, I probed deeper, but after getting the full story I believe Praetorain did well and I certainly agreed with the punishment.
Addendum: Looking over Redhat's work,((and Telgin's pic of it mostly)) I'm not really happy with it. It's a trench, sure, but the sides are too smooth. This won't do to keep anything out. Still, it isn't his job it was his punishment, and he did the majority of the work, I'll see if I can get Smoothblock to finish the job and get us a more sharp wall, ((Remove those ramps!)) at least on the inside of the trench, that should keep the animals out, though we'll need the carpenters to put together an improvised bridge for us, preferably something we can collapse quickly if needed. I'll talk to Temprence and the others.
Commander Flamberge Field Journal 22nd Limestone, 269
Parasprites attacked the town today. I gathered the militia and we tried to defend the food stores. Ponies tend to underestimate these little blighters, I assume because the small body and big eyes they find them rather cute. But those things are not cute. I've seen a swarm of them tear a full grown war trained dog to pieces in minutes. They rarely attack living things, but when they do, they are like flying, colorful, land piranha.
I killed a lot of them, the strange thing is, I can actually remember doing it. It is fuzzy, but I kept control, mostly. I know Crosshair was there by me, through the whole thing, I think she might have been worried I'd go berserk. Her being there did help I think. She only shot one of them, though that is likely because she was trying to keep an eye on me. Redhat made some jokes about her not wanting to get "bug-guts" on her. I told him to stuff it.
((Yeah, I put words in Redhat's mouth, Jaxler. You got a problem with that? You wanna fight about it? Do you punk?
....Seriously, though if you do have a problem with it, I'll edit it out, but it seemed in character to me. I'd have asked you first, but you weren't online at the time and I wanted to get this up.))
Commander Flamberge Field Journal 2nd Sandstone, 269.
It's been a awhile since Cream Puff's last tantrum over the lost prepared food, she has calmed down a lot since then. Today though, I noticed she didn't show up at the kitchen at all. I am going to go look for her now. I hope she is not feeling ill.
[Space reserved for a possible edit following the scene with Cream Puff.]
Post by: vkiNm on February 17, 2013, 04:44:58 pm
Crosshair's Diary: 7th Limestone, 269
*this entire page have been scribbled with nonsensical doodling*
Ȟͨ̃ͯͦ̋îs̯̋ ̭̙̞̔̿ͨ̑̒͘bͥ͜ͅṛ̺͍̼̬̙e̛̖̭̞͕͉̼̹ȃ͍̣̤̝͔͗̾̚t͇̜̮͓̥̣̓́͊̀h̺̫̟̗̙̭ ̗͚̜͓̈́c͓̟͎͋̿̎ͫ͘ȯ̳̥͓̟͘n͏̭̤͚̹ͅs͌ͬ̓͆űͤ̄̍̿͛҉̻̪͇̪̺̘͓ṁ͙̜̒͢e̵͓̱̦s̯̬͖͉̜̻̃ ͍̲͑ͪ̈́̍̽́a̶̞̿͗͒͊̑̑l̞̥̖̥̟̉̐͟l̻̗̠̣͚̽ͤ̚,̰̣̺̓̏͒ͅ ͈̺͖͖̟̌͂ͬ͜ṱ͎̳͈̥͍̤̏̕h͔͓͎ͫͧ̓̈́̕e̛ͥ ͇̲̣͎͎͌̇m͊̈́͋̈́ͣ̀ā̬̘̖̒͛̎ḓͤ̊͒̂͟d̗͉̘̦̩̀̈̈̒i͓̞̺͋ṉ̨̈ͯ̇̉g͎͇̤̞̠̥̓͝ ̖̣̪̜̥̦̝͐̃ͨ̄̍̎ͯr̮̤͉͂̀ͮͯ̑̂̃e̿̈́͗̐d̋̽̓̽͗̈́ͫ҉̣̙̹ ͇̞̭͕̬͙̲̈p̡͉͈̹̜̑̇̑͋̿ͧͅaī̓n̦͚ͩ̆,̪̯̱̩̀̈́̓ͤ͌ͬ̄ ̡̫̟̱̻̍͆̽̃hͫǐ́̾̾҉̰̗͎̞͔s̖̺̬͕͑̋̋̽ͤͩ̿ ̫̫̰̿ͧͣ̃̎͒̍͞c͖͓̬̩ͭͭ͑h̖̹̙͉͕́ͫͮi̠̔̈ͣ̎̋ͫl͎̤̫͕ͅd̯̘̹̩̻̃ͫ̾̅ͧ͋ͧȓ͖ͧ̂͆͐ḛ̹̰͕̭̽̃͊ͬ̈́̔͗ñ̝͓͉͓̮ͮ̾͗ͩ͊̕ ̢̞̙̯́ͅͅw̶̩̍ì̾l͍̊͂̏ͪ̚͞l̡̯͉̂ ̗͔͘â͚̻̠̤̓̾̾̾̀r̦͔̝̋̆͑͆ͧͮ́i̫̋̇̿̅̑́̚ş͇ͮ̍e̩̓ͪ̔͒ ̱̖͕f̈́̓ͬ̂̿r̹̹̘̦̰̃ͫo̬̘͎͞ͅm͎̱̗̊͐̎ ̡̻̣̤͈ͩ̐̌ͣͬt̩͇h͔̣̳̭͕ͬ͐̒̿̌ͣe̎ͥ͒̍ͬ̑̚҉̹̖̩̳̗͔ ̞͗ͭ̂̐̆ͪͨv̧̻̠͓̲͉̱ͮ̿͗ͮͦͧȯ̤̪̪̳̘̱ͮͤ͘i̛ͅd̰̠̭̤̳̖͌ͤ̔̽̀ͅ ͔̫̟̺͕̼̾̓to̺̤̒͂̓͘ ̹̑͂s̻̫̬̮̲̪̿ͭ̌̒̑́͂p̟͖̥r̴̥͕̲̯̮ͣ͑͂̽̆͗ͅea͊̈́ͪ̿҉̙d͇͓͛̒ ̛͔̩̭̜͍̹̖̐̓ͨ̽̊̓̚h̹͈̟͓͋͑ͦͨ͐͘i̥͛͒̊ͦ̋ͦ͌s͇͚̥͓͎̘̪͑̋͋̏̿ ̶̔͑͌͆̋w̬̳̗͕̺͉ͧ̐͐̍̀o͏͇r͕͕͓̗̰̭ͫ͐̀d̗̜̰̻͓̣̫ ͣͬ́̒̓o͆͊́ͦͩ͝f̲̝̞̗̫ͤ͟ ͎͎̪͛̌͒ͦͬ̈́h͔̰͍̟͈̓̍ͯ͑i͚ͮ͊̾s̝͍͕̪̝̋̐͡ ̴̺̞̩͖͓̬̟̈̇̾ͬ͒g̶͋ͭl̺͔̳̆ͧ͊̋͞õ̜̟̺͙ͤ̆ṛ̣͍͌̚͢i̶͔̥͕̗ͅo̍͑̾ȗ̱̕s̮̦̖͇̤̜ ̆ͯͦͮͯ͆̈́͏̲c͑͆͗͊ͯo̶̤͉̫̺̗̤̹ǹ̯̫̗̻̩͉̭̾ͣ͐ͣ͢s̎ͪ̊̀ͭ̅ŭ̺͕̗͕̞̘̲m̌̉̈̂ͮ̚i͔̮̮ͬ́̈͌̀n̮͖͎͙̮̘͈̉̉ͭ̕ğ̗͍̰̖̩͍͋͆ ̺c̟̦̗̜͚͙͛ͮͥͨ̑͟h̸͇ͣͧ̍ͯ̈ͣã̪͙̻̼̝̮͓̎̐ȯ̹̪̠͔̠͎ͯ̓̊̌ͭ͞ŝ͈̫̰̤̤̜ͦ́ ͉̪̒̈́ͬ͒̓ǎ̐͋n͎̼̞̺ͮ́ͭ͜ď̤͚̟͍̰͕͓̍̃̂̉͞ ̳̖̙̹͕̯̳̉ͩ̾͒̄b̢̹̬͚̆l͉̣̘̳̅͌̏o̳̤͉̻̘ͫ͊͗͆ͫo̝̮̖̝̗̱̥d̫͔̳͔ͅ.̡͉̰͎͂
Crosshair's Diary: 8th Limestone, 269
Yesterday was very weird, I can't remember writing and drawing all these.. stuff.. on the diary. I think I might need to go talk to somepony about this..
Crosshair's Diary: 12the Limestone, 269
I feel like I haven't been talking to everypony so much lately, been so busy training myself. I should go find somepony to talk to, Maybe Creampuff would enjoy it.
Crosshair's Diary: 22nd Limestone, 269
Apparently Somepony ordered Redhat to dig a trench around the fort. It's weird, I don't think it'll stop any flying things from flying over the trenches, but I guess it'll be better than nohing. This reminds me, I should get to know the other militia ponies aswell sometimes.
Crosshair's Diary: 23rd Limestone, 269
Parasprites raided out town yesterday! Ate months worth of food and made off with even more! I feel sorry for Creampuff that her sammich are stolen.. I need to go talk to her soon. Also, I've been keeping eyes on the Commander when we fought those things, Only had time to shoot one of those little bugger, Was a pretty good shot too! Those little things are hard to hit.
Crosshair's Diary: 13th Sandstone, 269
Creampuff haven't calmed down since that Parasprite attack, Today I saw her kicked a chicken and toss it out of the way with her wings! I really want to help but I don't think I can do much.. Perhaps I should wait a little longer..
Crosshair's Diary: 1st Timber, 269
Well, looks like I don't have to calm my friend up afterall, apparently she went to talk with Serenity about stuff and that calmed her down, Mare's good. I think I need to visit her sometimes, talk about that weird page of stuff I wrote a while back.. And now I can talk to Creampuff again! We're going to have /so/ much to catch up on.
Post by: KingStrongbeard on February 17, 2013, 11:30:53 pm
Flamberge had not seen Cream Puff all day, it was very unusual for her not to be in her kitchen. The ponies of Duskfield had to eat leftover bread and raw veggies for dinner. Not that it bothered them much, being ponies.
Flamberge approached the private room of Cream Puff, and stops to listen at the door before knocking.
Quiet sniffles can be heard from the room beyond.
Flamberge knocks on the door gently, “Cream Puff?” he says.
A squeak of the bed and a muffled moan are his only answer.
“Cream Puff? It is Flamberge, may I come in?” he asked, growing increasingly worried about the mare.
“Go away...” comes Cream Puff’s voice, sounding absolutely miserable.
Cream Puff was clearly unwell, and this sat poorly with Flamberge, he was however, never very good at dealing with other ponies, he considers how to respond and the reasons for which she could be unwell, after a moment he says, "Cream Puff, what is wrong? Are you ill? Do you want me to fetch a doctor?"
“No... I’m fine...” she lies.
Even Flamberge can see through such a transparent lie, "Cream Puff, you don't sound fine. What is the matter? I'm your friend Puff, you can talk to me about it, whatever it is."
He can hear sniffles through the door. It sounds like Puff is trying to hold back bawling like a little filly.
"Puff. It is my job to keep all the ponies in town safe, and that includes from themselves. I am concerned for you and want to help, but if you can't talk to me, is there anypony else you want to talk to? Dr. Serenity? Crosshair? Temperance? I will drag them down here by the scruffs of their necks if it will help," says Flamberge, beginning to suspect that she won't open up for him.
“I don’t want to be a trouble!” she wails, losing it and obviously crying into something now.
Flamberge looks over the door to judge its strength and momentarily considers bucking it off it's hinges, but decides to restrain himself and says, "Cream Puff, please, I'm your friend, and I just want to help however I can, it is no trouble. If you just...unlock the door, we can just talk for a while. About whatever you want. Just please open the door."
She just babbles through her tear unintelligibly. Something about chickens?
Flamberge tries the door and finds, to his surprise and relief that it was unlocked, “Good thing I didn’t buck it,” he thinks, as he opens it and sees Cream Puff looking a mess on her bed. Her swollen eyes widen as he enters, and she turns to try to hide herself from him. All she really manages to do is let him see just how messy her mane has become, almost like she didn’t even get out of bed today.
Flamberge closes the door behind him, the small room illuminated by a pair of candles on a nightstand by the bed. Flamberge sits on the floor a few feet from the bed, he considers what to say.
Puff curls up and scoots away from Flamberge, still crying her eyes out.
Flamberge, reaches out a hoof and touches Cream Puff on the shoulder. "It's okay Puff. Whatever it is that happened, it will all be okay."
She whirls on him and wraps him in a tight hug as he pours her tears into his mane.
Flamberge returns her hug, holds her tight, and just lets her cry until she is ready to speak.
She holds him and bawls for quite some time, occasionally babbling nonsense as she tries to explain what’s wrong. She eventually cries herself out, but not after leaving Flamberge’s shoulder a soaking mess. She sniffles and finally lets him go, though she still looks rather fragile.
"There," says Flamberge, "Do you feel any better now?"
“Only a little...” she says, sniffling.
“Do...do you want to talk about what was wrong?” asks Flamberge cautiously.
She shakes her head. “No... but I think I need to...”
Flamberge nods, “Take your time, I can stay all night if need be.” He forces a smile.
“That’d... that’d be nice, ‘Berge. If you’re not busy, I mean. I just...” she chokes up again, but manages to not dissolve into tears again.
Flamberge puts a forehoof around Cream Puff again. "Just take your time."
She holds his hoof and gives it a gentle nuzzle, nodding. After a few more sniffles, she starts talking. About everything. About the parasprites, her rage, claiming a room and being too frightening to be kicked out of it, and too much trouble for Temperance and the paperwork of her just giving it up, the poor chickens, everything. She holds nothing back, and paints herself in a rather dim light, finishing with her simply not having the motivation to even get out of bed today and causing even more trouble for everypony by not getting them a fresh meal, and...
Flamberge nods and listens intently as she spills out all of her problems, when she finishes he says, "Cream Puff, you are a wonderful mare, and you have nothing to beat yourself up over. You were angry, you lost your temper, the chicken was not seriously hurt, they will forgive you. It happens. I’ve...well... and nopony blames you for taking a day off, you haven't taken one in the months we've been here. You deserve some time to yourself."
“But...” she protests weakly, still looking like she might burst into tears at any moment.
"No buts." says Flamberge forcefully, "You are taking tomorrow off work, there is enough bread and raw vegetables to go around. You are taking the day off, but you aren't going to spend it in here. Crosshair and I were going to go fly down the river tomorrow, you are coming with us."
Puff’s lip quivers at that. “But... I don’t want to interrupt you two...”
Flamberge shakes his head, "You won't be. The three of us will go and have some fun, and you'll feel better afterwards."
Her lip quivers again, but the corners of her mouth curl upward slightly in a smile. She hugs him again. “That... that sound nice. Thanks, ‘Berge...” She punctuates her happiness with a kiss on his cheek.
After the kiss Flamberge is momentarily stunned, but then returns the hug and kisses her forehead.
A moment passes "You've been in here all day right? Would you like me to bring you some water, or juice, maybe some food?"
Puff’s cheeks color slightly when he kisses her forehead, and she simply nods at his question. Her stomach takes the moment to growl, confirming that she hasn’t even left to get something to eat.
“I’ll be right back then.” says the stallion as he stands and exits the room.
Puff just curls back up on her bed as Flamberge leaves, feeling small and alone.
A knock at the door, “Cream Puff, I’m back.” says Flamberge before opening the door. He is carrying a tray of food, mostly fruit and vegetables with some leftover bread, enough for two ponies, and two full glasses of juice.
She unfolds slightly at the knock, but still looks a mess as he brings her the food. She scoots over to give him room to join her on the bed. She hadn’t realized what hungry work crying was.
He places the tray upon the bed between them. She eagerly digs in once he sets the tray down.
Flamberge helps himself to some of the food as well, but makes sure to leave plenty for Puff.
In surprisingly short order, the tray is finished off, with Puff having eaten most of it. She stretches and yawns, the combination of sad exertion and full belly making her want to sleep. “You’re... going to stay the night, right?”
Flamberge blushes, "Oh, well, if you want yes, I'd be happy to."
She nods and puts the tray on the side table to join the candles, then scoots back and lays down behind Flamberge, obviously tired. “Good...” she murmurs.
Flamberge's mind raced. What was it she expected now? She was Crosshair's best friend, surely she just wanted him to stay there, and be close by. But, should he sleep on the floor? The bed? What was the protocol for this situation? He had no idea.
"So, uh, where should I, um..." he stammers unable to put his racing thoughts into words.
She sleepily grabs him and forces him to lay down in whatever he happens to be wearing, snuggling into him like a big teddy bear. “Jus’ like this...”
Flamberge is once again stunned, but after gives in and once more holds Cream Puff tight as she falls asleep, himself following shortly behind.
Post by: Dsarker on February 18, 2013, 12:01:09 am
Praetorian, with another day’s training finished, resolved to go to the kitchen, to see Cream Puff. There was something that had begun to bother him, as of late, and he thought she might be able to help.
Puff is indeed at her post, though she looks a bit more subdued than normal. She does brighten up a bit when she sees him, though.
“Ah, miss Cream Puff. It’s good to see you. I’ve been looking for you.” Praetorian approaches, and sits down. “Tell me. Most of the cooks I’ve known have gotten to know their...well, customers, clients, what-have-you, reasonably well. So...What do you think of me? And of Maize?”
She gives him an odd look, then thinks. “Well... You’re strong, diligent, and organized, but can be a bit rigid and less than receptive to new stuff. And Maize is nice to a fault, and timid, but she can really come through for a pony when they need it most. Why?”
“It’s... It’s nothing, really. Just...Just curious about how other ponies think about her and I,” said the soldier.
She eyes him, measuring him up. “And I have a horn.” she says flatly.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Praetorian protests.
“I forgot to mention you’re a terrible liar, Praetorian.” she says with a grin.
“I’m not lying. There’s nothing going on between us,” says Praetorian, still denying everything.
Puff’s eyes twinkle as he says more than he probably wanted to. “I knew it! I’ve seen you teaching her to read! You like her!”
“I... Yes, I like her, she’s a good friend. There’s nothing more than that,” says Praetorian defensively.
Puff waggles her eyebrows at him. “Not that you’ve noticed, you sly dog you.”
“What do you mean?” he asks.
“Well... OK, I haven’t actually noticed anything more going on yet, but I haven’t been looking.” she admits with a shrug.
“Good. Because there isn’t anything going on,” Praetorian says. “There’s nothing to notice. The most that happened is she kissed me. But that was as a thank you, nothing more!”
Puff lets out an ear-splitting squee! “She kissed you!? And I missed it?!”
“Ow. Not so loud. Yes, she kissed me. It wasn’t romantic or anything,” counters Praetorian.
Puff rolls her eyes at him. “Oh yes, I’m sure. The most timid pony I’ve ever met, kissing you, totally doesn’t mean anything.”
“...good, now we’re on the same page,” says the unicorn.
“Lying to yourself about her can hurt her, too, Praetorian.”
“I won’t hurt her, Cream Puff.”
“Then stop lying to yourself.”
“...I...I can’t do this.”
She gives him a gentle smile. “Sure you can. Just take it nice and slow. And be honest.”
“It’s...It’s not just that. I... I’ve just come out of a relationship. That’s why I came here. I... I’m not ready, I don’t think.”
“Well, that’s your problem. Don’t think. This is love! You have to listen to this...” she points at her chest, “...and ignore this!” she points at her head.
“I... I can’t just do that. That...That was what I did last time. And it didn’t work...” He bows his head.
“You can try a different way, but I’ve seen brains make way more mistakes in love than hearts. The risk of part of what makes it worth going for!”
“I...I don’t even know what I did wrong...”
“Well, it might not have been you, then. She must have done something serious, you don’t seem the love ‘em and leave ‘em type.”
“It...It still hurts.”
She gives him a sympathetic look. “I know it does, hun. I’m not telling you to dive right in. Just ease into it, take it slow.”
“...and what if she doesn’t even care anyway?”
Puff just barely manages to avoid rolling her eyes at the stallion. “Because Maize is an uncaring pony.” She then dials back the sarcasm a bit. “Then you’ll still have a good friend.”
“I... I suppose I can try.”
She beams at him. “That’s all anypony can really ask.”
“Still... Please, don’t tell anypony about this,” says the soldier.
“About what? All you did was ask for some lunch.” she says with a wink before setting about making him something to eat.
“Thank you.”
Post by: jaxler on February 18, 2013, 12:03:32 am
Veneer got his things together, remembering where he had seen Smoothblock last time he decided it was a good idea to ask her out. He went over to the hole that was being dug and watched as the dirt flew up and out of it. "So, Smoothblock. i was wondering if it was an appropriate idea to take you out to lunch again."
The dirt stopped being flung out of the long hole for only a moment, before Redhat looked up to veneer. “Sorry but I don’t swing that way.”
"Oh! I am-," Veneer paused for a moment as he looked at the pony in the red hat. "Who are you?"
“I’m Redhat, and by the way, you’re doing a great job hitting on somepony”
"I was not hitting on anypony. I was asking a friend out to lunch. I thought Smoothblock was digging this moat."
“Yes and she’s a mare, and you are a stallion as far as I can tell, I just two and two together.”
Veneer looked at the pony with a bit of confusion and realized how it seemed, and held back his tongue. Instead he decided to change the topic."Can you help me put two and two together?"
“sure why not, probably interesting than digging a hole all evening.”
"Actually, it involves that. Smoothblock was supposed to be digging this hole. Why are you here?"
“Cause’ I made my captain angry.”
"Oh. . . . S-should i be talking to you then?" He asked with a bit of confusion in his voice. He didn't want to violate any laws.
“No-no, it’s fine so long as it seems like I’m having a horrid time if my captain comes by.”
Veneer was left a bit dumbfounded. "Oh, ok. I am Veneer."
The pony smiled and nodded. “Well hello, my name is Redhat, glad to make your acquaintance!”
"Likewise. I guess you are one of those fancy military ponies, aren't you?"
“Well, heh, wouldn't call all of us military ponies fancy, but yes.”
"Oh? Whats it like? I thought of joining up for the militia, but. . . . ."
“Well, just piss off the guy in charge and you won’t be stuck digging a freakin moat every evening.”
"I guess it’s not any bit as exciting as it sounds then?"
“Not really, just train and beat the life out of animals and badgers.”
Veneer's face scrunched up in displeasure. He did not like the idea of needlessly killing animals, or even badgers, as much of a problem as they are. “I think I will pass. Doesn't seem like my kind of thing."
“well yeah, probably for best if you don’t like getting your hands dirty“ Suddenly a stark flew in Veneers eye as he remembered something."Smoothblock! How could I forget? Do you know where i can find her?"
“I honestly haven't the slightest clue.”
Veneer jumped and started to head off before he turned back. "I will see you around, ok?"
“Sure.”
Post by: Dsarker on February 18, 2013, 06:13:28 pm
Praetorian was walking along the fields, hoping to spot Maize there, in what seemed like the only place she ever usually was.
The brown-coated mare’s head was barely visible moving through the greenery as she did her twice-daily walk to check all of the plants.
“Maize?” called Praetorian as he moved towards her. “Would you have a bit of time? I’d like to talk to you.”
Maize peeks her head out from between two stalks. “What about?”
“Perhaps we could walk and talk?”
Maize quirks an eyebrow, but steps out of the field. “Alright, I guess. Where to?”
“Just around Duskfields,” says Praetorian.
Maize nods. “You can take lead if you want. Now, what do you want to talk about?”
Praetorian starts walking. “I was talking to Miss Cream Puff just a bit earlier. I... I asked her about what she thought of some of the ponies here.”
Maize nods. “Me? Am I one of those ponies?”
“Yes. Yes, you were.” Praetorian keeps quiet for a second as they continue walking along, and then speaks again. “I... Well. To be truthful... I only asked about two ponies.”
“Me...” Maize thinks. “Hmm... who else did you ask about?”
“...Well... The other pony I asked about was...myself.” The stallion smiles a little. “Pride’s been my weakness before.”
“Ah.” Maize looks at him. “So... did you find out anything?”
“I found out something. I’ve...Perhaps I’ve been hiding it from myself.” He stops walking. “Maize... You’re a wonderful pony. I... I can’t deny it anymore. Maize... I think I’m in love with you.”
Maize stops walking, her eyes widened and jaw slack. “...Oh... I... I didn’t really expect that...”
“I...I’m sorry. If you don’t want that sort of a relationship, then perhaps we can still be friends,” says Praetorian,mentally berating himself.
“No, no... It’s okay, I...” She cracks a smile. “I just hope you know what you’re getting into. I don’t think I’m going to be a very... easy mare to love.”
“...you already are.”
“No, I mean... someone said it behind my back, I’m trying to remember... high-maintenance?” Maize looks at Praetorian, seemingly hoping she got it right.
“You’re still Maize, the mare I love. No matter what, I’ll love you,” says Praetorian. “No matter how high-maintenance you might be.”
Maize beams and wraps Praetorian in a hug. “Oh, thank you. I... didn’t really think anyone could even care about me just a few months ago. Everything’s changing so fast. Could... would you please show me the way?”
“I’ll do my best,” promises Praetorian.
“So will I.” Maize gives him a kiss on the cheek as she moves away from him. “I... can’t say I know what to do, but I’ll learn, I hope.”
High above them, a cloud with familiar eyes lets out a muffled squeal. Puff was so glad she decided to follow them!
Post by: Pokon on February 18, 2013, 09:27:35 pm
The following was scribbled on Wood Chip's wall after a little too much wine, and was erased soon afterword:
Quote
Cross+Berge? Crossberge!Holly+Temp? Tempolly? Hollance?
Cross+Study? Crosstudy? Casehair?
Case+Chaff? Casechaff?
Steelhat? Maizorian?
....
Maizorian! Yes! Perfect!
....
Redlathe? Steelstone? Dewneer? Millpuff?
....
Cream Chip?
Post by: Fr0stByt3 on February 19, 2013, 03:00:50 pm
Post by: Telgin on February 19, 2013, 04:30:07 pm
Post by: Fr0stByt3 on February 19, 2013, 06:43:04 pm
Post by: Fr0stByt3 on February 19, 2013, 06:54:18 pm
Post by: Dsarker on February 19, 2013, 10:34:34 pm
As the two soldiers returned from the day’s march, they moved over to the drilling ring. Without a word, Praetorian lifted his shield and spear from the rack, tossing aside the weighty wooden replicas he’d held on the march, and gestured for Redhat to do the same.
the pony moved over the rack and traded his weapon and shield for a wooden version. “so... i guess we're going to spar?”
“Yes. We are. Are you ready?” Praetorian takes a defensive stance, readying his shield.
Redhat grinned. “oh well then by all means start the fight.”
“I am ready. Go ahead,” Praetorian says with a nod.
“I don’t like to strike first”
Just as Redhat is speaking, Praetorian rams forward with his shield boss, ramming it at Redhat’s head.
Redhat tried to dodge the attack as best he could, rolling awkwardly to the side just in time.
Quick as a flash, Praetorian’s shield, held aloft by his magic, retracts, and he turns to face Redhat again.
Redhat tried his best to block the shield with his own, before trying to hit Praetorian with his spear.
Praetorian rattles Redhat’s spear with his shield, its reinforcing metal boss knocking the spearhead away. “Try again.”
the pony threw a punch at Praetorian’s head. “Sure thing!”
Praetorian lowers his head and headbutts the hoof away. “Still going to have to do better. Who taught you to fight? A badger pony? Control your anger or you’ll never survive your first real battle.”
“you know what? your right” and then the pony’s Spear was shot out towards Praetorian’s side.
Praetorian lifts up his own spear like a quarterstaff and knocks Redhat’s out of his grip and out of the way. “For goodness sake. You’re not even trying.”
In responce, redhat slamed into Praetorian the moement he used his weapon to disarm him.
In his own response, Praetorian just sits tight behind the shield, and rams the butt of his spear into Redhat’s head.
The pony tensed at the sudden feeling the spear hitting him, before falling to the ground and holding his hooves to his head. “GHA that stings!”
“Come on. Keep at it.”
He slowly got up and attacked again, this time with his hooves and more sloppily than before.
Praetorian stifles a yawn, as he uses his shield. “Heaven’s sake, stallion. Put your back into it.”
he paused and tried to strike again, just as sloppy as before.
Praetorian sighs. “Okay, Redhat. What are you doing?”
“fighting?”
“...You’re not doing it very well. At all.”
“then why don’t you correct me.”
“Because you can only learn this stuff through practice, and lots of it. Flamberge and Crosshair are both competent, skilled fighters, as their experience would lead them to be.” Praetorian sighs. “And you’re the one here letting the side down on this sort of stuff. So what, exactly, combat experience have you had?”
“none honestly”
“...Okay. Then that means we’ll have to go back to basics,” says the older soldier with another sigh.
“well sorry”
“It’d have been better for you to tell me before. Well. Time to get out the straw dummies.”
“ugh...”
Post by: Telgin on February 20, 2013, 01:52:18 am
Character sheet plox?
Here you go.
Spoiler: Steel Rivet (click to show/hide)
I thought I was going to get the update up tonight, but apparently not. Maybe tomorrow.
Post by: Kryptid on February 20, 2013, 02:21:10 am
I'm the one who does the art around here.
Post by: Dsarker on February 21, 2013, 07:30:31 am
Ad Amici 1.7
Praetorian, hastifer of Duskfields, to Munifex, his brother and fellow-soldier, may Nokzam keep you strong.
Truly, to Kulet I give praise, for it so happens that I am doing her work here.
As I write this letter to you, I am also resting from a long day of instructing. First, of course, is my sole squadmate, a stallion called Redhat, whose discipline is akin to the miserliness of Aval.
The second is a special case, a young mare by the name of Maize. She's an earth pony, a little taller than Pulchra. She's not too physically gifted, and she's a bit inhibited on the social side, too, but she's a nice mare, and she tries hard. I've been teaching her a little bit of how to read and write, and it's going about as well as could be expected.
It's a different reason I want to talk to you, though. A strange sort of weather was witnessed here. A dust storm, but the dust was red, for some reason. Before you ask, the dirt and soil around here is brown, like usual. If you wouldn't mind putting the word on around our old comrades, and see if any of them know of any ponies who've witnessed this sort of thing, I would be much obliged.
Tell father that we've witnessed our first large group of animals - parasprites, naturally. We've done our best to hunt the little blighters down, and they shouldn't be bothering us again soon.
Tell our sister Pulchra that I am greatly pleased to hear of her news, and I wish her the best.
The gods' blessings be with you.
Ad Amici 1.8
Praetorian to Obsidio, victor of Mareway, husband of Graminea, and saviour of the Seventh Regiment.
May the blessings of the gods come upon you abundantly this day and every day. To Nokzam I still give thanks for you, for your breaking of the lines of the enemies surrounding us, and the safeguarding of our regiment from disaster.
Indeed I thank her for you more than even that. I thank her, for when I had served my term and was without a purpose, you called to me, and at your request, I did serve a second sixteen with your army. And when I was lost again and my love departed from me, it was you who suggested a third term, at this new outpost. Indeed, a place where my shame can be escaped from, and where I can use the only skills I ever excelled in.
While at this place, I have found a peace I never felt back in Coupledye when I was not in action or in the field. Though this place faces troubles as well, they do not seem to be as stressful as the troubles back in the city. And there are ponies here with whom I am now friends; Cream Puff, a pegasus mare, Flamberge, a pegasus stallion (and another soldier), and Maize, an earth pony mare.
And it seems that just as for your deeds were crowned with Grass, so I will be crowned with Maize, for we are entering a relationship together. Were it not for your actions, sir, I would be but another drunkard back in Coupledye, useless and a burden. But now I have a new feeling of life, a new sense of self-worth.
I thank the gods that you were there when I've needed you.
May the gods bless you this day, and every day, for your charity to all those who need.
Post by: Telgin on February 21, 2013, 10:54:16 pm
Here's the save, as promised. If I've got anything screwed up, let me know and I'll do what I can to fix it. Duskfields - 269 (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Duskfields%20-%20269.zip)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
Temperance's Journal - 7th Timber, 269
After the little 'incident' with the parasprites, I've decided that one of our priorities should definitely be getting some better defenses put up. It won't stop more parasprites, but finishing the perimeter ditch will go a long way toward forestalling any future thieves at least. That means Holly and Smoothblock have been hard at work again, and I've noticed the mares sleeping in the hospital lately since it was close to the work site. As long as there's room left for any injured ponies, I don't see the harm.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/34.png)
That's Holly snoozing away. Still no proper rooms for half of the population.
I can't wait for the caravan to come. We've only got four ponies with weapons and any inclination on how to use them, but the moment we get more metal I'm going to have Steel Rivet and Flamberge cobble together some more gear for them. Right now Flamberge is the only pony with much of any armor at all. Praetorian and Redhat are completely without any, with only their spears between them and any foes.
Maybe we won't see anything worse than a lone badger pony.
22nd Timber, 269
Speaking of badger ponies, we had another big scare again today when one showed up just outside the northern trench. Smoothblock hasn't finished work there yet, so he was able to sneak through, and she saw it at the last moment. As she fled, it made a break for the chickens, no doubt hoping to snatch one up and run off with it.
Fortunately, the soldiers were nearby.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/36.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/37.png)
This hardly seems like a fair fight.
Poor Morning Dew was running for her life, which was about all I saw of the poor mare before Flamberge and the spear ponies put the cursed badger pony out of its misery. Nopony was hurt, thank the gods.
I also got some steel and bronze to melt, way more excited about that.
After it was all over I went to find Morning Dew, who was cowering out in the woods to the west. It took me a minute to calm her down, but I finally got her to relax. It was about lunch time anyway, so I convinced her to come with me to the new 'tavern' and get something to drink to help her finish leveling out and get her mind off the fact that the soldiers were disposing of the body.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/35.png)
I'm being a bit generous calling it a tavern at all, but at least the kitchen and still are inside now.
There wasn't really anywhere to eat, so we just sat in the partially built back room and talked for a minute. I think she'll be alright, but I'm certainly not Dr. Serenity when it comes to these things.
2nd Moonstone, 269
I've been keeping a close eye on our stocks the entire time we've been out here, but I noticed today that one of our picks and an axe have gone missing.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/38.png)
Well, that was probably badger ponies. I was wondering where the others were. We may get ambushes from them eventually if they steal any more...
Nopony has seen either, and that's put me in a bit of a foul mood. We've literally got no metal to spare out here, so losing them is a serious waste of resources. I don't know who's responsible, and I don't want to know. Instead of drilling everypony about it I just went and looked in the surrounding area myself. That didn't turn up either, of course, but it did turn up something more alarming: Smoothblock unconscious in a pile of dirt.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/39.png)
I forgot to take a pic of her wounds, but that's her in the small cloud of dust up in the upper left corner in the trench.
I managed to rouse her with a bit of frantic shouting, and she swore up and down she wasn't hurt. I had her go get checked out by Case Study, just in case. Don't want to take any chances, and all.
Well, after I got her checked out and confirmed she was fine, I passed word around the camp to please be more careful. We can't have ponies losing things or getting hurt because they're careless.
19th Moonstone, 269
The tavern is more than halfway finished! So far it's mostly a glorified storage room and kitchen, but very, very soon we'll have some dining tables and chairs set up so ponies can eat like civilized beings again. I didn't believe Virtue when she wrote that it took this long to get the basics set up, but she was right on the mark.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/40.png)
Depressingly, it's already evident that we didn't set aside enough storage space. And that's just supplies for 24 ponies. I'm already considering adding another level to the tavern for storage, but then where will we put the sleep space? I don't know, something else to think about.
10th Opal, 269
I was out supervising the deconstruction of some of the workshops to make room for the dining area of the tavern today, when I saw something pretty unsettling out by the fields. Maize and Morning Dew were galloping away, and it only took a quick look to see why.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/41.png)
Well, this is new to me. A nice little herd of demon rats.
We chased the giant rats around for a while as we tried to run them off. They didn't do too much damage thankfully, but it's one more reason to get the food inside as soon as possible. The seeds will need to stay out by the fields of course, so that means a barn or something to hold them... yet another thing to start building.
Well, it's late so I'm heading to bed. I had some of Cream Puff's cheese soup, and while it was fantastic, it's putting me to sleep! I think as soon as we get the dining area finished we'll need to throw a big party for everypony to show how much I appreciate all of the hard work everypony has put in to getting this settlement put together. Maybe I'll ask Cream Puff to make some more of that soup...
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/42.png)
It's probably better than the cucumber juice sandwiches. :)
6th Obsidian
We finally got the carpenter shops and sawmill moved to a more permanent location out west of the upcoming tavern. It's step one of the very, very long list of things that need to be moved around to get this place somewhat organized. One step at a time.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/44.png)
The floor's done in the tavern too, so as soon as we get a roof on it we can start eating inside! Just thinking about that soup m a k e s m e
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/43.png)
Oh, sure. I go all of Dawnpick without getting one for Virtue or anypony in her family, and Temperance is the first to get it in Duskfields? And it's a possession so he doesn't get any skill? Ah, whatever. I'll have a little fun with it.
Temperance set his pen down on the table next to his journal and raised a hoof to his head. He had the worst headache, which had been growing steadily worse over the last minute. If it didn't ease off soon, he was going to have to go wake Case Study up in the hopes that the doctor had something for the pain.
Another blinding stab shot through his head, and he shut his eyes and raised both hooves to his temples. Gods above, this was nigh unbearable...
Then, the pain was gone. He cracked his eyes, but the room was nothing but a black void. In a mild panic, he stumbled away from his desk only to find that it too was gone. Around him, there was nothing but the blackness. What was going on?
“I have something to show you,” a feminine voice called from the dark. It was deep and commanding, but he couldn't see anything. It all felt so cold.
“Who-who are you? Amug?” Who else could it be? Was this a vision? Why him?
“Indeed, it is I,” the voice continued. A beautiful deep blue coated unicorn mare coalesced from the darkness before him. “Amug, daughter to Shin Paleduty and mare of the night. Now, come, young Temperance Scribebakes. I have something to show you,” she said, beckoning him on with a hoof.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/45.png)
Temperance stumbled into the mechanic's workshop, speaking not a word to anypony along the way. It was late, so there weren't many around anyway. A few ponies were moving things to their storage for the night, but nopony was normally in the mechanic's shop, and tonight was no different.
He plopped down in the middle of the workshop and began rifling through the tools there. “I need stone... and a gem... so says Amug...” he said to nopony. Again and again he droned on, insisting that he needed these things.
Three days went on as the stallion stood motionless in the mechanic's shop. Ponies wandered by and marveled, but were shooed away by whichever militia pony was currently stationed there to watch him.
Finally, on the night of that third day, Morning Dew approached and presented a small chunk of crudely cut green glass. “Temperance? I, um, brought you a gem, like you wanted.”
His eyes tracked down to the chunk of glass. “Gem...” He took it and placed it on the table with the chunks of stone the others had scrounged up, and set to work.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/46.png)
Amug smiled as she looked at the materials. “Well done, my child, you have everything I have asked you to bring. Now, watch as I show you what I promised.” The mare strode forward and waved a hoof across the vast blackness, and an image began to form.
It looked like Duskfields, or at least it did before they started building things. Wide, open hills on a dark night. There were two things moving though. A buffalo, it looked like, and something else. A twisted monster of the night. The monster flew forward and caught the fleeing buffalo and in a few swift and decisive blows, she was dead.
The image began to change, and was replaced by Duskfields. Except this time, it was ponies running away from the settlement. Temperance felt a twinge of fear roll through him as he realized what was happening. Some of the ponies were chasing the others.
Horror replaced the fear when he saw Flamberge latch onto Crosshair midflight. The small mare bucked and screamed in protest for a moment before he rammed his sword through her chest. She gasped and choked momentarily as blood poured from the wound, and he kicked the mortally wounded markspony free to crash in a broken heap on the ground.
Praetorian and Redhat were next, as each drew their spears and charged at a target. Praetorian bashed Maize to the ground with his shield, and while she was stunned and trying to get to her hooves he thrust his spear into her belly. Her pained cry was cut short as he plunged the spear into her again, and ended her suffering with a stamp of his hoof.
Redhat traded blows with Holly, but the woodcutter's skill at cutting trees was no match for a soldier and his spear. The steel tip slashed across her throat, spraying blood and sending her too tumbling to the ground.
Smoothblock pounced upon Cream Puff and pinned the smaller mare beneath her weight. With a single decisive swing of her pick, the cook's life ended as her viscera were shredded. Case Study was the next victim of the bloody pick. He was too slow to avoid the tip as it pierced the back of his head, and he fell lifeless.
Veneer and Wood Chips were taking turns landing hammering blows on each other with their hooves, both completely ignoring any subtleties such as trying to avoid the blows. At last Wood Chips struck Veneer hard enough in the head to put him down for good, but he collapsed immediately thereafter.
And finally, there he was. Standing over the bloody and motionless body of Morning Dew. He looked up to see Serenity backing away from the madness unfolding around her, and a ravenous grin formed on his blood stained face. She never even saw him coming. He leaped upon her, and pinned her to the ground with a single swift motion. She begged and pleaded for him to release her, but a wild-eyed scowl formed on his face as he placed a hoof on her throat. “I don't need my sister's help. I don't need your help,” he said, resisting all attempts to dislodge him. And then he crushed her throat.
Temperance could watch no more, and he backed away and shut his eyes. “Amug... why? Why are you showing me these terrible things?” he asked in a shaky voice. He felt sick just watching it. This wasn't what she was supposed to be like... Amug was supposed to be calm and cool, like the night.
He felt a cold hoof rest on his withers, and cracked his eyes to see that the horrible images hadn't left. Amug moved before him and knelt to eye level. “Because, dear child,” she said, shaking her head slowly, “I am not Amug.”
“What?”
The mare stepped back as a wicked, unnatural grin formed on her face. Her form shimmered and faded to be replaced with a wispy, ethereal serpentine body of towering proportions. Temperance gasped and backed away. What in creation was this?
“I am not Amug, nor Shin Paleduty, nor any other of your petty gods,” the creature hissed in a twisted but definitely female voice. A taloned finger thrust forward and pointed to a strange set of masterfully crafted gears at his hooves. “Let this be a warning to you and all of your kind.”
Temperance made a startled shout and nearly jumped from his skin as he cowered away from the monster. Instead of fleeing into the fields to get away, he found himself bumbling into a shelf covered with strange tools. What? Where was he?
He looked around and found that it was daylight again, and confused ponies were standing all around him. At his hooves were those same gears, decorated with the image of a night freak killing a buffalo. Had he actually seen that...?
There were so many ponies standing around, all staring at him in mild disbelief. What had just happened? Should he tell them what he saw? No... no... not now. Maybe never.
I've had a very, very troubling experience. I don't know how to really describe what it was, save for the fact that I was, for lack of a better word, possessed. I have no memory of what was happening here, but my mind was somewhere else... and I saw terrible, terrible things. I don't want to think about it any more than I have to.
Instead, let me just quickly jot down what happened in my absence. I was out for days.
Apparently the entire time I was in the mechanic's shop I was demanding stone and a gem, which we had none of. Well, we had some stone, but that was all being used for the furnaces and forge. Which were dismantled to get me what I needed. I'm not sure what might have happened if they hadn't done that. Maybe I'd have died of thirst waiting on it. That's a pretty terrible thought, but now we're without any way to work metal, which is pretty bad too.
The gem was another matter entirely. We've not dug up even a pebble out here, so I have to admit that the idea to get some glass to cut into a gem was a stroke of genius. I'm not sure whose idea it was, since Flamberge took momentary command of Duskfields while I was incapacitated, but Morning Dew was the one who bought and cut some glass from the caravan for me. I really need to thank everypony for what they did in my absence.
As for what I ended up making... I have no idea what we'll do with it. I kind of want to just bury it and forget about it.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/47.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/48.png)
Speaking of the caravan, apparently they decided to show up while I was completely insane. The outpost liaison from Coupledye decided he couldn't wait around “while I sat in a workshop,” and left in a huff yesterday. That can't be good for my reputation, but I hope they'll understand it wasn't my fault...
To help make some amends, I hurried off to do some trading with the caravan while they were still here. There wasn't much to choose from. In particular I was really hoping to get some more stone and metal from them, but they didn't bring any! Instead, I traded a little of our harvest for some juice to pad our stocks until the next harvest, and got a few pieces of armor for the militia.
It's a small start, but at least we can repurpose the stuff later by melting it down if we have to. When we get another smelter put up, anyway...
I really wish I could have talked with the liaison. There are a lot of things we need for next year.
1st Granite, 270
It's hard to believe the last year went by so fast. Duskfields has come a long way, but it has so much further to go. We've managed to avoid anything tragic so far at least, and I can be thankful of that much. Everypony seems to be in reasonably high spirits, and the future looks bright enough.
I wish I could enjoy it a bit more though. I'd really hoped to have some sort of celebration for the start of the new year, but I really haven't had the heart. After my little 'incident', I've been spending most of my time in my office. The others mean well when they ask about it, but I really don't want to think about it anymore. The worst of it's gone now, thank goodness, but sometimes I still get a small chill when I look at the ponies I saw murdered. Especially the two that I saw myself murder.
I hate to admit it, and as much as I really don't want to give in to it... I may have to talk to Dr. Serenity about it.
Maybe she can put my mind to ease.
Post by: KingStrongbeard on February 22, 2013, 02:05:43 am
The following takes place the morning after the last Flamberge and Cream Puff scene and thus is just before the update that was most recently posted.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Crosshair%20Avatar.png)(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png)(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Cream%20Puff%20Avatar.png)
The sounds of birds chirping causes Flamberge to stir from his rest. When he opens his eyes he finds the still sleeping Cream Puff snuggling up against him. "Uh-oh." he thinks seeing the compromising situation he finds himself in, and imagining what Crosshair would say, he then clumsily tries to disentangle himself from the mare and get out of her bed without waking her.
Puff slowly comes to, though much slower than Flamberge. All she knows is her cuddly warm thing is slipping away. She holds him tighter and nuzzles into him. “Five more minutes, mom...”
"Um, Cream Puff," begins Flamberge, though he ends his sentence prematurely not knowing the right words.
That doesn’t sound like Mom. Puff opens her eyes and finally remembers yesterday. She releases Flamberge like she’s been burned. “Oops! Uh... sorry, ‘Berge.”
Flamberge sits up a bit, "Its...its no problem Puff. Should...? I should go now?" he says as he climbs out of the bed, “Will you be okay now?” he adds.
She nods vigorously. “Uh, yes. I’m feeling better today, yes.” She runs a hoof through her mane, wondering how to handle the awkwardness of the situation. “Do you... still want me to come with you and Crosshair today?”
Flamberge nods, “uh, yeah, when, you are ready, meet us over by the training field.” Flamberge walks toward the door, and opens it slightly, peering outside and checking to make sure nopony would see him exiting her room before making his way outside.
“Flamberge! Meet at the kitchen instead! I’ll make breakfast!” she calls after him as he goes.
After leaving her room, Flamberge decides to seek out Crosshair, and tell her, something, he wasn’t sure what just yet, though.
Crosshair wasn’t a morning mare at all, and this early in the morning she could be seen sleeping on top of a cloud that she’s pulled low near the fields, she have claimed that it smells nice there and help her nap as well as ‘good visual and spot for a watchout’. But that’s probably more excuse for her to be there.
Flamberge finds Crosshair on her cloud. He considers what to do. Thinking back to the night before, he decided he hadn’t really done anything wrong, just comforted a mutual friend, no reason to worry Crosshair about the details. He flies up and grabs a cloud of his own and sets it near Crosshair and lays back, waiting for her to wake.
Crosshair continued to snooze adorably for a while longer, almost half a hour before she finally stirred to wake up, flicking her tail and ears as she let out a yawn and rubs her eyes. And when she opens them just to see her Commander, she instantly shot up from being startled to see him there and gave him a salute “M-Morning Commander!” she eeped.
“Morning Captain. Sleep well?” he asks smiling.
She relaxed down after seeing the smile, noticing that she’s /probably/ not in trouble and return the smile. “I did, Commander!” she chirped happily. Stretching her wings some. “A little chilly, but it’s fine.”
"Good." Flamberge kicks out his cloud obliterating it, and hovers down to the ground. "I have something to tell you Crosshair. I know I said that we were going to go 'on patrol' down to the river today, but...Cream Puff was rather down yesterday, and I have invited her to come with us, to cheer her up a bit. I hope you don't mind."
She perked up brightly at that “Mind? Oh I’m FAR from mind, Commander! I’d be GLAD to have her with us! Especially if it helps cheer her up! She’s my best friend after all!” She said, practically squeeing in glee.
Flamberge shows visible relief upon his face and says, “Good, well she said she’d make us breakfast before we leave and that we should meet her at the kitchen, are you ready to go?”
“Aye aye Commander, I’m as hungry as a horse!” She said, giggling at the Pun.
Flamberge nods, and then kicks out the cloud beneath Crosshair.
That almost dropped her to the ground, but she was quick to catch herself with her wings, taking just a second to balance herself from that. She considered scolding her Commander for doing that but thought better and kept quiet.
Flamberge and Crosshair arrive at the kitchen to find Cream Puff working up a storm. It looks like she’s trying to get a whole day’s worth of cooking done at once! She gives the two a smile and points a wing at some fresh omelettes and bread, then returns to her work. It looks like she’s almost done with making breakfast now, and is starting on a huge salad for everypony to have for lunch.
Flamberge strikes his hoof on the countertop, "Cream Puff! I thought I told you to take the day off."
She sticks her tongue out at him. “Like I’m supposed to show up for breakfast and not take orders for food? Sit down and eat! I’ll join you two before you’re even half done with your meal!”
“Fine.” says Flamberge with a glower, “but after you finish that salad, you are done for the day. Commander’s orders.”
She laughs at him good naturedly. “Alright, but only because I promised. I’m a civilian! And you’re not the boss of me!” she says with a cheeky smile.
"Gods help me Cream Puff, I will declare martial law if I need to." says the commander jokingly.
Crosshair was grinning widely as she watch Puff work, taking a seat where her breakfast have been laid for her. And she’s simply not starting yet without her friend.
“No you won't. You don’t want to go down in history as the leader of the breakfast coup, do you?” she jokes as she works. Soon, she’s done with her work, and she lays a cloth over the large salad and grabs an omelette before joining her friends. She sits next to Crosshair and gives her a friendly nuzzle. “Thanks for waiting for me.”
Crosshair giggled as she returns the happy friendly nuzzle, a little too long but not enough to make it be awkward. “No problem!”
Flamberge watches the two mares curiously, then begins to eat his food, which by this point has grown cold, "Tastes great,” he says, though it truth it would have been much better warm.
Puff takes a bite and pouts. “Aw, it’s cold...”
“Still tastes great!” Chirped Crosshair as she ate happily. Having breakfast with the two closest ponies in the fort with her was the highlight of her entire week if not month.
Flamberge remained mostly quiet through breakfast, while the mares talked, he still felt unsure about the night before, he didn't know if Cream Puff would tell Crosshair, or what she would think, but he felt disaster brewing in his bones.
Puff simply chats about nothing in particular with her friends as she enjoys breakfast. Once she finishes her meal, she leans back a bit to relax and sighs. “So, what’s the plan for today?”
“Well, I guess we all fly to the river and spend times together there just hanging around talking? Oh! Should we make it a picnic? It’ll be nice!” Crosshair suggested with a wide happy grin.
Flamberge nods, "Yeah, we can take some food and drink with us, but before we head to the river, we are going to make at least a short aerial survey of the area, need to make sure nothing is going to jump out of the woods and attack anypony while we're gone. Cream Puff you are welcome to come fly with us, if you think you can keep up." ends Flamberge with a grin.
“Colt, you are looking at a natural born endurance flier! A survey sounds like a nice warm-up!” Puff stands, eager to rise to the challenge.
Cross giggled again at that, beaming. “Well then! Let’s grab some stuff and go, shall we? I want to get there before it’s noon.”
Puff nods and goes about packing them all some of the salad, then rejoins Flamberge and Crosshair. “Alright, we have lunch.”
"Okay, all set? Crosshair got your quiver and crossbow? Good. Okay, Captain, you lead the way." says Flamberge.
“Aye aye, Commander!” Cross said with a grin and a quick salute before spreading her wings wide and takes the air, heading for the river!
Puff follows, though her acceleration isn’t near as good as Crosshair’s. She does soon catch up, though.
After a few uneventful wide circles around the area, Flamberge says, "Everything looks clear, anything we might have missed I'm sure Praetorian and Redhat can handle, Crosshair, head toward the river."
Crosshair does a mid-air salute before circling down towards the river, landing just at it’s bank a little short of the water itself as she trots to a stop. Glad that she didn’t crash into any trees again this time.
Puff glides down in lazy circles and soon lands beside her friend.
Flamberge follows behind Crosshair and breaks off when they get close to the ground, hoovers about a half foot above the shore, then allows himself to fall backwards his wings pulled in close to his side, he lands on his back, with his forehooves working as a pillow and his rear hooves resting in the cool water of the river. The water was a bit chilly, being early Timber, but it was warmer here than in the capital and Flamberge seemed comfortable anyway.
Crosshair gave Puff another happy friendly nuzzle, neck-hugging her for seconds as they arrive at their destination. Smiling brightly “Glad you’re here with us today Puff!”
Flamberge opens one eye and sees Crosshair giving Cream Puff another nuzzle and hug, "Hmm, this is either a very good or very bad sign," he thinks to himself, before reclosing the eye.
Puff smiles and nods. “So am I! I’ve been feeling down the last few days, so having some time to spend with you two is really nice.”
“And that’s why you need a day off and all of the hugs!” Cross grinned
Cream Puff chuckles. “I bet ‘Berge would like a few hugs, too.” She knows this was supposed to be something for him and Cross, and she didn’t want to be too much of a third wheel, so she gives her friend a gentle shove towards Flamberge.
Flamberge continues laying there, with his eyes closed, but can’t hide his smile.
Crosshair giggled from her friend’s tease, but did went over to lay next to her Commander, close by his side, wielding a soft blush across her face with a bright smile.
When Crosshair gets within reach Flamberge wastes no time putting his foreleg around her and pulling her close.
Puff smiles at the two, though she feels a pang of... something. She sighs and starts to pace, unsure what to do. Them hugging was her idea! Why is she feeling so jealous?! Oh... jealous. Puff sighs, thinking she really needs a stallion.
Crosshair was still the blushing nervous shy mare she is when she’s under Flamberge’s foreleg, it’s fun to watch her transform from the brash Militia captain to a blushing shy mare in the matter of seconds, but it’s clear that she’s not experiencing any discomfort at all, happily leaning into Flamberge’s hug.
“So!” speaks up Puff, her wings ruffled, “How about a swim?”
“That’d be great!” Cross chirped
Flamberge releases Crosshair and sits up, "Aye, I could go for a swim." he says before he finishes standing up.
“Last one in's a rotten apple!” shouts Puff before diving in.
Flamberge follows, flying into the air, doing a backflip and then going in for a splashdown.
Crosshair was concerned for a second before realizing that she hadn’t put her armor on yet, and quickly Follows in! Not doing any fancy backflip and just go for the water to give her that extra second to reach the water just a little bit before Flamberge.
After landing, resurfacing, and seeing that he was the last one in, Flamberge spreads his wings wide and uses them to splash water towards both of the mares, playfully.
Puff dives to avoid the splash, then resurfaces, laughing. “You’re a rotten apple!”
Crosshair got a faceful of splash, but giggled as she wipes the water away, splashing back in retaliation as well, eeping.
"Maybe, but you're all wet," replies Flamberge as he uses both wings to splash at Cream Puff. All Out Attack (Determined), Deceptive Attack. Hit, -2 to defend! :p
Puff raises a wing to try to defend herself, but it can only do so much to protect her from the wave Flamberge sends at her.
The ponies continue on in this way a bit over an hour, until Flamberge goes and lays down by the shore again. "So, Puff, what did you bring us for lunch?" he asks, a bit worn out looking up to the sky.
“Salad, because I didn’t want to start a revolution.” she says, flopping onto the shore.
Crosshair flopped over as well nearby, sighing contently. “Mmnm, I do like your Salad Puff, would be nice if you brought some ale with you too though!”
“Ale?” says Flamberge, “but Crosshair, we are on duty, “patrolling by the river,” remember?” he says with a laugh.
“Exactly!” chimes in Puff. “Drink some water!”
Crosshair giggled carefreely “Mmnm, still though, would’ve been nice!”
The three friends enjoy a laugh before eating lunch together, then continue to do nothing much on purpose. Crosshair and Flamberge enjoy a few moments of closeness, but Puff can’t help but intrude on them with a game, or race, anything to try to distract them from each other, and her from her jealousy.
Soon enough, it’s sunset, and the ponies return to Duskfields proper. Flamberge and Crosshair manage to share a kiss together while Puff hastily excuses herself to her room. She grumbles a bit before laying on her bed, feeling a bit frustrated. She does feel much better than she did yesterday, at least. Now if only she could figure out why she was so jealous of her best friend!
Post by: TheBronzePickle on February 22, 2013, 12:43:27 pm
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Maize%20Avatar.png)
~Maize's Thoughts~ 22nd Timber, 269
Another badger pony showed up, but it looks like the military was ready this time. Poor Morning Dew flipped out, though, and ran off before I could calm her. Looks like Temperance managed to calm her down, though.
10th Opal
I've seen rats. I've seen giant rats. I've never seen giant rats with red eyes and horns. They went straight for the crops, too. That or straight for me and Morning Dew... I don't know if I like it here so much any more. Between that... that mist and this, I don't think this place is safe for us.
1st Granite, 270
Something happened to Temperance. This place gets scarier and scarier. But a year has passed, and other than Morning Dew's legs, nopony has been hurt so far. I hope things get better soon, but I get the feeling they're only going to get worse.
Post by: Pokon on February 22, 2013, 03:26:49 pm
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Wood%20Chips%20Avatar.png)
Entry 8
Having second thoughts about the party. I literaly just finished passing them out to everypony who is invited, but I must wonder if anyone would come.
Entry 9
Smoothblock was found in a pile of dirt today, and Badger ponies are starting to become a more regular threat. From what Case Study told me, she's fine, but I can't help but wonder if our good fortunes have run out.
Entry 10
I woke up today feeling sore, and I had a mouthful of blue hairs in my mouth.
I don't know what this means. Veener did not look me in the eyes during lunch, however.
Entry 11
Temperance lost it. I have seen what he is going through once before. This place is tainted with chaos, without a doubt.
I was the first to find him, in his little workshop. I am not sure if I was right in alerting others of his condition.
I think the party can be set in the makeshift tavern, now.
Post by: DVNO on February 22, 2013, 09:00:12 pm
As Temperance finishes penning the last line on his diary entry there is a thunderous earthquake of a crash! Brick and dust scatters haphazardly in all directions around Temperance's office.
A brown and black griffon (http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/050/e/7/max_by_kryptidanimals-d5vknjc.png) slides to a stop along the office floor. The the stunned bird-lion took a slow glance around.
"Wha? This wasn't here last migration!"
Temperance starts and jumps up from his desk. It takes him a few seconds to realize he wasn’t being attacked, and that the thing that just crashed through the wall was not only not aggressive, but also amazingly not seriously injured by the impact. He steps forward cautiously. “My word... are you alright?”
The griffon blinks twice, and slowly gets to his claws and feet. He takes a cautious look around his body, checking his arms, legs, wings and tail. “Yeah, yeah, everything looks like it’s in the right place.” He looks at the hole, and turns back around to him. “Sorry about that. Uhhh . . . ” He combs through his tangerine head feathers and gives a nervous chuckle. “How about names? Trading names is a good way to break the ice in awkward conversations like these, isn’t it?”
He was still a bit stunned, but the pony manages to say, “Uh, I’m Temperance. Temperance Scribebakes, from Coupledye. Who are you?”
The griffon pats the dust off himself. “ Maxwell, Maxwell Yellowfeather. Frequent flyer of where all these buildings suddenly sprung up from.”
“Good to meet you Mr. Yellowfeather,” Temperance says hesitantly. “Are you sure you’re alright? We have a doctor who can look at you if you need it.”
Max looked him over cautiously. “That’s mighty generous of you, I might take you up on that if you got someone who’s versed in griffon anatomy.” He furrows his brow and looks at the mess he created. “I’m more concerned about you than me, in honesty. Look at this mess!”
Whether Case Study knew a thing or not about griffons he wasn't sure, but it couldn’t hurt to have him look. “Uh, well, don’t worry about that too much. The walls can be fixed.” He frowns and looks around. It was going to take a while to fix this mess. “How exactly did you not see the building though? Where were you headed in such a hurry?”
He grinned rather sheepishly. “I ducked down into the valley to get my windspeed up, I close my eyes a brief second, and here I am.” He scratches his chin with a claw. “I was heading over to the mountains, I carved out a little hole for myself. It’s nothing special. I’d hate to call it a ‘home’, but that’s what it would be in absence of anything else. Not much else to call home. No griffon sanctuaries for miles and miles. Nothing much at all for miles and miles. Until now. . .”
He looks at Temperance with guilt-ridden eyes.“I feel truly terrible about this hole my good pony.” He puts his claw around the good pony's shoulder. “I want to repay the damage caused, I insist! I simply won’t take a no for an answer.”
Temperance moves his mouth wordlessly for a second. “I... don’t know how you could... we don’t really use money out here...”
“how about some labor work? I’ll work it off.” Max chimed. “I can do plenty of things around here!”
Temperance eyes the hole in the wall again. They really could use another carpenter, but how would the others react? “Like what exactly? Do you know much about wood working?”
The bird scoffs. “Oh, wood working? Masonry? Fine crafts? You got it.” He grins. “ I can build the meanest bird house you’ve ever seen.”
He chuckles lightly. “Alright then, if you think you can fix this,” he says, pointing at the hole in his wall, “then I’ll give you a chance. It’s pretty late, otherwise I’d introduce you to the other carpenters.” He would probably be best served letting Flamberge know pronto as well. Just in case.
“Yep, that’s all I need.”He said coolly.Then He cocked a brow up. “ Well, a chance and a hammer. That would help too.” He let go of the odd-haired pony.
“Yes, well, I’ll see about acquainting you with everypony as soon as possible.” He frowns again. “I’m afraid I’m not sure where to let you stay though. We don’t even have enough rooms for everypony to sleep in as it stands.” The others might not be so willing to sleep with a griffon, so he neglects to mention the dorm just yet. “I’ll have to think for a moment..”
He shrugged. “ Well, for tonight, I still have my cave. Any outside perch or tower is fine, really. We’ll get to that bridge when it comes?” He looks giddy as a kid. “I’m sorry if I seem too eager and forthcoming, just I can’t tell you how nice it is to actually have something to do around this patch of dirt! It’s been quite a while since I’ve even talked to anypony!”
“Oh, well if your cave wasn’t too far away, I suppose that works. We don’t have even much in the way of perches I’m afraid, but maybe by tomorrow we can fix something up.” He cocks his head slightly. “You’ve been out here by yourself for a long time?”
“Two years, three months, 13 hours, and thirteen minutes to be precise.” Max said rather robotically. “Quite a long time.”
“I should say so.” There was probably something to that story, but it was hardly appropriate to be delving into such matters. “I imagine you’ve got a lot of experience with the surroundings then. Perhaps when we have a moment, we could discuss a, ah, few things about that.”
“Sure! He nodded. “When we have a moment, lots to do. I have to get a travel bag together, have to meet everypony.” he waves at the documents on the ponies desk, covered with dust and debris. “ You have your . . . stuff, i’m sure.”
“Um, yes, I do have a few things left to finish here,” Temperance said, glancing back at the pile of paperwork on his desk. What was he supposed to say now? “Uh... I suppose I should go let the others know about you in the meantime...”
The griffon walks to the hole he made and slides his claw down the jagged edge. He points a Temperance. “Fixed by the end of the week, you have my word.” He walks out, and pokes his head back in the office with a very serious look. “A griffons’ promise is nothing to balk at!” Once outside, he juts his wings out, and with a powerful stroke of his wings he becomes airborne. “I’ll find the cliniiic!”
Temperance watched the griffon take off, and sighed. He’d best go find Flamberge and let him know what just happened. In case anything else happened.
Post by: Dsarker on February 23, 2013, 08:58:22 pm
Maize struts back and forth outside the light of the tavern, keeping herself as inconspicuous as possible as she tries to decide whether she wants to go in or not.
Praetorian walks up to the mare, a small smile on his face. “Hello, Maize. It’s very good to see you again. Waiting for somepony?”
Maize looks up and blushes a little. “Oh... no. I was, um... just trying to figure out whether I should join the party or not.”
“Not too keen on the large group?” asks the stallion. “I don’t blame you there. I’m not much of a people pony myself.”
Maize nods and moves toward Praetorian, wrapping a hoof around him and resting her head on his withers. “I... guess we could do something else, then.”
“Well, my dear, beautiful Maize, what would you like to do, then?” asks Praetorian, looking on Maize with a gentle smile.
Maize blushes a little more. “We... I don’t know. I guess... we could have dinner? I didn’t eat terribly well today. I was a bit worried. About the party, of course.”
“Of course, then. Dinner sounds a delightful idea,” says Praetorian. Now, how to get it...
Maize pulls away, smiling, but her smile fades a little as she realizes just where the food is. “...Oh, yeah...”
Praetorian, hesitating for a second, leans over to give Maize a kiss on the cheek. “I’ll go get something for us to eat. Is there anything you’d like?”
Maize shakes her head. “It doesn’t matter to me. All of Cream Puff’s cooking is good, and if it’s raw I’m fine with that, too.” She smiles. “I did grow it all, after all.”
“Well, then, Maize, I will be back soon,” says the soldier, as he prepares to go do some slightly unorthodox requisition.
Maize stands in her shadowy shelter outside the doorway and patiently waits for Praetorian, offering an encouraging smile.
Serenity trots past Maize’s hiding spot on the way to the tavern, hoping to slip in and grab a bite to eat without disturbing the festivities. She herself hadn’t been invited to the party, but that didn’t bother her overmuch. Hearing something behind her, she pauses, ears twitching. She turns to see the tall mare. “Hello? Oh, Maize! I didn’t see you there.”
Maize smiles gently. “That means it’s working.”
Serenity frowns slightly. “Maize, why are you hiding? Is it the party?”
Maize’s smile fades. “Yeah... I didn’t want anypony to see me because I didn’t know if I wanted to go to the party or not, and then I decided not to go because I’m going to have dinner with Praetorian, and now I don’t want Wood Chips to see me because then I’d have to tell him I was missing his party... and I don’t want to have to do that. Speaking of which... could you not mention seeing me?”
“...I suppose so. I was just ducking in for a moment to get some dinner, so I can slip out before ponies start asking questions. So, who is this Praetorian? A friend?”
Maize blushes a little. “He’s one of the militia ponies, he came from the military... and he’s a bit more than a friend.”
The doctor looks genuinely surprised. “Oh really? This is... well, unexpected, to say the least. You’ve improved quite dramatically since we first met.”
“Oh...” Maize’s smile returns. “Does that mean you don’t have to question me so much anymore?”
Serenity nods. “Not quite as much, no. Though there are still some things we need to cover. Like hiding here in the shadows, for example.”
Maize once again drops her smile. “Oh... I’m sorry.”
Serenity touches Maize’s hoof with her own. “It’s alright. You just need to grow more accustomed to being around ponies. I can help you with that.”
Maize nods. “I guess... I know Temperance wants you to help me. I... guess we should be friends, maybe? I mean... is that right?”
“Well, normally I try to keep things professional with my clients, but... in this case... yes, I think I’d like that.”
Maize’s smile returns once more. “Maybe tomorrow we could... hang out, then?”
Serenity smiles. “Yes... hang out.”
Maize just stands there, smiling, apparently waiting for something else to happen.
Serenity shuffles her hooves. “Well, I need to go pick up dinner. Have a nice date, Maize.” She turns and enters the tavern.
Maize just keeps standing there, smiling at nothing, although she occasionally shifts her posture to keep herself from becoming uncomfortable among other little tics to keep herself occupied.
As one of the few doctors in Duskfields, it was wise to try to keep a good standing with the local residents. Attending the party would be a good start, even if Case Study wasn’t close friends with any of the guests. It was a good place to start, at least. He approached the tavern, taking note of Maize’s presence outside. He cleared his throat, “Hello Ms. Maize. Would you know if the festivities are still ongoing?” Case feared that he may have been late.
“I have no idea, but I think so.” She turns her smile toward him. “Praetorian went in to sneak some food out, and he hasn’t shown back up yet, so I guess there’s still something going on.”
“That is good to hear.” He had observed that the tall pony actually looked him in the face whilst speaking to him. Apparently she was coming out of her shell. “You seem rather high-spirited this evening. I take it that things are going well with you, then?”
Maize shrugs. “I guess so. It’s a lot nicer tonight than it has been the last month or two.”
He rubs his chin, “Is that so?” The stallion hadn’t noticed anything much different about Duskfields lately. Perhaps she had discovered a new way to grow crops? Was the weather favorable for her? “What makes you say that?”
“I have a new friend and somepony who loves me.”
“Ah, well that sounds pleasant. Glad to see that you have come around as well as you have,” Case looks over into the room that was alive with conversation, “I wish you a good night, Ms. Maize. I can see that you are alone and I’d rather not be a bother if you wish to remain in such a state. I would also rather not have Ms. Puff berate me for shunning sustenance. Talk later.” With that, the blue pony began to home in on the entrance.
Maize waves at Case Study’s back and proceeds to patiently wait. She doesn’t have much longer to wait, though, as Praetorian finally escapes the party, and walks back over to her, carrying two plates of food.
“I’m sorry about the wait. Just had a few ponies try to keep me in there,” he says with a little smile.
Maize nods. “It’s okay, I understand. That’s why I didn’t want to go in.” She looks around. “Where would you like to spend our little date, then?”
“Hmm... Well, the tavern’s booked already,” he says with a little bit of humour in his voice, “so that’s my first idea out. Where would you like to spend it?”
“If you want to spend it indoors... we could use my room, or outdoors we could eat in the field.” Maize shrugs. “I don’t know where else we could go, honestly.”
“The field sounds like a nice spot. It’s a nice night tonight, as well,” says Praetorian with a little nod.
Maize smiles a bit wider. “The field it is, then. Would you like to lead, or shall I?”
“If you wouldn’t mind leading, that would be nice,” says Praetorian. Well, at least I picked the right spot, he thinks to himself.
Maize turns around and heads toward the field, happily swishing her tail back and forth as she walks.
Praetorian follows with a happy smile, continuing to carry their plates of food.
It doesn’t take long to reach the field, and Maize clears out a small area without any crops so the two can sit and eat. “I sorta miss sleeping out here, but the bed’s so much nicer. I feel much more rested now.”
“Yeah. I still miss bivouacking in the open field. Well, at least I don’t have to march the rest of the day, now, as well,” says Praetorian with a smile.
Maize nods and bows her head, starting a quick chant that Praetorian can’t quite hear.
“Maize?” asks Praetorian, a little concern in his voice. “What’s that you’re saying?”
Maize looks up. She looks just a tiny bit miffed at having been interrupted, but puts on a smile anyway. “I was just thanking Govos for our food. Do you mind it?”
“No, no. I’m sorry for interrupting you,” says the stallion, with a chastened tone.
“It’s alright.” Maize bows her head again and finishes the chant. “Now, let’s eat!”
Praetorian passes one of the plates to Maize, and takes the other. “Anything you like there?”
“Plenty.” Maize starts to eat. Voraciously. You wouldn’t have guessed she could scarf down an entire meal in less than ten minutes, but she certainly seems set to.
Praetorian hesitates for a second, then digs into his own food with all the gusto of a cat chasing down an injured baby bird, or a swarm of piranha that find a cow entering their bit of the river.
Maize finishes her meal and daintily pats away any food bits on her face with a corn husk taken from one of the plants around them. “That was delicious.”
Praetorian finishes inhaling his food, and follows Maize’s lead. “Indeed it was,” he agrees.
Maize looks around. “So, I suppose we just talk now?”
“If you want to,” says Praetorian. “I can’t say that I wouldn’t enjoy doing so.”
Maize smiles at him. “So, how’s the militia, then?”
“It’s going about as well as it could be expected,” Praetorian says, matching her smile. “Redhat’s still showing a little discipline problem, but hopefully that too will pass. How’s farming going?”
“Same as usual. Tend to the plants, talk to people...” She lets out a little sigh. “Get chased around by horrifying creatures until you and the other militia come save us...”
“Hopefully we’ll be able to stop them coming at all, soon. I’ve been talking to Flamberge, and we’re going to present Temperance with another idea,” says the stallion. “We need a wall up, and it’s best to get it now...before anything bad happens. Especially to you.”
“Especially to anypony.” Maize shudders. “I was so scared when Morning Dew got hurt... I don’t think I could bear seeing anypony else die...”
“I won’t let that happen,” promises Praetorian.
Maize offers him a small grin. “I know. I’ve always really thought militia ponies were so amazing, that they could protect us... and now I get to be close to one of the best.”
“You’re no less amazing than I am, Maize,” says Praetorian in reply. “Without you... Well, I don’t know what I’d be doing now, but it wouldn’t be good.”
“You might just be training, or enjoying the party, honestly.” Maize bows her head abashedly. “I doubt I’ve made that much of a change for you...”
Praetorian lifts her head up with a hoof. “Maize... before I came here, I was a wreck. I wouldn’t have trusted me to protect myself, let alone anypony else. Even when I did come here, I was close to falling back again. But... But with you, I... I don’t know how to explain it. But you saved me, Maize.”
Slowly, giving Maize the chance to stop him, he leans over to kiss her on the lips.
Maize hesitates, starting to pull back a little.
Praetorian pulls back as well at her hesitation. “I’m sorry.”
Maize blushes deeply and hangs her head. For a moment. She looks back up, takes Praetorian by the muzzle, and gives him a big kiss right on the lips.
Praetorian is a little shocked, but manages, somehow, not to fall over in his surprise. Probably due to her holding on to him.
Maize holds the kiss for a moment before pulling away. “I... don’t know if that was right...”
Praetorian moves forward and hugs Maize tight. “I think it was.”
Maize cracks a small smile and hugs Praetorian back as tight as her tiny legs can muster. “Thank you... I never thought anypony could love me before.”
“Maize, not loving you would be a sin,” says Praetorian. “You’re beautiful, smart, kind, and brave.”
Maize thinks about it for a moment. “I... guess I’m beautiful. I don’t think I’m that smart, but I have ponies teaching me things, so maybe I will be really smart someday. Kindness... I don’t know if I could really judge how kind I am, and... I honestly still don’t feel like I deserve to be called brave.”
“Even if you’re not sure about it, I am,” says Praetorian with a smile. “And you’re the best pony I know, Maize.”
Maize blushes, though she grins just a bit, too. “You’re just saying that...”
“I’m not, Maize. I love you too much to lie to you,” he says.
Maize’s smile grows a bit. “Thanks... anyway, uh... do you want to do anything else for our date?”
“I’m happy to just be here with you, Maize, but if there’s anything you’d like to do...?”
Maize shakes her head. “I mean... unless you want to just curl up and spend the night out here, under the stars...”
“That sounds great, Maize,” the soldier says, with a smile.
Maize reaches out and pulls the soldier close to her, lying down on the dirt and pushing the plates to the side. “I... love you, Praetorian.”
“I love you, Maize,” answers the soldier. “And how lovely it is to hear those words.”
Post by: TALLPANZER on February 23, 2013, 11:23:01 pm
SmoothBlock opened the door to Temperance's office, seething mad. She trotted briskly to his desk and put a bottle of whisky with two shot glasses beside it on to the stallion’s desk, poured two shots, drank them, and poured two more. The deep voiced unicorn breathed deeply and said “I need to talk to you, about RedHat.”
Temperance watches the display with a bit of bewilderment. “Uh, alright. What’s the matter?”
“He is completely incompetent and the most annoying colt I have ever met!” She slumped back in her chair. “And I grew up in a literal group of pricks and dirt balls.”
He frowns and shifts back in his seat too. “I’m... sorry? If he’s bothering you, I uh, guess I could talk to him?”
“No, please, just, give him another job!” SmoothBlock took a shot and poured another. “I was so pissed at him, I dropped two ponies of dirt on myself with a bad swing! and he is useless! Useless! It takes twice as long to do ANYthing I get him to do, and worse, WORST! I don’t need any help at all. He is literally a waste of my time.”
Oh, right. That’s what this was about. Temperance sighs. “Oh, I see. Yes, if Praetorian hadn’t ordered him to help dig the trench I’d definitely have him doing something else instead.” He thinks for a moment. “I don’t know what else there is to do though. I should probably talk to Praetorian.”
“Last I checked, Holly still needed help hacking the forest down. Tree’s not that different from a practice dummy.” SmoothBlock took out a pigtail cigar and fiddled with it.
“Yes... I suppose that would work instead...” He raises an eyebrow. “Do you know why Praetorian asked him to help you anyway? Was it for exercise purposes? Surely there are better things to do.”
“Punishment for talking back. That’s what I gathered from Red’s ranting. He never shuts up!” SmoothBlock dropped her cigar on his desk as she dragged her hoof across her muzzle.
He nods slowly. “Oh... right. Maybe there is something better he could be doing then. Having him help Holly might be a good idea, actually. She spends a lot of time out and away, and I worry about her being alone where the badger ponies lurk.”
“Thank you. Seriously, the next ‘accident’ may have happened to him.” SmoothBlock sighed and lit her cigar. “I don’t really mean that.” She took a long drag.
“I certainly hope not,” Temperance says, more seriously than maybe he should have. “Look, if it’s bothering you that much I’ll talk to Praetorian and have him find something else for Redhat to do.” Annoying Holly wouldn’t be a whole lot better, but maybe Praetorian would agree to just do something else entirely. “Maybe just washing the buildings or something.”
“Thanks Temperance, you’re a doll, yah really are.” She took another drag. “So, you going to drink that?” SmoothBlock pointed to the shot glass, still full of whiskey.
He raises a hoof to it. “Oh, no thanks. I, uh, don’t drink.” He gives her a diplomatic smile. Perhaps he should have mentioned that before she poured it.
“Even moderation needs moderation.” SmoothBlock winked and picked up the bottle, putting it away, before taking the empty shot-glass and doing the same. “It might help you relax a little.”
“Thanks, but I can manage just fine without it,” he says, maintaining the smile. “Anyway, I suppose I should go see Praetorian, unless there’s anything else?”
SmoothBlock sighed. “No, just, I’ll want to make some pumps later, to start on draining out a quarry. Can you tell WoodChips I’ll need some boards or something? I keep missing him.”
“Of course. I’ll tell him or Veneer next time I see them. Perhaps that’s something Praetorian would be willing to let Redhat do instead, actually.”
“Alright, well, I guess I’ll be seeing you.” SmoothBlock trotted to the door and let herself out. “Have a good day.”
“Same to you,” he says, waving her off. Now, to go sort this little mess out...
Post by: Telgin on February 24, 2013, 10:24:09 pm
Temperance spent the next few minutes after his little chat with Smoothblock looking for Praetorian. The stallion was nowhere to be seen at the training grounds, nor was he in the tavern. There were only so many places to hide in Duskfields, and the last one Temperance could think of would be the fields. He starts in that direction, hoping he’d find him there and avoid a time consuming search of the woods.
Praetorian is indeed still in the fields, still curled up and asleep with Maize.
Well, this was interesting. Temperance approaches the two, unsure if he should interrupt... whatever this was. “Uh, excuse me, Praetorian?”
Praetorian slowly lifts his head up. “Temperance. What is it?”
“I’m, ah, sorry to disturb the two of you, but when you’ve got a minute there’s something I need to speak with you about. About Redhat.”
“Is it important?” he asks with a slight groan. “What’s he done this time?”
“Nothing critical. He hasn’t done anything directly, just some concerns from another citizen is all.” Temperance starts to feel very awkward now, so he says, “It can wait a little while, if you’d rather just come by my office later today.”
“Ugh. What citizen’s been complaining? Best to sort this out now.”
“Smoothblock. I probably don’t really need to say why,” he says, offering a nervous smile.
“Blast that foal. This is about that bloody moat, isn’t it?” Praetorian groans.
“That’s right. She’s having a bit of trouble working with him, and was hoping that you could find something else for him to do. She suggested having him help Holly some, perhaps.”
“No, blast it. If he’s getting to be a nuisance, he can do something to help everypony. Tell him that if he can’t dig ditches, he’ll be digging the latrines, instead.”
Temperance shrugs. “Alright, if that’s what you want. He should be mostly out of the way doing that.” He steps back. “That’s all I needed, so... I’ll leave you two.”
“Thank you,” says Praetorian as he lies back down.
Post by: Dsarker on February 25, 2013, 01:52:37 am
Praetorian, still a little tired, but exhilarated after the last few nights, wanders into the tavern, a pair of plates in tow. “Cream Puff?” he calls, putting the plates down on an empty table.
She looks up from the oven and gives him a smile. “Praetorian! I was wondering where those plates went!”
“Oh, yeah. Uh, we borrowed them for a little bit, and I just remembered to return them. How are you?” asks the unicorn.
“Doing much better now we have a real kitchen! How about you?”
“I’m... ecstatic, I think, is the word,” says the unicorn with a happy smile on his face. “Do you remember the night of the party?”
Puff blushes slightly. “I know of it, but... I don’t really remember much of it.”
“Well, you might remember that neither I nor Maize were there.” Praetorian gestures to the plates. “We had a little private dinner out in the fields. And then, after that, we slept with each other. It was perfect... at least, until Temperance interrupted with another report of Redhat annoying other ponies.”
Puff blinks at him, then gives him a look that says he’d better explain before she feeds him his horn.
“...Oh, no, no, it wasn’t that. I was sleeping with her. Under the stars. Literally sleeping. We were cuddling,” explains Praetorian.
She still looks... far too neutral as she stares straight at him while running a knife over some steel to ensure it’s sharpness. “I thought you were planning on taking it slow.”
“I am,” he insists. “We didn’t do anything. Just had dinner.”
“And spent the night spooning.”
“...I suppose. It was Maize’s idea, I wasn’t sure what to do.”
She gives him a look that she usually reserves for a large vegetable she’s about to slice up, then brightens significantly and sets the knife down. “Good! Very good! You two really are an adorable couple!”
Praetorian is still a little defensive. “You...you think so?”
“I do indeed! She’s seemed so much happier and even a bit more sure of herself since you two became an item. And it sounds like I don’t need to worry about defending her honor.” She gives him a wink. “But maybe I should talk to her and defend yours.”
“...Er, yes. Maybe,” says the unicorn, more than a little nonplussed.
Cream Puff laughs, happy to have dumbfounded one of the most experienced soldiers she’s ever met. “So, want some lunch?”
“Sure...” Praetorian says, still slightly befuddled by Cream Puff’s words, before shaking it off.
Post by: Destra on February 25, 2013, 03:02:32 pm
Post by: Splint on February 25, 2013, 03:16:39 pm
Post by: Telgin on February 25, 2013, 04:39:05 pm
Hi ponies, I'm not entirely sure who's free, but I'd love to have a unicorn mare to call my own, I don't care what prof but I'd love to see stats when I come up, and I might not be on to post stories or what have you but feel free to use me! And I'd like to be named ilena and something that fits depending on my job :p
Believe it or not, I don't think there are any unicorn mares available right now. I've got almost exclusively pegasi in my first two migrant waves for some reason. When one comes up I'll reserve her for you. Don't worry about not being able to work RPing into the thread, but if you claim her it would be nice to see journals or letters home from her anyway. :)
As for the name, maybe I'm just missing the reference, but is Ilena a pun or otherwise pony like name? I'm not trying to enforce any hard rules on the naming, but would prefer the names to be at least vaguely pony like. :)
This thread has all my jealous... I have a game I'm running elsewhere with an abysmally small audience and seeing so activity here just reminds me of that. :'(
It's ponies man. That and I've got a lot of carryovers from Dawnpick and Glitterglen. Now, if someone could explain to me what I did in Dawnpick to get such a huge following, I'd love to know!
Post by: Destra on February 25, 2013, 05:00:15 pm
Post by: Splint on February 25, 2013, 05:07:39 pm
I wouldn't mind sharing on request, though the initial things are a little... Lacking we'll say.
Post by: Khenal on February 25, 2013, 09:13:37 pm
Maize trots through the fields as she does her daily check, a new bounce in her step and her head held higher than ever... even if she still holds it lower than everypony else.
Cream Puff wanders the fields as well, looking for her friend. She needs to get the story straight from Maize, and to congratulate her on getting quite the catch.
Maize hears Cream Puff disturbing the crops and turns to track her down. “Oh, hey Puff. Are you looking for me?”
She brightens as she hears her friend. “Maize! I am, indeed! I hear you and Praetorian had a good night together.”
Maize blushes a bit. “Well, yeah. We had a little... date. It was nice spending time with him. And we had some of your food as dinner, too, it was delicious!”
Puff grins at her. “He said it was your idea to have a nap together under the stars. Sounds like a successful date to me!”
“Yeah.” Maize bashfully scratches her head. “I still have no idea what I’m doing, but Praetorian seems to be enjoying it so I guess I’m doing something right.”
Puff smiles at her. “You definitely are, Maize. That stallion is head over hooves for you. I’m actually a bit jealous of you two. Having a nice relationship together.”
Maize carefully looks around. “I think, you know, if there’s a stallion for me, there must be one for you out there.” She grins. “Maybe some handsome, hard working stallion who will really love your delicious meals!”
Puff starts to say something, but her voice dies in her throat as an image flashes through her head. Wings. Dark coat. Orange and cream mane. She sits down hard as the realization hits her. Flamberge.
Maize’s smile fades. “Did... did I say something wrong?”
“Huh?” Puff looks back to her friend. “Oh, sorry. No, you’re fine, Maize. I just... thought of something that I didn’t expect.”
Maize thinks a second. “What? Find out you’re more into mares or something?”
“What? No! I’m into stallions!” She deflates a bit. “A specific stallion...”
“...Is being into mares a bad thing?” Maize blushes a little. “Uh... anyway... which stallion?”
Cream Puff rubs her temples at Maize’s first question, not wanting to get into a debate about that right now. At least she has a different question she can focus on instead. “Flamberge...”
“Oh.” Maize looks around. “Who’s that again? I’m still having trouble with names...”
Puff groans and puts her head in her hooves. “Crosshair’s coltfriend...”
“Ah.” Maize thinks. “Is that a problem, too? One of the nobles I worked for once had a mistress, and I think he wasn’t the only one.”
“Yes, it’s a problem,” she says and sighs, flopping onto the ground between the rows of plants. “And I have no idea how to solve it...”
“Is it because Flamberge isn’t a noble?” Maize starts pacing. “Since he’s commander of the militia, I think he might be a noble once this place gets big enough.”
“Ugh... having a mistress is a problem! I don’t want to be a mistress! And I don’t want to break up their relationship!” Puff flails her hooves in the air as emphasis, looking frustrated.
“That... I’m sorry I don’t know how to help you.” Maize sighs as her nose pokes at the ground by Puff’s head. “I could offer my companionship, but... I think you’ve made it pretty obvious you aren’t interested. I guess all I can do is say that maybe the somepony of your dreams, even better than Flamberge, will show up here. There are new ponies coming in all the time.”
Puff hugs Maize as best she can from this position. “Thanks, Maize, but I couldn’t break up you and Praetorian either. You two really are a great couple.”
Maize hugs her back, smiling just a bit. “Maybe someday I’ll be able to say the same about you.”
Puff sighs and rolls to her hooves. “A mare can dream.”
Maize nods. “Oh... I’ve been wanting to ask something.”
“Hmm?”
Maize blushes a bit and lowers her head a little. “Do you ever notice me acting... weird?”
Puff quirks an eyebrow at her. “Eccentric, sometimes, but nothing bad. Why?”
“Well... whenever those red clouds come by...” Maize gulps audibly. “I start to feel dizzy. That one time one got really super close, my eyes got all blurry, and when I snapped out of it the cloud was gone and it felt like the sun had moved.”
“Have you talked to anypony else about this?”
Maize looks down. “No... I know, I should, but... I don’t want to get thrown out, you know?”
Puff nods. She had heard rumors and talk about the clouds, but nopony seemed to know anything concrete about them. Or they were quiet about it. “Well, should I come find you the next time one shows up?”
“Sure... I guess...” Maize perks up a little. “At least you might be able to snap me out of it, or maybe figure out what’s happening.”
Cream Puff smiles and tries to shake the dirt from herself. “Hey, what are friends for, if not to check on each other when weirdness happens.”
Maize chuckles. “Seems friends are good for a lot of things, really.”
Post by: Tevish Szat on February 25, 2013, 10:57:23 pm
Post by: Telgin on February 26, 2013, 12:55:17 am
I've read Dawnpick as well as this, and I have to say... Bravo. The fort updates are brilliant, the journals are brilliant, even the roleplayed scenes are of consistent high quality. I doubt I really have the energy to properly get involved in something like this, but sirs and madams, you're doing great.
Thanks! Glad to know that there's a few people enjoying it at least. :) Now, have another RP scene:
The following takes place right as Temperance finishes tripping out:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Serenity%20Avatar.png) and (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
As the visions swirl and fade away, Temperance leaps back from the massive clawed hand in his face. He turns to run as fast as his legs would carry him, but instead of the open fields he hoped to flee into, he stumbles into a shelf of tools. He picks himself up from the tangled mess and looks around, completely lost in the moment. “Wh-what?”
Immediately, Serenity breaks from the crowd, moving to Temperance’s side. “Temperance! Temperance, can you hear me?”
The stallion starts visibly as she approaches. He looks to her, wide-eyed, and holds his gaze for several full seconds. She was alive! “Y-yes... yes, I can,” he says in an uneasy but clearly relieved voice.
“Come along, let’s get you out of here.” With a firm hoof, Serenity guides him out of the workshop.
He flinches as her hoof touches him, but doesn’t resist her attempts to pull him along. He avoids the gazes of the few ponies standing around, which was mostly Crosshair, who had been stationed there to watch him, and the random few who happened to be wandering nearby at the time. He thinks he sees Convalescence and Morning Dew, but in his daze and haste he’s not sure.
Serenity pulls aside a nearby pony. “Fetch a pitcher of juice and a bowl of Cream Puff’s cheese soup. Bring it to Temperance’s office, please.” Heartfelt gives her a puzzled look for a moment, but nods and trots off.
Temperance looks around nervously and clears his throat. “Is... is that where we’re going?”
“Yes. I thought it best to get you somewhere quiet.”
He nods. “Uh, right. Okay.” The office is just on the other side of the tavern, and no other ponies are around to interrupt them. As they get there, Temperance searches his saddlebag for the key. By now, he’s forgotten that he left the office unlocked, and not even completely shut.
Without waiting, Serenity simply opens the door and guides Temperance inside. He shakes his head as he sees that the door was open. He had no idea how he even got outside when... it... struck him. He follows her inside and stands awkwardly near his desk, unsure exactly what they were doing here.
Serenity stands by the door, waiting patiently for Heartfelt. “You should have a seat. I’m sure your experience was quite... draining.”
Temperance doesn’t reply, but nods and makes his way over to his seat, avoiding looking at Serenity as much as he could. A few minutes later, Heartfelt returns, balancing a pitcher of watermelon juice and a bowl of soup as asked.
Serenity gently takes both in her magic. “Thank you very much. And my thanks to Morning Dew, as well.” She sets both on the desk in front of Temperance, pouring a mug of juice for him.
Temperance eyes the mug for a moment before taking it in a shaky hoof. He quickly downs it, realizing now that he was unimaginably thirsty. How long had he been ‘out of it’? “Thank you...”
Serenity smiles slightly. “You’re very welcome. How are you feeling?”
He looks aside and takes a deep breath. “I-I don’t know. How... how long was I, uh... you know?”
She sighs. “About a week in all. You sat in that workshop for three days asking for supplies. When Morning Dew finally brought you something to work with, you started making this... strange contraption. You worked on that for a few more days.”
“A week?” he asks, with evident surprise in his voice. His eyes go wide as he looks up to her, then back down. “It only felt like a few hours...” he mutters.
“...You should eat. You haven’t eaten at all in that time.”
The food did smell amazing. He takes the bowl and sips at the soup, realizing once again just how ravenously hungry he was. It doesn’t take him long to finish the entire bowl, and he sets it aside. “Thank you... again,” he says, still looking aside.
Serenity moves to sit beside Temperance. “Temperance... what happened? What’s the last thing you remember?”
He sits silently, staring into the empty bowl in front of him. “I... I was sitting here, writing something. Then... I had an unbearable headache... then...” He raises a forehoof to his forehead. She’d never believe what happened after that.
“Then?” Serenity watches him expectantly.
He shuts his eyes, keeping his hoof against his head. “I... I’m not sure myself. It’s hazy.” He pauses. “I... thought I saw a vision of Amug. She was speaking to me, asking me to gather stone and a gem. She said she’d show me something when I did.” He slowly shakes his head again. She probably thought he was insane.
“But it wasn’t her,” he goes on. “She... she showed me something horrible. I’ll... save you the details... but... I saw everypony fighting each other. Including myself...”
“Why were you fighting? Do you remember?”
He shakes his head. “No. No, she didn’t say, and I only saw it as it was happening. Everypony looked so angry.” He recalls the wild-eyed hateful expression on his own face. “It was as if they weren’t themselves. Fighting and killing each other... and I have no idea why.”
Serenity sighs. “Well, the only thing I can tell you is that nopony here has done anything of the sort. It was all in your mind. The part involving Amug...”
He nods slowly. Just seeing her alive was proof enough of that. “Yes... Amug. As I said, it wasn’t really her. It was something else... she changed into a giant monster of some sort.” He blinks a few times, trying to visualize it. “She then told me what I’d seen was a warning. ‘For you and all of your kind’, she said.” He moves his hoof in a small circle to signify the gears he made, and adds, “And the thing I made, the image on it... that was supposed to be a reminder.”
“I...” Serenity starts. “I’m not sure what to tell you about that. Normally, I’d tell you it was nothing more than a semi-coherent product of your unconscious mind, but... I saw the device you made. The way your hooves moved with... otherworldly precision. I just... I think this is beyond my area of expertise.”
He sighs and nods. “I was afraid you would say something like that. This is well beyond my area of expertise too.” He shuts his eyes again. “I wish my mother was here. Or another priest. Maybe they would have some idea...”
“I’ve never been a particularly religious mare myself. My instinct tells me this is most likely some kind of powerful mind control magic, but from a mundane source. Do you know if any of the recent migrants are skilled magicians?”
“No... no, we haven’t had any unicorns arrive since the time you got here. I don’t think any of those who are here now would do something like this.” He makes a weak snort. “I don’t even know if such a thing is possible with magic...”
“Well,” she sighs, “Could you send for a priest from Coupledye, in case this happens again?” The very idea of trusting in such superstition left a bitter taste in Serenity’s mouth, but she saw no other real alternative.
He thinks silently for a few moments and nods. “Yes, perhaps that is for the best. I’ll send a letter with the caravan. I don’t know what else to do.” He runs his hoof through his mane and shakes his head. “Maybe I’m just losing my mind...” he says in a quiet voice.
Serenity shakes her head. “No. You don’t sound like a pony losing his mind.”
He makes a small snort again. That was something at least. He just sighs again, and says nothing, staring down into his desk. He was surprisingly not tired, which was probably just as well since he doubted he could sleep even if he was tired. This was going to be a long few days ahead.
Post by: DVNO on February 26, 2013, 12:58:37 am
There’s an ominous -thud- -thud- -thud- at the door of the clinic. The knocking sounds louder than any sound a mere pony can manage.
Examining one of his scalpels, Case Study is a bit disgruntled at the amount of rust it has garnered. It simply will not do to use such an instrument on a patient. As he thinks about obtaining a replacement, his pointed ears alert him to an immediate presence at the door. Sounds urgent. In response, he places the cutting device down on his table and calls aloud, “Yes? Please come in.”
The door creak open, and Case Study sees a huge mass of . . . what seem to be feathers trying to shove it’s way through. Finally, a griffon, a full two feet taller than him, rears his head. He puffs out his wings.
“Dang, these doors really are made for ponies, aren’t they?” the griffon says, a little claustrophobic in these spaces.
Lowering his chin as he raises an eyebrow, the pale blue stallion is perplexed by what stands before him. He had heard of no griffons being members of Duskfields. Perhaps he was part of a caravan that had recently arrived? Regardless of his origins, there must have been some reason that he was here, so Case gave a straightforward, albeit confused, response, “...may I help you, sir?”
Max looked the pony up and down, and gave a wry smile. “Hey there. Maxwell, “ He extends a claw out for a hoofshake. “Crashed through a brick wall in Temperance's office twelve minutes ago, became Duskfields latest carpenter in the last six. . . It’s been a busy day.”
“...I see, Mr. Maxwell,” Case slowly reached out to accept the greeting. He didn’t really understand, but he figured that the details would come out soon enough, “So, ramming through mortar with your body? I think I can deduce that you are here with blunt force trauma of some type?”
Max shrugs and closes his eyes. “Yeah, that would be the reason. Momma always said I had tough skin, but it never hurts ta’ double check.” He turns his head to the side and trains a single eye on the the pony. “ You do know you to treat a griffon, right? Last pony doctor I had, rooted around me clueless! ”
No, the doctor had never treated anything other than equines in his life, “Your species is not my specialty, but some aspects of physiology are universal. If you are able to move around unhindered, then I’m doubtful that you have broken any bones. Are you in any pain at all?” Case gets out of his chair and prepares for a simple examination.
The griffon shuffled his big blue eye over him up and down again. “Yeah, alright.” He says dismissively. “ I don’t know, I have a feeling about you. You know what you’re doing. “ He glances up at the ceiling. “My chest is in a little pain.” He glances back down, knowing that's a bit of a lie. “Actually, in a lotta pain.” He ugghs “ It’s just. . . first impressions . . “
“I’ll do my best, that much I can assure you. By the way, you may address me as Case Study,” the earth pony answers as he takes a first look over the griffon’s integument. No signs of blood so far as his red eyes can see. “Pain in your chest?...wait...first impressions...was that a bit of humor?”
Max chuckles “ Yeah, it was a bad attempt at it. I guess my humor bone is broken for sure, then. Strike that one of the diagnosis board!” He gets back down to business. "But seriously, It feels like I just rammed through a brick wall.”
“Oh, well, good to know,” chest pains could have been an indication of a serious injury, so a lack of such an ailment was relieving, “I believe that is self-evident, Mr. Maxwell. I don’t believe, however, that you have any serious injuries. Bruising is most likely the extent of your grievances. That will heal on its on in time. I’m giving you the pass for now.” The blue pony steps back, “If any symptoms worsen, or new ones come about, report back to me.” He paces a bit, “So, how did you come upon our settlement again? Are you a trader? Perhaps here with others?”
Max quirks a brow. “Came upon you? It’s the other way around to be honest. I fly through the valley every once and awhile on my way back to the cave. This time? A building was there.”
“...I hope you don’t mean to imply that this land is your territory. That would be a rather large mistake on our part if it is. Since you know the name of Temperance, can I assume that you have spoken with him?” Case was curious to see where this was going.
Max looks as if he’s been accused of something. “No, no, one griffon doesn't exactly constitute as a nation with borders, I can’t really do anything but help or get out of the way. . . that doesn't bother me. It’s about time something happened around here. “ He cocks his head, agitated. “ It’s just if you’re going to build something over night, some neon orange signs would be helpful! Some magic flares, perhaps?”
The doctor cleared his throat, “I’m afraid the decor of this place isn’t up to me. If you have any suggestions or complaints about the design of Duskfields, I would suggest consulting Mr. Temperance or one of the carpenters. Speaking of which, didn’t you say earlier that you were going to be joining us as a carpenter yourself?”
“Yeah. Why not? It sounds fun.” The griffon says enthusiastically. “Helping others is the the only way to truly help yourself. That’s a proverb from somewhere. If it’s not? It should be.” He laughs. “You know what i’m talking about probably more than most, Doc.”
“If you do have intentions of aiding us, then I am sure we will be grateful. Some ponies, such as Ms. Holly and Ms. Block, are often short-hoofed on help. Not that having an extra worker of the wood won’t be valuable as well.”
Max nods. “I’ll get the job done.” Max’s wings shift around, and he looks at Case study with a shrewd look. “So ,I’ve told you why I’m in the middle of nowhere. Can you return the favor? I may be overstepping here, but i’m rather curious. What is a colony of ponies doing way out here?”
“Our main objective, as I am told, is to farm the land,” Case explains, “We are on a mission from Coupledye to exploit the natural resources present here. So far, our ventures have been successful. We have had some setbacks in the form of pests and thieves, but nothing we weren’t able to overcome. My personal role here is fairly self-evident.”
“hmm . . . ‘exploit’ the land, that’s a rather severe, alarming way to phrase it.” Max looks at him quizzically. “I think you mean harvest the land?” Max hoped that was the case.
“If you wish to state it as such, yes, that would be accurate,” Case begins rubbing one of his temples, “Would you excuse me for a moment?” Trotting back over to his desk, he opens one of the drawers and pulls out a leafless, green stem. After biting a segment of it off, the equine begins chewing it. He pauses for a minute, “Migraine treatment.” He continues, “I hope I haven’t put a sour taste in your mouth with my explanation of our workings.”
“Ah, migraines. Painful little annoyances, aren’t they?” Max nods his head in a negatory. “Not at all. Temperance asked for a wall, and he’s going to get a wall.”
“That they are,” he answers between a chew, “If Mr. Temperance is putting you to work already, I imagine he must trust you. Welcome aboard our meager settlement, Mr. Maxwell.”
Max is overcome with modesty. “What can I say? I guess I just have one of those trustworthy faces.” He looks nervous though. “I just hope every pony here feels the same as you and Temperance. I can’t imagine why not, but I also cannot deny have been on a long sabbatical. If the griffons in general did something feather brained to the pegusai while i’ve been gone, well, I wouldn't be surprised.” He shrugs. “I can hope, though.”
He slowly taps his forehooves together as he sits at his desk once more, “I also would not be surprised if some of the others here don’t take to trusting you so quickly. We are quite a varied group. I doubt any such tensions will be insurmountable, however.”
“Guess I should get to winin’ hearts and minds, then.” He takes a look at his claws as he says it. “So? Clean bill of health? Bruising is minor?” He sighs. “No rectal examination necessary?”
“Ahem, no, that would not be necessary,” Case groans slightly, “You’re free to go now.”
He grins. “Right, Humor bone’s still broken.” He points at his forearm with a claw. “ Thank you for the time and consideration, Doc.” Max heads towards the door. Well, no news is good news, he assured himself. And not just with the exam. Case study didn't shut him out immediately when he asked what he was doing here, and the purpose seems relatively benign. He didn't seem to believe the griffons were causing trouble either. First time for everything, he assumed.
After the door is shut, Case puts a hoof to his grinning lips and tries to stifle a chuckle. “Rectal exam,” he thinks aloud.
Post by: Dsarker on February 26, 2013, 11:55:35 pm
Cream Puff keeps chuckling as she makes lunch for Praetorian, and soon presents him with a nice ratatouille and fresh bread. “Here you go, Hun!”
“Thank you, Cream Puff,” says Praetorian as he takes the food. “This looks good, as always.”
“Thanks, Praetorian. So...” she says as she sits at a chair across from him. “...how’d the date go? You two enjoy some nice snuggling under the stars?”
“Yes... it was very peaceful,” Praetorian says, smiling stupidly as he remembers that night. “She’s a beautiful mare, Cream Puff- er, not to say that you aren’t, as well.”
She chuckles and rolls her eyes at him. “Smooth as always, Tor.”
“It’s... I don’t know how to explain it, but it was entrancing, I suppose. I don’t have the words to explain it fully, but...” He shakes his head in bemusement. “You know what I’m talking about, yes?”
“Not first-hoof, but I have a good imagination.” She smiles wistfully as she pictures Tor and Maize enjoying a chaste and loving snuggle under a starry sky, and sighs. “So, what are you gonna do for the next date?”
“I... I don’t really know. Uh, what was the sigh for?” says Praetorian.
Puff ignores the question. “What do you mean you don’t know?”
“I don’t know what to do, really,” he says with a shrug. “I’m not really... well, experienced with dating. Or relationships. And you still haven’t answered my question.”
She keeps ignoring it. “Oh come on! You just need to do something romantic that she’ll enjoy! Think, stallion!”
“Uh... A candlelit dinner? I don’t know.”
“Hmm... a bit too formal for a second date. Think more relaxed.”
Praetorian waves his hooves in the air. “I don’t know! This is all of the second relationship I’ve been in. And the first one didn’t go so well, remember! And you’ve still not answered my question!”
“It’s too bad we don’t have a theater for you to take her to a play or something...”
“Come on, you’ve avoided the question. What was that sigh for?”
She rolls her eyes at him again. “It’s not important. What is important is figuring out what to do for your next date!”
“I think it’s important to you. You’re my friend, Cream Puff.”
She sighs again. “I sighed because you two are so great together, and I don’t have anypony to be with, so I have to live vicariously through you two, ok?”
Praetorian slowly, and carefully, puts the plates of food down. “Cream Puff,” he says, “you are my friend,” before wrapping her in a bear hug. “If there is anything I can do for you, you know you have merely to ask.”
She smiles and hugs him back for a few moments before pushing out of it. “I know, you big lug. So just be a good stallion for Maize, ok?”
“...Heh, I’ll try. If it wasn’t for you, though...”
“Aw, lay off it, Tor. I’m just glad to see you two happy together. So, what should you do for your second date? Maybe a sunset together?”
“That sounds like a good idea,” agrees Praetorian.
“Of course it is! I thought of it!” Puff spreads her wings in pride and poses for a few moments, then laughs at herself.
“There’s that,” agreed Praetorian. Well, time to see who of my former comrades are single...
Post by: jaxler on February 27, 2013, 02:20:03 am
22nd Timber, 269
Ugh... you'd think after badger's wouldn't be so bloody suicidal. I personally never quite understood their beloved concept of honor though terrorism. One of the damned bugger showed up today. Almost put a dagger in the Smothblock's face. At least somepony put a the abomination down before getting at anyone...
2nd Moonstone, 269
And you'd think after two of badgers showed up somepony would think to keep our stockpiles under locks. If they keep sneaking off with are garbage, let alone our valuables, they might actually think sending a raiding party would be smart... and honestly it might be.
19th Moonstone, 269
Today we finally got a tavern set up. It's a quaint little place, but spose' it serves it's purpose.
6th Obsidian
Well this is just a riot. The one stallion deemed "worthy" to make our life or death decisions for us due to his sister's accomplishment's is now in a mechanic's shop blabbering incoherent gibberish. Well, honestly I thought the poor guy wasn't the type to crack under pressure. One can only imagine what would make a nervous break down of this level to occur. At least now the local mental health professional might have more people to work with than my captain's antisocial lady friend.
8th Obsidian
A caravan showed up today. I was able to get my hooves on some of my old stuff from capital. The bastards kept my pet locked in some tight cage also. Practically ruined my day. Well, at least now I can replace my old clothes... Also I got my hat collection back in one piece! Honestly was scared it wouldn't make it here one piece.
13th Obsidian
Hmmmm... and seems Friday the thirteenth is a lucky day after all. Temp seems to have snapped out of it and made one hell of a mechanism. Well, I've heard of ponies loosing themselves in a masterwork item beyond compare before, but I assumed it was some old myth or made up hog wash. Whatever, I just hope Temp get's back to normal soon...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)(http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/042/b/4/untitled_by_jaxler-d5uo19c.png)
Temperance lets out a long, frustrated breath as he begins scouring the settlement for Redhat. If it wasn’t something about him slowing work down at the trench, it was something about a dog he had. It seemed this pony was going to be giving him a bit more work to do than the others, for whatever reason. Maybe once he found him, they’d be able to set this matter straight and he both could get back to more productive matters.
The pegasus in question was currently sitting behind the tavern with a old looking book with the symbols “свят атлас”as it’s title in his hooves. It seemed to have been quite a fine looking book, probably would have been expensive if age had not decayed it ever so slightly. Also Redhat’s dog was there as well, and currently asleep next to him. When The pegasus saw the “management” walking towards him, he rose the book ever so slightly, just to cover his face.
There were only so many places a pony could hide here, thankfully, so tracking Redhat down hadn’t taken too long. Temperance swallows his reservations and steps forward, noting the dog that he’d received the complaint about. “Excuse me, Redhat? Could you give me a minute of your time?”
He “ughed” and lowered the book. “What is it? I’ll inform you right now that if I did anything it was that way when I got there.”
Temperance rolls his eyes and shakes his head. “No, no, nothing like that. I, uh, actually needed to talk to you about your, uh, dog,” he says, nodding his head in the direction of the sleeping animal.
“And, what’s wrong with it?” He said as he flipped a page of his book, not paying Temperance much mind. His free hoof went down and petted the “dog’s” back.
“Well, to be frank, a few ponies are afraid of it. They’re telling me that it’s actually a wolf or something,” he says, looking at the creature a bit more closely. It was certainly starting to look like that little rumor might be true. “And if that’s the case, it might be dangerous.”
“I can assure you this animal won’t exactly be chasing down foals.” He kept petting it’s back. “I honestly find it offensive you’d assume my pet to be a danger to the mutual safety of this town.” A soft whimper was heard from the furry critter. “I’ll have you know I make my personal safety my highest priority.”
Temperance frowns. “I know you trust it, and I don’t think it would hurt anypony, especially you, but there are others who are concerned.” He sighs. “Where did you get it? Is it a wolf, or just a dog?’
“Why yes, she’s a wolf. Your point?” At this point the rather fluffy dog started to get up from it’s little nap on the ground and walked toward Temperance.
Temperance takes a step back at first, having never been a dog pony in the first place, but most certainly not a wolf pony. She didn’t seem too aggressive, at least. “Well, we do have a lot of livestock about and all. The chickens and sheep, especially. You know what wolves can do to animals like that.”
He rolled his eyes. “Yes, so can Cream Puff.” The wolf kept advancing and gave him a less than menacing nuzzled to his foreleg. “Hmmm... seems Bonnet likes you.” The dog had a rather fluffy white coat. It certainly was quite large too, much bigger than the local stock for sure. It’s eyes were odd as well one being blue and the other being brown.
Temperance examines the ‘dog’ for a few moments before nervously patting her with a hoof. “Yes... I suppose so. Still... she’s not a domesticated dog,” he says. There wasn’t really a great answer to this. What, was he going to force Redhat to get rid of it? “Look... based on what I’m seeing, I don’t think she’ll hurt anything. I’ll tell the others that I’ve looked into it.” He keeps looking down at Bonnet. “But, if anything does happen... you’ll be responsible, alright?” He prayed if anything did happen, it wouldn’t be something like Cumulus getting bitten...
“Trust me, Bonnet would never do that.” He looked down at the wolf again, which by now was licking playfully at Temperance. “I’d have to either give her the order or lets say... somepony kicked her for no real reason, and if somepony does kick her i’m assuming she’s got the right to self defense.”
“I certainly wouldn’t let somepony hurting her for no reason go unpunished,” Temperance says, half answering the question. “But, I’ll trust what you say for now. Don’t worry about her, as long as she doesn’t bother anypony, I’ll see to it that nopony bothers her or you about it.”
“Good, good” he closed his book. “I’d hate for this to be that big of an issue.” He then sighed and looked him in the eyes. “Also, I suppose a thank you in order for not forcing me to give up my pet.”
“You’re welcome,” Temperance replies, finally letting a small smile show. “I’d rather not cause more of a fuss than necessary. Anyway, I’ve bothered you enough, I’ll leave you two alone.”
Post by: Kryptid on March 01, 2013, 11:52:32 pm
If I forgot anypony's avatar, let me know!
(http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/042/b/4/untitled_by_jaxler-d5uo19c.png) (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png) (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Praetorian%20Avatar.png) (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Cream%20Puff%20Avatar.png) (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Case%20Study%20Avatar.png) (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Serenity%20Avatar.png) (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Smoothblock%20Avatar.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Wood%20Chips%20Avatar.png) (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Crosshair%20Avatar.png) (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png)
Wood Chip tapped his hoof on the ground. Frankly, he was not the most patient pony.
And there should be ponies here by now.
And the door gets kicked open, “YOLO, BITCHES! I BROUGHT THE BOOZE!” Redhat was standing in the door frame with a keg of ale and a red baseball cap on backwards. “Um...” he noticed the single stallion on the other side of the room. “Well... isn’t this quite a quant sausage fest...”
Crosshair was just about to land behind Redhat to go in for the party, and stopped herself mid-flight. and landed a small distance away. Tilting her head slightly at the pony with a red hat and a keg of ale. Something about him bothered and annoyed her, and she don’t know why.. But at least he’s got Ale! Plus Flamberge did promise he’ll catch up soon. She trots up over to the door and offer Redhat a smile, “Evening, Soldier!”
Redhat turned turned around, seeing another pegasi, “Why, hello there.”
With that, Crosshair moved into the Tavern, having to nudge Redhat out of the way a little as she went in to look around, seeing that there’s not that many ponies here yet. “So.. are we early or is everyone late?”
As if on cue, Temperance cracks the door to the tavern and pokes his head in. “Ah, hello everypony, sorry that I’m a bit late. I got held up a bit.” He steps inside and gives them a small smile. “I hope I haven’t missed too much.”
Crosshair gave him a smiling salute. “Looks like you’re fine, Sir!”
He nods and returns her smile. “Yes, looks that way.”
Coming in shortly after Temperance came Flamberge, he looked around, dismayed to see the crowd was as it was, "Evening Temperance," he says as he passes him as he makes his way toward Crosshair. "Evening Captain," he says with a grin, "Cream Puff said she'd be a bit late, lots of dishes to finish up in the kitchen," he adds.
Crosshair returned the grin as she beamed brightly “Evening Commander! and yes, I’ve heard. I hope she’ll make it here in time though, wouldn’t want her to miss this out.”
Temperance nods to Flamberge as he steps past, “Evening commander.” He leaves the two soldiers to talk with each other as he finds a comfortable place to get settled inside.
Redhat walked over and left a the keg down on the table. “Well looks like ponies are finally showing...” he then noticed Temperance, “Hello there.”
Temperance smiles at Redhat. “Hello. I don’t think we’ve spoken in a while. Everything going alright?”
“Well, fine as could be I suppose,” he took a seat, “I guess I could be a lot worse, how are you holding up?”
“That’s good, I’m sure militia life is a bit rough at times.” Temperance thinks a moment on how to answer the question, and settles for, “I suppose I’m about the same. Doing well enough anyway.”
“Good good...as long as you aren’t spending a few days in a workshop making a pretty kog i’m sure you’ll be quite fine.”
Temperance rolls his eyes and makes a small chuckle. “Indeed.”
SmoothBlock trotted in, “Hey! I heard there was boozes?”
“There’s a keg over here,” said Redhat, “Pardon me for a moment, Temperance.”
SmoothBlock got herself a mug and filled it, she took a long pull of ale and then went to find a seat and light her pigtail cigar, “Ahhhh, that’s how you end the day.” She smiled and leaned back on her haunch.
Crosshair went over to the keg as well to fill a couple of mugs with ale before returning to her commander, offering him one.
Flamberge accepts the mug, “Thanks Crosshair,” he says before taking a long drink from the mug, which he follows with kissing her on the cheek.
That made the small mare giggles and blush faintly as she takes a drink from her mug as well, already enjoying the party as is as the two militia ponies chats away.
“Smothblock... you seem rather relaxed there,” said Redhat as he took a sip of ale.
“Yeah, it’s after work, I got a cigar, and an ale, life is good.” Smooth took another deep drag.
“Well, I suppose,” he shrugged. “Still, those two things can end up killing you.”
“So can a rock to the head, what’s your point?” SmoothBlock blew out a smoke-ring.
“Nothing...”
“Thrilling conversation, as alway, Red.” SmoothBlock quaffed her Ale.
“Well then...” he sighed and just started to walk off, “I can assure you I had no intention of offending somepony as high class as yourself.”
“Glad you understand our social standing.” SmoothBlock burped loudly and scratched her belly.
“I’ll be on my way then.” He walked off, and as if by chance, his tail knocked her cup of booze over. “Oh... how rude of me.”
Smooth caught the ale in her magic and finished the mug, “No problem at all, short stack.”
“Oh right, you have that glowing growth on your head...” the pony keeps walking off, “Try not to choke on that stuff.”
SmoothBlock suddenly falls on the floor and rolls around making hacking and wheezing noises.
The door to the tavern opens, slowly and quietly, as Praetorian tries to make his way in unnoticed. He surveys the room, looking for the shortest path to the most food with the least ponies.
SmoothBlock began to ham it up even more, taking massive gasping breaths, and dramatically flailing her hooves.
Redhat sneaks away as best he could, hoping somepony else would take the would be actress to the med’s office.
Praetorian, taking advantage of the distraction, finds a table, and grabs a pair of plates, picking up two supplies of appetising looking food, and tries to discretely back out of the tavern again.
Mere feet from the door, Praetorian bumps into somepony, who voices her displeasure with an annoyed squeak.
“Blo-Oh, Serenity. Excuse me, miss,” he apologises. “Just in the middle of something. Didn’t see you there.”
Serenity manages to regain her balance without falling. “N-No, it’s quite alright... Praetorian, is it?”
“Yes, that’s me,” confirms the stallion. “Have we met?”
“No, just a guess on my part. Maize and I were just talking about you.”
“Oh, really?” asks Praetorian, somewhat surprised. “...what about?”
“She mentioned that you two were in a relationship, and that you were on a date tonight. I was... well, surprised, to say the least.”
“...What do you mean, surprised?” he asks. “Is there any reason we shouldn’t be in a relationship?”
Serenity shakes her head. “No, nothing like that. It’s just surprising to see how much she’s improved since I met her.”
“Improved? What do you mean?” asks Praetorian.
Serenity sighs. “When I first met her, Maize had serious social anxiety, to the point that she would sleep out in the fields just to avoid having to speak to other ponies. She’s opened up quite a bit since then, and made a few friends.”
“I knew she was shy, but she wasn’t that shy that she’s changed, surely? Just a little depressed. She’s still the same pony she always was.”
Serenity nods. “It was enough to make Temperance concerned for her wellbeing, so he asked me to speak to her. And during our sessions, there have been... hints of other, much deeper things.”
Praetorian’s eyes narrow. “What do you mean?”
Serenity looks away. “...It’s not something I should really discuss without her consent. I’ve probably said too much already.”
“Did someone hurt her? Did something happen to her?” repeats Praetorian.
Serenity sighs. At this point, confidentiality was already out the window. “I... am not sure. Whenever the subject comes up, she becomes very agitated. There’s a lot of anguish over... something. If only she would tell me, then maybe I could help...”
Praetorian breathes deeply, then says, forcing his voice to remain calm. “If you find out somepony hurt her...I’ll make sure they never hurt her, or any other pony, ever again.”
Serenity finds the soldier’s tone just a bit... unsettling. It doesn’t sound like he’d ever do anything to hurt Maize, but still... “...I’ll see what I can learn.”
“...Dammit, no. I shouldn’t be prying anyway. Just... Just help her, dammit. You know better than me.”
“I will. I’ll be seeing her again in a few days.” Serenity glances towards a table laden with food. “Well, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll get my dinner and head back to the office.”
“Yes... And I should rejoin Maize.”
Serenity manages a smile. “Of course. Have a pleasant evening.”
“And you, Serenity.”
Case Study had now arrived as well. He wasn’t sure how to begin this affair. Perhaps it would be best if he simply waited for another pony to start a conversation with him. Alternatively, maybe he could jump into a discussion about something relevant to his interests. If nopony wished to speak with him, that was okay as well, he thought. First things first, so Case heads over to look at what selection of foods were available.
Praetorian, still turned towards Serenity as he says farewell to her, turns and just stops short of bumping into the town’s doc, who has just entered the tavern. “Evening, doc. How’s things?”
“This night? So far so good,” he acknowledged, “I can surmise that you are doing well yourself, judging by appearances at least.” He notices the two plates that the soldier is carrying, “I see the sustenance supplied to us this night is of good quality. I believe Maize made mention of you as I was coming in.”
“Ah, you spoke with Maize? She’s a beautiful and intelligent mare, though a little shy.” Praetorian smiles a little, and shrugs. “Well, I’ve never been that social myself. And yes, the food looks to be good, as it usually is. Have you had any...well, favourite meals, here at least?”
The blue pony was beginning to piece together that Praetorian and Maize were now a couple, but he didn’t feel like asking. He did not wish to cause any embarrassment in the case that they did not yet wish to acknowledge it publicly. “Yes, I have to admit that the majority of the food I’ve partaken of since my arrival has been quite satisfactory. I find the tomatoes of special note.” As long as it wasn’t in the form of juice on a sandwich, that is.
“Yes. It’s a change to the way things were on the march,” says Praetorian with a smile again on his face, “and not a bad one. Didn’t have much out there to eat except bread and a bit of dried fruit. I expect things were different where you were from, yes?”
“Hmm, I believe you could say so. In Coupledye, there was more variety than that. Although I do expect that when one is in a military position that non-perishable food items become the wiser choice to carry with you.” Case recalled having eaten dehydrated fruit before and finding it rather pleasant. “So, what do you like to do when you are not on duty?”
“Well, I can’t say I’ve ever really thought of myself as ‘off-duty’ until recently. Back with the army, there were always things to do, and when there weren’t, occasionally some of the stallions would get together and talk a little amongst ourselves, maybe roll the dice a little.” He sighs. “It was... It was sociable, but it wasn’t really the most enlightening of environments, you might say.” The smile pokes up a third time. “But with Maize... And with everypony here, really, well... it’s a change, and it’s definitely for the better.”
Now it certainly seemed that there was something going on between those two, “Ms. Maize...so you and her seem to be good friends now? I apologize if I’ve been holding you up, as I believe she said that she was waiting on you to bring her food?”
“Oh, yes. We’re... well, a little more than friends. She’s... I don’t know how to explain this, but you’re a smart pony... She’s so peaceful, that just being with her...it calms me, it makes me see the good in the world.” Another smile, rueful this time. “And after this much time serving in the military...that’s something I really need.”
He chuckled lightly, “I had suspected as much. I can certainly see how a pony in your position could appreciate a mare like her.”
“It’s... Well, you understand what I mean, at least. And she’s just so innocent, as well.”
The doctor nods, “Indeed. Now what am I doing here keeping you from your dear friend? I’m sure she’s getting hungry. Perhaps you should invite her in? I’m sure Mr. Chips must have invited her as well.”
“She’s... well, she’s not a crowd-seeking pony, to say the least. And she prefers things a little less...noisy. So, we’re having a little private dinner to ourselves. A date.”
A small smirk appeared across the earth pony’s muzzle, “I see. I can understand how that might be preferable when one is involved with another pony.”
“Indeed,” says Praetorian with a hint of humour in his voice. “Speaking of which, I’ve heard that Morning Dew has been seen talking with you a little more often since that appalling attack. Anything to that, or just helping her recover?”
He raises an eyebrow, “If there was anything more to that than mere appearances, I don’t believe that I’ve been made aware of it.” He rubs his chin, “At least I don’t think Ms. Dew has had any such intentions.”
“Ah, more likely then that I’ve been misinformed. Well, doctor, it has been pleasant talking to you, and perhaps we should do so again...but I would hate to keep Maize waiting any longer than I have to.”
“I understand fully. There are probably others I should speak with as well. Good night to you, Mr. Praetorian.”
Praetorian nods to Case Study, and continues on the epic journey to the door.
Praetorian finally makes his way out, to continue the little date.
Temperance eyes the pony sneaking out of the tavern, as well as the overly dramatic display of Smoothblock. He rolls his eyes as the initial alarm of seeing her in the floor wears off, and he moves off to find something to eat himself. Maybe Cream Puff had some of that soup around here somewhere...
Puff finally exits from the back of the tavern and into the party, grumbling a bit about all the dishes. She’s definitely going to need to get some assistants eventually. She waves at the various guests around, then heads for the drinks. She’s not usually much of a drinker, but the parasprites, her anger, depression, confusion... she’s looking forward to getting slobbering drunk.
Crosshair waved happily at her “Puff!” She called, happy and excited to see her friend, trotting over to give her a friendly nuzzle.
Puff gives her a tired smile. “Heya Cross.”
Flamberge sees Crosshair going over to meet Cream Puff, but he stays seated at their table and gestures for them to join him, before taking another sip from his mug.
Wood Chip was in the back, mostly keeping out of the main conversations going on. Not everypony was here, either, but that hardly mattered, considering he was slightly tipsy before he walked in anyway. He knocks a hoof against the bar counter to get the others attention.
Puff waves at Flamberge before turning to get a drink of her own from the bar. When Wood Chip knocks on it, she gives him a curious look as she pours something strong for herself.
“What’s his problem?” Crosshair asked curiously at Wood Chip’s hoof knock. Puff shrugs.
Temperance and Flamberge both look up, separately, at the knocking, but remain silent.
Wood Chips looks at the surprised looks he was getting, and smiled sheepishly.
“Er, everypony? I kinda organized this party, and while it’s a little late, I had a speech about why I invited you all here. But its...okay if none yall want to hear it, it’s late.”
Temperance waves a hoof at him. “No, no, go ahead,” he says with a reassuring smile.
Puff nods at him to continue. It’d be rude to show up and not listen to the pony throwing the shindig, after all.
SmoothBlock stopped her fussing about and lay on her side, propping her chin up with her forehoof.
Wood Chips chuckles, he’s not used to being the center of attention, let alone slightly tipsy.
“Well, most of the ponies here arrived here little more than a year ago to settle in this little grassy hill.”
He looked at Red Hat with some minor amusement, and hopefully others would get a laugh out of that.
“However, after spending a year working at a breakneck speed to get this little place running, I noticed that we never really stopped to talk about what we're trying to do. Now, we know we are trying to build a community like the ones we all came from out of nothing but hard work and effort, but I am under the impression that it’s not a community if a pony cannot sit around and enjoy the fruits of their labors and laugh.”
He paused slightly, taking a little breath. And a shot of whisky. Unicorn magic is great for this sort of stuff.
“And so, I wanted to let us do so. It took me a very long time to work up the nerve to invite all of you, but I am glad that everypony who arrived, and Red Hat, came. Because this little gathering is a celebration for our little fortress thriving. Besides the founders, I want to give a thanks for the military, who I do think deserve this time to wind down and relax. After all, what’s black and white and red all over?”
Realizing what he said, Wood Chip backpeddled clumsly. “It’s a badgerpony, not a zebra!”
“Zebra with a sunburn!” shouts Puff before taking a swig of her drink.
Flamberge shifts in his seat uncomfortably at the badgerpony joke and takes a deep drink from his mug emptying it.
Noticing Flamberge’s general uncomfortablness, Wood Chip slightly panics internally.
“Well, your heart was in the right place, which is more than I can say for the Badger.” SmoothBlock said, recovering her seat. “So how about some more of that whisky!” She held her mug high.
Wood Chips gives her a look that, to other observers in the room, was probably a bit too lidded to be enterly platonic.
“I actually have a little something special saved for something like this.”
Behind the counter, in a little red glow of magic, rises a tall, slim bottle. It was very old, very expensive looking, and furthermore had a great big smiley face imprinted on it’s side.
“This might be the last bottle of cloudberry wine from the town of Cheerfulgrins, my old home. More importantly, this bottle might be one of the last things from my old home left, considering it’s gone now. Long time, too.”
Wood Chips frowns, but neverless levitates a few score glasses from behind the counter and sets one in front of each of the guests seated before him. He pauses slightly, as if with guilt.
“Smells strong, I like strong things.” SmoothBlock wiggled her eyebrows.
Temperance isn’t quite sure what to do. He doesn’t drink, but he doesn’t want to look ungrateful.
“Out with the old and in with the new, as they say. A toast for our fair town?”
Woodchip takes a long look at the smily face on the bottle, perhaps too long of a look, but neverless uncorks it fully with little flourish and pours a gulp of the white-yellow brew into each of the glasses, with himself being last.
SmoothBlock picked up her glass and sampled the bouquet
Crosshair waited for everypony to have their glasses, and once they do, she wait for the cheer so that all will be downed together.
Puff lifts her glass as well.
Flamberge takes his glass, examines the liquid and then raises it as well.
Temperance sniffs the liquid and makes a nervous smile. He lifts the glass, not at all looking forward to what was about to happen.
“Cheers!” SmoothBlock raised her glass in her magic.
Wood Chip tries and fails to get a good look at everypony in the room, because his eyes stopped around the general area of Smoothblock.
“For Duskfields and it’s future!”
He takes a gulp. It tastes like honey and..something. It might have been what liquid rainbow tasted like if you removed the spicy.
It tasted like home.
This was when everypony was supposed to take a drink, right? Temperance reluctantly downs the alcohol, but finds it shockingly tolerable. It tasted very good actually... wasn’t everything alcoholic supposed to taste horrific?
SmoothBlock tossed her head back and let the honey like drink slide down her throat. She let out an “Ahh!” and smiled “tasty stuff Chips.”
Puff downs hers as well and licks her lips. “Mmm, a good year, definitely.”
Wood Chip smiles sadly. “It was the last one. For that wine, anyway.”
“It was real good, Chips.” SmoothBlock licked her lips and smiled, putting the empty glass on the end of her horn.
The toast apparently finished, Puff and Cross head to join Flamberge at his table.
“Evenin’ Puff,” says Flamberge, who is clearly more than a little tipsy, as she approaches the table, “How are t’ings?”
“Things are far too lucid for my tastes right now.” she says before taking a large swig of her drink.
Crosshair took a swig of her drink as well, placing her mug down on the table “something troubling you?”
Flamberge imagined he knew what was troubling Puff, but this was a party, she shouldn’t dwell on such things, or so he thought, “Aye Puff, just have a drink and relax, it’s a party, lets just try and have a good time, alright?”
“Lots of stuff, Cross. But, like ‘Berge said, it’s a party. I intend to drink until I am unable. And then maybe drink a bit more.” She gives the two a small smile and downs the rest of her mug.
The three spend a while longer drinking, until Crosshair got up from the table, a little more than just tipsy. “I’ll.. I’ll be right back, drank too much” she said with a little hiccup as she stumbled her way out the door.
Puff waves a wobbly wing in the general direction of Cross as she goes, feeling far too drunk to actually raise her head from the table. “She’s a lu-hic!-lucky mare, ‘Berge.”
Flamberge starts to shake his head, then stops when he almost loses his balance, “Nah, shees naht as lucky as me, tah have a filly like ‘er,.” he replies as he watches Crosshair leave, “or...or a friend like ‘ou,” he adds touching a hoof to Cream Puff’s withers.
Puff smiles a bit and takes another long drink. “She gets you all to hershelf! Tall dark and handsome ‘Berge!” She waves her mug around in emphasis, avoiding slinging booze everywhere only because it’s empty.
"You sound jealouss." states Flamberge, his hoof still not having moved from it's position on her withers, “Surely a, beauootful, mare like 'ou could have any stallion she wanted."
Puff slumps and pouts at her empty mug. “Nope...”
Flamberge shoots closer to Cream Puff and puts a foreleg around her, "'Ey, wots wrong Creamy." he asks.
“My glasssss... is empty. And nopony likes me.”
Flamberge pours his only half finished drink into Cream Puff’s glass and says, "Nah, neither... neither of those t'ings is true. I like 'ou plenty."
Puff downs her mug, not caring where the drink came from. She wobbles as she looks at the three Flamberges with their legs over her withers, and slowly homes in on the middle one. “No ya don’t...”
"If..if'n I didn' like 'ou den, why'd I stay with 'ou all night when 'ou was sad? An...an why am I here, tryin' to 'elp 'ou now?" Flamberge says, the alcohol pickling his brain even as he speaks.
Puff’s lip trembles as tears start to well up in her eyes. “Cuz you feel shorry for me!”
"Nah, Puff, I...I just want 'ou to be 'appy." says Flamberge, "You're my friend, an I don' like seeing my friends sad."
Puff looks away from him for a few moments, all three of him. After a few hicups, she turns back and grabs his head to steady herself before planting a big sloppy kiss on his lips.
Flamberge is caught totally by surprise by this, but does not pull away.
Like a cruel god playing jokes on them, Crosshair stumble her way back to the party, only to be halt right at where she is from what she’s seeing. The view of her stallion and her best friend kissing stunned her, She stood there for almost a minute, jaw dropped in disbelief as her brain slowly register what’s going on. Finally, after she decide that she’ve seen enough, she just turned the other way and Ran. Ran as fastest as she could drunkenly can.
Cream Puff’s liver finally wins it’s bid to shut down all higher functions so it can clean up this mess, and so she passes out against Flamberge.
Flamberge in his drunken stupor doesn't notice Crosshair's return and subsequent exit. Looking down at the passed out mare, he thinks hard about what to do for a moment. Then lifts her up onto his back. Goes to the bar, and gets a big glass of water, downs it, then gets another which he takes with him as he exits the tavern.
[Flamberge and Crosshair will be continued in a separate scene.]
Temperance watches as everypony around him starts to get a bit too drunk for his tastes. That was usually around the time that the fun stopped at parties, so he stands and bids everypony farewell. It was nice of Wood Chips to get everypony together, and it was nice to see everypony in good spirits, but he just couldn’t really partake very much in things with the direction they were headed. He had a lot to get done anyway...
Post by: Telgin on March 02, 2013, 12:04:25 am
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
Temperance's Journal - 4th Granite, 270
Well, today was looking to be a pretty boring day, until I had a griffon blunder his way through the wall of my office less than an hour ago. He wasn't hurt, thank goodness, but of course both of us were a bit shaken up.
After I talked to him a bit, he told me his name was Max and that he lives alone out here. Or, somewhere close by anyway. I tried to tell him that the damage wasn't that bad and that we could get it patched up, since there wasn't any way for him to literally repay us. He insisted that he be allowed to help make amends by fixing it himself though, which I reluctantly agreed to.
I certainly don't mind the extra help, but I know next to nothing about him, and while I hate to be distrustful, it's hard to just accept a stranger and put him to work like this. I don't think the griffons would send a spy or anything, but he could be a thief looking at an easy way in. Right now though, he's getting looked at by Case Study, although he didn't seem to be too badly hurt.
Well, in the morning I'll tell Flamberge about it. If he thinks it's too big of a security risk I'll have to break the news to our new friend I suppose.
6th Granite, 270
I had Smoothblock come to me this afternoon, complaining that Redhat wasn't doing much but slowing her down in regards to digging the ditch. He's a militia pony and not a miner of any sort, so that's not surprising, but she was pretty clear that something had to be done. So, I went to go find Praetorian to figure out what else the stallion could do. He didn't like Smoothblock's suggestion for him to help Holly cut trees, and instead said he'd get him to dig some latrines. That works for me, and if it keeps him out of Smoothblock's mane I'm fine with it.
Praetorian didn't seem too thrilled for me to interrupt him, actually. I found him and Maize curled up out in the fields sleeping, which I must admit was about the last place I expected to find him. Well, he might not have been thrilled to see me, but I was thrilled to see them. I'm no expert on these matters, but it seems pretty obvious to me that he and Maize are more than just friends. I was really worried about the mare, but knowing that she's making friends, and especially a friend like this, really eases my mind.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/49.png)
Speaking of Holly though, I've noticed that she seems to be spending more and more time out in the woods and away from everypony. She didn't come to Wood Chips' party either. I should probably go check up on her some time soon. I don't want her feeling like she's not part of the community. Or if anything else is wrong, I need to know. Dr. Serenity may have more business than I thought she would.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/50.png)
That's because she's been busy out in the woods setting this up. Somepony's got a little bit of a secret, for now at least.
10th Granite, 270
The tavern is officially ready for use! It took forever and ever (and I'm not complaining about the effort put in by the carpenters at all), but it's finally ready.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/51.png)
It's still pretty sparse inside, but we're working on that. I've asked a few of the carpenters to get back to work on building housing since we're still in pretty dire need of that, but there's still a lot of furniture to put together for the tavern. We'll need a lot of tables and chairs, and that's on top of the other things I've got on my list. We're going to be needing more wood...
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/52.png)
Speaking of the housing, I think Max is fitting in well with the others. I saw him out on the roofs helping put some planks into place. Come to think of it, he's already helped fix up the wall to my office. Maybe he's just being charitable, but he's repaid his debt. I should flag him down in the morning and let him know he's free to go whenever he's ready.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/53.png)
11th Granite, 270
Well, it wasn't another badger pony, but we had another thief show up today. A diamond dog this time.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/54.png)
Smoothblock was busy removing the access ramps left over from digging the defensive trench when it jumped her. She managed to get away, thank goodness, and Redhat charged off after it.
I'm not sure whether it's a good or bad thing, but it managed to get away before he could catch it. I doubt it would have given him that much trouble, but I'd hate to see anypony else get injured by a thief. I haven't forgotten what happened to Morning Dew. Or Brook or Barley, from Virtue's diary.
14th Granite, 270
I'm scared. I wouldn't admit it in front of everypony, but I'm actually quite frightened. Something most unsettling happened today.
A discordant pony came.
Nopony knows how she managed it, but she managed to sneak right into the center of town, where everypony could have seen her, and all but grabbed poor Cumulus right from under our noses. It was only by great fortune Lathe was standing nearby. His frantic shouts alerted the militia, and he managed to distract the discordant pony long enough for them to respond. Bless that stallion for his bravery.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/55.png)
I forgot to take a picture of her unit screen, but that gray 'p' is our little intruder. I hope the militia are quick!
Redhat was the first to respond, and he admirably charged straight into the fight with nothing but his spear. I think Praetorian may have misjudged him. He was very brave, and if he had been a bit more lucky he'd have struck her down himself. As it turned out he managed to get a decisive blow in with his spear, but her retaliatory strike crippled him too much to continue the fight.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/57.png)
Fortunately for him, hooves do heal in the modded game.
By that point, Flamberge and Praetorian were hot on her trail, and wounded as she was she had no hope of escaping. Flamberge was able to fly over the trench she struggled to climb out of, and he caught her well before Praetorian could. The fight was horrifically brutal from what I'm told, but over mercifully quickly at least.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/58.png)
He jammed bits of her skull through her brain perhaps 4 or 5 times before she gave up and died. Don't mess with the commander, ponies.
Just as they were finishing the fight, another of those ominous clouds was sweeping nearby. Praetorian had to drag Flamberge away, but the two escaped before they were caught in it. I still doubt there's anything to them, but they give me chills to watch now.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/56.png)
Close call there. Next time they may not be so lucky.
This changes everything. I've only ever heard stories about discordant ponies, but I never thought I'd see one. I only caught a fleeting glimpse while she lived, but even looking at her made me feel uneasy, in a way that you can't explain through just fear. It's impossible to describe, but very real. Even seeing her corpse gave me the jitters, so I promptly asked the soldiers to dispose of it somewhere that we wouldn't see it.
After all of this was over I went to check on little Cumulus and his mother, both of which were understandably shaken up. He was alright though, thank goodness, leaving only Redhat injured with easily treated wounds.
I'm going to go see him and Case Study soon. I want to make sure he's alright, and to congratulate him on his bravery.
Post by: Dsarker on March 02, 2013, 03:09:08 am
Praetorian and Crosshair were having a little sparring session, of sorts. Crosshair was probably using her crossbow as a hammer, and Praetorian was using his shield to block her attacks.
“You know, I really wish we could stick a knife onto my Crossbow and make it some sort of a spear.” She said as she fruitlessly hammering away with her Crossbow. Which probably didn’t do much.
“You’re a fan of spears?” he asks, raising the shield to block the attack.
“Well, More like not a fan of improvised Hammers. At least with a blade it’ll be more useful!” Crosshair grunted again as she whacked away at him, trying to find gaps and holes to whack at with her unrelenting blows, stepping forward each time.
Praetorian yields ground slowly, circling around and positioning himself as best he can to avoid being pushed into a corner. “I suppose that’s true. So how’s Flamberge going?”
“He’s doing fine and strong.” Crosshair whacked at Praetorian’s shield some more, grunting as she kept on pushing “Cream Puff kissed him during the party though, But I suppose she was drunk.”
“Oh,” Praetorian says, and is silent for a few seconds, as they continue the pattern of strike and block. “Well...I suppose it was for the better that I didn’t go to the party, then. Did he tell you, or did you find out?”
“I saw.” She said as it’s her turn to be on the defensive. “Creampuff was pretty drunk though, so I guess I couldn’t blame her. Flamberge /is/ just that amazing, I mean, look at the beard!”
Praetorian smirks. “Just the beard that you’re after, eh?” he says with a smile. “I wonder what it is Maize sees in me. Can’t be the beard, so it’s gotta be something else, hey?”
“well, there’s the discipline too, and other things I’m sure of! and Flamberge’s got much better than his beard, I can tell you that much.” She giggled.
“So then, Flamberge and you had a talk yet about little miss Cream Puff?” Praetorian asks. “I... I didn’t do that back home. And, well, that went appallingly.”
“Well, he said it was just a mistake so I suppose it’s nothing much to talk about.” Crosshair shrugged. “Besides, I don’t think Creampuff even remembers it. Better not talk about it, yeah?”
“Well, I certainly won’t go spreading it around,” he says, and a wry smile comes on his face. “I’d suggest maybe asking somepony for relationship advice, but the only pony I can think of is Cream Puff...” He lowers his face for a second. “I do feel sorry for the mare, though. She seems very...very sad.”
“Mmm.. yeah, I’m worried about her too you know? Really wish she’d find somepony..” Crosshair said with a little nod, not realizing that her friend have already found somepony. Her somepony.
“About the only ponies I can think of in this place are Temperance, and the doc. And I don’t think the doc is much interested in other ponies,” says Praetorian. “So, I suppose that leaves us one option.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
“I think we’ll have to set up a date between her and Temperance,” says Praetorian.
Crosshair giggled some more at that “Well, only if she wanted to! I don’t want to force her onto things, you know? Better for her to choose and follow her own heart, yeah?”
Praetorian laughs as well. “Well, we don’t have to force them into a relationship. Just a little date.”
“Mnm, perhaps. Perhaps. I’ll go talk to her about it though”
“Very well then,” says Praetorian, as they continue their sparring.
Post by: TheBronzePickle on March 02, 2013, 10:02:47 am
A big griffon showed up today! I think they look cool, but they're also big and terrifying. I don't know if I'd be brave enough to talk to one, but this one smashed through Temperance's office and Temperance just talked to him like it was nothing. Everyone keeps saying I'm a hero, maybe Temperance should get some love.
6th Granite
Praetorian told me that Temperance had walked up on us while we were sleeping in the field. He seemed kind of uncomfy, so I asked if there was something wrong, but he said everything was fine. I guess he's just getting used to being in a relationship, too, maybe.
14th Granite
Something bad is coming... I can feel it.
I-is that Fa̯̜͉̖̠̘t̜̥h̦͈̩̗e̺͇r͎͚̫?..
D̲̪̬o̭ ̥̲̞̜̩y̻̘̺͈̥͉̝͡o̟̖̖͔̲̩͎͘u͈͇̹͍̤̯ ̩͉͈͕̹͘s̙̹̣̙̝m̡͓̟͈̝e̥̳͚͍̱ͅl̲̟̺̖̘͝l̨̹̞̙̤͉̮ ͎͇́i̢̥̰t͉̺͕?̖̬̟ ͏̹̱̳̰̭̩͇Th̗͚͈͈ḛ̗͍͈̥̝ ͈͚̙͕́b̫͎̙̺̣l̟̞ó̺̱̣o̧͎̤d͖͎̮̤̩̰̬?̵̪͓̠̭̩
̛̙͍̳̘̭͈̹Y͍̲̰o̫͕u̳͓̝͕̣͕͉r ͞b̼͍͙͙̟̭l̰͙o̧̳̥͙̙̹̟o̗d̷̗̝̙?̨̭̝͖
̫̭̤̜͚̗͇Y̬͞o̲̜u̫̘r̰̫͓̟̞͕͝ ̞̫͓̫̺f̗̭̰̙͙̗͕r͕̯͇̲̥͘i̩͢en̷̫͉͚̱͉̺ḓ̡̟̗͕̩̰s̨͚̭̪'͈̬̘̺̺̦ ̝͕̣̦̭̳͈b̘̲̫̣͉̝l̪o̞̝̰̠̗ó͉͙̫̳̼d҉͍̻̺?̫͓̣͚̫
͚͍̖͉͕̱Ỳo҉͚͎̟̖ṵ̲ ̧̲̺͕͕̹w̱͚̘̠̜i͍̗̥̺̖̤̱͢l͉͢l̮̘̳̬̯ ͏̹s̖̠̻̟͕̘͢m̷̲͉̰͔̥e͙̳̼̻̙̭l̷̠̖l̥̗͞ i̹͚͙̫͢t̺͖͕̗̬.͈͚̱̪̯̗͍
̦̞͡ͅI̼t̸̝͖͙̳̭͎͙ ̰̲͙a̹͝ņ̺̫̙̭d̙̥̦̹̮̞̤ ͇̗̩͎̯͟ṵ̲̜͎n̥͖̦͍̦̖ḛ̢̱̗n̦͍̺͍̭̩͙d̶̥i͉̤̗̻̬̤n̜g̻̼̣̻ ̪͓̜̺͉̬͓p̭͇̣̤̻͙a̠̫̣̫͢i̶̭͇̘̤̮nͅ ̟̟̯́w̯̳i̩͓̤̹l̜͉͉l̸ ̢͔͕̩͎b͙͇̮̖e̼̗̩͇ ̟̼̼y͖̺͙͓o͕ur ̱̖̺l̛̮̤a̰̙̙͘s͉ṭ͞ ͉̱̯̭̙̯̻m͠o̮r̼̳ta̹̤̙̻̦͝l̯̮̰͇͍̥̕ ͍̠s̖̰̥̣̝̭en̶̠̬̜s̹̖͘a͡ṭ̻̘̮̙̩̖i͉o̠n̗͎̹
̲̯͎̮A̩̞̪͚͕̣̞n̝̩ḏ̤͙ ̭͕̦̤͕̪f̯̹̳͍̼̙́e̬̥̗̙̭a͚̹r͍͍̦̟ͅ ̣w̕i͠l̝̻̺̪͇l̝͚̪̲͓̣͖ ̬b̪̱͍̗͈̟̰͜ẹ̘̦̱̝ ̭̪͜y̖̲̞̻͓ͅo̰̫̜̱̬̣̻͘ú̗̲̜͙͍͍͙r̗͚̼̬͠ l̴̲̩͎̻̗̠̫a̳̳̘̮̜̰̟s̙̙t̺͉̭̝͎ ͎̯͖͓͈̼͖́l͈͠i̳̰̼ͅv̢͈̦in͖̖̭̠̝̼̗͟g̰̪͚̣̟͇̰ ͓̞̖͖̘͍ṱ̵̲̫̲̲͖ͅh̸̪̥̳̦̤͓o̱̠̖ͅu͍̞̲̮͙͝g͚̬͙h̩̙̬̣ͅț̵̙̩.̳͇̦̞͙ͅͅ
Post by: Fr0stByt3 on March 02, 2013, 11:22:45 am
Steel Rivets Journal
10th Granite, 270
The tavern was finished today. Good news, that. Saw a gryphon working on it, as well. Interesting. Also, Case Study came to me today, asking me to forge him some new tools. Very poor quality. Unsalvageable, I'd say. This may take some time. The headaches have been getting worse with each day.
11th Granite, 270
Most of this page is covered indecipherable runes of some sort. At the very top, underlined and circled it says: HOW DARE THEY TRY TO STEAL FROM US. DO THESE MORTALS NEVER LEARN?
14th Granite, 270
Well, something very unsettling happened today. A discordant pony came and nearly snatched up a colt named Cumulus. Fortunately, Redhat was nearby and managed to stop the Foalnapper. Unfortunately, he was wounded rather badly. Must get to work on those tools. Thieves are bad enough, but stealing children? Despicable.
Post by: thetyler101 on March 02, 2013, 01:40:27 pm
"Smots like Feodor just got the pointy end of a nozh. "
"Ay, lotta guttiwuts had she me droog."
"Nots any now."
"Such a sham."
"Yeses, a real fictinny."
The half hidden bout of giggles they both had at this spoke volumes about how they really felt about her death.
"She almost nadit too."
"Till that molodoy got all gromky and horning."
"Such a sham."
"Yeses, a real fictinny."
More giggles, this time not hidden at all.
"By the bye, we ittying to tellytales to the bolshy Privodevat?"
"Sod me, he'll be razdraz bout this mess-down."
"Lot-a razdraz."
"Bolshy razdraz at us ifin we don't tell em."
"Right right me droog, best get ta em real skorry."
"Right right."
On there way down, one of the bat ponies found a engraving in there treeborn hiding place.
"Hey! Smot this woody me droog!"
"Ha! Privodevat not the only odin razdraz at them Rainbows!"
(http://i1310.photobucket.com/albums/s655/thetyler101/bagermesage1_zps23cea6db.jpg)
Translation
Travel : many days
See not-my-tribe: ponies buildings many
Lots ponies : one griffon
Earth wings horn : ponies
many : farms
lots-of food : little/treasure(ether things not valuable or few things of value)
My-tribe: steal food broken(failed)
Young/fire/sword(most likely name) : death
Hate : not-my-tribe ponies
And with that discovery they departed under the cover of rolling dust clouds, little fearing the dark magics it carried. I fact, they welcomed it. It reminded them of home.
---------------------------------------------------
discordant pony language is nadsat from clockwork orange with one or two modifications
Here's a translation of that:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Badger pony runes are my own creation (far to primitive to be buffalo)
A list of common Badger runes:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
EDIT 1 - added translations
Post by: TheBronzePickle on March 02, 2013, 04:44:45 pm
Puff was relaxing on a tuft of cloud when she heard the screams. Somehow, a discordant had managed to sneak into the center of town! Even worse, she could see one of those strange dust storms slowly rolling in on the horizon. She doesn’t doubt that the military ponies could handle the discordant, but what about Maize? What if there was more than one of those things out there? She heads for the fields as fast as her wings can carry her.
Maize appears to not notice either the cloud or the many ponies around her flipping out. However, she’s pacing uncharacteristically fast through the field, barely avoiding stomping some of her own beloved plants.
Puff swoops down to fly beside her friend, worried she might be panicked or something. “Maize! Come on, we should get somewhere safe!”
“Safe...” Maize turns her head, her eyes glazed over except for her pupils, which look as deep and black as ever, as if some nothing had replaced her very soul. Her lips are curled up into a terrifying rictus grimace. “Nowhere is safe. Not for you. Not for your friends. This is our land, and you are just another trespasser.”
“Holy buck!!” shouts Puff as she almost jumps out of her coat. Maize had said the clouds made her act funny, but this is really bad. Fear is soon replaced by anger at the thought of some otherworldly jerk trying to to take over her friend. “Hey, you leave Maize alone!”
“Leave her alone?” The seemingly possessed body turns and moves toward Puff, pressing its nose against hers. “But I am your beloved Maize. Don’t you recognize me? Did you really think the shallow, insecure little filly you thought was your friend wasn’t hiding something... wonderful?”
“You’re not wonderful, you’re a big fat jerk! And you are not Maize! She’d never talk like that, and she’d never come so close to stomping on the plants! So get out of her!”
“Get out? Get out of my body?” The thing laughs. “You know, I’m almost tempted to, if I could. Your kind’s disgusting blood has tainted it, and it’s so frail and weak now.” It leans in to try and nuzzle Puff. “But yours... it would make a much better vessel.”
Puff wings back a bit, wondering just what has gotten into Maize. “I’m, uh... kinda full of my kind’s disgusting blood.” She pauses, looking nervous. “Would you really leave her alone?”
“It does not matter, really.” The body grits its teeth. “Your dear little friend is stronger than she thinks. She dares to hold me back from His touch.” The head turns its gaze to the red cloud, looming ominously close to the town. “That lovely magic can purify even the most wretched, disgusting pigs blood into the finest, purest drips of life. And yet this stubborn mare will not let me fix her.” It snorts in disgust. “Maybe, though, you could help. End our suffering, and maybe your own. I’m certain you’d be much happier with somepony you could truly love...”
“Give him Hell, Maize! You can sit and spin, you bastard!”
The grim smile turns into an angry frown. “Then you have made your choice. There will be no mercy for you once He finally reaches me. You will see the true power of Discord!” As the red cloud begins to dissipate, Maize’s body writhes, seemingly wracked with pain. It falls to the ground, still as death.
Puff does her best to catch her friend and carefully lay her down. She gently pats her cheek to try and wake her. “Maize? Maize! Can you hear me?”
The meek mare slowly flutters open her eyes and turns them to Cream Puff. “...P-puff? What... what happened? I feel so... tired...”
She sighs in relief and smiles at Maize. “Another red cloud came around.”
“Oh...” The mare slowly rolls onto her feet and tries to stand. “I... I thought I saw F... my father, before I blacked out...”
Puff’s smile fades to a look of concern. “Can you move? I think we should probably head to your room or mine. I, uh... I think I might know what’s going on with those clouds.”
“O-okay.” The mare tests her steadiness on her legs and slowly follows Cream Puff. “What... what did you find out?”
“They are definitely not natural...” Cream Puff doesn’t say anything more until they are in the privacy of Maize’s room.
Maize opens up her door, holding it for Puff. “Go ahead in... make yourself comfy and all that.” The room is spartan, as would be expected of Maize. The only real furnishing beyond the bed and whatever objects Temperance might have seen fit to give her is a potted flower of some sort sitting under the window.
Puff nods a thanks to Maize and closes the door behind her before sitting next to the bed so Maize can sit on it if she wants. “So yeah, those clouds. They’re... apparently big puffs of Discordant magic.”
“D-discordant magic!?” Maize crawls onto the bed and lies down, looking at Puff. She tries to use her hoof to make it clear that she left plenty of space for her friend and wants her to sit on the bed, too.
Puff gives her a small smile before climbing up to lay next to her. “Yeah. I don’t really know what that all entails, but it can’t be good.” She pauses, trying to figure out how to put her next question. How do you go about asking your friend how they got possessed by something?
Maize nods. “But... why does it do this to me... am I the only pony who gets knocked out by it?”
Puff glances around, not really wanting to answer the question. “Well... kinda. You don’t just collapse when those clouds show up. Something... something tries to take you over?”
Maize looks quietly horrified as she tries to think of what could possibly be going on. “But... I... I don’t feel like there’s anything wrong... I mean, I should be able to tell if there’s something else in me... right?”
“I don’t know? You’re apparently winning, at least.”
Maize lays her head down on the pillow. “That... that’s good, I guess... but what happens when I stop winning?”
“Bad stuff? The thing wasn’t too specific.” Puff gently rubs Maize’s withers, trying to comfort her.
“You... talked to it?” Maize’s shoulders tense a bit as Puff touches them, but quickly relax under the soothing rub. “That must have been scary.”
“It was, but I was also pretty mad at it for trying to take you over. Seemed like you have a pretty good handle on it, though. All it could do was pace and talk.”
“Mmm...” Maize looks away. “...What happens when... other ponies find out? Do... do you think Temperance will kick me out... or worse?”
“I... I don’t know? I don’t think he would, though. And even if he does, I’m coming with you. You don’t leave a friend when they need your help.”
Maize looks to Puff, seeming shocked by the statement. Her face soon softens into a big smile, though, as her eyes tear up a little. “Th-thank... you... but you don’t... have to...”
Puff smiles at her in return. “But I will anyway. But I don’t think it’ll come to that, Maize. You don’t have to deal with this on your own any more.”
Maize rolls a bit and wraps her hooves around Cream Puff, giving the mare a weak squeeze and... a peck on the cheek?
Puff takes it as just a friendly gesture and smiles. “You’re gonna be alright?”
“Yeah... I think I’ll take a nap, though. I’m still really tired.” Maize looks at her friend. “You wanna nap too?”
Puff thinks for a few moments, then nods. “I’m not usually one for naps, but one sounds pretty good right about now.”
Maize nods and closes her eyes, a hoof draped over Cream Puff but a little distance between the two, as if Maize was trying to keep it from looking like they were snuggling.
Puff is far less concerned for appearances, and simply gets comfortable. She lays a wing protectively over Maize, wishing she could do more to help her friend with what was happening.
Maize, not feeling like schooling her friend on the apparent importance of appearances, simply snuggles in under the wing and lets herself drift off to sleep.
Post by: Pokon on March 02, 2013, 08:22:31 pm
The following notes were taken off-hoofedly over the course of several weeks. Wood Chips misplaced his journal.
Entry ???
The party was decent enough. Smoothblock was nice, and everyone liked the wine.
There's a griffon here. Frankly, I dislike the chimerical things, but at least this one seems friendly.
Discordiant pony. Dimond Dog attack.
Maize crazy. Talk to Temperance. Find a silver blade and a pony who is willing to use it. Might talk to griffon for assistance.
Post by: DVNO on March 03, 2013, 08:08:08 pm
Meanwhile, back at the cave . . .
Max glides into an unassuming culvert in the side of a mountain north of Duskfields. His claws clatter on the gray stone steps of a camouflaged stairway leading into a dark, wet, and cold passage. He strides up the steps leading into his humble abode. A thick circular stone stands in front of him. The stone has five peculiar holes in the dead center. Max puts his claws in all the way to the palm and grabs the claw holes, opening it like a door knob. The stone pulses with blue magic. The carved slab of granite rolls away, as if weightless.
Inside was a grand gold and onyx hallway with flawless marble pillars. the expansive football field sized hall ends in a colossal, excessive hoard of gold and jewels that could rival the wealth of an entire county. Protruding out of the gold was the massive bones of a full grown dragon. Max yawns mundanely and stretched out over the solid gold throne protruding out of the pile. He spots a vole scratching around the onyx and ivory checkered floor. He picks the morsel up with a claw and had a relatively crunchy snack. With a gross burp, he picks up his book from the gold pile.
The leather book was black and heavy. In silver embroidering the title read ‘How to Cook Four Ponies.’ Max always found the typo ‘four’ instead of ‘for’ humorous about it. Even better, since the book was a reject every single page was blank; It made for an excellent journal. The licked the tip of his quill and prepared to write.
Dear Diary. I have fooled them all. Little did they know this unassuming Griffon would be their harbinger of their doom. Now Duskfields fate has been sealed. Nah, just kidding Diary. Could you imagine though? Anyway. Yeah. We have new neighbors. neighbors that happen to like neighing. I asked around, they are not here for the gold or aware of the cave. They want to plant potatoes outside. That puts my first fear to rest. My second fear is how do I keep it that way? I will think of something, I always do. But for now I guess all I can do is keep an eye around Duskfields and insist this place is just a hole in the ground. Third fear? The third fear is - well, It’ll be fine. I’m sure.
The job is done, the hole is repaired and and I helped out on the project to build the roof as well. The carpenters seems nice enough. Other than an odd stare, Nopony suspects anything out of the ordinary about me.
Max frowns.
Those Discordants sure like to stir up trouble. Hateful, borderline suicidal twisted parodies of the ponies. Makes no sense at all . . . I felt like I should have swooped in and helped, If only I saw what was going on .
Note: Temperance and Wood Chips want to have a talk tomorrow. Also! try some of Cream Puff’s desserts.
Max closes the book, tosses it into the obscene amount of gold behind him and nods off.
Post by: Impending Doom on March 05, 2013, 01:58:34 am
Cream Puff paces restlessly outside Serenity’s office. Her appointment is this after noon, but she’s unsure if she has anypony in there already. But she really needs to talk to her. After a few more minutes, she pounds on the door, unable to keep her patience.
Serenity opens the door. “Good afternoon,Cream Puff. You’re right on time.Please, come in.”
She hurries inside, looking a bit haggard. “Oh good, you’re here and I’m not interrupting. I just really needed to talk to somepony and I didn’t know who, then I remembered you’re supposed to know how ponies work, so you’re the best pony to talk to, and it’s really important.”
Serenity quietly takes in everything Cream Puff just rattled off, before gesturing to an empty chair. “...Why don’t you have a seat?”
Puff heeds her advice and sits down, fidgeting constantly.
“Alright...” Serenity takes a seat across from her, “Now. What did you want to talk about?”
“Flamberge! I... I love him!”
“The captain? Isn’t he already in a relationship?”
“Exactly!”
Serenity nods. “I see. So when did you start having these feelings towards him?”
“For... a while, I think. I only actually realized it a day or so ago.”
“And what is it about him that’s so...” she searches for a word. “...bewitching?”
“He’s... a good pony. And handsome. Handsome helps.” Puff blushes only a little as she talks.
Serenity stares at Cream Puff over the tops of her glasses. “Cream Puff, there are a lot of good, handsome stallions here. Temperance. Case Study. Others. There’s something else, isn’t there?”
“He’s strong, and he cares. And he can handle my crap without getting flustered.”
Serenity is silent for a moment, deep in thought. “...Are there any other stallions here you’ve had even a passing interest in?”
“Well, I’m friends with just about everypony, or at least know their names. Not too hard to meet new ponies when almost all the food comes through me. Praetorian is nice, but not my type. And I’d feel even worse about taking a stallion from Maize! Red is rash, hot-headed, stubborn, and a bit of a jerk, definitely not my type. Case Study is nice enough, but I don’t think he wants a relationship. And even if he did, I get the feeling it’d be like dating a book. Temperance isn’t bad, but he’s just so busy. I probably know him least out of all the ponies here.” She sighs. “I just don’t feel that spark with any of them that I do with Flamberge.”
“Then...” Serenity hesitates for a moment. “...what about mares?”
Puff shrugs. “Never really considered mares an option.”
“Well, it isn’t everypony’s cup of tea, but perhaps you might at least consider it, at least until some more eligible stallions come along.”
Puff just gives Serenity a slightly confused look. “...Are you coming onto me, Doc?”
“...What? No, that would be highly inappropriate.”
Puff shrugs again. “Can’t really picture myself with a mare, and I can’t picture myself with anypony as just a temporary thing while waiting for something ‘better’.”
Serenity considers this for a moment. “Why do you feel the need to enter a committed relationship right now?”
“It’s not exactly something I planned! It just... kinda hit me out of nowhere.”
Serenity is silent for a long time, deep in thought. “I... really don’t know what to tell you, other than try to find something or somepony to take your mind off him. If your feelings are that strong, this is going to be very hard for you. But you must accept that you cannot be together.”
“So, what... that’s it? Play the lonely lover from afar, letting the one you love be happy even if it means without you?” Cream Puff sighs. “Being mature sucks... and is lonely.”
Serenity smiles, placing a hoof on her shoulder. “You won’t be alone forever. I believe you’ll find somepony.”
Cream Puff doesn’t look too convinced, but manages a weak smile for her. After all, she’s supposed to be the professional, right?
“Now, if you don’t mind, there’s... something I wanted to ask of you. How much do you know about Praetorian?”
Puff quirks an eyebrow at Serenity. “A decent amount, he’s a good friend. Why?”
“Well,” Serenity begins, “I had a chance to speak to him a few nights ago. Something about him struck me as... odd, particularly when we got on the subject of Maize, but I couldn’t quite put my hoof on it. Now perhaps it’s just me being.... well, perhaps it’s just me. If it isn’t too much trouble, could you keep an eye on him, particularly when he’s with her, and tell me if you see it too?”
“See what? What were you two talking about? Because he’s always been a perfect gentlecolt where I could see.”
“I know, and it’s probably nothing. But could you please do this for me? It would ease my mind, at least.”
Puff gives her an uncertain look. “It’d help if I know what I’m looking for.”
Serenity sighs. “Just... get him on the subject of Maize, particularly her... social anxiety.”
“Social anxiety?” Puff still looks incredulous as she thinks to herself. Sure, Maize is shy, but she can hardly picture Tor getting weird about it. He’s not exactly a paragon of social interaction himself. Unless she means the why behind Maize’s shyness? Puff knows Maize has, or had, issues with her father... oh, there it is. She can see him getting pretty damn angry about that. To be honest, she gets angry when she thinks about that, too. “This wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with Maize’s past, would it?”
“...Yes, it does.”
“Her dad?”
Serenity’s ears prick up. Maize hadn’t said anything to her about her family. “...What about her father?”
Puff face hoofs. “I thought she would have told you...”
She shakes her head. “No. She says very little about her past, and nothing at all about her family. When I start to dig around those subjects, she becomes very distressed. I assumed she had some very traumatic memories... but of what?”
“I don’t know any specifics, but I know her dad treated her horribly, and her mom hardly treated her at all. Praetorian probably knows even more than I do. If you started talking about Maize’s past, I wouldn’t be surprised if he got angry. Protecting ponies is his job! How much more will he want to protect the mare he loves?”
Serenity sighs again - she seems to do that a lot these days. “...Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’m just overreacting.” Cream Puff was absolutely right, of course. She’s a bucking psychiatrist, it should’ve been perfectly obvious to her that Praetorian’s anger was normal and justified. Why would she go and blow something like this out of proportion?
Puff giggles at Serenity. “Over-thinking it, eh?”
Serenity allows herself a soft chuckle of her own, “Yes, I’m guilty of that sometimes.” She smiles at Cream Puff. “But thank you for easing my mind.”
“No problem. And, uh... thanks for your advice. Even if I was hoping to hear something else.”
“Of course, I’m always glad to help. Now I don’t mean to rush you off, but Temperance will be running us both out of here in a few minutes. This is still his office, after all.”
Post by: Kryptid on March 05, 2013, 07:20:37 pm
Case Study's Journal - 8th Granite, 270
I'm starting to become nervous about keeping my discovery within the community walls. It's becoming taxing to even dispose of the evidence of its existence. I'm wondering if I can get one of the carpenters to build me a second small study in the woods, as I would feel much more at ease keeping it there. The hard part is figuring out how to justify the creation of the building, as I cannot tell anypony of its true function lest I cause controversy or panic. Perhaps I can tell Mr. Temperance that it would be a nice place to perform autopsies and keep the bodies of the dead before their burial. I can argue that other ponies may feel better if corpses are kept outside of Duskfields. A containment breach in the forest may not be overly problematic, but one in the fort is absolutely unacceptable.
Post by: Telgin on March 05, 2013, 10:48:38 pm
thetyler, I don't mind you posting a bit for the discordant ponies, but, there are a few differences from them and the old diomedians from Dawnpick. Hopefully the below will shed a little light on that. A few things missing here are that there are no bat ponies or tentacle ponies, just discordant pegasi and unicorns. If you want to do any more for them, PM me or get on the chat and we can discuss it.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Redhat%20Avatar.png) and a very brief cameo from (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png) and (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Praetorian%20Avatar.png)
Today was turning out to be like most other days in Duskfields: peaceful and not too exciting. Everypony was busy with their daily duties or taking a few minutes to relax or catch a bite to eat. The day was beginning to wind down a bit, and in a few hours it would be getting dark and ponies would be settling in for the night to ready themselves for the next day.
Lathe was on his way to the tavern, dragging a bundle of wooden planks behind him to put the final touches on the trim. It was an hour or two of work, and after he got done with that he’d be right where he needed to be to get something to eat and then go relax. As he rounds the corner though, something catches his eye. Something wrong.
A strange mare was creeping up behind somepony. No, a foal. Cumulus. He loosens the straps on his load and steps closer, trying to figure out who this mare was. She had a sickly green coat and a mane that looked like it would be snow white if it had been rinsed in the last month. There was a dagger in her mouth!
“Help!” he screams at the top of his lungs. He didn’t know who this mare was, but she was clearly up to no good. “Help! Anypony!”
She whips her head to the side to look at him, and he feels a chill roll through him. Her blood red eyes cut through him like the weapon in her mouth as she makes a hateful scowl at him. In an instant she grabs for the colt, pouncing atop him and pinning him to the ground. She pulls a bag from beneath her cloak and tries to stuff the squirming and screaming foal inside.
Redhat was about having a nice stroll around the fort while he walked his dog. The big oversized wolfy surely wasn’t about to get to pudgy to actually help protect her master. The little pony’s pleasant’ little stroll was then suddenly stopped by a loud yell. “Oh hell...” he rolled his eyes and ran towards’ the scream. Thank god he brought his spear so he could claim he was “on patrol”.
He sees Lathe gallop by, shouting something incoherent. Just ahead, a strange green mare was holding Cumulus to the ground with a forehoof as she tried to tie him up with a rope. Her eyes track up to Redhat and she glowers at him as she continues to work with renewed haste.
“What the...” he didn’t have a clue the situation he was in, “STOP THAT RIGHT NOW!” he ran straight for the mare, his spear drawn. The dog at his side followed behind, growling loud.
The mare knocks his spear aside and finishes tying Cumulus up. “Mind your business, foal, and you may live today!” she hisses to Redhat above Cumulus’ frantic screams. She starts to slip her bag over the colt.
The pony picked his spear back up. “I said stop!” and as if on command the oversized wolf pounced forward at the mare, “Let him go, and i might do the same to you!”
She lets out a frustrated snort and kicks the wolf aside. “Die!” she shouts at Redhat, angling her dagger at his neck.
The pony dodged it ever so slightly, before throwing spear at her, “feeling’s mutual!” The wolf made a light whimper before going at her again.
Once again she bucks the wolf away, but Redhat’s spear finds purchase in her body. A horrible scream leaves her mouth as the spear embeds itself in her back, and she immediately twists away. The spear comes free from the wound, spurting blood and tearing her cloak away in the process. She shouts in rage and goes for another brutal thrust of her dagger.
He saw the dagger coming right for his face, and turned away. He only had a moment to react, within a second, he felt a pain down his side as the knife cut into his flank. An instant later a terrible pain shot through his leg as she went for another strike and hit a forehoof.
She chuckles as her weapon digs into his hoof, which she twists gleefully in the wound before withdrawing it. Growls from the wolf can be heard, as can numerous agitated pony shouts. She looks around quickly before leaning in close to Redhat. “It looks like you got lucky this time, foal.” A wicked grin forms on her face as she cocks her head. “You should have listened to the warning you got.” With that, she spits on him and turns to run. “Rejoice in the coming oblivion...”
“SAYS THE MARE WHO’S GOT A HOLE IN HER SIDE!” He started to try and get himself up, before feeling a pain shoot up his leg. “GHA.... Bonnet, stop her!”
The hole in her side was most definitely something for her to be concerned about. Her entire left flank was coated in blood by this point, and the best she can manage is a hobbling trot toward the embankments. She swears volubly as she tries to climb down and back up and out to freedom, aggravating the already serious wound.
The dog was able to close the distance between the two in almost no time flat. She then pounced onto her back, ready to take a nice bite out of the discordant’s back. The twisted pony grunts as the wolf leaps upon her, and with a snarl she tries to dislodge the wolf with a violent shake.
The wolf was able to take a decent chunk out of her back before being flung off. It took it a second to get back up before lunging in again. She manages to get the pony’s leg in her mouth this time, eliciting another pained shriek from her.
“Blasted animal!” she shouts, thrusting her dagger down at her. Despite the wounds she had received, the discordant mare’s aim was close to the mark. She was aiming for the wolf’s chest, but her blade slides into the wolf’s stomach. The mare twists the blade and draws it back in a slashing motion, trying to inflict as much damage as possible.
The wolf grip on the Pony’s leg instantly weakened, before the giant best finally collapsed with a loud whimper. Despite the hole in it’s chest, it still tried it’s best to get back up before whimpering again in pain.
The mare tests her leg with a snarl. “You’ll get yours too,” she hisses before hobbling away again. She was too badly injured to even trot now, but she could outrun the wolf at least.
The mare barely makes it to the top of the embankment of the not yet completed ditch, when like a streak of black lightning Flamberge slams into her, knocking her to the ground. The already wounded mare can put up little fight as the commander finishes her off with his sword, many seconds pass before Flamberge returns to his senses, as Praetorian pulls him away from the strange red dust cloud approaching their position.
The pony saw it all, he got up as fast as he could, which wasn’t very fast at all, before seeing the little foal quivering with a bag over his head. “ummm... are you okay?”
Cumulus was still bound up, but looks up to Redhat with a terrified expression. “I-I-I-Is she g-g-gone?” he asks in a trembling voice.
The pony sighed. “um... she’s leaving.... please tell me she didn’t hurt you?” he said before getting his spear tip and trying to cut the binds.
Cumulus whimpers softly as he cuts the rope binding his legs, and as they come free the colt jumps up and throws his hooves around Redhat’s foreleg. “N-no, I-I don’t th-think s-so.”
“Okay... well in that case.... c-could you get off that leg and promptly move to the other....” last thing a broken leg needed was a foal hugging it. “And um...” he looked over at his wolf, which was still trying to get up. “She kinda stabbed my dog...”
The foal waits a moment before complying. “S-sorry...” he says, trembling slightly. He joins Redhat in looking at the stricken wolf, but says nothing as he hugs tighter still.
“I need to go make sure she isn’t hurt to bad... um... could you hold onto this instead?” he lowered his wing to the foal.
“O-okay,” he says, transferring his grip to the wing.
Redhat sighs and moved toward the downed animal. He tensed in pain after every step. As he got closer he saw the animal had a decent stab at it’s chest. “Oh buck...” The wound was bleeding quite a lot, but it didn’t seem like she was gonna die of blood loss.
Cumulus makes a small startled noise and pulls on Redhat’s wing as he sees the wolf. He says nothing, but begins looking around frantically.
“Trust me, she won’t bite you. Hell, you might have been taken away if she didn’t jump at the mare when she did...” He winced in pain again. “A-are you sure you’re not hurt at all?”
“I-I-I’m okay,” he insists, though he doesn’t loosen his grip at all. He keeps looking at the wounded wolf. “I-Is she gonna be okay?”
“probably... unless it get’s infected...” he sighed and looked down at the poor foal. “spose you could stroke her a little...” Maybe that’d make both of them feel a little better.
Cumulus looks at Redhat with a bit of reluctance before reaching out and giving the wolf a small rub on the head. “Sh-should we take her to the doctor?”
“Maybe? I don’t think this town has a vet...” kept petting the wolf a little. Bonnet gave a soft whimper and nuzzled the foal’s hoof. “Also is there anything I could do to make you feel any better?”
Cumulus nods slowly. “Do you know where my mom is? I-I really don’t want to be o-out here right now...”
“Um...” he thought for a moment, he needed to get the foal to his mother, but his dog had a stabbed gut. “She’s probably tending to the animals or in the fields.”
“C-Can you take me to her?” he asks weakly.
“N-” he looked down at his whimpering pet, then the quivering little foal. “Of course..”
Redhat eventually finds Heartfelt right where he expects her to be: out with the animals. She’s carrying two pails of fresh milk on a harness across her back, heading back toward the tavern. When Cumulus sees her, he wastes no time bolting for and latching onto her. “Mommy!”
Heartfelt is momentarily stunned, but wraps a leg around her son. “Cumulus! What’s wrong?” She looks up to Redhat with a confused expression.
“Somepony tried to abduct him...” he said, limping over to the two.
“Abduct him?” she says, sounding even more confused. She slides out from under the harness and puts another leg around Cumulus, who was beginning to cry softly into her chest. “Who would do such a thing? Does Temperance know? Have you locked them up yet?” she goes on, sounding increasingly agitated.
“I have no idea who, and I made sure my first priority was to bring him to his mother.” He seemed a little agitated as well. His dog was still in need of help.
“Thank you,” she says, continuing to cuddle the crying foal. “Do the other soldiers know? Where is the pony who did this?”
“I don’t kno-aaaaaa...” He tensed again, and lifted his broken hoof. “Okay... my wolf has a hole in it’s bloody side and I need to take care of it. Talk to my captain if you have any question.”
Heartfelt looks like she wants to ask more questions, but simply nods and helps Cumulus onto her back. “Alright. Come on, let’s go inside,” she says to him as she trots off.
He sighed and limped off, making a B-line straight for his wolf.
Post by: jaxler on March 06, 2013, 12:36:38 am
“I still can’t believe it...” Case Study smirked as he patted on something unseen in the drawer of his office desk, “This was a tremendously lucky find...and luckier still that I was even able to make it work...”
Then suddenly a loud knock was heard from the door, “Hello!”
Jumping a little in surprise, the sky blue pony quickly shut the drawer and locked it. After nervously clearing his throat, he calls out, “Yes? You may enter.”
The door was swung open in an instant and the pony limped in. “Okay... my hoof’s been gouged and my wolf needs medical assistance.” The pony said as he dragged in a wheelbarrow housing a his downed wolf.
Case took a quick visual assessment of the situation. Redhat was able to move around and talk. Other than the hoof injury he spoke of, any other wounds were probably minimal. The canine, however, seemed to be in much worse condition. Notable amounts of blood were present on its side and abdomen. So now it was apparent who needed to be taken care of first, “No time to lose, let’s get your pet on the table.” The two carefully take two ends of the wolf and lift her out of the transportation unit.
She wasn’t fighting much, so either this was a calm animal by nature or she was in grave condition. Stopping the bleeding was the first priority. “Grab some of those towels in the corner,” Case admonished with urgent yet calm words.
Redhat nodded and hobbled over to grab the towels, “okay okay.” once he got them, he walked over, and placed them on the table.
The doctor added pressure to the white cloth after wrapping it around the wolf’s middle. “This looks like a stab wound. What happened to her?” Hopefully this had only happened a few moments ago, as punctures of such a deep nature can quickly bleed a creature dry.
“it was only a little while ago. I caught somepony trying make away with Cumulius and she pulled a dagger on me.”
As alarming as the thought of that was, Case had to put that on the backburner of his mind and get the wolf stable. He laid an ear on the wolf’s chest, listening to her breathing. Next he took a look inside of her mouth. “Her lungs don’t sound congested, but this blood in her mouth concerns me,” he peers deeper into her throat, “I don’t seen any pooling or flowing...did she attack this...thief? I’m hoping this blood doesn’t belong to your pet.”
“Yes, she chomped it’s legs one or two times and removed a portion of meat from the basterd’s back.” He stroked the wolf a little.
“Alright,” that explained the red stains on her teeth, “If her stomach or lungs had been punctured, then she would likely be coughing up blood at this point or have trouble breathing. So far, I think the damage is limited to the skin and some deeper tissue layers. It’s possible that her intestines could be punctured as well, but I’ll need more time to discover this.” He continued to hold down the dressing as he used the other hoof to feel for broken ribs.
Redhat just waited to see if his wolf would be fine. He kept stroking her, hoping she’d be fine.
After feeling that the bleeding was under control, the earth pony opened a nearby cabinet and pulled out a jar of greenish-yellow liquid. It was something of a natural equivalent to laughing gas. “I’ll see if I can ease her stress. This herbal mixture should help take her mind off the pain.” After dousing a cotton swab with the fluid, he rubbed it onto her gums over a period of several minutes. “I may need to look at it more closely later, but she needs to regain her strength first. I think she’s stopped bleeding.” The doctor wraps her up in some blankets to keep her warm, then turns his attention to the pegasus, “Now what about that hoof of yours?”
The pony showed his hoof, which had a rather large gash in it. It was bleeding still, and didn’t looked like it was just a tad bit bent. “Here you go.”
“Let’s get that wrapped up.” It doesn’t take long to bandage it up, “How much does it hurt? It looks like it might be dislocated as well.”
The pony tensed when the medical pony touched the hoof. “It hurts really bad.” he said, “you can fix it, correct?”
“A dislocation isn’t very difficult to remedy, but the act of putting it back in place can be very painful,” Getting a fresh cotton swab, Case dips it into the liquid sedative as before. “Let me wipe this on your gums; it should shield you from a bit of the pain after a few minutes.”
Redhat “ughed” when case study said the word ‘pain’. “go ahead whenever...um... should I lay down first?”
“Probably, yes.” After the anaesthetic treatment had been applied for a few minutes, the stallion gave a rag to the now-prone pegasus, “You may also want to bite down on this. I’ll try to make it quick.”
“Oh bloody buckin’ god... this gonna hurt like a bitch now ain’t it....” he took took the rag with his good hoof and shoved it into his mouth.
“It’ll just take a moment, so get ready.” Mentally prepping himself, Case felt for the best angle to twist and compress. After deciding the proper way to go, he took both hooves and quickly pushed the injured hoof back into place with an audible pop.
A loud whimper came from the prone pegasi, before spitting out the rag. “Well holy buckin’ shit that stung...”
“There, that wasn’t too difficult, now was it? Make certain that you don’t put any weight on it while it heals. I’ll need to get you a crutch unless you think you can do for now by flying instead of walking?” His red eyes then wander over to the equally red discoloration on the green pony’s pants. “Now then, is that blood from your wolf? I don’t think you mentioned any other injuries.”
“Nope. The motherbucker took a goddamned swipe at my flank... It think it’s just a tiny little cut anyway...”
The doc’s eyelids lower in disbelief, “Um, no, not with that much bleeding. I need to take a look at that as well.” He motions with his hoof for Red to show him the offending area.
“UUUUUUGhhh... are you sure ya’ ain’t just trying to feel up my behind?” it was hard to tell whether he was being sarcastic or serious.
He puts a hoof to his now-lowered forehead, “Mr. Redhat, there is a time and place for jokes, but here and now is not one of them. If you have a grievous injury, I must tend to it. Although you don’t seem to be bleeding any longer, you may still receive an infection. I cannot let that happen.”
“UUUUGggh..... it’s bloody unhealthy not to laugh... your a freakin’ doctor you should know that!” He said, before getting up off the floor. “Annnnyways, you needed to tape up a wee lil’ cut?”
Case rolls his eyes, “Tee hee,” he complies without enthusiasm, “You’re not dismissed from my office until all of your physical ailments are inspected and properly treated. Now please, your clothes? Many of us don’t wear clothes in the first place, so I don’t see why this is a problem.”
“A wise man once said, quote, ‘everything popular is wrong’.” The pony then lowered his pants. “Now buckin’ please get this over with...”
Sighing with relief that his patient relinquished the childish act, he went to take a look at the cut. It was a long gash that would definitely require stitches. “This isn’t just a cut that can be bandaged. I’m going to need...” As Case moved around to examine the wound more closely, he noticed that some certain parts normally present on a stallion were missing from Redhat. “Um, sir, forgive my prying, but were you involved in an accident of some type as a colt?”
“Why never, imma’ 100% buckin’ perfect specimen of the pony race!” he said, almost unfazed by the fact somepony was stitching up his flank.
Case had enough sense to see that the anatomy of the pony on the table corresponded more closely with that of a female than a male. It now became clear to him why the pegasus was reluctant to remove his clothes. It really wasn’t any of the doctor’s business whether he was transgender or not. The shape of Redhat’s face and the pitch of “his” voice did lend unusually well to that of a stallion, however. Perhaps he should keep this a secret? He kept silent for the rest of the treatment and released Redhat to go on his way. “I’ll keep an eye on your pet. I’ll do the best I can for her.”
“Should I wait here for that stuff you rubbed on my gummies to wear off first.... and I’d love to stay with the wolf, she’s my favorite bitch in the whole world!” she giggled a little at the pun.
“If you wish to do so, you are certainly welcome to. It may be another half-hour before you are completely sober again.”
“uuuugh.... fine...” She got up and had a shakily trotted towards the closest chair. It didn’t take long before she fell flat on the ground, her hat falling off in the process. “Aw buck.... why the hell is this floor so damn slippery....”
Having rushed over to help, Case leaned over and hoisted Red onto his back with a hoof. “Are you hurt?” He carried her over to a couch and placed her down on it, “That’s just the drugs. Maybe you should lie down for a little while. Your pet isn’t going anywhere.” He then noticed that her face had seemed different from before, much rounder and feminine in shape. That’s curious. He retrieved her hat, noticing the strange symbols running along its interior. “Here, you dropped this.”
“Ooooh... I’lllllll take that....” she put it back on, her face looking completely normal again the exact moment it’s on. “heh...” The hat was in a rather awkward position, and looked like it was about to fall off her head again.
“Um, I think you should be aware that I’ve noticed something peculiar here,” Case Study carefully said, “...you’re not really a stallion, are you Mr. Redhat?”
“Um.... I plead my goddamn given right to habeas corpus!” Then the hat slipped off. “Oh bollocks....” her voice sounded a lot more soft, this time.
Once again, the blue pony retrieved the fallen headwear. Trying to talk with her in this state was probably going to be fruitless, “I’m not trying to bridge any of your rights. May I ask, however, why you have chosen to conceal your true identity?” He gave the hat back to the inebriated pegasus.
“AAAAnd why would I tell you.... For all you buck’n know I could just be a reeeally confused little filly or maybe I want to become a lawyer in world dominated by opposite sex! OH OH WAIT... bucking hell I forgot...”
“I was merely curious,” the doctor replied after sitting in a nearby chair, “It’s within your rights to keep that a secret if you so wish to. I just hope that this doesn’t cause you any trouble in the future.” He could envisage what might occur if she was to enter into a relationship only to later reveal her true sex to this hypothetical lover.
“Can you just get me on a table... this floor is like a freakin’ slip’n’slide!” She said as she tried to get up again, only to fall over onto her bad hoof. “GHAA!”
“Please Mr...Ms...Mr. Redhat, can you stay seated?” A second time, he rescued her from her clutzy doom and laid her back down on the couch. He sighed in frustration, “Let me see your hoof...”
“Wait.. I was laying down.... buck...” she rose her hoof. “here here.”
The hoof wasn’t further injured. It was probably just the soreness, “As your doctor, I do not permit you to leave this couch until you are completely back to your senses. I would much rather not pull you from the floor a third time.”
“yada yada yada...” she just whimpered and kept her head planted on the sofa cushion. “how much longer!”
“Not much more. Maybe twenty to twenty-five minutes.” This is going to seem to like an eternity, regardless.
She rolled onto her side and sighed “K!” and the hat fell off again.
“Yes...just try to sleep it off...” He picked up the hat and set it on his desk. When Redhat went to leave, then Case would return it to her.
“meh... ugh.... I’d like to consummate the fact that i’m sorry for being jack arse right nao...”
“That’s fine...” Case tries to hide his annoyance as he crosses his forelegs, “Take your rest now...”
“okai...”
Post by: Impending Doom on March 06, 2013, 10:19:25 pm
Maize watches the line for lunch from a distance. It’s better than her normal behavior of waiting for Cream Puff to bring some food to the field, although she certainly seems to eye the line with a fair bit of distaste.
Serenity enters the tavern and moves towards the end of the lunch line, but stops when she sees Maize standing off in the corner. She approaches the tall mare. “Maize, what a pleasant surprise! I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you come up here for lunch.”
Maize offers a small smile. “Hey, Serenity. Yeah, I usually just let Cream Puff bring me my food, but I figured I’d save her the trip today. Besides,” Maize looks at the line. “I have to try and be social some, right?”
Serenity nods. “Yes, I’m glad to see you taking the initiative on this. Would you like me to sit with you?”
“That depends if you’re willing to spend your lunch in the field or my room.” Maize looks at the tables, which are already getting pretty full of ponies. “I’m not really sure I’m ready to eat in front of a bunch of other ponies.”
“I understand, one step at a time. And I wouldn’t mind having lunch somewhere else.”
Maize’s friendly smile grows into a happy one. “It’ll be nice having somepony new to chat with, I guess. I mostly just talk to Cream Puff, Morning Dew, and Praetorian.” She thinks for a moment. “Not that I don’t love all three of them, of course.”
Serenity takes a moment to process Maize’s last comment. If it meant what she thinks it did, it would certainly explain the Signals she was putting off when they spoke about Cream Puff... “Of course. It’ll be nice to just chat on a... less clinical level. Shall we get in line?”
Maize looks to the line, which has just about emptied, and nods. “You can go first, if you like.”
Serenity shakes her head. “Oh no, you go ahead, I insist.”
Maize’s smile fades just a bit as her bluff is called, and she slowly makes her way to the back of the line, standing a little uncomfortably behind a random stallion.
Serenity moves to stand behind Maize, offering her support.
Maize offers a quick smile over her shoulder and goes back to the amazingly difficult, grueling task of waiting in line.
After a short wait, Serenity is able to grab some food and joins Maize. “So, where would you like to eat?”
Maize thinks. “I normally eat outside, but some of the crops growing in don’t really have the nicest aroma to some ponies, so I don’t know if you’d like it. There’s always my room, if you want to eat there.”
Serenity considers the choices. “I don’t often get the opportunity to spend time outdoors, but if you think it would be unpleasant, I suppose your room would be good.”
Maize nods and leads the way, opening the door for Serenity as they arrive. “I know it’s not much, but make yourself at home. Feel free to sit on the bed with me, I don’t really take up much space so we can both sit comfortably.”
Serenity takes the offered seat on the bed, scooting over to allow plenty of room for Maize.
Maize crawls into the bed next to Serenity, but kindly keeps a bit of distance between the two. She wasn’t joking when she said she didn’t take up much room, there’s plenty of space to lay out the lunches the two have.
Serenity takes a mouthful of hay and chews quietly, unsure of how to begin the conversation as a friend and not a doctor.
Maize opens with “So, um... how’s work?”
Serenity looks up. “Oh, it’s going quite well. Naturally, I can’t go into much detail without ponies’ permission...”
“I figured.” Maize nods and chows down on a bit of her own food. “I bet you’re trying to keep from asking me a few questions.”
Serenity nods slightly. “I’d like to talk to you as... a friend.”
“Well, I think friends are supposed to know a little bit about each other, right?” Maize thinks. “I’m pretty sure all my friends know about my father, so... I guess I should tell you, too. He... well, he was kind of mean. He liked to hurt me, and he made me sleep outside, but I wasn’t allowed to leave the yard or talk to other ponies so I mostly just grew up gardening. My mommy... I think she was too scared of him to do anything, but then one day she just grabbed me and ran. We went... somewhere, maybe to a different city, maybe even to a different nation. But my father... he caught up to us... and he killed mommy... so...” Maize stops, flustered. “Actually... I think I just told you a lot more than anypony else knows... whoops... Uh... do you... want to say anything about yourself?”
A million questions flood into Serenity’s mind, followed by a million more words of consolation. But she holds it all back, settling for a reassuring hoof on her withers. “I... never really knew my parents. They both died when I was very young. I only remember their faces from a portrait in our home...”
Maize opens her mouth, but stops herself, closing it again. Then she opens it again. “I was... almost tempted to tell you that you were lucky. But I bet you would have had good parents.”
Serenity nods. “My siblings all tell me they were... perfect. Kind and loving, with many friends. They certainly made sure we would all be alright when they were gone.”
Maize nods. “I... never really had a family. After my parents were dead, I... I ran away and never looked back, and after that I mostly just drifted. I held a few odd jobs when I really felt like eating something more than what I could dig out of the garbage or grow, but... I didn’t really know anypony on more than a worker-master level.”
“I’m surprised you managed to stay sane with so little interaction with others. I don’t know what I’d do without other ponies to talk to...”
Maize can’t help but let out a little chuckle. “You think I’m sane?”
Serenity nods. “I’ve seen insanity before. I spent years in school studying insanity. I don’t see it in you.”
Maize offers Serenity a smile. “I guess it’s different when you know somepony... and I guess when you know what the real meaning is, too. I’ve heard a lot of different words said about me. I still don’t know what all of them mean, but... I think I’ve figured out some of the nastier ones.”
Serenity stares at her hooves. “I know I said I’d try not to ask questions, but... why didn’t you tell me all this during our sessions?”
Maize sighs. “I... the sessions... they kind of scare me. It’s like... I’m being in... interr...”
“...Interrogated?”
“Yeah, that.” Maize looks up and smiles. “Here, though... it’s so much more calm... It’s like I’m talking to a friend instead of a master... I am talking to a friend.”
Serenity smiles warmly. “I’m glad. And... I’m sorry I came across that way. I really do care about you, and I want to help in any way I can. I have since I met you.”
“I know.” Maize lets her head droop a little. “It’s just anxiety, I guess.” She turns her gaze a little toward Serenity. “It’s ‘anxiety’, right?”
Serenity nods. “Yes, that’s it.”
Maize nods. “I’ve been learning a lot of new words here, too, but good words.” She looks up. “Words like ‘love’ and ‘friend’.”
Serenity hesitates for a moment, still not sure she should be asking too many questions. “And... what do those words mean to you?”
Maize pauses as she thinks how to put it into words. “A friend is someone you love. Right?”
“Yes, I suppose you could put it that way. So then, you love Praetorian because he is your friend...”
“Well, he’s a special kind of friend. A coltfriend.” Maize smiles. “So we do intimate stuff together.”
Serenity considers this. “So then Cream Puff is just your friend. You don’t do those sorts of things with her.”
Maize nods. “I’d be her fillyfriend, though, if she wanted me to be. She doesn’t really seem to like that idea, though.”
“...When you first told me about her, I, uh,” Serenity blushes a little, “I was actually under the impression that she was your fillyfriend.”
Maize grins. “A little bit of me wishes she was, sorta. She’s always been really nice to me, and she’s really sweet... and pretty. She doesn’t think it’s right to have more than one special somepony, though.” Maize looks out her small window toward the field. “Morning Dew’s pretty, too, and she’s also really nice.” She turns back to Serenity. “You know, I think you’re kinda pretty too.”
Serenity’s face turns a very vivid shade of pink. “I-I-I don’t think Praetorian would be happy about that...”
Maize nods. “Yeah... it seems like a lot of ponies here think it’s wrong. I guess it’s sort of a thing different ponies see differently. A couple of places I used to live had lots of ponies with several partners. I actually worked for a noble who had a couple partners. ‘Mistresses,’ he called them.” She peers out the window again, this time with a different focus. “I’d talk to Praetorian about it, but I don’t want him to get scared I might leave him or something. Sometimes I think he’s as nervous about being a coltfriend as I am being a friend.”
Serenity follows Maize’s gaze out the window. “Well, a mistress is something entirely different. I don’t think you want any of those.” She looks back to Maize. “If that’s really the kind of relationship you want to have, you really should consider speaking to him about it. But... perhaps you should be subtle about it, at first. Not break it to him all at once.”
“It doesn’t matter what kind of relationship we have. I don’t mind only having one coltfriend.” Maize sits back a little, shifting herself. “What’s a mistress, anyway?”
“It’s... when you decide you don’t really love the pony you’re with, but instead of telling them so and leaving, you pretend you still love them while you secretly start seeing somepony else.”
Maize’s eyes grow wide and her grin fades. “Oh... that doesn’t sound good at all.” She bows her head. “That sounds really mean, actually. I can see why ponies aren’t very into having several partners here. I... I think I’ll just stick with Praetorian, then.”
Serenity nods. “Whatever makes you happy, Maize.” She slides a little closer to Maize. “For what it’s worth, I personally prefer stallions, but... if I had to be with a mare, I think you’d be my first choice.”
Maize blushes a little. “Th-thanks, Serenity.” She bows her head, looking down on the bed... and sees her plate still half-full of food. “Oh, I completely forgot we were eating.” After a quick giggle, she starts devouring the wonderful lunch again.
Serenity glances down to see that her own plate is just as untouched as Maize’s. She sets to eating, enjoying her friend’s company in silence.
Post by: jaxler on March 07, 2013, 12:21:03 am
The green mare began to stir after her nap. It had been about an hour or so, but the drug seemed to have finally worn off. She turned on her side, still not aware that her hat was off.
Taking notice of the subtle activity of his guest, Case stated plainly, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone react so strongly to that anaesthetic before.” He put away a jar of liquid, half empty, with a subtle blue glow to it, “Are you able to stand on your own four, I mean three, hooves now?”
“um... I’ll try...” she got up slowly, and after a little while she was on all fours “I think I’m good...”
“Here, do try to keep this on your head from now on...” he pushed the small, red hat across his desk towards the still-waking mare, “...especially if you plan on continuing to play the role of a stallion in the public eye.”
“what in blazes are you speaking-” then she saw the hat and heard how soft her voice sounded. “Oh...well then...” she picked up and sighed. “Please for the love of god don’t inform anypony of this...”
“I give you my word as a doctor that everything which happens behind that door stays completely confidential,” Case Study reassured her, “I have, however, modified your medical records to reflect your true sex. Still, no one is allowed access to those without your explicit and sober consent.”
“Okay...” she put the hat on. “I just want you to know, that it is of the highest priority for my personal health that my true sex Isn’t exactly known by the general public....”
“I won’t, Mister Redhat,” the bluish stallion saied with a soft smile, “If you have some kind of problem with this, perhaps you should speak with Ms. Serenity? She seems to be helping many ponies in coping with their troubles lately.”
“Just to clear things up, I’m not a confused tunatic. I’m not in drag for any reason a shrink can fix.” she said, placing the cap on her head.
An eyebrow rised in concern, “Do you feel that you need a disguise because you are being threatened? I’m sure Mr. Temperance can investigate any such matters. You don’t have to reveal your femininity in order for him to address such a dilemma.”
“... I’d rather keep my private matters private. The fact that you're even aware I’m a mare means I’ve bucked up more than a stallion during apple season.”
The doctor shrugged as he closed his eyes, “I’m only attempting to offer assistance. If you wish to keep the matter to yourself, then I’ll respect that.” He pulled some papers over to himself with a hoof and started going through them, “If you’re not careful, I won’t be the only pony to know your secret. Did you ever consider that during a fight your hat may get knocked off? Or what if some pegasus foal decides it will be a fun game to grab the hat off of your head and play ‘keep away’?”
“I have the rune scratched into the inside of my helmet...” She knew he was right, but she wasn’t about to let him make her do something she’d regret.
He flipped a page, “If you say so.” The skinny stallion put down the papers and looks over at the wolf lying asleep on the operating table, “Oh, and once your pet wakes up, I feel she will be good enough to take home. I was getting concerned that she wasn’t going to make it if I relied on her to recover naturally, so I decided to use this healing serum I purchased from a zebra caravan some time ago.” He looks over to the spot where he was keeping the luminescent concoction, “I’ve been trying to ration it for emergencies only, as I don’t have much to go around.”
She looked down. “Well... thank you.” The pony knew all well he didn’t need to use that medicine on her wolf. “Sorry for the trouble...”
“Not a problem. I’ve dealt with far fussier patients than either of you in the past,” Case chuckles lightly, “What good is a doctor if he doesn’t have some patience? No pun intended, of course.”
“Yeah...” She moved over to the table where her wolf was. “So, she’ll be back to normal soon?”
“I believe so. She might need a bit of extra rest for a few days, but she’ll be just fine.”
“Thanks again then.” she petted the wolf a little. “Should I wake her up?”
“If you wish to, but perhaps she shouldn’t walk on her own just yet. Would you like for me to carry her to your residence? I know you’ll probably have difficulty managing with a sprained hoof.” Case slid out of the chair, preparing to offer assistance.
“I suppose...”
“Alright then.” Carefully lifting the canid onto his back, the physician walked out of the door and followed Redhat as he was led to the proper housing. Once they arrived, he asked, “Where would you like for me to lay her down?”
“On the bed.” The place was well kept, aside for the side of the bed, which was a complete mess. Over in the far corner there was a bunch of Hat boxes, as well as a chew toy for Bonnet.
In compliance, Case Study gently placed the animal down on the mattress. He then turned to the house’s owner, “Good day to you Mr. Redhat, and I wish you two all the best.” With his deed done, he made back towards his office.
After placing the chew toy on the bed for when bonnet woke up, “Well... I’m grateful for your assistance...” She then waited for him to leave, before giving off a stress filled sigh and plopping down on the bed and pulling a book out from under her pillow, She figured she’d just go ahead and read while she waited for Bonnet to get up.
Post by: Amorack on March 09, 2013, 04:52:53 pm
Post by: Dsarker on March 09, 2013, 09:22:45 pm
Maize wades through the mud around her plants as she makes sure all of them are getting nicely watered and none of them are being knocked down by the moderate rainfall.
Praetorian is walking over to the fields to check on Maize when he spots her walking through the plants. With a smile forming on his face, despite the rain, he calls out to her. “Maize!”
The meek mare looks toward the call, smiling back as she sees Praetorian. “Hey! How are you?”
“I’m pretty good. How are you?”
“I’ve been good.” Maize passes a glance at her plants. “The crops seem to be doing well. Wanna go inside, get out of the rain?”
“That sounds like a good idea,” agrees Praetorian.
Maize ducks her head down and leads the way to her room, shaking the water out of her mane in front of the doorway so she doesn’t get her floor wet.
Praetorian dries himself as best he can before going in with her.
Maize hops up on her bed, staring out the window. “The rain’s nice here. So pretty.” She smiles. “I’ll be honest, I thought it was going to rain blood or something.”
“I’ve seen blood rain. It’s never as impressive as it sounds,” says Praetorian with a little chuckle to indicate the joke.
Maize giggles too. “I’d probably just be stuck wondering whose blood it was.” She looks to Praetorian. “C’mon, you can sit on the bed, too. I don’t bite.” She grins, showing her teeth for once. “Unless you want me to.”
Praetorian smiles and joins her on the bed, despite feeling a little bit of uneasiness. He did tell Cream Puff he’d be taking it slow. How’d she react when he told her he was in her bed? Or, well, at least on it.
Maize turns back to the window, staring out of it for a while. “Hey... Praetorian.”
“Yes, Maize?” Praetorian asks.
“I was... well, I was talking to Serenity some the other day. About love, and stuff like that. Anyway...”
“Yes?” says Praetorian with a little sinking feeling inside him.
“Well...” Maize looks to him, herself looking a bit worried. “I think I kind of... have a different under... understanding? of what love is compared to you... well, your culture. And I just... wanted to say that if I ever do anything that hurts or upsets or angers you, I want you to tell me, because I would feel really bad if I did something and didn’t even know it was something wrong.”
“I... I’ll do that, then,” says Praetorian. “And will you, in turn, do the same for me?”
Maize smiles. “Of course. Th- thank you. That really... reassures me.” She glomps the military stallion, nuzzling him a little.
Praetorian is (to put it lightly) slightly surprised, but manages to respond with a hug of his own.
Maize holds the hug for a few moments before releasing Praetorian. “Since we’re on the topic of stuff we do together, I haven’t done anything bad before, right?”
“No, you haven’t, Maize,” Praetorian answers. “Have I?”
“Not at all.” Maize nuzzles him. “Honestly, I wouldn’t worry about that. I get the feeling what you consider okay is less than what I do. That’s why I want you to tell me if I ever do anything wrong.”
“Well...I’ll do so, then,” says Praetorian.
“Thanks.” Maize lies back, snuggling against Praetorian’s side and watching the rain some more. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Maize,” says Praetorian, snuggling up against her.
Post by: Khenal on March 09, 2013, 10:24:41 pm
Cream Puff is where she usually is: working in the kitchen. Anypony who knows her would say she seems a bit less energetic than usual, and they’d be right. She’s still feeling a bit sulky about needing to be the mature pony instead of getting what she wants.
Into the kitchen comes Praetorian, looking a little bit too pleased with himself. “Come on, Cream Puff, we want to have you out for dinner.” His horn starts glowing, and Cream Puff feels a little tug on her.
“We? Wait, what?” She sets her knife down and tries to fight the tug.
“Come on, Cream Puff, there isn’t much time to waste. We can’t have you working in the kitchen all day when you’re unhappy like this, so come on out,” says the stallion, repeating the tug.
“But... but dinner’s in the oven!”
“Cream Puff, you never take enough time out for yourself.” He sighs. “How much longer will it take?”
Puff looks uncomfortable, but answers. “30 minutes? But the salad still needs to be composed!”
“Cream Puff! It can wait! I’m sure ponies won’t mind if they have to make their own salad today. It’ll remind them of how good they have it with you. Now come on, we don’t have much time to waste. We’ve got somepony who wants to talk with you.”
She looks confused and still uneasy, but doesn’t fight the pull any more. “Talk with me? Who?”
“Come on, you’ll like him,” says Praetorian.
Meanwhile, Temperance is sitting quietly at the north end of Duskfields, just at the defensive trench. He’s staring off into the plains that extend out as far as the eye can see. Everything was calm today. He sighs and takes a sip from a jug of juice he’d brought with him, trying to decide if he should keep sitting there or get back to work.
Crosshair landed next to him, giving him a quick salute. “Sir? You’ve got to come with me.” She said urgently.
Concern forms on his face as he stands. “What is it?” Please don’t be more discordant ponies...
“No, not discordant ponies sir. Not as bad as that, but, please. Just follow me, there’s somepony that you need to talk to.” Crosshair continued to urge him.
“Alright,” he says, still looking gravely concerned. Was anypony hurt? Or upset? He follows after her, and asks, “Who is it? What’s the matter?”
Crosshair then beamed up into a smile when he begins to follow her “It’s nothing serious, sir. But please, just follow me. You’ll see soon enough.”
He looks a little less alarmed at that. “Alright,” he says, following her quietly to wherever she decides to lead him.
Crosshair eventually lead him to the incomplete hospital shell, the place set up perfectly for the blind date. He looks around the interior, quite confused at what he finds. An ominous feeling was beginning to set in, like he should leave right now.
“It’s a Blind date, sir!” Crosshair chirped.
Temperance’s eye go wide and he stammers something incoherent at her. Who in the world could she have roped into this? Why? “I, uh... a what?” he finally splutters.
Waiting for him are Cream Puff and Praetorian, Praetorian smiling like Crosshair. “Ah, Cream Puff, your date is here.”
That feeling of needing to bolt doesn’t really abate much for Temperance as he realizes just what was going on. “Date? W-wait a second now!”
“Don’t worry, sir,” says Praetorian in a soothing tone, as he walks over to him. “Just...have a good time. You two both deserve a chance at that, if anypony does.”
Temperance locks eyes with Cream Puff briefly, wondering how she felt about all of this. Maybe he wouldn’t have to protest too much...
Cream Puff looks pretty uncertain, but also resigned to her fate. “Heya Temperance. I don’t think running is an option with these two.”
“I, uh, suppose not,” he says, clearly nervous.
She gestures at the seat across from her. “Have a seat. I don’t bite.”
He does as asked, taking a seat and tapping his forehooves together from the nerves. What were you supposed to do on these dates again? It had been close to a decade since he last tried this! “So, um, did they get you to cook too?” he says in a joking tone, hoping to lighten the mood a bit.
Puff chuckles a bit. “Not really. Tor dragged me out of the kitchen before I could do much more than get the bread in the oven. How about you? Did Cross have to drag you away from the paperwork?”
“Surprisingly, no, actually,” he says, glancing at the pegasus as she left alongside Praetorian. “I was taking a break at the time. So... I guess now is as good a time as any,” he says with a small chuckle.
Puff looks a bit surprised at that. “You take breaks?” she asks with a wink.
“Every once in a while. I try to take one every month or so,” he jokes. After a short pause he asks, “So, we haven’t really spoken much lately. How have things been?”
Puff shrugs. “Pretty good. Having a real kitchen makes life so much easier, and I’ve been able to make real food instead of sammiches all day every day, heh. I’ve even been talking with Serenity to get my anger under control, so hopefully I won’t go nuts the next time parasprites show up. How about you?”
“That’s good to hear. I’m sure you’ve found things a bit easier working in here than with what we had thrown together.” He intentionally sidesteps the anger issue. “I’ve been pretty well. Busy as always,” he says with a smile. She’d no doubt caught on long ago how much time he spent sequestered away in his office.
“You really should see about delegating some of that, Temperance. ‘All work’ and all that.”
He nods slowly and looks aside. “If we had anypony to spare, I’d love to. But, everypony is stretched pretty thin as it is,” he says with a shrug. “Twenty five of us doesn’t leave a whole lot of slack. I’m sure you’d love to have some help in the kitchen too, for that matter.”
Puff nods. “Yeah, I’m going to definitely need a sous chef or two real soon, especially if we keep growing like this.”
“Well, I don’t think we’ll have too many more show up in the immediate future. I sent a letter home with the caravan asking Coupledye to hold back a bit for now, since we’re still taking so long to get sleeping accommodations for everypony.” He chuckles. “I hardly believed it when my sister said it would take so long to build everything, but she was right.”
Puff giggles. “Still, things are going up surprisingly quickly when you consider how few ponies are here to do everything.”
“True enough, I suppose.” A brief but awkward silence falls as Temperance runs out of ideas for idle chit-chat. He hoped the food was already done... otherwise he was going to be boring poor Cream Puff to tears.
Puff has no idea what to say either, so she looks around at the decorations Crosshair and Praetorian set up.
As Temperance does the same, something finally comes to him. “The two of them seem to have gone through an awful lot of trouble for this. I bet you didn’t think you’d be here right now, did you?” He certainly didn’t. He had no idea why they were doing this either, or why they picked him anyway.
She turns back to him and chuckles. “Heh, nope! I expected to be busy serving food right about now.”
As if on cue, the door opens, and in comes a large plate, with a salad bowl on it. In it was a salad with romaine and spinach lettuce, red cabbage, green and black olives, cheddar, swiss and fresh mozzarella, cucumber and strips of red and yellow bell pepper, with a red wine vinegar and olive oil infused with basil, onion, garlic, and black pepper dressing. On the side are a few fresh greens, including celery, broccoli, cauliflower and peeled carrots served with a dip of some sort. Praetorian is carrying the plate in his magic.
Temperance’s eyes go wide as he sees and smells the food approaching. “Well, that smells amazing.”
Puff looks surprised as well. “Fire him. Kick him out of the military. I want him as my sous chef.”
Temperance chuckles and shakes his head. She’d have a time convincing Flamberge of that, although if Praetorian or Crosshair could cook like this, they certainly seemed to have taken up the wrong career.
“This isn’t really my creation. Not so much. One of my friends suggested it,” says Praetorian. “He says it’s quite good.”
“You might not have invented it, but this looks like a fairly lengthy recipe.” Puff eyes her friend. “You sure you wouldn’t rather cook?”
“It smells heavenly, so it must taste it too. Whether it was your idea or not, it couldn’t have been simple to make.” Temperance continues to examine the food, salivating at the expectation of the flavor.
Praetorian doesn’t make a reply, and instead lays the plate down between them, before making his exit.
Temperance was certainly getting hungry now. “Uh, well, shall we?” he asks, motioning for Puff to take some of the salad. You were supposed to hold doors for fillyfriends, right? What about food? Was there a priority there?
Puff can’t help but giggle at him again before she takes his plate and portions out half the salad to him. She then sees to her own plate and inhales the pleasant aroma. “Mmm... definitely going to need to pester him for this one.”
“Thank you,” Temperance says with a smile. He didn’t mean to make her serve him, but it was a bit late to stop that. He samples the salad, finding it taste every bit as delicious as it smells. After he swallows the first mouthful, he says, “Yes, I think you should. Somepony is going to have to make more of this.”
Puff takes a bite and nods. “I’m telling you: fire him. He belongs in the kitchen if he can make this.”
He chuckles again in response, but says nothing as he downs a bit more of the salad. As he takes a few pieces of carrot to dip, he says, “So, you know, it never really occurred to me that we haven’t really sat down and had a long chat. I’m not sure I ever even caught the reason you decided to join us out here at Duskfields. Or where you learned to cook.”
“I was apprenticed to Soufflé, and was ready to start my journeyponyship. An expedition seemed like the perfect opportunity. Fresh ingredients are so hard to get back in Coupledye, you know?” Puff chats between bites, looking rather comfortable.
He nods and chews on the carrots thoughtfully. “That’s for sure. Maize and Morning Dew certainly are doing a fantastic job with the crops. I’m not sure I’ve ever had better food back in Coupledye than out here.”
Puff smiles and even blushes slightly. Having ponies she knows well compliment her food is one thing, having the stallion in charge echo them is another. “Thanks, Temperance! Only thing we really need to put Duskfields on the culinary map is a few cows. Sheep’s milk is all well and good, but doesn’t make very good cream.”
“I know what you mean,” he says, slowing his eating a hair. “I wish I’d have had a chance to talk with the liaison. The caravan brought hardly a thing, and there’s quite a bit we really need out here. A few more farm animals is definitely on the list.”
“What else is on the list?” Puff looks genuinely curious as she asks. She had never really thought about what all Temperance actually does. She knows he’s a busy stallion, but never realized how many things he has to keep track of.
He shrugs and stirs his salad a bit. “Well, mostly some metal and stone. It’s been a bit embarrassing to have a few ponies with a knack for working it and none to speak of.” He takes a bite and stirs his food a bit more. “Smoothblock says that the ground is saturated with water not far down, which is great for the crops but means we can’t really dig a mine of any kind.” He shakes his head. “I never thought I’d hear it was hard to find stone.”
Puff nods. “I’ve talked with SmoothBlock about the difficulties, but I don’t know any specifics about why it’s so hard to get past all that water. She mentioned something about pumps and making walls, though. Sounds like we’d need pumps first, heh.”
“Yep, all stuff I know almost nothing about. I trust she knows what she’s talking about though. We can probably spare the ponypower to run a few pumps, but first the carpenters would have to take some time away from building more bedrooms.” He dips another carrot. “Sleeping arrangements for everypony seem a bit more important to me right now, but I would feel a lot better if the soldiers had better armor and weapons...”
“Yeah, it’d be nice to see them protected by more than hopes and prayers. Do you know if there’s any metal under the soaked soil?”
“No idea,” he answers truthfully. “We’re actually not that far from an old survey site where they considered setting up a mining outpost. Some unicorns could detect metal underground there, but I guess the aquifer discouraged them from setting up there.” He recalls the discordant pony attack and adds, “And maybe the locals.”
“Or the weather. Those clouds are bad news.”
He sighs. “They certainly look that way. I wish I knew what they were exactly. I get the feeling they’re not just dust clouds, but I’m no unicorn, so all I can do is look at them and wonder.” Watching them really gave him the creeps, but this was drifting away from pleasant dinner conversation. “But, anyway, I’ve been doing a little planning with the farmers, and they’re going to be planting a few more crops this coming year. Some pumpkins and watermelons for sure. Probably some tomatoes too.” He gives her a small smile. “Think you can work with those?”
Puff smiles in return. “Definitely! Tomatoes have a million uses, and who doesn’t like watermelon?”
Temperance makes a small laugh. “I certainly like both. I’m looking forward to seeing what you do with them. And perhaps Praetorian.” He finishes the last bit of salad on his plate. “Maybe the next time the caravan rolls through they’ll bring us seeds for some new crops too.”
“I know Maize would love that!” Puff finishes her meal and leans back slightly in contentment. “And I would, too. Variety is the spice of life, as they say.”
“Absolutely,” he echoes, sitting back himself. So... what now? He taps a forehoof against a hindleg as he thinks. Perhaps they should go for a walk or something? Not that there was really all that much to explore, especially in private.
So Praetorian comes back in to check how things are going, capisce? He comes in, maybe to have a word to Temperance, and maybe if he don’t like the response, say the same word, maybe a little louder; or maybe do a little community work. Maybe help quite a lot of old mares over quite a lot of roads, you get me? Maybe give him the gout, in the hoof!
“Are you finished, Temperance, Cream Puff?” he asks.
Puff nods at him. “Yep! That was a good meal, Tor.”
“It was, thank you very much,” Temperance adds with a smile.
“That’s good to hear. I’ll take these dishes, and leave you two alone to talk, if you wish.”
“Do you two have any other surprises for us?” Puff gives him a friendly smile as she asks. She was unsure about this at first, but it hasn’t developed into the disaster she expected.
“I am afraid not. I am sure Crosshair, at least, will want to know the result of this first date, but until you wish to tell her, I’m sure I can calm her curiosity.”
The ‘date’ was going better than Temperance had expected too, but he really had no idea what to do now. He didn’t really know Cream Puff that well, so he wasn’t sure what to talk about. He smiles and nods Praetorian off and says, “Perhaps you should do that then.”
He then looks back to Cream Puff, and after a few moments he asks, “So, we’ve established that I’m a bit too much of a workaholic, but what do you do in your down time?”
Puff shrugs. “I’m a bit of a workaholic too. Seems like I’m always in the kitchen. Still, I manage to find time to hang out with my friends. Tor, Maize, Crosshair of course, Flamberge. Should I see about adding you to that list, Temperance?”
“Well, I could certainly use somepony to drag me out of my office on occasion,” he says with a chuckle. That was more serious than he’d like to admit. “How are the four of them, by the way? I haven’t really spoken with any of them that much recently either.”
“Crosshair and Tor are doing well enough to set us up on this date, heh. Flamberge and her are doing pretty well together. Maize is still pretty shy, but she’s opening up more and more, and her and Praetorian make such a cute couple!” Puff wisely decides not to mention the effect the clouds have on Maize and Crosshair, or her longing for Flamberge.
“That’s good to hear. I was really worried about Maize, actually. I wasn’t sure if she was alright, but it’s good to know she’s opening up to a few of us at least.”
The two continue the chit chat for a while, maybe half an hour or so.. They talk a bit about how things are going, where Duskfields was headed, and a few odds and ends here and there. As time wears on, they start to run out of things to discuss, so they decide to call it a night and part ways. They kept the mood light and friendly, and as they each decide to head home, Temperance feels that’s how things would probably stay.
He appreciates the effort that Crosshair and Praetorian went through to set up the little date, and while he’s glad he had a chance to catch up with Cream Puff and looks forward to talking with her again in the future, he doesn’t think they’re too likely to have any more particularly private get togethers.
Love was a strange thing, and not something he could predict though. Who could say what would eventually happen?
Post by: Impending Doom on March 10, 2013, 12:20:00 am
Serenity sits at her- well, no, Temperance’s desk, carefully transcribing her latest patient’s last session into a large, thick book.
A loud knock at the door was heard, “Hello?”
Serenity looks up. “Yes? Please come in.”
The door creaked open, and the green pony slipped in awkwardly. “um... hello..”
She closes the book, setting it aside. “Hello... Redhat, is it? Were you looking for Temperance, or did you need to speak with me?”
“you, actually.” he said, looking around for a seat.
Serenity’s horn glows, and a small hoofmade sign proclaiming ‘With patient - please come back later!’, floats up and hangs on the door, which shuts with a click. Serenity turns her gaze back to Redhat, her hooves clasped before her. “So... what did you want to tell me?”
He took a seat on the closest chair, and sighed. “Well... I had somepony inform me I should come here... what exactly do you usually help with?”
Serenity raises an eyebrow. “...I don’t usually help with anything in particular. I help ponies with a wide variety of mental and emotional issues. Did this pony say why you should see me?”
“I believe he did...” He sighed and tried to think of a way to change the topic. “So... you help with emotional problems?”
Serenity notes the stallion’s attempt to dodge the question, but decides to move on. “Yes... is that what you’re here for?”
“Well yes.”
She nods. “Alright, what is the problem, specifically?”
Redhat looked down. “I’m actually a rather depressed pony, could you fix that?”
“Well, let’s find out just what we’re dealing with first. What sorts of things make you feel depressed?”
“When I look around and I realise the only real thing that can bear by presence for more than a minute is a dog.”
Serenity nods. “I take it you have trouble getting along with others?”
“Well yes” he really started to regret coming here. “I just... they can can become so insufferable so fast...”
“In what way?”
“Just, I feel like every moment i’m they’re judging me.”
“Well, I can tell you they aren’t constantly judging you. Ponies typically form an opinion about somepony in a split second, and it takes a bit of time and effort to change.”
“Still, they deem themselves above me and... well.. I get rather jackassy around ponies too...”
Serenity nods. “Yes, I do seem to recall hearing Praetorian mention something about some comments you made off-hoof. Well, that being the case, it sounds to me like the root of your problem is poor self-control.”
“I’m assuming good self control isn’t something you can take pill for.”
She shakes her head. “No, you have to learn it yourself. Though I can certainly help you, if you need it.”
“Yeah...” the pony sighed loudly. He didn’t seem all too thrilled.
“Well, why don’t we jump right in, then?”
Over the next hour and a half, Serenity walks Redhat through a few simple mental techniques designed to help him remain calm and collected.
Post by: Telgin on March 10, 2013, 01:46:12 am
And here's Convalescence's stats for you Amorack. Remember, I can divorce her from Patches if you want, but having the first claimed married couple in Duskfields could be interesting!
Spoiler: Convalescence (click to show/hide)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
Temperance's Journal - 18th Granite, 270
I've been keeping on top of things with Case Study and Redhat, who has been recovering well, thankfully. I was a bit alarmed to find out today that we've completely run out of thread, however, so Case Study couldn't finish stitching Redhat's wounds!
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/59.png)
He said it's not a life or death matter, but the wounds won't heal properly until he can stitch them, and until then there's a serious risk of infection. Which is doubly bad, because we have no soap either! With all of the construction work going on I've been neglecting to keep up with the hospital stocks, so we're critically short on a few things. Fortunately the sheep haven't been shorn in a long time, so we can get some spun out of that in short order. The soap is another matter...
20th Granite, 270
Fortunately, we managed to get some thread from the sheep quickly enough, and Case Study cleaned and stitched up Redhat's hoof for the final time today. He's still limping around, just like poor Morning Dew after she was wounded, but he'll be alright. I'm not sure what Praetorian is going to do with him in the meantime though. He obviously can't work or train like this.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/60.png)
2nd Slate, 270
Today started off with a bit of a scare. We had two diamond dog thieves show up today. The first bumbled into Cream Puff as she was bringing some milk into the tavern, at which point it decided to flee rather than steal anything. Praetorian was the closest this time, and he ran off after it to little avail. Crosshair took a few potshots at it too, but it was just too fast for either of them, and escaped unharmed.
The second was snooping around the new clothier's shop we put up in the southwest part of town.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/61.png)
It's starting to look a little organized. I can actually make clothes and kind of keep track of them now, but thankfully nopony is having their clothes get too worn yet.
He was to be disappointed though, since there was nothing to take. Instead, he ran into Praetorian on his way back inside, whereupon the stallion ran him off too. Once again, he chased him off, but the dog was too fast.
I hope wherever they ran back to, they tell their friends to leave us alone.
I'm really, really starting to get nervous about these thieves. The badger ponies and diamond dogs are one thing, but the discordant pony is something else altogether. If more of them come... gods help us. I feel like I should tell everypony what we may be getting ourselves into, but I don't want to start a panic.
I don't know what to do.
14th Slate, 270
The last few days have been a bit more tame, thank the gods. But, despite that, Morning Dew finally gave birth to her daughter early this morning.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/62.png)
This is interesting, because Morning Dew originally arrived married to somepony, and I split the marriage up to make the husband available to someone else. I believe this was Praetorian. Regardless, I forgot to clear her pregnancy pointer, apparently, so she gave birth to this little filly anyway. Could be a fun opportunity if anyone wants to seize on it.
I went by to see them this afternoon, but Case Study turned me away, saying that she wanted some privacy. I did gather that the unicorn filly's name was Mountain Dew, at least. I guess I can understand. The rumors started circling around the settlement a few months ago when it was obvious she was pregnant, but she's not married.
She's been pretty reclusive ever since, spending most of her time with Maize in the fields and not really speaking too much. After what I've heard of the rumors, I'd probably hide as much as I could too. Some really nasty things have been said, and I should have put a stop to it before now. I will as soon as I can though.
I may ask Dr. Serenity to speak with her too, if she's not too busy. I don't want her feeling too down about this. I can't say I condone what happened, but this sort of talking behind her back has to stop.
In tenuously related news, she and Maize finished setting up another farm plot. The fields we had already were barely able to keep up with demand, and another plot should do a lot of good. I asked Maize about it, and she told me that they're planning on planting okra, pumpkins, strawberries and watermelons in this one. I can scarcely wait, since I know Cream Puff will do some wonderful things with the fruits, and I can't remember the last time I had fried okra.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/63.png)
Which also reminds me that we had a voluntary apple tree pop up in the northwestern corner of town. Or, that's what Holly thinks it is anyway. I'd love to have some apples growing here, so a small orchard would be fantastic. We'll need more than one tree though.
27th Slate, 270
I knew Heartfelt couldn't have been far behind Morning Dew, as she's been showing for months too. Unlike Morning Dew, she hasn't really been hiding away, and just dismissed anything anypony said about her.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/64.png)
She didn't turn me away like Morning Dew did, and I managed to get a peek at the pegasus filly she named Spring Showers. Case Study rightly told me that the two were exhausted though, so I didn't stay long, but both seemed happy and healthy enough.
I'm not sure who was responsible for this foal either, and I don't need to know. I've been putting a crackdown on the rumor mill around, so there's that we don't have to worry about at least.
Fortunately, Heartfelt and her son Cumulus already had a room picked out, so she will be able to go home and relax properly.
Speaking of the rooms though, there's still a frightening amount of that to do. We've got maybe half of what we need, although the carpenters are working around the clock. Even with this many carpenters and Max helping out, it's taking forever!
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/65.png)
Of course, making the rooms a lavish 4x3 doesn't help the time and resource problem, but it'll be worth it one day...
9th Felsite, 270
I noticed Max has been seeming a bit down lately. He didn't seem to want to talk about it though, so I respected his wishes and left him alone. Being mixed in with ponies like this probably does present a lot of challenges I can't really appreciate. I'm tempted to pawn him off to Dr. Serenity, but I hate to do that every time I see someone upset. I guess if it continues I'll try talking with him again.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/66.png)
The explanation is pretty mundane: he's naked and not happy about it. I've been putting off setting up the clothing industry for a little while despite having the cloth for it, but it's time to get to work on that.
While I was in the tavern I decided I might as well check up on the stocks, and discovered something a bit alarming: we're running pretty low on drink. The last harvest was all wheat, which can be brewed into beer I think, and I think I may have to allow it. I'd rather some fruit juice was available, but we do what we must.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/67.png)
I've also been thinking that the huge stack of flax cloth we've got sitting around ought to be put to some use, so I set Patches to work on it. I'm interested to see what he produces. If nothing else, it might be useful when the next caravan arrives.
11th Felsite, 270
Today was unexpected, to say the least!
Crosshair and Praetorian organized a blind date for Cream Puff and myself, and dragged the two of us over to the tavern for the little affair. I'm not really sure what to write about it, other than it was a nice gesture and it was nice to catch up with Cream Puff, but I just don't see anything really coming of it. She's nice enough and I had a good time, but I just don't think we've really got enough in common for much of a relationship to last between the two of us. She didn't say it, of course, but I think she feels similarly. Besides, we both work all day every day, so when would we find the time?
She's good friends with both Crosshair and Praetorian, so I'm sure they set it up on her behalf a lot more than mine. I guess I feel a bit flattered that they think I'm a good choice for a coltfriend, but it was probably a wasted effort. If Cream Puff is looking for somepony, I'm not sure a blind date is the best way to go about things.
Still, as I'm sitting here, I can't help but feel a bit lonely myself. I'm thirty-six years old, and not getting any younger...
Staying busy helps keep my mind off of it at least. I've got bigger things to work toward than starting a family. If I keep at it, and keep working hard, it'll pay off one day.
19th Felsite, 270
My worst fears resurfaced today as another discordant mare showed herself this afternoon.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/68.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/69.png)
It was Veneer who spotted this one as he was dragging some planks out to the new houses. Flamberge was the first to respond this time, after she panicked and ran out into the middle of the town. I unfortunately bore witness to the fight this time, seeing him crush the life from her, stab her through the chest and ultimately behead her with a single swipe of his sword.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/70.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/71.png)
Why, yes, that's part of her leg and her head on top of the tavern, when the fight took place on the ground.
I'm not sure whether to be impressed or terrified of him, quite honestly. I'll just have to make absolutely sure to never, ever make him angry... not that I had any intention to...
In either case, I'm asking all of the soldiers to patrol near the entrance for the next day or two. I don't want any more sneaking inside...
20th Felsite, 270
I've never been more scared in my life. I don't even know... I haven't yet processed everything I saw today.
I was out inspecting the aftermath of the last thief who came in through the remaining ramps, when I saw a mass of strange ponies approaching. Wearing armor and carrying weapons. I tried to scream for help, but nothing came out but a squeak. Thank the gods Flamberge saw them too.
He didn't waste a single moment.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/72.png)
They struck first, firing all of their crossbows at him. He dodged every bolt and let into their leader with his sword, removing most of his legs in a brutal flash of blood and bronze. I don't think I'll ever unsee that...
Spoiler: Combat logs (click to show/hide)
He even kept fighting after a bolt struck him in the leg! It's like he's a stallion possessed when fighting! Praetorian and Redhat didn't even make it to the fight before he'd slain four of the discordants, and the others were already retreating so fast they couldn't catch them.
I thought the fight was over then, but even more showed up moments later! Seven armed with warhammers came flying or running down the east hill toward the battle. Flamberge and Praetorian were the only two there, and Flamberge was beginning to finally slow down from the wound to his leg.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/76.png)
To my utter shock, when they ran into the two and saw what had happened to their comrades, they broke and scattered! Flamberge chased one down and cut it to pieces, while Praetorian downed another with several jabs to the head with his spear.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/77.png)
It took him a long time to finish one off though, and by then I was seeing so many dead bodies and body parts... it must have been too much. I... actually passed out and fell down into the trench. They found me on the way back inside. I wasn't hurt, thankfully.
I wish I could say the same for the others though.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/80.png)
I had to ask Crosshair about it, since both Flamberge and Praetorian were in the hospital. She told me that after Praetorian downed the first, a second attacked him from behind. He didn't see the attack coming, and was knocked out by a hammer blow to the head. The discordant pony hit him several more times before Redhat took him out himself.
The unicorn was badly wounded, but apparently Case Study thinks the damage isn't permanent. He has a severe concussion, but in time he should pull through. I sincerely hope so.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/78.png)
Redhat and Bonnet just got done turning that one's brain into swiss cheese.
I got a few more details from her, and she said that all told they killed nine attacking discordant ponies. Flamberge killed an amazing six himself, while Redhat got two and Praetorian killed just that one. She didn't even make it to the fight, herself, so she must have picked it all up from Redhat. She was just getting out of bed and getting her equipment by the time the entire horrifically brutal and bloody thing was over.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/79.png)
I feel sick. Flamberge was wounded and ten discordant ponies were killed over the past two days. I don't know what to think. I don't know what to do! Every time I start thinking about it I go into a mild panic!
They're not going to stop coming... they'll keep coming until we're all dead...
What do I do?
We can't leave... we just can't...
2nd Hematite, 270
The fighting just doesn't stop! Another diamond dog showed up today, picking through some of the remains of the dead discordant ponies. Crosshair was still out patrolling the entrance, no doubt anticipating more attacks, and she opened up on him the instant she saw him...
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/81.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/82.png)
Just one more corpse to add to the piles... gods above, I don't know what's next.
If there is anything good to report, Flamberge has already recovered enough to leave the hospital. If I didn't know he'd been wounded I wouldn't suspect a thing. He went back to patrolling the entrance with Crosshair straight away.
I wish Praetorian was up and around already. Case Study and Convalescence have been watching him, but he's still barely responsive and in and out of consciousness. I wish there was something I could do to help them...
Post by: Pokon on March 10, 2013, 01:53:26 am
Entry 10
Silver Sword Find The Pony Chaos Chaos Chaos Discordants Corruption Among Us
Land Is Dead Clouds Are Red Ponies Soon Griffon Feasts Like Crow
Temperance Is Unknowing Is Not To Be Trusted. All Who Show Signs Of Chaos Must Be Treated With Death
Death Is The Ultimate Equalizer. All Are Equal In Death. Red Cloud is Herald For End.
Maize Must Have Trial By Combat. The Combatent Being A Trained Solder.
Praetorian Wounded. All Temperances Fault. Maize Must Be Seen Too While Emotionaly Compramised Pony Is Bedridden.
For Cheerfulgrins.
Post by: TheBronzePickle on March 10, 2013, 09:23:55 am
~Maize's Diary~ 18th Granite, 270
I have a diary, now. Praetorian said that it would help me learn to write if I did it a lot, so I figured this would be a good way to do it! Things have been going well, although one of the militia ponies... Redhat, I think he's called, is having trouble with a wound on his hoof. It's been kind of calm, so I don't know if this place is quite as scary as I imagined. Even so, I'm keeping an eye out.
2nd Slate
'Diamond dogs' came today, two of them. One of them nearly got poor Cream Puff! She's alright, though. Another one ran into Praetorian, but he just ran it off. They seem to be some of the more harmless critters out here, at least.
14th Slate
Morning Dew had a baby! She's a cutie, too. A lot of ponies are saying nasty things about her, though. I've tried telling her not to listen to them, but it doesn't seem to help too much. I'll keep trying, though.
27th Slate
Another pony had a baby, too. It seems to have boosted Morning Dew's spirits a little, at least, but not much. I'm going to keep trying to make her feel better, because it's not very fair that people say mean things about her when they don't even know what happened.
19th Felsite
Another pony that looked sort of like my father showed up. Everypony else calls them discordant ponies. Does this mean that I'm a discordant pony, or part of me is. Maybe that's why I always feel weird whenever those clouds come around.
20th Felsite
This page is marred with tears.
Prae▒orian. ▒hy did you h▒ve to get hurt. ▒ou didn't deserve i▒. Tho▒e nasty discorda▒t po▒ies. They'▒ pay for t▒is. No, but, I'll be ▒ight beside y▒u whenever I ca▒. Plea▒e get bet▒er.
Post by: Amorack on March 10, 2013, 12:19:28 pm
Post by: Splint on March 10, 2013, 03:00:02 pm
Quite a good read, from all of you.
Post by: Telgin on March 10, 2013, 05:11:56 pm
Post by: Splint on March 10, 2013, 05:22:45 pm
I'll take all bets I'll be the first soldier to die.
Post by: Kryptid on March 11, 2013, 12:51:44 am
Case Study's Journal - 18th Granite, 270
Today was one of those rare days where I had to treat an animal. The pet of one Mr. Redhat, a wolf at that, suffered injury at the hooves of a strange intruder when it went on the offensive. The bleeding was copious and my expectations for the animal's heath dwindled with time. Ultimately, I was forced to resort to a magical cure in the form of a potion I purchased from zebras earlier. "New Dawn", I believe they called it. It seemed to work well, as the canine has stabilized and will likely recover with little more than a scar to show for it. However, I don't have an unlimited supply of the serum. I need to be very discerning when it comes to using it.
Mr. Redhat himself was also harmed, though not nearly so gravely. A dislocated hoof and a slashed flank were his only complaints. Frustratingly, I ran out of thread during the suturing process so I had to bind up the wound as best I could with gauze and bandages. Hopefully it won't become infected before I can finish closing it up. On an interesting side note, it turns out that Mr. Redhat is actually a Ms. Redhat. Where she got the magical hat that disguises her appearance, or why she is hiding her actual identity in the first place is not known to me. I think I may be the only party in the fort who is privy to this knowledge.
20th Granite, 270
I managed to convince Mr. Redat (I must refer to her as a "him" consistently, lest I slip up and reveal her secret in conversation) to get his injury fully sutured today. I had plenty of thread for the process and must take measures to make sure that I do not run out again.
14th Slate, 270
I delivered a foal today, the mother of whom is Ms. Dew. Apparently she is unmarried, but I don't intend to look into such personal matters. At any rate, the child is healthy and Ms. Dew made it through successfully (although she is tired, as expected). She has named the little one Mountain Dew.
On an unrelated note, I believe I've found the proper method to keep my special "guest" under control. It would certainly help not having to sneak into the woods every few nights to release its byproducts without being seen.
27th Slate, 270
So soon after delivering Morning Dew, another pregnancy came to term today. This time it was Ms. Heartfelt. Things went well once again, with the newborn being a pegasus filly christened Cumulus. I'm curious as to whether the same stallion who fathered Mountain Dew is also the responsible party here. Perhaps it's not my place to judge, but I'd rather this didn't become a pattern. I may be divorced, but I support the idea of a foal having both parents present to take care of it if at all possible. A mare raising a filly by herself can be quite stressful on both the mother and child.
20th Felsite, 270
Looks like there has been more fighting with intruders. Two of our brave warriors, Mr. Flamberge and Mr. Praetorian, were both injured in battle. In a rare turn of events, I was able to bring Mr. Praetorian into the hospital myself. He is in much worse shape than Mr. Flamberge and I knew immediately that I would have to use New Dawn to save his life. His skull is actually fractured and I'm concerned that he may have brain damage as well. Even with that magical potion, it's going to take quite a while for him to recover from all of this damage.
Mr. Flamberge absorbed an arrow with his leg during the round of combat, but that is the only problem he seems to have suffered from. We were able to patch it up without needing magic; Dr. Convalescence has been quite helpful and has helped improve the speed and efficiency of the treatment process.
2nd Hematite, 270
In a turn of good fortune, Mr. Flamberge has recovered well enough to release today. I wish the same could be said of Mr. Praetorian; we have needed to use more and more New Dawn to keep him from falling into deeper comatose states. At this point, the brew is nearly used up. It would be nice if a zebra caravan would stop by so that I could obtain more of it (or, preferably, a stronger concoction of similar function). I would like to learn how to create this substance myself, but I'm not exactly an alchemist.
Post by: TheBronzePickle on March 11, 2013, 05:01:22 pm
Maize sits by the bed, tears slowly streaming from her cheeks as she closes her new diary. Beside her, Praetorian lies almost completely still on the bed, bandages wrapped around him. The mare leans over to his face, but hesitates to give him a kiss, afraid of hurting him. Her mind takes a moment to consider how backwards it feels for him to be the more fragile of the two as she moves back to her seat.
“Prae-prae...” She had thought of the nickname just yesterday, and had planned to ask Praetorian if he was okay with it this afternoon. Her mind’s eye pictured a little dinner together out in the field. The sharp contrast between it and here made her want to cry even more, but she held her tears. She had promised Case Study she wouldn’t make too much noise, since it would disturb the unconscious stallion.
A few minutes pass, empty minutes of her staring at the figure in the bed as her mind pounded out every single thing it could, finding every reason this was unfair, trying to discover every single thing Maize could have done to make sure this didn’t happen, filling to the brim with regrets and sorrows and even a bit of self-loathing, because it’s her fault, isn’t it?
No. It’s not her fault. Her father was wrong. He was always wrong. They were always wrong. They wanted her to suffer, they wanted to take everything away from her. They even wanted to take her. NO. They wouldn’t. Father wouldn’t win this time. She killed him once. She can do it again. And again and again and ag-
No, no. She doesn’t have to worry about that anymore. Praet... I mean, the other military ponies are here to protect her now. Even Praetorian will be okay soon, right? That’s what Case Study said, and he’s smart. He’s a lot smarter than her, at least. All she knows is plants. Plants are so much simpler than ponies.
Besides, she’s weak. She couldn’t hurt one of those... discordant ponies if she tried. I mean, she just got lucky that one time. Caught her father off-guard. I mean, it can’t be that hard to bash somepony’s skull open if she did it, right? Besides, he didn’t even have any armor, and those discordants are always armored.
Yeah... Just leave it to the better ponies... Everything would be okay... I mean, even if... Even if everypony died, Amug would just scoop them all up and bring them somewhere safe where they could be happy and such. Surely this place’s evil couldn’t stop Amug, the bringer of dawn and dusk. Maize smiled a little through the tears and bowed her head, saying a quick prayer before curling up in the chair. It wasn’t the most comfy spot, but Maize never really did care where she slept.
Post by: Khenal on March 11, 2013, 05:33:40 pm
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Crosshair%20Avatar.png) (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png)
Flamberge exits the party, with Cream Puff unconscious on his back, and heads to Cream Puff's room. He places the water on her nightstand and then puts her on the bed, under her covers, before heading back outside.
Flamberge then returns to the party and looks around for Crosshair, not finding her he then checks his room, and then the fields where she sometimes slept. Still not finding her he looks up to the sky and sees a lone cloud had been, it seemed, pulled away from the herd and was resting directly above the spot Crosshair liked to sleep.
Flamberge with all the grace of a drunken pig, takes off into the sky toward the cloud.
When he got closer, a sad, Sad sob with cries could be heard coming from the cloud, it almost sounded scary until he recognize that it’s the sound of Crosshair. He never heard her cry before, but somehow, he just knew.
Flamberge makes his way up and lands on the edge of the cloud, "Crosshair?" he says, reaching out a hoof towards her.
The poor mare shivered when he touched her and scooted away from his touch. Crying harder.
Flamberge retracts his hoof sadly as she moves away from him, “Crosshair? Wha’...What’s wrong? Are ya hurt?” he asks concerned.
“It.. It hurts..” She whimpered out between her cries.
“What hurts?” he asks, “Do...do you need to see Case Study? I could move the cloud down to his office...”
“My.. My heart...” She sobbed. “You hurt me..”
"I...I did...I," it dawns on Flamberge what she must have seen, "Crosshair, if this is about Cream Puff, I swear it wasn't what it looks like! I...I'm sorry."
“I saw you suckle on the mouth of my best friend! Tell me what it’s supposed to look like then!” She nearly screamed at him with anger and sadness.
"I...She... she kissed me, Crosshair. I, I was just surprised, and drunk, and...and maybe I should have pushed her away sooner, but, I didn't...I didn't want to hurt you Crosshair. I love you." stammers out Flamberge trying to find the right words.
The little mare just sobs, although not crying as hard as she were now. “What about her?”
"What about her?" he asks, "Look, she was upset, she was drunk, and looked about ready to cry into her mug. I tried to cheer her up and she kissed me, and then she passed out. I'd bet a million bits she won't even remember it in the morning, and she'd have never done it sober. It was a mistake Crosshair, an innocent mistake."
Crosshair rubs her eyes with her forelegs, wiping some of her tears away. “R-Really?” she asked shakily, trying not to sobs so much anymore.
Flamberge nods and forces a smile, “Yes, really.”
She finally let out a relieved sigh, tired from all the crying, she rests her head down onto the clouds.. “I’m.. I’m sorry.. for running off to come here and cry like this..”
Flamberge shakes his head, "No, don't apologize. You did nothing wrong. I mean...if I walked in and saw another stallion kissing you...well that isn't important. Just, Crosshair, believe me when I say, you can trust me, I'd never intentionally hurt you like that."
She nodded softly, finally smiling again as she laid there on the cloud. “I trust you..” she murmurs
Flamberge slowly approaches Crosshair, “I’m glad.” he says as he lays down beside her, he reaches over slowly and when she doesn’t object embraces her, they fall asleep cuddling together under the stars.
Puff actually doesn’t mind doing dishes, oddly enough. She can just go on autopilot and think about other stuff, like what to cook tomorrow. She hums to herself as she finishes cleaning the dinner dishes.
The door to the kitchen opens, a bell rings to announce it has done so. Through the entranceway steps a slightly weary looking Commander Flamberge, he has a large, but clean bandage wrapped around his lower right foreleg, but he seems not to be overly troubled by it as he makes his way inside. He looks around and as he spies Cream Puff, his weariness seems to melt away slightly and he smiles.
Puff dries her hooves as she turns, and she gives Flamberge a happy smile as she spots him. “Flamberge! You’re up and about!”
“I am.” he says proudly as he holds up his injured leg, “It was only a scratch though, Praetorian is the real hero, but anyway, I came here to check up on you, are you alright? I’m told there were quite a lot of discordians about.”
Cream Puff waves a hoof dismissively. “Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks to you four, I don’t think any of them even got past the safety ditch moat thing.”
“They didn’t? That’s good.” replies Flamberge, as he moves up next to Cream Puff.
“So, injury aside, how are you doing?” Puff tries to be a little more detached than normal, in an effort to take Serenity’s advice.
"I'm okay," he says, "Crosshair pulled the night patrol and won't be back for a few hours, so I thought the two of us might go for a little moonlight walk, and chat about whatever comes up." This was, of course, a bold faced lie, as there was no drawing for patrols, they were all assigned by Flamberge, and he had chosen Crosshair for this one, just for this purpose.
Fortunately for him, Puff has no idea how patrols are assigned. That little voice of responsibility tells her to politely decline, but her heart is telling her to go go go! “That sounds nice, ‘Berge! A little cool walk outside instead of sitting around in the hot kitchen, and getting to spend it with a good friend.”
Flamberge rests a hoof on Cream Puff's back and says, "Do you need to finish up anything here, or are you ready to go now?"
Puff fights down the butterflies in her stomach so she can think. “I... I’m ready now.”
Flamberge nods and takes a step back, his hoof 'accidentally' brushing over her flank and tail as he does so while removing it from her. He then gestures for her to lead the way. "Ladies first."
She fights a blush as she heads out first and holds the door for him. “Where should we walk? Or maybe fly?”
Flamberge looks thoughtful then says, “Let's walk, it's easier to talk that way, less wind in our faces."
Flamberge and Cream Puff set out together near the edge of the town, Flamberge sticks very close to Cream Puff as they go.
Cream Puff is strangely quiet as they walk. She’s too busy arguing with herself to bring up any topics of conversation.
"So, Creamy," begins Flamberge, "Crosshair told me she set you up with Temperance, how did that go?"
She giggles. “It went well enough, heh. I don’t think Temperance and I are destined to be anything more than friends, though.”
Flamberge merely replies, "Good," and can not manage to hide a smile as he says it.
Puff quirks an eyebrow at him. “Good?”
"Hmm, well, Temperance is a decent stallion, but he's a bit soft, and I couldn't really see you being happy with him, not long term at least," he replies, "No, you need a better stallion, someone stronger, someone who can take care of you, protect you." He pauses before adding, "Tell me, is there anypony in town that has caught your eye?"
He doesn’t know... right? He can’t know! “Uh... n-no... not really...”
"Nopony?" he says questioningly, as they approach the trench on one side of the town.
Puff blushes and avoids his eyes. “Nope.”
As they reach the trench proper, Flamberge looks up and notices the moon just rising over a distant hill. He takes a seat by the bank.
"Why don't we sit and watch the moonrise?" he says, which though phrased as a question, Flamberge's voice had a way of making certain requests sound more like commands, to Puff's ears.
Puff can’t help but acquiesce. How can she resist spending time with somepony her heart desires so?
While they sit, Flamberge moves close to Cream Puff so that they are touching.
Puff fights a blush and butterflies as Flamberge sits close to her. He’s just being friendly... right?
He then puts one foreleg around her, pulling her close, while watching the moon.
Puff sighs softly, wishing this could be more than just a friendly get together. He’s just so... sure and strong. Crosshair is so lucky...
"Well, Creamy, whatever pony you do fall for, they will have my envy. You are a lovely mare, that any stallion would be lucky to call their own." speaks Flamberge.
She snuggles slightly into him, smiling. “Aw, thanks ‘Berge.”
"Cream Puff, do you remember the night of the party? The one after the tavern was first completed?" he asks, still holding onto her.
“No? Well, not entirely. I... hit the drink pretty hard that night.”
"I didn't think you would." he smiles, "but I don't think I'll ever forget it."
She gives him a confused look. “Why?”
Flamberge looks pensive for a moment, then says, "Perhaps it would be better to show you what you missed, then." he then leans in to kiss her.
Time almost seems to slow down for Puff as her hearthrob leans in to kiss her. She wants this... oh how she wants this! Is it really so wrong to want just a little happiness? To be loved? She leans forward slightly to meet him and kiss back.
After a long and passionate kiss, the two ponies separate a bit. "I love you Cream Puff." Flamberge says, still holding the mare.
“But... Crosshair?” Puff asks, almost breathless.
Flamberge moves away a bit and sighs, "I don't... I don't know, Puff. I...I do love Crosshair, but, I love you too, I don't want to hurt her, but...I don't want to let you fall into somepony else's hooves."
“You don’t get to have both, Flamberge.”
"And why not?" he asks, "Why would that be so wrong?"
Puff gives him a flat look. “Greed and Lust are pretty big turn-offs, ‘Berge.”
Flamberge looks almost insulted, "And why can't it be love? Why must it be greed or lust? Besides, I've seen the way Crosshair looks at you, when she thinks nopony is looking, she wants you as bad as I do, I can tell it, we could all three be happy...together. If you were willing to try. Nopony's feelings have to be hurt here Creamy."
“It’s not going to work, Flamberge. I’ve never seen anything like that work, except is cheesy stories. This is life.”
Flamberge stands up and looks over to Duskfields, his eyes glaze over as he seems to be looking past the town, "Look Cream Puff, I'm not saying it would easy, but what I'm suggesting is hardly unprecedented. Great ponies throughout history have taken multiple lovers, and how often does that lead to problems for them?" he pauses for just a moment before continuing, "One day, I will be a great pony, a king among stallions, and I want both you and Crosshair by my side when that day comes, let me give you that chance."
Puff sighs and shakes her head. “Lovers does not mean loves, Flamberge. Every last historical figure I can think of with multiple lovers was just exhibiting Lust and Greed. And the ones with multiple actual loves are always destroyed by it.”
"Then I'll be better than all of them, Cream Puff. I'll make it work." Flamberge states as easily if he were declaring he would take care of some mundane chore.
“Heh, you’re still a pony, Flamberge.”
"Maybe, but why should I let that limit me?" replies Flamberge, "Are not we ponies the pinnacle of life on this world. Is it not the fact that we can grab nature by the horns and make it obey us, that makes us ponies. That we can take a worthless stone and make this." he draws his sword and sticks it in the dirt. "Why then should we let something as petty, and flimsy as tradition hold us back, from what we want. Why shouldn’t we be together, and why do you doubt our ability to overcome any challenges we might face along the way?"
She sighs and shakes her head. “Look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair...”
Flamberge smiles, “And after all these centuries we still know his name, and his words, better than any other pony of his time.”
“For his hubris. Is that what you want to be remembered for?”
“Better than being forgotten...” Flamberge sits down.
“So you’d rather be on object lesson than simply have a happy life?” Puff takes a few steps away from him. “I’d rather simply do what I can to improve the lives of other ponies. That’s my happiness. I don’t think we would work, Flamberge...”
Flamberge doesn’t respond, his head hangs toward the ground.
Puff starts to slowly walk to her room. “I’m sorry Flamberge...”
Flamberge rolls over onto his back and curses, after he is sure Cream Puff has reached her home, he heads home as well, to wait for Crosshair to come back.
Post by: Impending Doom on March 12, 2013, 02:28:37 am
Serenity leans back in her seat, peering over the desk at the pegasus mare seated before her. “So. How have you been doing since we last spoke?”
Puff reclines and sighs. “Well... I’m not hung up on Flamberge any more.”
Serenity allows a small smile to brighten her face. “Well, that’s good. How did you manage to get over him?” She leans forward. “...Are you seeing somepony?”
“Well, mostly over him. And no, I’m still single. He... tried to put the moves on me, but I told him he couldn’t have me and Crosshair.” She gives a slightly bitter chuckle. “I think the term is megalomania.”
Serenity recoils slightly. “That sounds very uncharacteristic for him. Or for what I’ve seen of him, at least. What did he say, exactly?”
“He’ll be a king one day, he’s awesome enough to love me and Crosshair, he’s totally not being greedy or lustful, he’s the best pony ever, and so on. I think that’s megalomania, right?”
She nods. “It’s pretty much in line with every case I’ve ever seen, yes.” Serenity sighs heavily. “What you’re telling me is... troubling, to say the least. While you may be over Flamberge, if what you’re saying is true... he may not be over you.”
Puff waives a hoof dismissively. “I’m sure he’ll get over it eventually.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure of that. If he really does think he’s so great... he may believe he is entitled to you.”
Cream Puff starts to say something like she’d kick his flank, but he’s the Military Commander! She probably would be able to make it difficult, but she’s unsure if she could stop him if he tried to force it. “...What should I do?”
Serenity takes a large book from the shelf, opens it, and begins to write. “Well, I would try to avoid him as much as you realistically can. And if you do have to interact with him, try not to say anything that might set him off. Also...” she finishes and shuts the book, “I’d like your consent to tell all this to Temperance. I’m worried this kind of attitude might begin to influence his actions as commander. And if that happens...”
She looks uneasy, but can see Serenity’s concern. “Well, if you think it requires his attention, I guess so?”
“Thank you.” Serenity considers ending their session and going to speak to Temperance immediately, but decides responding to the matter too urgently may distress Cream Puff. Instead, she settles back down into her seat. “Now... did you have anything else you’d like to discuss?”
Puff considers asking about Maize, but figures it’s probably doctor/patient confidential stuff. “Uh... Crosshair and Praetorian set me and Temperance up on a blind date?”
This takes Serenity a bit off-guard, but she recovers quickly. “I’m assuming since you said you weren’t seeing anypony, it didn’t go quite as planned?”
Puff giggles. “It wasn’t a disaster, heh. Temperance is a good stallion, and any mare would be lucky to be with him, but I just didn’t feel that spark I’m expecting, you know? Still, it was an enjoyable meal with a friend. And I got a new recipe for salad out of the deal.”
Serenity smiles. “I’m glad you enjoyed yourself, at least. And please don’t feel discouraged by the outcome, I’m sure a fine stallion will come along and sweep you off your hooves someday.”
Puff looks uncertain. “I dunno, Serenity. It’s just starting to feel like I’m doomed to a life of spinsterhood, you know?”
“I don’t believe that at all. You have a lot of very desirable traits. You’re very sweet and affectionate towards those you care about - and of course, you care about everypony. You’re a master chef - you wouldn’t believe how easy it is to charm a stallion with good food! And it certainly doesn’t hurt that you’re... quite pleasing to the eyes.”
“I’m also loud an in-your-face, heh. I’ve scared off a lot of stallions, too.”
“You are quite... energetic, yes. But some ponies like that in a mare.”
She giggles at that. “If you say so, Serenity. So far, Flamberge is the only stallion who could stand up to my mouth, and you know how well that worked. Ah well, maybe once there’s room for more ponies, I’ll find one.”
Serenity smiles warmly. “There, you see? Be optimistic.”
Post by: TALLPANZER on March 12, 2013, 10:36:13 pm
SmoothBlock approached Serenity as she ate in the tavern. The bulky mare placed a tray of samiches on the table “Anypony sitting here?”
Serenity looked up from her large, thick textbook and plate of food. “Oh, no, you’re welcome to have a seat.”
“Thanks toots.” SmoothBlock pulled up a stool and took a bite of a tomato juice sandwich “Nice to meet you, I’m SmoothBlock. Soon to be unemployed miner.”
“Dr. Serenity. I’m pleased to meet you as well. I must ask, did you lose your job, or are you quitting?”
“Works going to run out, and we can’t seem to get through the aquifer. Doctor, I thought case was our sawbones.” Smooth pulled out a bottle of whisky and poured it into her mug. “want some?” she asked.
She held up a hoof. “Oh, no thank you. And I’m not that kind of doctor. I’m actually a psychiatrist.”
“That’s good, everypony here is crazy, Ha-ha!” Smooth took a drink “So, I bet you talk to Maize often.”
Serenity managed a smile. “Yes, actually. She and I become quite close.”
“That’s some good news. You must be good, think you can help RedHat next?” SmoothBlock chuckled and took out a cigar.
Serenity lifted her own mug of juice, taking a sip. “He and I have spoken, yes.”
“Well, the first step is admitting your a jackass and looking for help.” Smooth tapped her cigar on the table “Do you smoke?”
She shook her head. “No, I don’t.”
“It’s like I’m the only one in the fort.” SmoothBlock lit her cigar “What do you do for fun?”
“Well, I used to take walks in the woods, before the Discordians started showing up. I took up fencing back home, but I haven’t found anypony else into the sport here. Now I mostly just talk with my friends.”
“Only thing I know how to swing is a pick. I spend most of my ever expanding free time, at the ‘Brewery’.” SmoothBlock took a long drag and breathed smoke rings off to one side.
Serenity shies away from the clouds of condensed carcinogen. “Oh, you brew spirits?”
“Yup, well I try, mostly I just make swamp Whisky. I think I made tomato vodka once.” SmoothBlock rubbed her chin.
Serenity nodded. “Well, that’s a nice hobby to have.”
SmoothBlock casually chewed a sandwich before speaking again. “So, am I sane, Doc?” She smiled at Serenity.
Serenity chuckled softly. “Yes, you sound perfectly sane to me. Were you afraid that you weren’t?”
“I’m not exactly the ideal mare, you know, not so ‘Ladylike’.” SmoothBlock scratched her belly.
“Well, that’s to be expected, I suppose. You have to be quite... hardened... to survive long out on the frontier.” She grinned sheepishly. “To be honest, I wouldn’t even be out here if I hadn’t been asked.”
“Yeah. These new freaky ponies, I think we need a wall.... and another two archers.” SmoothBlock took a puff from her cigar. “Is there a type of juice you like? I make juice with Puff sometimes.”
Serenity considered this for a moment. “Well... I haven’t had pear juice in a while. If you ever get your hooves on some pears, that would be nice.”
“I’ll keep my eyes open, will soft cider be ok? I make a mean cider.” SmoothBlock grinned.
Serenity nodded. “That would be lovely.”
SmoothBlock nodded “I did notice one thing, Doc.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
The husky mare looked up and too the side. “Ponies around here don’t laugh much.” She blew out a puff of smoke.
Serenity pondered this for a minute. “You’re right. I’ve heard the odd chuckle here, but overall ponies here seem to be a solemn bunch.”
“The most laughs I heard was at WoodChip’s party, and I think it was mostly me.” SmoothBlock tapped the ash off her Cigar “Or maybe at me. It’s hard to tell.”
“Maybe it’s just the nature of a frontier town. When ponies get settled in a little better, and feel a little safer, there will be more time for merriment.”
“Could be just that. Thanks for chatting, by the way.” SmoothBlock finished her samich.
Serenity smiled. “Not a problem. I enjoy getting to know ponies.”
Then they finished their lunches and went on their way.
Post by: TheBronzePickle on March 12, 2013, 10:57:56 pm
Maize looks at the floor around her chair and wonders if that much hair falling off in a week is normal or if she’s shedding or something.
Serenity pokes her head through the hospital door, scanning the main room. As she lays eyes on Maize, she enters and quietly approaches. “...I thought I’d find you here.”
Maize looks up from her dreary mental slog, taking a moment to recognize the pony before her. “Oh... hi, Serenity.” She doesn’t sound very enthusiastic... or necessarily healthy, for that matter.
Serenity sits beside Maize, watching the sleeping stallion. “So... how is he doing?”
Maize’s head droops a little. “Sometimes, he wakes up, and I get really excited, but then he just babbles until he falls back asleep. He’s... been doing it more and more often, I think... maybe. I haven’t really kept track of time.”
Serenity nods. “Case Study says he’ll recover in a few more days. He’s a good doctor, and I trust his judgement.” She looks up at Maize. “And... how are you doing?”
Maize looks up. “I... don’t know. I’ve been eating, because of Cream Puff, and I think I’ve been getting enough sleep, maybe, and sometimes Morning Dew asks me for help in the farm and I go help her, but... I feel bad. About what happened to Praetorian. I... feel like maybe it might be my fault.”
Serenity stifles a gasp. “Maize... why would you ever think that?”
“Because...” Maize thinks about how to put her words, before just giving up. “B-because, I’m a discordant pony... and I think the others can sense me... maybe. I don’t know.” She lowers her head, literally looking up at Serenity. “But... it makes sense, doesn’t it?”
Serenity shakes her head. “No, it doesn’t. Not at all. If you’re a discordant, why are they only coming for you now? When your father hurt you, why didn’t they come to protect one of their own?”
“B-because... he was a discordant. He’s where I got it from, I think.” She thinks for a few moments. “I don’t think mama was, though... so maybe I’m just half-blood... maybe they want to kill me...” Maize seems to be surprisingly calm at this thought.
Serenity is silent for a long moment, letting that revelation sink in. Eventually, she speaks up. “...Even if that’s true... there are a lot of ponies here who would fight to protect you. Who /have/ fought to protect you.”
Maize shakes her head. “That’s not what I want. I don’t want anypony to get hurt because of me.” She shakily tries to stand, instead stumbling and falling off the chair as her sleeping legs fail her.
Serenity steps in, helping Maize to her feet with a smile. “It isn’t like you can stop us from trying. We’ll protect you... because we love you.”
“N-no... I love you all, too...” The mare starts tearing up. “I... I can run away... lead them off... so they won’t bother you... I don’t want ponies getting hurt...”
“You could...” Serenity leans against Maize. “But I know at least two ponies who would follow you.”
Maize looks at the mare snuggled against her for a moment before wrapping a hoof around her, holding her tightly. “You shouldn’t... m-maybe... I shouldn’t either...” She puts her head against Serenity. “A-after all, what happens if I’m wrong? That would be... just one less pony to help keep this place safe, I... I guess.”
Serenity doesn’t answer. She just puts her hooves around Maize and holds her silently.
Maize holds Serenity back for a few minutes before her legs start to get tired. She slowly pulls away. “Thanks... I feel a bit better now.”
“You’re always welcome, Maize. Now, how long has it been since you ate today?”
Maize looks down to her stomach, which grumbles a little. “I don’t really know, but I suppose I should eat something...”
Serenity puts a hoof on Maize’s back. “Come on, let’s go see what Cream Puff has cooked up.”
Maize nods and follows Serenity to the door, glancing back at the bed for a moment before finally stepping out.
Post by: Fr0stByt3 on March 13, 2013, 05:39:31 am
Steel Rivet's "Journal"
20th Felsite, 270
More intruders. Finally finished tools. I feel useless. More ponies are getting hurt and I just sit here. Plans. But need quality metal. Not this shit the Discordians have. Two foals born recently. This is good. Also, saw griffin as getting lunch. Will talk to him later.
Post by: Impending Doom on March 13, 2013, 11:41:48 pm
Redhat sighed and looked down at the ground. Even after the fields outside town were cleared of the guts and corpses, the earth still had a faint stench of death as well as a few splatters of blood here and there. This honestly wasn’t the idea place for a pony to spend there free time, but right now the pegasus was just sitting on a stump, doing nothing in particular as his pet just sat next to him.
Serenity happened to trot by, on her way back to the office. Noticing Redhat looking forlorn on his little stump, she headed over to see what was the matter. “Redhat? Is everything alright?”
The pony “ughed” and turned around to see Serenity was there. “oh... hi...”
“Hello. I was just on my way back to work, and noticed you here. Are you feeling alright?”
“Well, I certainly certainly could be better...” he sighed, the pony honestly looked like he felt horrid.
Serenity pawed the ground nervously. “Would you... like to talk about it?”
“I ‘spose” he said, seeming rather dejected.
She came over and sat down beside him, opposite the big shaggy dog. “So, what’s gotten you in a funk?”
The dog whimpered, before moving over and giving Serenity a little nuzzle. “Hmmm... Well, can’t you smell it in the air?”
Serenity briefly rubbed Bonnet’s head, turning up her nose and sniffing the air. “Not really... wait. Something metallic, rather like copper...”
“Oh, well that’s the stench of blood.” He leaned sighed again and looked down. “which, is part of the plethora of death’s scents.”
Serenity’s pupils shrank, then she mentally bucked herself for forgetting that this was the site of the battle mere hours ago. She took a moment to regain her composure. “S-Sorry... I’ve never actually smelt blood before. Why are you out here, then?”
The pony shrugged. “because something disgusting happened here, and I personally and quite depressed about it.”
“You mean what happened to Praetorian?”
“That’s part of it but, how many ponies died today?” he gave her an odd look, and stroked his wolf a little.
It didn’t take a genius to realize he wasn’t talking about the guard. “...You’re ashamed of killing the discordants?”
“Oh never. In fact, a pony in my profession should show a certain level of decency, and respect when you take the life of another, to be ashamed of your job to be a shameful pony.” He grinned for a moment before frowning again. “but... regardless, I find the the act of murder to essentially eat away at one’s soul.”
“Then, you fear the nature of your profession may be harming your mental and emotional wellbeing?”
“Oh, well... Not exactly. I just would prefer not to be one of those idiots who convince themselves that justify the act of slaying another via nationalism, or glory, or some other means. That’s just delusion of reality.” He then sighed and looked to the ground. “and yes, I fear killing will harm my mind unless I lie to myself.”
Serenity noded, listening intently. “I see.” She looked up at Redhat. “You know, you don’t have to justify their deaths in the way that you mean in order to accept that they were necessary.”
He gave a rather disheartened look. “Oh yes. Twas necessary, now wasn’t it.” He now was sporting an angry look. “This is the world where murder is indeed a necessary part of our continued existence. We kill them they’ll kill us. It’s funny how that only makes everything worse.” He then looked down again. “I can’t tell, if this world was always this big of a hell hole, or if it’s just decaying and withering into one.”
The pegasus then got up for a moment. “but, regardless none of that matters if we all die in the end.”
“If you really believe all that... why be a soldier? Why put yourself in a position where you have to kill, again and again?”
“Because I’m fearful... I’m afraid of something a lot more frightening than a group of discordants, and a spear at my side gives me a sense of protection and honestly, if I’m not out here killing, and being conscious of how disgusting my act is, odds are you’ll just have another dumb ass with a wavy sword charging in head first, losing himself to primal rage and delusions of honor and glory, when all he’s really doing is spilling the guts on another pony, and being proud of it. It don’t see the distinction between that in a bloody serial killer. The longer I keep this job the less likely you’ll get another mindless moron who does this shit with smile from ear to ear.
Serenity had a pretty good idea who Redhat was talking about. “...I can assure you, ponies like him are thankfully quite rare.”
“No... I personally know there are a many ponies like him, conditioned by society to be brainwashed by personal visions of self worth brought about the senseless killings of others. I personally know that all the foals in my class as a child loved to play soldier, and talk about the heroic efforts of war heros in their story books. Why it’s foals like them who become the butchers of masses.”
“You misunderstand. He’s... something else entirely.”
“what makes you say that?”
“...Nothing. Anyhow, I need to head off to work.”
“Oh... well thanks for making everything better.” he was clearly being sarcastic.
Serenity stood and left in a bit too much of a hurry, considering the circumstances.
Post by: Telgin on March 14, 2013, 12:00:40 am
“...And then we made a little small talk, to take her mind off it. I didn’t want her to become too distressed. And then she left..” Serenity sighs, slumping a bit in her seat.
Temperance looks quite troubled. “I... this doesn’t... I mean, I never thought he was like that,” he says, slightly dumbstruck. “He’s really after her too, not just Crosshair? And Cream Puff thinks that he might, ah, keep pushing this?”
Serenity puts a hoof to her forehead. “She didn’t... but I do. I’ve seen this many times before, Temperance. Once a pony like that decides they want somepony...”
Temperance looks even more troubled. He’s silent for a brief period. “That... uh, worries me a bit. No... more than a bit. I’ve seen how he can get in a fight.” He looks Serenity in the eyes. “Do you think he might hurt Cream Puff?”
“...That’s a very real possibility.”
That’s what Temperance was expecting to hear, but really wished he didn’t. “Gasis preserve her,” he mutters under his breath. “Wh-what do you think we should do? I, uh, I guess I could talk to him, if you think it would make a difference.” What the hay was he going to say to the stallion though?
Serenity looks off into the distance. “I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. If you say anything to upset him... he’s the strongest soldier in town, and we have so few others...”
“Right,” Temperance sighs. “Praetorian is still in the hospital, and even if he was back on his hooves, I’m not sure he, Crosshair and Redhat together could really oppose Flamberge. If they even wanted to... I mean, these are pretty big allegations, and they seem so sudden.”
He shakes his head slowly. “Actually... have you spoken to anypony else about this? I can’t imagine why she would, but could Cream Puff be trying to mislead us about him? Maybe she’s trying to damage his reputation?”
Serenity shakes her head. “No, I haven’t mentioned it to anypony else. I was afraid of it getting back to him. But why would she want to harm his image like that?”
“I don’t know,” he answers truthfully. “If she was interested in him but things went sour... I don’t know, I thought it made as much sense as him seemingly turning on her like this. I guess you just don’t really know ponies when you think you do, sometimes...” He lets out a drawn out breath. “For what it’s worth, I believe you and her. I just wish I knew what to do about it.”
“I do agree that this may not be what it appears on the surface. Before we do anything, we need to find out what’s really going on.” Serenity sighs, “If you have any ideas that don’t involve spying on Cream Puff, I’d love to hear them.”
Temperance taps a hoof a few times on his desk as he thinks. “I certainly don’t like the idea of spying on her, but she’s going to be our best source of information. I would say that we should talk with her friends about it so that they’re aware of what’s going on, and could report strange things to us... but as you said we don’t want word of this getting around.”
He brings his hoof up to his chin and says, “At this point I don’t think there really is anything we can do. I won’t tolerate him hurting her, but I’m mostly powerless.” After a moment, he adds, “For now, I guess the best we can do is to keep a close eye on them. I’ll try to do that much at least.” And maybe when he got a chance, send a letter to Coupledye asking for more ponies who knew a thing or two about law and enforcing it.
Serenity nods. “Thank you. I really hope this isn’t as big a deal as it looks, but I’m glad somepony is doing something about it.”
“I hope so too,” he says, slumping back into his seat. “I’ll do everything I can. I just wish there was more I could do.”
Serenity stands and turns to go, but hesitates. “...And could you, uh... keep an eye on Crosshair as well? If he’s been behaving oddly, she’d be the first one to see it.”
The thought that Crosshair might factor into this too was also a bit unsettling, but Temperance nods. “I’ll do that. And of course, if you see or hear anything alarming, let me know immediately.” He hesitates himself, wondering just how much danger Serenity might be putting herself in. “...and be careful.”
Post by: Dsarker on March 14, 2013, 12:03:10 am
Puff hums to herself as she gets ready to cook lunch, when she hears a slight tapping, repeating itself. Almost like hooves, but too quiet for a pony. Tap, tap, tap. She frowns slightly in confusion as she looks around. Is there a big bug in here somewhere?
Tap, tap, tap. It’s getting closer towards her.
Puff grabs her chef’s knife, wondering if maybe it’s a discordian, or maybe another diamond dog? “Stay back!”
There’s a little giggle as the tapping stops, and then starts again. It seems to be coming from above Cream Puff.
Giggles? Discordians don’t giggle, and neither do diamond dogs. Puff looks upward, confused.
Mountain Dew, the old new foal in the fort, is walking around on the roof above Cream Puff, apparently suspended in her magic. As she giggles, her magic fizzles away, and she drops onto Cream Puff’s face.
Puff spits the knife out as the foal falls, then takes the little pony off her face. “What do you think you’re doing, little one?”
“Ub bub ba!” says the little foal, as she tries to get back on the funny pegasus’ face.
Cream Puff giggles at the little filly. “No, my face is not a jungle-gym, Mountain Dew. Did you escape your mamma again?”
“Bub ub ba ba,” confesses the little foal. “Ba ubba ba.” She does her best to look at least somewhat contrite.
She giggles again and boops the little one’s nose. “Maybe you’d sneak off less often if I stopped feeding you sweets whenever you sneak in here.” She transfers the foal to her back as she digs through her stash of candies. It’s basically limited to toffees right now, but Puff is certain she’ll be able to make a wider variety of candies once more crops are grown. She pulls out one and gives it to the foal. “I am a bad influence, heh.”
Mountain Dew’s eyes light up at the toffee, and starts sucking on it like a sugar--coated pacifier. “Blub bluh bluh,” she says through the little sweet, drooling a little as she does so.
Puff giggles at the adorable filly, then heads off to search for Morning Dew, carrying Mountain Dew on her back. “Lets go find your momma.”
“Bluh, bluh, bluh, “ agrees Mountain Dew, and she continues to suck on her sweet.
Bundle of joy on her back, Cream Puff heads for Morning Dew’s apartment and gives it a knock. “Morning Dew? You there?”
There’s a long wait, and it doesn’t look like there’s any response.
“Huh... must be out in the fields then.” Puff shrugs and heads that way.
Morning Dew doesn’t appear to be out in the fields either. Mountain Dew says “Bluh bluh bluh,” with a slight shrug.
“Hmm...” Puff paces, wondering just where Morning Dew got to. Well... she should be showing up for lunch at least. “Think you could behave for me while I get lunch going? There’ll be more toffee in it for you if you can.”
Mountain Dew nods her head up and down rapidly. “Bluh blub blub!” she says, before going back to sucking on her lolly.
“Atta girl!” Puff hums and skips a little as she heads back for the tavern, confident she’ll see Morning Dew come in for lunch so she can return the little filly.
The filly does her best to behave through the rush of lunch, and as the crowds start to thin, there is still no sign of Morning Dew. Just as it seems like she isn’t coming, Mountain Dew perks her head up, and starts running over to a shadow near the door.
“Oop! Don’t go running off, Mountain!” She flaps after the energetic little filly, not wanting to see her lost twice in one day.
Mountain Dew appears to have found her mother, and is now hugging Morning Dew’s left foreleg tightly as the mare still tries to remain hidden. “Oh. H-hello, Cream Puff. Was Mountain Dew bothering you?” she asks, in a quiet voice.
“Na, she wasn’t a bother. How are you doing, Morning Dew?”
“Oh. I’m... okay,” says Morning Dew, without her voice getting any louder. “How are you?”
“Not bad, heh. Mountain and I tried to find you earlier today, but couldn’t. Hope you weren’t too worried.”
“Oh. Was that you knocking?” she asks.
“Yeah! Why didn’t you answer?” Puff gives her a slightly confused look. Surely she noticed her filly was missing, right?
“I...I was scared,” she says, and hangs her head. A little glow starts opening Cream Puff’s stash of toffees, and one start floating up towards Morning Dew’s mouth, as Mountain Dew tries concentrating very hard.
Puff doesn’t notice the adorable little thief getting into her stash. “Scared? Of what?”
“Of...Of the other ponies. You’ve...You’ve heard what they’ve been s-saying about me, haven’t you?” she says, sadness creeping into her voice. “I...I just-” Whatever she does just is cut off, as the toffee finds its way into her mouth.
Puff looks confused at the floating candy, then sees it was little Mountain’s doing, and smiles. “Don’t worry about what the others think, Morning. Mountain just wants to make you happy, and I’d like to see you happy, too.”
Morning Dew puts a weak smile on her face as she capitulates to eating the toffee. “Bluh bluh bluh!” says Mountain Dew.
Puff giggles and smiles. “Exactly!”
Morning Dew leans down and nuzzles her little foal, and smiles gratefully at Cream Puff. “I’m sorry for being such a bother,” she says after finally finishing the toffee.
“Heh, it’s no bother, Morning. Have you tried talking to Serenity, though? She’s actually trained for this kind of thing, you know.”
“I... I’ve said I have. But... I haven’t, really. I don’t go out of the home much anymore,” admits the mare.
“I think she could help you. And I’d be happy to watch Mountain Dew whenever you have a session.” Puff gives her a reassuring nudge and friendly smile.
“I... I feel like I’m just being selfish, though, if I do that... It was my fault...”
Puff gently starts leading her towards the office, hoping Serenity will be there and be available. “Definitely sounds like you could use a talk with Serenity, Morning. I’d be happy to listen to what’s really bothering you, but I really don’t know if I could actually help you. Just give her a chance? If she can help me with my anger, I’m sure she can help you.”
Morning Dew goes along with Puff with only a bit of reluctance. “If you say so...” Meanwhile, Mountain Dew sneaks her way to the collection of toffees...
Post by: Dsarker on March 14, 2013, 07:45:48 pm
Morning Dew was not feeling entirely happy. She had been persuaded by her friend, Cream Puff, to talk to Serenity, one of the mares in town, about her... her history. She screws her eyes shut as she begins to knock on the door. She couldn’t go back now, she’d have to go in.
From inside, Morning Dew hears a quiet gasp of surprise. “...Just a moment, please!” She hears a long, high rasp of metal on metal, then the door clicks open. “Oh, hello Morning Dew. How are you?”
“Um, I’m okay. I think. I... Cream Puff said I should talk to you,” she says, almost bowing her head in some embarrassment.
Serenity smiles. “Come on inside, make yourself comfortable.”
“Oh, thank you,” Morning Dew says and she walks in after Serenity.
Once she is assured that her patient is situated, Serenity takes her seat behind the desk. “...And how is little Mountain doing?”
“She’s doing okay. Cream Puff found her trying to sneak into the kitchen again just before she told me to come here,” replies Morning Dew.
“I’m glad to hear that. Now, I’m guessing you’re here to talk about her?”
“I... Sort of,” admits Morning Dew. “It was... was also...the other stuff involved with her. And... Well, you know.”
She nods. “I do. I’ll let you start.”
Morning Dew, put slightly on the spot, freezes up for a second, before forcing herself to be calm and speak. “I... I’m not married, as you know... And... I was pregnant. And I’ve had a foal. And... And the other ponies... I... I’ve heard them talking about me.”
“What sorts of things do they say?”
“They... They’re saying bad things.”
Serenity can guess what she means by that. “And are the things they say true?”
“...No, they aren’t,” she whispers.
“Then... what is the truth?”
“I... I loved somepony. Love him still,” she whispers. “But...I don’t know if he loves me...”
Serenity nods. “Who is he? Is he here in Duskfields?”
“Y-yes. I... I don’t want to tell you his name. Please,” said Morning Dew.
“Why? Why don’t you want ponies to know about him?”
“Because...because it wasn’t his fault. It was mine,” says Morning Dew.
Serenity raises an eyebrow. “What was your fault? The pregnancy?”
“I...Please, you can’t tell anypony this, please!” begs Morning Dew.
Serenity nods. “Everything you say here in this room is kept between us.”
“Okay...Okay.” Morning Dew breathes deeply, and tries to calm down. “I was... I was on a little date. With him. And we were having a little meal, and... And...” She stops, trying to breathe and calm down.
Serenity gets up from her seat, coming around to sit beside Morning Dew and provide whatever support she could. “...And?”
“And... And then... I... I found a little th-” Before Morning Dew can complete her word, there is a loud crack, and a little yellow ball drops onto her head. “Bub lu ba?” says the little foal, before she spots Serenity, and a great thing to swing on. She jumps up to try and grab onto Serenity’s horn.
She catches the little filly with her magic, gently setting her in Morning Dew’s hooves. That slight tingle of magic lingering in the air... surely this little foal hadn’t... “She... teleported here?”
“Is that unusual?” Morning Dew asks anxiously. Mountain Dew, meanwhile, is still on a sugar high from eating almost twice her weight in sugar. And so, she jumps up, and tries to find something else to play with. That silly unicorn is no fun. She spots the little desk, and a gleam in her eyes, she jumps up and onto the desk, and plays her new game, knocking all the paper off the desk!
Serenity tries her best to catch the papers as they fall. “Not at all. It’s a - Mountain, stop that! - a high-level spell that takes most unicorns years to master.”
“Um, is that good or bad?” asks Morning with a bit of apprehension. Mountain, having kicked off all the paper, tries to find something else to do. “Buh lubba.” She looks at the papers, and her horn glows, and the writing starts to dance up into the air, leaving the paper behind. Soon the writing is forming new things, not words but images, with two figures forming from the groups of words; Serenity and Mountain Dew. They seem to be playing games, but the images of Serenity soon become more and more unhappy, until the last which is a mere silhouette.
Serenity can only sit and gape at the otherworldly display of magical prowess. “That’s... that’s not possible...”
Morning Dew is getting more and more concerned about her baby apparently doing things that are impossible. “Not possible? What do you mean?” she asks anxiously. “There’s nothing wrong with her, right?” Mountain Dew, without any such apprehension or anxiety, lets the words fall back onto the paper in a jumble, and looks for more things to play with.
Swiftly, Serenity moves in and scoops the little filly up in her hooves. She tousles her mane for a moment before presenting her to Morning Dew. “Your daughter is... incredibly gifted.”
Morning Dew hugs her daughter tight. “You think so?” she asks Serenity. “I...She’s my first foal, I don’t really know that much...” Mountain Dew seems to be struggling to get out of Morning Dew’s hold on her.
Serenity nods. “She seems to be firmly in control of her magic, though she will of course need to be taught to use it responsibly.”
Morning Dew nods a bit, before Mountain Dew finally manages to slip out of her grip and jump onto Serenity’s face again. “Buh ubba!” Mountain Dew says as she dismisses the concept of ‘responsibility’ out of hoof.
Serenity catches the little filly as she dives at her face. She holds Mountain Dew to her chest as she tickles her lightly.
“Bluh buh ba!” cries Mountain Dew in excitement. This was even more fun than walking on the funny pegasus with the yummy things!
Serenity cannot help but giggle. “She’s a darling. even if she does like to get into mischief.” She looks up at Morning Dew. “And I’m sure, with her mother to guide her, she’ll grow into a beautiful mare some day.”
“I...I hope so,” Morning Dew says. “I hope so.”
Post by: DVNO on March 14, 2013, 10:38:19 pm
SmoothBlock was in the tavern drinking. She casually sipped her drink.
The tavern doors swing open and Max shuffles through them in a very unflattering pair of khaki pants. He saddles up next to Smoothblock.
“Hey, Max.” She refilled her mug “What yah drinkin?”
He opens his mouth, then thinks about it some more. It’s been quite a while since the last time he did some ‘social drinking’. “Let me think . . . Uh, hard lemonade! that’s the one.” He gestures with his claws. “Make it a real tall glass.”
“....I have swap whisky, wheat beer, tomato vodka, or wild strawberry schnapps.” SmoothBlock tapped the barrels. “I’ll try to get some lemons from the Zebras.”
Max puts three fingers up. “Three then. Why not? I need something after what Temperance just put me through.” He shakes his head. Where has his manners gone? “But i’ll no doubt talk your ear off about that when I’m blind-drunk in due time. How about you? You’re name is?”
“SmoothBlock. I’m the miner, and sometimes brewer. I’ve seen you working on some walls around town.”
“Ha! SmoothBlock.” He rubs his chin. “You’re . . . Taller than everypony made you out to be.”
“You mean I’m not as fat as they made you think.” SmoothBlock took another drink.
Max knows a touchy topic when he sees one. He Mr Miyagi's his way out of that one. “Who needs to be rail thin anyway?” He sneered at the status quo. “You’re bucking the trend. It works for you!” Wax on, wax off.
“Heh, nice save.” She poured a mug full of Vodka for Max “So what do you do when you’re not working?”
“Ah, very, very thanks much.” He grabs the glass. “Weelll . . .” Max is genuinely surprised any pony cares. “I try to do fun things. Mix it up a little. I was going to serve Temperance and Cream Puff at their blind date yesterday! Holly mentioned it, I jumped on it, and the Praetorian shut me down hours before thing got started.” He leans back, hurt. “Do you know how hard it is to find a waiter’s bowtie in such a short amount of time? I was really looking forward to that!”
“Well damn, sounds like you put a lot of thought into that.” SmoothBlock took another drink then topped her mug up “I just drink and dig.”
Max shugs. “Eh, Actually you’re drinking with good company and digging a moat that keeps the thieves out. That’s a little more valuable than you’re giving it credit.”
“Thanks. I really hope we get more stone though, I kind of, can’t use my talent without it.” Smooth fidgeted with her mug and smiled.
He grins, closes his eyes and takes a swig. “I’m confidant Temperance will take care of it.”
“Three layers of soil before we hit the aquifer, and then we need drain it.” SmoothBlock grumbled “I’m still working on that screw, pump thing. Seeing Woodchips about it.”
“He he heh, screw pumping Woodchips, huh?” Max laughed devilishly, thinking aloud. He looked back at his mug. Did he really say that aloud?
“Hugh hugh hugh ah hah! Nice one.” Smoothblock knocked her head back as she laughed. “Thanks for the laugh Max.”
Max rubs the back of his neck. “Heh, yeah.” He changes the topic quickly. “I can’t believe Temperance is making me wear pants now? apparently nudity is frowned upon around this establishment!” Max gets modestly belligerent. “Thought you ponies were all ‘bout ‘living free’ and all that.” He gulps another pint.
SmoothBlock pores the clothed gryphon another mug full “I only wear coveralls to work. Usual I just walk about like this.” She looked at her tail. “Although, I really could use a dress.”
“whugh yuuu know I can probably hellp uuot with thhat, I can likee ‘ta think o’ me as . . . A Do’er.” Max said, thinking his words carried a lot more of wit, prose, and poignancy than rambling slurrs should.
“I think I will understand you better once I have had a glass of goat milk and sandwich. You want a sandwich, Max?” Smooth offered thinking she should slow down on the drinking just a bit.
His glass makes a loud -clank!- as he sets it down on the table. “Yeessss. I would. I should! I’ve’a been work’in up’a hunger puttin’ up logs.” He smiles wryly. “Youuu know, I’m holdin’ my liquor surprisingly well fer’ be’in sober for four years.”
“You’re still standing. Three may have a been bit much to start with.” SmoothBlock moved to the pile of egg sandwiches and took two, and two mugs of milk.
“Soo why you come here, SmoothBlock? Why you come to this humble little patch of nowhere? I’m trying to piece it together. Whhy you ponies are migratin’ here, I mean. ”
“Well, I was hoping to be the only mason in this fort. work stone, get nice big place out here. too bad I can’t find any stone. Oh well, digging the moat is good work. Yeah, mostly move here for the space and a chance to be more useful.” She drank her milk.
“Life, liberty and th’ produce of happiness . . .” Max gurgled. “How idyllic” Max grabs a sandwich. He tries to line it up with his beak as best as he can. He shoots and scores. “Mmm, Pretty good.” He says while spattering crumbs everywhere.
“Cream Puff is the best darn cook ever, making those. So convenient.” She took another bite of her own. “It was nice talking to you, Max.”
“euuehgh . . “ Max said with a mouth full of sandwich. He stops chewing for a moment. “Eugh too . . .” He gulps it down fast.. ‘Speaking of Cream Puff . . .’ Max gets up. He was late for an important cake tasting. "See you around, SmoothBlock."
Post by: Dsarker on March 14, 2013, 11:20:21 pm
FLASHBACK NO. 1
Morning Dew was alone in the room with the stallion she had had a crush on since she had arrived at the fort. They were just chatting, a little, but it still almost set her heart a-thumping. The stallion was feeling something stirring inside him too. Something he hadn’t felt in many years. Morning Dew was a nice pony that he was enjoying chatting with. Pretty too, but he felt here was so much more beneath the surface. She was shy, but he felt with just a bit of prodding he could get her to open up a bit. “So, I was thinking... I’m going to be free a few nights this week. Would you like to join me for dinner one night?”
Morning Dew’s heart thumped a fair bit more. “Really? Um, yes, that would be nice. I’d love to,” she said. “Um. What night will it be?”
Inside, he was beaming. She said yes! As his heart began to slow down he said, “How about tomorrow night? You’re not too busy then, are you?”
“I shouldn’t be. My nights are usually free,” she admitted with a slight sigh.
“Great,” he said with a small smile. “How about seven tomorrow night? Same place?”
“That sounds like a good idea,” she said with a little smile.
“Alright then.” He sat for a little while, saying nothing as he thought. “Well, it’s getting pretty late. Perhaps I should be going? I’ll see you tomorrow night.” He could barely contain a grin as he spoke.
That next night, the two ponies walked back to the same room, plates perched on their backs. At some point, they had ‘accidentally’ wrapped their tails around each other’s, but neither seemed to be too ready to stop it. Morning Dew smiled happily to herself, pure enjoyment at her time with her crush. Maybe, though she didn’t think it too likely, maybe he liked her too. Oh, but he did. He was feeling a bit giddy inside, although he wouldn’t admit that to anypony. He hadn’t known her long, but something just felt right about her. Once they are inside, he finally coaxed his tail free of hers and finds an empty spot to offload his dinner. He still wore a small, slightly goofy smile as he looked over to her. “It smells great, Cream Puff really knows how to cook.”
“Doesn’t she,” said Morning Dew in agreement. “Her sandwiches are the best.” Her smile matched his when she looked at him, and a giddy rush coursed through her body.
“I can’t wait for her to have somewhere a bit better to work. I can’t imagine what she’ll cook up for us once she does.” He smoothed the sheets on the bed and transferred their meal to the centre of it. Then, with a slightly awkward attempt to prepare a spot for her to lay, he said, “Ladies first.”
Morning Dew couldn't stop a giggle as she reclines on her part of the bed. “Why, thank you, my noble knight,” she said to him with a smile. “Will you join me?”
“Of course, milady,” he said, slipping up onto the bed carefully. This was already working out very nicely, in his view.
Morning Dew giggled a little more, and sighed happily. “Well, shall we eat, then?”
“Let’s,” he agreed. They were making a pretty big deal over a few sandwiches, but it was the thought and the mood that counted. He took a bite of his sandwich, surprised to find the distinct flavour of tomato mixed in with the peanut butter. Morning Dew tried her own sandwich, and while she didn’t trust the mixture of flavours, they did seem to work. Somehow.
The sandwich was quite strange, but interesting enough that he kept eating. As he finished it, he had a little chuckle. “Well, that was certainly interesting. I think I may stick to the more conventional one in the future though.”
“Yes, I might too,” she said with another little giggle. “Well...There’s one left... Do you want to share?” she asked.
Oh, what could one more funny peanut tomato sandwich hurt? “Certainly,” he said with a smile. He took his half in his mouth, letting the slightly soggy concoction hang above the plate. Now he just had to figure out how to split it. Then Morning Dew stepped in, and took her half in her mouth with a smile, stopping his fumbling around before it even happens. When he realised what happened, he started to laugh lightly. That was certainly one way to solve the problem. A smile formed around the bread in his mouth and he pulled back gently, splitting the sandwich close to the centre. She got the slightly bigger piece, but that was perfectly fine with him.
Morning Dew happily munched away on the sandwich. This had been one of the best nights of her life. The stallion with her felt the same. He hadn’t been this excited since he arrived in Duskfields, and not for many years before that. He finished his piece of the sandwich, not really paying attention to the flavour as he stared into Morning Dew’s eyes. She was so pretty. Morning Dew stared right back, a smile on her face. She leans over to him, and hugs him tight. “Thank you for the night. I really enjoyed it.”
He gave her a firm hug too. “No, thank you. I enjoyed it too. We should definitely do this again soon.”
Post by: Telgin on March 15, 2013, 02:35:22 am
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
Temperance's Journal - 4th Hematite, 270
And the fighting goes on and on! Today an ogre tried to enter through the south, no doubt attracted by the smell of the rotting discordant pony corpses. The soldiers were thankfully nearby, and Flamberge quickly downed the creature, from the reports I heard.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/83.png)
I sent Redhat to fight it (you'll see why in a moment), but Flamberge wandered by and stole another kill. Show pony.
Apparently the ogre first encountered Redhat's pet wolf, who was found lying in the trench and bleeding from just about everywhere. I saw the poor thing as she was pulled out of the trench and taken to the doctors, and I don't know how she's even still alive.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/84.png)
Looks like the modding has saved two lives so far, at the expense of making enemies much more difficult to kill... In any case, she'll live and should make a full recovery.
If they weren't so busy tending to Praetorian she might have a fighting chance, but I don't see how she could possibly survive. Redhat looked absolutely devastated, and I can't blame him. I haven't had a pet in a very long time, but I know what losing one feels like. Maybe the doctors can pull off two miracles...
8th Hematite, 270
Things have settled down slightly. Now that the threat of imminent death at the hooves of discordant ponies has died down to just at the surface of my thoughts instead of dominating them, I've taken back to making sure that ponies are working on the necessities. It should help take all of our minds off of what's happened.
Construction is still proceeding on the houses. We need to finish seven more before everypony here is under a permanent roof, and I'll be taking the last one. Space is already at a premium, so with Woodchips' approval we started adding a second floor to two of the house blocks. That should give us enough room for everypony who lives here already, and give us a head start toward any future arrivals.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/85.png)
We also had to move the animals a bit further north yesterday. The grass was almost all gone in the pasture we had set up. I'm thinking that the yak and camel might be happier somewhere else, so when the next caravan rolls through I'm thinking about trading them away.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/86.png)
The bigger grazers eat way too dang much to be worth the trouble. I'm not sure where the blood came from either. Probably the animals kicking each other in the face.
22nd Hematite, 270
They've returned, again.
A discordant unicorn stallion showed up this morning, and ran into Case Study as he was fetching some thread from the cloth stockpiles to go treat Praetorian.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/87.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/89.png)
A quick before and after. Flamberge once again mutilates a pony. That's his head lying a little southwest of his body.
The fight was short and brutal, as always. Crosshair stunned the pony with a shot to the leg, when Flamberge and Redhat came galloping to the fight. Flamberge got there before Redhat could, and decapitated the stallion with a stroke of his sword.
The unicorns are more unsettling than the others still... even as I looked at the head lying in the grass, his eyes continued to glow with a hideous red hue.
I was so shaken up, all I could do was to go see that Case Study was alright and how Praetorian was doing. The stallion is still in terrible shape, but is slowly improving.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/88.png)
Case Study and Convalescence have been watching him day and night, and still believe he'll pull through. He's the toughest stallion I've ever met.
Perhaps even more impressive though, is Redhat's pet wolf also made a miraculous recovery and is up and around, although clearly in pain.
These lands might be cursed... but they may be blessed too...
2nd Malachite, 270
Serenity came to me with some disturbing news this afternoon. Flamberge has apparently been making some rather aggressive advances toward Cream Puff, and Serenity is worried that he may actually hurt her if she doesn't submit to him.
That sort of behavior disgusts me, but I'm in no position to really do anything about it. I'm afraid to admit that if Flamberge really wanted to, he could almost have his way with this entire settlement, especially with Praetorian incapacitated.
I don't know what to do other than monitor him and hope this is a misunderstanding or a mistake somehow.
I'm still a bit mystified. I never would have pegged him for that sort of behavior... but you never know a pony...
17th Malachite, 270
I saw Smoothblock digging around along the southern edge of the settlement today, and when I asked her about it, she said she was done digging the trench and was trying to guage how deep the soil went before we hit the aquifer. It wasn't very deep apparently.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/90.png)
Just 2-3 z-levels, depending on where you start. Easy to get a moat, hard to do anything else.
She was pretty irritated at it, as that means we're going to have a very hard time accessing any stone. That's unfortunate to hear, since we could really use some for a wall or any number of other things. It's starting to look like we're going to need to use wood for the wall, which will have to do...
In the meantime, she asked if we could start working on building a few pumps to start displacing the aquifer to maybe dig past it. Since we've all but finished enough housing, I agreed to add it to the list. Which recently includes more barrels, since she and Cream Puff filled all we had up with some much needed fruit juice.
I was a bit too distracted to do that after I saw Praetorian up and around! He's still in rough shape, but he's lucid and well enough to leave the hospital anyway. I can't believe that stallion is still alive, much less this well after just six weeks in the hospital.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/91.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/92.png)
Back to work, first thing after getting out of the hospital!
Things are finally starting to look up!
25th Malachite, 270
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/93.png)
It looks like that apple tree was actually a lemon tree. I'm not the sort of pony who likes to just eat raw lemons, although a few do I gather, but I'm sure Cream Puff can find a lot of use for some sliced lemons or a bit of lemon juice.
In other news, since we've almost finished constructing enough houses for everypony, I'm finally diverting a bit of attention elsewhere. First off, the hospital is in an absolutely sorry state. We have no real well, so I've had Smoothbock dig out the start of a cistern for the well, which should hold a lot of water. I've got the carpenters working on a few pumps to help get some water there from the aquifer too.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/94.png)
I haven't forgotten that Dr. Serenity needs an office too, so that's going to come up on the list soon too. She's been really patient with me so far, and I appreciate that a lot. Maybe I can push that up a bit, since the hospital is working for our needs so far?
6th Galena, 270
Finally! Finally, we've got enough rooms for everypony. I moved into my house this afternoon, and the feeling was a bit bittersweet. I've gotten used to sleeping on the floor in my office, so adjusting to having a room of my own is going to be a bit strange, but I'm sure it won't be hard to acclimate. There's been room in the communal dorm for me to sleep there if I wanted, but I'm in my office so late most nights I usually just slept there. Well, no more!
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/95.png)
We've actually got one room to spare, so I'm thinking of offering it to Max. He's helped out a ton with putting these rooms up and didn't really ask for anything as payment, so I think it's the least we can do. He says he has a home of his own out in the hills or something, but maybe he'll take it.
I think everypony has more or less gotten used to him being around, so hopefully they won't be too concerned. I trust him anyway.
As I was getting settled in, I did realize just how bare these rooms are though. We've had to put almost all of our wood to use putting the houses up, so we didn't have much wood or labor to spare for making furniture, but I think we can start on that now. A few chests and chairs for everypony perhaps?
12th Galena, 270
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/96.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/97.png)
Zebras were spotted out north by Holly! I'm glad to see them, we've been in need of a lot of things from traders, and after the disappointment with the home caravan last year I've got high hopes for this time. I'm also a bit more sane this time, so maybe I'll get a bit more accomplished. It's going to take a little while for them to reach us, since the woods are so thick, but we'll be ready. Maybe we should send some troops out to help escort them in? I'll bring the matter up with Flamberge next time I see him.
In other news, Dr. Serenity's office is now finished! I'm certain she'll be happy to not have to share my office, and it's in a better location if privacy is a concern. Out past the fields up northwest where nopony generally wanders. I hope she doesn't mind the chickens clucking too much. We should probably see about getting them moved somewhere else, come to think of it.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/98.png)
20th Galena
The zebras didn't disappoint! We traded a bit of our harvest for a lot of metal from them, which included a lot of things like anvils and musical instruments that we have no use for. I actually feel a bit odd about buying the instruments just to destroy them for their metal content, but we do what we must. Oh, and I sent the camel and yak with them. Hopefully they'll be a bit happier somewhere that they can have a bit more space.
The zebras also brought a lot of plants and seeds with them, so I snatched up what I could. Some potatoes, corn and green beans are the highlight there, and I'd love to add those to our rotation some point soon!
Oddly enough, we also ended up buying up a bunch of sand. Seems strange that we'd need to do that, but the soil around here is great for growing crops, but really isn't suited to making glass of any sort, and we could use some glass windows or something some time soon I think. I'm not sure if anypony has any skill at working it, but we'll find out soon.
The zebras unfortunately didn't bring any stone with them, but they did bring some fire clay which we can use to make a furnace with at least. I'm not too surprised really, the zebras don't do much digging from what I understand.
I don't think he noticed me notice him, but I also saw Praetorian out there after I left looking over their wares. It looked to me like he picked out a nice orange gem. I wonder what he needs that for?
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/99.png)
Cheapest gem they had, but hey, at least it's pretty!
While they were here, the merchants took a little tour of Duskfields, and they seemed to think we've set up a nice little place out here. Coupledye let them know where we were, and we can probably expect them to come back every year as long as we have things to trade. I think we'll have a nice strong relationship.
Post by: TheBronzePickle on March 15, 2013, 07:01:23 am
~Maize's Diary~ 4th Hematite, 270
A poor little puppy came into the hospital looking even more torn up than Praetorian. Case Study said it got hurt by an ogre. It was Mr. Redhat's pet, and he seemed really sad about the dog. I tried to reassure him, but since Praetorian's still in the hospital, I don't think I helped much.
22nd Hematite
Case Study came back to the hospital really shaky today. He said he nearly got attacked by a discordant unicorn. I didn't know there were discordant unicorns, I bet they're really scary. I wonder if I'll ever be that scary. Anyway, the puppy got better and was released today. Praetorian might be better soon, too.
17th Malachite
Praetorian is okay now. He's still in lots of pain, and Case Study said I should give him space, but he let me give him a big hug and he's back to sparring, so I guess he thinks he's alright. I've been back to the fields, too. Morning Dew doesn't seem to be doing that well, but Mountain Dew is a little sweetie, which seems to be helping Morning not feel as bad. I've been back to comforting her, too.
20th Galena
Zebras came, and we got some more plants from them. We even got the plant I'm named after, maize. Most of the ponies here call it corn, though. We also got potatoes and green beans. I'm certain Cream Puff will be happy with all three, there's so many good dishes that can be made with them.
Post by: TheBronzePickle on March 15, 2013, 04:09:59 pm
Maize studies her chair. Technically, it’s not mine, she thinks, but she has been sitting on it for so long it’s almost like a part of her now. She almost misses it when she gets up, even.
Cream Puff enters the hospital, and gives Maize a small smile. She even gives Praetorian one, even if he can’t return it. Poor stallion... he deserves better than to be hospitalized. She sets a meal on a table nearby. “Heya Maize. How’re you doing today?”
Maize returns the smile, though it’s more courteous than sincere. “I’m... alright. Prae-pr... Praetorian’s doing okay, I think. At least, that’s what Case Study says.”
Puff nods and sits by her friend. “Did he say how much longer he thinks Tor will be here?”
Maize shakes her head. “He just says to be patient. Most ponies don’t even survive what happened to Prae-prae.”
Puff tries not to think about how Tor looked when he was first brought in. Case Study and Convalescence are miracle workers for sure. “Yeah... but he’ll pull through this. He’s tough.”
Maize nods. “And... I’ll keep waiting for him.” She sighs. “Not that that makes me tough or anything.”
Cream Puff gives Maize a quick hug. “It makes you a good pony. I know he’ll be happy to see you when he wakes up.”
Maize smiles a little. “I’ll be happy to see him, too.” She looks over to the bed. “It almost feels like that body on the bed isn’t really him. Sort of like... that discordant thing in me isn’t really me, you know?”
“Yeah... it’s kinda surreal to see him laying there, instead of being up and about.”
Maize nods again. “Yeah... it’s almost like he’s some kind of statue in a museum. Case Study doesn’t even want me touching him because of how many bits of him are broken.”
“How about you, Maize? How are you holding up?” Puff looks a bit concerned, worried that maybe Tor isn’t the only one seriously hurt over this.
“I’m... I’ve had a lot of time to really think about a lot of stuff... sometimes I think about silly stuff, sometimes I think about nice things... most of the time I think about bad things and sad things and scary things, like am I the reason all these discordants are here, or am I ever going to hurt somepony by accident, or even things not really about me, like if this place is going to kill us all...”
Puff gives her a friendly nudge. “Aw, come on, Maize. You can’t dwell on stuff like that, and you can’t blame yourself for what happened. And I know you won’t hurt anypony. You’ve got it under control, Maize.”
Maize looks up at her friend. “I... guess you’re right. But that’s not all I’m worried about, either.” She looks toward the door, seemingly trying to imagine the world behind it. “Morning Dew has been getting a lot of nasty things said about her, and it’s really getting to her. I feel really bad, but I don’t know how to help, so when I try to help her it only helps a little.”
“Hey, a little is better than nothing. I could only point her at Serenity.” Puff giggles a little. “Mountain Dew is such a sweet little filly, too.”
“Yeah. She likes to grab my snout a lot.” Maize scrunches her nose. “She’s quite the grabby little thing, I bet she’ll grow up to be very huggy and cuddly.”
“Hehe, yep! She also gets into everything. My stash of sweets vanished a few days ago, and I hear little Mountain almost gave Serenity a heart attack with her sugar-fueled antics!”
“Little ones can be like that.” Maize smiles as she fades into her memories. “As a maid, I had to help take care of a few foals of a noble among my duties. They were the sweetest little things, but they couldn’t help but get into trouble. We ended up locking away everything that was low enough to knock down.” She shakes her head. “That’s when the little pegasus filly figured out how to fly.”
Puff giggles at that. “Hehe, yeah. Mountain Dew is still having her magic surges and doing all sorts of crazy things. She was walking on the ceiling in my kitchen the other day!”
“As long as she doesn’t turn anypony into a dog, I’m sure it will be fine.” Maize giggles a little herself.
“Hehe, can that happen? I’ve heard of all kinds of crazy magic done by foals, but never something like that.”
Maize shrugs. “If it can, I’ve never heard about it. That would probably be really scary, though.”
“Probably why it doesn’t happen. If Mountain is any indication, foals just want to have some fun, not scare anypony.”
“Foals just wanna have fu~n.” Maize quietly sings the line, seemingly part of a song.
Puff’s eyes widen a little. “You can sing?”
Maize shakes her head. “Not with any strength. But sometimes I’ll sing to myself in the fields.” She looks at her chair. “I’ve been doing it a lot here, too.”
Cream Puff smiles at her friend. “I bet Tor loves it.”
Maize blushes a little. “Do you think he can hear?”
She nods. “Definitely! So make sure to remind him why he needs to get better soon!”
Maize dips her head. “I’ve been singing a lot of kind of sad songs, actually...”
Puff smiles and hugs her again. “Try something happy? Just think about how great it’ll be once he wakes back up.”
Maize thinks for a few moments. “I... can’t think of anything.” She droops her head. “I guess that says a lot about me...”
“Well, I’m not much of a singer, but I know a few happier songs. I could teach you them?”
Maize manages to perk up just a little. “I guess that would be good.”
Puff gives her a gentle squeeze. “That’s the spirit! Just imagine surprising him with a happy song when he wakes up!”
Maize’s mouth curls up a tiny bit. “Yeah... that sounds nice.”
Post by: Kryptid on March 15, 2013, 08:51:47 pm
I was told those tools would last at least 5 more years. Perhaps Case Study should have been wary of the low price of the medical items that he had purchased from that pegasus back in Coupledye. In a small box he carried upon his back were several scalpels, a bone saw and forceps which had grown a coat of brown corrosion too stubborn to be washed off. He wondered if it might be possible for one of the blacksmiths to melt them down and produce new, better equipment. Although the metalworkers were probably more used to creating weapons and armor, this surely wouldn't be too difficult of a task for them. The light blue pony trotted out to the forge and knocked a hoof on the door.
"Enter." A gruff, yet distant sounding voice says. When Case Study enters, the pegasus working the forge stops and turns to him.
"So," He asks, wiping sweat from his brow with a foreleg, "Watcha need? I'll make anythin', and I'll make it damn well, too." The golden pegasus stares intently at Case Study, or, rather, a point just above his head. His eyes are slightly dull.
The blacksmith's enthusiasm was welcome. "I wish to inquire if it would be possible to order some new surgical instruments?" Walking over with the box, Case removes the lid and reveals the dull red items. "I need a replacement for each of these. You may feel free to melt them down and reuse as much of their content as you can. However, I believe their composition is of inferior quality and a more rust-resistant metal may be required to give them the life expectancy I desire. Do you have any recommendations?"
Steel Rivet suddenly winces and clasps his head. He quickly shakes it off, though, and gingerly takes each tool and turns them over in his hooves. He looks thoughtfully at each rust-encoated tool, making a "Hmmm" sound as he does. "Whoever forged these did a horrible job. Look here," He points to the especially rusty scalpel. "This was obviously forged by an amateur who'd never been in a forge before." He snorts derisively, then turns to the doctor. "I'll see what I can do. Come back a little later, and we'll work things out, okay?"
"Alright, so when should I return? I can see that you are currently busy with a prior project, so perhaps I should stop by tomorrow morning or afternoon and discuss things at length then?" The period of time required wasn't of too much concern to him, unless some unforeseen injury between now and then occurred in some hapless pony that required the very tools he was seeking. The doctor felt that he could probably get by with what instruments he had left over in an emergency; or so he hoped.
Steel Rivet watches Case Study leave, then turns his attention back to the tools. "Shameful. Just shameful. Now, let's see what we can do here, shall we?" He nods to nopony in particular, then gets to work. His stomach growls loudly, but food can wait. After all, work before play, right?
The next afternoon, the doctor came back to the forge. He had just gotten finished with his regularly scheduled jogging and stretched to wind himself down. Taking a deep breath of relief, he knocked on the door once again. Perhaps it was too soon to expect that his tools had already been completed. If that was so, Case felt that he could wait.
There is no response, but Case Study can clearly hear Steel Rivet inside, moving around agitatedly, cursing in some strange language that he's never heard before. When he finally says something Study can understand, his voice is profoundly different. It's deeper, older, and louder.
"HOW DARE THEY TRY TO STEAL FROM US! FROM US! FOOLS! WRETCHED FOOLS, ALL OF THEM! EALLVARDA TAKE THESE THIEVES AND SMITE THEM!" The voice then goes back to ranting in that other language.
More than slightly perturbed by the venomous words, the physician slowly cracked the door open. He asked plainly, "...is this a bad time?"
He sees Steel Rivet moving around from station to station, uttering darkly to himself and taking no notice of the doctor. Steel Rivet even walks righ by Case Study and gives him no notice whatsoever.
"Yeah...okay...I think I'll come back later..." Case closes the door. Maybe I should have found a different pony to cast my equipment. Come to think of it, I never even learned his name.
The next day, Case Study hears a tentative knock on the door of his "clinic".
As a doctor, he never made assumptions; he knew that pretty much anypony could be outside his office. Having already been up and about, Case trots over and peers out. Oh, the blacksmith. Hopefully this was about his order being completed and not about that strange rambling he walked in on yesterday, "Hello, sir. Any news?"
"Not much," the pegasus sighs sadly. He perks up slightly and winks roguishly at the doctor. "I'll have your tools soon, though." He exhales slowly, running a hoof through his golden mane. "Um, listen. I've been having these really bad headaches recently and...um...well, I was wondering if maybe you...could...help?" Steel Rivet trails off at the end, then suddenly bursts back into movement with an "Oh!" He smiles sheepishly at Case Study, "Steel Rivet, at'cher service." the blacksmith says as he shakes the doctors hoof.
"...I actually have migraines myself from time to time," the somewhat bewildered pony responds, "There is this plant that I use. They call it 'tenderoot' where I come from. You can either chew on the stems or extract the natural oils and apply them directly to your forehead. The topical application acts more immediately, but chewing the stem tends to be more powerful and lasts longer." He paces over to his desk and opens the top drawer, "I haven't been able to find many of these plants growing wild near Duskfields, and that concerns me. I've been thinking about asking one of the farmers to plant some of these and attempt to grow them." Case pulls out a couple of green stems and passes them along to Steel Rivet, "One bite of the stem should be sufficient, so I think this should be enough to relieve ten attacks in the future. I'll try to find more in the meantime."
A FEW DAYS LATER
A heavy pounding sounds on Case Study's door. The pony on the other side is clearly impatient, as the pounding comes again less than a minute later, louder and longer this time.Case is a bit concerned. Clearly this sounds urgent, and yet normally an emergency would have been announced by shouting for the doctor's immediate attention. As he trots towards the door, he predicts that this is not of a medical nature. Nevertheless, he expects it to be potentially unpleasant. Before turning the handle, he asks, "Yes, who is it?"
He recieves two words in answer: "Blacksmith. Tools."
All of the pounding just for that? Case opens the door and welcomes him in, "I'm glad to hear about it, Mr. Rivet. I hope it wasn't too much trouble for you."
"Not at all. Apologies. Distracted. Plans. May plans. Weapons. Better armour. Less injuries." He gently places the box on Case Study's desk and opens it. The tools are perfect. There are tiny runes on the end of the scalpel, and the scalpel itself emanates an aura of sharpness.
The doctor noted that the way in which the gold pony was speaking was a bit unusual, but he made no mention of it. Lifting the blade from its container with a hoof, he examines its polished surface, "It certainly looks superior." The blue pony fails to interpret the engravings, "I don't believe these are any symbols that I'm familiar with. Are they your trademark?" Something certainly felt different about the item, but Case couldn't put his hoof on what it was.
Steel Rivet shrugs. "They're just something that my family has always done. I don't know what the runes mean, but they work."
"Work?" He says as he investigates the other items in the box, "So you're implying that these are charged with magic of some type? What does it do? Keep the blades from growing dull? Increase their sharpness? Protect them from rust?"
Steel Rivet glares at Case Study slightly. "I'm pretty sue I said that I don't know what the runes mean." He sighs and continues in a more civil tone. "I think they do things like that, though." He shrugs. "Can't say more. Now, must go. Work to do. Same with you." He walks out of the clinic, muttering to himself and gesturing around with his wings.
Case twists his mouth in confusion. That was rather odd. So he put runes on these tools, yet he doesn't know what they do? He would eventually find out, preferably by experimenting with them before using them on any ponies; the last thing he needed was for some unusual magic to cause undue harm to a patient.
Post by: Telgin on March 15, 2013, 10:54:38 pm
The day after the zebra caravan leaves, Flamberge, in full military uniform approaches Temperance’s office, during his normal working hours. He knocks on the door, “It is Commander Flamberge, we need to discuss a few things.”
Temperance looks up from the map he was working on, and hesitates a moment. What could this be about? Not Serenity or Puff, hopefully. “Uh, come in!” he calls.
Flamberge opens the door and comes in, his cheap armor clanking loudly, as he closes the door. He does not sit. “Hello Temperance,” he says while almost looking down on the manager pony.
He was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable already, but Temperance forces a smile. “Afternoon commander. How can I help you?”
Flamberge begins, “I require your report on the current situation in regards to the construction of the wall, or rather, the lack of one. I ordered it’s construction months ago and haven’t seen a single post put in place.”
Uh oh... Temperance coughs and looks away briefly. “Oh, ah, yes. The wall. The, uh, carpenters said that they needed to wait for Smoothblock to finish reinforcing the trench walls before they could really start on the wall. She’s, uh, done with that now though.”
Flamberge nods, “Good, the wall is necessary unless we want more ponies to end up like Captain Praetorian. I hope you will remember it is your top priority.”
“Yes, of course,” Temperance says, nodding. “Everypony’s safety is my top priority.” Hadn’t stopped him from pushing the houses more than the wall though, which was in hindsight clearly a mistake.
“The second thing I wish to discuss, is the town’s lack of metal. I understand this is not your fault and the situation can’t be easily remedied, however,” Flamberge pauses for emphasis, “We are in a very dangerous area, Discordian raids are only going to intensify. We do however have plenty of wood and string. I would like to order the construction of a crossbow, quiver, and bolts for every adult in Duskfields, that they will be responsible for maintaining, and using in an emergency.
Temperance frowns and says, “I did manage to get a little bit of useful metal from the caravan, but not enough to make much. As for the crossbows... I don’t know if anypony here knows how to make any, but I’m sure Wood Chips or Veneer could make some given enough time.” He looks a bit like he’s just swallowed something disagreed with him as he adds, “Do... do you really think the raids will get worse? Bad enough that we’d need such a contingency?” He tries to picture himself, or really any of the other adults, aiming a crossbow and it’s not a pretty sight.
Flamberge nods, “Absolutely, things are going to get worse before they get better, and you can’t rely on me to stop them all, I’m only one pony.” He holds up his leg scarred from the bolt that pierced it not too long ago.
Flamberge continues, “I know that they are not soldiers, but they don’t need to be, firing from the relative safety of the walls and such will be a great help. I would suggest that as the bows are made, each pony be required to spend some time each year in training. Spread out so the whole town isn’t off work at once, and maybe during the winter when there is less to do. You can schedule it however you like, but we’ll need some targets constructed as well.”
“It’s going to be hard to find the time, since we’ve got so few ponies working as it is.” He taps his hoof briefly while he thinks. “I don’t disagree that we need more protection though. I’ll do what I can.” This was not going to be a popular thing among the others. Better annoyed than dead, though.
“Excellent.” says Flamberge, taping a hoof to the wooden floor, “Finally, the metal you did acquire, I would suggest it goes first towards augmenting our armor for the full time military, before anything else.”
“I’d planned no less,” he replies. “There’s very little steel, I’m afraid, but I did manage to get some iron and bronze, which is better than nothing. You, ah, were able to scavenge some of the discordants’ weapons and armor, weren’t you? How does that leave things? I imagine you’d want to scrap them and just reuse the materials?”
“As for what was looted, we got 3-4 good peytrals and cruppers, a set of boots, two chanfrons, a couple of metal crossbows and I think one serviceable spear and two iron warhammers.” Flamberge begins, “Melt down the warhammers, keep the rest for now I think. We would lose material in scraping them, and it is better to have one crappy peytral, than half of a good one. I am still going to be looking to expanding the number of full time soldiers, when more ponies arrive, and this will help outfit 2 or 3 of them.”
“Good, that’s something at least,” Temperance says, feeling the tiniest bit relieved. “I’m hoping we’ll get more ponies soon. I just hope we don’t attract even more discordants as a result.”
Flamberge makes an affirmative sound, then asks, “That is all I needed to say, Temperance, is there anything else you need to report to me before I take my leave?”
Oh, there were a few things he’d like to ask, but decides it’s better to follow Serenity’s advice. “Eh, not much. Just... how are the other soldiers holding up? Have you seen Praetorian recently?”
“I have, he’s... up and around at least, he’s not back at anywhere near 100% though. Redhat is the same as ever really, and Captain Crosshair is doing well enough.”
Temperance smiles. “Good... good, I’m glad to hear it. If anything changes, I’d appreciate it if you kept me informed.”
Flamberge nods and turns to head out the door. As he departs, Temperance slumps back into his chair and runs a hoof through his mane. The foreseeable future was going to be a lot more work than he’d expected. It was for the best though...
Post by: Amorack on March 16, 2013, 12:35:18 am
14th Slate, 270
It's been almost half a year now since Patches and I moved out here to Duskfields. Yesterday he was telling me about how he's been keeping a journal, and I guess it's not an unpopular thing to do around here, so I figured I may as well try it myself. Well...it's been pretty nice so far, there's an amazing meeting hall, and the other ponies are friendly. I've been working in the hospital with the other doctor, Case Study. Today one of the mares, a farmer I think, gave birth to a healthy unicorn filly. No one is sure who the father is, and of course that's the sort of thing that lends itself to gossip, but I'm just glad her and her new foal are fine. Well, that's it for now.
20th Felsite, 270
We had another attack today by Discordant ponies. Two of the militia, Flamberge and Praetorian were injured. Praetorian has a major concussion and damage to his skull, but Dr. Case Study believes that he will eventually make a recovery. I'm glad we came to Duskfields, I can do some real good out here.
2nd Hematite, 270
Flamberge was released today, after making a speedy recovery. Praetorian, on the other hoof, is in much the same conditon.
4th Hematite, 270
I remember reading a quote once about how "When sorrows come, they come in battalions" or something like that. Basically when it rains, it pours, and it sure seems like it lately. An ogress attacked Duskfields, and mutilated one of the militia's pet wolf. She has severe lacerations and possible brain damge, but diagnostics was never my strong suit. Thankfully, Doctor Case Study has more skill in that regard. I wish we could do more for her, but we still have Praetorian to worry about as well. With all these attacks I'm almost tempted to find my old crossbow and volunteer for the militia myself, but it's been a long time since I've used one, and I know they need me here.
17th Malachite, 270
Praetorian has finally recovered enough to leave the hospital, and I'm glad to see him feeling better. Medically, I'd prefer he stayed to rest and recover more, but he probably feels compelled to return to duty. I can't blame him too much, I know the feeling.
Anyway, things have calmed down in the past few weeks. It looks to me like there should be enough houses for everypony soon, and Patches and I can't wait to move into ours when it's ready. I do hope the next construction project is improving the hospital. There's only so much we can do without fresh water nearby, or soap to prevent infections, and I couldn't stand knowing that we could have done more for a patient. Still, I think Temperance is doing a good job so far, and he wouldn't overlook something like this.
((PS, Telgin, if it's not too much trouble, could you post my Relationships screen with the next update?))
Post by: Dsarker on March 16, 2013, 11:50:49 pm
Morning Dew sat outside Serenity’s office, waiting for her. Little Mountain Dew had been playing around most of the morning, and was now fast asleep on Morning Dew’s back. Hesitantly, she decided to knock on the door.
Opening the door, Serenity greets her with a smile. “Hello there, Morning Dew. Please, come inside.”
“Um, thank you,” says Morning Dew as she smiles a bit and walks into the room. Mountain Dew remains asleep. At least, she doesn’t open her eyes.
Serenity ushers the pair into her new office - clean, uncluttered, and now with a proper therapy couch. She gestures towards it. “Please, have a seat.”
Morning Dew sits down, scooping Mountain Dew off her back before she’d slide off, and resettling her on her lap. “It’s a nice place here,” she says.
“It is. I’ll have to remember to thank Temperance for having this built.” She turns back to Morning Dew. “So, there was something you wanted to talk about?”
“Um. Yes. Our next session. Um. Since the last was interrupted,” she says, giving Mountain Dew a little nuzzle.
Serenity nods, pulling a chair over by the couch. “Ah, yes. So, when we left off...”
Morning Dew takes a deep breath, and closing her eyes, begins to speak again. “We’d...We’d been dating for a bit of time now, and we were happy together. I...I found a little herb out, while I was farming, a spice I thought, since I’d seen Cream Puff collecting some other plants like it. We were having another date, and I added it to the food. Um...” She takes another deep breath, and forces herself to continue. “Be-before we ate, he said he had something special to ask me. And... And he asked me to marry him,” she says.
“And what did you say?”
“I said yes,” she says.
Serenity nods. “And then what happened?”
“We...We ate a little salad, and he gave me a necklace.” She breathes deep for a third time, trying to calm herself. “And... Then he seemed a little...different. And. He... He said that. That since we’re engaged now...” She closes her eyes and bows her head, not wanting to say any more.
Serenity moves over to sit beside Morning Dew, placing a hoof on her shoulder.
“I... I woke up the next morning, and...and he was gone. I tried to speak to him, but he avoided me. I... I carried myself into my work, that being the only thing left for me. And then I saw that Maize didn’t pick the herb I had like she had with the other wild spices we found. I... I went to Cream Puff, to ask her what it was...And...And it was all my fault,” sobbed Morning Dew. “It wasn’t a spice, it was a drug! I was...I was too ashamed to try and talk to him again.”
“Maybe you should try explaining things to him. If he truly loves you, I think he’ll understand.”
“But...But I can’t. It was all my fault! I...I should have known better.” She hangs her head. Out of the corner of Serenity’s eyes, she can see Mountain Dew’s eyes open up wide, and begin to make the International Signal For A Baby Foal In Distress.
“...I believe little Mountain is in need of her mama.”
Morning Dew jerks up, looking to her little daughter. Just as she does so, the foal bursts into a wailing stream of tears. Morning Dew hugs the little foal close to her, and starts rocking her and muttering little calming phrases to her, but it seems to have little-to-no effect. “Um, I might need to feed her,” she says, somewhat apologetically.
Serenity nods. “Whatever you need to do.” She slides over a little to give her some privacy.
Morning Dew started to feed the little foal, and waited for Serenity to say whatever she was going to say next.
Serenity averts her eyes, and continues. “As I was saying, if you were to tell him about your mistake, he may be willing to forgive you.”
“I...I...I don’t want him to. It’s my fault. It’s always my fault.” As Morning Dew finishes speaking, the little foal seems to no longer be hungry, and in a flash, jumps to the floor, and starts running around.
Before she can get far, Serenity catches the little filly in her magic and sets her in her lap. “That doesn’t mean you don’t deserve forgiveness.”
“Does it?” Before Serenity can answer, the foal buzzes with magical energy, and disappears. The two can hear the pitter-patter of tiny hooves outside the office, and running off. “We’ve got to find her!” cried Morning Dew.
Serenity hops off the couch. “The kitchen! She’s probably after Cream Puff’s toffees.”
Morning Dew runs to the door, and opens it quickly before scrambling outside. “There she is!” she shouts, pointing to the rapidly disappearing form of the foal, before running off after her.
Serenity follows after them as fast as her legs can carry her.
FLASHBACK NO. 2
Seeing the stallion she loved coming to her, Morning Dew perked up. “You’re here!” she said, and gave him a peck on the cheek and a little nuzzle. “It’s good to see you again,” she said.
He returned the nuzzle and small kiss. “It’s good to see you too, Dew,” he said with a large smile. Morning Dew blushed a bit, and expanded her smile to match his.
“I’ve already got some food for us,” she said, gesturing to a bowl of salad on the bed. “Cream Puff made it, and I added a little something special I found while out in the fields.” She smiled. “I hope you’ll like it.”
“Oh? Something special for me?” he teased. “I can’t wait, I’m sure it’ll be great. Are you and Maize growing some new spices now?”
“Some, mostly for Cream Puff. But this wasn’t one of our crops. It’s from a wild plant,” said Morning Dew, with a little smile.
“Oh, I didn’t know you were an herbalist,” he said. He smiled and stepped over to the salad to give it a good whiff. “Not going to give me any hints?”
“Nope,” she said with a little giggle. “You should try some, though!”
He grinned at her and pointed to the bed. “Alright then, shall we?” It smelled nice enough, and he was pretty hungry. Morning Dew smiles, and pops up onto the bed with a smile, and gestures to him to join her.
Being the gentlecolt that he was, he dipped a bit out for each of them. That was mostly a way to delay things as he worked up his nerve for what he was going to say next though. After a moment or two of nervously looking down at his hooves, he reached into the small bag he brought with him. “Morning Dew, there’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you for a while now,” he began, fishing through the bag
“What is it?” Morning Dew asked curiously, but with a hint of expectation. Maybe...
He produced a small, simple necklace made of what looked to be leftover flax thread, with some green glass beads strung around it. He held it up for her to see, and with an extremely nervous smile he said, “Morning Dew, would you marry me?”
Morning Dew’s mouth fell open in surprise. “Buh, ub, buh,” she said, then shook her head, and repeated herself, saying “Of course I will! Yes yes yes!” She glomped the stallion onto the ground, smiling with delight.
He took a little while to recover from the sudden mare atop him, but grinned and nuzzled her again. “I love you,” he said, feeling all of the anxiety from a few moments ago dissolve into pure euphoria.
“I love you too,” Morning Dew replied, hugging the love of her life tight for what seemed like a blissful eternity.
The two held each other for what was at least minutes, but felt like hours. Eventually, a small gurgle filled the silent room, and the stallion said, “Perhaps we should eat now? I’m dying to taste that little secret of yours.” Reluctantly, the mare let go, and after standing up, helped the stallion to rise.
He in turn helped her back up onto the bed before pulling himself up, careful not to spill the food laid out. “Shall we?” he asked, before sampling his food. Whatever it was she found, it definitely added a nice kick to the salad. Morning Dew eats a bit of her own portion, staring at the stallion with dreamy eyes.
“Where’d you find the necklace?” she asks him after having a bite of the salad.
“Oh, uh, well,” he began, choking down a bit of food. “I made it, actually.” He scratched the back of his head. “I’m not much of a jeweler or weaver, but even somepony like me can take some thread and string beads on it. I found those lying around the mechanics shop. After, well, you know,” he said, rolling his eyes at the last bit. Morning Dew smiled at him, still a bit giddy that he had asked her to marry him.
He continued to devour the food before him, feeling the euphoria continue to grow. He knew that love was supposed to feel good, but had no idea it could feel like this! Oddly, he was starting to feel a bit sleepy too. Everything seemed to be slowing down around him by the time he was done eating. Morning Dew looked at him, and asked him “Are you feeling alright? You don’t look too good...” with a hint of apprehension to her voice.
“Huh?” he asked, blinking the sleepiness away. “Oh, no I feel fine. Great, actually.” He looked up at her, and was suddenly struck by just how beautiful she was. Who needed salad right now? “Say, since we’re engaged now...” he said, giving her a sly grin. Morning Dew felt a bit uneasy about this, but he was going to marry her...
Puff lays on her back in the short grass, bored out of her skull. The lunch sammiches were made, and it’d be several hours before she’d have to get working on the dinner sammiches. A real kitchen would be so nice...
Morning Dew, keeping her head down and looking nervous, walks over to Cream Puff, and waits for her to notice her.
She cranes her eyes up to meet Morning Dew’s face. “Heya Morning Dew.”
“Um, hello Cream Puff. Um. Can I ask you something?” she says, not noticing she is already.
“You just did, but feel free to ask more.” Puff rolls to her hooves and shakes off the grass, not wanting to look bored with the conversation. Not that she wasn’t bored, it just wasn’t Morning’s fault.
“Um.” She digs in her saddle bag. “Um. This herb. What is it?” she asks.
Puff tilts her head and examines the plant. “Hmm... is that coriander?” She gives it a few sniffs, then shakes her head. “No, coriander has a much more assertive scent. Why do you want to know?”
“Um. Would it make somepony act...differently?” she asked, anxiety setting in.
“Coriander? Na, it’s just a nice aromatic. This thing, though, I have no idea. Have you tried asking Maize?”
“N-no, I haven’t,” says Morning Dew.
“She’d probably know, but she’s so cripplingly shy she might not actually talk.” Puff then face-hoofs. “Right, you’re a farmer, too! You probably know her better than I do! I’d definitely go ask her. Maybe try Case Study, too? If it’s medicinal, he might know.”
“Um. Okay. Could you come with me?” Morning Dew pleads.
Cream Puff smiles. “I could and I will!”
“Thank you,” Morning Dew says, a bit of a smile forming.
The two go off trying to find Maize, but find Case Study first, painting.
The weather was nice enough, so the doctor had decided to practice one of the few hobbies he had come to acquire over his thirty-eight years of life so far. It was a painting he had started before arriving at Duskfields, but was only just now getting around to finishing it. He paused for a moment, taking in the movement to his right. Cream Puff and Morning Dew, “Good day Ms. Puff, Ms. Dew.”
Morning Dew bows her head and nudges Cream Puff a little.
“Heya Case Study.” Puff smiles at him, then shows him the strange plant. “Do you know what this is?”
He leans over and squints at the vegetation in her possession, “Not off the top of my head, I’m afraid. I do have a book about wild herbs and such. For what purpose might you need this knowledge? Do you plan on attempting to cook this?”
“Um. Somepony might have eaten it,” says Morning Dew quietly.
His eyebrows pursed together, “How long ago was this? Are they exhibiting any symptoms of poisoning?” The pale blue stallion suspected that it may have been a foal, “I doubt it’s of significant toxicity, but I can always check to be sure.”
“Um, they were acting...strangely, sort of,” answered Morning Dew.
Case put down his brush, “Hallucinations perhaps? That could be a serious problem. How are they doing right now?”
“Um. I haven’t really talked to them since then,” she says with a little blush.
He wrinkled his nose, “Uh...was this recent? Or are you talking about something that has happened a decent while ago? You don’t seem to be implying that this is urgent...” Case was beginning to wonder who it was that Dew was speaking of.
“It was a short time ago. They haven’t been acting really strangely after it. Just that day,” she said, the blush beginning to widen a bit.
The slight reddening of her face had become obvious now. The physician could only wonder what that might mean, “I suppose I could go retrieve my plant reference. Wait here for a moment.” He abandoned his work and trotted back to his office. It was a short trip, so he soon returned with a saddlebag of books on his back. After the proper literature was obtained, he went through the pages to find the identity of the mystery plant. “Hmm, looks to most closely match ‘Karmare Cilantro’. It appears to be nontoxic, although it can have inebriating effects. Some even report enhanced libido...”
Morning Dew is suddenly very interested in inspecting the ground. Lots of dirt and grass there. Yup. Important stuff to keep an eye on. For a farmer. Good to know about how the dirt is doing. Don’t want it to dry up.
It didn’t take a Ph.D to figure out what had happened, especially not after Dew’s instant lack of interest in the subject became apparent. Case coughed, “Well...I assure you that the pony in question is in no physiological danger...whomever he or she is...”
“That’s good,” she says in a quiet voice. “He’ll be okay?”
“Well, the only hazard this would present would be in the form of increased risk-taking behavior. As long as he isn’t under its influence during times when precision and care are required, I imagine no harm will come to him or others.”
“That’s a relief,” she says, her previous anxiety fading away. “Um. Thank you, doctor,” she continues, still facing towards the ground.
“You are quite welcome, Ms. Dew. Do you have any further questions?”
“Not at the moment,” she says. “Um. Actually. One other... how will I know if I’m...well...expecting?”
“Ah yes, that...” He rubs his chin, “It can be difficult to tell early on. A missed estrus cycle may be the first indication. Gaining weight unexpectedly will come next. Changes in mood and eating habits are also things to note. There are also some magical pregnancy tests that exist, but I am not in possession of any items with such an ability.” Yep, Case knew for certain what had happened now.
“Thank you, Dr Case Study. Um. That’s all I need,” says the mare.
The gray-haired pony nods, “Have a good afternoon, Ms. Dew, Ms. Puff.” He takes the paintbrush in a hoof and continues to work on his art as before.
Post by: Impending Doom on March 17, 2013, 12:54:22 am
Maize steps into the new office. “Wow... it’s really nice in here.”
Serenity beams. “Yes, they did a wonderful job. And look!” She trots over to a corner, where a comfy-looking padded therapy couch sits.
Maize walks over to it and plops down, snuggling in. “It’s almost as nice as my bed. I like it a lot.”
“I’m glad you like it.” Serenity pulls up a chair, sitting beside the couch as a proper therapist would. “Much less intimidating, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, a lot better.” Maize rolls a bit on the couch, getting comfortable, and looking sort of like a puppy, albeit a very large one.
Serenity cannot help but giggle at Maize’s antics. “You look adorable.”
Maize blushes, but giggles a little, too. “I’ve heard a few ponies say that about me. I... guess I just act different from how ponies expect sometimes.”
“It’s as though... you aren’t really concerned what ponies might think. You don’t have any inhibitions about just doing what feels right, instead of what you think everypony else wants.”
Maize shrugs. “Ponies sometimes think things are right, even though they’re not. Even I do, sometimes, but I just try to do the best I can.”
“And... I really like that about you.”
Maize smiles. “Thanks. I... well, I really like how you go out of your way to help ponies. Like you did for me.”
Serenity returns her smile. “It’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing. I just want to make ponies’ lives better. I’m sure there are a million easier ways to do that, but... none of them are nearly as rewarding in the end.”
“Yeah. I bet.” Maize looks around the room a bit more. “I wish I were half as smart as you. I think I’d be a lot better at making other ponies feel better.”
“You already do a wonderful job making other ponies happy. Cream Puff, Morning Dew, Praetorian...” Serenity blushes lightly. “...me...”
Maize looks to the mare before her and offers a smile, plus her own light blush. “I’m glad I make you happy. I just... wish I could make you all even more happy.”
“...What do you mean?”
“Well... Morning Dew has been getting really mean things said about her, but I can’t really stand up for her because I don’t know who is saying things, and even if I did... I’m not exactly scary.” Maize shows off her lack of muscles. “Cream Puff wants to be in a relationship, but she doesn’t feel right with any of the stallions here and she isn’t into mares. And you... well, I don’t know how I could make you any happier at all. I don’t know if you have any problems or wants.”
“I... don’t really have any, no.” Maize can detect just the slightest hint of dishonesty in her voice.
Maize seems really interested now. “You don’t have to lie to me. Everypony has something they would like.”
Serenity averts her eyes. “It’s nothing, really...”
Maize makes puppy-dog eyes. “Please tell me. I just want to help you.”
“I-It’s, well, uh...” Serenity takes a deep breath, swallows, and continues. “Maize... I like you. In fact, I think I... really like you, but...”
“But what?” Maize gets up and hugs Serenity. “I’m okay with you liking me. I like you a lot, too.”
“...But you’re with somepony who truly cares about you. Who fits you perfectly, like the two of you were made for each other. And I’d hate to ruin that.”
Maize nuzzles Serenity a little before pulling away. “I don’t think Praetorian would mind that much, actually. I’ll just ask him.” She smiles. “The worst he could do is say no, right?”
Serenity accepts the nuzzle gratefully. “...I suppose you’re right.”
Maize’s smile grows a little wider. “So... now that I’m helping you, maybe I should let you help me, huh?” She plops back onto the couch. “Go ahead, doctor.”
Serenity smiles wide at her friend, and leans back in her chair. “Now, in our last session...”
Post by: Dsarker on March 17, 2013, 06:12:07 pm
Maize lies in her bed, looking out the window. She’d normally be out working, but today she decided she wanted to eat lunch with Praetorian, so she’s waiting for him. She suddenly remembers that he has memory problems, though, and rises, heading for the door to try and find him and make sure he didn’t forget.
Praetorian is wandering around the line of houses, looking lost. Some kind soul appears to have placed a tray of food on his back, though he seems not to have noticed.
Maize quickly finds him thanks to the rather small area that the living quarters take up. “Prae-prae, silly, my room is this way!”
“M...Maize?” he says, shaking his head to try and clear the mental fog that seems to have set in. “What is it?”
“You got your head bumped and now you have trouble remembering things. A lot of new stuff was put up while you were out, too, so it’s easy to get lost. Just follow me.” Maize wraps her tail around Praetorian’s withers, gently pulling him along.
Praetorian follows the mare with a slight sense of helplessness. “Okay,” he says, thankful that at least he can still speak.
Maize leads the stallion into the room. “At least you still remember this place, right? Case Study said the older the memory was the less likely you’d forget it, and mine was the first room finished.” She sits down on the bed and pats for Praetorian to sit with her.
Praetorian walks over to the bed, cautiously. The tray on his back rattles a bit. “I...think I remember?” he says.
Maize smiles. “Do you remember the bed? You used to love lying with me on it, just snuggled together.”
“No, I don’t remember that,” he answers. “I...I did?”
“Mhm. We’ve been together for a while.” Maize takes the food, setting it out between them.
“I think I remember that part. I...I was teaching you to read?” he asks, looking for some confirmation on his memory.
“Mhm.” Maize giggles. “And I guess I just swept you off your hooves.” She starts eating, voraciously as always, although with a slightly more mannered approach than she used to use.
Praetorian, cautiously and almost looking for her to stop him, begins to eat as well, slower than usual.
“Are you comfy, Prae-prae?” Maize seems to take note of his cautiousness and offers a bright smile to try and encourage him.
“Yes, I think so,” he says. “Just... not remembering.”
“That must really stink. Case Study said it might take a while for you to get your memory back, but it should all come back at once.” Maize continues to eat.
“...I hope so,” he says, and begins to eat a little faster.
Maize soon finishes her meal and relaxes, waiting for Praetorian to finish his.
Praetorian finishes soon afterwards, and waits for whatever is to happen next.
“I kinda wanted to ask you something,” Maize starts. “I know you don’t really have the best memory, but I’m a bit too impatient to wait for you to get all the way better. But, anyway, would you mind adding another pony to our relationship?”
Praetorian asks, saying “What do you mean?”
“Well...” Maize thinks of how to say it. “You know Serenity, right? The psychologist?”
“...yes?” He thinks he does, at least.
“Well, she’s kind of lonely, and she really likes me, and she kinda likes you, too.” Maize smiles nervously. “And I was wondering if you’d be okay with having her in our lives as well.”
“I... I don’t want to hurt her...but aren’t there any other ponies?” he asks, trying to think of any off the top of his head, but the fog is like pea soup.
“Not really.” Maize thinks as well, but doesn’t come up with anypony she knows that would be a good match. “That’s why I want her to be with us. Between the two of us, we can show her lots of love and care, and she’ll be able to love us back.”
Praetorian tries to think. This didn’t feel...quite right. And he felt a little hurt that Maize was thinking about it, maybe a little jealous. But... if Serenity really was feeling down, or hurt, or lonely... at least a platonic relationship. He felt that fog continue to cut off his thought, and he just wished that he could be somewhere else, without having to deal with this sort of thing. “I... Can I think, for a little bit?” he asks.
Maize nods. “You have all the time in the world to think about it. I don’t mind.” She leans forward and gives Praetorian a peck on the lips. “Just remember that no matter what, I’ll always love you.”
“Does...Does she want this?” he asks, still trying to come to some sort of a decision.
“Mhm.” Maize nods. “I already talked to her about it. You can talk to her, too, if you want. That’s probably a good idea, really.”
“I’ll talk to her,” says Praetorian, with some relief at having found a way to delay a decision. “Alone, if I can?”
“Sure, of course.” Maize nuzzles him a bit. “I trust you. And if you decide you don’t want to do this, or Serenity does, that’s okay, too.”
As mentally fogged as Praetorian is, he still recognises the warning sounds, typical of the female for the species, that he’d better do what she says or else. "Yes, dear."
Poor innocent Maize, however, means nothing beyond her words, and silently allows Praetorian to feel at risk without any knowledge of her unintended threat.
Post by: Dsarker on March 17, 2013, 10:21:52 pm
It had been a long time since Morning Dew had last seen him, and now she was starting to show. She’d concealed it from the others before, but soon everypony would know. She forced a weak smile to her face. Maybe he’d come back. Maybe...
A knock came at her door. “Morning Dew? Are you home?”
Her heart started to leap in her chest. It was him! “Y-yes, I’m home,” she said.
“Uh, can I come in? There’s something I’d like to talk with you about,” he said, trying to keep the apprehension out of his voice.
“Yes, yes, please come in!” she said, walking slowly over to the door with the weight of her foal starting to hinder her movements.
As she opened the door, he looked her in the eyes and gave her a small sad smile. “There’s a few things we should talk about.” He stepped inside as she made room for him. “First off, I think I should apologize for... well, a lot.”
Morning Dew waves it away. “No...No, there’s nothing for you to apologise for...” she says with a bit of a sad tone in her voice.
“Oh, but there is,” he said, still not looking directly at her. “I’ve been avoiding you for a while, because I lost something kind of important.” He looked up at her. He didn’t really need it. It was time to stop fooling around. “Something that I... thought... I...” he trailed off as his eyes rest on her. More importantly, something new about her belly. He cocked his head. She couldn’t have just gained that much weight that fast.
Morning Dew just looked to him, hoping beyond hope he’d know why it was. “I...It’s my fault,” she said.
“Dew...” he began, raising an eyebrow. “Are... are you... pregnant?”
“Yes,” she said, as her heart began to sink.
It felt like she had reached into his chest and ripped his beating heart from his body. He was too stunned to even say anything, and he took a step back. A few colorful emotions washed over his face, and he finally managed to say, “H-how... how could you?”
“It... it was my fault. I’m sorry,” she said, her words sounding hollow even to her.
Her fault indeed. “Your fault?” he said, letting a bit of anger rise in his voice. “I should say it’s your fault,” he went on. “How could you do this to me?” he asked, his voice cracking slightly.
“I’m...I’m sorry,” she said as her first tear began to bead up.
“Sorry? Sorry?” he demanded, letting tears of his own form in his eyes. “And-and to think...” he said, choking up too much to speak. He looked away, clenching his eyes shut and wiping away the tears. “I... I can’t believe this...”
Morning Dew, the bottom having fallen out of her world, collapses onto her fore-hooves, and cried.
And as Morning Dew began to cry, the stallion backed up another step and wiped his eyes again. He couldn’t stop crying either. The mare he loved had gone and done this to him. He couldn’t bear to look at her anymore, and barged out of her home without another word.
He bucked the door to his office open, slumped into his chair and buried his face in his hooves on the desk. “What did I do to deserve this?” Temperance whimpered between sniffles.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png), (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Serenity%20Avatar.png), Morning Dew, and (http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa176/Kryptid/MountainDewAv3_zpsaeb034aa.png)
Temperance is sitting in his office as he does for much of the day, running the numbers and trying to prioritize how best to handle Flamberge’s requests. They had lots of wood growing around them, but it was starting to run out in their stockpiles. Could they cobble together twenty crossbows, plus set up a wooden wall, plus finish the hospital, plus make furniture with what they had? It was starting to look doubtful. He sighs and scratches the tables off the list. It looked like they would have to get by with bare bedrooms for a little while longer. There is a rapid pitter-patter of tiny hooves coming towards the door.
He looks up, curious who that could be. It didn’t sound like an adult, so it was probably just one of the sheep wandering out of the pasture again. They should probably look into getting a fence for that at some point. After this other mile long list of things to do, of course. There is a flash in the room, and little Mountain Dew appears. “Buh ubba!” she says.
Temperance is stunned for more than just a moment. He stands and walks over to the little filly, utterly confused at how she just appeared like that. Then his eyes rest on her horn, and it falls into place. “Mountain Dew? What are you doing here? Where’s your mommy?” he asks, kneeling next to her.
“Bluh buh,” says the foal, and looks around for something to play with... then finds it. The pony’s head! She jumps up, trying to get on the new jungle gym.
“Gah!” Temperance cries out as he’s suddenly treated to a face full of filly. He pries her free and sits on his haunches, holding her out in front of himself. “I should probably go find your mom.”
“Buh da buh,” agrees the foal. Meanwhile, while he’s not doing anything, she will mess up all his reports and lists and everything. No fun being restrained otherwise. Her horn glows, and the papers start to lift from the desk.
“Temperance’s eyes go wide as he sees his careful work being very uncarefully shuffled around. “Hey! No, no Mountain Dew, those aren’t for playing,” he says, setting her back on the ground as he tries to grab some of the floating sheets.
“Buh,” sighs the foal as she sees her fun taken away from her. Fortunately for her, she spots a pot of ink open, and her eyes go wide with delight. “Buh ub da!” she says, and her horn glows as the ink starts to rise out of the pot in her grasp.
Seeing his papers float around was one thing, but a pot of ink’s contents were much more alarming. He tries to grab as many papers as he can and get them out of the way of the floating disaster waiting to happen. “Mountain Dew, why don’t you just wait a second while I find you something to play with?”
“Bluh eba,” says the foal, finally agreeing to wait. But not waiting idle, of course. As her horn continues to glow, the ink starts forming an image of a heart, with two ponies inside. The sound of running hooves comes from outside, and the door bursts open with Morning Dew looking frantic, and Serenity looking only slightly less frantic. “Mountain Dew? Mountain Dew!” cries Morning Dew as she dashes over to the little foal. As she remembers whose office they are in, she bows her head. “Um. Mr Temperance. Um. I’m sorry if. If Mountain Dew was bothering you. Um. It’s my fault.” A tear begins to bead in her eye. “A-again.”
A slightly sad expression washes over Temperance’s face as he says, “No, no, it’s fine. She hasn’t hurt anything.” The giant blob of floating ink hadn’t permanently altered anything, yet anyway. The little heart image is almost distinct now, and Morning Dew can be recognised as one of the ponies in it, and the other an earth pony.
Amber magic envelops the floating ink, causing the image to dissipate and the whole thing to pour carefully back into the inkwell. “Still, we’re sorry to burst in on you like this.”
“It’s...It’s all my fault,” says Morning Dew, choking back a sob. “I’m sorry again...”
He sighs and steps over to her. “It’s okay. Really,” he says, resting a hoof on her withers.
“I-it isn’t!” she sobs, and runs out of the office.
Temperance gives Serenity a slightly puzzled look before he gallops off after her. “Dew! Dew, wait!” She’d obviously just been seeing Serenity, so being upset about something made sense.
Serenity thinks to follow them, but then realises that somepony must stay behind to watch over Mountain Dew. She looks around for the little filly. “Mountain?”
Mountain Dew is looking annoyed at Serenity, almost slightly angry. Once more, she picks up the ink from the ink pot.
Serenity catches the ink once more, returns it to the pot, and corks it firmly. “No.”
Mountain Dew pouts, and then gets another idea. She jumps onto the desk, and picking up one of the papers in her mouth, she lifts the words off of it. The words begin their transformation into the same heart that she was making with the ink.
Serenity sighs, and decides that the loss of one single sheet wasn’t so bad. She shifts the others out of Mountain’s reach, and sits down to watch. “What are you making there, little one?”
The image is of a heart. On one side is Morning Dew, or at least it looks like Morning Dew, and on the other is another earth pony. A stallion. One with a wavy mane and tail, and a short and thin body.
Serenity squints at the image of the stallion, quite unable to discern who it is. “...Is that your daddy, sweetie?”
The foal nods, and Serenity is probably able to recognise the cutie mark now.
Serenity sees the sealed scroll on the mystery pony’s flank, and chuckles. “Oh, no, sweetie. Mr. Temperance isn’t your daddy.”
The foal nods more emphatically, and the heart breaks apart, with a little foal next to Morning Dew and the two ponies looking unhappy. “Buh ubba,” says the foal firmly.
Serenity shakes her head. “No, that simply can’t be. He wouldn’t have left Morning Dew to raise you alone.”
“Bu bah?” points out the foal, indicating Temperance running after Morning Dew.
“He’s just concerned about her, that’s all.”
“Buh buh,” says the foal in a voice that radiates unconvincedness. Or maybe hungriness, it’s hard to tell when the foal is speaking meaningless syllables.
She stares at the image for a little while longer, a slight smile forming on her face. “...They do make a cute couple... who knows? Maybe he will be your daddy some day.”
“Buhbu!” the foal says again, once more pointing out to the clouds of dust almost settling down after Temperance’s passage.
Serenity shakes her head again. “No, it’s simply not possible! I highly doubt Temperance would forget falling in love with Morning Dew, or asking her to marry him, or... being... drugged?” Her pupils shrink, and her face goes pale. Serenity turns tail and gallops out after Temperance. Mountain Dew shrugs, and starts running after her. Or to the kitchen, whichever is closer.
Temperance sees Morning Dew run into her room crying and slamming the door shut. Something inside him told him that he should probably just walk away before this got ugly, but he couldn’t. He trots up to the door and pauses a minute before knocking lightly with a hoof. “Dew? Please, what’s wrong?”
A gentle sob is all the reply he gets, muffled by the wall.
What now? Try to force his way in, or just talk to her through the wall? “Dew... please... can I come in? Mountain Dew didn’t hurt anything.” He tests the door, but finds that it is indeed shut. No simply slipping in.
“G-go away! Y-you’ll just hate me more!” cries Morning Dew.
A knot forms in Temperance’s gut, and for a moment he’s tempted to take her advice. Instead, he decides that this whole thing needed to be fixed. As much as it could be anyway. “Dew... I don’t hate you. I never have,” he says. That last bit might have been stretching it, for that one moment so long ago, but it was true now anyway.
“Y-y-you...you don’t?” she asks, as the sobbing pauses for a second.
“No, I don’t. Can I come in? Can we talk?”
“Um. Y-yes,” she says.
He eases the door open and steps inside. “Thanks.” He joins her at her bedside and asks, “Is that what’s bothering you? You thought I hated you?”
Morning Dew is hunched over, a few tears still running down her face as she clutches a little necklace in her hooves. “Y-y-yes,” she says through the tears.
Serenity comes galloping up to the pair. “Temperance!” She takes a moment to catch her breath. “Temperance... we need to talk.”
He looks up to her for a moment, and raises a hoof as if to say, “One moment.” He looks back down to Morning Dew, and says “Dew... you broke my heart.” A few hints of moisture become evident in his eyes. “But I’m not a pony to hold grudges,” he lies.
“I-I-I’m s-s-sorry...I... I’m not good enough for you...” says Morning Dew, the tears beginning to start again.
“You were more than everything I could have hoped for,” he replies, all but choking up. “That’s why... why it hurt so much...” As he fights off sobbing of his own, he notices the necklace in her hooves. “...Dew... where did you find that?”
“Y-y-you g-g-gave it to me. T-t-that night,” she chokes out through the tears. “Y-y-you can h-h-have it back, if you want...”
Serenity gapes. “It was you... the whole time, it was you?”
Temperance was becoming genuinely curious what Serenity was talking about now. The necklace was almost too important to diverge from, but he hazards, “What was me?”
“The stallion Morning Dew loves... Mountain Dew’s father... it’s you.”
Temperance furrows his brow as he looks back and forth between the two mares. He certainly loved her once, and she loved him. Maybe she still did. But Mountain Dew? “No, no... I’m not her father. I...” He raises a hoof to his forehead. “I can’t be.”
Serenity steps inside. “How good is your memory of that night? Rather fuzzy, I’d assume?”
“What night?” Temperance asks, growing only more confused.
“T-the night when you p-p-proposed to me,” Morning Dew says through the tears.
“But I... I didn’t?” he says, not really asking a question. He looks at the necklace, and an odd feeling washes through him. “I-I was going to, but I lost the necklace. Then I was going to anyway... but...”
“As I suspected. Morning Dew...” Serenity sits beside her, helping her to her hooves. “I think it would be best if he heard it from you.”
“O-okay,” says Morning Dew, trying to blink back her tears. “I. I. That night. We’d had a salad. And. And I found something t-t-t-that I thought,” her lips start wobbling, “I thought it was a spice, s-something to add some flavour. A-a-and. You p-p-proposed to me. But. When we ate. You. You started acting strangely...and...and...” She bows her head, and stops speaking.
“But... but I... I don’t remember ever eating salad with you,” he says, frowning slightly. “I never did any of that...” ...did he?
“T-t-that’s the problem!” cried out Morning Dew. “I-I-I took some to C-C-Case Study, a-a-a-and it wasn’t a spice! It was a d-d-d-drug!”
“...what?” he squeaks. This was starting to make a frightening amount of sense.
“A-a-and...And...And...And it...it was all my fault... I-I-I told you you’d hate me more...” says Morning Dew as she hangs her head.
Temperance sits heavily. This was almost too much to believe. He still wasn’t sure he believed it. Maybe not all of it. A feeling of deep terror wells up inside him as an absolutely despicable thing enters his mind. “D-Dew... wh-what exactly ha-appened? Wh-what did the drug do?”
“Y-y-you...You asked me if...if...because we were engaged now... and... I... I said yes,” said the mare.
He looks back at the necklace cradled in her hooves, and calms down slightly. “I... I see...” he says, still sitting motionlessly. How could he have done this? Was he not strong willed enough to resist?
“D-d-do...Do you still hate me?” Morning Dew asks, still tearing up.
He locks eyes with her, and slowly shakes his head. “No. No, I don’t hate you, Dew.” Seeing her like this was making him start to tear up too. Whether or not all of this was true, it was still as if one of the carpenters had just hit him in the face with a plank of wood. After a moment more, he scoots slightly closer to her, and lays a hoof on hers. “I never hated you.“
Mountain Dew finally arrives at the house, and runs into the room. “Bu lubba!” she says in excitement.
Serenity scoops up the little foal. “I think mommy and daddy need a little time alone.”
Temperance acknowledges the foal’s arrival with a puzzled look before he turns his attention back to Morning Dew. He keeps his hoof on hers, and asks, “Dew... if this is true... why? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I...I didn’t want to hurt you... I-I’m sorry...” she says as she hangs her head.
He starts thinking about the things he said to her that day, which was starting to feel like somepony was twisting a knife around in his stomach. “And you let me hurt you like that?” he says, not trying to dry the tears that began to roll down his cheeks.
“Y-y-yes. I... I wanted, still want, you to be happy,” she says.
He shuts his eyes and takes a moment to level his breathing out before responding with, “But... all those things I said to you... all of it, and it was really my fault.” He raises his other hoof to his chest, which was now aching. “Gasis forgive me...”
“I...I... D-d-d-do y-y-y-you forgive m-me?” she asks, lips trembling again.
“Forgive you?” he asks, his voice high and uneven. He makes a weak chuckle. “There’s nothing to forgive you for. I should be asking you to forgive me.” He shakes his head, recalling again the hurtful things he said. “Even if you forgive me... even if Gasis forgives me... I don’t know if I could forgive myself.”
“I...but...But...w-w-w-will you still...will you still m-marry me?” she asks. “P-p-please?”
He makes another weak chuckle and wraps his hooves around her, drawing her into the tightest hug he could manage, which wasn’t much. “If you could ever forgive me.”
“I already do,” says Morning Dew.
He continues laughing weakly, pausing as he chokes up. He rubs her back with a hoof as he presses his face into her mane. “Then yes... yes. I never stopped loving you.”
“T-t-thank you,” she says, her tears starting to stop. “I love you too, Temperance!”
Serenity smiles at the little filly in her hooves. “Okay, now you can go.”
The little filly jumps out of Serenity’s hooves and runs up to the two and hugs their legs together.
Post by: Pokon on March 17, 2013, 10:24:20 pm
Post by: DVNO on March 17, 2013, 11:14:46 pm
Max once again flies back towards the cave. unbeknownst to him, he had a stealthy and curious pegasus on his tail . . .
The pony kept sneaking by, trying to make it by undetected. “where the hell is that bloke going...” He always wondered where this guy lived, but honestly, when he saw him fly off this far he had to check. For all he knew he could be a spy.
Max did his usual song and dance, he walked up to the entrance, he put his claw in the holes and opened the stone. The stone again flashes brilliant illuminate blue and rolls away.
The pony tilted his head as the stone rolled away. “oh yeah, magic...” and then he looked down to see bonnet was gone, and now was right behind max, giving his leg a little nuzzle. “are you a mentally handicapped lunatic” he said under his breath as the wolf kept being nice and cuddly.
Max looked down and recoiled his leg. “Ugh! Oh Look, another pest wolf out here.” He grabs the wolf and lifts him up by the scruff of the neck quite harshly. He cocks his head. “Is that a collar? I’ve seen this dog before!”
The dog made a little whimper and tried to get down. She just wanted to be nice and friendly with max...
“Bizarre . . . “ Max takes a glance behind him. Nope, no pony around. Max walks into the cave with the wolf in tow and the stone rolls back in place.
And then redhat sighed and walked up to the door and gave it a knock. “GOOD SIR HAVE YOU SEEN A HOUND IN THESE PARTS?!?”
No answer.
He placed his hoof on the same place the gryphon did.
The stone pulses blue again, and after a moment, a lever shoots out of the ground.
“well ain’t that convenient” he pulled the lever.
The floor drops from underneath him. Redhat is flung down a chute beneath his hooves. The slide of smooth stone takes all manner of flips, twists, and turns in the pitch black. Redhat finally lands not so softly in a pile of bones inside.
The pony starts to struggle around and fight, until realizing the things he landed in were dead, “god, that’s just not sanitary...” he hovered above to bones for a while, trying not to dirty himself. “hello!”
Max’s head swerves a full one eighty like an owl. Who the buck could that be? “Carnith? Is that you?” He called out quizzically.
“You walked off with my hound you yellow bellied twat!” He said as he slowly flew over.
“And you’re invading my home, you red hatted quadrupedal ditz!” Max stomps up to Redhat in a huff. “How did you even get in here anyway?”
“All I did was knock on the door, and some leaver popped up, begging to be pulled.”
Max cocked his head and gave him a confused look. “Ooh, the spike trap. I keep forgetting a spike trap with unreplaced spikes is just a hole. I need to put the spikes back in one of these days, it seems. . .”
“You know, having a safety hazard like that with little ponies walking about might get somepony killed! What do you expect to happen if nightmare night comes along!”
He puts a claw under his chin in thought. “ I guess it would be a lil’ too much horror for the chit’lins . . .” He shakes his head. “ if they were to hike up a mountain in the first place!”
“You shouldn’t have a deathtrap aimed at killing indiscriminately! what if you just made this a holding pen, and you could have the spikes pop up and kill whatever came down here after you’ve deemed it a threat!”
He cocks a brow. “Why am I arguing with you?” He grabs the pony by the shoulders. “Little pony. Listen to me, you are in a lot of danger. You need to get back to Duskfields for your own good!”
“I’d do that, but you see, I’m currently missing my wolf. Now, i’m not leaving until that wolf is put back into my custody or else Me and the guard are coming back here.”
“Oh. The wolf. That might might be a problem. You see -” A deep voice boomed down the cave, sounding like the shriek of metal against a surface.The voice was loud enough to shake the walls! “Ha Ha Ha! This guy just likes to play doesn't he? Max, Where are you?”
Max starts to sweat. “Uhh . . .”
“Okay... if I don’t get that wolf back i’m putting my spear through your head.”
“Okay! Okay! Okay! I’ll see what I can do! Yeesh!”
“Why are you nervous, and who was that?”
“Nothing at all! I’m Fine!” Max gasped, nearly having a panic attack. “I’ll be right back with your ‘dog’.”
The pony followed after him. “Who the hell are you harbouring in this residence!”
Max stops. “Ho ho ho, You’re not coming with.” The voice booms again. “Max?” “Coming!” Max chirped, with as calm of a voice he could muster.
“and how exactly do I get out of here once you’ve handed me back that wolf. Also that nothing seems really needy.” He kept hovering over the pile of dead bones.
Max points at him. “ The chute. Stay. Right. There.” Max flies into the main hall. “Max?” “Yeah, it was nothing, the spike trap went and broke, like half the stuff around this ol’ crypt . . . “
At feels like an hour and a half passes until Max finally walks back in. He has Bonnet cupped in his claws like a baby, and Bonnet is shivering in fear.
“Here’s the wolf. jeez, the thing’s I had to say to him convince him to let go of ‘em . . . Tetanus, rabies, possibly feral, the whole nine yards. . .”
“I’ll be on my way then...” he started to look up the shoot. “yeah.. anyway, thanks for letting me in, and... well...” he tried to think of something nice to say about the place, but then he thought he felt a maggot from the bone pile go up his hoof. “i’ll be taking my leave now...”
“Now hold on, you can’t ‘just leave’.” Max growled. “First I have to know; What did you exactly see in this cave? What did you hear? Incase, oh, say Flamberge of Praetorian asks where you’ve been?”
“I saw a one eyed, one horned flying purple people eater as far as you're concerned.” He then started to float up the tunnel. “also, I know you’ve got a skeleton in your basement...”
Max frowned. Looks like that was the closest thing to a ‘nothing whatsoever’ he was going to get. He didn’t actually see anything after all. He walked over and pushed a button. there was a distant -shunk- back at the entrance. “The, uh, door’s open.” he gestures at the opening as if he was shooing a fly out of a window. “Skeleton in my closet, duly noted.”
He sighed and flew up. “goodbye now, have a fine evening.”
Max puts a claw over his beak. that was the most awkward conversation he’s ever had. This complicates things indeed. “Carnith? We need some more spikes, makes sure to grab some the next time you go out pillaging!” Max shouted.
“You’re not my mother.” The Voice in the hall bellowed.
Post by: Dsarker on March 18, 2013, 11:51:22 pm
Praetorian tries to go to Serenity’s office, but cannot remember where it is, and wanders around looking lost.
Serenity happens to pass Praetorian, on her way back from the tavern with a plate full of food.
“Serenity?” asks Praetorian, thinking that he’d found the right mare, but not entirely sure.
Serenity turns. “Oh? Hello Praetorian.”
“I...Maize... she wanted me to...talk with you, I think? About something?” Praetorian says, trying to claw memories from somewhere, but the fog is too thick.
Serenity cocks her head. “Are you feeling alright? You sound... confused.”
“Maize said something about memory, I think,” says Praetorian. “I don’t think that was why I was supposed to talk to you, though...”
“Yes, I imagine your memory would be quite fuzzy after what happened. Maybe you ought to come inside and sit down.”
“Well...If you think so,” agrees Praetorian, and he starts following her.
Serenity leads him into her office, gesturing for him to sit on the couch.
Praetorian follows her in, and sits down on the couch.
“So,” She begins, “Do you remember what Maize wanted you to talk to me about?”
“Not... not really. It was something I had to decide about, I do remember...”
“...Maybe we should go ask her?”
“I think it was supposed to be alone. It was...important.”
Serenity thinks she has an idea what it is. “...Was it about me?”
“It might have been? A relationship?” says Praetorian hesitantly.
Serenity nods. “Your relationship with her?”
“...I don’t think so? With you?”
“...Your relationship with me?”
“I think so... Does that make sense?” he asks.
“Sort of... though I’m not sure what kind of relationship we have, exactly...”
“Well, what do you mean?” he asks with a hint of curiosity. “What relationships might we have?”
“Well...” Serenity leans back in her chair. “You and I are friends.”
“Yes, and I know that, but then I... I don’t know why we’d have to talk about it. It must be something more...”
Serenity stares over the tops of her glasses. “You want it to be more?”
“I...I don’t know. But it must be what Maize wanted me to talk to you about,” answers Praetorian after a moment’s thought. “What do you want?”
Serenity sighs - she does that a lot these days. “I think I know what she wanted you to ask. You see, I would like to be... close... to Maize. But at the same time, I don’t want to end up hurting her or you.”
Praetorian is silent for a time. “I see,” he says, finally.
Serenity averts her eyes. She had an idea what that tone meant...
“...Well. Maize seems to want the same thing you do,” says Praetorian with a dull tone. “If it makes her happy, then go ahead.” In his current state, he can’t hide all the bitterness, and the tiniest bit marks his last few words.
Serenity bows her head. “I... I don’t want to drive a wedge between you. If this is going to cause problems...”
“No. I want her to be happy. If this is what she wants, then so be it.” Praetorian stands up, and starts to leave.
“...It wouldn’t be just me and her.” She looks up. “She wants the three of us to be together.”
Praetorian halts. “Wait, what?” He turns round to face Serenity. “What?”
“That’s what she wanted. I’m okay with that...” Serenity grins sheepishly. “...You are a nice stallion.”
“But...what, why?” asks Praetorian, still slightly confused.
“I... you’d have to ask her that.”
“I meant you, Serenity,” he says, shaking his head a little. “Why would you want that? If you wanted Maize alone, to yourself, that... I could understand, but... why this? You know that, with myself, you could never be more than second place to Maize, whom I love with all my being.”
Serenity nods. “That would be enough for me.”
“But...why? Isn’t there some pony out there who would love you as you deserve, Serenity? You are a good pony, and deserve good. I doubt I can give you what you deserve as well as how you deserve.”
Serenity sighs. “I’ve thought about that. But... I...” she slumps in her chair. “I don’t know, maybe I am just being a selfish foal.”
“...” Praetorian walks over to Serenity, and wraps her in a hug. “Serenity... I don’t pretend to understand why you want this, or what you want from this... But if this is what you want...”
She returns the hug, leaning into him. “...You’re sure?”
“Serenity, there is nothing more I’d like than to be with two of the kindest, smartest, and cutest mares here. I... I will tell you this straight up, though. I love Maize with all my heart, and I will tell you this. Though we may be in a relationship, it will be purely platonic. Can you accept that?”
Serenity nods. “I can.”
“Serenity, you’re a good pony... And if this is what you and Maize want...then so be it,” he says after a short wait. “I will love you as best I can.”
Post by: Splint on March 19, 2013, 12:07:40 am
Post by: Kryptid on March 19, 2013, 10:23:14 pm
Redhat was walking all around the fort trying to find his wolf. The damned thing just couldn’t stay bucking put, now could it! The little had no idea where she was. “BONNET! BONNET!” Then he heard a soft whimper a little ways away. “Bonnet, you know not t- oh buck...” That’s when he saw the mangled mess of fur and blood that used to be his dog in the middle of the trench that circled the fort. “hellhellhellhellhell...” He just stopped and tried to figure out what to do.
A familiar stallion had just gotten back from a short hike with a fellow pony and was heading back towards his room. His pointed ears absorbed the profanity spilling forth from Redhat’s mouth, causing him raise an eyebrow. Case recognized the voice and headed over to the spot where he believed the complaint was emanating from, “Mr. Hat? Is that you?”
“case... CASESTUDY get over GET YOU BUCKING ARSE OVER HERE IMMEDIATELY!” The pony jumped down into the hole and tried to find some way to help his wolf.
What in Equestria?! It seemed like he had just gotten done patching up this same pup just yesterday. He followed Red down into the trench and began a quick examination of the animal.
“Stop gawking and do something!”
Case groaned as he continued to check for broken bones, “I am. We need to get her to my office as soon as possible, but I have to be careful about how I lift her. If her spine is injured, any rough handling could sever her spinal cord.” He stood up, “Alright, look, we’re going to have to lift her together. I’ll get the front half and you get the rear half. Make sure she stays level and well-supported.”
The pony nodded and grabbed her lower body. “okay-okay!”
The two gently carried the wolf to the hospital. Case sent for Convalescence to come assist him immediately. “Mr. Redhat, I know that this is a dear pet of yours, but we will need you to wait outside. This is going be intensive and we need as much room as we can get. One of us will come to you when we are ready.”
“I... okay sure...” he looked down and sighed. “I-is bonnet going to be okay?”
“I’m not sure, but we will do our best. I-I’m sorry, but I have to attend to this immediately...” Case closes the door and locks it behind him. There was no time to waste. As he began to work, the doctor could only wonder as to what caused such horrific trauma...
Convalescence slowly opens the door to the hospital and looks around. Seeing Redhat still worriedly waiting outside she walks over to talk to him. "We've done everything we can for her now. She's stable, but things don't look good."
He sighed and looked down, “but... ugh... is she going to pull through or not?”
"It wouldn't be right for me to give you a false sense of hope. If she does make it she has a long road to recovery ahead. You can come in to see her now,"
There was blood covering Case Study’s forelegs. He had a sombre expression on his face as he washed off a rag, “I’ve used up the rest of New Dawn on your pet, but she is in significantly worse shape than she was the first time I treated her. I can’t give you any guarantees. At best, I’d give her a fifty percent chance at surviving this unless there is some unexpected intervention.”
He just sighed and moved his hoof down to try to stroke the thing, before pulling it away, not wanting to hurt her. “thank you...”
The male doctor stepped over to Redhat’s side, “You know we’ll continue to work on her for as long as we can. Even if she does recover, she probably won’t ever be by your side during a battle again,” He wiped some of the blood off of the sheets that the dog was lying on, “Do you know how this happened?”
“I haven’t the slightest clue. I just found her in a ditch like this...”
“I suppose we could always ask around and find out if anypony else saw something. Whoever, or whatever, did this was not subtle about it.”
“Well... if it was somepony in the fort, i’m afraid you’ll have to sew together another animal in the foreseeable future.”
Case clearly understood what Red was getting at, “At this point, I’m doubtful it was anypony we know. The culprit had great strength and sadistic intent. I don’t see any sign of stab wounds, so the thought of it being a pony in our midst seems unlikely.”
Redhat just gave him a look and took a seat. “Well okay then... I guess there’s not much I can do at this point...”
Doing likewise, the thin stallion sat at his desk, “I’ll probably be here awhile, making sure that Bonnet remains stable. She probably does appreciate your company. Although she can’t move or communicate right now, she is still probably somewhat aware of your scent at the moment.”
“Wait, I thought she was out cold?”
“She was initially. Once we got her stabilized, however, she began to stir so I gave her a sedative. Sometimes she blinks, but that’s about it.” He looks on at the immobile lump of fur.
“oh... okay... can I pet her?”
Case nods, “So long as you’re gentle. Take care not to move her at all, as we’ve tried to set her bones as best we could.”
“okay...” he sighed and started to rub the dog’s head.
Convalescence walks over to the bed and lightly pets Bonnet, "You can stay as long as you want. I'm sure she'll appreciate it."
“Thanks...” he pet her again. “what are the chances she’ll make it?”
“Probably just as good as the chances that she won’t,” Case explained, “I’ll admit that I’ve seen patients pull through situations that I thought would surely kill them, but I wouldn’t want to give you the wrong idea. I’ve also seen patients die when they seemed to be getting better.”
“okay then...” he just kept petting her. “ugh...”
The doctor lowered his head a bit, “Look...if there’s anything I can do to make this easier for you...or for her...I can try.”
“Well, what would you have for either of us?”
He tapped a hoof on his desk, “Well, I could try to set this place up so that you can stay more comfortably. Perhaps go get some sheets so you can sleep on the couch. Bring you some food if you haven’t eaten yet.” He eyes the pet, “I could also try to put her under, since that would be the only way I can completely eliminate any pain she is feeling. The risk with that is that she may not wake up if I do that, given the extent of her injuries...”
“just do what you think is best... and i’ll go get some stuff if i’m going to stay here.”
“As you wish, Mr. Redhat.”
Post by: Dsarker on March 19, 2013, 10:57:27 pm
Temperance is sitting in the tavern next to Morning Dew, enjoying a bit of lunch outside of his office for once. The tavern is mostly empty, curiously, but everypony had lots to do so he doesn’t pay it much mind. As he sips at his soup, he playfully flicks his tail over to brush up against hers, not really caring if anypony was around to see.
Morning Dew smiled at him, and flicked her own tail to do the same. Mountain Dew was on her back, sucking on a little bottle, and she didn’t mind what any other pony thought. She sips at her own soup, and continues to smile. “I love being with you, Tempy,” she says with a happy tone.
The cheese soup was good, but it didn’t compare to spending time with Dew. He makes a small satisfied sigh and slides a bit closer to brush up against her. He flicks his tail again and says, “Not as much as I love being with you.”
Morning Dew sighs with happiness, and rests her head on Temperance’s withers. “I’m so, so lucky to have you. You’re the nicest and most loving stallion I’ve ever known.”
Oh, how he loathed to go back to work now. It wouldn’t hurt to sit around for a little while, would it? “And I’m lucky to have you,” he says, happily accepting his place as her pillow.
As the two rest, the door to the tavern swings open and heavy hoofsteps approach them. They stop just beside them, and Temperance looks up to see Millstone standing next to them with a small smile on his face and two sacks of wheat on his back. “I hate to interrupt, but there’s a couple of ponies outside looking for you, Temperance,” the old stallion says.
“Me? Are they from Coupledye? Did they say who they were?”
Millstone shakes his head and starts toward the back where the quern was. “No, ‘fraid not. They seemed pretty anxious to see you though, might best not keep them waiting.”
Morning Dew lifts her head off Temperance’s withers. “If you need to go talk to somepony, I can wait here,” she says.
Temperance sighs. “I’ll try to make it quick. It’s probably nothing too important,” he says, gently sliding out from beneath her.
Morning Dew watches him leave with a gentle smile, and goes back to eating her soup. Mountain Dew looks split between staying to drink her milk, or chasing after her daddy.
Temperance steps outside and starts toward his office, expecting anypony looking to meet him to be there. He only has to set hoof out the door before the two ponies in question make themselves obvious against the familiar surroundings. A pair of older earth ponies: a stallion with an almost black coat and wavy gray mane stands next to a snow white mare with a long and equally white mane curled at the tips. “...mom? Dad?”
The two glance over to him, and their faces light up. “Temperance!” his mother exclaims, trotting over with her husband to give him a tight hug. “Oh, it feels like it’s been years since we’ve seen you.”
His father lays a hoof on his withers and says, “We’ve missed you a lot son. And we’re very proud with what you’ve done here. This is a nice little place you’ve got going here!”
Temperance is at a loss for words initially, but hugs his parents back. “Uh... yeah. Um, thanks! So... you, ah, didn’t mention coming out here in your last letter? What’s the occasion?”
His mother smirks at him. “Well, you did write that you needed a priestess out here, didn’t you?”
“I-I did, but... you’re moving out here?” he asks. “What about the estate back home?”
His father chuckles and shakes his head. “No, no, we’re not moving out here. I know you’re devastated about that! But, we thought perhaps we’d hitch a ride with the next caravan out here to come check up on you. Maybe stay for a week or two.”
“Caravan?” Temperance asks, looking around. He saw a single wagon near the entrance, but nothing looking like a caravan.
“Oh, we got a bit impatient and ran ahead of the rest of them last night,” his mother said. “We just couldn’t wait to see you.”
“Oh, um, alright,” he says. This was going to get interesting... He decides it was probably best to go ahead and get the awkward part over with, since if he didn’t his parents were going to find out soon enough and probably in a much less pleasant manner. “So, I, uh, guess you two are pretty tired and hungry? Why don’t I show you where the food is?”
His parents agree, and the three make their way back inside the tavern, where Temperance sees Morning and Mountain Dew were still sitting where he left them. He leads his parents toward them, and raises a hoof. “Mom, dad, you remember Morning Dew, right?”
Both nod and give her warm smiles, not noticing the foal on her back or not realizing the implications yet. “Oh, of course,” his father says, stretching out a hoof to shake. “We’ve heard a lot about you, miss Morning Dew. Our son Temperance has quite the infatuation with you! I’m Ward, and this is my wife Faith.”
“Oh, hello,” she says, as she extends a hoof of her own. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Morning Dew, as you know, and this is Mountain Dew, my little filly.” She looks to Temperance, looking a little lost, but reassuring herself that he was there.
Both of the new arrivals give her a shake, but it’s evident that something is now distracting them. They both give each other puzzled looks, and Faith finally says, “Oh, Temperance didn’t mention you had a daughter.”
“Oh,” she says, realising now she’s not only walked into a minefield, but has just stepped on one, and if she moves wrong, it’ll blow. “Um. Mountain Dew’s a new arrival. She’s almost four months old, now.”
Both blink in silence, once again giving each other a glance. “Oh, well, yes, I suppose he wouldn’t have had time to mention that in his letters,” Ward says, finally convincing his wife to sit at the table rather than just stand there and look stupefied.
Temperance sits beside Morning Dew, and takes a deep breath. It didn’t take a genius to see that this was stressing her out tremendously, as it would any pony. As it was him. But, he could shoulder most of it at least. “Yes, little Mountain Dew was a bit of a surprise.” He gives his parents a small, nervous grin. “I bet you didn’t think you’d be meeting your third granddaughter today, did you?”
“...granddaughter?” Ward and Faith say in near unison, studying the little unicorn filly, who is currently pretending to be asleep. After a few awkward moments, a small smile returns to his mother’s face. “No, this is quite a surprise. When you stopped mentioning her in your letters, well... we thought... we didn’t think the two of you’d gotten married already.”
“Oh...Um.” Morning Dew swishes her tail nervously, and looks anywhere but the two older ponies’ faces. “We. Um. Haven’t gotten married. Not yet.”
The shock that hits them is impossible to hide, to which Faith utters, “Oh.”
Temperance nods, and once again hopes to steer the conversation away from Morning Dew’s withers. “That’s right. Actually... I wasn’t sure how we were going to handle that, but it’s great that you two showed up when you did. I’d love it you’d marry us, mom.”
Faith opens her mouth, but only a quiet indecipherable noise comes out. Ward pats her on the back and smiles weakly. “Your mother would love to marry the two of you,” he said, keeping his eyes on Mountain Dew instead of either of the two adults across from him.
“Really?” Morning Dew asked with delight. “You’d marry us?”
Faith snaps out of her daze, and smiles nervously. “Oh! Oh, o-of course!” I-in fact, Temperance, why don’t you go show me where the temple is so I can have a look at what needs to be done?”
“Uh... about that...” Temperance begins, resting a hoof on Morning Dew’s hoof. “We... don’t have one. Yet.”
Faith looks utterly stunned, and raises a hoof to her forehead. “Nirmek have mercy upon me...” she mutters. She shakes her head slowly and pushes at Ward to get up. “Would you excuse us for a moment? I’m suddenly a bit dizzy, I think I should get some fresh air.”
Ward slips up so she can stand, and gives Temperance a worried look before helping her outside. Temperance in turn flashes Morning Dew a look of concern and stands. “I’ll be right back,” he says to her, trotting off after his parents after they disappear through the heavy wooden doors to the building.
Morning Dew’s lip starts wobbling. Hopefully... Hopefully it’d all be alright...
Post by: Kryptid on March 20, 2013, 12:37:27 am
With the jar of New Dawn now empty, Case Study was intrigued by the arrival of the zebra caravan. Wasting no time getting to the trade depot, he hoped that they may have some mystical concoction or other item that he could use in his practices. Carrying a sack in his mouth, he also wondered what he might offer in trade; Duskfields was currently too small to have any sort of useful currency system. The settlement was more like a big extended family than a true town and as such ponies tended to cooperate for the sake of survival and goodwill rather than paychecks. The doctor arrived and began perusing the variety of goods the zebras had brought with them.
The zebra caravan itself was fairly small, consisting of only two wagons, the merchants who owned them and a small contingent of guards. There were no other ponies about at the moment, so the few zebra merchants who were previously arranging their wares quickly took notice of him as he approached.
“Excuse me,” he waved a hoof after placing his bag down, “Hello! I am one of the physicians of this settlement. Given some rather serious injuries that our citizens have suffered recently, I have found myself in need of some way of improving my ability to help patients recover. I was wondering if you had any medicines, healing potions, enchanted items or anything that might be of use in my profession?”
The closest zebra cocked an eyebrow and prodded his nearest neighbor, who spun to face Case Study. The squat mare gave him a toothy grin and beckoned him closer. “Of course, of course my good stallion! Come, look at what we have for sale!” She waved a hoof over several boxes of many peculiar trinkets and said, “We have the finest bandages, soaked in the healing sap of the trees of our homeland.” She plucked a strange little figurine from the box and said, “Or, perhaps you are looking for a good luck charm?”
Ah yes, typical salespony attitude. “I doubt I’m the first pony to arrive here, so you probably realize that most of us don’t have any money in Duskfields,” He began going through his bag, “I do have some items that I might be able to trade.” The pale blue stallion pulled out a box and opened it. It contained the freshly-minted tools that Steel Rivet had made for him, “I don’t think I can spare many of these, but...” he lifted a scalpel, “What do you think I might be able to get for this? The smith that made this said that the runes inscribed on it are magical. I have yet to figure out exactly what they do.” I have no idea why Rivet would have put them on there without knowing their function. Case had a trump card if none of this was going to be sufficient.
She took the scalpel and examined it closely. “A fine blade, indeed. And magical it may be.” She rifled through her box a bit more, and made a few noises as if in deep thought. “For an item such as this, I believe I could part with a few rolls of bandages. If you had proof that it contained magic, a bit more, perhaps.”
Case was afraid of that; a few bandages wouldn’t really help him all that much. He rifled through the tan fabric sack once more. This time, he pulled out something made of gold. Holding the object with both hooves, he stared at it for a moment in deep thought. It was his wedding band. The stallion wasn’t sure why he had held onto it; he had divorced Fauna six months before volunteering to come and help set up this new establishment. The earth pony looked back and forth between the band and the zebra merchant. Did he really want to do this? Maybe he should go ahead and give it away. It was time to move on. “What can I get for this?”
The mare’s eyes lit up as she cradled the golden item in her hooves. “For this, I think perhaps a special thing?” She ducked down beneath the makeshift stall that she was standing behind and produced a small box of her own. “Within this box rests an item of great magical power. It is only for such valued customers as yourself that I even bring it out.” She offered it for him to take, and says, “Among your kind, is it not the ones with horns who work the magic?”
His curiosity was piqued, “That’s right, but I’m no unicorn, as you can see,” he pointed a hoof to his forehead. Hopefully, whatever it was, didn’t require him to be a unicorn in order to use it. Eyes narrowed at the box, “Can this item of yours aid an earth pony doctor in any way?”
She shrugged. “I cannot say. We call it the ‘Moon’s Tear’,” she said, opening the box and revealing a pale blue stone in the shape of a teardrop. She made a grand gesture, holding it up into the sky. “For us it is a simple thing to use. You hold it up in the moonlight, and it absorbs the native magic.” She then acts as if dropping it into something. “You then put it in the purest water you can find, and let it soak. The magic transfers to the water, making a balm or drink that can heal wounds.”
Now he was interested. “That...most certainly would be of great use to me...” Now he had to make the decision. Even before they were married, Fauna was the best friend that he had. Still, she had betrayed his trust. Maybe if he finally cut the cords to his past life, he could relax and his chronic migraines would improve. Case clinched his eyes shut, “I’ll do it...I’ll take the trade.”
The zebra’s grin widened to the point it looked like it would exceed the limits of her face. “An excellent choice, my pony friend!” she said, exchanging the trinket for his. “As I warned you, I cannot say for sure that it will work for you. I am sure you have ones with horns around to help if not.”
“I...thank you. I’m sure somepony will be willing to, yes.” He took a look at the shiny gem in his hoof. I have high hopes for you. Don’t disappoint me. Case left the trade depot, his heart strangely heavy and his head pounding from the stress of the decision. So many memories, both sweet and bitter, were tied up in that band he just let go. Surely the feelings would fade in time, but he had to get a hold of some tenderoot in the meantime to assuage his newest headache.
Post by: Dsarker on March 20, 2013, 01:03:19 am
Morning Dew walks over to the counter of the tavern, to where Cream Puff is busy preparing for the next meal, slightly dejectedly. Mountain Dew is still pretending to be asleep on her back. “Cream Puff?” she asks.
“Hmm?” Puff glances over her shoulder, then smiles and sets her knife down. “Heya Morning! How are things going?”
“Not too well... Temperance’s parents are here,” she says.
“Ah, so that’s who they were. Wait, not so well?” Puff gives her a concerned look and waits for her to continue.
“Yes... Temperance... Temperance had forgotten to tell them about Mountain Dew... And I don’t think they like me,” she says, sadness clear in her voice now.
“Hey, none of that now. They probably just didn’t expect to have a grandfoal waiting for them!”
“I... Maybe you’re right,” she says glumly. “I... I just can’t wait until we’re married. Then nopony will... will be like that.”
Puff walks around the counter and gives her friend a hug. “It’ll be alright, Morning. He loves you! And you love him! That’s all that really matters, right?”
“I-I hope so,” she says, returning the hug. Mountain Dew opens one eye slowly, and seeing the guardian of the sweet jar distracted, she jumps up and goes off to find more sugar.
Post by: DVNO on March 20, 2013, 08:44:04 pm
Max's Terrible Poetry, Vol XXII
Flamberge
Something sinister stirs In fields, the inns, the halls.
Flails 'a flyin', ogres 'a chargin', the blood falls.
Fortunately, we have heroes instead of walls.
Flamberge, born for flight and fight;
Into the fray like the bolt before the thunder!
The heads of discordians are ripped asunder
inspiring awe to all he serves under.
The mighty should take care
note less of how a discordian dies,
but how one is exactly born.
Case Study
Precision. Logic. Concentration.
The practiced gears churn.
But it seems no passion burns?
The odd pony out,
When all the ponies pair down,
As stoic as a stone.
Quite strange it seems!
I thought every mare dreams
to marry a doctor’s wealth?
Praetorian
Praetorian, Praetorian, trapped in a Maize.
She stands there through the coma's haze,
can love never cease to amaze?
Makes all these rumors of a confessed love
with a therapist astray
hard for the mind to digest.
The Thief
The tenuous struggle for co-existence is
A long tightrope with less return
than say, a stolen bag of gold and myrrh.
I met a thief the other day,
A diamond dog with a coat of grey.
The thief cannot understand why,
I bother to try, with an open claw
to get my compensation.
The truth is I'm rather content In my horseshoes, no special consideration,
I like to learn how my neighbors live. I cannot deny seeking colorful company is
Just Another itch of mine I need to satisfy,
" How do you bake like that? How do you dance like that? How was that song sung?"
Value has more meaning than one.
He called me a fool.
Sure, I'm fool I know,
For loving life, and saying so,
In whining poetry.
But I'm a fool you'd love to know about now,
standing in front of a guardspony with nothing but a bag so once precious.
He looked up to me and asked to be vouched for, as an old friend or so.
I gave him a stern "No" and went on my way.
Post by: Impending Doom on March 21, 2013, 12:46:07 am
Puff knocks on Crosshair’s door. She wasn’t worried, yet. After all, her friend does like to nap, and she wouldn’t put it past her to accidentally sleep through a meal. “Cross! You in there?”
With some rumbles of a pony falling off of something, The door’s opened to reveal a Crosshair with messy coat and mane “nn, Morning ‘puff!” she beam her the brightest smile she could manage at this time of the day. Which it wasn’t much, but she showed no displeasure in seeing her best friend at her doorstep.
Cream Puff smiles at her friend. “Morning! You almost missed breakfast!”
Crosshair blinked and let out a yawn, stretching her neck slightly to the sides to make it pops, revealing a little bit of fading bite mark there unintentionally. In fact, now that Cream Puff have a little better look, she seems to have those in various part of her! “I must’ve slept too much again.. Rough night.” She giggled as she went over to grab her brush so that she can brush her mane to be proper again.
Puff quirks an eyebrow at the marks on her friend. “...are those bruises?”
Crosshair begin to brush her mane and coat, seemingly unconcerned while tying up her mane into a ponytail. “hm? Oh! yeah, I get these sometimes. Have to spar to keep the shape up and all that, you know? ehe..”
Puff isn’t fully convinced. “Oh really?”
Crosshair nodded as she brushed her coat clean, trotting over to her friend, beaming her a smile. “Yeah really.”
“If you say so...” Puff still isn’t convinced, but doesn’t really have anything else to go on right now. “Anyhow, come one! I’ll whip you up something to eat at the tavern.”
“That sounds wonderful!” Crosshair grinned as she follow her friend away, locking her room’s door.
Puff keeps glancing sideways at her friend’s bruises, but doesn’t say anything as she leads her to the tavern. She makes her a good, hearty breakfast: Eggs, haycon, potatoes and peppers, and fresh bread. “Here you go, Cross! Eat up!”
Crosshair’s eyes was sparkling to see such a grand breakfast, her mouth was already watering “Oh.. my, Puff, this is amazing!” She squee’d as she take her seat, and eat up she did! She sure was hungry!
“So, how long has it been since you two sparred?” Puff sits across from her friend as she eats, striking up conversation.
Crosshair made sure she swallow the delicious food down first before speaking “Well, yesterday really. Why?” she asked with a cautious curiosity.
“Dang, and those bruises are still there? He doesn’t pull his punches in a spar, looks like.”
Crosshair chuckled as she noms the last bit of her eggs, moving onto the haycons and potatoes “Bruises usually takes more than a night to go away, Puff.”
“Still, I’m surprised he hits you hard enough to cause bruises.”
“It happens in spars.” Crosshair said dismissively as she finishes the last bit of her food. “Whew! That was amazing as always, Puff! I’m glad we have you around to cook stuff for us!”
Puff smiles at her friend. “I’m glad you enjoyed it, Cross!” As they talk, the subject eventually wanders to Puff’s meetings with Serenity. “She’s a nice pony, Cross. You should see her some time. Did me a world of good.”
Crosshair rubs her muzzle slightly as she ponders about that. “hmm.. I don’t know, I mean, I know she’s a nice pony and all that but. Besides getting to know her a bit better, I’m not entirely sure why I should give her a visit over any other ponies else.”
“It’s her job to talk to ponies, and I don’t think her schedule is so full that you’d be pushing other ponies out of line, heh.”
“Mm.. I suppose so, Alright Puff! Let’s go meet her now?” Crosshair beamed at her friend brightly.
“Great! Come on!” Puff eagerly leads her friend to the office, idly wondering if Serenity and Temperance will ever get separate offices, then knocks on the door.
After a brief pause, Serenity answers the door. “Oh, hello Cream Puff. And Crosshair, as well? What brings you two down here?”
“Silly Puff here thinks I should talk to you.” Crosshair giggled and give her friend an apologetic nuzzle at the side of her muzzle for calling her silly, that’s a tiny bit too affectionate for friends to do. But it seems normal for them enough.
Serenity smiles warmly. “Well, I’m sure she means well. Why don’t you come on inside? If nothing else, we can sit down and have a nice chat.”
“Don’t mind if we do!” Crosshair chirped cheerfully as she lead Creampuff inside into the office. Seemingly quite cheerful already just by being near her friend.
Serenity makes sure both of her guests are comfortable before taking her own seat. “Right. So, Crosshair... how have you been doing lately?”
“Not bad! I’ve been patrolling and training a lot. Got to keep my shots good in case we might need it, Plus I’ve had a great meal from Puff, talked to her some, I’d say I’m pretty happy with myself” Crosshair chirped contently.
Serenity smiles warmly. “I’m glad to hear that. And what about you and Flamberge? Can we expect wedding bells any time soon?”
That made the small mare blushes a little brighter than she intended to. “Um, w-well, It’s up to him.. Really, If he really wants to take my hoof into marriage.. I’d really like that, though.”
“Well, have you told him as much?”
Crosshair leveled her ears and look down slightly for a second, pawing at the floor “Well.. not really. He’s a busy stallion and there’s plenty of things on his mind. I don’t want this to be a bother to him too.” Said the smaller mare, on whom marks from what happened earlier could be seen quite easily at this range.
Serenity begins to say something, but notices the odd marks on the little pegasus’ body. “Crosshair... where did you get all those bruises?”
“While Sparring with the Commander.” Said Crosshair dismissively. “It happens.”
Serenity stands, coming around the desk to sit by Crosshair. She takes one of the little mare’s forehooves in her own, gently lifting the leg to trace the two half-round marks on either side of the limb. A bite mark, and most definitely equine. It doesn’t appear to have been hard enough to break skin, but it must have hurt tremendously. Serenity stares over the tops of her glasses into Crosshair’s eyes. “I don’t recall ever hearing of any martial art that teaches one to use their teeth in battle.”
Crosshair, again, tried to wave it dismissively, pulling her foreleg from under Serenity’s inspection. “The Commander says that you use what you have. And sometimes when your weapon gets knocked off, your teeth can make a very good weapon too knowing where to bite.. Like the legs or the neck!” She explained, trying to sounds casual about it, but on a closer inspection, anypony would see that she’s hiding something, and there’s something more about it.
Serenity’s pupils shrink. “...He bit you... on the neck?”
Crosshair blinked at her little slip-up but still tries her cover. It’s her story, and she’s going to stick with it. “Uh.. yeah..” She replied simply, trying to figure something out but lean her neck to the side to let Serenity inspect the bitemarks there as well, some even seems to have broken the skin!
Serenity turns away in horror, but forces herself to look back. “Crosshair... these marks... they aren’t really from sparring, are they? Please tell me the truth.”
“They are!” Crosshair insisted.
“Crosshair, please. You don’t have to lie to us, we want to help.”
Crosshair sighed. “Serenity, please. I’ve got these from the spars, it got a bit too rough and there were some bites a little more painful than others, but that’s that. Okay?”
“No.” Serenity stands over Crosshair. “This... this is not okay. Sparring or no, he shouldn’t be hurting you like this.”
Crosshair flops her ears down slightly as she looks up at the Doctor. “It’s alright, really. I’m a guardspony! and if I can’t handle a little pain.. then how am I going to handle it in a real fight?” She reasoned, still trying to protect the stallion that gave her all these marks.
Puff finally speaks up, having been sitting and listening this entire time. “You can train without stuff like this, Cross! And you’re a markspegasus! You shouldn’t actually be in any fights!”
“But.. It’s better if I know how to take care of myself /when/ I’m in the fights! right?” she retaliated.
“Not like this!” Shouts Puff.
As the two mares, argue, an idea begins to form in Serenity’s mind. She steps between the two, holding up her hooves. “Enough!” She turns to Crosshair. “...What day was this... sparring session?”
“well.. it was three days ago, I think..” Crosshair answered, rubbing the back of her neck slightly.
Serenity turns to Cream Puff. “Puff, wasn’t that around the same time...”
“That Flamberge kissed me and I told him to buck off? Yeah...”
Crosshair blinked and perk her ears up, looking at her friend, stunned.
“Yeah... I had the hots for him, Cross. And he apparently figured it out and tried to get with me. I told him that wasn’t going to happen.” Puff blushes as she tells her friend this. She was over Flamberge... mostly. And Crosshair deserved to know that he was a cheating bastard.
Crosshair frowned slightly and leveled her ears again, giving her friend puff a neck hug. “Oh Puff.. why didn’t you tell me you had the hots for him? I wouldn’t mind you at all!”
Cream Puff sighs. “It’s not just the polygamy, Cross! He’s nuts!”
“No he’s not!” Crosshair sighed aswell “He’s as mentally well as both you and me.”
Serenity sighs. “This isn’t the point I was trying to make. Crosshair, Flamberge did what he did because he was angry. And that means it’s going to keep happening.”
“He didn’t do anything wrong..” Crosshair said, still trying to protect him even now.
Serenity holds her head in her hooves, unsure what else she can say to the poor mare.
Puff looks her friend in the eyes. “Hurting you is wrong, Cross.”
“It is.. but not like this!” Crosshair protested still.
“Yes like this! Exactly like this! He can’t take his frustrations out on you, Crosshair! Especially not when he’s mad at me!”
“He was a little rough on me that night is all! And I didn’t complain! He would’ve stopped if I’ve told him to!” Crosshair said again, trying not to raise her voice too much at her friend.
Serenity looks up from her hooves. “Puff... I don’t think we’re going to convince her like this...”
Crosshair huffed slightly. “You don’t need to convince me anything.. Flamberge’s not a bad pony.” She said firmly.
Serenity sighs. “I don’t think there’s any point in arguing anymore. You... you can go, Crosshair.”
Crosshair sighed slightly as well. “Alright.. Thanks Serenity, It was.. good, talking with you.” She nodded, getting up to turn and left the place.
Serenity slumps back in her chair. “Puff... what are we going to do?”
Puff sighs. “I dunno?”
“He’s hurting her, she doesn’t even see it, and there’s nopony here strong enough to stop him...”
Post by: Telgin on March 21, 2013, 02:51:58 am
Temperance trots after his parents, stumbling back outside to see them looking around aimlessly. “Hey, come on, don't be like this,” he says, stopping just behind them.
Ward says nothing, but Faith rolls her eyes. “What did you expect?” She runs her hoof through her mane and shakes her head. “This... I just... is there anywhere private to talk around here?”
“My office,” Temperance says, leading them that way and inside. Once they're safely inside and away from any prying ears, he sits and waves a hoof for them to do so across from him. “I know what you're thinking, and it's not what it looks like.”
“What is it, then?” Ward asks. He sighs and raises both eyebrows. “I don't really see but one way this could have happened.”
“It was an accident,” Temperance says, slumping back into his chair.
Faith rolls her eyes again. “We gathered that much. I just don't understand,” she says, shaking her head. “How could you let this happen? Didn't we raise you better than this?”
He blows out his breath and gives them both a cold look. “Mom, I'm a thirty-seven year old stallion. You don't have to talk to me like I'm eight years old.”
“The point stands,” she says, leaning onto his desk. “You know having foals with mares you're not married to is wrong. For so many reasons.”
He shakes his head. “No, no, no, you don't understand. She did it. It's... it's complicated.”
“Now, Temperance,” Ward begins, raising a hoof. “Blaming her isn't right. It takes two to dance, as they say.”
“It's true,” he insists. “Look, yes, it took both of us, but you don't get it. It... it was a spice... a poison, some kind of drug... she found it.”
For a moment it looks like Faith is going to have a heart attack. “Drugs?” she exclaims. “For Nirmek's sake Temperance! Did you lose your mind when you came out here?”
“Mom...”
She looks to Ward and says, “No temple? Drugs? An illegitimate daughter?”
“Mom...”
“What's next? I suppose you'll be telling us that you've got a barrel of wine under that desk of yours.” Faith raises a hoof to her forehead. “We thought maybe Virtue would indulge and flaunt what we taught her, but she never did any of this!”
“Would you two listen to me!?” he says, stamping a hoof loud enough to make the walls shudder. For a fleeting moment he wants to throw the fact that Virtue built a temple to foreign gods in Dawnpick in their faces, or how she got drunk and had quite a few intimate nights with Harvest Moon before they got married. Stuff she never told them. For the best too, clearly. His scowl softens as his seething begins to cool. This wasn't about Virtue.
Both of his parents are stunned at him raising his voice. Good, he wasn't in the mood to play around anymore. “Thank you,” he says dryly at their silence. “Now, look. This isn't her fault. She found some plants growing out near the fields. She thought they were spices and we ate some with dinner one night.” He leans back into his chair and says, “And before you ask anything, it was apparently worse than alcohol. Yes, we were intimate with each other, but we weren't completely in control of ourselves.”
That didn't seem to have convinced the two too much, but after a few seconds of nopony saying anything, his father finally decides they were allowed to speak again. “Alright. Suppose that's true. Why aren't you two married yet? You seem to still love her.”
“That's even more complicated,” he admits. “I didn't remember that night, so, when she started showing I just assumed she cheated on me. I was so upset I didn't even give her a chance to explain herself. So naturally, we broke up at that point. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that we even got back together, when she explained it all to me.”
Ward nods slowly. “Alright. But... how do you know that's true? You said yourself you don't remember.”
“Because I trust her,” he says. “And the doctor confirmed that what she dug up could have those side effects.”
“We understand,” his father says, nudging his wife. “It's just, well, she knows you're from an important family, right? If the foal wasn't yours...”
Important family? Since when? Virtue was a duchess, but nopony else in the family had a title of any sort, or much wealth for that matter. “Mountain Dew,” he stresses her name, “is my daughter, okay? That's not even up for discussion. And you don't know Morning Dew. She's the sweetest, most loving mare I've ever met. She's not in this after money. I don't think she even realizes I'm worth anything.”
“Fine... fine...” his mother says, sounding defeated. “But you are getting married, right? Soon?”
“Yes. As soon as we can,” Temperance says. “We were waiting for a priest to come, and now that you're here, we don't have to wait anymore.”
“Good.” She continues to rub her temple with a hoof. “We'll need to prepare... I don't even know where to begin...”
“Can we talk about that later?” Temperance asks, standing. “I know you two are exhausted and hungry. Why don't we go and actually get something to eat this time? And maybe you two can try talking to Morning Dew some more? I know if you do you'll fall in love with her too.”
His mother nods slowly and stands, followed by his father. Ward nuzzles his wife and pats Temperance on the back. “I think that's a grand idea.”
Post by: Pokon on March 21, 2013, 07:58:57 pm
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Wood%20Chips%20Avatar.png) (https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Smoothblock%20Avatar.png)
SmoothBlock was lounging outside the “distillery” with a bowl of fruit in front of her. She picked up a piece of fruit, looked it over and placed it back the bowl. “Hmmmmm.”
Just a small trot away from Smoothblock was the bar. A bar which was missing a very important thing: booze. Woodchip, however, wished for drink.
Putting two and two together, he begins to trot in the general direction of the distillery.
SmoothBlock looked up from her bowl of fruit and waved.“Hey Chips, haven’t talked to you in awhile, how are ya’?” she stood up and trotted towards him.
Woodchip’s face displayed a rainbow of reactions, most of which involved twitching. He was glad to see Smoothblock, but he also knew that she was not a pony he wanted to be involved with the undercurrant of pure evil that ran through the fortress.
“Hey, Smoothblock. It’s been...well, it’s been a long time. I have had the nastiest headache, and I just havent been able to socialize like I have wanted.”
“I noticed, why are keeping yourself shut up like that? Not that much goes on out here.” SmoothBlock rolled her eyes.
Woodchip puts on a shaky grin. “I just, well, have had bad experiances with ponies like the ones that have raided us recently. I just haven’t been feeling too good, either. I feel fine right now.”
“Really? I’ve never seen ponies like them before, though I did spend most of my life in the dark.” She chuckled heartedly. “The Zebra’s came, I’m trying to figure out what fruits I can turn into wine... or just booze. Want to help?”
Woodchip just looked at Smoothblock for a few moments, and finaly nodded.
“Ah, why not. I was going to get a drink, anyway, so I might as well try. But, not to be intrusive, but what do yah mean you spent most of your life in the dark? Are you from one of those mountain cities?”
“My mom is head of the miner's guild in CoupleDyes. I’ve been living below ground until I came out here.” SmoothBlock directed WoodChips to the bowl of fruit she had been fussing with. “So, what do you think?”
“Well, I never thought about ponies who lived mostly underground before. Cheerfulgrins was on a hill, and it was nice and grassy. Really, it was very peaceful. Well...”
Woodchips attempt at a smile turned sour. “Until those crazy ponies came.”
SmoothBlock looked at him with concern in her eyes.
“You seem real hung up on this, Chips. Have you considered talking to doctor Serenity?”
Woodchip sighs. “No, I don’t think so. But I do know...”
He looks at Smoothblock, as if seeing if she was trustworthy.
“How much do you know about Maize, Smooth?”
“Not as much as I like.” She tilted her head to the side. “Why do you ask?”
Woodchip lowered his head so that he could see Smoothblock eye-to-eye.
“I am pretty sure she has the...well, thing that makes ponies go crazy. I have seen it before, and I am pretty sure others know about it too.”
“Thing that makes ponies go crazy.... WoodChips, she was abused by some pony in her past. That will leave scars on anypony.” SmoothBlock place a forehoof on his big withers “It’s up to good ponies help each other out.”
Woodchip groans tiredly. “I know that she was hurt in the past before, Smooth. I don’t think there’s a soul here that does not know that yet, or at least put two and two together. But she’s hurt in another way too, in a way that even Serenity can’t help with. It’s magic, very bad magic at that, and it hurts ponies and makes them do bad things. ”
“That sounds like trying to place blame for things that just happen. My magic all has to do with solid stuff, so ephemeral stuff sounds like horse apples to me.”
Woodchip snorts slightly. “My own magic is the same. But I know about this sort of thing because, well...”
His lower lip quivers slightly, but he eventually gets control of himself.
“Smoothblock, I am no traveling pony. I am a refugee. I was out playing outside when the red cloud went over my village, and I fled a few months later when the others started to eat meat.”
“You should talk to CaseStudy and Serenity. Even if it is magic, that doesn’t mean it can’t be understood and dealt with. They can help you, I can help you too.”
She looked shyly at the ground “If you want me too...”
Woodchip raises his head and looks up. Breathing heavily, he closes his eyes and only opens them after lowing it back down to fully face Smoothblock.
“Thank you, Smoothie.”
His face goes red when he realises what he said.
“Smoothie, hugh hugh. That name’s a lot cuter than I am.” She smiled at him and blushed.
Woodchip was entirely new to this sort of thing, but a niggling thought in the back of his mind told him that Smoothblock was probably not. He notes that she never did take her hoof off his withers, not like he minded.
As such, he decided to play it safe.
“That’s not true. I think it fits, anyway.”
SmoothBlock lifted her other foreleg and wrapped it around him, hugging WoodChip warmly.
Woodchip, after his brain fully proccessed what was going on, returned the favor and took great care in not crushing the smaller pony.
“Thank you, Smoothie.”
SmoothBlock was a fairly muscled mare, but all the fat made her feel soft. “You’re welcome Chips.”
Woodchips was content with just standing there and half-leaning on Smoothblock, but a flurry of questions began to churn in his mind.”Hey, Smoothblock. We could stand here all day, and I would not complain either way, or we could head inside the distillery and try and use those zebra fruits to make some drinks. And if we are really over our heads, we could go ahead and make sure that the drinks in there are all perfectly safe for the other ponies in the fortress.”
“That sounds like a good plan WoodChips. Let’s go in and take some 'samples'.” SmoothBlock smiled at WoodChips and guided him into the small shed she called a distillery. Eventualy, the little door shut.
Post by: TheBronzePickle on March 21, 2013, 09:55:42 pm
Maize wanders about Duskfields, wondering where Temperance is hiding his parents. She’s never met a priest before! ...Well, she has, but not personally. Most of the time everypony just shooed her away before she could get to him or her, but there was nopony to shoo her off this time.
She eventually spots them, standing on the scaffolding against the far north wall. Both appear to be staring out to the north, not speaking or even moving.
Maize runs to the base of the wall, then carefully moves up the scaffolding, eventually coming out beside them. She joins them, not familiar with the ritual but knowledgeable enough to guess it would be rude to interrupt.
After several minutes of the two sitting quietly with their heads lowered and eyes closed, the mare finally looks up and out over the plains. The stallion next to her finally does the same and asks, “Anything?”
Faith simply shakes her head. “No... nothing.” Neither she nor Ward seem to realize they have a guest.
Maize, curious, finally speaks out, softly and carefully, with her head held low in submission. “I’m sorry, but what are you looking for?”
Both start slightly as Maize speaks up. Faith raises a hoof to her chest and shakes her head. “Oh, my... I did not realize you were there!” she says, visibly trying to calm down.
Ward places a hoof on her withers, then looks over to Maize. “We’re... not really sure, to be honest. It’s just, well, we heard there were some strange things happening around here.”
“I’m sorry for startling you both...” Maize’s head sinks lower, below her withers now. “B-but, if you want to know about the strange happenings, I can tell you what I know... or think I know.”
“It’s quite alright,” Ward says, smiling at her.
Faith nods and turns to face Maize. “Yes, don’t worry about it.” She cocks her head slightly. “You know something about it? Have you seen the clouds?”
“I... I’ve felt them...” Maize’s eyes turn down a bit. “It’s a long story, if you don’t want to hear it.”
Faith’s eyes widen a bit as she moves a bit closer to Maize. “No, no, please, whatever you have to say, we’re glad to hear it.”
Maize glances back up. “Well... it all started when I was a little foal, I guess. My father... he was really mean. He did a lot of nasty things, and I never really knew why he was so mean, but I sort of just started thinking that he was supposed to be mean to me. But... when I came here, sometimes I’d blank out, and when I came back, ponies were talking about scary red clouds or even these evil ponies that attacked, that everypony called discordant ponies. One day I saw one... and it looked almost just like my father did. And now, I think I might be one of those ponies, or at least part of me.”
Ward and Faith exchange slightly alarmed looks. “Discordant ponies?” Ward asks.
“The military ponies would know a lot more than I do... you could ask my coltfriend, Praetorian.” Maize looks out. “All I know is that they’re smart, have good weapons, and hate us all. I think even whatever is in me is full of hate, too. Sometimes I feel it, I think.”
The two continue to look quite worried. “That... this...” Faith begins, looking back out over the fields briefly. “...is beginning to make sense.” She looks back at Maize and asks, “You say that you feel something when this happens? What exactly do you feel?”
“When the cloud comes?” Maize thinks. “It’s... hard to remember. It’s like I’m drawn away from my body and I have to try and fight my way back in...”
“You don’t think...?” Ward asks Faith.
Faith slowly nods. “...I do.” She encourages Maize to sit up so they can look eye to eye. “Tell me, miss, what is your name?”
Maize looks back into Faith’s eyes as best she can. “I am Maize... I do not think I have a last name, if I did, my parents never told me it.”
Faith takes one of Maize’s forehooves in her own. “Maize, I’m going to ask Nirmek to bless you. Have you ever spoken with him before?”
Maize shakes her head. “I only know of Amug and Govos.”
She nods understandingly. “Then it isn’t much different. Nirmek is the great stallion of mercy and forgiveness. For nearly as long as I have set hoof here, I have been asking him to keep his hooves on you all.” She closes her eyes. “You have nothing to ask forgiveness of, but we all need his mercy now.”
Maize nods and closes her eyes as well. “Should I say anything, or just pray?”
“You can pray if you wish, but if you feel uncomfortable doing so I will.” Faith lowers her head, and begins saying in a hushed voice, “Oh, Nirmek, who is forever watching over us, I once again come to you, asking you to provide your mercy. The ponies here are at great peril, and only by your hooves will they be spared.” She raises Maize’s hoof slightly. “And above the rest, I ask you to watch over this mare, for whom the danger may be greater still. She is innocent of all this.”
Maize smiles a bit, happy that there is at least one pony in the world who cares enough to pray for her. “Thank you, Misses... I don’t think I learned your names, actually.”
She makes an apologetic smile as she opens her eyes. “Oh, my, forgive me for not properly introducing myself. I am Faith, and this is my husband Ward,” she says, tapping a hoof against her husband’s side.
He smiles himself. “Perhaps you’ve heard of our son, Temperance?”
Maize nods. “Of course. Temperance is a good man. I’m sure you’re proud of him.” She smiles a bit more. “I’m good friends with his soon-to-be wife.”
“Quite proud of him, indeed,” Ward says, grinning slightly. “He’s done a good job out here, and I’m glad to see he’s with Morning Dew. She seems like a wonderful mare.”
“She is.” Maize indicates the fields with a nod. “Me and her do the farming. She’s actually trained in it, though, so she knows more than I do usually. I had to learn by growing plants myself, wherever I went.” Maize turns out to look over the forest again. “I wonder if a few of the trees I’ve tried to plant ever grew, sometimes.”
“Well, there are certainly enough of them out there,” Ward says with a small chuckle. “And whoever is growing the food out here knows how to grow the best I’ve ever tasted. Your cook is no slouch, but I’ve also tried a tomato earlier by itself, and it was the best I’ve ever eaten.”
Maize prostrates herself gracefully. “I am humbled by your praise. Please, though, praise Morning Dew when you see her, too. I don’t think I could have done it without her.”
Faith gestures for her to rise and smiles softly. “We already have. The whole lot of you have done a fantastic job out here. That’s why I’m praying so hard to the gods for you all.” She sighs. “As a mother, I keep wanting to take Temperance away from this place, as dangerous as it clearly is. But he’s a grown stallion.”
“The evil here is... thick, I guess.” Maize looks to the sky. “But the sun still shines, and the rain still falls clear and gentle. I think we’ll be able to change this place for the better. I know it has already changed me quite a bit.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Faith says, looking up into the clear sky. “Whatever evil grips this place, its hold isn’t absolute. I have hope for you all, and Nirmek’s hooves will be on you all.”
“Speaking of Nirmek.” Maize looks to the mare beside her. “Would you mind teaching me a few things about the gods, and how to pray? I’ve... never really gotten to talk to a priest before. Whenever I tried, I always got shoved away by other ponies who called me nasty things like ‘whore’ and ‘street filth.’”
“Then they were not true servants to the gods,” Faith says. “I’m always ready to teach those who are willing to learn. You seem to know some already though, so, where should I begin?”
Maize grins jovially, her head held high. “Teach me more about Amug, then. I’ve always been interested, but I never really got a chance to ask about her...”
Post by: Telgin on March 22, 2013, 11:37:31 pm
A few minutes later, Temperance returns to the tavern with his more sedate parents in tow. He opens the door slowly, not sure quite what he’d find inside now. When he sees that Morning Dew hadn’t fled the country, he starts back in her direction, wearing a slightly nervous smile.
Morning Dew is still just sitting by the bar, looking dejected and being comforted by Cream Puff, while Mountain Dew is busy consuming more sweets. She doesn’t seem to notice Temperance and his parents re-entering.
The three make their way up to the bar, and Temperance rests a hoof on her back. “Everything alright?” he asks, knowing the answer already. Ward and Faith take seats to Morning Dew’s other side, trying not to look too curious.
Morning Dew sits up, and turns to Temperance, about to hug him, but she stops short, seeing the parents still there. “...sort of...”
Puff gives Temperance a smile, and his parents a significantly cooler look, then goes to extract Mountain Dew from the sweets. “Come on, little one. You don’t need to be bouncing off the walls right now... like last week.”
Temperance chuckles lightly at the thought and brushes a hair out of Morning Dew’s face. “Cheer up, everything’s alright,” he says. He gives a quick glance to Cream Puff and says, “Uh, do you have anything left over from lunch?” He nods towards his parents.
Puff shakes her head and hands him his foal. “No, but I’m sure I can make them something.”
Morning Dew smiles a little at Tempy’s reassurances, and gives him a little nuzzle. “I love you,” she says under her breath. “What happened out there?”
Temperance takes Mountain Dew and sits himself. Maybe he could keep the filly occupied to give her mother a bit of a breather. “Thanks.” He looks back over to Morning Dew and says, “Oh, uh, I was just showing my parents around. Mostly my office.”
“This really is a nice settlement,” Ward says, trying to dispel some of the tension floating round in the air. “I never expected it to be so built up already.”
“It’s all because of Temperance,” Morning Dew says with pride in her fiancee. “If it hadn’t been for him, we wouldn’t have gotten anything done.”
“Oh, we’re quite proud of him,” Ward goes on. “But a place like this doesn’t build itself with just one pony’s hooves.”
“Or forget a temple,” Faith whispers to herself, prompting a small frown from Ward.
“Um,” says Morning Dew, trying to ignore Faith’s words, “the carpenters and Holly have really helped getting everything built up properly.”
Temperance nods, also trying to ignore his mother’s words. “Yeah, the carpenters have done all of the heavy lifting. Literally and metaphorically,” he jokes. “Of course, we all rely on the farmers.”
Morning Dew blushes a little. “Oh...well, Maize is really good, she’s the one you rely on,” she says.
Puff returns with a sandwich for each of Temperance’s parents, and some homefries to go with. “Here you are! Don’t be so modest, Dew! Maize is good, but she can’t grow everything. We need you just as much as her.”
“Thank you,” Faith says, accepting her sandwich. She examines it briefly before she starts away at it, clearly not too enthusiastic.
Ward nods his thanks to Puff and begins eating. After he finishes half of his sandwich, he says, “I should say the both of you have done a fantastic job growing what’s in this at least. And the cook who prepare it clearly knows what she is doing.”
“Yes, it’s very good,” Faith admits, still slouching in her seat.
Mountain Dew’s horn glows, and Ward notices the remaining half of his sandwich begin to slip away...
“Huh?” He looks quite confused until he notices the magical haze around the sandwich. He follows it back over to the little filly and plucks it out of the air before grinning at her. “Oh, you’re such a little trouble maker, aren’t you?” he jokes.
“She gets into a lot of things,” Temperance says, trying to distract her with a hoof as he speaks. “That’s how unicorn foals are, I guess.”
Mountain Dew giggles at Ward and Temperance’s response...before noting that the other older pony in the room hadn’t finished her sandwich, either... Her horn glows once more.
“Like you and Virtue didn’t get into a lot?” Faith says before attempting to take another bite of her sandwich. As she notices it has started floating away like Ward’s, she sighs and starts after it. “Although you two couldn’t do this at least.”
Puff chuckles and starts making a little sandwich for Mountain Dew. “She’s a little bottomless pit, too. You were just withers deep in the sweets!”
Faith gently recovers her sandwich and sits next to the filly. The slightest hint of a smile creeps up onto her face. “You shouldn’t be eating this, sweetie,” she says, wagging a hoof at her. “It’s grown up food, it’ll make you feel bad.”
Morning Dew winces at the memory. “She does have teeth,” she says.
Faith withdraws her hoof, suitably warned despite doubting the filly could cause significant harm. “I’ve been bitten a few times,” she says, nodding toward Temperance. She finishes off her sandwich and asks, “So, how old is she?”
“Five months,” Temperance says.
“I never did get to see any of our other grandchildren when they were still this young,” Faith says.
Mountain Dew begins to wriggle out of Temperance’s grip, apparently intent on playing with the mare who just finished her sandwich.
Temperance tries to restrain her gently. “No, no, I don’t think grandma wants to play.”
Faith’s tiny crack of a smile persists. “If she wants to play, it’s alright.”
Mountain Dew, given the tacit permission, jumps out of Temperance’s grip and over to Faith. She holds the filly up, smiling softly. It had been a while since she held a young one so small, much less one related to her. “Five months old, she’s big for her age,” she says with a tiny chuckle.
“Bub ubba!” replies the foal in an excited voice as she is lifted up. She reaches out her fore-hooves to try and touch Faith’s face.
Faith starts humming a quiet tune as she touches her muzzle to Mountain Dew’s hooves. “You’re a cute little one,” she says between verses.
Mountain Dew tries to join in on the humming, but doesn’t quite replicate the tune. Faith’s smile widens a bit as she continues to hum. As the song comes to an end, she says, “That was very good! I’ll have to teach you to sing when you get older.”
“Ub bah beh,” agrees the foal, before giving a tiny yawn, and beginning to lie against Faith.
Exposure to grandfilly is something that Faith can’t stay grumpy through, so she happily sits, holding the sleepy foal in her hooves. It had been too long since the last time she’d had a chance to do this.
Temperance watches, all but grinning himself. He knew his parents would warm up to the two after they had a chance to interact with them. He watches Mountain Dew yawn again, and says to Morning Dew, “Looks like she’s getting sleepy, maybe we should get her to bed?”
“If your mother wouldn’t mind,” she says with a little bit more of a smile on her face.
“No, no, I think he’s right,” Faith says, reluctantly looking up from Mountain Dew. “She needs her mother right now I think, then a nap.”
Morning Dew collects her little foal, and excuses herself to take her to bed.
Temperance smiles at his parents, and says, “See?”
Faith stands and returns to her seat. “See what?”
“I told you that you’d warm up to them.”
Faith sighs and nods. “Temperance, this is all still just a big shock to me. It’s going to take me a moment to catch up with everything.” She makes a tiny smile. “But, yes, I can’t say no to my new granddaughter.”
Ward chuckles. “And Morning Dew seems like a sweet mare just like you said. I’m sure when we’ve had few days to get to know her, we’ll love her just as much.”
Just like he’d told them. Temperance nods. “Well, why don’t I go find you someplace to stay? We can talk about all of this later. Maybe over dinner.”
Post by: Dsarker on March 24, 2013, 02:58:56 am
Praetorian and Serenity are sitting in Serenity’s office, having a little lunch together.
Serenity sits beside Praetorian, contentedly sipping her bowl of cheese soup.
“So, Serenity. How have things been for you here so far?” Praetorian asks, wanting to know a little bit more about the mare.
“It was a bit rough, at first. But this place really has flourished in the time I’ve been here.” Serenity smiles. “And so has my business. Miss Virtue was right: My services have been in very high demand here in Duskfields.”
“And do you get much satisfaction out of your work? It must be a good feeling, to work towards helping other ponies,” says Praetorian, matching her smile.
She nods. “Very much so. Seeing a pony, who was before so deeply troubled, walk away happy and at peace... that’s easily one of the most wonderful feelings in the world.”
“I have no doubt,” says Praetorian. “I can’t say I know many ponies who’d be suited for the role, though. It must take a lot of kindness to be able to endure listening to so many ponies, and to help every one of them, without giving a thought for yourself.”
Serenity blushes slightly. “W-Well, it just takes a lot of patience, really...”
“And a kind heart. I doubt even the most patient pony could do this without that, as well,” says Praetorian. “You’re a good pony.”
“...Thank you...” She manages a nervous grin.
“You’re a cute pony when you’re blushing, you know?” says Praetorian with a grin, trying to put the mare at her ease. “So what else do you do, besides psychiatry?”
Thankful for the opportunity to change the subject, Serenity begins. “Well, I like to read in my spare time - mostly things related to my profession, but I also enjoy reading about history. I was also into fencing while I was at university, but I haven’t had much chance to practice since coming here.”
Praetorian nods. “Yes, it’s hard to find partners out here for sparring, but if you like, you could practice with me. Redhat is...well, not as experienced as he said he was, shall we say.”
Serenity smiles. “I’d like that very much, thank you.”
“That’s good to hear,” says Praetorian with a smile.
“So... what about you, then? What sorts of things do you like to do in your spare time?”
“Well...” Praetorian shrugs. “I occasionally write letters to some old friends, though I’ve been unable to do that for some time. Injury and such. I’ve read some books - though, of course, not much more than the usual histories. And, of course, there’s Maize.”
Serenity chuckles. “Yes, I can imagine.” She looks away. “I... hope it’s not too much of a bother, me spending time with her. I know you’d much rather be together all the time...”
“Serenity,” he says, before giving the mare a hug. “I want you to be happy, just as much as I want her to be happy. Please, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine,” he says, with a little smile on his face. “I’m a big colt now,” he finishes, before laughing a little at himself.
Serenity leans into the hug. “I know. But I couldn’t be happy if I knew you were unhappy. And neither could she. We both care for you very much.”
“I know,” he says. “And that’s why I’ll be okay. Just as long as you two are happy, I will be, too.”
“...Okay. So long as I know you’re happy...” She cranes her neck up for a nuzzle.
Praetorian nuzzles her, holding the sweet little mare softly.
Serenity holds the nuzzle for a moment, before relaxing in his hooves. “So, have you two thought about getting married any time soon?”
“I hope to do so,” he says, enjoying holding her. “I’m making a little piece for the engagement. Then it’s just waiting for a priest to come. Hopefully, we’ll be married in a year.”
Serenity looks up at Praetorian. “You’re making the ring yourself?”
“I am, during my off-time. Which has decreased slightly, heh.” He smiles at the unicorn mare. “Not that I mind.”
“That sounds...” She smiles wistfully. “...Incredibly romantic. I’m sure she’ll love it.”
Praetorian makes a note to make another ring, for Maize to give to Serenity. “I hope so,” he says, ‘And I think you will, too,’ he thinks to himself, as he gives Serenity another nuzzle.
Post by: Dsarker on March 24, 2013, 03:02:17 am
If there was anything that could be said about Duskfields, it was that the weather always seemed to be nice. Even now, as autumn was beginning, it was warm outside, and the slight breeze that blew by wasn’t too chilly.
Nearly everypony in the settlement has gathered around the center of town, just outside of the tavern. Temperance is fighting his nerves as he waits anxiously for things to begin, periodically looking up to his mother. She smiles at him, but says nothing as she too continues to prepare herself for the ceremony.
Neither wore any special garments. Temperance didn’t even own any in Duskfields, and his mother had no idea that she would be presiding over a wedding when she came, so her robes were still far away back in Coupledye. It didn’t matter to him though. Who needed flashy clothes? It wouldn’t show his love for Dew any more.
Morning Dew, meanwhile, is in the tavern, and stressing herself out. Mountain Dew was being energetic as she usually seemed to be, and refusing to calm down. Praetorian was there to give her away, having been appointed for that role by the priestess. She could see that he wasn’t altogether sure what to do, and wondered idly why he had been selected.
As the crowd begins to settle, Temperance can’t help but chuckle inside at how bare this ceremony was going to be compared to the ones he’d seen back home. Only the simplest decorations were hung up, and they had nopony to play any music, instead relying on a makeshift choir of residents. Only one flower filly, and no ushers. It was okay though. He smiles at his mother once again, when she gives him a small nod. It was time to start, and he swallows another lump of nerves.
Maize shifts her weight as she hides away in the storage section of the tavern. If she were a more excitable pony, she’d probably be bouncing around from excitement and anticipation. She looks to Ward for assurance.
The old stallion lays a hoof on her withers and smiles at her. “Just a few moments yet,” he says, right as the sound of ponies singing together in near harmony reaches them through the walls.
Outside, Faith is leading everypony who was willing in the singing of a simple hymn. Her voice carries over the others, and she closes her eyes as she puts as much emotion into it as she can manage. With the choir behind her, she sings,
”Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your love.
Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord
And where there's doubt, true faith in you.”
The tavern’s doors open, and Praetorian and Morning Dew begin the procession down to the front of the makeshift celebratory area, with Mountain Dew being the most energetic flower filly that anypony could hope for.
Maize has to hold herself back from the door as she waits for the time to be right. Ward stands confidently beside her, waiting for the signal. As they stand, the singing continues.
“Oh, Gasis grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul. ”
Praetorian and Morning Dew finally reach their destination, and the two stand there, Morning Dew smiling shyly at Temperance.
Ward gives Maize a tiny nudge and leads her off after the two. As they make their way down to join the other couple, the choir finish their song.
“Make me a channel of your peace
Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope
Where there is darkness, only light
And where there's sadness, ever joy.
Oh, Gasis grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
In giving to ponies that we receive
And in dying that we're born to eternal life.
Oh, Gasis grant that I may never seek
So much to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love with all my soul.”
Praetorian starts at seeing Maize also process down, and doesn’t know what the heck is happening.
Maize beams wildly, though she holds her head low as she becomes the center of attention for a few long moments.
Faith smiles warmly at the four as she opens her eyes again. She waves a hoof across the crowd to instruct them to be seated, and looks over to Maize expectantly.
Maize smiles back and turns to face Praetorian. “Hey, Prae-Prae... I really love you, you know, and I...” She kneels before him, disappointed that she has nothing to really present but wanting to make the most of the moment. “I would like to marry you.”
Praetorian is shocked, and a second passes before he manages to come to his senses, and says “I want the same, Maize. You’ll marry me?”
“Of course.” Maize rises back up and offers her hoof to Praetorian, beaming all the while.
Praetorian takes Maize’s hoof, and beams with happiness.
Serenity is sitting towards the front of the crowd, close enough to hear their exchange. She gasps and laughs aloud, a wide smile splitting her face.
Faith can barely contain a grin as Maize proposes to her love, and Temperance and some among the crowd fail to contain their surprise. After a few moments, she stands tall and looks out over the crowd. "Ponies of Duskfields, we are gathered here today to witness the union of the two couples here before you. Temperance Scribebakes and Morning Dew Tattoomirthful, and Praetorian Ordertwinkled and Maize.
"As these couples have lived together here, through the highs and the lows, their love for each other has grown. And here today, they choose to make their love for each other known to the world, and to join together as husband and wife."
She looks over to Morning Dew, and says, "Who gives away this mare, to be wed to this stallion?"
Praetorian turns to Faith. “I do.”
She then looks to Maize. "And who gives away this mare, to be wed to this stallion?"
Ward shuffles his forehooves and stands tall. "I do."
Faith looks between the two couples and says, "Then I charge you four, as you stand in the presence of Gasis and the other gods, to remember that love and loyalty alone will serve as the foundations of a happy and enduring marriage. If the solemn vows, which you are about to make, are kept permanently, and if you steadfastly seek to do the will of those who are in heaven above, your life will be full of peace and joy, and the marriage which you are establishing will abide forever."
She turns her attention to Temperance and Morning Dew, and says, "Temperance, will you have Morning Dew to be your wedded wife, and in the presence of these witnesses do you vow that you will do everything in your power to make your love for her a growing part of your life? Will you continue to strengthen it from day to day, and week to week? Will you stand by her in sickness or health, in poverty or wealth?"
He nods proudly. "I do."
"And you, Morning Dew, do you take Temperance to be your husband, and in the presence of these witnesses do you vow to strengthen your love for him every day? To stand by him, in sickness and health, in poverty or wealth?"
Morning Dew smiles happily. “I do.”
Faith smiles and nods, before turning to the other couple. "And Praetorian, I ask you the same. Will you take Maize to be your wedded wife, and in the presence of these witnesses do you vow that you will do all in your power to grow your love for her with every passing day? Will you stand by her in sickness and health, poverty or wealth?"
Praetorian, taken back to the day he swore his sacramentum, salutes. “I do.”
"And Maize, to you I ask the same. Will you take Praetorian to be your husband, and in the presence of all those gathered here do you vow to love him more every day, for as long as you shall live? Will you stand by him in sickness and health, poverty or wealth?"
Maize nods excitedly. “I do!”
Faith smiles wider and looks between the four. “Now that Temperance and Morning Dew, and Praetorian and Maize have given themselves to each other by the promises they have exchanged, I pronounce them to be husband and wife, in the name of Gasis and the gods above.” She nods to each couple. “You may now kiss.”
Temperance needs no further instruction, and moves to kiss the love of his life.
Praetorian leans over to kiss Maize.
Morning Dew responds to Temperance’s kiss, and holds the loving kiss.
Maize takes Praetorian’s lips with her own, holding the kiss long and gentle.
Post by: Telgin on March 24, 2013, 12:57:55 pm
And, we got new ponies! If anybody was waiting on one, they might see what they want this time, including 4 new soldiers.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
Temperance's Journal - 21st Galena, 270
Flamberge came to me this afternoon, requesting an update on the current status on a number of things related to military matters. First off, he reminded me that we really, really need to get to work on a wall. The ditch isn't going to keep discordant pegasi out, and after what we've seen of them we can probably expect to see more of them.
The other matter he brought up worries me a bit. He wants me to arm all of the adults here with crossbows to back up the soldiers in the event of another attack. I can hardly blame him for wanting more armed ponies, but giving weapons to all of us? Somepony is going to get hurt, and even if not, a lot of ponies are going to be quite unhappy. I'm not exactly thrilled.
Should I arm Max too? I guess so.
24th Galena, 720
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/100.png)
Convalescence gave birth to her colt this afternoon, which the parents decided to name Mittens. I visited them very briefly to make sure everypony was doing well, which Case Study assured me they were. Mittens is a skinny little colt, but the doctors didn't seem to be too concerned.
It's a good thing things have been a bit more calm recently. Convalescence shouldn't have any trouble taking it easy for a while.
The other interesting thing to note is that as part of the final preparation for getting the wall put up, I had Smoothblock fill in the hole in the southwest section of the settlement. With that little hole plugged I think we're ready to get to work on that.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/101.png)
A quick before and after. DFHack can be used to fill in holes like this, but the tiletypes command can't unreveal the filled in tiles in any way that I can find (the hidden flag's not good enough). So I'll try to fix this myself later. I backed up the save, just in case.
10th Limestone, 270
We finally put together a small well just to the west of the hospital (finally found a use for that set of gears that will put them somewhere that ponies won't have to look at them). Unfortunately, there's a problem with it. Apparently the water is draining out of it as Flamberge and Redhat were running the new pumps to fill it up. Something to do with the water table I gather.
Looks like we'll have to shut down the pumps for now and reengineer the well somehow. A floor and some walls will probably solve the problem.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/102.png)
Yep, forgot that aquifers absorb water as readily as they provide it. So it's naturally disappearing as I pump it into the well's cistern. Easy to fix.
14th Limestone, 270
I'm so excited, I'm not sure if I can even write tonight! Morning Dew and I are back together! It's hard to explain, to the point I'm not sure I even get it, but she never cheated on me! She still loves me too!
And I have a daughter! Mountain Dew is my daughter!
Things have felt pretty surreal since I found out, but I'm happy, so I don't care! We're even going to get married again soon!
Being a dad is going to be tough, though. Mountain Dew is such an energetic little filly, and she gets into everything. I'm sure I'll figure it out with Dew's help, though.
19th Limestone, 270
The well is fixed! So now we've got a safe source of clean water. I know that will be very important if anypony ever gets hurt again. Next we just need to get some soap.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/103.png)
I know Flamberge was pushing hard to get started on the wall, so I decided to get started on the north wall since the hospital also needed work. The carpenters won't have to run back and forth as much that way. The hospital itself needs a good bit of restructuring unfortunately. The rooms are going to have to be made a bit smaller, and a couple extras will be added.
One thing at a time though.
21st Limestone, 270
I can honestly and truthfully say that I had no idea today was coming. Mom and dad showed up today. I'm happy to see them, make no mistake, but once they found out about Morning Dew, things turned out about as predictably as one might imagine.
Mom was going to lose it at first, I thought, but she came around a bit after she took some time to talk with Morning Dew, and to spend some time with our daughter.
She seems willing to marry us at least, which is all I can ask. We should be getting married soon, anyway, and it'll all be fine then. I don't care what anypony, not even my parents, think about Morning Dew. I love her like no mare I've ever met, and marrying her is the best thing that could happen to me.
Mom and dad aren't going to stay for very long though, they say. A few weeks at most.
I'll miss them after they're gone, I'm sure, no matter how rocky things were today.
22nd Limestone, 270
Today started off a bit exciting, in the bad sense, when Crosshair had to chase off another diamond dog. Fortunately the guard dogs we have stationed at the entrance spotted it and started barking, which gave us plenty of warning. I suppose there's no special connection between the diamond dogs and their nonsapient kin.
This evening things got even more exciting. The small caravan of new arrivals from Coupledye that my parents mentioned showed up. I gathered them all together and showed them around briefly before getting them all something to eat and drink. I also took down some census information, and here's what I came up with:
A unicorn stallion markspony named Prodd,
An earth pony mare farmer named Pumpkin Patch and her husband,
An earth pony stallion swordspony named Plastron,
An earth pony stallion doctor and beekeeper named Bonesetter,
A unicorn stallion priest named Sanctuary and his wife,
An earth pony mare markspony named Aventail,
A unicorn mare plant processor named Rosebud (she also makes soap),
A unicorn mare cook named Pepper Flakes and her husband,
A pegasus stallion swordspony named Scimitar.
We can use the extra hooves around here, but this of course means we're short on space again. We'll need around eight more rooms now, and I'm sure Sanctuary is going to want a temple of some sort as soon as we can get one. Mom had a little fit about us not having one yet, but she wasn't going to be around forever. Sanctuary is apparently Coupledye's response to my request, so he'll need something. I never forgot about building one, it's just that safety seemed to be more important.
I also need to check on our military supplies for the new arrivals. We may need to use some of the stocked up metal to make some armor for them.
1st Sandstone, 270
Today was the big day! Morning Dew and I got married today! I'm still so wound up I'm not sure I can write much tonight, but I will write that, much to my surprise, Praetorian and Maize were married with us today! Mom and dad were in on it, and the thing surprised pretty much everypony else. I'm happy for them though, I was glad to have them get married alongside us.
The wedding wasn't extravagant by any stretch, but I think it was all the better for it. I don't need extravagance to show Morning Dew that I love her, although that cake that Cream Puff baked up more than made up for the rest. Mom even said how much she enjoyed the ceremony, which is saying something. I'm glad she finally warmed up to Dew, like I knew she would. Nopony can help but love her.
I'm pretty tired after such a day, but I'm not sure how much sleep I'll be getting tonight. I'm going to be spending a little time with my new wife. We can worry about everything else tomorrow.
6th Sandstone, 270
Today started out calm enough. I was inspecting the new farm that was tilled up, which we'll be planting tomatoes, potatoes and green beans in. That looked fine, of course, and I'm eager to see what Puff makes out of some of the new crops. We're kind of really starting to look like a farming community now.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/104.png)
That's when things turned into chaos. We hadn't seen them in a very long time, so quite honestly I'd forgotten about them. But they didnt' forget about us. The parasprites came back! Pepper Flakes saw them swarming our direction and galloped off as fast as she could to warn the soldiers.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/105.png)
About 25 all told. Should be tons of fun!
I was running from the little things for the better part of half an hour as the military chased each down and exterminated them. They managed to keep them from the food this time, thank goodness, and none of the property was harmed that I could tell. Shockingly, both Scimitar and Redhat were injured badly enough to require hospitalization though.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/106.png)
It's just a few cuts. They'll walk it off, after they give Case Study and Convalescence some experience points.
The wounds weren't bad at least, but it's a reminder that we can't take anything as harmless out here. And we really need more armor for the soldiers. Bad.
26th Sandstone, 270
The two soldiers were fine after a quick patching up, which I was sure they would be. Having two doctors around means that injuries like that don't take long to get treated.
I'm happy to report today that we've made significant progress on the wall: the entire northern section is completed. We're starting on the western section now, and the entire thing is coming together faster than I expected. At this rate we might be done with it by the end of the year.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/107.png)
We've also made some significant progress on the hospital, and have started work on the newly needed housing. It's a long way from done, especially with the wall to distract us, but it shouldn't take too long I hope.
14th Timber, 270
Today started out nice and calm. We had no reason to believe it would be anything but, until the screams started. I was walking with Morning Dew to get something to eat for lunch when I saw Serenity and Patches galloping in a panic away from the southeast. The discordants were back. Six ponies wielding warhammers came charging down the hill.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/108.png)
Of course, we didn't stick around to see much after that. A few months ago we instated an emergency drill for everypony to run to the tavern and lock the door while the soldiers ran to face the enemy. Until we get those crossbows made, it was the best we could do.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/114.png)
I didn't see what happened afterward. Everything I'm writing here is what I pieced together from the soldiers after the fact. From what Flamberge told me, one of the attacking discordants was a pegasus. The trench held the others back long enough for him and the others to get into position, but that cursed pegasus flew over the trench and attacked Millstone.
He was sixty five years old, and arthritic. I don't know if he even saw the discordant coming, but Flamberge got there just a few moments too late. By then, she had already broken his neck.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/109.png)
Flamberge had no account of the fight after this point (a worrisome feature of all fights he's been part of, I'm starting to gather). I had to consult the other captains for what happened next. They got revenge for poor old Millstone, but what good did it do him?
Flamberge tore her blasted hide apart in the fight, and as was the case with the last major attack, the others panicked and began to flee when they saw what happened. Crosshair and her squad disabled several, including one ghastly shot to the throat by her. Redhat finished most of them off with his spear at that point.
It was at this point that Praetorian spotted another squad approaching from the west.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/110.png)
The battle must have been unimaginably brutal. Between Flamberge, Praetorian, Scimitar and Plastron, the discordant swords ponies were cut down and strewn about the southern hills.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/111.png)
It'll take a week to pick up all of the teeth...
At that point, Praetorian came and got us all at the tavern. I was very reluctant to see the aftermath for myself, but I had to take note of everything that happened. There were bodies everywhere. None of the soldiers were so much as injured, but the very first thing I saw when I stepped outside was Millstone's body.
I don't know if I'll ever be able to forget that sight.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/113.png)
Poor stallion didn't make it far after they broke his neck.
I feel...
I don't know how I feel. I don't think words can really describe it. Somepony died. This has never been fun and games, but gods help me, I didn't know I could be this scared.
Mom and I did what we could for the poor old stallion, which basically consisted of getting his body out of sight with the help of the soldiers and saying a prayer to Amug for his soul. We have no facilities to handle this... I didn't think we'd need them...
I have to figure out what we're going to do. Smoothblock will have to dig a grave for him, but where? Outside the walls?
I'm not sure we have any choice.
We had some of the crossbows made... Millstone could have been armed...
Would it have made any difference?
17th Timber, 270
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/115.png)
We buried Millstone today. Smoothblock dug a small grave for him out north, and we interred him in a quickly built wooden coffin. It doesn't feel like enough, but I don't know what else we can do for him. He had no family that he ever told anypony of, so we have nopony to send any notice of his passing to. He was a quiet one, but was well liked around town.
Everypony has been pretty sullen the past few days.
Mom and dad set off for home today, too. I knew I'd hate to see them go, and with them leaving under these circumstances, it's even worse. I know they wanted me to come back with them. I could see it in their eyes.
But I can't. I won't back down. I won't give up.
Everything will work out.
19th Moonstone, 270
Sand Paper gave birth today to her first son: a unicorn colt that she and Flying Buttress named Shim. The two seemed in good spirits, but after what happened last month I dread being a parent in times like this. When I think about Morning Dew and Mountain Dew, it scares me. A lot.
We'll be okay. I know we will.
Everything's going to be okay.
6th Opal, 270
Yet another parasprite swarm today, just as we were finishing the hospital!
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/117.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/118.png)
Room for 3 doctors and 4 patients. Probably not the greatest ratio...
I'm starting to fear and hate the little things with a righteous passion now. They're not only harassing ponies and trying to eat our food, but they actually killed somepony's pet today! This is terrible!
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/116.png)
Holy crap...
Finishing the hospital won't do the poor little thing any good. If I never see another parasprite again, it'll be too soon!
At least the militia killed all of the horrible little vermin. Flamberge once again was all but making sport of it, claiming what must have been ten by himself. The marksponies helped too, downing a lot of them with their crossbows while the spear ponies finished them off. I guess it's reassuring to know that they're such good shots. I can't imagine how you'd shoot something so small and fast...
Too bad they weren't around in time to help Millstone...
Post by: Splint on March 24, 2013, 02:37:32 pm
Post by: Amorack on March 24, 2013, 06:44:12 pm
Galena 24th, 270
Today my foal was finally born! It ended up being an earth pony colt, who Patches and I decided to name Mittens. Maybe one day he'll take after his father's line of work? Case Study delivered the baby, and Temperance even stopped by to check up on us. I'm lucky to have such good friends here in Duskfields. Anyway I'm all worn out, so that's it for now.
Limestone 19th, 270
They finally finished a well outside the hospital today. It's a huge step for our town's healthcare needs. Although we still have a dire lack of soap, and it's only a matter of time until somepony gets a serious infection. I'd be more angry if I didn't know Temperance is trying his best to get things organized, but still... In happier news, Mittens is still doing well.
Limestone 22nd, 270
We got a lot of new migrants including a few more soldiers for the militia, and from what I hear, another doctor. That brings the total up to four. I'll have to go meet him as soon as possible. Oh, and a priest as well. I don't concern myself with the gods much, but I know it helps the others.
Sandstone 1st, 270
Morning Dew and Temperance were married today! And another one of my friends, Maize, married Praetorian! It was a nice ceremony, it reminded me of mine and Patche's wedding. I wish both couples happiness.
Sandstone 6th, 270
I had to stitch up Redhat and one of the new soldiers, Scimitar, today after a run-in with some parasprites. It wasn't anything serious though, and they went right back to training afterwards.
Timber 1st, 270
Today is the one-year anniversary of the day Patches and I arrived here, and so I've been thinking about life in Duskfields so far. The town has come so far in the time I've been here, from just a few wooden buildings to a bustling settlement. And it's become a home to me in that time, I have a job where I can do good for other ponies, a family, and plenty of good friends. I'm glad we decided to come here.
Timber 14th, 270
The Discordant ponies attacked us again today, this time in greater numbers. Patches and Serenity were the first to see them, but thankfully they got away and everyone took refuge in the dining hall...well...almost everyone...old Millstone was killed. Dead before I could do anything to help him. I wished I could have been out there with the militia, even if I haven't picked up a crossbow since I was a guard with the Pleated Euphoria. I don't think that feeling will ever fully go away. Still, they need me where I am now, in the hospital, and I have a family to think about now.
Moonstone 19th, 270
Case Study and I helped deliver another foal today. This time it was a unicorn colt that Sand Paper and Flying Buttress decided to name Shim. It's nice to see that life goes on after what happened last month. And Mittens will have plenty of other foals to play with at this rate!
Post by: Telgin on March 24, 2013, 08:03:55 pm
Well alright! Made my afternoon man. I don't suppose I can grab that pegasus swordpony can I?
Sure thing, Scimitar is yours. Did you want to rename him or anything? Also worth noting that he's married to Pepper Flakes, and is 57 years old (Pepper Flakes is 63). If you want me to adjust any of that I can. :)
Post by: Splint on March 24, 2013, 08:21:19 pm
Post by: Telgin on March 24, 2013, 08:34:50 pm
Given I dunno when the whole "Could drop dead at any moment" age is for these particular ponies, I'd ask to scale the age back a bit if possible. Otherwise I'm good.
Ages 60-120, which I think I lifted straight out of the human raws. So I can scale him back to say, 35 or so?
Post by: Splint on March 24, 2013, 08:41:06 pm
Post by: Dsarker on March 24, 2013, 09:56:51 pm
Praetorian is on the training grounds,stretching and limbering up in preparation for the first sparring session between him and Serenity. As he sees her approach, he waves, and collects the sparring spear from the rack.
Serenity waves in return and approaches. She carries a scabbard with two training weapons across her back, and a brightly colored paper parasol across her shoulder. “Hey there, Tor. I see you’re all ready?”
“Indeed I am, Serenity. Are you ready, or would you prefer some time to get ready before we start?” he asks.
She sets her things aside. “Well, I’d like a little time to prepare. It’s been some time since I’ve done this, after all...”
“Indeed. Well,” he says with a smile, “whenever you’re ready.”
Serenity nods. She warms up with a few stretches, before taking her training weapons - a wooden estoc and rondel - and making a few practice swings.
Praetorian, taking advantage of the extra time, draws out his shield and training spear, and practices a few strikes with them.
Satisfied with her performance, Serenity finishes. “Well, I’m ready when you are.”
“Then... let us begin,” he says, turning once more to her, and readying his shield and spear.
Serenity keeps her distance, skirting around to the side, weapons twirling idly in her magic.
Praetorian circles, keeping an eye on both Serenity and her weapons, with his shield up.
After a few circles, Serenity swings her estoc at Praetorian’s foreleg.
Praetorian swings his shield in to block the swing, and stabs at her with his spear.
Serenity uses the opening to try to sneak her rondel under his shield, and just barely sidesteps the spear.
Praetorian pulls himself back, swinging his spear around to try to hit Serenity with its butt.
Serenity brings her estoc up to block the swing, but it requires all of her magical strength to do so. She loses hold on the rondel and it clatters to the floor.
Praetorian withdraws his spear, and waits for her to get ready again.
Serenity retrieves her weapon, and begins again with a double thrust from the side.
Praetorian brings up his shield to defend, and stabs rapidly at Serenity in response.
Serenity dances to one side, and drags the rondel down across his shield, almost to the floor, and tries to make a swipe across his belly.
Praetorian lowers his defences as he pushes his shield forward, attempting to hit Serenity with the boss of the shield.
Serenity grins wide as she sees her opening, and stabs straight upward, poking Praetorian in the belly with the blunted wooden tip. Of course, she entirely forgets about the shield heading towards her and takes the full force of the blow.
Praetorian pulls his shield back, and moves towards the mare. “Serenity, you okay?” he asks, a slight hint of worry in his voice. He remembered when that had happened to him in training, and it hadn’t been fun.
“I, uh...” she manages, in a daze. She shakes the fog from her head - or tries to, at least. All she manages to do is set the whole world to spinning.
Praetorian frowns, and drops his spear and shield, picking up Serenity in his magic. “Hmm. Do you want to see the doctor, or just lie down a while?”
With Praetorian’s help, Serenity manages to get to her hooves. “I... think I’ll be alright. I’ve taken a few blows before.”
“You sure?” he asks. “We can wait for a while if you want to.”
Serenity takes a step, and nearly falls on her face. “Okay... maybe it would be nice to lie down for a bit...”
“Okay then,” says Praetorian, and he helps her find a more comfortable position to sit in. “You’re a good fighter, but you need to keep an eye on the prize,” he says with a little smile.
Serenity manages a chuckle. “Yes, I suppose I should’ve seen that coming.”
“I missed it when I was in training, too. Don’t be too unhappy about it,” he says, keeping the smile on his face.
“Well, most of my training is for sport. I’ve only ever had to fight similarly armed ponies. Maybe you could teach me a few things?”
“I can do my best,” says Praetorian. “If you’re looking to become a professional, it could help a bit,” he continues with a little chuckle.
She chuckles. “Oh, no, I’m not looking to become a soldier. Just enough to keep in practice, stay in shape, maybe scare a cutpurse off if the need arises, gods forbid.”
“Heh, I doubt anypony would continue after that little display of your skill,” he says with a smile. “You’re already quite good, but I’ll be happy to help you learn how to fight against different weapons.”
Serenity leans into him. “Thank you.”
Praetorian puts a foreleg around Serenity. “It’s my pleasure, Serenity.”
Post by: TheBronzePickle on March 25, 2013, 06:01:48 am
~Maize's Diary~ 14th Limestone, 270
Morning Dew and Temperance hooked up! They both seem to be really happy, especially Morning Dew. She'd been struggling so much with all the ponies talking bad about her.
21st Limestone
Temperance's parents showed up. Miss Faith, his mama, is a priest, and she's going to marry Temperance and Morning Dew. She and Ward, Temperance's daddy, also promised to help me marry Praetorian! They also taught me lots about the gods and stuff, and we prayed for Duskfields.
2nd Sandstone
Me and Praetorian got married yesterday.
I can't feel my back legs. I don't think Praetorian can move.
6th Sandstone
Got a new farm tilled. Legs are still sore, but I can't just not work. That wouldn't be fair to poor Morning Dew.
Parasprites are evil. These parasprites are even more evil than the ones back at home.
14th Timber
They... they killed a pony. Poor stallion didn't have a chance. Praetorian tried to stop the evil thing, but it was too late. I feel really bad for Praetorian, he's been really sad about it.
Serenity saw me get riled up a bit, asked if I want to talk about it. I might have to have a session with her that's more than just talking and loving now.
Post by: Dsarker on March 25, 2013, 05:33:08 pm
Praetorian is wandering around the town, looking for Maize. It’d been a few days since the last Parasprite swarm had come, and he had just finished another training session with Serenity.
Maize walks out of the hospital, a smile on her face. She starts heading back to her room, gazing happily toward the militia’s training spot.
Praetorian quickly spots Maize, and hurries along to catch up with her. “Maize!” he calls.
Maize looks to her husband, and turns to face him. “Hey, Prae-Prae! I was just in the hospital.”
“I saw. Is anything wrong?” he asks as he gets alongside her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She looks around a bit, seemingly checking if anypony else is nearby. “I felt really odd this morning, so I went to get myself checked... I’m pregnant, Prae-Prae. We’re gonna have a baby!”
At first, Praetorian doesn’t know what to say, spluttering a little, before delight lights up his face, and he hugs his wife tight. “This is, this is, this is fantastic!” he finally says, kissing her.
“Isn’t it?” Maize returns the kiss as she wraps a hoof around Praetorian. “I’m not going to have it for a while, though. Case Study says it can’t be more than four months old by now. He’s actually surprised I’m not showing at all... guess my stomach just doesn’t want to grow.”
“That’s okay,” he says with a smile. “I love you just the way you are.” ‘Oh, mare, this is fantastic!’ “Did you have a name in mind for the foal, or are we still going to have to decide on one?” he asks with a little laugh.
“I think we’ll have plenty of time to make up one, although I think Spice is a good name for either colt or filly.” She looks at Praetorian with a curious look. “How would you feel if I got fat?”
Praetorian starts mentally retreating. “I’d love you just as much. You’re my Maize, and I’ll love you no matter what.”
Maize grins devilishly. “Good save.” She leans in and gives him a big kiss on the lips. “Honestly, though, I’m not the kind of filly to get mad if you answer honestly.” She wraps her neck around him and kisses his withers. “Not like I’m ever gaining weight, anyway.”
“I’m being honest, there,” he protests. “I’d love you even if you were covered with lard. You’re the love of my life, Maize. Nothing could stop that.”
Maize chuckles. “That makes one of us.” She nuzzles his back a bit. “Not that I’d mind if you gained weight, as long as it didn’t cut off circulation... or make mounting up too hard.”
Praetorian colours a little, going an amusing range of purples and reds, before saying “Uh, well, that’s good.”
“I’d still love you, though. You’re still my hubby, no matter what.” Maize pulls back, giving Praetorian’s neck kisses all the way up to his mouth. “I’d just feel bad about making you jealous or something. And I’d miss your... stamina.”
Praetorian manages to remain at least a little stoic this time, beyond a little purple colouring. “I’m sure you would miss that. And my skill with a spear.”
“I would.” Maize grins seductively. “You know, I wouldn’t mind a little demonstration right now, if you’re willing.”
“Hmmm, well, I’ve got a little downtime now,” he says. “I’m sure I have enough.”
Maize turns toward her room again, wrapping her tail around Praetorian’s withers and pulling him along.
Post by: KingStrongbeard on March 26, 2013, 06:17:21 am
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Crosshair%20Avatar.png)(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png)
Late in the day Flamberge goes in search of Crosshair. He had finished training for the day and abandoned his armor in favor of a nice shirt and jacket.
Crosshair had finished her patrols earlier, and already went back home to get herself cleaned up and changed into something more comfortable, she was about to go out and find some dinner to eat. Grabbing her crossbow with her, she’s not one to go anywhere unarmed when Danger could happen any moment.
Arriving at her doorstep, Flamberge straightens his shirt and checks his sword at his side before knocking three times upon the door.
The door opened, to a smiling Crosshair. “Good Evening, Flam!” she chirped happily, seeing who it was.
"Evening Cross. Care to join me for dinner?" he asks.
“I’d love to!” She replied cheerfully, already in a light, breezy, white dress. as she came out of her room, ready to leave for dinner with her commander.
After Crosshair locks up her door, the young couple makes their way toward the dining hall, Flamberge drapes his wing over her as they walk.
Crosshair happily lean closer into him, nuzzling softly into his neck as he hold her with a wing like so. Her trots have a cheerful bounces in them.
When they arrive in the dining hall, Flamberge acquires their food, he attempts to make small talk with Cream Puff as he does so, it doesn’t go over well. Finding a table unoccupied, and mostly off to one side away from the crowds, they sit.
Crosshair frowned as she sees that the talk didn’t go so well. “You know.. Puff took me to Serenity a couple of days earlier.. They think you were abusing me.”
Flamberge drops his fork to the table, and begins speaking obviously concerned, “They...They think what? Wh...why would they think that? What did you say?”
Crosshair does a little shrug “I said that it’s not the case, of course. Sure you were a little rough on me that night but it’s not like you did anything wrong, although they insist that you did.”
Flamberge still looks worried, "You know that I would never want to hurt you? Right? And I don't mean to take things out on you. I love you."
The small mare beamed and lean over to give her commander’s nose a soft nuzzle and kiss, cooing softly “I know, Flam.. that’s why I said that they’re wrong.”
Flamberge looks relieved, "Good. Good," he says. Taking back his fork and beginning to eat. After swallowing he adds "so I take it you haven't had any luck with convincing Puff?"
Crosshair nommed her meal aswell, nodding as she gulps down her mouthful “Not so much.. She thinks you’re Nuts, although she said that the problem’s not about having more than one.. so maybe we’ll have a chance still if we prove to her that you’re not nuts, then she can join in!” She chirped eagerly.
"Mmm I hope so... Er did she tell you why she thinks I'm nuts?" Questions Flamberge already well aware of why she did.
“Something about you saying that you’ll one day be king of ponies or something like that.” Crosshair answered dismissively.
Flamberge huffs, "So having a little ambition makes me a dangerous nut now?" He angrily takes a bite of salad as if the carrots themselves had insulted him.
“That’s what I thought, right? Just because you wanted your life to be better for you, and everypony around you, doesn’t makes you nut!” Crosshair agreed.
Flamberge nods, "And maybe King is a bit high to aim, but it's only a matter of time before Duskfields is recognized as an official Barony of the kingdom and the king will naturally make me Baron, and that's a start."
Crosshair beamed “And I’d be glad to be there by your side when that happens!”
Flamberge nods. "Yeah, I wanted to share that day with both you and Puff... but I guess if she doesn't come around it's her own loss. "
Crosshair sighed slightly “Mm.. I guess.. I’d be nice with her, though.”
"And speaking of the future, where do you see yourself going?" He asks.
“Well..” she begins to blush softly “Besides being a proper captain of the guards.. I can see myself as a mother, that’s for sure.” she coos happily at him.
"Hmm, well, when the timing is better. When the wall is built and my town is safer. I'll be happy to help with that," he smiles at her reaching out to hold her forehoof with his.
Crosshair happily rests her forehoof on his as he holds it, beaming brightly at him, blushing still “Mm.. I don’t know though.. with the way we’ve been.. you know?.. I might become one soon..”
Flamberge shrugs, "You have a point, and if that happens then that's okay with me. Still maybe we should be more cautious, Duskfields is not the best place for a foal."
“We’ll keep them safe, though.” Crosshair nodded. “So... what do you think about marriage?” She asked further, her cheeks brightening up.
"Do you mean the institution in general or more specifically?" Flamberge asks with a slight chuckle.
That made her giggle slightly “Well.. about us. I was wondering.. that if I become a mother.. would that make me a wife too?”
"Hmm well. It could, but..." Flamberge trails off without finishing his sentence.
Crosshair tilted her head slightly. “But...?”
Flamberge hesitates, "I... don't think you'll like what I'm about to say. Promise to try and be reasonable okay?"
Crosshair was already feeling a dreadful feeling inside, but nods carefully.
"Don't take this as a lack of commitment from me Crosshair, I love you and fully intend to spend my life with you. However, if I, no, if we, want me to be king one day, then my wife, will need to be chosen, not for love, but for advancing, our status. Can you accept that Crosshair?"
She frowned, lowering her ears and gazes down slightly to her empty plate. “Why can’t I be the one that does that?...” She questioned.
"What do you mean, why can't you?" Flamberge asks legitimately confused.
“Why can’t I be the one that advances our statuses?” Crosshair asked more firmly now. “Why does it have to be some other mares?”
Flamberge sighs, "Crosshair, unless you've been hiding that you're really a runaway princess I don't see how you can do that."
Crosshair sighs and put her fork down, suddenly not so very hungry anymore. “I understand..”
"I'm sorry Crosshair. But I think you'll be happier as the King's favorite mistress them as the wife of a poor nobody." Flamberge caresses her hoof as he speaks.
She looks up hopefully at him again “Will I.. ever be your wife?
Flamberge sighs again, "It isn't impossible, so maybe."
Crosshair nodded blankly “Well.. I guess there’s that..”
Flamberge looks her in the eyes grasping both her forehooves with his own, "It'll be better this way. Does the word wife really matter that much? We'll still be together."
“But there’ll be somepony else too..”
"There'll be Puff as well. And you're okay with that. Perhaps you'll like the other mare as well. And besides that's still a long way off." Flamberge reasons.
“Mm.. Perhaps, I guess it’s best not to think so much about it right now then?” Crosshair reasoned back.
Flamberge nods in agreement.
Post by: Fr0stByt3 on March 26, 2013, 07:03:13 am
Steel Rivet's Journal
24th Galena, 720
Another foal was born today. His mother named him Mittens. Odd.
21st Limestone, 270
Temperances' parents apparently came to Duskfields today. Not that I would know. I find myself staying in my forge more and more these days. I prefer the seclusion.
22nd Limestone, 270
Another thief, and more neighbors. Nothing else other than that.
1st Sandstone, 270
Well, well, well. We had not one, but TWO weddings today. How fortunate.
6th Sandstone, 270
More fecking parasprites.
The writing on this page is shaky, almost hastily scribbled. The sloppiness is glaring compared to the normal neat and precise runes.
14th Timber, 270
Ancestors...
They came. And they came in force.
Poor Millstone. He never stood a chance.
This settles it. Any doubts I had before are gone in light of this.
A wise creature once told me that a hammer is the smith's most powerful tool:
Something that can be used to create.
Or destroy, if need be.
So, I shall create something to destroy. To shatter my enemies bones and cast them down. They will RUE this day.
Steel Rivet closes his journal softly, then sets it back down on the shelf. He normally mellow golden eyes seem to burn from within, glittering with equal parts rage, and determination. "No more." The pegasus gets up form his desk and walks over to the doors to the forge. He slams them shut with an ominous sounding BOOM! The forge lights up the room with a cherry red glow that begins to slowly burn brighter. The bellows begin to rise and fall, and smoke begins to rise from the chimney. None shall disturb him. Unconsciously, Steel Rivet begins to sing. Although, singing is not really a proper description. It's more of a lilting chant, rising and falling to the rhythm of the hammer. The ringing of ore being shaped provides the beat. If another pony was there, the first thing they might notice would be that Steel Rivet's eyes no longer have whites or pupils. Instead, they are glowing pools of liquid golden color.
Post by: Pokon on March 26, 2013, 02:55:58 pm
Diary 1
Lost my old one, heh. Not that I am really complaining, I rarely wrote in it anyway. Neverless, good news to start off this new one: Smoothblock and I are something. Probably not a couple, but good friends anyway. I did wake up out a booze-induced sleep near her on the floor of her shack, so there's that.
Ahem.
Woooooooooyeaaaahhh! Finaly!
Diary 2
One of the doctors gave birth to a foal. I just thought she was fat. I really need to slow down. Everyone around me is seemingly hooking up, in a relationship, or taking care of there foals. It makes me feel old. I mean, thirty six is not old, right? I really doubt that I am the oldest pony out out of my little circle of friends.
Also, on a second note, I heard rumors of a order to arm everypony here with crossbows. Frankly, I would think that a little dabbling in fireing one would hurt nopony, but I have to disagree with it. No pony needs to spend more time then they need to with a weapon of war.
Frankly, if I had to join the milita, I would ask for a axe.
Diary 3
Buncha new ponies today. Interested in the priest fellow, he looks decent enough. Kids name is Sanctuary.
Diary 4
Maize and Praetorian married. I wonder what is going through that stallions head.
Diary 5
A pony died due to the chaos-touched today, and I stood away from Smoothblock during the funaral. This is it. I am going to ask if I can join the military after a certiant point, if only to be prepared. Going to ask for a axe my size to be made, and hopefully some armor. Not now, however. I am going to bring it up with Temperance.
Post by: Khenal on March 26, 2013, 03:36:05 pm
Cream Puff hums to herself as she sets up the little picnic for her and Crosshair. It had been a while since they really had a chance to just hang out together, so Puff was more than happy to accept when Cross suggested a little meal by the river.
Crosshair didn’t leave her friend waiting for long before arriving where they agreed on, She took the decency to change from her guard uniform into a breezy white loose dress for the picnic, Landing just closeby before trotting up to her “Puff!” She called, beaming happily
“Cross!” Puff smiles and hugs her friend. “I just finished setting up!” She releases her and walks over to the food: just a few sandwiches and some salad, along with some juice to drink.
“Looks good, Puff!” Crosshair beamed, giving her friend a soft friendly nuzzle as she walked over to the picnic with her. Beaming brightly “Glad you could find some time for me today, Puff.”
Puff beams brightly in return. “Me too! It’s been so long since we were able to just sit back and relax together.”
“I know, right?” Cross said, laying down onto the blanket with all of her legs tucked to herself, sighing contently and smiling at her friend. “We just seems to be so busy nowadays.”
Puff giggles and sits next to her friend. “Seriously! I’m just glad we can at least meet for a few minutes at meals. Heh, and for little things like this.”
The slightly smaller mare nodded with a giggle aswell. “Mmhm! I wish we’d get to spend more time together though. Really miss spending them with you, Puff.” Crosshair murmured, picking up one of the sandwiches to noms them, beaming. “Mmm.. Delicious as always!”
“Thanks!” Puff grabs a sandwich of her own and starts eating, enjoying good food and good company.
Cross enjoyed a moment of relaxation and quietness with her friend, listening to the forest and the water as the two noms away at their sandwiches. “Mm.. heh, I wonder what was it that made us leave the comfortable city life for this..”
Puff thinks as she chews, then talks after swallowing. “Having room to grow. Sure, life was stable back there, but it was boring! Out here... we can be us!”
“Mhm.. with nopony to judge us.” Cross beamed happily again, swallowing another bit of her sandwich before scooting a bit closer to her friend.
She nods. “Nopony tells us what to cook.”
Cross scoots a bit closer. “Nopony tells us what’s good to buy..”
“Or how to dress.” Puff takes another bite of her lunch.
“Who to be friends with.” Cross added in, taking a sip of her juices before she scoots in close enough to let her sides touch her friend’s.
Puff smiles and lays a wing over her friend, fondly remembering when they used to just sit together and talk about nothing.
Cross sighed a happy sigh and smiles as she lay her wing over her friend aswell, letting each others hold each others under their wings. “I’m scared.. you know?” She begin up. Leaning a little onto Puff’s neck.
Puff swallows her bite and gives her friend a concerned look. “Scared? Of what?”
“Of losing you.” She answered with a soft sigh and closes her eyes. “With so many things happening.. Parasprites.. discordians.. I’m just afraid that one day you just.. wouldn’t be around anymore, you know?”
Cream Puff smiles at her friend and strikes a heroic pose. “Are you kidding? That diamond dog didn’t want none of this! Those Discordians better watch out, or I’ll bash their heads in with my good pans, and then I’ll really get angry!”
Crosshair giggles from that, giving her friend’s muzzle a soft nuzzle again. “Mm, I’m glad you’re confident, Puff. I still can’t help but worried, maybe it wouldn’t be you but It’d be me, I mean I am the Captain of the guards, I’m supposed to be out there between everypony and danger. What if one day some lucky discordian got the better of me and caught me off guard? I just.. don’t want to not be able to eat your delicious food and spend times with you again, you know?”
“You’ve got sharp eyes, Cross. No way any crazy pony is going to get the drop on you.”
“Everypony make mistakes, Puff.” Said cross with a soft sigh again, picking up her last piece of sandwich to noms it. “And I’ve got so much left to do..”
Puff gives her a friendly nuzzle. “You’ll get to do it, Cross. You are the Captain of the Guard. They don’t just give that title away, you know.”
Cross smiled from her friend’s nuzzle and comforting words and return the nuzzle softly again “I know, Puff.. I know.. But I don’t think I’ll get what I truly wants, though..” She sighed again with a soft frown. “It’s just.. weird, and ponies won’t approve of it..”
Puff gives her a confused look. “Hmm?”
Crosshair finishes the last bit of her sandwich and downs it with her juices, wiping her muzzle slightly after as she gazes away from her friend to look at the flowing river. “Living out here, where danger lies everywhere.. it made me realize something, Puff.. It made me realize just how important life is, and how dear everypony is to everypony..”
Puff nods, mirroring her friend in finishing her food and drink.
“And you’re very dear to me, Puff..” Cross said, looking down slightly, pawing at the blanket softly with a hoof. “We’ve always helped each other even back in the city. And whenever either of us have problems, we’d talk about it and help one another through it. And it’s a very beautiful thing..”
Puff smiles at her. “Of course! You’re my best friend, Cross! Through thick and thin, I’ll always be there for you!”
Cross smiled slightly, still gazing at the river. “Mm.. But.. now I want to be more than just friends with you, Puff..”
She quirks an eyebrow at Cross, looking slightly confused.
The smaller mare just sighs and slumps down onto the blanket, flopping her ears down. “Just.. Just forget it, Puff.. I’m sorry for saying that..” Crosshair apologized, sounding somewhat troubled.
Puff lays down beside her friend. “Aw, come on, Cross. Tell me.”
Crosshair blushed as Puff lays beside her, she turns her face to look at her friend right in the eyes. “I... I love you, Creampuff. I love everything that’s about you, I love your food, I love your personality, I love your time and spending them with you, I just..” She sighed and look down. “I just love you.. but I know you don’t swing that way..” She began to tears up slightly, lowering her ears.
Puff is dumbfounded. She never suspected! Crosshair’s tears, though, snap her to attention, and she gives her friend a gentle hug. “Oh, Cross... I’m sorry.”
Cross didn’t push her friend away, but lean into her friend’s comforting hug. Trying very hard not to cry. “N-no no.. It’s.. It’s my fault, Puff.. you didn’t do anything w-wrong..” She said, trying not to make those come out as sobs with varying degrees of success.
Puff gently pats her withers as she holds her friend. “You still hurt, though, and it’s because of me.”
“You.. didn’t do anything wrong.. for just being you..” Crosshair managed to say out without whimpering, holding onto Puff aswell as she let out deep sighs, trying to keep calm and not cry. “And I.. love you for being you..”
Puff keeps holding her. “I care deeply about you, too, Cross. Just... not like that. You’re my best friend.”
“I know, Puff.. I know.. That’s why I told you to forget it..” Cross sighed again and just rests her head down slightly. “You’re my bestest friend.. and I love you so, but I also don’t want to scare you away because I’m being weird and liking a mare..”
She lifts Cross’ gaze with a wing and gives her a soft smile. “You’re not going to scare me away, Cross. We won’t be lovers, but we’re still friends... right?”
The smaller mare gave a slight smile. “Yeah..” She sighed softly before lean in to bop noses with Puff. “I just wish we could be more sometimes.. might not even have to be a regular thing..”
Puff shakes her head slowly. “You’re already in a relationship, Cross.”
Crosshair gloomed down a little bit more as she level her ears. “I know.. makes me all the more freaky.. But.. I can’t help myself! I just really.. Really want to spend great times with you every day, sharing things together, eat more of your food, share our lives together.. Plus, Flamberge should be fine about it.” She sighed. “But I suppose it’s just a dream for me and I’m supposed to wake up soon..”
Cream Puff gives her a hug. “Me and Flamberge aren’t going to happen, Cross, even if you weren’t already with him. I’m sorry we can’t be more than best friends...”
“I know Puff.. I know it’ll never happens.. but a filly can dream? Right?” Crosshair gave her friend a soft smile as they hug each other, nuzzling her lightly. “I’m sorry you don’t feel towards me the same way, Puff..” She murmured softly, nuzzling noses with the puffy mare, and before they knew it, she plants a soft kiss onto her muzzle, then lips. It was brief, sweet and gentle.
Puff’s eyes widen at the kiss, but it’s too brief for her to be able to pull away before Cross breaks it. “Cross... I can’t.”
Crosshair nodded, before resting her head down onto the blanket again, not pushing her friend away or trying to hold her there “I know, Puff.. I know.. I just have been really wanting to do that for a long time now.. I’m sorry if.. if you don’t want to.. hang out with me anymore..”
“Hey, we can still hang out together. But we’re not lovers... we’re friends.” Puff gives her a soft smile.
“Best friends..” Crosshair gave her a soft smile aswell. resting her head into their hug. “And who knows? Maybe you’ll change your mind one day.. If you’re tired of not finding anypony, there’ll always at least be me!”
Puff smiles and nods at her friend. “Best friends forever.”
Post by: KingStrongbeard on March 26, 2013, 03:52:41 pm
It was late in the evening, most of the ponies of Duskfields had finished their dinner and gone home. Flamberge was the lone exception. Making his way into the tavern after a long flight around the area he approaches the counter and says, “Hello Cream Puff, one plate of whatever leftovers you have, please.”
Puff nods, staying professional while in the kitchen. She may not really like him any more, but he still needs to eat, after all. She sets about heating up some of what’s left, making him a grilled vegetable sandwich and a salad on the side. “Here you are.”
Flamberge accepts the plate with a "Thank you." but instead of taking it to sit at one of the tables, he instead pulled up a stool and sat to eat at the counter, like they had all done before the tavern was built.
Puff nods and turns around to start cleaning up. Flamberge was the last one to show up for dinner. Now that everypony is accounted for, Puff can put the food away and get ready to relax, once the kitchen is clean.
"Puff, you've hardly said two words to me for months, what's wrong? We used to be friends." he asks, putting on a mask of ignorance.
Puff sighs and keeps cleaning as she talks. “Yeah, and then you kissed me.”
Flamberge nods, "I know, I was there, and I distinctly remember you kissing me back. So why avoid me now?"
“Because it was a mistake. I don’t like you like that any more, Flamberge. And I was hoping to avoid this awkward conversation.” Puff works at a stubborn bit of stuck on food as she talks, thinking about how similar it is to Flamberge right now.
"So, because you no longer want a romantic relationship, we can't be friends?" reasons Flamberge, between bites of his dinner.
Puff grumbles to herself, wondering why the jerk has to make such simple sense. “We can be, as long as it doesn’t go past friendship.”
Flamberge smiles a faux grin, "I'm glad Puff. You and Crosshair are my two best friends in all the world, I wouldn't want to lose you like that."
Puff turns and gives him a slightly forced smile. “Yeah...”
Flamberge eats in silence for a few minutes as Cream Puff works, then says, "You know, I know what Crosshair told you by the river, Cream Puff. And I don't know if this even factored into your decision, but if it did, I'll just tell you, I would be okay with it."
Cream Puff proves she’s a paragon of restraint by not braining Flamberge with the very heavy pan she’s cleaning. “No, you didn’t factor into it.”
Flamberge nods, "Alright,I just wanted that out there." he says as he takes another bite of his food. After swallowing, he changes topics, "So, how have you been these last few months?"
Puff shrugs and finishes cleaning the dishes and whatnot. “Been alright, keeping busy. More migrants means more mouths to feed. Much more and I really will need a sous chef to help me out.”
Flamberge nods while chewing his food, he then says, "Yeah, I've been busy too. Several new recruits to train, at least they seem to have more discipline and experience then RedHat did. I imagine you aren’t happy about my decision to arm the civilians, but I do think it’s for the best, and after Millstone, I expect more ponies will agree."
Puff shakes her head. “Giving everypony a crossbow doesn’t bother me, though I hope you don’t expect me to do much with one. I’ve tried shooting before. ‘Hopeless’ doesn’t even begin to describe it. Heh, just ask Crosshair.”
Flamberge leans back, as he says, "Yeah, I don't expect much from the civilians, but I do want some fortifications for them to shoot from, added to the walls, after the basic palisade is finished, but that's a ways off, however, I plan to have Crosshair leading demonstrations and training exercises for all the civilians. I'm leaving the details of scheduling that to the manager, but as soon as we have enough weapons to go around, and spare bolts for target practice..."
“As long as we aren’t expected to resemble anything organized. I doubt many of us would be able to handle the kind of rough training you seem to put ponies through.” Puff leans on her side of the counter, still in the comfort of the kitchen. If she’s going to talk to Flamberge, maybe she can figure out if he’s abusing Crosshair like she suspects.
Flamberge smiles, "Oh, I don't plan to be as tough on the militia, as I am on my full time soldiers. Just target practice, formation drills, and maybe some basic hoof to hoof combat, just in case, they get cornered."
Puff thinks about that Diamond Dog she stumbled over so long ago and nods, glad it decided to run instead of try to start something. “Makes sense, I suppose.”
"Yeah. I think Crosshair is looking forward to it," he says, before taking a drink from his cup.
The two continue making small talk while Flamberge finishes his meal, after he finishes he stands and says, "Well, good night Puff, I guess I'll see you for breakfast tomorrow. Sleep well Puff, I...we both still love you, if you ever change your mind." he turns and heads for the door.
“Nite Flamberge.” Puff watches him go, thinking. He was almost the stallion she thought he was during their talk... but things were subtly off. Maybe she’s just overthinking things. Or maybe Serenity is right about him.
Post by: Splint on March 26, 2013, 05:49:28 pm
5th Galena, 270
Well we've made our choice. Pepper wants to get way from the crowding in the capital, and I'm not really much of one to tell her otherwise. She's already packing what little stuff we can bring, so we'll probably be out of here by the end of the week.
At least we aren't going alone. A few ponies from the auxiliary guard here are coming two, along with their spouses if they got'em. At least we'll e able to make small talk on the trek I guess. Probably won't get to write in you again until we get there.
20th Galena, 270
Got a break, figured I'd write. March to Duskfields is going well. We managed to get a copy of a map from some merchants who said they'd been there before we set out. Should be there before the end of Limestone. Can't get there soon enough. If I hear another crappy joke from Rosebud I might have to look for something to hit her with.
21st Limestone, 270
We can see the town up ahead! We're taking a breather for the night since we've been walking for 18 hours a day to get here. I take back what I said, Rosebud is one tough old bitch to be making this trip on just grass and whatever we can find growing on bushes. We should be there tomorrow!
23rd Limestone, 270
well, we've settled in now that we're here. Pepper absolutely loves it. And I do to. It's a nice little town, has enough food for everypony, and I even got a job in the militia right off the bat! I gotta admit I am a little jealous of Flamberge's beard. Clearly he takes good care of it, and it looks quite fitting on an officer.
1st Sandstone, 270
Well well, one heck of a wedding happened today! I need to remember to give the newly weds my best.
Pepper's giving consideration to us having a foal here. I guess see a bunch of happy healthy little ones running around plus the wedding is getting to her a little bit, not that I'm opposed to the idea.
7th Sandstone, 270
Well. I learned the hard way yesterday that parasprites have sharper teeth on them than I thought. I'm glad pepper Flakes got away from the little freaks of nature and warned the rest of us. I had to get stitches thanks to the little bastards, and they might've pulled one of the younger foals apart if they got in the way of the little cretins and the food.
12th Sandstone, 270
Something doesn't seem right.... I feel like something's watching us. I'm probably just being paranoid.
15th Timber, 270
Things got messy yesterday... Real messy. Some old fellow named Millstone got iced in an attack. They snapped his neck... It must've been a terrible way to go. If I die in battle, I hope it's over quick.
Post by: KingStrongbeard on March 26, 2013, 06:46:30 pm
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Case%20Study%20Avatar.png)(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Crosshair%20Avatar.png)(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png)
Today, was suppose to be another morning where Crosshair goes to train and patrol with her commander, but that's not the case. She had not manage to go there yet at all and she's late for like a hour already! In her defense, she was busy being sick and puking in her room. Unable to get out, she hadn't even ate anything yet and she feels like she's going to die.
The commander expecting her to have just slept in goes and knocks on her door loudly.
Crosshair groaned, crawled over to her door and opens it, she barely made it to the door, still on the floor like so.
"Crosshair!" exclaims Flamberge, "what's the matter? Are you sick?" he asks while picking her up from the floor
She was weak and mostly limp, but find comfort in nuzzling into her commander. "nn.. I am.." she groaned.
“Do you need to see Case Study?" he asked
“I'll be.. I'll be fine.." She said weakly before quickly turning around to puke into a bucket.
"You don't look fine. " he wraps a wing around her. "Come on. Let' s go see the doctor. "
Crosshair didn’t have enough strength to wiggle her way off of him and just groans as she’s taken off and away to see the doctor.
Flamberge carries her on his back to Case Study's clinic and throws open the door without knocking, laying her upon an open bed.
A certain light blue pony was slumped over in his chair, clearly asleep and drooling on a short stack of papers under his face. The noise of the sudden entrance caused him to produce a startled snore, “...in the paint? Put the frog...in the paint...” He then fell back into a deeper sleep.
"Doctor!" Flamberge nearly shouts, "You've got a patient."
“Glurgh!” He snaps out of it and jerks upright with a piece of paper stuck to the side of his face. He quickly paws it off and clears his throat. How embarrassing to be found asleep on the job. The doctor regains his composure in an instant, “Oh, um, what seems to be the problem Mr. Flamberge?”
Flamberge gestures to Crosshair. "Crosshair is sick. She's been vomiting and feels weak."
Shrugging off the lethargy, he rises to his hooves. “When did this all begin?” The doctor walked over to the white pegasus and tried to feel her forehead for a fever, “I don’t recall any illnesses going around Duskfields. She wasn’t bitten or stung by an insect, was she? Did she consume some questionably-prepared food?”
Crosshair groaned and had to fight back another wave as she whimpered out weakly “Not been bit.. Doctor.. a-and.. Puff’s food’s great..” Then she turned to the side of the bed and hurled into a conveniently placed bucket. Which happens to be a trash bin.
Flamberge places a hoof on her back gently as she does so, he looks to Case Study, "Well doc?" He asks legitimately concerned.
“No fever, no spoiled food, no bites or stings...” he summarized as he narrowed his eyes and thought for a moment, “There are other possible causes, such as extreme anxiety. Another might be an intentional poisoning, but I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion of foul play just yet. It also could be...” he quickly flicked an eye to Flamberge and then back to Crosshair, “Pregnancy. One of the first signs of that is morning sickness. I can test for that immediately.”
The doctor walked over to his desk and opened a drawer. After he pulled out a stalk of tenderoot and snapped it in half to reveal the aromatic oils within, he explained, “Mares with morning sickness often find plants with strong odors to be revolting.” Case approached the miserable pegasus and offered her the green stem, “My apologies in advance, Ms. Crosshair, but would you mind taking a deep breath of this?”
The poor captain nodded weakly as she raised her head just enough to take a deep breath of it, Then puked out the rest of her stomach’s content into the bucket. Resulting in even more groan and whimpers
“I would say that works in favor of the pregnancy theory. Of course, the obvious question now is whether she could actually be pregnant. I don’t mean to intrude into your personal lives, but is it possible?” It was pretty obvious what he was asking.
Flamberge rubs Crosshair's back with his hoof as she wretches, "uh yeah, it's certainly possible." He replies.
The doctor nodded, “In that case, I currently believe that this is the most likely explanation. I can’t be absolutely certain of that at this moment, but time will tell soon enough if she is. Keep an eye out for unexplained weight gain. As for controlling the nausea, I would suggest giving her food and drink products made with ginger. Hopefully Ms. Puff will have some. Try to keep her diet simple as well, no exotic plants or anything with even smallest likelihood of containing toxins or irritants. If her symptoms worsen or if any new complications develop, come back to me immediately.”
Flamberge seems to light up at the news then frown again as Crosshair groans. "Is there any way to ease her symptoms?" He questions.
“I’m afraid morning sickness is something that has to resolve on its own. Although the symptoms can be managed, that can’t be eliminated with normal medicine. It will probably be several weeks before she is over it, although I have heard of mares keeping it for months. Ginger and bedrest are my best suggestions for now. Make sure she stays well-hydrated as well. There might also be the off-chance of someone knowing an anti-nausea spell in Duskfields, but I’m somewhat doubtful.”
Flamberge nods, "Thanks doc. Crosshair?"
Crosshair nods weakly, trying to beam Flamberge a smile as she tries to climb over his back to rest there for him to carry her away. “Thank you.. Doctor..” she managed out weakly before groaning again.
“You’re quite welcome,” he responded with a small smile, “If you need assistance in getting back to your room, I’d be willing to help.”
Flamberge stands seemingly unencumbered by the small mare on his back. "I can handle her from here Case. Thank you."
Flamberge heads outside taking Crosshair home to rest.
Post by: DVNO on March 26, 2013, 07:27:37 pm
Max flags Temperance down on the way to whatever things, probably very important things he was attempting to attend to.
“Hey Temperance!”
Temperance pauses in place and looks over to see Max headed his way. He hadn’t spoken with the griffon much recently, so it was probably something important. If not, he could use a little distraction from the planning he was about to do. “Hey, Max. What’s up?”
“Oh, I just wanted to know how the ball and chain is going.” He grinned. “ And I never did thank say thanks for the apartment either.”
He flashes Max a half-cocked smile. “She’s doing well, thanks.” The smile turns genuine as he says, “And you’re welcome about the apartment. I mean, you helped build like six of them, and we had a few extras.” He waves a hoof in the direction of the buildings as says, “You did a great job.”
“See? I told you this bird is good on his word." He takes a look around the fort, admiring his handywork. “It seems only like yesterday you came the this humble patch of dirt . . .” The griffon juts out his feathers. “Now I’m just glad you picked the right tool for that job.”
Temperance chuckles and nods. “Yeah, it does feel like you just crashed through there the other day,” he says, glancing at his office. “And you certainly didn’t disappoint with the carpentry skills.” He looks back to Max. “I’m more than happy to have the extra help around here, that’s for sure.”
“Can’t say it hasn’t been fun! With all the new ponies i’ve met, It’s never been a dull moment round’ here.” Max continues. His expression shifts into something backhanded. “ Even if some of you are too curious for your own good.”
Temperance raises an eyebrow. “Pardon?”
“Oh, the Red hatted one, broke into my cave awhile ago.” Max replied. “No harm done. But, jumping jasmine gypsies did it give me a scare.”
“He broke into your cave?” Temperance asks. “Why would he do that? And why was he out there anyway?”
Max thinks. “well, naw’, actually his wolf broke in, then he came in after.” He shakes his head. “Don’t ask me how his wolf got all the way up there, I’ve been trying to puzzle that out since it happened, It’ll drive you crazy.”
Temperance raises a hoof to his chin. “Well... I guess Bonnet following you up there makes more sense. Why though, I have no idea. At least she didn’t hurt anything.” He sighs, “Rest assured, I won’t tolerate ponies invading your privacy like that. On purpose, anyway.”
Max closes his eyes in understanding. “No offence taken. It’s in your nature to be curious; I get that. Just like it’s mine to jump on every vole I see.” He cocks his head. “ I wouldn't be surprised if he conjures up some stories about my cave . . . odd noises and the like. It’s got a bit a of a ‘cold howl’ rushing through it up there.”
Temperance resists the urge to roll his eyes at the remark about them being too curious. “Yeah, I suppose it probably does get pretty windy up at those altitudes.” He smiles and points at the apartment again. “If it ever gets too chilly up there for you, at least you’ve got a warm place to sleep now, right?”
“Yeah . . .” Max’s wings fidget a little. “Yeah about that. As fun as being around your fort has been, I may have to say sayonara soon. . .”
Temperance frowns a bit. “Oh, really? I’m sorry to hear that. You’ve been a tremendous help around here. I understand that you’ve got a life elsewhere though, and if you’ve got obligations elsewhere...”
He shifts around, a little saddened. “Yes, I have a migration I have to keep, and, uh,” Something in his stilted tone made his speech feel disingenuous. “And a family to keep happy as well. Sure you understand.” He closed his eyes solemnly. “Yep. Just less than three weeks. I cannot thank you enough for the hospitality though.”
Temperance nods solemnly. “You’re welcome, and thank you again for the help you’ve been. I’d rather not keep you from your family though.” After a moment, Temperance asks, “Wait... I thought you said you were alone out here?”
Max’s head swerves back. His eyes flick to the left pensively, choosing his next words carefully. “Er . . . Yes, yes I guess I did.” He takes a deep sigh. “I told you I was alone out here. But, in fact . . .” He laughs nervously. “There’s a Mr. Yellowfeather. Sorry ‘bout that. Not exactly something you say when you just shake hooves and claws.”
“Mr. Yellowfeather?” Temperance asks, a bit confused. “Your father?”
Max gives a listless shrug. “Sure. Let’s go with that.” ‘Thats much easier to explain . . .’ Max thought. “Yep, just a few more walls, a little more working on the pumps with Smoothblock, A little more corpse burying and I’m done I’m afraid.”
“I see,” Temperance responds, still sounding a bit unhappy. “Well, if you have to move on, I understand. But if you want to bring your father around, don’t be a stranger. You’re always welcome here, and so is he.”
“”I’ll keep that in mind.” Max said with his same old smile. “Here’s to an uneventful next three weeks, huh?”
Temperance makes a nervous chuckle. “Yes, please.”
Post by: DVNO on March 26, 2013, 07:31:01 pm
The cave, a few days earlier. . .
“ - I’m telling you It’s just not safe anymore.” The Carnith retorted with a twinge of anxiety. The elephant sized blue and orange dragon was having himself a dinner of half a calf carcass in the middle of his gold hoard. The dragon had a bony crest, four short but thick legs, bat-like wings and spiked tail. A long scar stretched across his back diagonally in between the separation between his wings. His serpentine yellow eyes harbored nothing but a nervous twinge as well.
“Carn, you’re havin’ another panic attack again.” Max said while preening himself on top of a aged granite table in the hall.
Carnith cocks a brow as he rips off a particularly tough piece of raw beef off the bone. “Am I? How can you even suggest I’m the one overreacting here? After a pony waltzes right in the front door?”
Maxwell tensed up. Oh, and how many more times was that going to come up? “It was a one off, Carn. A total shot in the dark. It’ll never happen again. I’ll get Temperance’s word on it.”
“Yeah? I bet that Temperance is tellin’ you everything you want to hear. How do you know he didn’t order that pony to trail you himself?” Carnith rolled his eyes at how trusting Max could be sometimes.
“Because I have I lil’ faith in the ponies, Carn. They are honest bunch.” Max said dismissively as he fluffed out his feathers for further examination. Ah, he missed a spot on the left. Preen, preen, and preen some more. “If you didn’t act so hostile towards ‘em all the time you’d know they’re not so bad . . .” He muttered under his breath.
Carnith’s scaly ears pin back and he lets loose a wry, jagged smile. “Max! Have you gone native on me?!”
Max, satisfied with his plumage, grinned back and fluttered behind Carnith. “Course not.” Max went to work massaging the dragon’s back with his claws. “Why? Worried something will take me away?”
“Always.” Carnith sighed, content at the welcome bit off stress relief. “ You know that. Every time you fly off to ‘check’ on them - what they are doing - you’re gone just a little longer than before.”
“You could always come down and say ‘hi’.” Max reminded him.
“Yeah, yeah I’d imagine that would go well.” Carnith laughed bitterly. He scrunched up his snout. “You want to know why I act so hostile around ponies?” He asked while gesturing with his giant claw. “They have this nasty habit of killing me on sight? Killing my kin for scales and horns and all sorts of other valuable bits and ends? That’s why I’m so hostile” He scoffs. “My sister -”
Max put a claw over his face. “Yes, your sister flew too close to Dawnpick and ended up an armor stand. I’ve heard this one before. It was unfortunate.”
“Unfortunate?” Carn snapped with vitriol. “It was a bit more traumatizing than just ‘unfortunate’!”
“ - But you can’t let that hinder what I’m trying to do here! You have got to get past this if we expect to get anywhere.” Max said in his defense.
“Should raze the place.” carnith said half-humorously.
Max shook his head with horror. “Against Flamberge? You wouldn't stand a hair of a chance. Diplomacy is all we got on our side..”
“Still trying to find a way for us all to ‘co-exist’, right?” Carnith said sarcastically, his tone full of doubt. “Give up the dream already, Max. Duskfields is going to run me out with pitchforks the second they get a whiff of me.”
Max puffed out his chest, shrugging off the reality of the situation yet again. “I don’t want to believe that. All I need is the time ta’ a way to make it work, There’s a solution to find here, I know there is.” He said adamantly. “If I just do right by Temperance, if I build up a good enough reputation he might give this a shot -”
“I still say moving is the best option for us.” Carnith said, closing his eyes. “Somewhere sunny and tropical this time.” He grunted.
Max exhaled solemnly and wrapped his arms around the dragon’s neck. “Maybe, maybe.” He looks back at the hoard. “But all that gold . . .”
“Sell it to the caravans, turn it all this into some pocket change for us to hit the road with.” Carnith sighs. “ I know how you feel. I just got used to the sheen too. It’s not a fair deal by any stretch.” Carn stomps down the hallway with Max still wrapped around his back. He he kicks the remains of the cow carcass out of the cave and gazes down at Duskfields in the far landscape below. “But, I just can’t do it anymore. Flying two valleys over every day for cattle, Staying in the cave for days on end for fear a pegusai might see me. I can’t be a dragon! It’s driving me stir crazy, which isn’t good for nobody. Not down there or up here.” Carn assured Max.
Max gazed down at Duskfields in heavy thought.With all the friends he had made in the past months, it feels wrong to just leave. But Carnith has more than a point. There was no chance those ponies would accept a dragon into the fold, as much as he loathed to admit. He might be hanging on to an impossible dream. Flamberge and Praetorian barely tolerated his presence as is. It just wasn’t fair to Carnith. To wait for a day that they both know will probably never come. Maybe, just maybe, taking off was best.
Max gave Carnith a pensive glance. “You really want to leave?”
After trading an unsure glace back , Carnith gave pained “Yes.” He shook his head. “The Red hatted one, He’ll tell stories of this place. There will be more and more nosing around. We’ll have to get more and more elusive; until we’re not living at all. I have seen it before. It’s better to just get out of their way. Live and let live. Start a new hoard.”
The dragon cranes his neck up to Max. “Listen, if you would like to stay down there, I would understand . . . I could go on my own.”
Max huffed. “Leave you? Then who is going to save your ass from trouble all the time? Who’s going to keep the cave clean, you big mess?” He grumbled. “Give me three weeks, that’s enough to time to say goodbye to ‘em all.”
Carnith chuckled lightly. “A few weeks is all it would take to wrap things up down there? Are you sure?”
“Yes. A few weeks outta do.” Max let out with a with a dutiful expression. “Just an odd project here or there that need to get done. With those Discordants, they need all the help in the world . . .” the griffon leapt off Carnith’s back and took flight. “This is the last time I’m going down to Duskfeilds, then we pack up and fly the coop yet again.”
“I’ll get everything packed while you’re down there.” Carnith said, trying to be helpful.
“Better still.” Max started to float away, towards Duskfields.
“Be careful . . .” Carn uttered, more nervously than ever.
Post by: Amorack on March 26, 2013, 09:02:05 pm
Galena 19th, 270
(A few days before the last update.)
So far, today had been rather uneventful. The doctors office was quiet and still. Well, all except for the rhythmic tapping of a hoof against the hard surface of a wooden desk. Case Study was sitting alone as he stared at a jar of water that he had collected some hours ago. Immersed within the liquid of the container was the Moon’s Tear gemstone that he had obtained from the zebra caravan. He was attempting to follow the instructions given to him on how to use it to create healing potions, but things seemed to be moving at an agonizing pace. Case had tried to reorganize files, tidy up, write out plans, water the potted tenderoot plants; anything to make the time seem to go by faster.
Last night, the Moon was only about a quarter full. It had taken around three hours of exposure to that pale moonlight before the stone had begun to glow in a manner which mimicked that grand orb in the night sky. Although the process was slow, there did seem to be some progress in transferring the luminescence from the stone to the water within which it was submerged. He was going to make sure to test it on himself before administering it to any patients; he couldn’t let strange magic into the body of a patient without knowing for certain what it might do.
The door to the hospital opened, and Convalescence strolled inside. "Morning, Case Study," she said as she closed the door behind her and approached his desk. "What's that you're working on?"
“Oh, hello Dr. Convalescence,” he promptly responded, “I’m attempting to mix up a healing potion.” The stallion motioned with a hoof towards the bottom of the jar, “I had the good fortune to obtain this precious stone from the zebras. It’s supposedly enchanted in such a way that it can convert moonlight into healing magic. It’s taking quite a while to complete the process, so I haven’t tested it yet.”
"Oh, that's interesting. If it works it should be very useful," she replied sincerely. "Well if it doesn't require your attention, I'm gonna go get something to eat if you feel like coming with?" Convalescence put a hoof to her swollen stomach, "I am still eating for two, for a little bit longer at least," she said smiling.
He ceased tapping on the desk after a moment of thought, “...that sounds like a fine idea. I haven’t eaten anything this morning yet.” Case pushed his chair out from the desk and stood up, stretching his back, “I don’t suppose it’s going to run away on me. Let us be off.”
"Haha, let's hope not. I don't think the merchant would give you a refund." With that she walked back to the door and walked outside into the crisp morning air.
Once the two were in the tavern, Case Study decided that he was in the mood for corn this morning. A few extra vegetables on the side wouldn’t hurt, either. He took his plate and found an empty seat at an unoccupied table. He had rarely taken the time to sit down and eat properly in the tavern; the blue stallion had a tendency to eat whilst being busy with other things. It was a wonder that he ever even realized what he had consumed after the fact.
Convalescence, on the other hoof, sometimes had to stop herself from overeating. Surveying the options, she was tempted by some of the sweeter indulgences, but eventually decided to pick up a fresh salad. Taking it over to their table, she sat down and began to eat.
After swallowing a mouthful of the roasted corn, Case started off, “I don’t believe we’ve ever actually taken the time to sit down and get to know each other. May I ask what brings you to Duskfields, Dr. Convalescence?”
"No we really haven't, but I'm glad we finally are. It's nice to talk outside of work for a change," she said. "Anyway, Patches and I used to live in another settlement, where I was a Markspony if you can believe it. One day we wanted a change of scenery, and we didn't have much keeping us there, so we moved here. It's been almost a year now. Would you mind if I asked the same of you?"
He chewed up a slice of bell pepper before downing it, “I suppose there were several contributing factors to that decision. You might imagine that maybe it was a duty of selflessness to come help a new establishment stand on its own four hooves by keeping it healthy. Perhaps there was even a bit of intrigue in starting a new life where nothing was guaranteed and you had to live not knowing what the next day would bring. However, I think the single biggest motivation was...and I’m a bit sad to say this...the desire to put some distance between me and my ex-wife.”
Hearing that, Convalescence looked up from her plate, pausing her meal out of respect. "Oh...I'm sorry to hear that. Did it at least help?"
“In the sense that she stopped trying to get back with me...yes...it did,” he took a sip of water from his mug, “I don’t believe she’s a bad pony...just...I know that if we had gotten back together that nothing would have changed between us. To be honest, we were married before I was even sure that it was what I wanted. She just kept pushing for it so much...and it didn’t help that mother kept chastising me for being ‘in my thirties and not yet having given her any grandfoals’,” Case rubbed the side of his head as he began to feel a bit of throbbing.
"Are you alright?" She asked, her voice slightly tinged with worry.
He put his hoof down, “Oh, it’s...nothing. I just have a problem with headaches. I’ve had it for as long as I can remember.” Although they became worse after the divorce. He decided that he would keep that little fact to himself. “They tend to come about when I’m hungry, stressed or tired. Don’t worry about me, Dr. Convalescence, it will pass.” Case shook his head, “Well, I can see that your marriage appears to be going well, at least.”
Looking somewhat reassured by his explanation, the mare smiled at his last remark. "Heh, well if you mean the foal I wouldn't say that's...indicative of a good marriage, but yes Patches and I are very happy. And we can't wait to be parents!"
“I’m sure that you will make quite the nice mother if your care of patients is any indication,” the red-eyed doctor affirms before crunching up a caramelized onion.
"Thank you. I just hope it comes as naturally as treating patients does,"
“I believe doctoring is a good start when it comes to the care of others, although I’ve never taken care of foals myself. So far, all of the mares that have become mothers in Duskfields since we began seem to be raising their children quite well. That should be at least a bit reassuring.”
Considering this, she looked more confident, "It is actually, I won't be doing it alone, and from what I've seen in the past year, Duskfields will be a good place to start a family,"
Images of the discordants attacking come to Case’s mind as she says that, “...I can certainly hope so.” He completed his ear of corn and prepares to take a slice of mushroom, “You were once a markspony, if I heard correctly? What led you to become a doctor?”
"Well, I've always been interested in medicine and helping ponies even as a filly," she began as she turned in her seat to show him the mark of a bloody needle and thread with a roll of bandages that adorned her flanks.
“Ah, yes, I had noticed that before. A rather nice mark.”
The two chatted back and forth for a bit longer, but soon completed their meals and headed back to the hospital. It took another half an hour, but the healing serum finally ripened. Soon, Case would test to see if it held up to expectations...
Post by: Telgin on March 27, 2013, 01:40:22 am
Temperance took another long look at the tombstone just in front of him. The funeral for Millstone had been held the previous day, so it was just him out here. And his mother.
She was sitting quietly next to him with her head held low and her eyes closed, which he was emulating. He hated to admit it, but he didn't really know what to do right now. He'd spent decades in the same temple as his parents, listening to quite a few of his mother's teachings about the gods. Amug wasn't a common topic, but he'd learned plenty. More than what most ponies would absorb by just sitting there anyway. She was his mother after all.
Yet, as they sat there looking at the grave, Temperance had no idea what to do. He'd said a brief prayer to Amug, asking for her to take Millstone's soul, but he didn't know what else to do. His mother was apparently still praying, so he must have forgotten something. He took a deep breath and waited longer. And waited. Finally, his mother looked up. "He is in Amug's hooves now," she said in a tired tone. "We've done what we can. Only he can give account for his life now."
"He was a good stallion," Temperance said, not taking his eyes from the inscription on the stone slab and patch of recently upturned soil. "He was a hard worker and got along well with everypony."
"Then he has nothng to fear," his mother said. "Nirmek's mercy will be upon him, and Amug will take his soul to be with her."
Out of the corner of his eyes, he could see her looking slightly in his direction. Something else was on her mind. "What is it?"
She said nothing for some time. "He has nothing to fear. But us... you..."
He didn't need to ask what she meant by that, and he nodded slowly. "I know. Believe me... I know."
"Your father and I will be returning home to Coupledye soon. You don't have to stay here."
He shook his head. "I can't come home, mom. You know that. I can't abandon everypony here."
"Somepony else can take over. There are plenty of ponies here, there has to be somepony here who can manage things until Coupledye can send a replacement. Surely."
"I'm sure there is," he said, finally turning to look her in the eyes. "But even so, I'm not coming back."
"Why not?" she insisted.
"You know why. If I went home, think about what that would say about me? Or the family? When the king got word that I quit and ran away? That I just threw his trust away, and couldn't handle it?"
His mother looked as if she was in mild disbelief. "Is that worth your life, Temperance? Pride? You know the sayings about pride."
He glowered and looked down. "Virtue didn't quit. You didn't try to get her to quit."
"She didn't have to deal with discordant ponies, Temperance. The badger ponies? They're nothing compared to this." Faith stepped toward him. "And you don't know what we did and didn't say to her. We asked her several times to come home, but she wouldn't have any of it either."
"And everything turned out alright for her, didn't it? She's even a duchess now, because she stood in the face of all of that and proved to the king that she had what it took." He raised a hoof to his chest. "I can too!"
His mother sighed and laid a hoof on his withers. "What about your family? She didn't have a family until long after Dawnpick was safe. Are you willing to take that risk for Morning Dew? Or Mountain Dew?"
"We are safe," he said. "Have you see Flamberge and the soldiers fight? We can hold off a few discordant ponies until we get more soldiers. So the king or one of his advisors miscalculated. It's a bit more dangerous out here than they realized, but that'll just show them all the better when we secure Duskfields."
She looked forlorn as her attempts to convince her son that this was madness were being swept aside. She put another hoof around him and pulled him into an embrace. "Temperance... just promise me. Promise me that if it gets any more dangerous you'll come home where it's safe. You might not understand, but if something happened to you, your father and I would be devastated. Your sister would be crushed too."
"I know... I know..."
"Promise me?" she asked once again, locking eyes with him.
He fought it as long as he could, but he could never say no to that look. Even at the age of thirty-seven, his mother could get him to do just about anything with it. "Alright. Alright, I promise."
She squeezed him tight in the hug, surprisingly strong for a mare well into her fifties. "Thank you."
As the two held each other, Temperance looked back at the grave stone. Everything was going to be okay. They were taking precautions. The soldiers were getting better, and they knew what they were doing. And they were getting more soldiers soon. They'd all be okay.
Then he'd show his family that he had what it took too.
Post by: Dsarker on March 27, 2013, 04:44:37 am
Temperance was standing at the gate with his parents, helping them pack up their wagon in preparation for returning to Coupledye. They had been here for a while longer than any of them expected, with the complications that had arisen, but even still he was sorry to see them go. “That’s about it, I think,” he says, helping shove a box of food up onto the back.
“Looks that way,” Ward says, examining the contents of their wagon. “Say, where’s Morning Dew? Didn’t she want to come say goodbye to the new in-laws?”
“She was getting checked out by the doctors.” He frowns. “Actually, I should probably go check up on her myself. She’s been feeling a bit under the weather for the past few days.”
Morning Dew appears a little way off, walking slowly towards Temperance and the two other ponies with a huge smile on her face.
“There she is,” Temperance says, mirroring her smile. When she gets close enough to speak, he asks, “Feeling better? You look a lot better.”
“Still feeling a little queasy,” she says, “but I know why now.” She continues walking over, and hugs Temperance tight. “Tempy...Case Study says... He says I’m pregnant again!”
Temperance’s face lights up as he hears the news. “Pregnant? That... that’s great news!” He looks over to his parents. “Mom? Dad? Did you hear that? Morning Dew’s pregnant!”
His parents exchanged glances, and smiles form on their faces too. “That is wonderful news,” Ward says, stepping over to give both a pat on the back.
Faith gives both a hug instead, but lets the tiniest amount of sadness creep into her smile. “Another grandfoal.” She chuckles. “We won’t know what to do with them all at this rate.”
“This is going to be great!” says Morning Dew “I... Do you want to name the foal this time, Tempy?”
He looks her in the eyes, then to his parents, then back. “I-I don’t know? Don’t couples usually talk about that for a while?” He finally releases her hug and asks, “How far along are you? Did the doctors know?”
“No, but it can’t be more than three months,” she says with a little smile. “Oh, this is going to be fantastic!”
He chuckles and nods. Being pregnant wasn’t much fun, from what he gathered, but knowing they had another foal on the way did a shockingly good job of lifting his spirits about his parents leaving. “I can’t wait to meet them,” he says, resting a hoof gently on her side.
Faith steps back and sighs. “I hate that we have to leave. I’d love to be here for when they’re born.”
“You could come back,” suggests Morning Dew.
“We could,” Ward says, smiling. “What do you think?”
Faith gives a half smile. “It’s a long trip to make, but I’d love to see our grandfoal when he or she is born.”
“And we’d love to have you back,” Temperance says. He gave each of his parents a strong, long hug and said, “I’ll miss you until then.” Morning Dew joins in on the hugging, holding each of her in-laws tightly.
“I’ll miss you too,” she says. “Do come back!”
“We will, you can count on it,” Ward says.
Faith nods. “We love you both, and we’ll see you soon.”
As his parents finally mount up and set off, Temperance nuzzles Morning Dew. He watches the wagon grow smaller in the distance for a few minutes, then says to her, “Come on, let’s go home and talk about names.”
Post by: Telgin on March 29, 2013, 09:28:32 pm
Flamberge, in his uniform, walks along the path to Temperance’s office, he seems in an extraordinary good mood today, when he arrives at the door, he checks his sword and straightens his peytral, before he knocks three times.
After a few seconds, hoof steps approach, followed by the door creaking open. A sleepy-eyed Temperance appears, who makes a slightly surprised expression. “Oh, good morning commander. Come in, have a seat.” He opens the door all the way and sits behind his desk.
Flamberge steps inside and sits opposite Temperance’s desk, “Temperance, I have two things to discuss, the first is good news and the second is a new work order for you.”
“Oh? What sort of news?” he asks, preferring to hear that first. He wasn’t too sure about the new work order thing. It didn’t sound like a simple request.
Flamberge smiles proudly, “I took Crosshair to see Case Study yesterday morning, and he has said she is almost certainly pregnant.”
Temperance reflects a smaller smile. “That is great news,” he says, wondering for a moment if he’d just missed any news of them being engaged. He decides not to mention it. “You two have been together for a long time now, that’s great to hear.”
“Indeed. Anyway, to get to the work order,” Flamberge begins to explain, “Crosshair and I are planning to move in together, and share one room now. However, we aren’t exactly looking to give up any space. Praetorian and Maize, despite being married, each have a room, and conveniently, one of them, is next to Crosshair’s room, we would like to have the carpenters tear down the wall between those two rooms, and allow us to claim the new larger space, for us and our foal, while my current room becomes up for grabs, perhaps Maize and Praetorian would like it, or one of the new migrants, I don’t really care..”
“Did they not move in together?” Temperance asks, confused. He starts rifling through a drawer and pulls out a small map of blocks with names corresponding to the houses. “I can’t believe I didn’t reassign their extra room...”
Flamberge quirks an eyebrow at his clearly unorganized manager, “Yeah, they sleep in the same room now, but their individual names are still on each door of their old rooms.”
Temperance raises a hoof to his forehead as he spots the error on the map. “No... I didn’t reassign their extra room. I can’t believe this... ponies have been waiting on rooms.” He fetches a pen, and says, “I, uh, know you said you didn’t want to give up any space, but this was just a mistake. We’re short on space, so the room really should go to one of the newer arrivals.”
"On what grounds?" questions Flamberge, "Why should we give up space we've been using for more than a year? I'm just requesting we move some things around. The new arrivals have the dorms and will have their own spaces soon enough."
“Yes... but the fewer new rooms we have to build, the better, of course. And Morning Dew and I moved in together in a normal sized room. The other married couples all live in the same sized rooms.” He looks up to Flamberge, and a particular thought strikes him. “You two... are... uh... right?”
Flamberge quirks an eyebrow and then nods, “Oh! No, we aren’t, nor to we plan to be married,” he replies trivially.
“Oh,” Temperance replies, equally simply. “I... just assumed...” He sets his pen down. “...but, even if you’re not... we do have several ponies without bedrooms. Three soldiers, in fact. Yari, Epaulette and Bascinet. If you wanted to move in with Crosshair, you’d be doing them a big favor by letting one of them have the room.”
Flamberge looks annoyed, "Temperance, I am the military commander here, she is the captain of the guard. The two of us are entrusted to protect everpony here from threats inside and out, all I'm asking from you, is to combine two rooms for us, and our family. Two rooms that we are already entitled to, do we not deserve at least this much from you?"
Temperance opens his mouth to speak, but simply stares into the paper in front of him. He wanted to press the issue a bit more. He was hoping that Flamberge would be willing to give the extra space up, but it didn’t look like he was. And he and Crosshair had earned it if anypony had. “I... guess I see what you mean.”
“Good.” Flamberge stands, “I’ll go help Crosshair move her things out of the way for the carpenters, and packing up my things, I’ll be expecting the workers, in the next day or so. Good day Temperance.”
“Right,” Temperance says, scratching down notes to get on that in the morning. Now seemed like a good time to review everything in Duskfields and make sure he hadn’t missed anything else like this. And prepare the explanations for when other ponies started asking about Flamberge’s special treatment.
Post by: KingStrongbeard on March 29, 2013, 09:49:11 pm
Crosshair let out a soft content sigh as she returned to her room, which she now shared with her Commander and made slightly larger for the expecting foal. Even now that her stomach’s settled and showing a little baby bump, making her look slightly chubby like Cream Puff, she still went to work. There may be no more spars for now to avoid any accidents, but she still take liking in shooting targets and guarding. This Evening she ended her shift early, there’d be other ponies taking her post for her, but for now, she just wants to wait for her loving stallion to return home with their dinner. They’d eat at the Tavern, but tonight Crosshair wanted it to be special with just them.
Flamberge returns a plate of food upon his back. Seasoned and roasted vegetables, some fruit and sweetened yogurt for dessert.
He places the food on the table and approaches Crosshair touching her bulge with a hoof and smiling. "Feeling alright today?" He asks.
Crosshair beamed as she laid on her side to let him touch her bulge like that, sighing contently “Mmhmm.. haven’t been feeling sick at all.” She chirped happily at him.
"Mmm, I'm glad to hear that." He gently kisses her belly then asks, "ready to eat?"
“Sure am!” She coos happily, giggling from the gentle kiss on her belly before slowly sitting up so she can face the table to eat with him.
Flamberge sits next to Crosshair on the bed as they begin to eat after a few minutes he asks, "I know the baby is still months away, but what about a name? Anything you were thinking of?"
“Mmm.. I think if it’s a filly I’m going to call her Crossbow..” She sighed contently, leaning onto Flamberge as they both eat. Enjoying her fruits and veggies.
Flamberge takes a bite, chews, and swallows before asking, "and any ideas for a colt?"
Crosshair giggled, swallowing some more of her food “I think that’s for you to decide.”
Flamberge looks in thought, "Perhaps... Claymore for a colt? And I had been thinking Curtana for a filly, but I like Crossbow too."
“Mmm.. That’d be a lovely name.” The small mare sighed contently, nuzzling lovingly into her stallion’s muzzle as they finish their meal together.
Flamberge puts down his utensils having finished his meal as well and leans into the nuzzle.
Flamberge turns to Crosshair and slowly begins to kiss her while gently pushing her down upon the bed.
She did not resist, cooing contently and lovingly into the kiss as she’s slowly being pushed down upon the bed, letting her rest her back on the soft cushion.
[Tasteful fade to black, to protect Telgin and the Toad’s delicate sensibilities.]
---------------
Also, we have Flamberge's journal.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png)
Flamberge Field Journal 21st Galena, 270
I spoke with Temperance about improving our defenses. He doesn't seem thrilled about arming the civilians, but he will submit to my instructions.
Flamberge Field Journal 14th Limestone, 270
Temeperance and Morning Dew are getting engaged. It seems the bastard she bore was his, and he plans to legitimize her. I'd bet there is a story in there somewhere, but if so, I'm ignorant of it.
Flamberge Field Journal 19th Limestone, 270
The well is complete, a sourse of clean water inside the walls will be a great boon, should the discordian's ever lay siege.
Flamberge Field Journal 22 Limestone,270
More recruits to train, and more civilians to protect. We need more supplies. We need more material, if my superiors saw what I have to work with...
Flamberge Field Journal 1st Sandstone, 270
The wedding was today, much to my surprise, it turned out to be a double wedding, with Praetorian and Maize tying the knot as well. I have to admit, I'm a bit jealous, Maize is a beautiful mare and Praetorian is a lucky, lucky stallion, I told him as much at the reception.
Flamberge Field Journal 6th Sandstone, 270
Parasprite swarm, one of the new recruits, Scimitar, and Redhat got bitten and needed stitches. Nothing else to report.
Flamberge Field Journal 14th Sandstone, 270
An ambush of discordian's struck today, they are getting more and more bold. Ol' Stallion Millstone got killed, sadly. However, I'm conserned that my, condition, may have come to Temperance's attention. I knew it was only a matter of time, before somepony else found out, but I'd managed to avoid it thus far. No other casualties though, and the body count of the enemy was high, hopefully the'll avoid us for a while now.
Flamberge Field Journal 6th Opal, 270
More bugs, killed someponies pet. A shame, but nothing can be done.
Post by: Kryptid on March 29, 2013, 11:49:33 pm
This is awful...this is just awful. Case Study prepared to pour some of the Moon’s Tear healing potion into some cloths. As far as he had previously tested it, the potion seemed to do good on the claims of the zebra merchant. The normally stern-faced pony was obviously troubled, despite attempts to suppress his feelings, “This...this will be just fine...hold still Mr. Redhat.” He began to dress the bite wounds as best as he could.
Redhat sighed a little, before tensing at the stinging feeling the potion had on bare skin. “okay... that hurts...”
Case groans, “The pain will subside quickly once the potion goes to work...” The numerous and shockingly-deep bite wounds scattered across Redhat’s body seemed to be bothering the blue doctor more than most might expect. “I don’t understand...they were so small...”
"I didn't even know they would do something like this. I've seen them attack crops, but never ponies..." Dr. Convalescence added from across the room where she worked on Scimitar, who had also suffered parasprite bites.
“Have you ever seen a swarm of bees kill a full grown cow? well, those things are bigger than a bee, and we’re smaller than a cow.” he then winced. “oww...”
“Yes, but parasprites aren’t venomous.” At least I hope not. After taking out a tiny glass, a small amount of the potion was poured into it, “Here...drink this...it’ll make the healing process go a bit faster.” Treating the problem from both the inside-out and outside-in simultaneously would surely turn this situation around in a hurry. Wouldn’t it?
He downed the medicine, wincing at it’s downright horrid taste. “Ugh... please don’t inform me that there is more where that came from?”
“We’ll see if any more becomes necessary...” Case had never tried the potion on such extensive injuries; his personal test was to simply see how well it could deal with a small scalpel cut above his own hoof. The test wound had healed in five minutes with no scarring. As he waited, Case feverishly chewed a stalk of tenderoot and rubbed his temples.
“well fine...” he sighed and fluttered his wings anxiously, “uhg...” the spearpony placed a hoof to his head, “Oh god... I must say, why is it always so hot in these parts. Back where I’m from it was so pleasant it actually snowed every now and then.”
“It...doesn’t feel that hot in here to me...but I’ve heard that snow can actually be pretty awful. It can kill crops and keep ponies from getting to where they need to go...”
“Yeah, if you're foolish enough not to farm the right crops or actually attempt agriculture in dead of winter. Honestly, if you don’t eat everything the moment you get you should enough stores for 4 months out of the year. And so long as you don’t go outside during a blizzard you’ll be fine...” He slouched into the chair in started to pant softly. “And I demand that you don’t tell... me that it’s anywhere close too... half decent in here and... open a window please.”
“That’s right, but sometimes snow can come outside of winter and...well...I don’t pretend to know a whole lot about farming...” An ear twitched, “Were...you hot when you first came in here? Do you feel...uncomfortable in any other way?” Concern began to rise in his mind.
“Well.. not really...” he coughed every now and then between pants “But.. i assume this place doesn’t decent air circulation...”
Something’s not right. Case rushes over to Redhat and puts an ear to his side, “How is your breathing? You’re...not having any trouble with it are you?”
At this, Convalescence looks up from her work and starts to look concerned.
“With what?” he started gave him an angry look, before tensing for a moment. “O-okay... some-thing.. is off..” his voice sounded hoarse (haha).
This didn’t bode well. “I think...you may be having a negative reaction to the serum...” Case responded with an obvious tone of concern. The zebras didn’t say anything about this. He quickly rummaged through the cabinets, “I don’t want to have to do this...please don’t let this become serious...”
“I...” he started to wheeze. “Tr-try... *Wheeze* my... best...” he started to struggle a little now and put his hooves up to his neck, the poor little pony just stopped breathing altogether.
No, no, no! Finally getting a hold of the tube he was looking for, the stallion rushed back to the green pegasus lying on the matt. “Dr. Convalescence, quickly! Hold his head steady! We’re going to have to perform a tracheal intubation!”
The pony gave case a desperate look, not honestly knowing why this had suddenly happened, and did his best to hold himself still and stop the incessant flailing he was doing a moment ago.
Convalescence rushed over to the table where Redhat was asphyxiating. "Try to keep still, Redhat," she said in her best reassuring tone, as she put a hoof on either side of the stallion's head.
“This isn’t going to be pleasant, bear with me...” The body would never accept a foreign object being inserted into the windpipe, so the doctor knew to expect some reflexive attempt to reject the tube. Redhat was just going to have to deal with it, as the only other option would have been to carve a new breathing hole in his throat via tracheotomy. He began the process as gently as he could, but this was never an easy thing to do.
The pony gave him a frightened look as he saw the tube get closer to the green stallion’s now quiet blue face. He held still though, even though he kept wanting to buck the thing away from him.
“I’m sorry, this shouldn’t have happened...none of this should have happened...” he apologized as he managed to wiggle the tube into place. The blue pony let out a sigh of relief after the job was done, but he knew that Redhat was in a good deal of discomfort. He patted the pegasus on the back, “It’s alright, we’ll just have to ride this out...once the swelling goes down, we can take the tube out.”
The pony just relaxes as best he could with a tube down his throat, and gave Case a look, and an angry one. He didn’t know why he was swelling, but if Case was “Sorry” of it, then it was probably his fault.
The earth pony stallion shook his head and turned to Convalescence, “We’re going to need to test a bit of the potion on Scimitar before we administer it in full force. There’s no telling who may or may not be allergic to it.” She nods her head in agreement.
He gave case a really, really, really angry look. Had case even tested this before giving it for something so minor as a few cuts? wait... maybe Red was the test.... He pointed his hoof over at a pile of paper, hoping to be able to right down his personal discrepancies with Case Study’s testing policies.
“Oh...you want to write something?” After acquiring a page of paper and an inked quill, Case passed them off to the distressed patient.
the pony just started to right away, before hoofing the paper to Case, it read. “Do I look your common domesticated guinea pig?”
The skinny pony’s eyebrows lowered together as he processed what he was reading, “What...? Why would you think that? I’m not experimenting on you! I had this tested! I tested it on myself! Nothing of an adverse nature occurred. I mean...nopony had any kind of issues with New Dawn...I figured this Moon’s Tear potion would be the same...” He placed a hoof to his forehead and frowned. How I could be so obtuse?
The went back to righting, then hoofed the page at him in the same fashion. “I call it like I see it. Also, I demand you never give me your special brand of tonic water ever again. I don’t like having a hoose shoved down my throat after a hard day of getting my behind gnawed off.”
Case read the newly written message, “You know I won’t; I’m having this tested on everypony in Duskfields. I need to find out what makes one allergic to it...” I should have done that in the first place.
Convalescence leans over to read over the note. "Don't worry, Redhat, we wouldn't give it to you again knowing the reaction it caused." Now that Redhat’s life was no longer in imminent danger, she went back to Scimitar and continued dressing his bite wounds.
He tried to sigh, before realizing the tube made that rather difficult. he just started to write things down again. “okay... if you want to know what made my body reject your demonic tonic water, please feel free to ask away”
“You...know why this happened?” Case asked, feeling puzzled.
The paper was written on once more. “Well, first off, i can assume if you honestly did try it, and you didn’t end up suffocating, The big three things I could think of, are that I’ve got wings, I’m exactly native to these parts, and once you pop my hat off... well you know what I mean. And even then it could just be just me. “
“We’re going to find out which of those factors, if any, are responsible,” Case moaned.
With the last space on the paper, he wrote. “And do the other doctors know about what happens when my hat is gone?” before hoofing it to Case.
After reading that part, he folds the paper up and makes sure that Convalescence is preoccupied with Scimitar before whispering, “No, they don’t.”
The angry look on the pony’s face seemed to calm down now. So long as he could trust Case not to spill the beans, He figured he could maybe still trust him.
Post by: Telgin on March 30, 2013, 12:29:12 am
Case Study’s shadow cast across the door to Temperance’s office. He took a deep breath and exhaled. Whatever happens, I have to own up to my responsibilities. Slowly raising a hoof and pausing for a moment, he finally convinced himself to knock three times.
Temperance glanced up from the map he was scribbling on, and said, “Come in.”
As the door slowly creaked open, a sharp, blue muzzle poked in, “Good evening, Mr. Temperance.” He trotted in and kept the blank expression on his face that he had a tendency to carry at most times. On the inside, Case felt anything but composed. “Do you have a minute? I have something of great importance to discuss with you.” He made sure the door was closed.
Temperance could tell something was troubling the doctor, even before he said so. “Of course, of course,” he said, pointing at the chair next to Case Study. “Have a seat. What’s wrong?”
Good thing Case had eaten a whole stalk of the analgesic before he came in here. “Firstly, and I understand if this is not possible, I would appreciate it if you would keep the contents of this conversation confidential. I fear my reputation may be at stake.”
That had his attention. Temperance leaned back in his seat and nodded. “Yes, of course. What is it?” He was beginning to wonder if maybe this conversation was more appropriate for Serenity?
Might as well rip the proverbial bandage off. “It’s my fault. The parasprites that swarmed Duskfields yesterday, I mean. That was all because of me and my stupid, risk-taking studies for the sake of medical advancement.”
Temperance raised an eyebrow. “Come again? I’m not sure how you could be responsible for this. I mean, we’ve had several swarms out here and all.”
He closed his eyes as he put a hoof to his brow, “Look...I know this might not make much sense, but I’ll try to lay this out the best that I know how. You are aware of the very first parasprite swarm that overtook our establishment, correct? Well, after all of them were killed, I gathered some of their corpses and tried to do some dissection in my office. I thought I might learn something. I didn’t really, so I put them in the trash. The next day I took them back out because I had an idea the night before. Long story short, I was able to find a sufficiently intact embryo from one of the bodies to heal with the New Dawn potion...”
Case groaned and continued, “I kept the resulting parasprite in a copper cage in one of my desk drawers for a while...not having any better place to put it. I didn’t want anyone to know about it because of the fear it might cause. Yesterday, it finally chewed its way out. I think you can fill in the blanks as to what happened next...”
Temperance’s face didn’t change as he listened to the story. “You... kept a parasprite in your office? And it ate its way through copper?”
“Yes, yes, it’s true...it must have been grinding away at the metal for some time...not that the cage was that well made to begin with.” Images of the profuse bite marks on Redhat’s body ran through Case’s mind for a moment as he slumps in the chair. “Their bite is stronger than you think. Stronger than I thought...”
“There were some injuries, right?” Temperance asked, still taking a minute to process this. “I... this...” He mouthed a silent, “Wow.”
Case nodded subtly, “There were. They were minor...easily treated...but they were injuries nonetheless. I’m a doctor and a pacifist. I’m not supposed to be responsible for harming others. This could have easily turned out much worse, especially given that Mr. Redhat went into anaphylactic shock from the medicine I gave him. I think you see now why I don’t want anypony else to know about this.” He sat upright again, “Nevertheless, I felt an obligation to let you know the truth, Mr. Temperance. If anypony has that right, it’s you. I don’t know if there is anything I can do to make this right, but I will accept any consequences you decide to impose on me for my actions.”
Temperance sat in silence, working his jaw as he thought. What was appropriate for this situation? “Well... nopony was seriously hurt, and no lasting damage was done to anything. I... I don’t...”
He shook his head. “Case, we don’t really have any provisions for issuing punishments for anything out here. And quite frankly... I don’t want to go through the trouble of setting something like that up for this. Not to mention it would most definitely not be a private matter if I did that.”
The physician’s red eyes locked with those of the stallion in front of him, “Does that mean that you are undecided about this?” That had the potential to be the worst answer possible; Case didn’t want to have to stew for days waiting for Temperance to make a decision on the matter.
“I... just a moment.” Temperance thought, tapping his hoof against his desk. He wanted to just dismiss it, but he felt that something was in order. “Look... it wasn’t a big deal. So... how about just cleaning the tavern floor every night for a week? I won’t tell anypony why, and if you do it after hours nopony has to know.” He lowered his eyebrows and added, “And no more parasprites in your office, okay?”
Some of the tension Case carried in his muscles lifted, feeling thankful that at least his job was going to be left intact. He wasn’t exactly thrilled about being a part-time janitor, but things could have gone a lot worse. “I understand, sir. I’ll begin tonight, if you wish.”
“That’ll be fine, thank you,” Temperance said, relaxing a bit himself. He waited a moment before adding, “I know you didn’t mean any harm.”
“Sometimes intentions are irrelevant,” he added after sliding out of the chair. “I do thank you for your time, Mr. Temperance.” With that said, he exited the office and clicked the door gently shut. Cleaning up the tavern, I suppose I do deserve this. What a happy birthday this is going to be for me...
Post by: Impending Doom on March 30, 2013, 07:25:28 pm
Serenity stands outside Praetorian’s home. She raises a hoof and knocks lightly on the door.
There is a short wait, and then Praetorian opens up the door. “Ah, Serenity. How are you?”
She smiles. “Oh, I’m doing quite well. I have a bit of time before my next appointment, so I thought I’d drop by.”
“Well, come in, come in!” he says, standing back to let her through into the small room. She can see in one corner a neat and well-kept collection of small pony statues, barely twice the size of her hoof. Above it, on a hook, hangs a small circlet of oak leaves. On the other side is a neatly kept bed, and a closed chest.
Serenity finds the accommodations quite spartan, but somehow still quite homely. She nods to him. “I like what you’ve done with the place.”
“It’s nothing, really. Just the Lararium and a place to sleep, really,” he says. “I’d offer you something, but...not really much food or drink here, heh.”
“That’s perfectly alright,” she says, “I didn’t come here for the food, after all.”
“Just the company?” he says in a little bit of a tease. “Please, do sit down,” he says, indicating the bed. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
Serenity hops up onto the bed, making herself comfortable. “Oh, nothing in particular. Just looking for some pleasant company.”
“And instead, you found me?” he says with a slight chuckle.
She chuckles in kind, sliding over to offer him a seat.
Praetorian sits down next to the mare, a smile on his face. “So, then. Now you’ve found me, you going to try and find out more about me, huh? Interrogate me like I’ve been interrogating you?”
“Well, I suppose I could... Where are you from?”
“A little city, out in the middle of nowhere. You’ve probably never heard of it. Called Roana,” he answers.
Serenity nods. “I think I may have seen the name in an old schoolbook once. What’s it like?”
“It’s a nice place, if a little small and insular. I suppose its most important feature is the barracks just outside the town, where some of the military of the Meandering Gloss is trained. Called the Field of Nokzam. All the ponies of the city go there, even if they’re not part of the military, for exercise and some weapon practice,” says Praetorian.
“That’s quite... different. Was the city often under attack?”
“Not too often. It was just a good way to get exercise, I suppose. We did contribute a few more soldiers to the legions than most cities, too.”
Serenity nods. “I see. So then what brought you out here?”
“The military, of course,” he says with a little self-deprecating smile. “Third term, and all.”
“So you were deployed out here. But then why would they send you alone?”
“Well, I admit it’s not the most typical of deployments. But it wasn’t too large of a place, nor did it have too many ponies. I guess we were just the ones they could spare.”
She nods. “I suppose we don’t really have anything out here important enough to warrant a full military deployment.” Serenity slides a little closer to Praetorian. “So, do you have any family in Roana?”
“A couple now, just the paterfamilias and materfamilias.” He smiles a little sadly. “Not many others of my family I’m in contact with now. And more than a few are dead.”
Serenity looks confused. “Forgive me... I’m not too familiar with the terminology. It sounds like... ‘father-family’ and ‘mother-family’?”
“Father of the family, and mother of the family,” corrects Praetorian. “They’re the heads of the household. In this case, my mother and father, but it could be so far as my grandparents, were they still alive.”
“Ah, I understand now. And what are they like?”
“They’re pleasant ponies, if a little distant,” he answers.
“I see.” She says, the faintest twinge of envy in her voice.
“What are your parents like?” he asks in return.
Serenity looks away. “...My parents died when I was still a little foal. I never knew them.”
Praetorian hugs the little mare tight. “I’m so sorry...”
Serenity leans into the hug. “No, it’s alright. It wasn’t like I was alone, I had my brothers and sisters.”
“Still,” he says, giving the mare a little nuzzle.
She accepts it, turning it into a brief kiss on the cheek.
Praetorian turns an interesting shade of red at the kiss, and only barely restrains a slight flinch at it.
Serenity blushes as well, chuckling nervously. “So, ah... do you have any brothers or sisters?”
“Uh, well. I’ve had a few,” he says, joining in on the chuckling after a second’s pause. “Three brothers, and four sisters.”
“And what are they like? Are any of them in the military too?”
“Well, some of my brothers were. Munifex and Miles were, yes. My sisters aren’t, and neither is Artitus.”
Serenity notes his use of the past tense, and looks concerned. “...Something happened, didn’t it?”
“...To Munifex, yes,” he says, looking over to the little set of figures, and noting the one of his brother. “He’s dead, now.”
“I’m sorry...” She leans against him, “...and Miles?”
“Miles... I don’t even know what happened to him. He just stopped sending letters, after a while. I pray that he’s well... But...”
Serenity raises his chin with a hoof, looking into his eyes. “Do you have faith in him? Do you believe he’s a strong, skilled warrior?”
“...Yes, I believe he is,” Praetorian eventually admits.
She smiles. “Then I believe he’ll be alright.”
“Yeah...” agrees Praetorian.
Serenity decides to change the subject. “And what about your sisters?”
“They’re still all alive, last I heard,” he says, happier to get on to a different topic. “Let’s see... Equa’s married to a stone carver back in Roana. Pulchra’s a clothing-maker, I think she’s moved to another city... What was it again, Cartwheel or something? Sacerdotessa’s a priestess, just moved to Coupledye if I recall. And... that just leave little Graminea, who’s married too, to a military officer, a captain if I recall.”
“Interesting. Is there some convention in your society against mares in the military?”
“Of sorts. Mares are to be protected. The military is also...well, less salubrious than most places, shall we say.” He shrugs a little, not breaking the hug that hasn’t been broken yet. “I suppose it might be different in other places...”
Serenity nods. “One of my sisters is a soldier. She’s actually been very successful.”
“That’s good to hear. You could be a good soldier too, if you wanted,” he said, and then smiled a little teasingly, before saying “I’m sure we’d be good partnered up. Keeping watching each others backs, and all,” in a teasing voice.
“I’m sure we would.” She looks away. “But... I don’t really want to hurt anypony if I don’t absolutely have to. I guess it’s just not in me.”
Praetorian turns her head to face him again. “I know you don’t...and that’s what makes you a better pony than I am. I’m just a soldier. You’re something more, something better, you and Maize are.”
Serenity looks up at him. “You’re so much more than that to us.” She cranes her neck up, hesitates, then moves up and pulls him into a brief, tentative kiss.
Praetorian enjoys the taste of her lips, but though he hides it, he is happy when it ends. “Serenity...” he says, not sure what else to say.
Serenity blushes furiously. “I-I-I’m sorry, I... I don’t know what...”
“Serenity,” he says again, brushing her mane. “It’s...It’s alright. Have you told...Have you told Maize about how you feel?”
“Well... she has mentioned that she’d like it if the two of us were a bit... closer.”
Praetorian bites his lip a little. “Serenity... I... Please don’t be offended by this. I... I love you...but... This is a little new to me. Can... Can we hold off on going any further than this, at least for a time?”
Serenity nods. “Of course. More than anything, I want you both to be happy.”
“That’s what I want for you two as well, Serenity... To be happy.” He brushes her mane aside, and gives her a little peck on her forehead. “Please, whatever happens, whatever comes between us...don’t let me hurt you, Serry.”
Post by: DVNO on March 30, 2013, 11:00:27 pm
Max’s Diary
7th Opal, 270
Overheard Temperance complaining about the parasprites today. He - he really doesn't know what he signed up for out here, does he? The parasprites aren’t classifiable as the typical animal or locust as far as i'm concerned. they are more apt to something like a natural disaster. Imagine a sandstorm where every grain is an autonomous creature that can maneuver through every crack and nook. The second that devious little grain takes a bite out of anything: A chunk of wood, an apple, a pony, It splits and multiplies.
Even if the living areas were watertight, (Which I know they’re not since I built the things) These parasprites will always be a maintenance problem out here. They will nest in apartment walls, the plumbing, the floors, the refuse piles! Anything!
Flame is always the best option for infestation. Glad I always have Dragonfire around, for sure.
17th Opal, 270
How many times have I told Carn to do something about those bones he likes to keep around? One day he’s going to trip on one and I’ll too busy patching him up to say the usual “I told you so” ‘s.
18th Obsidian, 270
Welp, here it’s finally come. The last day. How I had hoped this little venture would not end on a down note. Just leaving out of the blue. They’ll understand. Even though they won’t understand the whole underlying truth, they understand this kernel of truth enough: This is something I genuinely need to do.
My ‘ol pony mother, Patina, told me something that felt important, once. The meaning of loyalty. Loyalty is friendship that has caught fire. It is a quiet understanding, a mutual confidence, of love and forgiving. It is loyalty through the good times as well as the bad times that truly matter in the end.
I was fifteen. I was sailing a across the land, looking for Something. Exactly what, I never knew. One night, there was a terrible thunderstorm. I was caught in a violent gust and I can remember nothing after. Weeks later, I found myself in a dragon’s cave. Battered, wings broken. I was terrified, I thought he was going to eat me! Instead, he asked how I liked my salmon sandwiches, cut or uncut? I’ll never forget that. We grew to know each other. Carnith. Simply nothing like him. He nursed me to heath, And ... well. I got my wings back, but I flew nowhere. I felt for the first time, I found where I was trying to be in such a hurry in the first place. I was at Home. Odd? Sure as hell is. But I’m not one to question providence.
That was seven years ago. And still, we're doing just fine. And some ponies are not tearing up what we have going. Sorry, Temperance. It’s just a matter of loyalty. Nothing Personal.
I heard the Fell Jungles are particularly warm this part of the year ...
Post by: DVNO on March 30, 2013, 11:59:52 pm
Bloody Obsidian,
Obsidian 18, 270
Max was whistling a jaunty little tune as pulled a cart behind him to the outskirts of town. He paused and gave his typical friendly, gregarious nod to the ponies he passed along the way to his eventual destination. When he reached that destination, what the ponies coined the 'hole', the griffon ripped off the black tarp tied down on top of the cart. Inside were the results of Flamberge's latest glaucoma fueled rampage; a dozen or so fallen badger ponies. A couple bodies, a couple severed limbs, a couple decapitated heads. Oh joy. The military paid no consideration to the griffon that had to mop up the mess, did they?
Max began throwing odd bits and ends in to the 'hole', the mass grave the ponies regretfully had to dig for all these hostile aggressors. Not out of disinterest or disrespect towards the bodies, but out of a simple matter of overwhelming volume. Max was astounded at how much trouble this little farming town could stir up in such a short amount of time. He picked up a badger pony head from the pile with a bemused expression. "Maybe, you're just another reason to pack up." Max sighed, talking to the head, holding it like in the iconic Shakespeare play. "How many years have Carnith and I dealt with the likes of you? Six? A year more?" He asked the the head, which had a nice and neat cleave of a sword in the middle, tongue splayed out and eyes skewed in two separate directions. "Too many. Time for the ponies to deal with you. We’ve had our share.” Max feels contrite and selfish as he says it. “Then again, the discordants, the discordants are new. Never had to deal with them before. How will the ponies fare against them?" Max contended, his eyes flicking the left in unsure doubt. He sighed with a longing. "The things Carn could do for this place. What Duskfields could do with their very own pet dragon." His eyes turned to angry slits. "But that's all he would ever be to these ponies, wouldn't it? A pet. A tool. A' animal to be contained and controlled. They'll never see Carn as the Carn I know . . ." Max sighed and threw the head into the grave. He looked up to the pearl white clouds with a resolute jaw. "Not the the dragon I love." He said with a tone of finality. Sure. It’s been great working with these ponies, but life without Carnith simply ain’t no option at all. The choice was really black-and-white as it’s ever been before. Now if only he could phrase it neatly for the rest to understand. Max shakes his head. "Max how do you get into situations like these?" He muttered to himself.
Max hears the sound of hoof steps behind him. "Smoothblock, you got the grave dirt faster than I thought ya' would." He said with mundane surprise. Max turned around and what felt like a wall of Ice cold water hit him across the body. Time slowed down to crawl as he looked upon the tomahawk embedded in his stomach. He looked up at the pony wielding it with a betrayed, horrified stare. He had no Idea who this pony was with his burning red eyes, jagged yellow teeth and disheveled hair. He forcefully shoved the attacker away, still trapped in surreal disbelief - The tomahawk came with. The scared Griffon’s guts sloshed out of the wound and blood sprayed over the Discordant in broad flecks. Max clutched his stomach and doubled over on his back in confusion. His wings fluttered spastically as his ‘Flight or Fight” reaction kicked in, he tried to fly a thousand miles away from this lunatic standing over him. His wings were uncooperative though, as he could still barely register what was happening. He tried to cry out for some reason and mercy from the creature but all that came from his beak was a gurgle of black blood. His breathing became pained and labored. He weakly kicked the Discordant away.
The pony bared his teeth again in a yellow grin, uncaring about the blood spackling his face. “Your doom has come,” he hissed, stepping forward again. The pony swung his weapon at the griffon again, catching him on the right arm with the flat of the blade as he brought it up defensively.
Max’s entire body balled up reflexively at the shattering of his right arm. Now he realized, Oh Nirmek, he realized he was about to die at the hooves of a discordant. “Don’t - *Hack* Have to ... do this ...” Max spat out, shivering, feeling cold and numb. Every involuntary rasp of breath made his stomach wretch in a pain so intense his body wanted nothing but to shut down and spare him the agony.
The pony brought his weapon up again, ready to deliver the killing blow. “Everything dies and decays... today, that is you.”
A shadow encompasses the two for a brief second. Max winces and braces for the tomahawk with a whimper.
And down from above, Crosshair flew in with her crossbow held tightly in her mouth, her bolts all depleted, she charged the offending discordian and bashed him in the head. Unfortunately, she was a small mare and even with the crossbow made entirely out of metal, it still wasn’t a proper club and did not do much more than push the Discordian back slightly, allowing her to put herself in between the discordian and Max as she bashes away at the thing, hitting his legs mostly when he brought it up to defend himself.
The discordant snarled and parried a swing of her crossbow with his axe. “All of you foals will die!” he bellowed, swinging back at her.
The small mare proves to be a difficult target to hit, dodging and dancing about around the axe that tries to hit her, watching every move, she knew this kind of attacks. And Flamberge’s was much faster, the practices show it’s work as she return several more ineffective whacks at the Discordian, a Swing came by too close for comfort and she had to raise a hoof to block it with her boot, protecting her more important part.
The twisted pegasus drew his axe back for another strike, when two more of his kind flew overhead. By now the rest of the soldiers were on their way, and the new arrivals slammed into a wall of swordsponies. He glared at Crosshair and swung for her neck.
There is a flashing of steel, a scream of agony. Crosshair's face runs red with blood.
The pony that had threatened her fell to the ground. His forelegs removed with a single swipe of Flamberge's flamberge. His vital fluids splashing outwards. He collapsed to the ground, completely stunned. “E-Entropy?” he gasped.
Flamberge continues his assault removing the remaining legs and then issues a bloodlust soaked battlecry before charging at the next closest foe.
Max wraps his good claw over his head as a war zone ignited around him. “Get me out of this!” He screeched at the top of his bloody lungs helplessly.
Screams and shouts continued to fill the air as the discordant ponies met resistance. One was even knocked clear from the sky by a crushing blow to the spine by Flamberge, where she tumbled into a nearby pool of water. Despite all of this, the citizens stood and watched in horror instead of fleeing. One mare in particular, saw the stricken griffon, and darted forward.
Max starts to notice how profusely he’s bleeding. The flushed griffon muttered “ Amug . . . Babin ... Govos ... Griffon God ... Praetorian... Carn . . . Somepony . . . . Anypony - I don’t wanna go out alone . . .” Max gives in to pain and becomes unresponsive.
The mare, Heartfelt, stared at the mess in front of her, and her mouth hung open. “Dear gods in heaven...” she muttered before she realized what was happening around her. She wasted not another moment before wrestling the large griffon onto her back and trotting toward the hospital with all the speed she could muster, screaming for the doctors.
Post by: DVNO on March 31, 2013, 12:01:17 am
Post by: Dsarker on March 31, 2013, 12:06:06 am
After another long day of verifying the stocks of Duskfields, Temperance came to the realization that he hadn’t really investigated the farming schedule in many months. A lot could change in that amount of time, so now he was heading out to the fields. He knew Morning Dew was at work at least, but maybe if he was lucky Maize and the others would be there too.
Maize was happily playing around with Mountain Dew, allowing her mother to farm the fields without having to worry about the young foal trying to get her attention. She picks up the little one with her head. “Let’s fly around, whee!” As she walks around the field, she spots Temperance coming.
He smiles at the two as he approaches. “Having a bit of fun?” he asks with a small chuckle.
“Bur urba dada!” says the little foal excitedly.
Maize carefully nods, trying not to drop the foal perched on her head. “Yep! Just giving Morning Dew a little break so she can take care of the field.” She puts her head down, giving Mountain the chance to climb off. Mountain Dew does climb off - but not onto the ground, instead, she jumps onto her father’s head.
After a few months of being this little filly’s father, Temperance was expecting that, so he quickly shifts her from the grapple on his face into his hooves. He sits on his haunches and drops her into his lap, where he gives her a tiny nuzzle. “Nice try,” he says. He looks back up to Maize and says, “Seems she’s taken a liking to you.”
Maize smiles. “She’s such a sweet little foal. I can’t wait until mine’s born.” She leans in, offering the foal her own nose. “For now, though, I get to be like a godparent for this little one.”
“A godparent?” Temperance smiles at Mountain Dew again and makes an attempt at a funny face at her. “Well, I suppose you do get to spend a lot of time with her, with Morning Dew working out here and all.”
Maize lets out a giggle at Temperance. “Yeah, I do.” She takes a second to think. “I can’t say I’d mind being her actual godparent. I’d love her about as much as my own little ones, I bet.”
He continues smiling at and attempting to play with Mountain Dew. Her mother was much better at this than him. He thinks a bit as he does so, and says, “Well, I think she’d like it. And you are a good friend...” He looks up to Maize again. “You said Morning Dew was out here?”
Maize gestures to the fields, where Morning Dew is just coming into view through the crops.
Morning Dew smiles as she spots Tempy and Mountain Dew playing, and walks over to talk with them and Maize. “Hello there, Tempy, Maize, Mounty,” she says with a smile. “Is Mountain bothering you, dear?”
“Oh, no, no,” Temperance replies. “She was just playing with Maize until I got out here. There was something I was going to ask...” He raises a hoof to his chin and shrugs. “I’ll think of it in a minute. In the meantime, Maize brought up something that I think sounds like a pretty good idea. What do you think about her being Mountain’s godmother?”
“Oh, um,” says Morning Dew, a little flustered at being put on the spot, “um, as long as she doesn’t mind.”
“Of course not, Morning. I’d love to be little Mountain’s godparent.” Maize nuzzles the foal lovingly. “I bet Praetorian won’t mind, either.”
“I think he’d make a find godfather, too,” Temperance adds. “I know he’s busy though.”
“I’m sure there’s time in his schedule.” Maize begins to play a little game of ‘grab the nose’ with Mountain.
Mountain Dew tries to grab Maize’s nose in response, and starts tugging on her nose with her magic, wondering why it isn’t coming off like her own did.
Maize giggles as she tries to shake the firm magical grip, eventually surrendering. “I give, I give!” She ‘returns’ Mountain’s nose with a “Boop!”
Temperance chuckles again. Maize was going to make a fine godmother. And regular mother, for that matter. “Yes, she certainly seems to enjoy playing with you. You’re going to have your hooves full when your foal is born though.” He purses his lips in thought for a moment. “Actually, both you and Dew are probably going to be out of work for a while around the same time...”
“I’m not too worried about that, really. I’m not going to get very big probably, so I should be able to work up until I have the foal.” Maize begins to tickle Mountain, careful to not overdo it but still having fun.
He nods. “Even still, there’s maternity leave after you give birth. I guess we’ve got enough stocked up to last for a long time though. Pumpkin Patch can probably keep a little bit going while you two are out.”
“Oh, um, if you need me to work, I can work. It might be a little slower than usual, though,” says Morning Dew.
He shakes his head. “No, no, it’ll be fine. Between Mountain and our next foal, I know we’ll both be give out all of the time.” He smiles and shrugs again. “A month of maternity leave won’t set us back.” He then mocks smacking himself against the forehead with a hoof. “Oh, right, that’s what I wanted to talk to the two of you about anyway. I’d have preferred if Pumpkin was here, but you can pass it along to her when she’s next on duty.
“I was just wanting to check up on you three and make sure that all of the seed stocks, field rotations and all of the other practices are still working out and there haven’t been any issues. I’d hate that we were doing things inefficiently or poorly because I haven’t been on top of things.”
“Oh, um, I think we’re doing stuff pretty well,” says Morning Dew slightly hesitantly. “What do you think, Maize?”
Maize nods, giving Mountain a break. “I think we’re doing well enough. Plenty of seeds, a good selection of crops... if you want to talk to Case Study or one of the other doctors, we might be able to reserve a patch for medicinal plants, too.”
“Oh, that’s not a bad idea, maybe I should talk with him about that.” Temperance looks a bit shocked as he realizes how his tone could have been taken. “And I wasn’t trying to imply that any of you were doing anything wrong. Far from it. It’s just that I don’t have the time to really directly manage things out here like I used to.”
Maize nods. “Me and Morning can take care of organizing everything, we’ll come to you if we need anything. We’ve sort of been doing that, anyway, right Dew?”
“Yup!” says Morning Dew. “Maize is really the better one at the organisation,” she admits, looking a little down.
“No I’m not.” Maize looks out over the field. “This place was a mess before you showed up. Maybe I’m better at planting, but organization?” She shakes her head.
“No, no, you really are,” says Morning Dew. “I’m nowhere near as good as you are.”
“Are we about to have a compliment argument?” Maize giggles. “Aren’t your mommy and godmommy silly, Mountain?”
“Mama buh bah,” agrees Mountain Dew, and she starts sucking on her hoof.
Temperance chuckles again, not really wanting to step into the middle of the argument. “Well, if the process you’ve got out here is working well, I don’t see any reason to change it. Don’t hesitate to let me know if anything does come up.” He smiles at Morning Dew. “Not that I thought you wouldn’t tell me.”
Morning Dew smiles in return, and gives her husband a kiss on the cheek. “Of course I’d tell you,” she says.
Maize nods. “I’ll speak up, too, if there’s a problem. Now, do you want me to take little Mountain out of your lap?”
Temperance gives Mountain Dew another quick nuzzle and offers her to Maize. “Be good for her, okay?” He looks up to the two mares and says, “I think she’d probably be happier out here with her mom and you than back in my stuffy office with me. I appreciate what you all are doing out here, and letting me know if anything comes up.” He gives a slightly less than enthusiastic glance back to his office and says, “I’d probably best let you all get back to work.”
Maize grabs the foal and places her on her withers. “Alright. If you ever want to come by and hang out, we’d love the company.” She smiles. “Maybe we could arrange a little double-date with me and Prae-Prae with you two, even.”
He nods. “That sounds like a fine idea.” He then gives Morning Dew a small kiss and nuzzle, and another smaller of each to Mountain Dew. “Alright, well, I’ll get out of your manes. I’ll see you two later tonight,” he says to his family with a smile as he turns to leave.
Post by: Telgin on March 31, 2013, 01:09:51 am
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
Temperance's Journal - 2nd Obsidian, 270
Another month, another thief.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/119.png)
It's becoming almost routine. Redhat and Praetorian ran after her, and Redhat killed her without much fuss. It's kind of depressing that something like this is routine, really. Just another victim.
At least the wall is coming together, and the home caravan should come soon. I'll be happy to see them. Maybe I'll have a chance to talk tot the liaison this year.
I noticed around this time that I screwed something up: the griffon civ has no trade trigger! I fixed that, but they won't show up until next year now.
11th Obsidian, 270
The caravan from home was spotted out south this morning. They should be here soon, and hopefully with the liaison. I'm really anxious to speak with him or her about some trade agreements. They'll even get to use the new drawbridge, which might be a bit more impressive than what they saw last year.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/121.png)
Yep, remembered I can make mechanisms for this out of copper, so I didn't need to wait on the stone after all!
Other than that, things have been a bit quiet lately, thank goodness. We finished making those crossbows that Flamberge asked for, and the wall is nearly complete. Now we just have to round everypony up and issue them, which is probably not going to be a smooth process.
Getting off of that subject, we got some bee hives put up today, so Bonesetter can tend to them and maybe get us some honey when he has spare time. I know Cream Puff will be happy to see the honey, but in any case, I'm not going anywhere near the hives!
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/120.png)
18th Obsidian, 270
The caravan arrived, and I got to speak with the liaison today, finally. Or, well I thought I was going to get to talk to him.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/122.png)
Unfortunately, just as we were getting ready to start my meeting with him, badger ponies showed up at the entrance! There were three of them that approached, somehow sneaking through the gate without being seen. Crosshair was drilling her two new initiates around the gate at the time, so they rapidly dealt with the invaders. That was over and done quickly enough, especially with the caravan guard throwing their weight into the fight.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/123.png)
That's when the discordant ponies showed up. Half a dozen pegasi, unicorns and twisted earth ponies approached from the same hill as last time, right for the section of unfinished wall. It made an obvious target, of course. Once again, I'm gathering all of this from second and third hoof accounts, since I was cowering in my office with the liaison.
Since the badger ponies had just attacked, the soldiers were on high alert and Flamberge came charging with Plastron and Scimitar. They couldn't get to Max before one of the accursed pegasi flew over the wall and attacked Max. He hit him in the stomach with his axe, which inflicted a gruesome wound that I cannot believe he survived. After he went down, he broke his leg with another swing.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/124.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/130.png)
It was only by Crosshair's bravery that he survived. She flew into the attacking pegasus and bashed him with her crossbow, which was now out of bolts from the badger pony fight. While she had him distracted, Max managed to fly just out of range from the battle, collapsing atop the wall.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/131.png)
While that tragedy was unfolding, a second squad of maceponies flew over the west wall right into the pasture. Praetorian was getting Redhat at this point to go assist Flamberge, when he spotted the two pegasi. He and Redhat responded as fast as they could, and intercepted them. Praetorian was unharmed in the fight, and incapacitated the attackers with crippling stabs to the limbs with his spear. Redhat finished the two off, but not before one broke his nose. A small wound, all things considered.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/125.png)
The main fight was still far from over, and Scimitar was grievously wounded by a pony with a morningstar. Both of his right legs were broken, and his left forehoof was smashed. He'd surely have perished if Flamberge didn't jump into the fight at that point. There were so many body parts left over and the fighting was so fierce nopony could tell me exactly what happened.
Which is fine, really. I saw that there was a pegasus floating in the nearby pool, and the entire pool was red with her blood. I don't want to know more about what happened.
In any case, the caravan guard finally responded at this point, and the fight turned in our favor, with all of those inside the walls being killed. That just left three outside the walls still blindly charging for us.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/126.png)
The aftermath was even more horrifying than the last invasion. All of the ewes and the ram are dead, with only two lambs left alive. They were terrified, and I don't know if we'll ever manage to get them back in the pasture.
The other discordant bodies strewn about the southern part of the settlement will take days to clean up, and I don't know who is going to do that right now. I just can't think about it. Flamberge has done a good job organizing that so far...
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/128.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/129.png)
There were only three of us wounded, and none killed, thank the gods. But all the same the wounds are terrible. Max is still bleeding profusely, and the doctors don't know if he'll live. Scimitar is in immense pain and may have permanent damage to his legs, but only time will tell. Aventail was also wounded when the marksponies rushed to save Max, taking a nasty cut to his hindleg that may have caused some nerve damage.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/132.png)
Scimitar has a wound list two miles long. He won't be leaving the hospital for many months... And I get to see my first griffon trailing his guts!
The wall was almost finished... if it had been finished maybe there would have been time to get everypony to safety. And I still haven't issued the crossbows we just finished making.
Flamberge is going to be furious, and he'll have a point. If I was prioritizing things better and following his advice, maybe nopony would have even been hurt.
Nirmek help me... I'm starting to really see why Virtue was so stressed out by this. She didn't even have to deal with discordant ponies. I'm not so sure we can do this anymore. One day, they're going to attack with greater numbers, and Flamberge won't be able to keep them at bay.
What do I do?
I need Morning Dew. Maybe talking with her will calm me down some. I hate to bother Serenity over this... or admit that need her services... but I don't want to end up like Virtue.
22nd Obsidian, 270
I traded with the caravan today, but still haven't had a chance to speak with the liaison properly. I ended up trading a lot of the food we grew here for a lot more metal, primarily steel and iron in the form of goods that will have to be recycled. I also bought some cloth and thread, since we were running low on both and did away with our flax plot a while back from having too much.
I had to break the news to Cream Puff that they had no cows, nor any other milkable thing. I did manage to get a banana tree, but their orange tree and lime tree were far too expensive to purchase.
I didn't feel like haggling over it. I still feel like dirt about the ambush and the wounded. The doctors told me that Max is still clinging to life, and that Scimitar is going to walk again, even if it'll take many months for him to recover. Aventail's wounds will heal, for the most part.
I'm starting to get curious if I should maybe try mixing a bit of wine in with my juice over dinner. If it can really help me relax, it might be worth it.
Mom will never know.
23rd Obsidian, 270
I'm starting to move past being afraid and heading straight into being furious about these attacks. We had another badger pony show up today, and the militia ran to fight it. Plastron got there first, and now he's in the hospital.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/133.png)
Seriously?
The doctors think he'll be okay, but he's unconscious now. Hopefully from just the pain and not severe brain damage.
The hospital is full, and the three doctors we have are working overtime, day in, day out to keep up with the injuries. This is almost too much. I can't believe it's so dangerous out here. Coupledye has to realize how dangerou it is. Why haven't they sent more soldiers?
At least Flamberge killed the badger pony. He has personally slain fifteen badger ponies and discordant ponies, and all told we've killed dozens and dozens. Why do they keep coming?
25th Obsidian, 270
I finally spoke with the liaison today. He was ready to get out of here, I could tell. No doubt shaken to the core at seeing so much violence, and what we've got to put up with. Good. I hope he goes home and tells everypony what's going on out here so we can get the help we need.
Anyway, I asked him to send some more sheep, and some cows for Cream Puff. I also requested as much stone of a few types I could get. After asking Steel Rivet about it, I figured we could use as much iron ore as they'll send as well as a lot of flux stone. Maybe we'll be able to make some more steel with it.
The soldiers sorely need it.
Oh, that does remind me that we finished the wall today. That's something, I suppose. Now the discordant pegasi will have to take 5 seconds longer to get in and kill us. Anyway, now that that's done, I updated the map of Duskfields for the first time. It kind of looks like a town now.
Spoiler: Huge Image (click to show/hide)
22nd Granite, 271
Max, Plastron and Scimitar are still in the hospital, slowly recovering. Aventail was released quickly at least, and is making a quick recovery. I'm still praying that the others will be alright. The doctors tell me that it's going to be a very long recovery process for all three, and they may not fully recover. So, that put me in a bit of a poor mood today.
I also got word that the quivers needed for the crossbows were finished today. So soon I'm going to have to issue those and deal with the consequences. That didn't help much.
And, to top it off, another thief showed up today. He was quickly put down by Praetorian, Redhat, Prodd and Flamberge in a quick but brutal fight.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/135.png)
Even as he laid there, bleeding out, he kept taunting us with, 'The end is near,' and how we should, 'Rejoice in the coming oblivion.' It used to creep me out, but now it just annoys me. They've been saying that every time they come. Chanting it, shouting it, all but singing it. I was glad for Flamberge to shut the foal up.
I just haven't felt right since Obsidian. It's starting to worry me a bit.
14th Slate, 271
Mountain Dew is a year old today. She's grown so much, it's hard to believe. We had a little party for her in the tavern this afternoon, and I have to say that since things have calmed down a bit, that did a lot to lift my spirits. I love my family so much. They can make even the darkest times look so much brighter.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/136.png)
It even managed to take my mind off the fact that I'm the leader of one of the civilian militia squads now. Not something I ever saw myself doing, and not something I can really see myself making much contribution to. Holding a crossbow feels so strange...
I saw to it that Morning Dew was in the same squad as I am. If anything happens, I want to be with her so we can watch out for each other.
Oh, that also reminds me that I was checking up on the patients this morning. Plastron is back on his hooves, if a bit disoriented and sluggish. That's to be expected, I guess. Max and Scimitar are still a ways off from being released, but at the very least the doctors tell me that they are improving.
One small miracle at a time.
20th Slate, 271
I'm not quite sure what's getting into the ponies around here. Steel Rivet has been cooped up in the forges for a while now, apparently turning ponies away unless it was an emergency (which thankfully it hasn't been). I'm not sure what he's working on in there, but I hope he's alright. If he doesn't come out in another day, we may have to go in after him...
Just setting him up with a new steel warhammer, nothing to be alarmed about. Not a mood, I'm afraid.
Equally alarming was that Wood Chips came to me asking if he could join the militia. I'm pretty sure I don't like that idea. He's our most skilled carpenter, and can do a lot more good there than he can swinging an axe and discordant ponies.
I'll try bringing the matter up with Flamberge and Praetorian at some point. Maybe if they can find more recruits for an axe pony squad, they might be alright with it.
I don't know.
28th Slate, 271
I was observing the level of wood stocks we had left this morning, or rather the complete lack of any, despite a tremendous demand for more. Holly has clear cut most of the forest immediately around Duskfields, so there aren't many trees close by to cut. I'm terrified to ask her to stray very far away though, for fear of badger or discordant ponies attacking her.
Well, it turns out I didn't have to worry about that today, because another gigantic swarm of parasprites showed up a few hours later.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/137.png)
46 of them this time. Mother of mercy.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/138.png)
And to top it off, we had another band of new arrivals show up in the middle of the chaos. I'm sure they were rethinking their decision to move out here after they saw soldiers chasing rabid little flying monsters around for an hour. The marksponies stood atop the tavern sniping the little things with terrifying precision, while the swordsponies and spearponies finished off the wounded.
I even saw Lathe and Veneer take a few shots with their crossbows, but I decided to just leave the work to the real soldiers and kept out of it. There were dead parasprites and bolts everywhere.
Praetorian got about 5, Redhat about 5, Crosshair maybe 3, Flamberge about 15, and a smattering among the other ponies.
After that was over, I finally managed to gather the new arrivals together and get an idea of who arrived:
A pegasus stallion markspony named Quarrel, and his wife,
A pegasus mare plant processor named Sweet Potato,
A unicorn mare clothier named Pleats, and her husband,
A pegasus stallion weaponsmith named Keen Edge,
A unicorn mare furnace operator named Flue,
A pegasus mare markspony named Yari,
An earth pony stallion farmer named Plowshare, and his wife,
A unicorn mare woodcrafter named Heartwood,
A unicorn stallion swordspony named Pauldron, and his wife,
A pegasus mare plant processor named Nectarine,
An earth pony jeweler and glassmaker named Crystal Clear,
A pegasus mare spearpony named Bascinet, and her twin sister,
A unicorn mare spearpony named Epaulette.
Seeing so many more soldiers makes me feel a bit safer, although Yari is an interesting case. Apparently, she's from Dawnpick. Virtue sent her. She doesn't seem too happy about it either, since she appeared to be in a rather poor mood and avoided my prodding on the issue.
I have mixed feelings about that. I guess Virtue caught wind of what was happening here and sent some help, which we do need, but I've got everything under control here. She didn't have to do this.
Maybe I'll be able to get more out of Yari later. I hope she doesn't resent me over this.
Anyway, more farmers and plant processors are always welcome, and I know Steel Rivet will be glad to have somepony dedicated to making coal for him, although the new armorer is going to find that work for the two of them is going to be a bit scarce. Or not, we've got to scrounge up gear for the new soldiers somehow.
I guess I should go check on that and new housing. Again.
20th Felsite, 271
The housing matters got more complicated today. Flamberge came to me saying that he intended to move in with Crosshair, and that he didn't want to give up any space. So I asked the carpenters to knock out a wall to open it up for the two of them.
I hate to do it, since it's showing favoritism and using up space we really can't spare, but he and Crosshair have done a lot for Duskfields. I was hoping that by explaining that I'd given up space when we moved in together he'd come around, but he didn't.
We'll manage, I guess. It's just one more room we'll have to build.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/142.png)
22nd Felsite, 271
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/139.png)
I saw something interesting out by the fields today when I went to check up on Maize and the other farmers. It looks like one of the chickens hatched a few new chicks. I'm surprised it's taken this long, really, but seeing the cute little chicks put me in a slightly happier mood. It's good to know that despite what's happened, life goes on.
Of course, I kept forgetting to forbid the eggs until recently, hence why I had so many to cook, and none to hatch.
More exciting is news from Smoothblock that she finally found a way through the aquifer.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/141.png)
Apparently she found a way to collapse an enormous amount of soil into the aquifer, which soaked it up enough for her to dig through and set up some means of holding it back.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/140.png)
She hasn't found any metal ores under there yet, but she did find kaolinite. I'm no geologist, but she says it's useful for making pottery and other porcelain things. That's pretty useful even if we don't have any real stone or metal ores yet. I'm hopeful though. This is major progress for us, and soon enough we should be able to melt down some of our own metal to make armor and weapons for the soldiers.
8th Hematite, 271
Scimitar left the hospital today, so I feel much better knowing he's okay. He's still in rough shape and barely able to get around, but is at least getting around and recovering. As badly hurt as he is, I may need to speak with Flamberge and him about whether he should continue serving in the militia. If he's bad enough off, it might be for the best. How do you tell somepony that though?
And Max is still recovering. He's acquired a bit of an infection, the doctors tell me, and while he's probably well enough to leave, they want to keep an eye on him for a few more days.
Anyway, I got other great news today. Smoothblock ran into some tetrahedrite underground today, which is apparently raw copper. Copper isn't great, but with a bit of work it can be turned into some useful things, and with a bit of tin from back home we can make bronze out of it, which is pretty good for armor and weapons.
Things are looking up!
Post by: DVNO on March 31, 2013, 01:45:33 am
There is a long, lone howl from the mountain north of Duskfields.
Post by: Dsarker on March 31, 2013, 01:56:56 am
Finally having a reason to talk to Redhat other than to discipline him, Praetorian leads the two other members of his squad, the twin mares, to visit him in the hospital, calling off training for a time.
The door to the room that Red was resting in was left closed. Inside He was laying on a bed, reading and old book while his fluffy dog on the bed with him, napping away.
Bascinet pokes her head in the door investigatively, Epaulette right under her, also looking in. “Hello? Is zis ze right room?”
Praetorian opens the door fully, and leads the two in. “Hello, Redhat. It’s good to see you not needing to be disciplined this time,” he says.
Redhat gave praet a Rather desultory stare, and tried to think of a snide comment, but gave up when none came to mind. “Oh.... the feeling’s mutual.”
Epaulette looks between the two. “You two seem to have some... bad blood.”
Bascinet nods. “If you want us to leave...”
“Oh, goodness no. Redhat’s doing a lot better than he has been.” He smiles a little, at last. “It’s good to see that, Redhat. You’re improving.”
“You say that as if I had a terminal illness.” Bonnet made a soft whimper and rose her head, noticing the the other ponies in the room.
Epaulette reaches out to pet the creature, while Bascinet shies away from her. “Such a... nice dog?”
“Essentially, yes.” The dog nuzzled at Epaulette, before trying to move off the bed and say hi to Bascinet. The poor thing was having a difficult time getting over to her. “*sigh*”
Bascinet carefully moves forward, cautiously offering a hoof when she gets close enough.
“No, Redhat, not a terminal illness. You’ll be out of bed pretty soon, in fact, the sawbones says,” says Praetorian with a smile.
“Oh... sorry, I thought you were talking about something else.” The dog nuzzled at the mare softly.
The twins still seem to be more enamored with the dog than the stallion in the bed, and Epaulette is even hugging Bonnet at this point, while Bascinet is still carefully stroking at her head.
“Well, girls, this is the stallion you’ll be working with in the squad,” says Praetorian, still with that smile.
The two look up. “Oh, yes... sorry.” They rise, Epaulette picking up Bonnet and carrying her back to the bed.
“I am Bascinet,” the mare introduces herself, “And zis is my sister, Epaulette.” She points to the other, who’s still cuddling Bonnet.
“Oh.. well hello there.” he says with a smile. The dog nuzzled Epaulette, happily. “I’m glad to make your acquaintance.”
“It is nice to meet you, too.” Bascinet taps Epaulette with her hoof, making the mare look up. “Oh, yes, it is nice to meet you... what is your name, again?”
“This is Redhat, thus the hat,” says Praetorian. “He’s another novice spearpony.”
The two nod. “Well,” Epaulette starts, “it has been said that we are ze best ponies at polishing spears in our old home. So, if you ever need your spear polished, we would be glad to help.” Both of them give big, happy smiles, apparently proud of themselves.
“Oh...” The pony was about to commentate on their skills using his mastery of satire, but reminded himself of more recent talks with Serenity. “Oh... well... um.. I guess I’ll see to it you um... assist me with my spear some time.” he said awkwardly.
“Heh,” says Praetorian with another little smile. “Oh, no. Maize is plenty good at polishing my spear,” he continues.
Bascinet looks to him. “Who is Maize? Another soldier?”
“Oh, no. My wife. A lovely little mare. You should meet her. I’m sure you’d like her,” he says.
“Oh, yes. That would be nice.” Bascinet smiles.
Epaulette chimes in, too. “It is good to know that your wife is willing to help take care of your gear.”
“Oh, she’s very willing,” he says, smiling a little to himself. “Very willing.”
Redhat rolled his eyes “Captain, please never go into comedy.”
“I don’t need to go into comedy,” he says. “I’ve got a lovely supportive wife, and a steady job.”
Neither Bascinet nor Epaulette seem to get it. “Am I missing something?” Bascinet asks.
“Ah, well. Perhaps Maize might be the best pony to explain that to you. Just that... ponies use spear polishing for a slightly different thing here, as well as what you know of,” says Praetorian.
“Actually, I think one of the doctors would be best suited to explain to you such... inappropriate things.”
“Inappropriate?” The two mares look to one another, worry on their faces. Epaulette speaks first. “We... did not do anything wrong, did we?”
“No, no. It’s not to worry, girls. The ponies who matter will know what you mean...and those who don’t, don’t matter.” He scratches his head a little. “Still, you’re not from around here, are you? Where did you come from?”
The two smile, glad that the ‘inappropriate’ subject had been left behind. “We are from Lointain. It means ‘Far’ in our language. It is an ironic name, because it is actually ze capital of our homeland.”
“Oh, so you mean you weren’t born in the civilization?”
Praetorian studies them as they answer. Maize was also from another civilization, and the three might have a little in common they might talk about.
Bascinet shakes her head no. “No, we were not.”
Epaulette chips in. “Our father moved us to your homeland when a war broke out in ours. We have never been back.” She sighs. “Sometimes I wonder if it is even still there.”
“Yes... it is distressing to not be in your homeland.” Praetorian nods. “Maize might, perhaps, be a good pony to speak to. She too is from a foreign land, and you might have some things in common.”
Bascinet nods. “Yes, zat does sound nice.”
“Well, I can still assume being somewhere foreign is still more peaceful than a war torn and shattered nation.”
“Yes, that is true. It’s a sign of your good character that you’re willing to call this place your home, and defend it as you are,” says Praetorian, nodding happily.
“Daddy said that many ponies liked to come to our homeland before ze war.” Bascinet smiles again. “There were many soldiers, especially. He said that it was because we had very good weaponsmiths, who were very good at polishing their weapons.” Her smile falters a little. “We wanted to be weaponsmiths, too, but we were only good at using the weapons... and polishing them.”
“Well... sorry to hear that.”
“You might get a chance at learning how to make weapons soon, especially if the metal veins are as rich as the miners have said. With that aquifer pierced, I have no doubt there will soon be enough metal for us all,” says Praetorian with a gentle smile.
“I spose’, Though i’d honestly prefer we hit gold over anything we’d use in weapons.”
“Non, platinum would be much better. It is more rare, and valuable.”
“Yes, but if we hit gold, odds are there will be more if it, hence a better pay off.”
“Hmm... perhaps diamond, zen.” Epaulette smiles. “It can be sold for money or used for weapons, if you know how to work it right.”
“Either way,” says Praetorian. “If weaponsmithing is what you’d prefer, I have no doubt there will be the opportunity for you to do so here.”
They both smile, though Epaulette speaks up. “Zat is not another thing with another ‘inappropriate’ meaning, is it?”
“Ah, no,” says Praetorian, shaking his head. “If you do talk to Maize, she might be able to help you with the...ah, inappropriate things,” he says, a slight hint of red colouring his face.
“I hope so. I would hate to say or do something inappropriate and upset ze people here.”
Bascinet nods. “Agreed.”
“I...I don’t think you’d be upsetting them, so much,” he says, “as giving them a false impression of yourself. Again... Perhaps Maize would be better able to explain this to you.”
“Or a trained pony in the field of anatomy.” stated the red hatted pony.
“A...anatomy?” The twins begin to glow red. “Is zat what zis ‘inappropriate’ stuff is all about?”
“I am afraid that that is what may be taken to be the case. I...” He hesitates for a second. “I can but say that I would be uncomfortable discussing it with you, and Maize may be the pony best suited to this.”
“Please, can we stop discussing this?”
“You’re the one that keeps bringing it up, Redhat!” says Praetorian.
“Actually, I think zat last one is my fault.” Epaulette is still blushing. “We would like to assure you zat we are not *EXPLETIVE DELETED*, zough. Our daddy kept us far away from such things.”
“I don’t doubt he did. If I had fillies, especially as sweet as you are... Well, anypony who would try to do that would be well warned against doing so,” says Praetorian.
“I honestly didn’t make the assumption that you had such a scandalous career...”
“It... was not exactly a ‘scandalous’ profession where we came from,” Bascinet replies, “but still... it is not a career we would be very interested in.”
Epaulette nods. “We believe zat *EXPLETIVE DELETED* is an act of love, not some easy way to make money.”
“um... yeah...” annnnd things just got a little awkward for red. “Anyhow...”
Bascinet takes the cue. “Uh, yes, how is your recovery from your injuries? I cannot wait to be able to see you at training, I am certain you are skilled and will be able to teach us much.”
“Meh, I dunno. I just assumed I was here until case study decided that the effects of his medicine wasn’t going to have some other effect on my well-being.”
“Ah. Well, I hope he declares you are better soon. I cannot imagine zis is a fun place to stay.”
“Well, as long as I have my dog, it’s actually half decent.” annnd then the giant ball of fluff gave The captain a nuzzle.
Epaulette smiles. “You have a very sweet dog.”
“why thank you.”
“You are welcome.” The pony rises. “It would seem she needs her rest, though. She did seem to have some issues trying to get out of ze bed.”
That seemed to make the pony’s mood deflate. “Oh.. no amount rest will fix that..”
Epaulette stops smiling, as well. “Oh... what is wrong with her?”
“She got mangled by a bloody ogre.”
Epaulette nods. “Zat is... sad. I hope she is at least happy being able to spend time with you.”
“Bonnet’s always been a very...loyal dog,” says Praetorian.
“yeah...Well, this has been one lovely visit but it’s probably for the best of things I can get back to resting. ”
Epaulette nods. “I wish you and Bonnet well.”
Bascinet also nods. “As do I. I am sorry for what happened to her.”
“me too... anyway, I wish you a good day”
“You too.” The twins wave and look to Praetorian.
“Good day, Redhat. I’ll talk to you again later, I think.” He nods a goodbye to him, and then turns to the mares. “Come on, girls. I’ll take you to meet Maize now, if you like, or I can show you around the rest of the town.”
“Either would be fine, sir.” The two follow their leader.
Post by: L1wW on March 31, 2013, 04:19:19 pm
Post by: Dsarker on March 31, 2013, 05:19:31 pm
Post by: Telgin on March 31, 2013, 08:03:15 pm
Post by: Iceblaster on March 31, 2013, 10:24:13 pm
Post by: Splint on March 31, 2013, 10:45:21 pm
Post by: Pokon on March 31, 2013, 10:56:05 pm
Diary 6
Too much to write about right now. Heads been hurting for a long time now.
Ow. It's been a real pain. Smooth helps a bit, however.
Post by: Telgin on March 31, 2013, 11:38:22 pm
Ill take Yari the pegasus marksman, and if possible, change her name to Lightning Runner.
Actually... I probably should have mentioned that she's a special case. Since she's supposed to be from Dawnpick (my old community fort related to this one) I was hoping she might be relevant to the plot in some fashion. If you've read Dawnpick and want to play as Yari, you can have her.
Otherwise, I'd prefer if you took another pony. There are a few other untaken marksponies if you want them, although no pegasus mares. Aventail is an example of one you might want. If none of the existing marksponies fit the bill, I'm okay with converting another pony into a markspony and renaming them to Lightning Runner, if you want. I can even adjust their age or marital status if you want.
Great. Functionally useless. I'm guess there was nerve damage to the legs then.
Only one leg, from what I recall. He's just got broken bones in the others, as far as I know. So he'll probably be a tiny bit slower than the others, but he can still hold his weapon and fight. :D
Post by: TheBronzePickle on April 01, 2013, 02:13:39 am
Praetorian is sitting down in his little room, praying to the Lares and Eudaemones of the house, when he hears a light knock at the door,. “Come in,” he says.
Serenity opens the door, trotting inside. “Hello there, Prae. I heard you were finally moving in with Maize?”
“Yup, that’s the plan,” he says as he stands. “You come here to help?”
“I did.” She smiles. “But I suppose there won’t be much to it. Neither of you have all that much to move.”
“Yes... I’ve never really seen much point in getting lots of ‘stuff’ to keep around,” admits the stallion.
Serenity giggles, and pulls him into a hug. “So, where should we start?”
Maize walks up. “Sorry I’m late. Little Mountain Dew was trying to hang onto my head for dear life.”
“Maize!” Serenity pulls her into the little group hug. “Glad to see you could come. With the three of us, this shouldn’t take any time at all.”
Praetorian, though enjoying the hug, is the first to break it. “It’s good to see you, Maize dear. We only really have a small bit to take across, you don’t need to exert yourself here.”
“Alright. Don’t skimp out on me, at least.” She wobbles a bit as she stretches her various muscles. “I might be pregnant, but that doesn’t mean I can afford to be lazy. I’d hate to go back to work and not be able to do as well.”
“Well, if you’re sure,” he says. “But really, there’s not much to move. Only a few small things, really.”
Serenity nods. “Okay, why don’t Maize and I start by stripping the bed, while you pack away the shrines in the corner?”
“That sounds a good idea,” agrees Praetorian.
Maize nods and moves over to the bed, starting to remove the sheets. “You get the other side, Serenity.”
Serenity does as she is told. “You know, I’ve seen both your rooms. Wouldn’t it have been easier for you to move in here?”
“It’s not like I have that much less stuff. His shrines are the only thing he has that I don’t, and the rooms are the same size.” Maize peels away the bedding until the mattress is completely uncovered.
“Yes. And Flamberge wanted this room, apparently.” Praetorian shrugs a little.
Serenity quirks an eyebrow. “But doesn’t he live right next door? Surely the view can’t be that different over there.”
“Sounds more like he wants to knock the wall down and make his room bigger.” Maize pulls the mattress off and starts looking over it, trying to see how they’re going to carry it to her room.
“That sounds awfully selfish. There are families who don’t even have rooms to themselves yet.” She goes to help Maize with the mattress. “Try rolling it up, I’ll find some cord to hold it together.”
Praetorian nods, a little. “Well... It is his right, as the commander.”
“I wouldn’t say it’s his right, personally.” Maize starts to roll the mattress. “But if Temperance says it’s okay, we can’t really object. We definitely couldn’t make a ruckus as bad as Flamberge, no matter how hard we tried.”
Serenity locates two sturdy lengths of rope in Praetorian’s chest, and ties up the rolled mattress. “Still, it isn’t like you two need that much space, even with a foal on the way.”
“Yes, I don’t think we will need much space.” Praetorian smiles. ‘And that might keep Maize from trying to put me and Serenity together, which will be a bit of a relief to myself.’
“Honestly, these are pretty big rooms. I think all three of us could fit in one, even with a few foals running around.” Maize perches the mattress on her back.
Praetorian flinches, a little, but manages to hide it somehow. “Hmmm, I’m not so sure we would.”
Serenity shows a little blush, but manages to hide it. “Oh, Maize, let me get that.” She moves beside Maize and tries to take the mattress.
“If you’re taking the mattress, I’m taking the frame, and I dunno which is heavier,” Maize points out. “Like I said, I’ll be fine, the work is good for me, and healthy moms produce healthy foals.”
Realizing that the frame would indeed be heavier, Serenity relents. “Okay. I’ll take the frame, then.”
Maize nods gratefully. “Anything else I can grab, Prae-Prae? I can hold something small in my mouth, at least.”
“No, I think that will be all. I can take these,” he replies. After a second, he says “Well, it might be good if you could grab my spear in your mouth.”
“I’m pretty good at that, aren’t I?” Maize jests, before picking up the weapon.
“I cannot tell a lie; you are indeed quite good,” teases Praetorian back.
Serenity blushes brightly, quite certain that such comments aren’t meant for her ears.
Maize looks over and giggles a little. “You’re allowed to tease too, you know. You’re sort of like a part of the family, anyway.”
She blushes even brighter. “Oh, I-I wouldn’t know anything like that about either of you...”
Maize lifts her tail, brushing Serenity’s face gently with the end of it. “Oh, I’m sure you have something to share about me.”
It is now Praetorian’s turn to go bright red, and he makes to leave with the idols.
Maize’s smile fades a little. “I... really wish you two were more comfortable around each other. It makes me feel bad when I make you guys embarrassed.”
Serenity steps in, leaning against Maize. “I know, Maize. But... we just aren’t ready for that. It’s not your fault, I promise.”
“I know. And I’m trying to be patient.” She looks up to Serenity. “It just sorta stinks when I can’t really mess around much because it gets everypony flustered.”
Serenity takes one last glance around to make sure nothing has been left behind, then takes the opportunity to give Maize a gentle nuzzle, lifting her chin. “Well, you and Praetorian can mess around all you want in your new room.”
Maize chuckles a little at that. “I probably will.” She nuzzles Serenity. “Don’t think I’ll forget about you, though.”
Serenity beams, unashamed now that Praetorian is out of earshot. “Of course. I never thought I’d be so glad to have that couch.” She leads Maize out, and down to her room.
Maize stays beside Serenity, helping her keep the bed frame steady. It doesn’t take too long to catch up with Praetorian. “Hey, Prae-Prae.”
“Hey again,” he says, turning his head a little to steady the idols on his back.
Maize, being the one with the least worry about dropping her burden, takes lead so she can open the door. “It’ll be sorta nice having everything in one room. We’ll be nice and cozy.”
“Oh, I’m sure we will,” he says, smiling.
Maize pops open the door and moves aside, letting the other two enter first.
Praetorian stands to the side, letting Serenity and Maize go through first.
Seeing that both of her friends have stood aside for her, Serenity blushes and makes her way inside.
Maize stands for a second or two longer, but decides that Praetorian is not going to move first and heads in.
Praetorian follows Maize in afterwards.
Serenity sets the frame down and proceeds to assemble it beside the one already present. “Well, Flamberge and Crosshair may have a more spacious room, but you two will have a much bigger bed.” She blushes, “I-I suppose you two will be putting it to good use.”
Praetorian, who is busy setting up the idols in the corner, freezes, his face bright red.
Maize giggles a bit. “Yeah, we probably will. I’ve heard I tend to toss and turn a lot in my sleep, so Praetorian will probably want to be as far away from my flailing as possible.”
Praetorian’s face begins to resume its normal colour. “Oh, well, yes, perhaps.”
Serenity forces a grin. “Yes! Yes, that’s it.” She moves to help Maize with the mattress.
Maize finishes placing the mattress and starts working on the sheets with Serenity’s help. “Good to know I can still keep everypony happy, at least.”
Praetorian finishes placing the idols down, and, almost without anypony seeing it, takes a copper piece from a pouch on his side, and lays it in front of the largest idol.
Maize barely notices his movement, and it doesn’t register in her mind that it might be important, seeing as everypony is moving at this point. She continues to tuck the sheets until they’re finished. “Alright, that’s done. Not often you can move an entire room in one go.”
Serenity sits back, looking over the whole room. It certainly looked much more lived-in now. “I wouldn’t know. This is only the second time I’ve had to move anypony.”
“I’ve helped with a few moves as an odd-job. One of the ones I liked more, honestly, and the people who I helped liked me doing it, too.” She sighs contentedly. “Other ponies that got hired would usually try to sneak stuff off instead of moving it all, but I never did that. A lot of ponies ended up paying me a little extra for being trustworthy.”
“I can’t say I’ve ever really moved places. Never had a very permanent home in the army,” says Praetorian.
Serenity looks at each of her friends. “Well, how do you like it? Anything you’d like to rearrange?”
Maize looks around at the room. The lack of decorations and minimal furniture, plus the immense space within, means that the room has little need for rearrangement. There’s just not anything to rearrange. “I think it’s fine as it is. It’s not like there’s much to move.”
“I don’t see anything that should be rearranged,” says Praetorian, before a little smile comes on to his face. From a side pouch he takes two small boxes, hiding the second as best he can and sliding it across the ground to behind Maize’s hoof and tapping it lightly, while the first he moves across to Maize in plain sight. “Maize, I made a little something for you. I was saving it for our engagement...but, well...” The box opens, and inside is a black opal necklace. “I also see you’ve made something for Serenity,” he says with a quick wink.
Maize looks at her own gift with a happy smile and a “Thank you, Prae-Prae,” before she grabs the other box and hands it, a little hesitantly, to Serenity. “Here, I hope you like it...”
Serenity’s breath quickens, and a slight blush creeps into her cheeks as she sees that the box Maize has given her looks precisely like the one Praetorian just presented to her. Slowly, she lifts the lid. Inside is a citrine ring. “Oh, Maize...” She smiles up at her. “It’s beautiful.”
“Th-thank you...” Maize half says it to Serenity, half to Praetorian, as she blushes happily. She puts on her own necklace and watches Serenity put on her ring.
Serenity takes a moment to admire the jeweled band around her fetlock, before pulling Maize into a hug. “Thank you very much, Maize. I’ll wear it always.”
Praetorian smiles happily to himself. This would surely work.
Maize hugs her back. “I can’t really take all the credit... Praetorian helped a bit in getting it. He used his money from being a soldier to buy the gem.” She looks up at Praetorian, curious if she’s actually right.
Praetorian goes along with Maize’s little lie. “Yes, that’s true, though I didn’t know what you wanted it for.”
Serenity begins to process his words. “Maize... this is a bit more than just a token of friendship, isn’t it?”
Maize nods. “I... I really do love you, Serenity. I don’t really know if they’d let us marry one another, since I’m already married to Praetorian, though... but we’ll always have each other anyway, right?”
Slowly, a wide smile creeps across Serenity’s face. “...Yes, we will. Always.” She leans in closer to Maize, but seems to hesitate.
Maize smiles as well, moving her own mouth forward and pressing her lips to Serenity’s, letting them part just a bit as an invitation.
That is all the encouragement Serenity needs. She leans into the kiss, holding it as long as she can.
Praetorian turns his head away, and back to his idols, with a little bit of a sad smile on his face.
Maize lets Serenity take control, just enjoying the kiss for as long as it lasts.
After a few moments more, Serenity breaks the kiss. Noticing Praetorian staring off into space, she releases Maize and gives her a gentle nudge in his direction.
Maize nods silently and slinks over to her husband, carefully wrapping her forehooves around him while trying not to alert him. At the last second, she grips him in a hug and gives him a big kiss on the cheek. “Thank you so much, Prae-Prae. I’ve actually got a gift for you, if you’d like it.”
“Hmmm?” he asks as he turns around. “Sorry, I was just...uh, thinking.”
“Don’t think too hard, now.” She gives him another kiss. “I asked if you wanted my gift for you.”
“Oh, of course,” he says. “What is it?”
Maize gets up and goes to her drawer, pulling open one of the shelves. From it, she pulls a small cloth bundle, and brings it to Praetorian. “This is very special to me. But you’re more special to me, now, so I really want you to have it.”
Praetorian looks at the bundle. “What is it?” he asks.
“It’s not much. It was my mother’s, you might be surprised at what it is.” She nudges him. “Go ahead, open it up.”
Praetorian slowly opens up the bundle, being careful not to damage the cloth. It’s not the cloth that turns out to be special, though, it’s the gleaming blade held within, its hilt decorated with gold and gems of many kinds, colors and cuts and its guard inscribed with runes.
“It’s made of silver. I know it’s not your weapon of choice, but... I want you to have it.” She looks up. “It has tasted the blood of evil, and hopefully, with you using it, it might one day protect you from such things.”
Praetorian lifts the blade, looking at it with a sense of awe. “It’s... amazing,” he whispers, turning it over.
Maize smiles. “You like it?”
“Yes... it’s beautiful. Not as beautiful as you, of course, but still a prized weapon,” he says.
Maize carefully hugs him, trying to avoid being too aggressive with the weapon still held between them. “I’m glad you like it. Thank you, Prae-Prae, so much. You’re the best stallion a filly could ever ask for.”
Praetorian carefully puts the weapon to one side, and hugs Maize tightly. “I love you, Maize. There’s naught else I could do.”
“You have a good point, there.” Maize kisses the stallion, even more deeply than she did Serenity just a moment ago. “You already do so much for me.”
Praetorian answers that with another kiss, holding it deeply.
Serenity just sits on the sidelines, happy to let the pair have a few moments together without her butting in.
Maize keeps going, pushing against Praetorian until he falls back onto the bed and lying on top of him.
Serenity blushes hard, but still manages a slight giggle as she slinks towards the door.
Post by: Telgin on April 01, 2013, 02:34:30 am
This was all very, very bad. Max had nearly been killed, and several others were badly wounded because of this.
Temperance was sitting in his office, staring at a map of the settlement and trying to figure out if things could have gone better if they had prioritized things differently. The wall on that side should have been finished first. That’s where the discordants came from last time, after all.
In the back of his mind, he knew he was forgetting something... something that was very important. But he wasn’t a strategist... this wasn’t his problem, directly. There wasn’t anything he could have done to prevent this.
With that thought there is violent pounding on his door. He nearly leaps out of his skin at the startling event, but quickly regains his composure. There could only be one pony responsible, and he had a feeling he wouldn’t like where this was going. He jumps up and opens the door. “Commander?”
Sure enough Commander Flamberge stands outside the door, he seems to be barely maintaining a great deal of anger.
"Mr. Temperance we have much to discuss," he says nearly simmering.
“O-of course,” Temperance replies. “C-come in.” He sits in his seat and directs Flamberge to his. His heart was beating a thousand times a minute now, and he could feel a cold sweat coming on. This couldn’t possibly end well. “What is it?”
Flamberge takes his seat and commands through suppressed rage, "Report on how you have been handling my orders regarding the town's defenses since our previous talk."
“Uh, well...” Temperance clears his throat and waves a hoof over the map. “We’ve, ah, all but finished the wall. I, uh, guess you’ve noticed that already. And the equipment for the soldiers. We’ve, um, repurposed enough for almost everypony to have a full suit of armor.”
Flamberge locks eyes with Temperance, "That isn't what I asked and you know it. I want you to tell me that you made the defenses your top priority to the exclusion of anything else, and then try and convince me that nothing you could have done different would have prevented Crosshair from taking that beating, or Scimitar being crippled. Because right now I'm not sure I like your progress, Mr. Temperance."
Yep, he was definitely sweating a bit now. He expends a bit of effort keeping his voice level as he replies, “Wh-what was I supposed to do? We’ve been using every spare plank to build the wall. And I can’t conjure more metal out of air for weapons and armor. Believe me, I’ve been making our defenses my first priority.”
Flamberge nods but hIs face remains sceptical, "On the 20th of Limestone, I witnessed Wood Chips and Veneer putting up walls in the hospital. That wood and time could have been spent finishing the northern wall and kept out the non flying threats, or to fulfill my order for crossbows and bolts, the griffin could have been armed. The soldiers could have had covering fire."
Temperance’s eyes widen ever so slightly as he mentions the crossbows. That was what he’d forgotten... “The... the hospital? Yes, that’s, uh, true. I considered it to be a part of the defenses, since if anypony got hurt they’d need it worse than the walls. And it was right there at the wall and all...”
"And the weapons?" He questioned.
Temperance’s ears droop a hint. “The crossbows... were finished last month. The quivers weren’t finished until last week. And... the ammunition orders are still outstanding,” he answers honestly.
"And what have those who made the bows been doing for a month then? Surely you had some ammunition ready. Why wasn't it available?" Flamberge continues his interrogation.
“W-we did have some. About a hundred bolts, but they were all reserved for Cross Hair and her marksponies. We needed another five hundred to equip everypony with a quiver’s worth each.” He nervously taps his forehooves together. “There... was a clerical error there... Cross Hair has been making all of her own ammo, but nopony else has been making any. So... the carpenters ignored the work order for a long time while they worked on the walls.”
Flamberge stands looking down on Temperance, across his desk, clearly trying to intimidate him and says, "A clerical error that might have cost Scimitar, a promising recruit, his ability to walk ever again. I hope you will explain your mistake to him, personally."
Temperance shies away. The intimidation was quite successful. “I-I’d planned on checking up on him and all of the other wounded as soon as the doctors allowed me.” He looks up at Flamberge. “And the problem has been sorted out, I assure you.”
"Good." He states coldly, "I hope we don't need to have any more talks like this one Temperance. Unless you have anything else to report, now, I am going to check on my injured mare."
“No. No, that’s all,” Temperance responds, sinking back into his chair.
Flamberge exits slamming the door behind him. As he does, Temperance lets some of the almost palpable tension leave him in a drawn out sigh. He covers his face with a hoof and takes a few minutes to calm down. Flamberge was right, but he was becoming so afraid of the stallion he had no idea how he was going to continue working with him. Well, he wasn’t going to the hospital right now, if Flamberge was there. He stares into the map for a few moments, and decides to get back to work on making sure that everything was perfect for Flamberge next time. And he’d start thinking about how he was going to possibly apologize to those in the hospital...
Post by: Kryptid on April 01, 2013, 03:07:35 am
Later that day, after having revealed his role in the parasprite invasion to Temperance, Case Study had gone to the tavern for dinner. It was one of the few times that he had actually arrived at a decent time of day, since today he hadn’t felt much like dabbling in hobbies or studying. As he stood in line, he came to an unfortunate realization; Cream Puff would probably take it as her job to sanitize the tavern herself after hours, so he couldn’t exactly hope to take care of things after everypony had gone to bed. Somehow, he was going to have to convince her to let him do it for this next week. Was there any way to do that without telling Puff the reason for it?
Puff smiles at Case Study and waves at him, surprised to see him show up at a decent time for dinner. “Heya Case! Hunger actually motivated you to come get something instead of waiting for me to bring you something? And not chew your ear off about it?” She smiles and gives him a friendly wink as she says that. “So, what can I get you?”
He feigned a smile of his own, “Heh, I do suppose that I haven’t quite conquered that poor habit yet, have I?” The stallion had been too distracted to properly decide what he wished to partake of, “I...I don’t believe I’m feeling too choosy today. Is there anything that you might recommend, Ms. Puff?”
“The soup came out great today. A bowl of that and some bread sound good?”
A couple of blinks later, that seemed to click with him, “Yes, that will be satisfactory. It has been a rather long period since I last consumed soup. Don’t feel any need to rush it, if the meal of another in line can be prepared more promptly.” Case wasn’t exactly in a hurry.
Puff gives him a look that wonders how such a smart pony can be so silly. It literally takes her seconds to get him his food, as she simply ladles some nice hot soup into a bowl and grabs a fresh roll for him. “Here you go!”
It certainly smelled like the pick-up that he needed, “Thank you, Ms. Puff.” He stared at the bowl for a moment as he fidgeted. “I...understand that you are busy at this hour, so...do you suppose that I could have a word with you once the bulk of ponies have eaten? There’s something that we need to discuss. Preferably, I would like to do so with some degree of privacy.”
Puff raises an eyebrow at the stallion, then nods. “Alright Case. It usually quiets down around sunset. I should be able to take the time to talk then. Sound good?”
“That will do. I will see you then, assuming that I’m not called away in the meantime.” It took the doctor the better part of an hour to polish off his food, and often rested his head on a hoof in thought. Not having much else to do, he simply waited out the crowd until Puff had some free time.
As she predicted, she stays fairly busy until sunset. She does a few basic cleaning jobs behind the counter, mostly making sure all the dishes were accounted for and sitting by the sink, then heads out into the tavern proper. “So, Case. Is out here good, or do you want to talk in the kitchen?”
There were still a few ponies chatting at the tables, so his decision was an easy one, “The kitchen is probably best.” Once the two were out of sight of the other residents, the skinny pony started, “You are normally the one to clear the tavern of trash and filth after hours, yes? Well, this request may sound a bit unexpected, but do you suppose that I may fill in for you this week? This is something that Temperance wishes for me to do.”
Cream Puff gives him a slightly confused look. “I do, usually. Why does Temperance want you cleaning up?”
That was the logical question to ask, so it was by no means a surprise that it came up quickly. “That...is a bit of a sensitive subject...” He absolutely hated lying, so he didn’t want to make up a story. Besides, what kind of fable would make sense here? It’s not like he could be doing it for fun or because he had prospects of taking a job as a janitor. “Ms. Puff, are you capable of keeping a secret?”
Puff’s confusion shifts more towards concern. “Absolutely. What happened?”
He put a hoof behind his head and glanced away from her, “To be blunt, it’s a punishment. I did something foalish and a couple of our fellow soldiers were harmed because of it. I’m not exactly sure I should say what it was, but I can assure you that it will not happen again.”
Puff blinks a few times, wondering what Case could have done. It must not have caused much actual harm to the soldiers, she’d expect something like that would carry a far harsher penalty than a week of cleaning duty. After a few moments, she nods. “Well... alright. If it’s a punishment, I can make sure you’re punished. I have pretty high standards for the cleanliness of this place, after all.” She pauses before continuing. “...you’re sure you don’t want to tell me what happened?”
“I suppose I might as well...I don’t want you thinking that it was because of medical malpractice or anything concerning my profession.” Case knew how much Cream Puff loathed parasprites, so he was prepared for a potentially extreme reaction, “I’ll keep it short; I secretly kept a parasprite in my office. It managed to get free, ate some food and plants that I had been keeping , subsequently multiplied and generated the swarm that hit Duskfields yesterday.”
She tilts her head at him, looking like he just spouted gibberish instead of his typical eloquence. “You what? You what?! Why?!”
He folded his ears against his head, “Please, Ms. Puff, not so loudly...” he looked around to discern whether or not anypony else had taken an interest in their conversation, “I thought it might assist me. The parasprites have unusual powers and I sought to uncover their secrets for the sake of advancing the state of art of medicine. Consider how quickly they create offspring after consuming a meal; with such fast growth of new tissue, I believed that they could be of great value in the healing practices.”
Puff flares her wings and paces, trying to not totally lose her temper at her friend. “They’re pests! What were you going to do? Transplant a bit of parasprite into somepony?” She paces as she whispers loudly, trying to burn off some energy without smacking Case across the face.
“That...was one of the problems. I was never able to figure out exactly how it worked, especially since I couldn’t look at its internal organs as it was reproducing. In the end, I didn’t learn much other than the correlation between how much food mass it takes to produce new parasprites and that they can chew through certain metals.” He shook his head, “Now you see why I don’t want this to become public knowledge, especially not to Mr. Redhat and Mr. Scimitar. I won’t be keeping any more of the creatures. Anyway, are you alright with me taking over your post-cooking duties for the next seven days?”
Puff slows her pacing, but still looks upset with Case Study. She gives him a wicked grin. “Oh, you bet I am! You’re going to be making sure every surface in this place is clean enough for surgery!”
Case nods in sorrowful agreement, “Yes, yes, I will do my best, Ms. Puff. I don’t believe in doing a job half-heartedly.”
“Good! You can start with the dishes over there!” She turns and heads back to the counter, in case anypony decides they’re going to eat late tonight. “Parasprites... sheesh...”
Sighing as he accepted his fate, the doctor got to work; at least he had prior experience with cleaning up things that would make most other ponies wretch.
Post by: Iceblaster on April 01, 2013, 11:07:38 am
Ill take Yari the pegasus marksman, and if possible, change her name to Lightning Runner.
Actually... I probably should have mentioned that she's a special case. Since she's supposed to be from Dawnpick (my old community fort related to this one) I was hoping she might be relevant to the plot in some fashion. If you've read Dawnpick and want to play as Yari, you can have her.
Otherwise, I'd prefer if you took another pony. There are a few other untaken marksponies if you want them, although no pegasus mares. Aventail is an example of one you might want. If none of the existing marksponies fit the bill, I'm okay with converting another pony into a markspony and renaming them to Lightning Runner, if you want. I can even adjust their age or marital status if you want.
I did not read Dawnpick, but thanks for letting me know, I'll take Quarrel instead, keep the marital status and change his name to Lightning Runner. If you'll excuse me, I will be checking out Dawnpick.
Post by: Telgin on April 01, 2013, 04:33:02 pm
Post by: Amorack on April 01, 2013, 04:40:12 pm
Ok, cool. Quarrel is yours! If you do read Dawnpick, just fair warning that your in for a long read unless you stick to the updates linked from the first post. :)
Well, seeing as their avatar is from Fallout: Equestria I don't think Iceblaster minds long reads haha.
Post by: Iceblaster on April 01, 2013, 09:39:34 pm
Ok, cool. Quarrel is yours! If you do read Dawnpick, just fair warning that your in for a long read unless you stick to the updates linked from the first post. :)
Well, seeing as their avatar is from Fallout: Equestria I don't think Iceblaster minds long reads haha. :)
I don't mind them, as long as the thing I'm reading isn't filler 50% of the time, I generally enjoy them
Post by: L1wW on April 01, 2013, 10:24:46 pm
~Entry #127~
It has suddenly dawned on me that I may have forgotten the previous one hundred and twenty-six entries back at my partially destroyed cabin in the woods outside of Coupledye. Crap. Anyway if anyone in the future is reading this then here's a quick summary of my life: I was a crappy hunter, now I'm a crappy markspony, and I have no family to speak of. Due to my exceptionally crappy life, I was sentenced to join the next wagon ride to some frontier town called Dustfields or Duskfields... something "D" and fields. How fun... anyway I was just minding my own business at home when BAM, two guards and some noble with a top hat show up and give me a piece of paper and tell me to join a caravan. I thought it was guard service, to protect the caravan from bandits or something, imagine my surprise... I wonder what I'm going to do here considering I probably can't go back home and that my remote cabin in the woods is probably being demolished as I write this.
I should probably ask
~Entry #128~
Whelp I got drafted into the military on the first day. I was just milling around the well with my crossbow when suddenly some pony trotted up to me and told me to report to the armor stand next to the other two identical racks. I'm so happy to know that our base of operations is an armor stand right next to a few farm plots and a lone archery target. Do we have to take turns shooting or do we schedule certain months to use it? Anyway so being the sensible and infinitely wise unicorn I am, I hauled ass over to the armor stand to witness some "wrestling demonstration" conducted between some pegasus swordspony I am thoroughly convinced is the militia commander and my new superior... when will I ever need to use wrestling moves if I'm on a wall with a crossbow taking potshots over a trench? Seriously, I'll be standing on a wall with a moat surrounding it, you tell me how some random invader without wings could get up to me...
Guess it doesn't matter though, I'm sure there will be some foe armed with wings that will probably beat my ass in a hoof fight. Maybe one of those "discordian ponies" I hear so much about around town, they probably have pegasi armed with swords or something. Maybe I could use my horn to cast some magical spell that disarms them, then maybe I cast a magical crossbow spell where I shoot them in the face... take that wrestling! 'Course I would have to learn that disarm spell if it even exists, yeah where can I go to learn that? I always wanted to learn some spells like those court wizards or those wandering street performers... But yeah, I don't think many things will end up attacking me in close quarters when I'm on the walls, unless diamond dogs learn how to fly that is... or maybe some forgotten beast made out of steel or something ridiculous from hell itself will pop up and lay waste to this entire fortress, because a bolt could do so much to a hulking behemoth made of steel and pure death...
You know what? Forget it... I'll watch these demonstrations, maybe I'll learn something important...
~Entry #129~
What day is it? I probably should have kept track of the dates in these things... I should invest into a calendar or something, yeah these journal entries seem pointless now because I may have forgotten when some of these events occurred, mainly whether entry #128 was yesterday or a week ago. I don't know what's worse, that I forgot the date of something I wrote recently, or that it took me one hundred and twenty-nine entries to realize this poorly thought out idea. And I thought all unicorns were good at being clerks and record keepers...
At least now I won't go hungry or broke 'cause I officially got a job... however dangerous it could be. Apparently all it took was showing up with a crossbow and being able to hit a target from a few paces away. I was stationed into a markspony squad under a pegasus, why? Because that's the only squad we have, and you know what they say: a chain is always held down to the weakest link. In this case the entire squad would have to slow down for me and that earth pony, Aventail I think... that is totally not combat efficient; first, if we moved at the same speed, we couldn't make it in time to any battle and secondly, if we all move our fastest, the two pegasi would easily out pace us and we would separate this squad and it's combat prowess in half. Well actually I'd assume that our superior officer probably has a lot of experience and kills under her belt, considering she's one of the founders and all...
Anyway now I'm one a of a select few of marksponies in this fort. That alone makes me feel somewhat important and also responsible for these ponies I have never seen before in my entire life. I might want to request a transfer to a different squad without pegasi though, it's not that I don't like pegasi or anything, but I feel as though my lack of wings will slow the team down, good thing Aventail is on the squad too, maybe I won't be the only slow moving piss-poor shot with a crossbow... man I am a terrible stallion...
So anyway I learned where all the popular social meeting grounds are and promptly avoided them all like clouds of discordant magic. There is a lot of that here, the discordant magic, not the meeting grounds. Makes you wonder about the surrounding area... seems somewhat terrifying really...
and it has suddenly dawned on me that nobody will care about the life and times of some random hunter-turned-soldier that was abruptly relocated to a frontier town ordered to grow food for the capital... why am I still writing these things?
~Entry #130~
Man I didn't write a whole lot in these new entries...whatever...
It took me three days to learn that apparently nopony here eats meat or uses leather, so I guess my hunting career has found a tragic ending, but maybe my new soldering gig might flourish with all this spare time for training... and my life will probably reach a tragic end because of it. I should probably go and have a meeting with my superior officer whom I totally remember the name of, without a shadow of a doubt. I really should consider running a ground based ranged squad so any other land ponies and myself won't have to hold the pegasi teams back during an ambush or something, where speed and maneuverability are crucial. Also us land folk could support the melee fighters from the walls while the pegasus teams act as a rapid response or shock troopers on the battlefield...
My god I am going to be the worst soldier ever. Let's say I was at least competent with a crossbow, I have zero knowledge of the surrounding area, I have no idea what I'm up against, and I will probably miss that one life saving kill-shot nine out of ten times... so that means I should take long patrols around the fort, practice a lot with a target and a crossbow, and probably listen to my superiors. I should probably go off and have a chat with some of the other soldiers to figure out more about this place like maybe where some choke points are in case any invaders show up or if there are any blind spots from the walls. I digress...
I'm going to go shoot an archery target because hey, I got nothing better to do...
Also probably going to burn this thing when I get the chance...
Prodd out.
Post by: Iceblaster on April 02, 2013, 12:34:42 am
Entry #1
Sweet Potato told me to keep one of these "So we can show our foals" and I agreed, though I never thought we would have foals as I don't want them to be heartbroken if I die in the line of duty. I will be recapping up recent events in this entry as I want this to be the only page recapping these events.
I was surprised when a swarm of 46
This town is very... homey, I like it, a backwater town with a griffon-a
I was drafted into a squad of marksponies, I quickly accepted-like I was given a choice though-and began training from sun up to sun down, in the rain and in the cloudyness-Is that even a word?-I did however take a day off to spend time with the wife. the time we spent was wonderful, though I did get chewed out for missing a lesson.
I may get the wife to write a journal too-might as well share the burden-as it will tell her side of the story in many things. Goodbye, and goodnight.
P.S. Wife tells me to keep the language down, I'll remember that for later entries
Post by: Amorack on April 02, 2013, 06:56:25 pm
Obsidian 18th, 270
There was a terrible Discordant attack today. Max was caught outside by one of them, and he ended up taking an axe to the abdomen. Along with major blood loss, the wound was traumatic enough for his intestines to partially spill out. He was the first griffin I've ever treated, but thankfully the surgical principles are about the same. We do have to be careful about any kind medication that may affect griffins differently. We don't want a repeat of the incident with Redhat. Oh, and Redhat had a minor injury to his nose.
Unfortunately, Max wasn't the only one seriously wounded. Scimitar, one of the militia ponies, broke both legs and his front hoof. Right now Max's prognosis is dire, and though Scimitar's condition is less grave I cant say if his legs will ever heal enough for him to return to active duty.
Granite 1st, 271
Today was my birthday, and to celebrate we had a party in the tavern. Some of my friends showed up, and of course Patches and Mittens were there too. There's been so much death lately that it's nice to have something to celebrate. We have to enjoy the good times while we can. Thankfully things have been a little more peaceful since Max and Scimitar were attacked. They'll both be in the hospital with Plastron for a while yet, but at this point none of their injuries are life-threatening.
Slate 14th, 271
Temperance and Morning Dew's foal turned one year old today. We took Mittens to her party and they played with some of the other foals while the parents caught up with each other. I'm glad there are so many foals around the same age, even if I do worry for their safety.
Hematite 8th, 271
We decided to release Scimitar this morning. He's not in perfect health, but he is back on his hooves again. I don't think he should continue in the militia, but in the end that'll be up to somepony else...
Max is still in the hospital. His condition is much improved, except for an infection that can probably be blamed on the lack of soap. I'll have to bring this up with Case Study, so he can bring it up to Temperance.
Post by: L1wW on April 02, 2013, 10:06:34 pm
After shooting at the same target for the past four hours, Prodd inevitably got bored. He still needed to figure out what’s outside the walls of Duskfields, so he guessed a patrol should be in order. The problem was, however, that if he took about a hundred paces outside the gate, he would surely get lost and be reported missing in about a week. He needed to find somepony to lead the way. Prodd noticed a pegasus with a red hat walk by. “Hey... uh, red hat guy... can you help me? I’m going to... go on patrol around here and I don’t want to get lost...” Prodd said.
Redhat turned his head around when he heard somepony call for him. “Oh... um... hello.... is it possible you could have somepony else waste their ti- I mean assist you in this matter?”
“Oh, well I’m sorry... you got anything better to do?” Prodd responds. “‘Cause I got no clue what the hell is outside those walls and I’d like to find out...” Prodd goes to the target and retrieves a few bolts.
“...” The pony’s eye twitched, He really wanted to assault the other pony’s honor, but he needed to try to act nice... “Well... I... g-guess i’ll assist you then...”
“Great... that’s fantastic.” Prodd says with a not-so-subtle hint of sarcasm. “So what exactly are we patrolling? Like what routes we take, what places we stop at, that kinda stuff...” Prodd asks, somewhat sincerely. He stops in front of the spear pony after gathering a few more bolts and his crossbow.
“Well, Honestly I don’t know, I’m not exactly in your squad.” He said, rolling his eyes. “Also, I’m not really on the clock right now.”
“...Should I care?” Prodd replies. He looks over at the gate, then back at the pony with the red hat. “So I take it you’re not going out there with me?” Prodd sighs.
“I said I was assisting you, do you take me for a liar?” The pony then walked over to a weapon rack and grabbed his spear.
“Well I don’t take you for a liar...” Prodd answers. He checks to see if his weapon is loaded and slings it on his back. “I guess we could just wander around aimlessly and keep an eye out for bad guys... also what, er... what is your name?”
“Redhat, and yours?” He said walking back over to Prodd.
“...Your name is seriously Redhat? Whatever... name’s Prodd.” Prodd says. “So shall we be off on this merry adventure?”
“Sure... but just know that if you see anything leave it to me, please.”
“...Am I really that incompetent?” Prodd asks, more to himself though. “Anyway... let’s get this show on the road...” The two start walking.
“Well sorry. You're currently just a recruit and I have second most kills in this fortress.” He said before the two moved outside of the gate.
“Second most kills, huh? Well how many kills do you have anyway?” Prodd asks, deciding to start a conversation while they wander outside.
“30ish... though it’s not something I’d take pride in.” He said, looking down. “Still, it’s a good way to show noobies I actually have experience in this profession.”
“...Are you implying something?” Prodd questions. “Alright new question... where did you get that hat, anyway? Do we even have colored dyes here?”
“I’ve had this hat for years, and in fact, is my favorite part of my collection.” He says proudly, not seeming to mind talking about this subject at all.
“Alright... does it have a story?” Prodd asks, slightly interested in this topic. He still keeps his eye on the perimeter just in case something were to actually happen...
“Well... It was a gift from my father.”
“...Huh, he still around?” Prodd asks. He tried thinking of his own family, he didn’t get very far.
“Nope, the poor bastard is dead and buried.” He tried to sound he didn’t care much.
“...You sound as if you don’t care.” Prodd states, not trying to sound irritated, just curious.
“Yeah, your point?”
“Nothing really... so how did you end up here?” Prodd asks, still trying to keep the conversation going.
“Can’t somepony just prefer a change in scenery?”
“...Eh, I guess...” Prodd says. “So who are you hiding from?”
“Your mother, now any other personal questions you’d like to interrogate further?”
“Yeah, here’s another: why are you wearing a magical hat?” Prodd asks while smirking. “You realize us unicorns can at least sense magical stuff if we try hard enough... right?”
“I’m sorry, but I prefer to keep my appearance as pleasant as possible, and magic assists in that.”
“Well I’m sure you’re not that ugly...” Prodd says. “Anyway we covered a good chunk of ground, we could go home now... or we could check out that hill over to the west...” Prodd stops and looks at Redhat. “It’s your call...”
“Honestly, I’d like to get back home and feed my dog.” He said, looking for some sort of reason to head back home.
“Very well, lets head back to town...” Prodd says. “...By the way... thanks for the chat...” He then turns and starts walking back to Duskfields. “If you ever need me, I’ll probably be shooting targets.”
“Well... Thanks for the chat as well...” he said, Trying again not to be a jackass and finish the conversation with a snide comment.
The two ponies walked back to Duskfields and parted ways once they reached the gate.
Post by: TheBronzePickle on April 03, 2013, 03:31:54 am
It’s yet another day of training, as the twin sisters jab and dodge and swipe at one another during sparring.
Redhat was over on the sidelines. His dog came along too today, The big fluffy beast just sitting next to red while he took his prolonged break.
The two sisters occasionally flashed glances his way between strikes. Eventually, Bascinet drops her practice spear and starts walking over to the stallion, Epaulette quickly catching up. “Monsieur Redhat, would you please critique my style?” they both ask at the same time, nervously. They give each other a surprised look, as if they weren’t expecting the other to be there.
“um....” they were honestly both rather terrible. “Well... I’d say... you may wish to keep working on it...”
The two blush and look a bit sullen. “P-perhaps,” Bascinet starts, “you could... watch us more, and give us tips?”
“Well.. sure why not...”
The two smile brightly and run back to where they were practicing. They start off carefully, trying to make everything they do look good, even if it’s not necessarily practical.
“Yeah... flashy stuff can you killed, and try not to leave yourself open, else you’ll die.”
The two start becoming more tactical about their attacks, aiming carefully for one another and trying to keep up a good, active defense.
“Okay, what you want to do, is wait until the other makes a mistake, then make them pay for it. Like right now, you could just swipe at Epaulette’s leg and BOOM fight over.”
Epaulette catches what Redhat says and blocks just in time for Bascinet’s spear, and then promptly returns the favor by poking the mare in the chest. Epaulette seems pretty smug about it, while Bascinet looks pissed.
“Okay, even though Epaulette just killed you by cheating and reacting to my commentary and showing no skill, You could still take a swipe at her face while she basks in victory.”
Epaulette looks hurt towards Redhat, though she still manages to block her sister’s angry swipe without looking.
“Well sorry... heh... if I wasn’t here you wouldn’t have exactly won that.”
Epaulette and Bascinet go back to sparring. Both seem absolutely determined this time, and their attacks are quick and violent.
“A wooden spear can bust a muzzle. Trust me I know from experience. It’s okay to not bash it eachother so hard.”
The two ignore him. It almost looks like they want to hurt one another.
“you don’t have to kill each other...”
Eventually, Bascinet sees an opening, hitting Epaulette’s leg so hard Redhat can hear the ‘whap’ as it echoes off the nearby buildings. The mare goes down and starts nursing her leg while the other struts around her triumphantly.
He gives the mare an angry look then gets down next to Epaulette. “Are you okay?”
“I am fine,” she replies bluntly, looking more hurt at being humiliated than by the injury. The impact site does show a bit of a welt and some bruising, though.
“Very well....” he got up, “Okay, Bascinet, you know better to try to bludgeon your sparring Partner.”
Bascinet tries to suppress a sigh of disappointment. “Yes, Monsieur Redhat. I am sorry, Epaulette.” She doesn’t really seem to mean it.
Epaulette just nods before getting back to her feet. “I think zat is enough practice for today, no?”
“Sure, why not?” he said, still seeming rather disappointed by Bascinet.
Epaulette smirks. “Would you mind escorting me back to my room, Monsieur Redhat? My leg does hurt a bit...”
Bascinet makes a nasty look at her sister, but says nothing.
“Oh, why I’m sure your sister can assist you.” And just then the dog gave off a soft whimper and walked over to nuzzle the downed pony.
Epaulette sighs and reaches out to stroke Bonnet, while Bascinet smirks back at her.
“Why are you guys acting so... impolite? Seriously?”
“It is nothing,” Bascinet responds bitterly, seemingly blaming Epaulette. Epaulette, in turn, just gives Bascinet a nasty stare, apparently having a mutual feeling on the matter.
“Anyway... I guess I’ll be on my way...” He said, making his way to the door, and motioning the dog over.
Epaulette and Bascinet stay for a while, staring daggers at each other, before heading separate ways.
Post by: Telgin on April 04, 2013, 02:05:16 am
Sous-chef Maize helps her master, Cream Puff, put the finishing touches on the meals, giddy about the surprise double-date she’s set up for herself her husband, Temperance and Morning Dew.
Cream Puff examines the plates and smiles in approval. Tomato bisque appetiser, lasagna and fresh rolls entre, and cannoli for dessert, perfect! “Good work, Maize!”
“I hope so, I’m going to be eating it,” Maize jests, peeking out of the kitchen. “Looks like Prae-Prae’s here, and the other two should be coming soon.” She looks back. “Thanks so much, Cream. I never could have pulled this off without you.”
Puff gives her a warm smile. “Any time, Maize! It’s nice to get to make something fancy once in a while. Now get out there! You’re supposed to be on a date!” Puff gives her a friendly push out of the kitchen.
Maize smiles back toward her friend before walking to the table. “Hey, Prae-Prae.” She gives the stallion a big kiss before sitting down next to him.
“Hello, Maize,” he says, smiling as he sits down next to her. “What’s all this about?”
“You’ll see, don’t worry.” Maize gives him another kiss and looks toward the door of the tavern.
A minute later, the second couple walk in. Temperance is smiling softly, walking close enough to Morning Dew that they were brushing up against each other. They periodically swish tails at each other as they move along. “Well, looks like the others are already here.”
“Hello Temperance,” says Praetorian, standing up.
Maize stands up as well. “Hey, Temperance. Hi, Morning.”
“Hello, you two,” he responds, smiling and nodding at each. “So, what was the plan for tonight?” He had a decent idea already, and he was liking where it was going.
Maize smiles at him. “Just take a seat. We’re going to have a little double-date, if that’s alright.”
Morning Dew smiles at Tempy, and nudges him a little.
“Oh, well then...” he says, returning Dew’s smile and making a grand gesture as he pulls a seat out for her. “After you.” It had been too long since their last night ‘out.’
Morning Dew sits down happily, and waits for Temperance to sit down as well.
Maize sits back down, already having a seat under her from earlier. “Cream Puff’ll have the food out really soon, I helped make it. Hope it’s good.”
Temperance takes his seat next to his wife, and he takes a deep breath. “It smells wonderful, so I’m sure it’ll taste it too.”
Praetorian re-seats himself. “I have no doubts on that front, either.”
With the ponies seated, Puff heads out to serve them their appetisers. “Good evening everypony! What can I get you all to drink?”
Praetorian waits for Maize to decide, while setting her plate down in front of her to aid Puff.
Maize smiles at him. “Thanks, Prae-Prae. I’d like some lemonade, please, Puff. We have some, right?”
“A bit of watermelon juice for me, if you have any?” Temperance asks, then looks to Morning Dew.
Morning Dew hmms for a bit, and then says “Um, water would be fine.”
Praetorian says “I’ll join my wife in the lemonade, if you wouldn’t mind.”
Puff nods at each pony in turn as they request their drinks. “Alright: two lemonades, watermelon juice, and water. I’ll be right back with those.”
Maize takes a sip of the creamy tomato soup. “Mmm, it’s even better than I thought it was going to be.”
Praetorian tastes the soup, and nods. “Indeed it is quite delicious.”
Temperance takes a small gulp. “This is excellent. Every time I taste the food I’m surprised how good it is here.” He smiles. “You two do a great job growing it, and Cream Puff does a great job cooking it.”
Morning Dew nods as she continues to drink the delicious soup, before finally halting and smiling. “Yes, it’s stupendous what you and Cream Puff can do.”
Maize gulps down the entire bowl before lying it down on the table and dabbing her lips with a napkin. “Thank you very much. Cream Puff and I worked hard on this, and it’s good to know it came out so well.”
“Oh, you helped cook tonight?” Temperance asks as he finishes his. “Then my compliments to both chefs.”
Maize smiles. “She deserves more credit. She mostly told me what to do to help her out. Besides, she was nice enough to play waitress, too.”
Puff returns with their drinks and with the entre, and distributes them all. “Here we go! Lasagna and some fresh rolls for everypony. And your drinks, of course. Enjoy!”
Maize helps Puff out with passing out the plates before taking a sip of her lemonade. “Thank you, Puff!”
“Yes, thank you very much,” Temperance says, helping to get Dew’s food settled before he takes his own. “This smells fantastic.”
Morning Dew leans over to Temperance and gives him a little nuzzle as he settles her food, turning it into a little kiss on his cheek.
Maize slips Praetorian a quick kiss, too, before she starts to dig into her own lasagna.
Puff giggles and heads back to the kitchen, leaving the lovebirds to have their time together.
Temperance breaks away from Dew’s nuzzle and kiss reluctantly before sampling his lasagna. It was still a bit hot, but nothing a bit of blowing couldn’t solve. The tomato sauce was absolutely wonderful, just like every part of it. “Cream Puff keeps asking for some cows for better cheese. I’m not sure this could be any better.”
Maize stops shoveling food in her mouth and takes a second to swallow. “She wants cow cheese, and I don’t blame her. Imagine this with the rich flavor of cheddar.”
Morning Dew is still a little more like Temperance in her eating habits, but Praetorian is almost as quick as Maize, shoveling in the hot food like there was no tomorrow. Morning Dew smiles at Temperance before taking up her fork, and cutting off a little bit of Temperance’s lasagna, and feeding it to him.
He chuckles despite the food in his mouth, then reciprocates, cutting a small piece of her lasagna off and offering it to her with a smile.
Morning Dew giggles a little and takes the morsel of lasagna.
Maize tries to one-up them, cutting a piece of her lasagna and holding it in her mouth, offering it to Praetorian.
Praetorian laughs a little at the antics, before accepting Maize’s gift, and prepares to reciprocate, not wanting to show a sign of ungallantness, of course.
Maize happily takes the bite, giving Praetorian a short kiss as she does so.
Praetorian would be happy to hold the kiss, but accepts the break.
Temperance meanwhile cannot think of anything to beat that, so he concedes defeat with a small chuckle and shake of his head before returning to his food.
Maize finishes the rest of her lasagna and leans back, resting her head lovingly on Praetorian as she waits for everypony else to finish.
Temperance finds himself surprisingly hungry, and it doesn’t take him long to finish either. The lasagna was so good if he was in private he might be tempted to lick the plate, but certainly not here. He instead sits back contentedly and rubs Morning Dew’s back with a hoof.
Praetorian finishes just before Temperance, and being a unicorn doesn’t have to worry about licking the plate.
Morning Dew finishes last, and leans over on Temperance in a mirror of Maize.
Maize nuzzles her husband’s neck a bit, giving him a few kisses. “Enjoying it so far?”
“Oh, of course I am, Maize. I’m with you; why wouldn’t I be?” he answers, resting a leg around her back.
Maize gives him a bigger kiss and looks to the couple across the table. “How about you two?”
Temperance nuzzles Morning Dew and says, “Good food, my friends and the mare of my life? What’s not to enjoy?”
Morning Dew smiles a little, and says “I don’t know how I could not be enjoying it, spending time with the sweetest stallion who ever was.”
Maize grins as she drinks the last of her lemonade. “I’m glad everypony is enjoying it. I figured it’d be a nice little treat.”
Temperance fails to contain a slight blush at Dew’s comment. “Thank you for arranging for it. We’ve all been so busy lately there hasn’t been much time for us to have a night out to relax like this. I’m guessing you two haven’t really had much chance either.”
“Not for a date, no.” Maize pushes herself up a little to give Praetorian’s cheek a kiss. “Sharing the same room makes nights a lot funner, though.”
Praetorian holds a straight face via a tremendous expenditure of effort.
Temperance coughs nervously but a tiny smile plays across his face. “Yes, well... I’ve been trying to convince myself to not work so late every day, so I can spend a bit more time with Dew. It’s a bit of a bad habit I’ve developed,” he says, trying to change the subject a bit, if possible.
Morning Dew smiles a little bit. “He’s not been the one trying to convince him. That’s been me. Mountain Dew hardly sees you when you’re not at work, dear. It won’t kill you to take a few days off a year!”
He chuckles nervously and nods before leaning into her a bit more. “I know... I’m sorry, I’m trying, honest.”
Maize giggles. “I guess I’ll just have to arrange some play-dates, too then.”
“Speaking of that,” Temperance begins, “I’m sure Mountain Dew would love to have a playmate.” He looks over at the slight bulge forming in Morning Dew’s belly and says, “She’s got one on the way, but you do too, don’t you? About the same time off?”
Maize nods and carefully pats above her stomach. “Yeah. It would be interesting if we had them at the same time, wouldn’t it?”
Morning Dew giggles a little bit. “I wonder who’d be doing the farming then!”
“We’ve got probably close to a year’s worth of food stocked up,” Temperance says with a shrug. “Even if you two had to take off for close to a year, I’m sure Pumpkin Patch can keep things primed, so to speak.”
Maize nods. “I can’t imagine needing much time off, anyway. Morning Dew didn’t take too long to get back out after having Mountain, did you Morning?”
“No, I didn’t. Mountain Dew was a sweet little thing, which probably helped a little,” she says.
Temperance smiles, but inside he feels a pang of guilt about not being there for his wife and daughter during that period. “She is. She gets into everything, but she’s a good little filly.”
Cream Puff returns to the table with the dessert, and refills for the drinks. “How is everything so far?”
“Wonderful,” Maize responds, taking her cannoli and again helping pass out the rest of them.
“It’s been marvelous, Cream Puff,” says Morning Dew with a smile. “Thank you for all that you’ve done.”
“Absolutely, everything has been great,” Temperance agrees, eyeing his dessert.
Praetorian nods. “Quite superb, miss Cream Puff. Thank you for the effort that you’ve put in here.”
Puff beams at the couples and the compliments. “Excellent! I couldn’t have done it without Maize’s help! And it was nice to really get to make something extra special.”
Maize smiles. “I’m sure you could have managed, but I’m glad I helped.” She lifts her cannoli, and begins to bite down on the end.
“Extra special, indeed,” Temperance agrees with Puff. He chuckles and adds, “I’d say we should do this again soon, but I know this had to be a lot of work for the both of you.”
Maize giggles. “I actually made one more copy of the meal in secret so Cream Puff could have some, too. It’s in the back right cupboard, Puff.” She smiles. “Hopefully it’ll be incentive to do it all again.”
Puff giggles at Maize. “I know, I ate it already. How else do you think I knew how long to wait to bring the next course?” She gives her a friendly hug anyway. “Thanks, Maize.”
Maize returns the hug. “I thought I hid it well. Oh, well, at least you got it.” She nuzzles her friend. “So, same time next week?” She jokes.
“Heh, I wouldn’t mind, but I think everypony else would get jealous if only you guys get my best stuff! I’m able to keep quality food going with Pepper’s help, but it’ll take at least two more helpers to be able to give everypony food like this.” Puff waves a wing at the quickly vanishing desserts with a smile.
Maize just looks to Praetorian. “What do you say, Prae-Prae? I hear you can whip up a mean salad. It would almost be like our own little date, just helping Puff make a grand feast for everypony.”
Temperance makes a small grin. “I’d offer to help, but I can burn water, so I’m afraid I’d just get in the way.”
“Hmmm, well, I suppose I can help when I’m not on duty,” says Praetorian.
Maize gives Praetorian a big hug and a bigger kiss. “Sounds fun!”
Puff chuckles at her friends. “Sounds like fun. Speaking of, I’ll leave you all to the rest of your date.” With a smile and wave of a wing, Puff returns to the kitchen. Maize hadn’t been the only one to make some extra, and Puff was planning on enjoying some more cannoli.
Temperance waves her off in turn and snuggles up with Morning Dew. He starts nibbling at his cannoli, savoring it and his wife’s presence. Speaking of which, he knew she loved things like this. After he finishes half of it, he feigns being full, and sets it back on his plate. “I’m not sure I could eat another bite. Would you like the rest?” he asks her.
Morning Dew giggles and, having only half of her own, says “No, no, I’m full. You should eat it. And the rest of mine, too.”
Maize looks a little disappointed, not being able to join in the flirting since she had literally just swallowed the last bit of hers.
That’s why she pulls out two more cannolis from under the table. “Want ‘em, sweetie?” She asks Praetorian.
Praetorian, who hasn’t touched his yet, smiles and shakes his head. “No, you should have it, and mine as well. I’m already pretty full, and I know you like them.”
“Aww, you should eat yours at least.” She puts an entire cannoli in her mouth and starts chewing. “Therr guud!”
Praetorian has an idea. Waiting for Maize to finish the one she was currently consuming, he picks up his own, half in his mouth, and holds it over for Maize to take the other half.
Maize smiles and reaches out, taking the other half in her mouth and pressing her lips against Praetorian’s, holding the kiss for a lot longer this time.
Praetorian holds the kiss for as long as he can, pulling Maize to him.
Maize keeps it up and offers the last cannoli to Temperance and Morning Dew so they can do the same.
With a small laugh, he takes it and mimics the two, holding it half in his mouth and offering the other half to Dew with a wink.
Morning Dew takes the other half, happily kissing the stallion of all of her dreams.
Maize, during the kiss, sneaks some of the cream filling out of Praetorian’s end of the cannoli before breaking away. “That was fun.”
Temperance finally breaks away himself, revealing that the cannoli has vanished during their kiss. He wipes a tiny little speck of cream from Dew’s nose with a grin. He sighs contentedly and sits back. After a minute, he says, “Well... it’s getting pretty late. Perhaps we should go home and spend a bit of that time together that I owe you?”
Morning Dew giggles, and nods. “That sounds nice, Tempy,” she says happily.
Temperance collects the bits of leftover cannolis and gives her another little nuzzle before helping her up. “Alright then.” He looks back at their company and says, “This was a wonderful night, thanks again.”
Maize waves. “No problem. If you ever want to hang out again, just say something. I’ll see if I can set it up.”
Post by: Iceblaster on April 04, 2013, 02:57:15 am
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Lightning%20Runner%20Avatar.png)(http://i.imgur.com/ST9i3RX.png)
Lightning Runner fires his crossbow at a target, hitting the outer 'ring' "Darn it, need to work harder" He muttered
Sweet Potato giggled "Oh your doing great!" she said, sitting a distance away
"Just got a bit of... something in my eye" Lightning said, beginning to reload his crossbow
"Riiight," Sweet Potato rolled her eyes
"Okay, so I do need SOME more training, but I assure you, in a week I'll be able to hit those parasprites from where I'm standing, with one hoof behind my back" Lightning Runner bluffed, finishing the loading of his crossbow "Why don't you try" He said tossing the crossbow to her, Sweet Potato catching it just in time
"Fine, but don't expect anything good, you know I am better with a hoe than a crossbow" She said trotting over to the archery range, making sure not to get in the way of the other marksponies
"Just look down the notches and figure out how far you are from the target, you should also correct for wind direction" Lightning instructed, trotting up next to Sweet Potato, putting his hooves on hers, helping her aim
"I got this, don't worry about me" Sweet Potato said, firing off a bolt, missing and hitting the ground "Eep!" she jumped
"Don't worry, its normal for it do make that fwatang sound when firing off a bolt" Lightning said, laughing to himself
"Easy for you to say!" Sweet Potato said, blushing furiously, getting a few strange looks, but not enough for this to count as making a scene
"Tell ya what, if you can get better with a crossbow, I'll work on farming" Lightning said, still chuckling
"F-fine... just don't laugh" Potato begged.
"I won't just a bit funny how you reacted to a crossbow" Lightning said, finally finished his laughing
After about an hour of firing crossbow bolts at a log-or whatever this place has set up for archery targets-the two left, Lightning preparing for farming lessons
My storytelling skills should suffice for a quick update, if any of you catch anything, let me know and I'll fix it ASAP
Post by: TheBronzePickle on April 04, 2013, 03:31:19 am
They also seem to be really adept at talking while their mouths are holding something.
Post by: Iceblaster on April 04, 2013, 04:28:26 am
Also I noticed my color for OOC is too dark, time to fix that
Post by: Pokon on April 04, 2013, 05:03:49 pm
(over the last few weeks, Wood Chip has found himself helping out SmoothBlock over at the distilery more and more often, and his visits usualy ended with him leaving both slightly buzzed and emotionaly confused. However, during Mountain Dew's birthday party, both left slightly buzzed and eventualy made there way to the distilery for the usual set-up. Naturaly, both drank some more. A lot more.)
Wood Chip was tired, warm, and suffering from one of the worst headaches he ever had.
SmoothBlock opened her eyes half way and looked around her, she noticed she was hugging somepony’s withers rather tight. She knew of only one stallion that had red withers in town who had a red coat. “Chips?” she murmured.
Wood Chip’s eyes shot wide open.
Yep, it wasn’t so much that he was warm, so much as another pony beside him was generating most of the heat he was feeling on his shoulders.
“SmoothBlock?”
“Yup.” SmoothBlock smiled and squeezed WoodChips “Your withers are broad and muscular.” she was using her softest voice, coming very very close to sounding feminine.
Wood Chip was conflicted. On one hoof, he really did not wish to move. On the other hoof, he had no idea what happened last night, and considering that it eventually led to him and SmoothBlock...cuddling, it seemed that it was a memory worth remembering.
“SmoothBlock, I think I... do you, er...”
He’s never been good with these sort of things. He could feel his cheeks burning up, and he was utterly sure it wasn’t from prior drinking.
“We drank, a lot. More than a barrel between us. I think I tried to sing something and you passed out in self defence.” She chuckled, have given up on ever trying to giggle again.
Wood Chips gulped. “SmoothBlock, I got to ask, do you want to, er, well, how do I put this, oh bother, um...” He felt like his skin was the same color of his coat.
SmoothBlock nuzzled into Wood Chips short beard “I’d like to see you again, and more often.” she said to help him through his stumbling.
He sighed thankfully, and in turn layed his head on SmoothBlock’s belly. To be fair, his head was large. “ I would like to see you more often, too. I think our work periods match up enough that we can have the same break times.” He doubted he could have worded it any more clumsly.
“Dinner tonight?” she nuzzled him warmly “Your place is done, right?” SmoothBlock sighed, she didn’t want to get up.
He nodded, and curled a leg over her soft body. “You bet. It was the first one finished. Heh, I think its even a little over done, considering I chopped down most of the trees needed to make the furniture in it.” He returned her nuzzle in full force, and even squeezed her sides a little.
SmoothBlock smiled and rubbed her nose to WoodChip’s “Sounds like a date.” oh, she can flutter her eyes.
Wood Chips was unsure if, socially, this was the generally accepted time where kissing somepony would be entirely okay, so he played it safe and pulled SmoothbBock closer to him slowly to the point where there was nearly no room between them.
“I think I love you, you know.” There, he said it.
“I think I love you too.” SmoothBlock puckered her lips and closed her eyes.
Wood Chip could not close his eyes, he wanted to see every moment of this.
He didn’t really need to lean in for a kiss, considering how close they were, so he gently lowered his head to hers and kissed her.
SmoothBlock hugged Wood Chips as their lips touched together, her eyes slowly opening, a dreamy look across her face.
Wood Chip probably looked dazed and confused, but neverless was grinning stupidly.
Slowly SmoothBlock pulled back and ran her hooves through Wood Chip’s mane “That was nice.” She just layed there, holding him and gazing at him doe-like.
Wood Chip said nothing, mostly because of the fact his brain was still catching up with what was going on. However, he did manage to slide his other forlimb around SmoothBlock, who, after he shifted his weight onto his back, was effectly laying on his chest.
“You’re strong.” SmoothBlock said in her softest voice. “Holding up a chunky mare like me.” She teased as she lay her head on Woodchips.
Wood Chip scoffed at that. “You? You’re not chunky. Don’t let anyone tell you that.”
He let a little smile overtake his face. “You’re soft.” he stage-whispered.
He slid a hoof down her back. He was sure he was not in his right mind, considering that by now he would be stammering a apology for being so forward.
“I might be sure now.” SmoothBlock smiled contently, warm in WoodChip’s comforting legs.
He layed his head back on the floor, and let himself be overtaken by the moment. Meanwhile, his left hoof surely but slowly found there way past the small of her back and onto her flanks.
“Hmmm!?” SmoothBlock looked a little surprised but didn’t shy away, hugging and rubbing Wood Chip’s withers in response.
Wood Chip panicked slightly when he heard SmoothBlocks surprised response, but when she began rubbing his sides with her hooves stretched around him, he calmed down.
“Smooth, we don’t have to...I should have asked first.” he said lamely as he somewhat relucently placed his free limb off her cutie mark and back on her own shoulders.
“Maybe, when you’re ready.” SmoothBlock winked and kissed Wood Chips on the cheek “we should get you some juice, as I bet you have a headache you just remembered.” She took her time getting off him and onto her hooves.
Wood Chip just looked at SmoothBlock in mild amazement. “ I have never been one to make the first move, Smoothie.”
He realised what he just said, and slowly arched his head to the side in mild embarrassment.
She chuckled and nuzzled him “I’ll help.” SmoothBlock smiled and took his hoof to help him up.
He gratefully takes her hoof, even if he knew in a little cynical corner of his mind that she didn’t need to help him up, and slightly dusted himself off away from Smoothblock.
“So, dinner? You know, I think we can eat breakfast together, considering what time it is.
“A good idea is a good idea.” SmoothBlock smiled and walked up next to the stallion.
And so, together, the pair walked out of the building and to the kitchens, walking closely together and engaging in small talk the entire way.
Post by: Dsarker on April 06, 2013, 12:11:12 am
Thus spoke Babin, Lord of the Sheyim.
"For three transgressions of Beor I will punish them, and for four I shall not revoke it; because they have plowed Coupledye with plowblades of iron. So I will send a fire upon the house of Dark Betrayal, and it shall devour the strongholds of Mare-hadad. I will break the gate-bars of Beor, and send its people into exile", says Babin, Lord of the Sheyim.
Thus spoke Babin, Lord of the Sheyim.
"For three transgressions of Grazer I will punish them, and for four I shall not revoke it; because they have taken whole towns into exile, to hand them over to the slavers. So I will send a fire upon the wall of Grazer, fire that shall devour its strongholds. I will cut off the inhabitants from Honey Meadow. I will turn my hoof against Strong Boulder, and the remnants of the Rainbows shall perish," says Babin, Lord of the Sheyim.
Thus spoke Babin, Lord of the Sheyim.
"For three transgressions of Winter Sprinkles I will punish them, and for four I shall not revoke it; because they delivered entire towns into slavery, and did not remember the covenant of kinship. So I will send a fire upon the wall of Winter Sprinkles, fire that shall devour its strongholds."
Thus spoke Babin, Lord of the Sheyim.
"For three transgressions of Dream Gem I will punish them, and for four I shall not revoke it; because she pursued her sister with the sword and cast off all pity; she maintained her anger perpetually and kept her wrath for ever. So I will send a fire on Emerald Stallion, and it shall devour the strongholds of Peach Blossom."
Thus spoke Babin, Lord of the Sheyim.
"For three transgressions of the Meandering Gloss I will punish them, and for four I shall not revoke it; because they sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for horse-shoes, they who trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth, and push the afflicted out of the way.
Sire and son go in to the same mare, so that our holy names are profaned; they lay themselves down beside every altar on garments taken in pledge; and in the house of their gods they drink wine bought with fines they imposed.
Yet we destroyed the Horse before them, whose height was like the height of cedars, and who was as strong as oaks; we destroyed his fruit above, and his roots beneath. We also brought you up out of the land of death that you lived in before, and led you through danger to possess the land of the Horse. And we raised up some of your foals to be preachers, and some of your youths to be priests. Is it not indeed so, O ponies of the Meandering Gloss?" says Babin, the Lord of the Sheyim.
"But you corrupted the priests, and commanded the preachers, saying 'You shall not preach.' So I will press you down in your place, just as a cart presses down when it is full of sheaves. Flight shall perish from the pegasus, and the earth ponies shall not retain their strength, nor shall the unicorns save their magic; those who handle the crossbow shall not stand, and those who are swift of foot shall not save themselves, nor shall those who wear armour save their lives; and those who are stout of heart among the mighty shall flee away naked on that day," says Babin, the Lord of the Sheyim.
Thus spoke Govos Dawnshore, Lady of the Sky.
“The sky shall be sewn up, and not even the merest drop of rain shall fall on their land. Famine will blight them, and there shall be no mercy; no mercy upon the ponies who have shown none,” says Govos Dawnshore, Lady of the Sky.
“The insects themselves shall rise up against you, parasprites joining their comrades-in-arms, such that the very sky itself shall be blocked out by their swarms. But they shall not be like the other parasprites or insects, content to eat up your food and starve you. The shelter of walls will be sought, O ponies, but it will give no protection,” says Govos Dawnshore, Lady of the Sky.
Thus spoke Laltur Stockadepure, Harbinger of the Law.
“Your laws you make unjust, O you ponies! You make the lot of the poor worse and better that of the rich. And so for this we shall create a new law for you, and so that you do not forget it, it shall be written on your flesh. Your wounds will not heal, and scars will remain. Your open wounds will fester, and the skin shall rot.
“You will not die from this, that you may remember that we are the Sheyim,” says Laltur Stockadepure, Harbinger of the Law.
Then the Sheyim turned once more to Babin, Lord of the Sheyim, and thus he spoke.
“A curse shall be laid upon the Meandering Gloss. The sparrow will hunt the eagle, the whelps of the fox will laugh at wise ponies, the priest has drunk wine, instead of ewes the stick will be herded along, and hyenas will listen to instruction. The poor pony has mixed myrrh, the esteemed esteems and the esteemer is esteemed. And I will give them into the hooves of their enemies. The Discordants shall take hold of them, and to them will be given the right to slay some, to enslave others, and to let the rest remain.
“But this will not be the end. So that our names may no more be profaned, nor our inheritance be put to shame, we shall restore you after a time, not for your own sake, but for our names’ sake,” says Babin, Lord of the Sheyim.
The gods nodded, and the Sheyim departed to the world.
Post by: Amorack on April 06, 2013, 01:17:29 am
I never would have realized just how hazardous it would be out here. Case Study worked furiously with the other doctors to keep the thread which tethered Max to the world of the living from breaking. The griffon was a lacerated mess, blood and tissue splayed in all directions from what could easily be mistaken for a corpse. Packing the viscera back inside was straightforward enough, but the loss of blood and the risk of infection were troubling issues. The lack of soap was frustrating, but hopefully the Moon’s Tear potion would be a sufficient replacement.
“I ... I gotta .... I ...” The bird muttered, head lolling around in a half awake stupor.
“Relax, Mr. Maxwell, all will be well...” the pale blue doctor reassured him. He wasn't very sure about the griffon’s chances of continued life, but he believed that it was always best to give the patient some peace of mind in what may be his last moments.
In a nearby room, Dr.Convalescence worked quickly on the other grievously wounded patient, Scimitar. Two fractured legs and a crushed front hoof had left the militia pony immobile and in dire condition, but not as dire as Max's. She bandaged him for the moment and rushed back to where Max lay on the table bleeding, as the laws of triage demanded.
The griffon’s arm slowly rose up to his wound like his was intending to scratch. His puffy, darkened eyes drifted around the room. “ ... Carn. Gotta ... I ... I need to ...” The griffon pulled away some brown chest feathers that were stuck together with a ghastly crimson, giving way to raw pure red flesh.
He’s becoming delirious... The last of the bandages were applied, and the bird-lion now looked more like a mummy than a griffon. Even with the bleeding stopped, Max had already lost a massive quantity of vital fluids. “Stay awake now, we can’t have you falling asleep.” You may never wake up... Thankfully, the hybrid had proven compatible with the serum in prior tests, so now the battle would be between the vicious organ damage and the healing magic. All they could do now, was wait.
Coming back in from Scimitar's room, Convalescence updated Case Study on the situation, "He's stable for for now, but he'll need casts on two, maybe three legs," gesturing back in his direction with a hoof.
There was a loud knock on the hospital door, and outside of said door, Redhat was waiting, holding a hoof up to his bent muzzle, “Hello! My face is bent!”
Ears perking up, Case allows the hurt spearpony inside, “Mr. Redhat? I take it that you have been injured during the battle as well?” He leans in and squints, “A broken nose? A relatively minor ailment. Let’s get that set...” The doctor was relieved that he wasn’t as trashed as his other patients.
“Will I still look half decent when you're done re-breaking my face?” the pony asks, lowering his hooves to show his slightly bent muzzle.
“No need to be hyperbolous. This is a simple procedure and it should have no lasting effect on your appearance,” he reassured Redhat as he retrieved a set of small, wooden splints and bandages. “I’ll be honest with you, resetting the cartilage is going to hurt...”
“How much so?” he asked, seeming rather nervous.
“Probably enough to warrant you biting on a rag, as you may recall doing when I repaired your dislocated hoof.” Case wiped the blood from his nostrils, trying to be as gentle as he could reasonably be.
“Yeah, but a hoof isn’t attached to your face.” The pony then sighed, and tried to at least relax just a little bit as he cleaned his muzzle.
“It won’t be as traumatic either, as all I have to do is reposition the broken piece of cartilage.” The blue stallion motions for Redhat to take a seat, “Hold your head back and try to hold still.” He pulled out a cloth and placed it in his new patient’s mouth.
The pony rolled his eyes and did so, waiting on the doctor to work his magic. He seemed a little more stressed now, but held still.
Slowly, Case put a hoof on each side of the broken muzzle and applied pressure to slide the snapped fragment back into place. Once it was relocated, he held it in place with one hoof as he placed the splints around the affect area and bound it up with the bandages to keep it from moving.
“Ah buck!?!” the pony tried to bring a hoof up to his nose, but stopped himself when he realized that make things worse. “Case, is all you need to do?”
He nodded, “That will be all, but you should probably minimize the talking. Each time you move your jaw, it risks shifting the bandages. I don’t think you’d want me to have to do this a second time. In the meantime, you may wish to keep to a liquid diet.”
Redhat just rolled his eyes. “Very well then... OH” he kept quiet and just nodded. Hopefully a liquid diet didn’t taste as bad as it sounded....
“I would like to use the potion to accelerate the healing process, but I think you know what happened the last time I tried that...” He sat down at his desk and began going through some notes, “Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to determine why you are allergic to it. Most of the other ponies in the fort have no problem with it...although Mrs. Maize had some negative reactions as well...I don’t see what the two of you have in common.”
The pony just sat and listened, not really being able to speak. He honestly just hoped he wouldn’t be given that potion again
“I’ll keep trying to find some shared factor. I know that the problem doesn’t seem to lie in a pony’s tribe, age, sex or concurrent illness. Perhaps some chemical reaction is at work...” He glances up at the muzzled pony, “If you don’t mind my asking, you aren’t a partaker of illicit substances, are you Mr. Redhat? I’m not making any accusations, I’m just trying to cover all of the bases. My research needs to be exhaustive.”
He gave him an angry look and pointed over to a stack of papers, hoping they could communicate with written word, like before.
Understanding, he passed along a sheet and a writing utensil, “There’s no need to get cross with me.”
He gave him another look, before writing down. “OH darn. You found me out. I’m the town’s friendly neighborhood meth dealer!”
After reading what was written, Case shook his head and groaned, “I’ll take that as a ‘no’.”
Red nodded in agreement.
“Uugghh! Why can’t I move my wings!” Max shouted, struggling to shift his wings in the body bandages.
After jolting in his chair, the doctor in the room stood up immediately, “Mr. Maxwell, please remain calm.” He walked over to the bed, “You are in the hospital, do you remember anything of what happened to you?” At least now he knew that the griffon hadn’t slipped into a coma.
Max grabs Case’s right forehoof with a death grip. “I - I need to fly out of here now. I - I, right now I- need to get to the cave. I - I need to for all your sakes! He - he won’t understand -” Max let out though hyperventilated gasps.
Wincing from the pain of claws digging into his leg, he attempted to pull himself free, “Y-you’ve lost a lot of blood. You’re not thinking clearly. You need to relax...nngh...and let go of me...”
“Calm, you want me to be calm?!” Max exclaimed in a rush of panic and adrenaline. He spits a little blood into his free claw. “ Oh gods, what is this?” He lets go of Case so he can put both claws around his beak. “Case, where am I?”
“Dr. Convalescence! I need your assistance!” Case Study shouted as he tried to hold Max down against the bed. If the griffon had his full strength, there would have been no way he could have succeeded with this task. “Mr. Redhat, I would appreciate your aid as well!” He needed to get the patient sedated as soon as he could, lest he further injured himself or another pony.
"Calm down, Max, you're in the hospital!" Convalescence yelled as she tried to help Case Study restrain their patient.
Max continues to writhe. Even half-dazed, he was still more than a match for two ponies to handle.
It took a few moments, but Redhat eventually galloped in. “What do you need?” He said, seeing the mess of a gryphon everyone was trying to keep down.
“Just...just bring me the syringe in the top-right drawer in my desk!” Case responded as he struggled against the rebelling mess of blood and feathers.
The pony nodded and ran over to the desk, not wasting a moment before grabbing the syringe, and coming in. “This it?”
“Oomph!” He coughed as he tried to shrug off a kick to the gut, “Yes, quickly!”
He nodded and moved over, giving the shot to Case.
After quickly taking hoof of it, the stallion found a mark with the needle and depressed the plunger. “It will all be fine, Mr. Maxwell.”
The griffons panicked gasps fade into low huffs a few minutes after expending the syringe. He goes limp on the pony sized bed.
“um...” the pony said, before remembering he shouldn't be talking. He tapped case on the wither and pointed to the door, trying to give him the idea that he was about to head out.
Trying to regain his strength, Case panted back to him, “Alright, b-but be careful about the bandages. I’ll see you later, Mr. Redhat.”
Convalescence lets go of Max and sits down on the floor, letting out a sigh of relief. "See ya, Redhat," she says between breaths.
The red-eyed stallion sat down to rest as he turned to Conny, “...who knew that being a doctor in this part of the world would be such an adventure?” There was a lack of amusement in his voice.
Post by: jaxler on April 08, 2013, 08:32:15 pm
Post by: Pokon on April 08, 2013, 09:39:52 pm
Wood Chip's woke up to the smell of baking bread.
He sat up, and stared at the little room he was in. Warmly painted in rich brown tones and filled with all sorts of nick-nacks and little doohickies that had no real purpose other than to amuse.
"Was it all a dream?" he thought, rubbing a nubby hoof on his brow. "How could I have..."
He shakes that little horrid thought out of his head, and in a smooth motion plants all four of his little hooves on the floor.
His room was just a few feet undergound, and in a few short seconds he found himself in the nearly green streets of Cheerfulgrins. A marvel of the off-east, it was peaceful enough that there was never a real need to create the great underground cities of other settlements. Cheerfulgrins, amazingly, never breached a days travel deep, and was a very wealthy farming community that counted even Zebras in there ranks. The end result was a place where even the slightest breath could bring a lesser pony low, for the shear amount of wine created since it's founding caused the air to almost taste sweet.
Wood Chip's, for his part, felt guilty for sneaking a little sip of his uncles best. It probably explained the strange dream he had.
Little Wood Chip began to walk the faux streets silently. He was surprised, really; he was almost never up when the others were asleep, but it was a minor thing of note. There was a party the day before, after all. Something about a cloud. It might have been a pegusi mare giving birth or something akin to that.
Then again, the air did taste funny today. Less sweet but more...metaly. As if somepony decided to let the forge doors wide open and let the dust inside flow in the town. But that was absurd.
He was heading for the medows, a impressivly intact parcle of land with many young saplings that were neverless ready to be used by the fort. More importantly, he only had three more logs to chop down before he was done with his quota for the rest of the summer.
And then he bumped into a sea of dark blue.
"Oomph!" he grunted. The sea of blue snorted back, and patted his head gently with a delicate hoof.
"Watcha doing, Chippy?"
Wood Chip's eyes widened with joy. It was Sea Breeze, a fishermare, who, more importantly to the little colt, was just five years his senior and was, in his opinion, the modal of prettiness.
"Oh, I was going to the forest!"
She chuckled slightly, and lowered her head down to his level. Wood Chip had forgoten just how dark it was still, as he could not really see her face.
"Arn't you now. That's good, I guess. I was going there later, I got some berries I need picking for something special. Wanna help me later, little guy?" she said almost mirthfully.
Wood Chips tiny near-adolecent brain kicked into overdrive.
"Yes." he squeaked out. She just giggled at him in a slightly condencending way often seen in older sisters.
"Okay, little Chippy." she said, giving him a little pat on the shoulder.
With that, she continued walking down the street. He could have been overjoyed then, but for some reason, his shoulder felt sticky and smelled that metel smell again, stronger than before. He patted the spot where he touched him and, somewhat embarressed, smelled it. It was very strong, and very nasty. He nearly gagged, but he could not see what it was considering the stubbern sun. He shrugged it off, and continued down his path.
And he did.
He kept walking, and it seemed like the row of houses went on forever and ever. He was slightly scared now, even more so when he felt the ground become wet and warm, as if a tropical storm had passed overnight. Perhapes more distressingly, he knew the sun was supposed to be up by now.
And then, in mear moments, he found himself in the woods. The sun was shining brightly.
Furthermore, the ground was red, and each individual blade of grass covered in red dew. The forest was completely red, and Wood Chips realised that the smell he was smelling was that of blood.
He began to scream, and he only half-aware of his suroundings, turned around and began running home.
He didn't know how far he had run, but he eventualy found himself near his own home. Nopony else was out, and it seemed he was the only one up. He needed to tell somepony what he had saw in the-
"Hey Wood Chips, you alright?"
It was Sea Breeze. She knew something bad was going on, of course, and she probably wanted his help!
Of course, that optimistic thought was crushed when he turned around to a very full-looking Sea Breeze with a smear of red around her mouth. She just grinned lazely at him and tossed her lime green mane of hair to the side.
"Hey, Chippy, you don't look to good. Your pa is down by the river, and we are cooking up some nice stuff for midwinter. It's a new recipe, and the pigs are helping make it. Comon, i'll show you. It's starting to be a real party down there."
Wood Chip felt his legs go under him, and he felt himself sink into the bloody muck that tasted of sour grapes and copper, all while screaming, pleading, for a god, any god, to help him wake up from this nightmare.
Somehow, in the darkness that was the deep core of the world, he felt something vast and red, not entirely real and solid, come into view, and with a little harsh hiss, he heard a little gurgling voice echo across a vast sea of dark earthy nothing.
"Wake up, little pony, it's time to play pretend at being normal now. You lived because it was funnier that way. Wake up and up and up and up and up to the same old thing, and know you can't do a little thing about it. Bask in the primality of your so called friends and know that, one day, your going back home!"
...
Wood Chip woke up, for real this time. He knew it because of the small shape happly curled up around his side, snoozing the night away as she used his back like a pillow. He sighed, and tried to close his eyes, but he knew better than to hope to fall asleep again tonight.
Tomorrow, he was going to see Serenity.
Post by: Dsarker on April 09, 2013, 02:38:18 pm
A couple of hours before daybreak, Praetorian sits upright in the bed, breathing rapidly. As he became accustomed to the light, his breath started calming down, though what he had seen had been enough to startle him awake.
Maize is just stirring, her body wondering what happened to the strong legs that were holding her. “Mmm... Prae-Prae...”
Praetorian, still slightly dazed, turns to Maize. “Maize? I’m sorry to have woken you. I... I just saw something.”
Maize, more awake, turns around and takes her turn to wrap her legs around her husband. “Wanna tell me about it, Prae-Prae?”
“I... Well, if you want. The... The gods, the Sheyim. They had come together, in a great courtroom, and at trial were the different nations. There were the Beorites, of course, the Deutschmeiner, the Rainbow Coalition, and even this nation, the Meandering Gloss. The first few trials went swiftly, and there was no defence. The Beorites, accursed for their aggression. The Deutschmeiner, for their enslavement of and discarding their ties of kinship with those who they deemed lesser. The Rainbows, for their own crimes,” said Praetorian, remembering what he had seen vividly.
Maize nods and nuzzles her husband, not quite understanding but figuring this might be important. “You want me to get something to write with, dear?”
“Maybe... I should write this down, yes, but I have to tell you, first. The guilty nations were to be punished, a fire to come upon them. But then we were brought up to the stand, and our trial was not to be quick, or easy. We have profaned their names, the names of our gods.” He shivered as he said it. “Babin declared us to be guilty, and he, Govos Dawnshore, and Laltur Stockadepure spoke our punishment. Doom will come upon us, and it shall not leave a one of us untouched. A famine will be the first, for Govos shall sew up the sky, and not a drop of rain shall fall. But that will not be all, for Govos shall then send the insects in their hordes to blight us; aye, and the parasprites too.”
“But... we haven’t profaned them, why are they doing this to us?” Maize seems a bit disturbed by the mention of parasprites.
“Not- not us alone, but our nation. We are being punished for our crimes: following the foreign gods of the Deutschmeiner, following the foul habits of the Rainbows, and for allowing in their corruption.” He almost shook as he spoke. “And it shall not end there. Laltur will send the next curse, a blight upon our bodies, pestilence and foul plagues. Not to kill us, but to keep us mindful. And then Babin spoke, and his punishment was worst of all: the discordant shall destroy our nation, killing most, and... and taking the rest into slavery.”
Maize gets an ill look. “I’m... sorry...”
“What... what’s wrong, Maize?” he asked, looking to the mare with great concern.
“I don’t know... but I can’t help but think part of this is my fault.”
“What do you mean?” he asked, his expression not changing too much.
“I mean...” Maize looks around a bit. “I am part-discordant... maybe... and I’m not from here, so... maybe me being here has something to do with it...”
“Maize...” Praetorian moves to her, and hugs her. “Look, Maize. Your past is your past, and you have turned away from the discordants. They did not mention those who have joined us and follow our ways, but rather those who are among us and have turned away from the right ways.”
“But...” Maize looks out the window. “Those plagues are on us... they said they were going to punish the entire world...”
“Yes... but not for any fault of yours.” He grimaces a little. “But those who have faulted are there... and their guilt lies upon their heads.”
“It... it really doesn’t sound like the gods to punish every pony for the evils of a few,” Maize reassures herself. “Maybe its the evil of this place... maybe they’re trying to spread lies, to break our faith.”
“Maybe.” Praetorian doesn’t look too sure, but who knows. “I hope it’s just that...”
“If only Temperance’s parents were still here, huh?” Maize gives her husband a big hug. “I think we have another priest now, at least. You might be able to talk to him about it.”
“I think that might be for the best. I’ll go talk to him tomorrow, I think,” says Praetorian.
“Alright.” Maize pulls Praetorian back down onto the bed and moves on top of him. “Now, lets get our mind off such dreadful things, alright?”
“That sounds enjoyable,” he says with a little laugh.
Post by: Telgin on April 09, 2013, 09:51:55 pm
Praetorian went to the priest, Sanctuary, who had arrived at the fort recently, and knocked on his door.
“Coming,” a voice replied through the door. A few moments later, the door swung open to reveal the young stallion. “Hello. Mr. Praetorian, is it? Would you like to come in?” he said, stepping aside slightly to make room.
“Thank you,” said Praetorian as he entered the small house. “I need some spiritual advice, sir.”
“Of course, of course,” Sanctuary replied, motioning for him to join him on the bed. “What is it I can help you with?”
“Last night,” Praetorian said as he sat besides the priest, “I was plagued by a vision. A vision of the gods.”
Sanctuary looks back at him for a moment, deep in thought. “A vision... what sort of vision?”
“A... A disturbing one. The Sheyim were gathered, and in a great courtroom. They were judging the nations,” said Praetorian.
The priest nods slowly as he listens. “I see. Who all were present? What did they say exactly? Which nations were they judging, and for what?”
“All the gods were there judging. First they brought the Beorites to trial, for their attacks on us. Next were the Rainbow Ponies, for the corruption that they brought to us. After that came the Deutschmeiner, for their betrayals and enslavement of our people. Then came those of Dream Gem, for their betrayal of us.” He took a deep breath. “All of these, they declared as a sentence a fire to burn up their nations. Then... Last to be taken to trial... were ourselves.”
“And we were judged and found wanting too?” he asks, looking intently at Praetorian.
“Yes. Yes, we were. For following the foreign gods and false idols of the Deutschmeiner, for following the foul habits of the Rainbows, and for allowing in their corruption.” Praetorian paused. “Not for us is the punishment by fire. First Govos has decreed a famine. The skies will be sewn shut, and not a drop of rain will fall. All that survives will be consumed by the plagues of insects of every kind, along with parasprites in great numbers.”
“I see,” Sanctuary begins, holding a hoof to his chin. “Those are quite serious accusations, and the punishment does fit.” He looks back to Praetorian. “However, while the accusations are great, I’m not sure that I see them as wholly founded. There are no false idols here, for example.”
“Not us... Not us alone, but the whole of the Meandering Gloss. But... The punishment shall not end there. Laltur decreed the next part of our punishment. A foul pestilence and plague upon our bodies. One that will not heal, a festering thing. And then Babin decreed the last, and the worst, of our punishment. The discordants will destroy our nation, killing most... and the rest shall be taken into slavery.”
Sanctuary makes a small sigh. “I suppose that last one does hit rather close to home, doesn’t it?” He thinks for a moment. “How did this vision come to you? Was it from prayer?”
“It came in a dream, after I had prayed for protection for my brother,” said Praetorian.
Sanctuary nods silently. “I will be honest. Visions aren’t something to be dismissed lightly, but at the same time sometimes a dream is simply a dream. Rarely are they so vivid, I admit.”
“I know... And part of me hopes it is just a dream...”
“Well, there is one thing that can be said for visions. They often come in sequences.” Sanctuary smiles and lays a hoof on Praetorian’s withers. “For now I wouldn’t worry too much. If the visions return... perhaps there is something more to be concerned of.” He nods toward a small shrine in the corner of the room. “If it makes you feel any better, I have prayed for our safety every day that I have been here, and the gods haven’t yet sent me any visions of such a sort.”
“That’s some relief, at least,” said Praetorian, looking a little relieved, though not much. “Thank you, sir.”
“You’re welcome,” Sanctuary says. “If you ever wish to speak about anything like this, don’t hesitate to bring it up. Is there anything else you’d like to speak about now?”
“No, no. I think that’s it,” answered Praetorian.
Post by: Iceblaster on April 10, 2013, 07:20:52 pm
Post by: Telgin on April 10, 2013, 07:58:41 pm
Otherwise, a lot of this is written cooperatively among several players. The last post written by Dsarker and myself, for example. If you have time at some point, you may want to try dropping by our IRC chat room at http://client01.chat.mibbit.com/?channel=%23dawnpick&server=irc.mibbit.net
Sometimes tossing ideas around with others can get something going. Or, as in my case, day dreaming all day at work. :)
Post by: Iceblaster on April 10, 2013, 09:17:05 pm
Post by: L1wW on April 10, 2013, 09:37:05 pm
Another day, another five hours of shooting the same damn target. “You know, if it takes me five hours to get one bulls-eye, I think I might just end up stabbed and bleeding in a field...” Prodd said to himself. He noticed a presence behind him.
Redhat was behind the marks-pony, his wolf walking in front of him. The poor thing was limping rather badly. He gave the furry animal a little pet, before continuing onward.
Prodd turns around to see Redhat and his pet wolf walk off. Leaving the bolts behind, he quickly trots up to the two. “Hey, Redhat right? Can I tag along with you two? I... uh... kinda have no idea what’s around here...” Prodd trails off.
“Well... sure.” He said moving over to pet his dog again. “have you met my dog yet?”
“...Not yet.” Prodd says. “Poor thing looks like it’s been dragged to hell and back... cute little trooper...”
“Well, yeah...” He pets her again. “But she’s fine now.” He smiled a little and stroked her head. The wolf gave Prodd a little nuzzle.
Prodd affectionately strokes the wolf’s head. “So... how have you been since our last encounter?” He asked, delicately moving the wolf back to its master.
“Oh... well it’s been fine, also feel free to keep petting her, she honestly loves attention.”
“...Alright then...where are you headed?”
“Why, I’m just going on a stroll with my dog.”
Prodd nods. He takes a look back at the target filled with bolts. “Hey... Redhat, if I ever get mortally wounded... could you visit me in the hospital... I’d prefer not to wake up alone...” Prodd trails off before quickly saying, “Not that I’d get wounded, y’know... just... just in case...”
“Well... Heh... I spose’...” He gave an awkward laugh, trying to change the topic, Red didn’t want to honestly do it, but BEING NICE IS APPARENTLY WORTH It. “So, how are you?”
“Well aside from that morbid topic, sorry ‘bout that...” Prodd apologizes. “...I feel fine I guess, ‘cept not being able to hit the center of a stationary target seems like a slight red flag considering my career choice.” He laughs slightly.
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll be perfectly fine so long as you make sure not to the let an enemy lasher get close enough to bludgeon your face with a scourge.”
“Yeah, hopefully standing on a wall will protect me...” Prodd says. “Speaking of that, Flamberge and Crosshair are making all of us practice close quarters combat when us marks-ponies should be standing away from the melee... I don’t get it...” He shrugs.
“Well, you can’t always outrun your enemy, so being able to win in a duel, or at least not get too many broken organs before the melee ponies show up, would be a good thing.”
“...Fine, I’ll try to gain some competence in hoof-to-hoof combat...” Prodd vows, “However I doubt a markspony would last long alone against something trained with a weapon... hopefully I won’t have to fight alone... ”
“Anyway, you might want to keep a dagger on you.”
”D’aww that sounds like you care about me...” Prodd says. “Anyway this crossbow should make a good bludgeoning weapon...”
“Yeah, but a knife will actually murder something with ease...”
“Yeah and you’re implying I’d have enough time to even draw a knife when some jackass comes barrelling down at me...”
“Yeah, but not all ponies are pegasi.”
“Yeah? Well- wait what the hell does that have to do with anything?”
“You can run if he gets to close.”
“Whatever...”
“Meh...” he pets his dog again.
Prodd shrugs.
“So yeah...” he said, trying to break the ice, or at least Re-rail the conversation.
“Yeah...” Prodd says. “...Hey is there a library around here?”
“Sadly, no.”
“Damn, I want to try learning a few spells... put this horn to use...” He pauses, “I had this idea where you create a magical barrier thing on your body, kinda like some type of armor, that way if a sword or something stabs you, you could create something the size of a coin where the impact would be, prevent getting stabbed, and potentially save you from a new wound, like really small a shield. ‘Course it would take a lot of energy, probably be extremely obvious, have a high chance of completely missing the blade, and cover such a miniscule area it would probably be worthless in a prolonged fight... but if you were to be stabbed in the head, it could stop the blade from going further...” Prodd rambles on, very much unlike his usual self...
“Nope, I really don’t have the blessing of a horn to go with these wings.”
“Huh?” Prodd snaps out of his rant. “Oh... uh... s-sorry...”
“It’s okay, wings honestly help more in my lane of work than being able to make flashy lights.”
“What? You don’t like flashy lights?” Prodd muses.
“No, just entertainment doesn’t help me impale a corrupted pony”
“Well... it can actually help for me I guess... I’d like to imagine a corrupted pony would love to see some fireworks from yours truly.” Prodd says. “By that, I mean distract him long enough for me to get a kill shot...”
“They're nihilistic doom bringers, who only crave pain and the ever looming end for us all, I doubt entertainment will stop them for even a moment.”
“Eh, a flash of light in a bush or something would at least get them to turn their heads...”
“Yeah, I spose’ but I wouldn’t know.”
“Oh well, I guess we’ll learn the next time any thieves show up or something...”
“I guess that could help.”
“Yeah, maybe...” Prodd says, already losing confidence in his perfect plan.
“Anyway, I should probably head back now...”
“Yeah... see you around...” Prodd says. Prodd walks off and makes sure Redhat is out of earshot. “Man, I can’t wait to take her hat off...”
Post by: Telgin on April 10, 2013, 09:53:48 pm
As was usual for this time of day, Temperance was sitting in his office, trying to feign some semblance of interest in the work orders he was filling out. More planks to be cut from the felled trees. Always more planks. He scribbled some numbers down and signed off on each page.
Soon a loud knock was heard from the door. “Temperance, I request an audience.”
Temperance looks up and pushes the paperwork aside. “Just a moment.” He steps over to and opens the door. “Come in. What’s on your mind?”
“Well, I’d like to comment on your decision to give every single pony in the fort who is old enough to stand a weapon and expecting them to stand their ground and engage in combat during a siege.”
Temperance nods slowly as he sits and points for Redhat to take a seat of his own. “I’m not a big fan of the idea myself, honestly. It wasn’t my idea.”
“Still, you're the stallion who signed off on it, and can discontinue this project just as easily. Now please, do tell me why you thought it was a decent idea to put inexperienced civilians in the middle of combat and in the way of danger, just to make the military’s job easier, when it’s the military’s job to keep them safe? That’s just illogical.”
“As I said,” Temperance reiterates with a small frown, “it wasn’t my idea. Flamberge ordered it. For what it’s worth I mostly agree with you. Issuing the crossbows is probably not going to do a whole lot of good really. At least not with the way things are right now.”
“Then tell the crazed half-wit to go balls off and discontinue this project. You're the pony who runs the fort and could demote him if even looks at you funny.” He gave him an angry look. “and if you don’t like it, why would you listen to him for even a moment. You do realize you essentially removed everypony's civil rights by drafting them, right?”
Temperance’s frown grows. “I do make most of the decisions here, but when it comes to matters of Duskfields’ defenses, Flamberge has the final say, not me. So, no, I can’t demote him nor contradict him, really.” He sighs and raises a hoof to his forehead. “And I can assure that nopony’s civil rights were dispensed with just by giving them a crossbow...”
“Yes, but they did now that he can say “BOOM we’re under attack, you can’t go against anything I say or do!” And I mean anything, at all, especially since you have no power over your subordinates.”
“That’s technically true, but if we’re really under attack we’re all better off doing what he says anyway. And if he abuses his power all I have to do is write a letter to King Golud and he’ll be out of a job.” Temperance sighs again. “Whatever else can be said about Flamberge, he does seem to have our safety at heart.”
“But he’s putting your ponies in danger.”
“Yeah, I know. Believe me... my wife and I are on the list too.” Temperance points at the crossbow sitting in the corner of the room. “Things are dangerous enough that some of us being armed probably isn’t a terrible idea though. After all, if Millstone or some of the others with him had been armed, maybe he’d still be alive. Flamberge isn’t asking for us to go out into battles with the rest of you.”
“He’s expecting you to stand on the battlements and fire Correct? Firing over our heads at the enemy while me and melee pony’s fight. Am I to expect you master marksponies to hit the enemy and not one of us with your extensive week of training? Oh, and yeah, I don’t expect a crossbow to save anypony if they’re dealing with a pegasus who can close the distance in barely an instant, And speaking of pegasi.” He paused for a moment to add dramatic effect. “What happens when a squad of pegasus discordants fly over the wall and run into your wife? I don’t see how a wall keeps out winged ponies, and it usually takes more than 3 or 4 bolts to down an armored pony, given you can actually hit the thing.
“I know, I know,” Temperance agrees. “It’s the best we can do, though. In the event of another invasion, we’re mostly there to make the discordants think there are more soldiers than there are, I guess. If I have anything to say about it, in combat we won’t be doing much shooting really, because of what you said.”
“Oh, so your horrid aiming, lack of experience and inability to stand their ground without dying after a single hit, is apparently supposed to be your way of helping?”
Temperance looks increasingly unamused. “Flamberge seems to think so. I don’t agree, but it’s what he ordered.” He shakes his head. “Look, Crosshair is going to be organizing training sessions for the civilians periodically, so we won’t be shooting with no experience. And I have every intention of keeping the civilians away from danger as much as I can. As far as I’m concerned the crossbows are an emergency last measure for if one of us gets caught outside and none of you are around to help. It’s a long shot, but better than none.”
He just gave him an angry look. “Fine. But the moment somepony dies because of this, when they could have been safe and sound huddling in the tavern while the real soldiers do their jobs, the blood is on your hooves too.” He gets up and gives him an even more disgusted look. “And when you have to go to that pony’s funeral, and you look that pony’s foal and widow or wife in the eye, I hope you know you're accountable for it.” He got up from his seat and went for the door.
“I know,” Temperance replies plainly. “I know. If you want to talk to Flamberge about it, be my guest.”
“I prefer to avoid talking with brutes.” He said, before opening the door. “Anyway, this has been quite a pleasant get together, but I need to be on my way now.”
“See you around,” Temperance again replies plainly, sinking back into his seat.
Post by: Fr0stByt3 on April 11, 2013, 06:10:06 am
Steel Rivet stepped back from his anvil and placed his hammer down next to it. The forge began to cool, no longer glowing white hot. It remained the only source of illumination in the room, its cherry red glow providing just enough light to see by. His muscles ached, his throat was sore, and he hadn't eaten or slept in days, but he'd finally finished.
The steel gleamed red in the light cast from the forge, the glow shimmering in the air around it. As with the doctors' tools, runes were engraved on both heads of the hammer. The most prominent was at the center of each head. An angular yet also liquidly curving rune, the runes emitted an aura of power that would be especially apparent to unicorns. The weapon itself seemed to have an air of hate surrounding it. This hate was not aimed at the ponies(and Gryphon) of Duskfields, but rather at the Discordian ponies who had been raiding it for quite some time now.
Steel Rivet nodded approvingly. Now then, to get something to eat. Cream Puff, the head(and only) chef in the town apparently made a mean sandwich. After eating, he would begin to train. There was no time to waste, no way to tell when the next attack would come. Steel Rivet promised himself that next time, he'd be ready. That next time, they wouldn't be caught off guard. That next time, nopony would die like Millstone did. A tear escaped his eye as he remembered how useless he'd felt, how afraid to die he'd been. Somehow, that thought didn't seem so scary anymore. Mostly, it had all been replaced with rage. They wanted them dead? They were gonna have to fight for it.
Post by: DVNO on April 11, 2013, 11:15:42 pm
Carnith did not like this. Carnith did not like this one single bit. He sat on his gold pile, rhythmically tapping his claws nervously on the overturned gold throne centerpiece. Max should have been back months ago! What is tying him up? He didn’t think to fly up and tell him the plan has changed? Carn couldn't stop chasing scenario after scenario of ‘what if’s’ around in his head.
Carn, at the end of his rope, grabbed the throne and chucked it across the hall. The throne rang out with a terrible clamor. “That’s it!” Carn exclaimed. “I’ve had just about enough of This! Those ponies are not as harmless as Max likes to believe! They did something to ‘em! I know they did!” The dragon thunders down and out of the cave. “If they harmed a single feather?” He seethed. “Well? Hell’s comi’n for ‘em!” The dragon exploded out of the cave, making a bee-line to Duskfields.
Temperance, meanwhile was just getting done with the plans to relocate a few of the workshops now that they had some stone to work with. He stretched and stood from his chair, nodding approvingly at the layout he’d devised. “The rest can wait for later,” he said before stepping outside and trotting toward the fields to see if Morning Dew was up for getting a bit of lunch.
A meteor strikes the ground a couple feet in front of Temperance. The creature in the epicenter rises up slowly. His eyes center on the one pony in front of him. The head one. The one Max is always on about with the odd hair. “You steal’in my Griffon?” The dragon asked with a bitter contempt, singling out Temperance specifically.
Several ponies who bore witness to the dragon’s arrival scream and flee or cower. Temperance does the latter: backing up a step and trembling before the mighty reptile. He wants to flee, but his legs just won’t move. “Wh-what?” he squeaks.
“Oh no you don't.” Carnith snatched up Temperance with his tail and dragged him up to his level, face to face. “What happened to my griffon, Temperance!?” He reiterated with a desperate anxiety, shouting so hard Temperance can feel the dragon breath.
Temperance is frozen in terror. “G-g-g-griffon?” he finally managed to utter, trembling in the dragon’s iron grip.
Carn takes a glance around and sees the military coming to the rescue already. Carn tilted his head and inspects the pony with one livid serpentine eye. “Scribblebakes? Correct?” He squeezes Temp hard with his tail, choking the life out of him like a boa constrictor. “Don’t lie to me!”
The stallion gags and chokes as his ribs are compressed painfully. He finds it impossible to answer the question vocally, and merely nods, wide-eyed.
“Well, well,” Carn sneered with a volatile little smile. “Your sister killed mine. What a small world.” Carn cracks Temp against the ground with his tail like a whip, Stunning him. With a spread of the wings Carn takes off like a bolt before Flamberge can even close half the distance between them.
Flamberge bolts after the dragon like a pony possessed, but even his own impressive speed was not enough to catch the monster before it was well outside the town. Still determined to kill the beast he continues following it without the backup from the non-flying ponies.
“Flamberge!” Called his Captain of the guards as she quickly catch up, she have always been a quick flyer, grabbing onto his tail to stop him from going too fast too far. “You need to come back and rally the troops! You can’t go off and fight a dragon alone! I won’t let you!” she shouted into his tail, not letting go as her wings does an Air Brake to slow both of them down.
Flamberge resists her pull, dragging her through the air for several meters before turning around onto his back in midair, wings still flapping, he looks down, a bit of self-control regained, and shouts at her, "Captain Crossbow, release me, NOW, or that monster will escape, and I will make sure you regret it!”
“Commander! You are not going after that Dragon alone! You can’t catch up to it! Go back and rally the troops! I’ll follow it instead to make sure it won’t get away if you want!” Crosshair said, still not letting go of her commander.
Flamberge looks furious, he seemed nearly ready to buck Crosshair in the face, but he then takes a deep breath and exhales, he then says, "Alright, fine, we'll go back and get the others. Come with me Captain, I'm not letting you go chasing a dragon by yourself either."
Crosshair finally let go of his tail and nods “Alright Commander.” And with that, follows him back to the town.
The pegasi return to the town as rapidly as they can. Flamberge lands on the roof of Temperance's office building and calls out to a nearby soldier, "Round up the entire town I have something to say!"
Morning Dew is busy weeping in the corner after seeing what happened to her husband, while Mountain Dew, who doesn’t know what’s wrong yet, is still anxious.
Convalescence peeks out from the hospital, where she had hidden after seeing the beast that landed in the center of town. Now that the danger was momentarily over, she galloped out to find her family, and found her husband and son in the group Flamberge had assembled.
Following close on the brown doctor’s heels, Case Study was also interested in what the dark pegasus had to say. Had the dragon killed somepony? Damaged important buildings? Surely the commander wasn’t foal enough to go after the thing?
When everypony is gathered outside Temperance's office, Flamberge, still standing on the roof, looks down at the gathered ponies and begins to speak.
"Ponies of Duskfields! As many of you may know by now, our town has just been assaulted by a dragon. It is with a heavy heart that I tell you, that the foul beast has not only escaped justice, but has abducted a civilian, the manager Temperance, and made off with him, to the gods only know where.
"But I swear to you now, I will not sit idly while such a monster is allowed to fly free in my skies! Nopony else will suffer at the claws of this most vile serpent! Ponies of Duskfields, we will need every hoof you can spare to see this deed done, if any of you are willing to help us fight this demon, or then grab your weapons and ammunition and meet with the military ponies in the training fields within the hour. The rest of you, fear not, for we shall track this beast to it's lair and bring back it's head."
Flamberge flies down to the ground then beckons to his captains, "Praetorian, Crossbow, come with me, we have to discuss strategy."
As the ponies file into the building, Redhat started to wonder what exactly they were planning, and how badly they’d balls it up. He immediately walked over, And opened the door.
Flamberge looks up as Redhat enters and says, "Redhat, what is it? Is the Dragon back?" As he speaks his forehoof is already reaching for his weapon.
“No, but If you're going to discuss strategy, you might as well have the pony who’s actually been in the thing’s cave be part of the discussion.”
Flamberge looks surprised at Redhats statement.
"You know where it lives? How? " He questions.
“My dog followed Max up to his cave one night. I managed to get inside the place, and he had something else living inside with him. Now that dragon was yelling for Max, and just so happens to be flying of the in the general direction of Max’s cave.”
Flamberge looks furious.
"You knew we had a Dragon nearby and you didn't tell ANYPONY!" he rages at the soldier.
“MAX WAS HIDING THE DAMNED THING! FOR ALL I KNEW IT WAS JUST AN EXTREMELY LOUD GRIFFIN.”
Flamberge glares at Redhat then says, "Fine! I'll deal with the griffin later. Redhat you will lead us to the cave, but first what can you tell us about the cave and the area around it?"
“The area’s forested and the cave is in the side of a mountain, but the big thing is that the cave is booby trapped. When I got to the place, I actually fell down a pit trap.”
“Then we should bring a plank or two to block off the pit trap.” Crosshair suggested as she resist the annoyance of having something kept away for so long like this.
“Do you honestly think there is only one trap in that entire compound?” Asked Redhat.
Flamberge rubs a forehoof to his forehead, "And the bird brain is still unconscious, well if it's trapped we can't send in a lot of ponies. Perhaps if I lead some fliers into the cave we can try and get him to fly out into an ambush."
Flamberge sighs, "We can't make a detailed plan without knowing the area better. Praetorian, Crossbow, what would you advise."
“If we wait and make a detailed plan, by the time we gets there, Temperance might already be reduced to nothing but bones!” Added Crossbow
“If the dragon has dealt with ponies before, it’ll be expecting an attack by the pegasus ponies here,” says Praetorian. “No, I suggest a different strategy. If we go in by foot, we can go quietly enough that the dragon won’t hear us, and disarm the traps we find. I suggest the spear ponies at the front, then crossbows, then swords at the back. If this dragon is alone, well and good, but if it isn’t, the crosshairponies will need protection, and the spearponies’ shields will protect us from the dragonflame more than bare flesh will. Crossbows to aim for the eyes and the mouth. Spears will concentrate on holding the shield wall, while the swordsponies can attack at close range.”
"That would work Praetorian, if the dragon tries to fight us in the cave," begins Flamberge, "but do you really think it wouldn't try to smash through our line to take to the air outside? Its most effective strategy would be to flee and then strafe u s with firebreath, when we exit."
“If it does try to break through, we can then attack it without proceeding further into the cave. If it tries to flee, then you and the other pegasus ponies can attack it without losing any part of our initiative, and our marksponies will be able to engage it as well,” says Praetorian.
"If it tries to break through while we are bunched together in the cave entrance many ponies will be crushed," counters Flamberge.
“Not so, sir,” returns Praetorian. “If the dragon tries to break through, it has two choices. It can do so on the wing, or it can do so while on foot. If it tries to fly out, it will require a cave entrance large enough for it to fly through; therefore, we will have enough room to break apart and avoid its attack. If it tries to do so on foot, we will have enough warning; and thus be able to change our formation and press the attack.”
"And what sort of formation does one adopt to stop a charging dragon?" Questions Flamberge, "Praetorian, I have no doubt you could hold your ground against this thing, but can the rest of your squad? Can those two spearfillies?"
“They don’t need to do so. We hit it from the side and catch it in the pincers of our formation,” says Praetorian.
"If that is the plan then would it not be wiser to set up the formation outside, then draw the Dragon out and not worry about anypony falling into some grisly trap." Says Flamberge.
“In any case,” says Praetorian, “we will be risking a pony by sending them into the dragon’s home territory. If there are traps, there could very well be ones set up to catch flying intruders. Even if there are not, the dragon can merely flame them to slag in the air. Even if it does not, the dragon has been faster than the pegasus ponies here before. If it is drawn out into the sky, the battlefield becomes much more complicated. We have only a few ponies who can fly in the first place, and many of our melee-armed ponies are not pegasus ponies. If we attack in the cave, we are the ones choosing the ground of attack, and preventing the dragon from fleeing so easily. If there are traps, I have no doubt that if we proceed slowly, we can disarm them.” He shakes his head. “If we engage it in the air, we’ve turned the confusion of the melee into disorder. I would not recommend pursuing such a strategy.”
"I had not intended on a protracted battle in the air, I had planned to have the crosshairponies target the leathery wings, to bring it to the ground outside the cave where we can surround it."
“And how much wingspan will it have to lose before that happens? How many bolts? How many of those will be misses, simply because of the dragon being an unfamiliar target? How long will it take?” Praetorian shook his head. “This does not bode well. If we are assuming that we have to rescue Temperance, will we be able to do so? And are we still assuming that the dragon is alone? If Max is not the only griffon out here, how will this strategy change?” Praetorian changes tack. “This dragon is dangerous, and we want to bring it down quickly. Drawing it out will require it to be drawn out in the first place. If that works, how many of the pegasus ponies sent in to do so will survive? We can’t risk so many ponies for a plan that relies on the enemy being a fool.”
Flamberge moves towards the door and says, “I don’t actually expect Temperance to still be alive, but you have a point. We will go with your suggestion Praetorian, for now. Alright, Redhat, you’ll lead us to the cave as soon as everyone who is going is ready to go. We’ll regroup at the training field, hopefully we’ll have enough.”
Convalescence had spent most of the last hour in her home above the hospital, torn between her desire to help fight the dragon and the combined forces of her husband's pleas and the murmuring doubts in the back of her mind. You haven't even picked up a crossbow in years. Look at yourself, you don't have a markspony's body anymore. Patches had worried rightly that she would want to go as soon as Flamberge called for volunteers, "Please Conny, think of Mittens," he asked.
Calmy, she looked at him and replied, "I am thinking of him, and of you too." She knew she would have to go, and nothing now could stop her. She kissed them both goodbye and left to join the others.
Praetorian goes out into the waiting crowd, searching for two mares, and he spots the first, Maize, in the middle of the milling ponies. He forces his way through to her.
“Maize!” he calls out to her.
Maize looks up at his call, and moves to meet him. “Prae-Prae... what’s going on? I heard something about Flamberge getting civilians together to go fight a dragon...”
“Yes. A dragon has taken Temperance. We’re going out to fight it, and hopefully kill it,” he says, before kissing her on the cheek.
Maize frowns as she returns the kiss. “I don’t think this is such a good idea...”
“Yes, I know. I probably won’t come back. Take care of our foal, and Serenity. She’s the only pony with skill in weapons that is smart enough not to go up there and isn’t being forced. You’ll need her help if the discordants come before you are reinforced.” He smiles at her. “I know you, and our foal, will do me proud.”
Maize puts her hooves around him. “You don’t have to go.” The way she says it almost sounds like a request.
“Oh, I have to go. I signed up for this stuff,” he smiles, a little sadly this time. “And I was the one who made the plan. Be a little demoralising to have me back out of it now, eh? Don’t worry. I’ll try to get as many ponies out intact as I can. Redhat’s almost ready to take over from me anyway. Just those two twins I’m worried about.”
“No.” Maize holds him tightly. “You come back. You. I can’t live without you. We can’t live without you.”
“You can, and if you have to, you will.” He grips her tightly. “Swear that to me, Maize. Now. Swear that you’ll go on if I die.”
“That’s not a promise I can make.”
“Make it, Maize!” says Praetorian. “You need to make it at some point. Even if I survived this, any discordant’s blade could end my life. I won’t have you dying to join me!”
“Prae-Prae,” Maize starts, “I really doubt there’d be much hope for my life if you don’t come back, even if I don’t end it myself.” She looks him in the eyes. “I’m not going to make a promise I know I can’t keep, even if it hurts.”
“Maize.” Praetorian holds her head in his hooves. “Serenity is still there. She’ll need you. Our foal will need you. You need to keep going through this, even if the worst should happen. Please. For me.”
Maize sighs. “Fine. But only if you promise that you will try, no matter what, to come back to me. Hopefully in as few pieces as you can manage.”
“Of course, Maize,” says Praetorian. “I promise you, if I can, I’m coming back. Not even a dragon can stop that.”
Maize smiles. “How could a mere dragon stop my Prae-Prae?” She gives the stallion a long, hard kiss.
Praetorian holds the kiss as long as he can, and finally breaks it with a smile. “Don’t worry, Maize. We’ll be back as soon as we can.”
Maize nods, and sends her soldier off with a few pats to the flank. “Don’t forget to write,” she jokes.
He laughs, a little, and moves off to the next pony he was looking for, Serenity.
The mare in question is already searching for him. Serenity pushes her way through the crowd, the curious parasol floating by her side. “Praetorian!”
“Serenity!” he calls out. “Good. I was looking for you.”
Serenity rushes forward, throwing her forelegs around his neck. “I came for you as soon as I heard! Is it true about Temperance?”
“Yes, he’s been taken by a dragon. We’re going after the dragon now,” says Praetorian. “I don’t expect most of us to come back. You’ll need to look after Maize, alright?”
“Of course I will.” Serenity glances around at the civilians arming themselves. “This is insanity, he’s sending innocent ponies off to their deaths! Surely you could handle this on your own.”
“I don’t think we can handle this. It’s a damned dragon. Most of us will die. If we’re lucky, we’ll scare it off and it won’t come back again.”
Serenity grasps his muzzle with a hoof and pulls him down to meet her eyes. “No. You can handle this. You will defeat this monster, and you will come back alive. For her. Understand?”
“I’ll do my best. But if I don’t come back, you will have to take charge here. You’ll be the only pony left with any skill in weapons. Protect them. Protect her. Swear it.”
She stares hard into Praetorian’s eyes for a moment, before answering. “...I swear.”
“Good. Now don’t worry. I’ll probably be back by tomorrow, at the latest,” says Praetorian.
Serenity hesitates for a moment, glancing around at the crowd, before grabbing Praetorian by the collar and pulling him into a long, deep kiss.
Praetorian holds the kiss for as long as Serenity wants, then pulls away. “See, now I’ve got to come back, to get another of those,” he jokes with a smile.
With a smile and one last glance, Serenity trots off to find Maize.
Praetorian goes off to join the soldiers who were ready for the battle.
Lightning Runner spotted Sweet Potato, in the back of the crowd, hovering just high enough to see above everypony, he quickly flew off to her, making sure no to hit anypony on their head with his hooves “Sweetie!” He called out
“Lightning!” Sweet Potato responded, flying over to him “Please don’t go... I don’t want you leave me...”
“I have to, it is my job... I don’t like it but I have to, to rescue Temperance... just hold onto the memory of me if I don’t come back” Lightning put with hooves over Sweet Potato’s shoulders
“I know... Just be safe, okay?” A tear formed in Sweet Potato asked
“Don’t worry, I’ll be fine... now I need to go before somepony notices I’m out of formation” Lightning flew back to his spot in formation, Sweet Potato waving at him in the distance.
(takes deep breath ...)
Post by: DVNO on April 11, 2013, 11:16:38 pm
Carn swoops down and into the cave with one swift glide, not even bothering to close the magical circular door. Now he knew he was in trouble and time was short. He lands and flicks the pony with all the answers on to the hallway floor with a single motion. “Alright. Unlatch your tongue.” He sneered.
Temperance collapses immediately after being released. He clutches at his chest where the dragon’s tail had been all but crushing his bones. He chokes and coughs for a few seconds before scrabbling away from the dragon as much as he can. He says nothing at first, merely looking at the dragon in terror.
Carn taps his foot, impatient. “Yeah, yeah. I knocked the wind out of you. Yeah, I’m a big scary monster. Got yourself composed yet, Scribebakes?” He asked. “I have a bone to pick with you.”
Temperance wheezes for a short while before swallowing hard. “Wh-what do you want with me?”
“What happened to Maxwell Yellowfeather?” He bellowed, the veins in his skull visibly popping.
Temperance cowers again, covering his head and hugging the ground as the dragon shouts at him. When silence falls, he looks back up. “M-Max? Max the griffon? H-how do-”
“Heh, How do I know him. Uh, who do you think I am?” Carn asked rhetorically, flame jetting out of his nostrils. “I’m Mr Yellowfeather!”
Temperance could do nothing but stare in disbelief. A few seconds passed. Maybe half a minute. Then the pieces started falling into place. “Gasis above...”
“Is he alive? Is he dead? Are you torturing him down there? What is happening down there, Temperance? I thought you were going to keep him safe?” He said in a panic, shuffling up and down the hall. “ I thought he trusted you! What happened?”
“He... he’s alive,” Temperance began, sitting up slightly now that he was somewhat convinced that the dragon wasn’t going to eat him imminently. “He’s badly hurt though. He’s being treated by our doctors.”
“And how did that happen?” The Dragon asked, rhythmically tapping his left pointer claw on the hall floor aggressively.
How to word this delicately... Temperance took a deep breath. “It was a discordant pony. We were ambushed by a dozen of them one day a couple of months ago, and Max was the first one that they ran into. The soldiers got to him just in time to save his life.”
“I’m sure ...” Carn said cautiously, lowering his voice. “But, Max is fine? He’s fine? Tell me he's fine. He’s going to be able to fly out of this deathtrap?” He said worriedly, the tapping becoming faster.
“I... I’ll be honest. I’m not a doctor.” Temperance moved into an awkward sitting position, trying to avoid agitating his aching ribs. “But they told me he’ll be fine. He’s already made significant improvement. They told me he should make a full recovery.”
Carn studied the pony intently for a while, his lip still stiff. Suddenly the dragon exhales and deflates, his aggressive posture dissolves away into a slouch as he leans back on a hall pillar. "I should have been there to pull him out of the fire ..." He said with a gasp, at a loss. He clenches his fists. "I should have torn those discordants in half."
“None of us knew it was coming until it was too late,” Temperance says, wincing a bit with each breath. “Even if you were there... I don’t know if it would have made a difference.”
Carn noticed Tempeance still wheezing a bit. "Sorry 'bout that." Carn said apologetically, a little more calm now. "Here. I got something of a painkiller back here somewhere." He gestured to an half-broken granite table. "Please, sit. Be my guest while we talk though this like, how do you say it? 'Gentlecolts'."
Carn stomped over to his hoard. He fished around and grabbed a bottle of bourbon and a mug in his palm. He carefully set the bottle on the table and slid the mug to temperance with a single scaly finger, as if the mug was a thimble. He grabbed an entire barrel of rum and cracked the top like a beer can. "You married, Temperance?" He took a swig.
Temperance nodded and looked at the mug apprehensively. He didn’t drink... but was he about to say that to a dragon? “I am... one filly too.”
"Then you know that while what you say may be true? It doesn't take a single ounce of the sting out."
Temperance frowned slightly and nodded again. “No, I’m sure it doesn’t. If Morning Dew or Mountain Dew were hurt, I’d be very upset even if I knew they were going to be alright.”
Carnith groans. “ ... Just ... Max put a lot of trust in you ponies, and I put a lot of trust in Max. I’d say too much sometimes. He could have been wrong. Something went and gone wrong down in Duskfields. I possibly overreacted about all of this ... but I just needed an answer.”
Temperance continued to glance at the mug, wondering if he should partake of the dragon’s hospitality. He took a tiny sip and cringed a bit. “It... don’t worry about it. I don’t suppose you had many options here. About Max, I mean.” He decided to avoid drinking any more of the alcohol. “He’s a good guy. We’re doing everything we can for him.”
Carn snorted. “Damn straight he’s a good guy. If it weren't for that ... charisma? Whatever it takes to just walk up to a strange band of ponies and trust them to the point of his life ... We should have been gone months ago. But he had this crazy plan ...” Carn looked around. “So, secrets out, I guess.” He stretches his arms out wide, gesturing to the hall and himself.
He laughs nervously.“ Heh, Max and I we, uh, we had a lil’ bet. I’d like to know something, so I can tell him when he’s out of the hospital.” He laughs a little harder. “So, Max and I, Moving into Duskfields, was there ever a shot at all?” His laugh faded into a bittersweet grin. “Cause’ that’s why he was helping you all this time, you know. Just waiting to squeeze this all into a casual conversation somehow ... Yeah, he’s a good guy like that.”
The pony looked a little surprised, and swirled the liquid in his mug a moment. “That’s why he was hanging around? I... guess that makes sense.” He frowned slightly. “You... seem like a dragon that can appreciate honesty. Max living in Duskfields was already not a problem... but a dragon... I’m not sure how...” He looked back up at Carnith. “I... I don’t think you’d hurt anypony on purpose.” He’d probably have killed him already if he wanted to. Little was stopping him. “But... convincing everypony? And all of the visitors...”
“That’s what I’ve been saying!” Carn said while sloshing his keg. “But no, Carnith. The ponies aren’t going to rip the horns out of your head, Carn. I can find a happy medium, Carn.” The dragon mimicked in Max’s voice endearingly. He chugged the keg and threw it into the large pile of likewise empty kegs that had been accruing since Max went missing. “When can I visit him in the hospital?” He said, wringing his claws. “I need to see him.”
Temperance thought for a moment. “If you really want to see him right away, I can probably arrange for something. Giving the others a bit of fair warning would go a long way toward seeing a dragon. If you can wait a few days, maybe a week, then he should be well enough to leave himself.”
The dragon nodded.“And no ‘accidents?’ No accidental militia alarms? No crazed zebra hunters taking a pot shot at my hide?” He crosses his arms. “A total ceasefire for one day on my kind?”
Temperance nodded. “Just give me a chance to talk with the others. I promise .”
Carn looked at him, in deep thought. “I would be in a debt, Temperance. I ... I can’t ‘trust’ you. Not until I get a signed apology from Virtue could we even begin on the road of being ‘friends’. But, I can start to see now what Max had been seeing all along ...”
Temperance remembered the dragon mentioning something about his sister from before, but was so scared out of his mind at the time he couldn’t remember what exactly. “How do you know my sister...? What did she do?”
“Ajaxia Thrak.’ He said, glancing away. “Slain by a pony named Tharissa or some other, in service to Virtue of Dawnpick.”
“Dawnpick? Wait... you mean Sarissa?” Temperance didn’t know the details of the fight, but that particular letter did stand out in his mind. The dragon that attacked Dawnpick did a lot of damage, but pointing that out seemed to be counterproductive right now. “I... I see. I’m sorry about that,” he said with a small frown. He looked aside. “I have no intention of seeing such a tragedy happen again.”
“That’s the one.” Carn said at Sarissa’s name. “However, this little fact isn’t going to get me any closer to Max’s hospital bed, therefore it’s tabled between us for now.” Carn rubbed his face. “I have no intent of causing a tragedy either. I just want to see my bird.” There’s a long silence. Eventually, Carn gestures at the open cave door. “Your friends? Should be here soon to claim you back, I’m sure. You’ll vouch for me when they come that this is all little misunderstanding blown out of proportion?” He asked.
“You have my word,” Temperance said simply. Flamberge had a temper problem, but he’d still listen to him about this. Carnith didn’t seem to be a threat to Duskfields.
Flamberge, with the entire military might of Duskfields, and all the volunteers from the militia behind him, follow Redhat out of town, into the forested mountains.
Redhat almost misses the entrance to the cave at first, if not for the telltale stair like stones leading up the mouth. There is a yard of open plateau before the right side of the cave is stopped by a sheet of granite. Beyond is the mouth, with the magic door open. There are some potted plants a few feet outside of the cave basking in the sun on the top stairs.
Distant voices can be heard coming out of the cave.
When they get in sight of the cave, Flamberge curses under his breath, this didn’t look as easy as he had hoped. The stairs leading up to the cave entrance where narrow, the yard or so of plateau at the top was too small, and there was no place to station the crosshairponies. It appears they had no real choice but to use Praetorian's plan anyway.
Flamberge stops and calls his captains together to finalize their strategy.
Flamberge begins speaking, "Praetorian, your squad takes point, watch your step and keep an eye out for traps. We'll be needing your shields when the fire starts. Crossbow, your squad, and the militia are in the middle, I doubt wooden bolts will do much to it's scaled hide so aim for the face, mouth, eyes and anyplace else likely to hurt it. I'll bring up the rear, with my squad, incase any griffins try to ambush us, if they don't we'll go over and around to join the spears in the front after the first volley. Everypony clear?"
Praetorian nods. “Clear, commander. Redhat, Bascinet, Epaulette. On me.”
Crosshair nods as well “Alright Commander, We’ll rain hell.”
The party approaches the cave entrance, Redhat points out the trap he fell in last time and it is avoided, the spearponies lead the way wary of unexpected surprises.
Bascinet takes point, trying to act brave. Epaulette, instead, bemoans their fate. “Zis is going to end terribly.”
“We will be fine,” Bascinet replies. “We get to run, at least.”
Epaulette gives her a look. “You think we can outrun a dragon?”
“Maybe, but outflying it is the hard part” said Red, “Honestly, if we can’t finish this thing quickly, you me, everypony here and at the town are dead.”
“Quiet you three. Keep your eyes out for more traps.” He speaks a little more privately to Redhat. “Red, I’d rather you didn’t spook the new ponies. I want everypony here to be ready to stand against that beast, not ready to bolt in fear.”
“Fine, I just want you to know full well, that every pony that was allowed to volunteer for this essentially volunteered to commit suicide...”
“Yes. That’s why I’m here. Because if those ponies are willing to make that sacrifice, who am I not to do the same? But better that if they are with us, they aren’t ready to run. That will only make them an easy target,” says Praetorian.
“And what if they cower and run? They have no experience, and could even blow this entire mission with inexperience. It’s the militia’s job to keep civilians safe, not lead them on a death march.”
“Yes, I know that. And that’s why we’re up the front. We’re to protect them, and hopefully let them kill this beast before it kills everypony you know and care about.” Praetorian shakes his head. “Redhat, I know you may not agree with this, but I would rather not stake everypony’s life on a forlorn hope.”
“I still wouldn’t bring any random joe and his uncle on a mission like this, I honestly expect if anyone survives this it’s only going to be the ponies who know what they’re doing.”
“So... not us,” Epaulette half-asks.
“You’ll survive this if you remember your training,” says Praetorian. “Keep your shields up, and strike when the enemy is vulnerable.”
“Just don’t get fire in your face, you’ll probably not die horribly.”
“And keep together,” reminded Praetorian.
“And keep behind me, if you are going to be such a scared little filly,” Bascinet throws in, earning a sneer from her sister.
“And keep behind me, and I’ll keep behind Praetorian.” said Red, half jokingly “Just please don’t break down during all this...”
“Bascinet, Epaulette. You can fight between yourselves outside of battle. Now, and in battle, you will be the best of friends. Your lives, and the lives of everypony you care about, depend on that,” reprimands Praetorian.
The patched together army finds an immaculate hall made of marble.They see Temperance, sitting at a half-broken table, and the dragon, leaning against a pillar. The dragon’s head swerves around, his eyes locking on Flamberge’s own with an animosity.
“I’ll speak with them right away,” Temperance says as he stands and turns.
As Temperance turns he sees the full might of Duskfield marshaled before him.
“Temperance? Get down!” commands Flamberge, more than a bit surprised to see the pony still able to stand at all.
Crosshair quickly get into the firing line of her Marksponies and the civilian, Crossbows aimed at the majestic beast “Take aim!.... FIRE!” there were twangs and thunks as powerful crossbow bows were let loose, and just for today, Hell came in the form of dozens of wooden bolts.
Temperance looks equally surprised and refuses to get down. “What? No! No, stop!” he shouted, waving his hooves.
The dragon throws a claw over his face reflexively as he is impaled by a thousand splinters. Carn looks down at his claw, pierced by three bolts. He watched the blood trickle. “Alright.” The dragon simply exhaled. ”Alright! If that’s the only language you ponies are going to understand, have at it!” He bellowed, flame licking out of the sides of his mouth at every syllable.
Temperance continues to wave his hooves madly. “No! No, st-” He clutches at his sides and doubles over, unable to finish the sentence. “..stop...” he mutters.
Carn steps back to his coin pile. He melts the gold in his palm and slings the molten metal at the ponies. The while hot metal makes them all stumble back an inch. The dragon gets on all fours, in a stalk. He looks like he’s about to charge. “Come on then.” Carn didn't want to hurt any of them. He just wanted them to scatter and know they have already worn out their welcome in his cave.
Flamberge in the air above the crowd shouts, "The dragon cowers before us! Everypony hold position and keep shooting!"
Carn rushes the line and bats Epaulette and Redhat across the hall with his forearm. He lets loose a jet of flames at Crosshair in a fury.
Seeing true hell in the form of dragon fire coming at her, Crosshair weren’t about to stay there. “Break!” She barked her order, having everypony in the way to break apart away from the fire as she dive to the side, but not quick enough before her cloak and bits of her tail caught on fire, unless looked from nearby, she might look like a pony on fire! Although she quickly throw her flaming cloak away. No matter how cool it is, it’s just too hot for her. And she had to swat at her tail against the floor to try and stomp off the fire, luckily it was just hair there.
“Crosshair!” Flamberge exclaims as her cloak catches on fire. He glares at the dragon with all the hatred a pony’s soul can muster, and lets out a battle cry that his squad takes as the order to engage.
With the dragon now engaged with the spearponies, the swordsponies all charge in, going around or over the crossbow users, and all according to plan, quickly surround the dragon, cutting for it’s wings and legs. Flamberge flies toward the dragon’s fiery maw swinging his blade like a madpony.
The dragon snarls as Flamberge’s flamberge sliced his snout. He shouts in pain as two spears jab him on every side! There are too many, too adamant. They won’t back down. He grabs Flamberge out of the sky and tosses him down the hall, Flamberge hits the onyx and marble floor down toward the gold pile with a skid. Carnith lashed around with his tail, bringing one of the pillars down with a wild strike. boulders come hurling down and a beam of light shines down from the broken ceiling. “Sky-rats! Mud-horses! Vile manipulators of the good and natural! All of you!”
Temperance recoils from crumbling stone that smashes into the ground next to him. He looks back and forth frantically, unsure of what to do. He’d clearly lost control. “Stop...” he tries to shout again, but his voice doesn’t carry.
Flamberge drops his sword and tucks into a roll as he lands softening the blow. Upon stopping he instantly gets back onto his hooves and draws his knife. Like a rocket he blasts off again toward his reptilian foe and slams into the back of the dragons head, latching on with his legs and jabbing the blade in between the dragon's scales, missing the vitals, but causing bleeding and much pain.
Carn’s head jerks around sharply and he lets loose a roar (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V595oWP5tSE). Carn was clearly panicked. He didn't want to fight! He didn't want any of these ponies to die! Max would be devastated! But he didn't want to die either. The talking plan has clearly been thrown out the bucking proverbial window. He took the one option he still did have. With a stomp of his foot he causes an explosive mini-earthquake, knocking every pony back. He looks up at the newly made hole and smashes through it with a gust of his wings. Flamberge still held on as he took flight out of the new cave entrance. Carn could still feel the one sky-rat still on his neck. He bats at him like one would bat away a mosquito.
Flamberge maneuvers around, using his superior agility and wings to keep with the dragon, while avoiding the swats mostly, and holding on through those he can not dodge. Repeatedly stabbing the knife into different places on the dragon's neck and head, trying to hit something important, while dragon blood begins to mat his fur.
Carn arcs up farther and farther, all the way up to 13,500 feet. Then, he nose dives, twisting a wing to send him into a spiral. He tried his best to get this pony to unlatch, hoping the wind tunnel would send him careening.
As the dragon dives Flamberge pulls his wings in tight to the side, jabs the knife in as deep as he can while biting down on it, and holding on tight to the dragon, all trying to reduce the amount of drag on him as much as possible so to stay with the scaled demon.
A wing shifts and the dragon jets upwards again, barley saving himself from a ground collision at a mere 3,800 feet. He takes a hard left, and a hard right. Carn finally flings Flamberge off of him. “Stop this!” Carn shouted, hovering. He grabbed his profusely gouged neck in agony.
Flamberge, his black coat, and steel armor running red with dragon blood, looks unwilling to stop, his eyes smoldering with murderous rage.
Flamberge twists the knife around in his mouth so that it is pointing forward and flies forward again, this time he makes for the fragile membrane of the dragon’s left wing, knife first, intending to stab and slash his way through.
The wing is slashed twain, and Carnith feels as though an invisible floor fell out from under him. He spatters fire at Flamberge with nothing but a carnal hate in his gut. Okay, This pony could die. He wanted to take this pony with him at least. He gasps and tries to reach for something as his torn wings refuse to support him. He falls, falls down to the forest below.
After the dragon falls, Flamberge takes a few deep breaths and calms himself. He then flies down after the dragon to make sure it was dead.
Flamberge looks around the impact site. There is a crater in the forest, but there is no dragon. There is however, an audible low growl all around him. Flamberge bolts upward into the sky as fast as his wings can take him, taking evasive action in case of any fire that may be following him, and then flattens out his flight to search for the dragon in the woods.
Suddenly, A set of jaws spring up from the forest and snatch Flamberge, the dragons razor teeth puncturing his armor like tin. Five sharp knives stab Flamberge in the midsection as Carn drags him down. As the wind is knocked from Flamberge with the blow, he drops his knife from his grasp causing it to fall somewhere off in the woods. Carn slams him repeatedly on the forest floor and then tosses him; His body slams clean through a small tree and collides into a larger burr behind it. “I - Just - wanted a peaceful solution to this!” Carn shouted. “Your friend! Temperance, He wanted you stand down!” He coughed out with some trouble. He lunged on him and took two swipes at Flamberge with his claws, one blow connected with the muzzle.
Flamberge tries to stand after the thrashing but his legs give out as the claw strikes him again. He once more begins to stand up, he coughs and spits blood from his mouth. His armor leaking yet more vital fluid from the punctured holes. He looks up at the dragon, his face contorted into a mad grin, despite the bleeding claw mark crossing his face. The pony seemed to be enjoying this.
Flamberge laughs then says to the dragon, "Temperance is a spineless fool, and you demon, you can't win this. This fight is over. You can't beat me. Nothing can. I am Flamberge! King among stallions! Leader of Duskfields! Slayer of countless beasts. I will end you like I have countless foes before."
Carn spits a little blood on the ground as well. He abstains from a killing blow and regards the pony with a sullen shake of the head. “Can you truly not see beyond your own bloodlust?” He asked with an amazement.
"I can see there is no greater threat to Duskfields than that which stares me in the face, I will make sure you never threaten anypony again. And when I'm done with you, I will cut your head from your neck and mount your skull on my wall." Flamberge retorts.
“Get over yourself.” Carn snarled. “So. You fancy yourself a dragon slayer. I can understand the reason why you want to go down in fire. But what have I actually threatened? How am I so evil?” Carn cried out.
Flamberge glares, “You have stolen from me once, and I will not stand to see you bring ruin upon my town.”
Carn scoffs. “You cannot even stand at all. Let alone stop me from doing what I please. Just walk away. I’ll collect Max, and I’ll walk away as well. It will be as simple as that. You can have your patch of worthless, badger pony infested dirt. I never cared about your precious town! Wanted none of it! I showed nothing but respect and restraint toward it. Just walk away ...”
Flamberge shakes his head, “Only one of us is going to be walking away from this, beast, and it won’t be you.” Flamberge spits blood on the ground between them, and now having been disarmed by the earlier attack, leaps up at the foe once more with bare hooves, flying straight at the beasts gaping maw, and breaking a fang lose with powerful strike. He catches the fang and turns it around to use as a dagger of his own, jamming it into the dragon's eye socket.
Carn made a terrified little grunt as his eye was split in half. His head slammed to the ground as the tooth pierced his skull. “H-how could I expect any less?” Carn said in a nervous hiccup. The life in his eye slowly faded dark, his breathing slowly faded to a deathly rasp.
Flamberge raises a metal clad hoof above Carn’s head and slams it down onto the fang, driving it deep into the skull, like a hammer with a nail, quickly ending the dragon’s life.
The pegasus pony, exhausted, and bleeding profusely, collapses on top of the slain dragon, unable to muster the strength to stand, waiting and hoping his allies would find him soon. While his whole body was racked with pain, Flamberge had a smile on his face. As he passed out, he could swear he heard Crosshair shouting...
“Commander!” Shouted Crosshair again as she flew in with her squad of marksponies, at least the ones that could fly. Finding the wounded bleeding pegasus on the slain beast, she let in a quick gasp before heading right towards him. “Get the bandages, Now!” She ordered as she practically tear his armor off of him to apply pressure on his wounds to try and slow the bleeding, She’s no doctor, but she know that letting him bleed to death isn’t an option here.
As Crosshair strips him of his armor, Flamberge comes slightly back to this world, "Crosshair?” he looks up at her confusedly, “...Are you dead too?" he asks half delirious.
“No Flamberge, I’m not dead, and neither are you! We’re going back to Duskfields together, you’re going to survive and you’re going to see your foal born!” The Markspony sobbed as she catches the bandage from her squad and begin to wraps them around Flamberge’s wounds, tightening them and offering prayers to whichever gods out there that her Flamberge may survive.
“Oh...good....where’s...where’s my sword?” mutters Flamberge before sleep takes hold of him once more.
Back at the cave, Temperance was finally beginning to recover from the shock of having a miniature war erupt around him despite his best but pathetic attempts to stop it. All of the soldiers appeared to have suffered minimal or no injury, so his mind immediately drifted to the next topic at hoof. “He didn’t listen... none of them listened...” he says as he stares up into the hole in the ceiling.
He glances out of the cave mouth, and despite the sinking feeling inside he starts in its direction. There was no way the fight could have ended acceptably. Either the dragon was dead, or Flamberge was and the dragon would no doubt attack him on sight. But, he had to try.
Temperance points back at the hoard of treasure and says to the soldiers left, “Don’t touch it. None of you lay a hoof on any of it.” He then trots outside with a slightly stilted gait from his aches. He didn’t even know where to begin looking...
(8418 words)
Post by: Telgin on April 11, 2013, 11:46:15 pm
Temperance slowly approached the door to Max’s hospital room. He did not want to have this conversation, but he knew nopony else in Duskfields was going to. None of them could. He glanced at Yari, who shrugged at him and stepped aside to allow him entry without a word. At least that much was simple. He knocked twice and cracked the door before peeking inside. “Max?”
Max jumps at the sound of the knocks. Finally, somepony to explain why he’s been shuffled away by some guards. He sits up from his bed, being careful with his still slung arm. “Yes? Who’s that? Temperance?”
“Ah, yes, it is,” he responds, stepping into the room. “Uh... h-how are you?” he asks, unable to completely mask the enormous amount of unease he was feeling. It didn’t look like anypony had told him what happened yet.
He shrugs modestly. “Not bad. Can’t wait to get out of this hospital. How about yourself?” He cocks his head to the side and regards him with one blue eye. “Something the matter? Can I help?” He said, truly oblivious.
“I-I... I’ve been better,” Temperance replies, taking a few steps further into the room after shutting the door behind himself. “H-has nopony told you what happened a few hours ago?”
Max shook his head. “No, I’ve been under. My arm, didn’t reset right. Case had to adjust some things. Took near all day.” He laughs. “But it’s fine. It’s all fine. I’m going to be able to fly soon, Case tells me.” His eyes glisten. “ It’s been so long since I‘ve been back to the cave. I - I can’t wait for business to get back to usual, really.”
Temperance continues toward Max slowly, whispering a prayer to Nirmek for Max to forgive him of what he was about to tell him. He debates if it was wise to be within Max’s reach, but he chances it. “Yeah... a-about that.” His eyes lower to the floor and he fixates on a knot in one of the floorboards. “A-a dragon flew into town this morning. H-he grabbed me and took me back to his cave.” Temperance continues to stare down at the floor instead of Max. “Y-your cave.”
Max’s eyes dilate back to tiny black pins in fear. His heart froze still and the world stopped cold. “ ... and you’re still in one piece.” Max observed. He closed his eyes and locked his claws together. He felt barely there, felt like he was going to keel over.“I have faith you handled the situation? The ... dragon in my cave left for good?” He looked up at Temperance with a pleading. “No one was hurt?”
Temperance looks everywhere in the room but Max. He is silent for some time, before finally saying, “There... there were some injuries.” He sighs heavily. “He... he explained everything, Max.”
Max twists his head to the right and tears stream down his eyes. “I am so sorry some ponies were hurt because of me!” He gasps. “ I am sorry. I am so sorry. I understand the guards outside now.” He puts his claw on his chest. “I completely understand. I completely understand if you’re upset with me, Carn and I, we’ll fly off as soon as I’m able without a word. It’s all my fault ... ”
Temperance felt a tiny sting in his eyes as he fought back tears of his own. He manages to succeed for the moment. “No, no... everypony will be alright...” He wrestles with his own mouth to continue. “Max... Carn... I-I... the soldiers were the ones... wh-who found the cave. I-I g-guess Redhat told them...”
Max rasps deeply. “ ... Okay. Okay. So he flew off without me when the soldiers came, when he was injured.That was always the backup plan - incase things went south. Okay. I can live with that.”
Temperance swallows hard and looks Max in the eyes, slowly shaking his head. “He... he tried. I tried... I tried as hard as I could to get them to leave him alone.” He blinks back tears. “He’s gone, Max.”
Max ignores the statement completely, continuing.. “ ... We have a place, a hill where we like to watch the sun set. He’ll be there, that’s where we said we’d meet back up if there was ever trouble. He’s there, that’s where I need to be...”
No choice but to just say it, it seemed. Temperance continues to shake his head. “No, Max. He’s dead. I... I saw him.” He chokes a bit. “I’m so sorry...”
Max pauses completely, jaw agape. He gave him a look that pierced his soul. Not a look of anger, or fear. Just a look or sadness that betrayed a bottomless disappointment in Temperance. “No ....”
The pony’s ears go limp and he nods. “I... I’m so sorry...”
“I ...” Max bit his bottom beak. His demeanor wilts away into something quiet, and fragile. He cups his head in his shaking claw. “ ... ”
Temperance for his part can think of nothing to say or do. He simply hangs his head and looks away. So many small things could have gone differently to spare Max this terrible news...
Finally, Max looked back to him. “Thank you for notifying me, Temperance. It’s the least after all I’ve done afterall.” He said, voice cold as steel. “I’m sure you did everything in your power to keep Flamberge from taking a hold of the situation.” He lashed out, barely keeping his composure.
“I did!” he pleads in turn. “I did everything I could! It-it just fell apart faster than I even knew what was going on!”
“So how long is the Commander and his needy lil’ spouse going to be in the stockade for this?” Max asked, knowing full well the answer.
Temperance collects himself slightly and frowns. “They won’t be charged.”
“Doing everything in your power, huh? What a statement.” The griffon drawled in contempt. He winces. “I’m ... I’m sorry, I just need some time ... you know what? I’m not sorry. I’m furious. They get to walk away like nothing happened?”
“You don’t understand...” Temperance begins, taking a step back.
He cocks his head incredulously. “Oh, I’m pretty sure I understand completely.”
To be fair, he probably did. Temperance has no idea how else to word it though. “I really am doing everything I can...” he says in a weak voice. He was planning on doing more than he really should. What little difference it made.
“Not enough.” Max said while shaking his head, at a loss. “Just not enough.”
Temperance’s head drops lower. “I know... I know...” He raises a forehoof to his head. “I’m sorry...”
Max gestures at the door listlessly. “So am I under arrest, with the guard and all? Haven’t puzzled that one out still.”
“I intend to sort that out,” Temperance says with a bit more resolve in his voice.
“You best and get it done, then, before I get the impression Flamberge posted ‘em there.” the griffon muttered in disbelief. He put a shaking claw back up to his head. Tears start streaming. “Just ... Go. I need some time...” He choked.
Temperance sighs heavily again, nods, and turns to leave. He says nothing to Max as he exits, but upon running into Yari again, he says, “Don’t let anypony bother him unless it’s life or death. And if he needs somepony, come get me. Alright?”
She looks back indifferently. “Yes, sir.”
Post by: KingStrongbeard on April 13, 2013, 08:11:07 pm
When Flamberge next opens his eyes he sees he is back in Duskfields, in a bed, in a room he recognized as part of the hospital. The morning sunbeams reach through the window, the light having woken him. At his side, hunched over his bed and still sleeping was Crosshair.
Flamberge tries to stretch but that pulls on the stitches on his torso, causing a bit of discomfort. He touches his face and feels the bandage there as well. Flamberge thinks trying to remember how he got here. He remembered the dragon. He could remember flashes from the fight, flying into the sky, cutting it’s wing with his dagger, the fall, the bite, the final blow. It was odd, Flamberge thought, that he could remember such details from the battle, something he had never been able to do before with other conflicts.
He then remembered the treacherous griffin that was behind all this. That had let this monster exist so close, without warning them. He climbs out of his bed to find and talk with this Max. As his weight on the bed shifts Crosshair awakens.
“Nnm... Flamberge?” Mumbled his pregnant mare as she awakens slowly, yawning and rubbing her eyes softly.
Flamberge continues looking around the hospital for the griffin, checking each room in turn while delivering a barrage of questions to his mare, “Captain Crosshair, where is Max? What did you all do with that traitor after I blacked out? How long have I been out of it? What’s happened since I killed that monster?”
“Woah woah, slow down, Commander. Max has been incarcerated already, he’s in that room.” she gestured. “I posted a guard there to make sure he’s not going anywhere, but he’s still hurt so he’s needed to stay in the hospital. And you’ve been out of it for a whole day! I was worried that you might not wake up,” Crosshair answered as best as she could.
Flamberge tries to think, but his mind was still foggy, he then exclaims, “Temperance! Temperance was alive when we got there! Did he make it back?”
“He did!” Crosshair nodded “He’s fine, Commander.”
“Good, good. I need to talk to him, right away Captain,” replies Flamberge, heading towards the door.
Crosshair gently grabs onto her commander. “Not yet, Flam. You need your rest and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“This is important Cross, it can’t wait for these cuts to heal, if you won’t let me leave here, then you’ll just have to bring him to me,” suggests Flamberge.
“Alright, I’ll bring him here. But please, get back to bed and rest, alright? You can’t go around walking with those wounds like that!”
Flamberge yields and returns to his bed. Several minutes later, Crosshair returns with Temperance. The stallion frowns a bit as he sees Flamberge’s wounds, and he sits where Flamberge can look at him with a minimal of moving. “You wanted to see me, commander?” he asks, knowing full well why already.
Flamberge was resting in his bed as Temperance enters. “Yes, Temperance, I am very sorry about laying down on the job, but with the circumstances...” he attempts a little humor, then quickly says, “I need to know what all happened after I blacked out, and I assumed you would be the best pony to tell me.”
“It’s alright, I understand,” Temperance replies at first, with a small and nervous smirk. “I’m not sure what all to tell you really. It’s been about a day. The guards are watching Max...” he says in a slightly dejected tone.
Flamberge begins questioning Temperance, “Were there any other casualties from our attack? I didn’t get to the see the aftermath of part of the roof collapsing.”
Temperance shakes his head. “No. There were a few minor injuries, but the other soldiers have all been patched up already. Carnith was the only one killed.”
“Carnith?” Flamberge quirks an eyebrow before he realizes, “Oh, you mean the dragon. Yes, and what was done with the dragon’s corpse? Was it left in the woods?”
Temperance sighs and nods. “Yes, his body is still where he fell. I’ve got a few volunteers to help deal with that, but there hasn’t been nearly enough time.”
“Help deal with that? What did you have planned?” questions the Commander. “It’s far enough from town that the smell shouldn’t be a problem...still, when I get out of here, I’d like to go and take the head. The skull’s probably a bit large for my room, but I thought it would look good over the gate, as a symbol of sorts.”
Temperance balks visibly. “You... what? No. No, no, no. We’re going to bury him if at all possible. I’m not going to let his body be defiled like that...”
Flamberge looks confused. “And why not? It’s a dragon. A monster. Not somepony’s pet.”
“A monster...” Temperance’s face shifts to a distinct frown. “Flamberge... have you ever spoken with a dragon?”
"I spoke with this one. He thought he had beaten me. Ha!" Flamberge winces as his laugh pulls on the stitches in his side. "He tried to bargain with me, I can only guess what his game was."
“Yes... well... I’m not sure I understand it completely...” Temperance turns a nervous eye to Crosshair, then back to Flamberge. “Let’s say Crosshair disappeared for several weeks, and you thought you knew where she was. Somewhere you weren’t welcome. Somewhere you were hated and would probably be attacked on sight. What would you do?”
"Well, I suppose I'd either storm the gate or take a hostage to negotiate, depending on whether or not I thought they'd kill her," replies Flamberge.
Temperance doesn’t move a muscle. “Then you understand exactly what Carnith’s ‘game’ was.”
Crosshair tilted her head slightly. “What are you suggesting, Temperance?”
“Max,” Temperance says plainly. “Carnith was looking for Max.”
"Well, that's not a big surprise seeing as we found it in the bird's cave," Flamberge answers dismissively.
“I... I don’t think you understand,” Temperance says, shaking his head. “Carnith was Max’s friend. A very good friend,” he adds, nodding toward Crosshair, then back to Flamberge.
"Clearly," Flamberge states. "If Max would risk our safety to protect that thing, which brings me to the next question, what should we do with him?"
Temperance sighs mentally as Flamberge completely misses what he was getting at. Fine, that was straying into territory they didn’t need to be going into anyway. “Nothing,” he says. “He suffered the loss of his best friend. When he’s well enough to leave, that’s exactly what we should let him do.” Temperance looks aside. “That’s what he wanted to do anyway.”
Flamberge nods, "Well, no pony died, so I suppose exile is fair enough. And I doubt the bird himself was the mastermind of any plot they were cooking up anyway."
“Exile?” Temperance asks, mildly confused. “No... I mean let him leave if he wants to. I don’t imagine he’s got much to go back to now.”
Flamberge looks surprised and confused, "Are you seriously suggesting we let him go unpunished for this!?"
“He didn’t do anything wrong,” Temperance insists. “I spoke with Carnith. The two of them were planning on leaving as soon as Max returned to his cave.” He raises a hoof to his chest. “He snatched me because he was trying to communicate with us in the only way he felt he could. You know full well what would have happened if he just landed in the courtyard and started asking for Max.”
“It.. wouldn’t turn out as bad as landing right into your office, snatch you up and fly away. Right?” Crosshair suggested.
"Didn't do anything? Indeed he didn't. He didn't warn us we had a dragon nearby. He didn't tell anypony that if he wasn't able to go back to that cave that we'd be attacked. He didn't prepare for the possibility of that BEAST taking one of us like it did. The ONLY reason I'm even entertaining the idea of exile, instead of worse, is because I assume the dragon had threatened him into it." Flamberge explains.
Temperance takes a deep breath. “Flamberge... I understand that you’re looking at this in a different perspective than I am... but what would have happened if he did tell us about the dragon? Half of Duskfields would have fled or been in a mob wanting his head.” Temperance keeps his hoof against his chest. “And if Carnith did want to hurt us, don’t you think he’d have done more than give me a few bruised ribs? He could have easily killed or eaten me before you got there. He and Max just wanted to live peacefully!”
“Yes, Temperance. But we didn’t know that, did we? We expected the worst when something like this happened. You’ve got to understand this, when there’s a big fire-breathing can-chop-you-up-in-one-bite Dragon that came out of no where and stole our Leader, well. I suppose you didn’t expect us to go offer him cupcakes and sandwiches in his cave, do you? And I believe if Max have had told us about the Dragon, we’d at least be open to listening and give him a chance. Sure we might not trust him right away, but that can’t possibly be as bad as him ponynapping you out of nowhere unexpected.” Crosshiar reasoned.
“I-I know,” Temperance replies. “I know why you attacked Carnith. If I was in your position I have no doubt I’d have done the same.” He looks away from both of them. “I tried to stop you... but it was too late. But this isn’t about that... Max has already lost enough, we shouldn’t just throw him out there with the discordant ponies alone!”
“Well.. I suppose a death of a really good friend is punishing enough.” Crosshair nodded. “A dead bird is a useless bird, after all.”
Flamberge rubs his forehead with a hoof and says, " Fine, fine. You both are being too soft on him, but I'll wait till he can defend himself before passing judgment."
“Defend himself? Pass judgment?” Temperance raises an eyebrow. “Flamberge, you’re the military commander, not a judge. Until we get a judge out here, I am the king’s stand in for passing judgment, and until I receive evidence that Max was plotting something, I’m dropping it.”
"You!?" exclaims Flamberge, "You're just middle-bucking-management, my orders are to keep this town safe and without a judge, or a member of the nobility here, I'm the one in charge of dealing with such threats, and he isn't off the hook until I say so!"
Temperance recoils at the outburst and takes two steps away from the angry pegasus. What, did he have to go get the papers signed by the king? He considers it for a moment and decides against provoking him any further. Maybe after he cooled off some he’d be more rational. “Fine. Fine,” Temperance says, narrowing his eyes at Flamberge. “Do whatever the buck you want, Flamberge. You’re going to anyway.” He raises a hoof and points it at him. “But you’re going to treat Max with all the respect you’d treat any pony in Duskfields.”
Flamberge narrows his own eyes at Temperance, and says, "Are you trying to give me an order?"
Suddenly, Temperance realizes that the level of respect that Flamberge gave him was all but nonexistent, so what was he expecting him to give to Max? Still, he holds his ground. “It’s the law,” he says coldly.
Crosshair hopped up between the two arguing stallions “Alright, alright, Break it up. As important as this thing is, the commander’s were still bit by a dragon and It’ll be best if he have some rest for now. You two should talk after you’ve cooled down, As Captain of the guards here I’m not about to stand here and watch two most important stallions in this fort strangling each others to death. So please, Temperance. Flamberge.” She said firmly with surprising authority coming from such a small mare.
Flamberge lays his head back down on his pillow and says, "Alright Crosshair. And Temperance I shall deal with him as I would any suspect foreigner."
“I’ll make sure he’ll be treated fairly.” Crosshair nods
Temperance lets out his breath and nods. “Thank you. Now, was there anything else?”
Flamberge sighs, "The gold in the cave... but I think I know what you will say about what we should do with it already."
Oh, probably. “It’s not ours. It belongs to Max now, and we’re not going to touch it.”
"Fine," answers Flamberge his dream of using the gold to import a mountain of steel falling apart around him.
"One more thing, what have the civilians been told about the situation?" he questions while keeping his eyes on the ceiling.
“I’ve barely said a word to any of them. I don’t want to make this any harder on Max than I have to. They know there’s a dead dragon out in the woods, and that you killed it.”
Flamberge nods almost stoically, "Good. That's all the questions I have for now."
Temperance nods in return. “In that case, I’ll leave you two.” He turns and starts for the door. “Get well, commander.”
“Good day, Temperance.” Crosshair gave him a quick salute before returning to her commander’s side.
Post by: Telgin on April 14, 2013, 12:04:28 am
Temperance's Journal - 11th Hematite, 271
I can say with no exaggeration that today and yesterday have been the worst two days in my life. I'm very depressed right now, so I'm not going to write out extensive details. In short, Max had a dragon as what I must assume to be his coltfriend. That dragon lived out in the mountains. He got worried when Max didn't come home, and abducted me to figure out why.
After a little chatting, he let me go and I promised he'd get to see Max and that Max was fine. Except for the fact that the soldiers found the cave and killed Carnith before any of that could happen. Yeah, you can probably imagine what telling Max was like. I don't blame him one bit if he hates all of our guts and flies away at the first opportunity.
Add getting into a heated argument with Flamberge on top of it all, and I just want to go to bed and forget everything. I'm starting to hate my job. I get no respect from Flamberge, and that's making my life very hard.
Will it really be worth it?
18th Hematite, 271
When I was eating lunch this afternoon, I overheard something a bit shocking. Apparently, everypony in town got together and decided that they needed a mayor... and they elected Convalescence.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/145.png)
Fine. I guess that tells me what everypony thinks of my leadership over the past week.
I thought I was doing a pretty good job, but I guess not. I mean, maybe I haven't made some of the best decisions around here, but I didn't think that the others thought they needed somepony else to make the decisions. Is this because I let Max stay in Duskfields? I thought the others were getting along with him alright. Or is it because I let Flamberge have a bigger room? Try telling him yourself that he can't have it!
No, it's probably because of the whole dragon thing. What was I supposed to do?
I guess I shouldn't be so bitter about it. Convalescence is a nice, smart mare. She's friendly enough too.
Either way, it's probably a good thing that Morning Dew was busy in the fields during lunch, else I probably wouldn't have been able to keep how upset I was from her. Tonight when I came home she knew something was wrong, but she didn't get it out of me what it was. She's smart too, so I know she has to know.
It'll pass in a few days. Maybe even I'll learn to appreciate Convalescence's help.
After we get an office set up for her...
21st Hematite, 271
Well, maybe she won't be taking up the reins too soon. She gave birth again today to her second foal: an earth pony colt she and Patches named Elixir. By now I've managed to more or less recover an air of normalcy regarding her election as mayor, so I was able to keep things fairly relaxed when I came by to see her and the newborn. He was a big, strong colt, and Case Study said she was very tired after labor, so I left with that.
I wish the best for her and her family. At least there are no patients right now, so she can relax like she needs to.
23rd Hematite, 271
Another colt was born this afternoon. Pepper Flakes gave birth to her foal this afternoon: a little pegasus colt that she and Scimitar named Mace. When I went by to check on them, I noticed that Scimitar wasn't there, and I found him out by the gates with the other soldiers on patrol. I tried to convince him to take it easy, since he's still recovering from his wounds and had a new colt. He agreed to head off to see the two, but I get the feeling he'll be back at the gates before the day is out.
I don't blame Flamberge for having the soldiers on patrol though. It's been a few months since we last saw the badger ponies or discordants. It can't be long before they return.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/146.png)
Hematite is ripe time for ambushes, so they're on alert. Oh, and Splint, if you prefer another name for the little colt, just say the word.
11th Malachite, 271
Now that we've got stone to work with, we moved a few of the workshops around and have started actually planning that instead of the haphazard mess we had before. That brings up an issue of space though, which I set Smoothblock to working on today. I had her drain the murky pools that were taking up space, so that we can fill them in to open up space for some mason shops soon.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/147.png)
Things have been fairly slow otherwise. We're still running low on wood, considering the incessant demand for it. That's put finishing the housing on hold for the moment. I'm considering opening up a northern gate to allow faster and safer access to those trees. It opens up another entrance we have to guard though.
Maybe I should speak to Flamberge about it?
Actually, that reminds me of something else interesting that did happen today:
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/148.png)
Crosshair gave birth to their foal this morning: a unicorn filly they named Crossbow. I didn't want to intrude on the two, so I spoke with Bonesetter about it later over dinner, and he said that she was surprisingly small considering how large Crosshair got. I hope the filly is alright. He seemed to think she would be.
Crosshair herself fared very badly during labor, he said. She lost a lot of blood and is very weak right now.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/169.png)
She made it through though, which is what counts. In any case, I suppose the two will be off duty for a while. I'm sure Praetorian can pick up the slack. Maybe it'll be a while before we see any more thieves.
17th Malachite, 271
Everypony has somewhere to sleep again. We were short just a single bedroom for Bascinet, so I went ahead and decided to convert the dorms over to a real bedroom. Nopony needs it right now, so that seemed reasonable. If we have any guests and they need somewhere to sleep, there's room in the hospital.
Now that we've got a bit of stone coming up out of the quarry, I'm starting to look at using stone for some future projects. A temple and barracks are two big items that we've been waiting years for, but Smoothblock is the only pony here with any masonry skill at all. I'll be sending word back to Coupledye to ask for some masons at some point in the future.
Just got the room for everypony, and I'm already asking for more. I guess there's always need for more ponies.
20th Malachite, 271
Pumpkin Patch gave birth to her foal this evening, just a few hours ago. The doctors told me that everything went well, and that the unicorn colt was strong. She and Plastron named him Green Hills.
It's interesting. It looks like all of the farmers are going to be out on maternity leave at the same time soon. Pumpkin will be out for a while, and may not be back before Dew and Maize give birth themselves.
Everything should be fine though. We've got close to a year's food stocked up. It does remind me that we should probably get some stallions out there helping them soon, though.
22nd Malachite, 271
I spoke too soon, I suppose. I haven't even had a chance to write a letter back home, and this morning Crosshair flew into town to let me know that a small caravan of new arrivals was on the way. I greeted them at the gate, and was pretty surprised to see that there were 12 of them. It took a while to get them all settled, but here's a list of who all showed up:
An elderly earth pony stallion woodcutter named Pine Straw,
An earth pony stallion mason named Marble Slab, and his wife,
An earth pony mare priest named Sacerdotessa,
A pegasus mare carpenter named Crosscut, and her husband,
A pegasus stallion swordspony named Gorget,
An earth pony mare dyer and weaver named Mauvine, and her husband,
An earth pony stallion farmer named Bountiful Harvest,
An earth pony potter named Underglaze, and his wife,
An earth pony mare spearpony named Pila, and their son,
An earth pony filly (nearly a mare) named Scarlet Swirl,
A unicorn stallion wood burner named Blast Furnace, and his daughter,
A unicorn filly named Strawberry Shortcake.
I suppose I don't need to break the news to the carpenters that they've got a lot of work cut out for them in the form of new housing. The good news at least is that Pine Straw should be a big help to Holly with getting more wood cut down trees.
The masons were a fortuitous arrival, since we've got some stone to work with now. They're going to have a lot of work ahead of them. We could start on a temple next, but frankly I think building a new drawbridge in the northern wall is a better use of time and resources. Once that's done, we can start trying to plan where to put a temple.
Speaking of a temple, Sacerdotessa, the new priestess, is an interesting pony. Apparently she's Praetorian's sister. The two spent some time chatting after she arrived, which is good. She should get acclimated fairly easily then, I hope.
26th Malachite, 271
The drawbridge is finished, but we're still working on getting a lever hooked up to it so that we can raise it to shut the entrance off. It does give us quick access to a small forest growing up there at least.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/149.png)
The marksponies and spearponies are currently watching Holly and Pine Straw cut down some of the trees. Hopefully if anything unfriendly shows up in the mean time, they'll be enough of a deterrent to prevent an attack. Or, more likely, hold them off until Flamberge and his squad can get there.
1st Galena, 271
Sacerdotessa is fitting in pretty well, but I caught sight of a somewhat amusing "conversation" between her and Sanctuary this afternoon. If I learned anything from having a priestess as a mother, they can be pretty opinionated and defensive of their beliefs. The two didn't really argue so much as quote a lot of religious texts at each other and try to trip the other up, but perhaps Duskfields is too small for two priests?
I'm not sure. Maybe when the temple is finished the two can put their little differences aside and work together.
2nd Galena, 271
I'm pretty ashamed to admit it, but we're just now getting some soap made. There have been a lot of failures along the chain, mostly losing my notes that it needed to be done, but Rosebud let me know today that she delivered some to the hospital. I'm sure the doctors will be happy, even if this is quite late to actually help any of the currently recovering ponies.
Completely unrelated: we've also made progress toward filling the moat with water instead of air. It won't really make a huge difference, defense wise, but what's a moat without water?
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/150.png)
The pumps are being put into place now, and once they're ready, the aquifer which tested us so in the past will be one of our greatest assets.
9th Galena
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/151.png)
Today was another one of those days that makes me want to admit that I can't do this, quit and go home like mom, dad and Virtue want me to. It started out bad, and only got worse from there. The start was when a giant simian monster with a single eye trundled toward us from the south, bellowing in some barbaric language none of us understood.
Crosshair was the closest to her, since she was flying a patrol at the time. The fight started out fine, she says, since her first shot struck her in the head and put her down. Based on estimates from an armory check later, she must have fired close to seventy bolts into the thing... but it just wouldn't die.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/153.png)
She actually went back to get more ammo to shoot it with. And of course refused to shoot it anywhere lethal.
While that was going on, the badger ponies came back. Up north, Bonesetter was gathering some colonies of bees to transport back inside when one jumped him. He was bruised in the fight, but was fast enough to escape while the spear ponies came to his aid. Praetorian slew the monster with a few precise strokes of his spear. That was about the end of our good fortune.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/152.png)
More badger ponies arrived from the south. One jumped Prodd as he went to help Crosshair kill the cyclops, and stabbed him in the stomach. The markspony managed to get a single shot off and wounded the badger pony, but she then stabbed him in the head, and he went down. She stabbed him several more times, grievously wounding him, before Flamberge got there and killed it by cutting it in half with a single swipe of his sword.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/154.png)
If that wasn't bad enough, Sanctuary was running outside. Nopony knows what he was doing, since he was killed moments later. Another badger pony stabbed him in the head, killing him instantly. He was a kind and pacifist stallion... of all the ponies...
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/155.png)
His wife, Aventail, was out there too. She tried to get to him, but she was too late. He was already dead by the time she got there. I came running with my crossbow about that time, only to find that the battle was over and that she was weeping over his body. I couldn't watch anymore, and slunk back inside. I couldn't pretend to be a soldier after seeing that. For a moment... just a moment... I saw Morning Dew there instead...
I now know full well why Virtue came to hate these monsters. I didn't think she was capable of hating anything, but now I know why.
They've killed Sanctuary and wounded many ponies out here. What, because they want to steal something shiny?
I'm so angry right now, I can't think straight. Fine. They want to steal something? Let them have Flamberge's sword. In their brain.
Nirmek have mercy on me... I need to just walk away.
17th Galena, 271
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/156.png)
Well, I don't know what the zebras thought they'd find, but they arrived to find a bloody massacre on our front doorstep and in the way of their wagons. We managed to clear the bodies out of the way to let them through, but after that they weren't in too much of a mood to trade. Neither was I, really.
Still, job to do and all, so I did.
As before, I traded away a lot of food in exchange for some food we didn't have seeds for here, as well as a lot of metal objects that we can melt down for weapons and armor. I hate that we need so much, but I'm utterly sick of seeing ponies getting hurt or killed.
After I traded with the zebras, I showed them somewhere they can stay for a few days while they wait for the risk of further badger pony attacks to die off. I immediately went home after that, since I don't feel like working right now.
25th Galena, 271
Do I ever have good news to report anymore? Today we were beset by yet another thief, this time a discordant pony. He tried to ambush Cream Puff as she was helping to clean up some of the mess out front (I should probably talk with everypony and get better protocols set up for this). It kicked her in the leg and gave her a very nasty bruise, but thank goodness she's a strong and determined mare.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/157.png)
The capital P is Cream Puff. I remembered she's in a civilian squad with a crossbow, so she gets to put out a little punishment.
She fought back and gave the discordant pony a couple of nastier bruises in response with her hooves, and at that point we descended upon him. I guess it was because of what happened just a few days ago, but we swarmed him like an angry bunch of parasprites and tore him apart with our crossbows. All of the civilians I'd issued the weapons to came running, and there was little left after we were done.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/158.png)
I stood a long while, looking at the corpse. I don't feel the least bit sorry for him.
Not after we buried Sanctuary.
I feel terrible.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/160.png)
26th Galena, 271
I'm starting to wonder if maybe this is just a joke. Like we were sent out here to die or something. We suffered yet another attack this morning. Smoothblock and a few others: Cream Puff, Pepper Flakes, Convalescence and Heartfelt, were helping to drag some mudstone chunks up to the surface for the masons to start working on.
They ran into six discordant ponies: five armed with scourges and one with a spear.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/161.png)
5 lashers and a spearpony. Normally, this would be cause to write off all of the unfortunate civilians right there. However, feeling pity on them, I nerfed whips and scourges into oblivion before embarking.
Crosshair must have spotted them from the air, because she fired a shot from the training area all the way out to them and grounded one with that shot. The remaining ponies started for the civilians, and led off by attacking poor Pepper Flakes. Heartfelt told me that one of the discordants broke her leg with its scourge before biting her in the eye.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/162.png)
After that, Cream Puff attacked the discordant like a mare possessed. She leaped atop him and beat him with her hooves until he couldn't move. When the others joined in and started firing at the other discordants, they broke and fled. It took some time for the soldiers to arrive, but they quickly dispatched both wounded discordants.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/163.png)
Pepper Flakes and Prodd are both in the hospital now being tended by the doctors. She may be blind in that eye now, but she'll live, and has a long road to recovery. Not as long as Prodd though. He was badly wounded, but Case Study told me that he has something that should save his life.
I'm getting beyond sick of this eternal conflict. Nopony else was killed, but I briefly saw Pepper Flakes being helped back inside by Scimitar, covering her eye but failing to hide the blood pouring from the wound.
I don't know if I'll be getting any sleep tonight. If I thought it would do any good, I'd sit out on the walls all night and watch for more discordants coming to kill us. But then I'd just get killed, and it wouldn't do any of us any good.
I hate to say it... I even hate to write it... but I wish mom was still here. I could use some of her canned words of support. I've heard them all a hundred times... but I'd take anything right now...
5th Limestone, 271
As if the discordant ponies attacking us wasn't enough, now we're hurting ourselves!
We were running low on wood again, so I authorized opening the northern bridge to allow quick access to that forest. Well, we don't have established safety guidelines for how to use it, so Chaff opened it without verifying that it was safe. Keen Edge was out there dragging a log up to the drawbridge, anticipating it to open. Just not as soon as it did.
It struck him square in the head as it came down, knocking him out and probably causing severe and lasting injuries. He's now in the hospital with the others under urgent care. I thought for sure that three doctors would be overkill here, but looks like I was dead wrong.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/164.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/165.png)
Actually, he got tossed into the air. If it landed on him he'd be dead.
I'm praying for his recovery as well as the others. We've had amazing recoveries so far... I can hope for yet another.
I'll go check up on them all in the morning.
12th Limestone, 271
Prodd was released today. I saw him in the tavern this afternoon while getting something to take to Morning Dew for lunch. He looked terrible, but at least he's up and around. I don't imagine he'll be back on duty for a long time yet.
The doctors here are absolute miracle workers. That much is evident.
18th Limestone, 271
The other patients were released yesterday and today, which means that once again the hospital is empty. For now, anyway.
Maybe we'll keep it that way for a little while. To help improve our defenses, I've made sure that more ammo was made out of the wood we cut down, and that the moat is finally filled with water. It took forever to get the pump system set up like we needed, but Epaulette and Bascinet started pumping this morning.
It'll take a few days to get it all filled, most likely, but it will be one more obstacle between us and attackers when it's finished.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/166.png)
You can also see where I filled in another pool with DFHack.
The new housing is out near the old garbage dump. Nopony lives there yet, but we should probably relocate that before anypony does move in. And maybe build a garbage compactor like the one I read about in Virtue's diaries.
9th Sandstone, 271
Just a small update on a couple of new projects.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/167.png)
First off is the temple we started near the northern entrance. I wish we had something prettier to make it out of than mudstone, but it at least opens up the labor pool a bit since the masons can work on it in parallel with the carpenters on the new housing. I'm sure once it's finished it'll look nice enough anyway.
The other project is that trash compactor I was talking about. It'll let us get rid of a lot of junk a lot faster than just letting it sit out in the sun and waiting for it to fall apart or otherwise decay. Virtue mentioned putting some safe guards up about the one in Dawnpick, so I've already taken the liberties of ordering that here. A locked door and plenty of warning signs ought to do the trick.
Another update worth mentioning: Morning Dew must be getting close to her due date. She's been very tired the last few weeks, and given her size I don't blame her. I've given both her and Maize time off to use as they see fit. I don't want either of them getting hurt or stressing themselves too much.
23rd Sandstone, 271
Today was the big day! Morning Dew was walking with me to work this morning when she went into labor. Let me tell you, having seen a battle unfold around you seems surprisingly mild when your wife and unborn foal's lives are potentially on the line.
I immediately ran and got Convalescence, who in turn grabbed Case Study and Bonesetter. I sat with Dew throughout the process, which was every bit as stressful and painful for both of us as I'd heard it would be. My hoof still hurts where she was squeezing it!
But, it was all worth it to see our new foal. A unicorn colt. It's a good thing Mountain Dew was a unicorn too, so we've got a bit of experience dealing with magical outbursts. We had a few names picked out depending on if it was a colt or filly, but the name we decided on was Honor. I think it fits him very well.
Not all of the news today was good though. When Praetorian and Maize came to visit us this afternoon, they broke the news that they were planning on leaving Duskfields. I... was not happy to hear that. Not at all. After speaking with them briefly, Maize told us that she didn't feel comfortable raising their child here, and to be honest, I can't blame her at all. After what happened with Carnith, and the eternal attacks from the discordants and badger ponies, I feel pretty guilty sometimes not taking my family somewhere safer. We'll make Duskfields safer, but if Praetorian and Maize don't feel they can raise a family here, I won't try to stop them.
We'll be seeing them off in the next few days. I really don't want to see them go, but it's for the best.
I'm feeling pretty depressed about it all, but maybe I'm just tired. Today has been a long day, for both Morning Dew and me.
Post by: KingStrongbeard on April 14, 2013, 12:45:08 am
Flamberge staggers out of the hospital, at 4 in the morning, his hooves are shaking. His mane and beard are unkempt and he has not slept.
He makes his way towards the apartment buildings and finds the door he was looking for, he knocks on the door saying, "Cream Puff? It's Flamberge, can... can I come in?"
The only answer is a murmur and the sounds of a pony turning over in bed.
"Puff, please, it's about Crosshair. I have nopony else to turn to," Flamberge had an uncharacteristic sound of desperation in his voice, "please open the door."
“Sleep. Go ‘way.” She obviously doesn’t want to wake up, and probably didn’t hear the bit about Crosshair.
"Puff, Crosshair is dying. Please open up," he responds.
A loud thump from the other side of the door indicates Puff has fallen out of bed. “What?!” More thumps indicate her moving towards the door.
Flamberge begins his explanation, "When we left the tavern earlier after dinner... she went into labor," Flamberge pauses, "There were complications."
Puff finally reaches and unlocks the door, flinging it wide open. “What happened?!”
"I don't know, she... she struggled for hours, but she couldn't take it, she went limp and blacked out... the doctors ordered me out... they are.... they're cutting her up as we speak to try and save the baby." Flamberge looks on the verge of hysteria.
Puff’s eyes go wide at that, then she motions for Flamberge to come inside. Once he does she starts pacing, trying not to think about the worst. “Ok... ok, we’ve got to stay calm. Case and the others are really good at what they do... I’m sure they’ll save Cross and the foal. We just... we need to stay calm.” Puff looks very much like she’s not taking her own advice.
Flamberge enters and sits on the bed and places his face in his hooves muttering, "and if they don't? Without Crosshair..."
“They will. It’s what they do! You’ve seen the injuries they’ve treated! A little... emergency C-section... is probably.... a walk in the park?” Puff doesn’t sound too sure, but tries to put on a brave face.
Flamberge nods. "Dr. Case has worked miracles before," he says though he sounds unconvinced, "But... if the worst comes to pass, then I...I don't know how I'm going to raise a foal alone, and..."
“You just gotta stay positive. Crosshair is tough, the doctors are skilled... it’ll all work out.”
Flamberge nods, he looks up at Cream Puff, for a moment he moves a few inches closer to her, but then remembering an earlier time he moves back and continues looking at the floor, "I just wish there was something I could do, but this isn't something I can fight off, there is no dragon to slay, no bad guy to battle. My father was right, I am just a useless thug."
Puff looks uncomfortable as Flamberge gets down on himself. Him depressed isn’t really good... but she doesn’t really want him strutting around, either. Still... he could use some cheering up. “Hey, come on. Everypony has stuff they can’t do. You can’t levitate things, or bake a souffle, or grow crops, but that’s nothing to be ashamed of. I can’t fight. You can. It takes all kinds of ponies to keep a town running.”
"Maybe," he says not sounding convinced, "Puff... is this my fault? I fathered the foal. Do you blame me?"
Puff gives him a sideways look, thinking. “To be honest... it’d be really easy to blame you, Flamberge. But I don’t. Crosshair is a small mare... any pregnancy is risky for her, but she still wants a foal.” Puff sighs. “She wants your foal.”
Flamberge lays back on the bed, "She wants more too, or she did, but if she still does after this, I don't know..."
“She might not be able to after this. You’d have to ask Case.”
"Is it bad that I almost hope that's the case? I don't want either of us to go through this again," he questions.
Cream Puff shrugs. “I don’t know. She’d hate not being able to give you more foals, but it’d be better than going through this again.”
Flamberge sits back up, and says, "I should probably go back by the hospital to wait for the news... Will you come with me Puff?"
It’s not like she’s going to be able to sleep right now. “Sure. Cross’ll love seeing a few friendly faces when this is all done with.”
Post by: L1wW on April 14, 2013, 12:56:37 am
So I just woke up in the hospital... what happened anyway?
Okay I tried remembering after a few minutes and I got this:
There was an ambush, I saw Crosshair shooting at an ogre, I ran in to help, when I saw a badger pony to my right... I ran up and tackled him or her... it... I tackled it. It then stabbed me in the guts, that hurt. I shot my crossbow at it in reaction and got it in the leg... then... then a dagger was lodged into the right side of my head... I passed out...
I saw nothing but darkness and felt I was lifted off the ground and carried somewhere... probably the hospital... and then I woke up to write all this.
Man I must love ellipses or something... but... something feels off. I'm going to try to look over myself without moving too much, wouldn't want to mess with these bandages and stuff...
I'm fine, just a few bandages all over me and some stitches on my abdomen... hopefully noth Oh god
Oh god...
My
My right eye is gone!
It's gone!
GONE
WHY ME?! WHY ME?! WHY GODDAMNIT?!
I will never touch alcohol in my life! I will never hunt again! I will pray to a god!
If I can get my eye back and see through it again... goddamnit!
Why should I even care? I was a crappy markspony, I deserve to loose my eye...
I didn't train hard enough, why should I have crystal clear sight if I can't even hit the side of a barn!
I never socialized with anypony ... except the mare with the magical red hat...
Where is she? How is she?
I can't see out of it...
Nothing, darkness... nothing but darkness...
I can't even properly gauge the distance from my hoof to my face with my good and only eye!
Can I still be a soldier? Can I still shoot without depth perception? Is this it?
Will I get kicked out? Can I still protect anypony from danger with just one eye?
I can't change a damn thing, I might as well wait for what the doctor has to say...
Post by: KingStrongbeard on April 14, 2013, 02:51:00 am
It’s been about a week since Crosshair have delivered Crossbow, it’s a miracle that Crosshair survived the operation, and she’s thankful to be there and see her beautiful little foal in her forelegs, squeaking and nuzzling onto her lovingly like that as they both rests on top of the dorm’s roof. The new mother had made a rapid recovery from giving birth to the young unicorn, but the large scars on her from when the doctor cut her open to take the foal out might take years to heal, if at all.
Looking down at the ponies going about their days, Crosshair sighs softly and rests her muzzle close by for her daughter to play with and snuggle onto. “I wonder.. if Flam’s really is okay with the scar..” She muttered out loud. “It’s.. pretty big.. and pretty ugly.. I hope he doesn’t.. hate me for it.” Crosshair continued, her foal giggled as she boops her mother’s nose, producing a little smile from the mare.
“What do you think, Crossbow? Would Daddy still love mommy?” She asked the young foal
“Goo!” answered Crossbow with a giggle as she made spit bubbles. It only produce more smiles and endless happiness for her mother.
Crosshair then lowered her head again to rest on her forelegs with Crossbow snuggling close. “Maybe daddy deserves somepony that’s not.. as damaged as mommy.. nopony likes damaged goods afterall..” she muttered some more as she idly watches the town. Temperance going to his office, Puff taking a break.. Maize out in the field.. Praetorian drilling his spear ponies.. her marksponies practicing using the targets.. Flamberge flying towards her.. wait.
Crosshair got up as she sees that, still carrying her foal with her and turned around to take the air. But it wasn’t fast enough
Flamberge lands on the roof and says, “Here you are Crosshair. I’ve been looking for you. Not like you to sit up here alone. What’s going on?”
Crosshair tuck her wings back to herself and turned around to face her stallion again, giving him a weak smile as she let little Crossbow onto the floor, who happily squeaks and goos as she crawls over to her father to nuzzle onto his forelegs lovingly. “Oh, um.. I’m just.. relaxing, with Crossbow, is all..”
Flamberge lifts Crossbow up off the ground with his forehooves, hovering and lifting her above his head. Then sitting back down on the ground with his daughter in his grasp.
He looks to Crosshair, then quirks an eyebrow as she seemed uncomfortable.
“Is something wrong Cross?” he asks.
Crosshair turned her head to the side and down slightly. “No! of-of course not..” She lied.
Flamberge places Crossbow on his back, holding her between his wings as he approaches Crosshair, “You shouldn’t lie to me Crosshair. I can tell when something is bothering you, now what is it?”
Crosshair let out a deep sad sigh, lowering herself slightly closer to the floor, her wings and head lowered, her ears flopped down “It’s just that... I’m scared that you wouldn’t love me so much anymore.. I’m.. damaged..”
Flamberge looks slightly confused, “Damaged? What do you mean? Did something happen?”
“I’m.. not pretty anymore..” she whimpered. “I have this big ugly scar on my stomach!”
Flamberge moves forward and kisses Crosshair on the cheek, he then takes Crossbow off his back and holds her in his forehooves between them, “That is nonsense Crosshair. You are as beautiful as the day we met. I don’t care about some scar, I care about you, and about Crossbow.”
Crosshair looks up, holding their foal together with him and perking her ears “Really?” she asked with little tears in the corner of her eyes.
“Of course,” he replies, “And when I see that scar, I will always remember that you got it bringing my wonderful little filly into the world, and how could I hate you for that?”
Flamberge nuzzles Crosshair and then their foal.
Crosshair beamed up from that, wiping away her tears as she nuzzles him and their foal aswell. Making their young little unicorn squeaks and giggles happily, snuggling onto both of her parents’ muzzles.
Flamberge looks up at Crosshair sadly, “And besides,” he touches a forehoof to his face, where the dragon struck him, “I’ve got plenty of scars now too...and you still love me...don’t you?”
“Fully.” Answered Crosshair with a beam as she nuzzles onto him as well as her daughter, beaming their love for him.
Flamberge frowns, “But, you don’t find me as attractive now, do you?”
Crosshair runs a hoof along his scar gently “You’re as Attractive to me now as you were when we first met.. maybe more, even. You’ve got this scar defending Duskfield, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
“Thank you Crosshair,” replies Flamberge before he kisses her tenderly on the lips. They hold the kiss for a few moments before little Crosshair starts to make sounds as if trying to get her parents’ attention.
“I think it’s time I feed our little Crossbow.” Said Crosshair with a smile as she carefully and gently takes Crossbow from her father’s hold.
Flamberge allows her to take Crossbow from him, and asks, "Should we take her inside, so you can have a bit of privacy then?"
Crosshair nodded, giving her daughter and Flamberge a soft nuzzle “Mmhmm, we should.” She replied before hopping down from the roof, using her wings to glide herself down to the floor again. Crossbow giggled and squeaked all the way down.
Flamberge follows behind happily, smiling as his daughter laughs.
Post by: Telgin on April 14, 2013, 11:32:42 pm
It'd been about a week since Convalescence was elected mayor, but the timing of Elixir's birth had spared her of needing to take up her new job immediately. Even though the idea of leadership was new to her, her concern as she walked along the road through Duskfields was what she was going to say to Temperance when she reached his office. More than the new responsibilities she would have, for the moment she felt vaguely anxious about how Temperance would take this. The last thing she wanted was for him to think that she didn't appreciate what he'd done so far. "Still," she thought "if they want me as mayor, I'll have to live up to that," Finally, she stood in front of the door to his office, lifted a hoof, and knocked.
Temperance sighed at the books he was tending to. Without looking up, he said, “Come in.”
Convalescence slowly opened the door, and walked into the office. Trying to smile she says, “Hey, Temperance, how have you been?”
He recognized the voice as she spoke, and looked up, sliding the books aside. “Oh, uh, hello, Convalescence. I’m fine, how are you?” he said, forcing a small smile of his own.
“Oh, I’ve been good. How are Mountain and Morning Dew?” she asks.
“They’re doing well, thank you. How about Patches, Mittens and Elixir?” he mirrored, taking the moment to try and even his tone a bit.
“I’m glad to hear it, and they’re all doing well too,” she replies sincerely. “Maybe sometime we could arrange a playdate for Mittens and Mountain...” she trails off, awkwardly trying to keep the small talk going.
He nods. “Yeah, I think she’d like that. There aren’t many foals her age to play with.” He takes a deep breath. “I’m sure you could use a small break of looking after Mittens too, with the new baby and all.”
Her smile more genuine now, she replies “Yes, that I could. Thankfully, I have Patches around for that,” She stops for a moment, then says not unkindly, “We should talk about why I’m here,”
“Ah, yes. What’s on your mind?” he asks, having a good suspicion already.
“Well, I’m sure you’ve heard about the election by now, and we have to talk about what it means,”
That was what he was expecting, and he fails to completely contain a disappointed look on his face. “Oh, yes. Yes, we probably should.” He takes a deep breath and sits back. “To tell you the truth... it’s kind of negotiable what it means. As mayor, your most important job is being the face of Duskfields. So if we ever got any diplomats or other important arrivals, they’d be speaking with you now, not me.
“Other than that... technically mayors can exercise about as much control over civil matters as they want. Anything from city planning, such as where buildings go, all the way down to balancing our budget and allocating specific resources.” He drops a hoof on a notebook in front of him. “If I’m honest, there’s not a lot of any of that to really do here. Not compared to somewhere like Coupledye anyway.”
“I see...well then I won’t need to worry about any of that,” she says. Then she lets out a sigh, “Look, when they told me that I was elected mayor I was probably as surprised as you were. None of us would even be out here if it wasn’t for you and the others, and as far as I’m concerned this is still your town, I’m just helping you run it. You still want you job as manager and bookkeeper, right?”
Temperance looks down. After a short while, he replies, “It’s all I know how to do.”
“Don’t feel bad,” she tells him reassuringly. “Personally, I’m lucky to have somepony around who’s so good at organizing things, I know I couldn’t. This wouldn’t be possible without your talents,”
“Thanks,” he says with a small, slightly sad smile. He shrugs and adds, “It seems everypony wants you as mayor though. That means something too.”
“I guess it does. Can’t say I know much about making decisions for a town, or talking to diplomats, but I’ll just have to give it my best. So, is there anything going on that I should know about before I start the job?” she asks.
He thinks for a moment, tapping a hoof on his desk. “It’s been the same list of things for about as long as I can remember, actually. Mostly making sure that the carpenters are working toward getting new housing put up since there’s an eternal demand for it. Other than that, there’s a constant stream of little things that have to be kept up. Making sure food and seed stocks are good and similar logistics.” He points at a map behind him and adds, “Occasionally a new building or something needs to be put up or renovated, but that’s rare enough that I doubt you really need to worry about it right now.”
After another brief pause, he adds, “Things are pretty calm right now, but after attacks, I generally see a lot of Flamberge and him requesting tweaks to one of a dozen things.” He makes a nervous smile. “So you’ll probably be talking with him a bit more.”
“Oh, I don’t know him well myself, but Patches seems to think highly of him. I’ll talk to him since we’ll be working together then,” she replies. “Well, it seems like everything is in order then. When we can spare the workers it’d be nice to have a small office for me to meet with ponies, but until then a desk in the hospital should do just fine.”
He nods. “Of course. We should have an opening soon for that I dearly hope.” He sweeps his hooves across the room they’re in and adds, “If you need an office before then, feel free to use mine. If I’m not here, it’s yours. If I am, just poke me and I’ll get out of the way.”
“Haha, thank you,” she laughs, glad that the tension from earlier is gone. “Okay then, I think that’s everything. I’ll talk to you soon,” she says as she turns to leave and then stops abruptly. “Oh! There is one thing: the hospital needs soap as soon as possible,”
His eyes widen a bit as he realizes he’s forgotten that again. “Oh... yes...” He opens his notepad and flips back a few pages before circling something in a large and impossible to miss stroke. “I’ll get on that right now.” He gives her another small smile. “See? You’re already doing a good job.”
Smiling at the compliment, she says “Thanks. I’ll see you later then,”
“Alright, see you,” he says, waving her off. That went better than he expected, at least. He even felt a little better now. Working with Convalescence was probably going to be a good thing after all.
Post by: Fr0stByt3 on April 15, 2013, 07:05:02 am
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa176/Kryptid/SteelRivetAv_zps696f9230.png)
Entry 1
Okay. So, today is the 18th of Hematite, year is 171. I think. So, Temperance is no longer the 'official' mayor of Duskfields. Right. As if we don't know that he'll still be running everything. Besides, I wouldn't want any other pony behind the wheel. I trust Temperance. So far.
Entry 2
Today is 11 Malachite 271. A hundred years later than I thought it was. Oops. I have no idea how I was off by that much. But, I'm getting sidetracked. Crosshair had her foal today. A little filly named Crossbow. Crosshair didn't do so well, or so I heard. She lost a lot of blood. I have faith though, both in the doctor and in my tools.
Entry 3
9 Galena. I knew this peace was too good to last, and I was right. They've come back. The badger ponies that is, not the discordants. Nopony was
The writing here is shaky and hard to read
I spoke too soon, it seems. Sanctuary is dead. Stabbed in the head. Another one gone. Another one brutally murdered. Another one I COULD HAVE SAVED! No more. This has gone on long enough. I've used this hammer to create. Now, I'll use it to destroy. It's time I did something, for once. I used to be a warrior, or so the voice tells me. It tells me many things. It tells me what runes to use when I make tools, when I make a weapon, when I make armour. It's never lied, and so I have no reason to doubt it.
Entry 4
25 Galena. Discordants have returned. Let them come. No more will die because of my inaction.
Entry 5
26 Galena. More came. Militia destroyed them. A mare had her leg broken and eye bitten out. I know what it's like to be blind....
Entry 6
18 Limestone. Hospital empty. Good news. Between work and training, not enough time to eat or write. Apologies.
Post by: Pokon on April 15, 2013, 03:58:44 pm
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Wood%20Chips%20Avatar.png)
Entry 7
SmoothBlock and I are a couple, I suppose. I mean, we eat and even sleep together occasionaly, so there's that. I know I love the mare.
Ti's a pity why I didn't talk to her when we first came to this little place.
Also, there was a dragon or something. I was in bed during that time, head hurt a lot, but otherwise nothing bad seemed to have happened of note.
Entry 8
Nightmare, again. Going to see the priest, or perhapes Serenity.
SmoothBlock is as darling as ever.
Entry 9
There was a vote today regarding who should be mayor. I voted for Temperance, but it seemed as if Convalescence won our littler popularity contest. Flamberge looked rather smug at it all, not liking the look on his face. One would think that with his wife looking as if she was carrying a bowling ball in her midsection he could spend some time with her. How can she even fly? It boggles the mind.
Entry 10
These ponies! Convalescence foaled again. I can apprecate young love, but still.
Entry 11
SmoothBlock got a major work order today, and she's dealing with water as well. We had a fine meal together.
On another note, I feel guilty about the bowling ball comment, as apparently Crosshair had issues with her labor. Never seen a more stressed stallion in my life.
Entry 12
A little acomplishment in my life was made today: every pony now has a bed to sleep on, beds made out of wood cut with my own axe. I feel...happy.
On another note, apparently SmoothBlock is literaly the only pony here who knows about masonary. I really do feel special, at least today.
NOTE:Another pony gave birth, and there's a score of migrants now. Time to pick up my axe again. I pity the trees.
Entry 13
A giant ogre attacked. It had a single eye, and was seemingly seeking out ponies to kill. Even worse, it seemed to be leading some more badgerponies. Luckaly, they all went down.
But the priest died as well.
Entry 14
A pony tried to kill Cream Puff. The issue is, I knew him. His name was Ground Stomper. He was one of them. This is very, very bad. I don't want to know why ponies that far west are trying to steal our things.
I fear for my life, as well as SmoothBlock.
Entry 15
Another bad dream, and something worse.
Chaos-touched ponies attacked a group of ponies hauling stone. SmoothBlock was in that group.
She wasn't injured, but poor Pepper Flakes was bit in the eye and Prodd might be dead as of this writing. Amug damn them to the foulest pits in the lower depths of the hells. I cannot stand for this. I am going to talk to Temperance about this. About everything.
Entry 16
Good news and bad news. The good news is that Maize is leaving, along with her husband. The bad news is that Morning Dew apparently had a rough time with her labor.
Post by: L1wW on April 16, 2013, 12:16:32 am
Prodd perked up when he saw the doctor walk over. He didn’t enjoy being in a hospital bed very much.
“How are we doing today, Mr. Prodd?” Case Study tried to sound positive, but he knew that Prodd was no doubt grieved with his newly acquired disability.
“...Fine I guess... but... what do I do about my eye?” Prodd asks with a worried tone.
Case cleared his throat, “Oh yes, that...well I don’t think there is a need to worry about complications. It will probably heal as best as it can without complications.” Then it was time to state the obvious, “Of course, there is the unfortunate fact that your sight in that eye will not return. I’m afraid it was too badly damaged to be completely regenerated using the potion.”
“...Oh... I figured as much... explains why I can’t see out of it...” Prodd said. “Will I still be able to function... as a markspony?” He didn’t want to lose both his eye and his job.
He paused for a moment and pondered the question, “To give you the short answer, yes, you should still be able to maintain your current employment. You will be disadvantaged compared to other marksponies due to a lack of stereoscopic vision, however. Plus, being blind on one side could make it easier for an enemy to sneak up on you. It’s not going to be an easy transition, but with enough training, you should still be able to learn how to deal with having one eye.
Prodd thinks it over, living a life with one eye. “Do... do you got any tips? About... the transition?” He asks, his voice wavering slightly, almost on the verge of tears.
The blue stallion was saddened by Prodd’s tone of voice, “...I suppose my first suggestion would to try to do the basic things in life first. Learn to walk, pick things up, and eat with the one eye. You need to train your brain to take up this new norm before forcing it to deal with such a complicated task as hitting a target with a bolt. Once you are used to this new lifestyle, shooting should be easier.”
“...Alright.” Prodd says, feeling he should at least try to cope with it. “...So should I stay in the hospital or can I... go home?”
“You’re not in any critical condition at the moment. You can be excused from the hospital today, and then asked to take it easy for a week. I’m not concerned about any of your injuries becoming worse.”
“Okay then...” Prodd said. He slowly gets out of the hospital bed and tries to get used to his new blind spot. “Thanks for patching me up... Case.”
“It’s my duty. I would do nothing less,” he nodded as he waved Prodd a farewell.
Prodd dipped his head respectfully and headed home, hopefully he wouldn’t bump into anyone.
Post by: Iceblaster on April 17, 2013, 12:04:24 am
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Wood%20Chips%20Avatar.png), (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Prodd%20Avatar.png), and (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Lightning%20Runner%20Avatar.png) with (http://i.imgur.com/ST9i3RX.png)
Prodd was bored off his ass once more, and so he was found shooting the target... again. He still hasn’t gotten that bullseye, but hey, one day right? “Goddamnit...” He sighed under his breath, barely missing the center of the target. Prodd was just about to take another shot when he heard a pony approaching him.
“Hey Prodd, I’ve been trying for a while too, and ya know,” Lightning Runner trotted into his view, “,lets make this a bit of a game, first one to get a bullseye gets bragging rights”
“...H-how do you know my na-” Prodd said before being interrupted by a unicorn passing by.
Wood Chip was humming a little tune, several jugs of “bad” swamp whisky clinking on his back. He noticed the oddest sight: two militiaponies standing around over a target, but neither had weapons. “Er, hello there.”
“Oh hey...” Lightning began, unsure of his name “What’s your name again?”
Prodd hovers around in the background and retrieves his crossbow, paying no attention to the newcomers.
Wood Chip looks at the stallion picking up a crossbow intently, and turns to the blue pony closer to him. “Oh, my name’s Wood Chip. What’s your’s. Sorry, I don’t think we have talked much.”
“It’s fine, Name’s Lightning Runner” Lightning replied “Just a question... where are you taking that Swamp Whiskey?”
Wood Chip chuckles lightly. “Oh,this? This didn’t pass SmoothBlocks, heh, taste tests. I was going to move it away from the central food stockpile to the emergency one. Why do you ask? Want to try?”
“Sure, might as well. Sweet Potato tells me to cut loose more and what better way than having a drink with a new acquaintance”
Prodd goes back to shooting the target, ignoring everything around him.
Wood Chip uses his magic to set a bottle of the brew on a stump for Lightning, but cranes his neck to the odd pony shooting at the target. “Is he...alright? He looks kind of dazed. Sure he’s good with that crossbow?”
“Last time I saw him, he was fine... so I don’t know, want me to check with him real quick?”
“I don’t have a problem...” Prodd mumbles. He shoots, and hits an inch below the center. He doesn’t say anything else.
Wood Chip leans his head over near Lightning. “He looks like he has a problem.”
Prodd reloads the crossbow and prepares to fire again.
“If you’re that worried, I’ll go check” Lightning turned towards Prodd “Hey, Wood Chip here thinks you have a bit of a problem, not saying that you do of course” Lightning said, trying to be as tactful as possible.
Wood Chip gulps.
Prodd lowers the weapon and turns to face Lightning. He rolls his visible eye and goes back to shooting.
Lightning turned back to Wood Chip “I think he’s just trying to get a bullseye or whatever, now where were we” Lightning picked up his bottle with his wing
Wood Chip was mildly surprised at Lightning's ability to pick up things with his feathers, but he shrugged it off. “Fair enough.” He looks at the stallion for a few moments, and shrugged. “You know, I am not usually the sort who would ask this, but I personally think the stuff I am carrying is fine enough. Want to have a hit at it before it gets sent away to some dusty corner in this place?”
“Sure, let’s be sure not to drink it all, we don’t need someone chewing us out about this”
Prodd clears his throat. “...Shouldn’t we store that away... in case of emergencies or something?”
“I don’t think we would be in a bad enough emergency where we would drink booze instead of water”
Wood Chip shrugged. “Well, we could, but this is just the results of her hobby. It an’t really fort property.”
“...Whatever” Prodd mutters, firing his last shot before going to retreive more ammo.
“Come on, cut loose a bit” Lightning said, quickly galloping to his side
Wood Chip steadily trots over to a little out of the way building that was once built for holding seeds when the settlement was first started. “Well, let’s do it in the shade, anyway, Swamp Whisky is bad hot.”
“...Am I being dragged into this?” Prodd asks.
“Depends” Lightning answers... sort of
Wood Chip just keeps moving to the little place at near the outskirts of the fort, and gently opens the door on it. Three rows of benches, a few spare seed barrels, a little hatch that held a little cool room with a few wines, and nothing else. The perfect little break room. “Come on in, this is where it’s ending up anyway.”
“Oh yay, we don’t even have to explain why some of its missing” Lightning sat on a bench “You sure you don’t wanna drag Prodd in here?” Lightning asked, implying Wood knew who Prodd was
“...Sorry, who’s dragging whom in?” Prodd asks, walking into the little shack.
Wood Chip looks at the grumpy stallion wearly, but nevertheless levitates the stack of bottles on the middle bench. “Suppose you are both marksponies, right?”
“Yes, and?” Lightning asks “You want tips? There are these notches on the crossbow and you estimate the distance from you and your tar-” Lightning said before being cut off
Prodd glares at the pegasus mid-sentence.
Wood Chip stared at the two for a moment, and without turning levitated three decent bottles and uncorked their caps. “Well, I would like to think I know my way with an axe, friend, but thank you. Actually, I am the head of the militia, not like it means much around here.”
“Oh, didn’t know I was talking to the head of the Militia, its an honor... even if the job mostly is pushing papers” Lightning joked
Wood Chip just snorted slightly, and raised his glass closer to his side. “It’s not even that, really. There’s no real organization involved, and Temperance, gods bless his soul, never did much ordering around. I am only the head because I asked.”
Prodd stays silent.
“Prodd, Badger got your tongue?”
Wood Chip started to become concerned. “You okay, mate? Need to say something?”
Prodd looks between the two ponies and levitates a bottle whiskey in front of him. He rolls his visible eye at the two.
“Fine, don’t say anything”
Wood Chip gives the two military ponies a long, low look, and drained half his bottle without even tilting his head.
Prodd takes a small sip of the brew, still looking between the two.
Lightning takes a sip out of his bottle “Wow... this is a bit stronger than I thought it would be”
Wood Chip grinned widely. “Yeah, that’s my mare’s style. Most skilled brewer in the fort, I would imagine.”
Prodd takes a slightly bigger sip after hearing that.
“Sooo... want to tell stories about... things” Lightning suggested
Wood Chip grins slightly. “Why not? It’s not like anyone brought cards or anything.” Wood Chip. slightly embarrassed, coughed slightly and took a long sip from his bottle.
“I would have brought some if I had some warning... though I thought cards was more of a unicorn’s game?” Lightning said, taking another sip from his bottle
Wood Chips face became alert, and smiled like a scholar caught in the middle of preparing a lecture. “Actually, that’s funny you said that. I alway’s heard that the Zebras played it first, and they got it from a Minotaur or something like that. Something with claws, like a dragon anyway.” He took about another bottle, snickering slightly at the mental image of a group of dragons playing cards over a vast hoard.
Prodd finishes off his bottle and grabs another without saying anything.
“How would a Zebra play cards anyway, some voodoo magic or something?” Lightning asks, finishing off his bottle, quickly grabbing another with his wing
“Hooves.” Wood Chip said sagely. “I still wonder how Earth Ponies shoot crossbows with them.”
“Probably some mental willing or some other Earth pony magic” Lightning shrugged “That or they are just like that”
Wood Chip attempts, futily. to pick up a bottle with a forehoof. “You know, I think anypony can do it if they're not actually trying to. Like, how you cannot see plants grow but they still do.”
“Yeah... The only reason I don’t use my hooves is because I trained my wings enough to be able to pick things up... you’d be surprised how many years I spent just learning to move it in any direction other than up and down” Lightning took a sip of his drink
Prodd looks down to notice he’s holding his bottle between his forelegs. He quickly levitates it back to the table with his magic, hopefully before anypony notices.
Wood Chip looks at Lightning, smiles softly, and the entire massive stack of bottles levitate in the air and each individual one begins to do it’s own little arial dance. However, after a few moments, he quickly stacks the bottles up where they were before. “I like to think that I am good with m..magic myself.” He thens set’s himself on a drink from the second bottle of the night.
“I’m surprised this isn’t served all the time... this is really good” Lightning takes a longer sip, finished off his second bottle “Wow... two bottles already out of... enough” Lightning gets another bottle
Prodd nods in agreement with Lightning and grabs a third bottle of whiskey.
“Just hope I’m not wasted and do something I’ll regret later” Lightning takes a sip of his drink
Wood Chip chugs down the whole of his second bottle and quickly brings over another one.
“What can I say, SmoothBlock has a really nice hobby. Actually...” he grins slightly. “You both look like fine, upstanding young lads. Got a special somepony yet? I mean, military and all.”
Prodd looks up slightly. “...It’s... it’s complicated...” He almost whispers. He takes a rather large swig of his drink.
“I do, Sweet Potato, one of the farmers. Funny thing you ask, she said she’s expecting soon” Lightning says “And Prodd, it’s fine it’s a private conversation we’re having.. not like anypony’s spying on us”
Wood Chip laughs. “Well, congrad-ul-lations, Lightning! Now, as for me, my little Smoothie happens to be the mare in my life. You know, we were on the original seven pony team to get this place settled. Our first meeting was quite the adventure.” Wood Chip did not belive that embelishing the truth was bad when it made for good talk.
“The first seven? Wow, you don’t even look like you’ve been here more than a year.” Lightning took a swig of his drink.
“I am not sure if I should take that as a compliment or not. I turned forty last fall, and if anything I feel better than ever. I think it’s the herbs the zebras bring in. SmoothBlock’s the same way. You would think a thick little mare who drinks and smokes like it’s going out of style would look older than she is, but if anything Dusk has done good for us.”
Prodd sips quietly in the background, listening intently on the conversation.
“You do know the Zebras grow more than medicinal herbs and sell them... right?” LIghtning asked, taking a sip of his drink.
Wood Chip frowns a little at what the stallion says, but shakes his head. “No, not eat, drink. SmoothBlock has some old family secrets when it comes to brewing her drinks, and she’s interested in the stuff the zebras bring in a lot. Actually, I am utterly sure that some are magical in the usual sense, Lightning.”
“Oooh, I apologize, its just that I have heard rumors and assume they are true as I don’t think anypony has been to where the Zebra’s farm there crops so... yeah, its just a rumor.” Lightning said, stumbling over his words near the end.
Wood Chip moved on to his fourth drink and nodded at him. “Actually, the zebras almost never farm. Best herbalists on the planet, though. A few from the southern coastal cities used to live in my...old...” Wood Chips face hardened.
“Damn, need to work on my zebra history better...” Lightning took a sip of his drink, almost immediately afterwards, began feeling a bit tipsy
“Where did you come from, before coming to live here Prodd?” Wood Chip said, eyes suddenly blazing and face twisted into a little frown.
Prodd stops mid-sip. “I... I lived a little ways away from Coupledye, living off the land...” He answered.
“You didn’t live in a town?” Lightning asked, finishing off the bottle
“Nope...” Prodd replied.
Wood Chip waved a hoof in front of him oddly, and looked at Lightning as if he was a interesting painting. “What about you, kid?”
“I come from a city, ‘bout the size of Coupledye... I don’t like to discuss exactly what I did, but I did meet Sweet Potato there and spent a couple weeks in training at the local military camp before coming here” Lightning took another bottle, and took a sip from it “I don’t remember the last time I drank this much... now I wish I did this more often..”
Wood Chip just hovered over another bottle and popped it’s top off. “That’s nice, I guess. You know, it’s funny. I spent a really long time trying to get away from my home, but it just keeps coming up to me. It was a small village, a nice little place. Produced wines, you see. But you know what? What’s really funny? Do you want to know the last time I saw another pony from my village?”
Prodd nods while taking another sip.
“Sure why not, whats the harm”
“He tried to sneak in and nearly murdered Cream Puff. His name was Stoneback. Good stallion. Used to be, anyway. Entire village went like...Maize on one of her bad days, as you could understand it. Stayed that way. I was trying to harvest some trees, came back to the village cooking some zebras on a spit and my babysitter gobbling on my little sis.” He began to drink from the bottle and didn’t stop until it was empty.
“WHAT?! Your village ate a zebra a freaking zebra! Your village went Fubar real quick...” Lightning took a sip of his drink.
“ I guess it did. But you know what’s funny? The day...the d...day before, a big red cloud of dust came up from the south. Like the ones that pass through every so often.”
“You think they have some relation...” Lightning’s eyes darted back and forth “If so... If we get whatevered by them... do you think that would happen to us...”
Prodd looks nervously at the other unicorn.
Wood Chip stared angrily at the bottle he had, and did not look up from his reflection. “I know it will. Maize should have had her neck sliced open when she first went into one of her little ‘shocks’, and the priest...Sanctuary is dead. Perhaps it could be moved by infected food and such, plants tainted by chaotic evil. Just...please remember that some....” Wood Chip loses track on what he was saying, and just let’s the bottle roll on the floor.
“Oh Amug... the alchohol is getting to me...” Lightning mumbles, waving his hoof infront of him, his vision blurring a little.
Wood Chip looks at Prodd, almost angrily. “Why were you a hermit? Father a bandit? Mother had one too many and decided to leave one for the crows?”
Prodd glares at Wood Chip for a moment. “...I think I was an only foal... my parents... they passed away when I was little or something... I lived on the streets for a few months and was sent to an orphanage... I grew up eventually and decided to live outside the city limits... ” Prodd explained.
“Did the orphanage treat ya good?” Lightning asked
“I’d assume so... I came out okay...” Prodd answered. “I don’t think I made many friends though...”
“Well, now that you’re here, you’ll make more friends than you ever had” Lightning said
Wood Chip began to ignore the conversation between the other two stallions and just stared intently at one of the bottles, mumbling slightly.Shuda...got her....first heard...little clean cut..slice when she was ‘leep. Before Pret...foal...she left...clean cut.
“So Prodd, ya feel like talking about your special somepony now that the badger gave you tongue back” Lightning chuckled
Prodd glances at Wood Chip for a moment then looks back at Lightning. “Uh... well... I don’t want to say much... she’s stubborn though, and pretty fierce if angered... but... she seems... distant. Not just from me though...”
“She live in a different city? You should send her a letter with the next caravan from Coupledye telling her to stop by here, I’d love to meet her” Lightning said, taking a sip from his bottle
“...I didn’t say that...” Prodd mumbles. He looks back to Wood Chip.
Wood Chip barely lifts his head from it’s low position, glazed eyes resembling that of a cow. “Love hardly...matters around here if you don’t show it...Pr...Prodd. Who’s the mare. Or stallion. We are a accep-pting bunch here.”
Prodd thinks for a moment. “She... she already lives here... and... she doesn’t want to be found.” He says while quickly taking another drink.
“She lives here? What’s the lucky mare’s name?” Lightning asked
Wood Chip cuts in. “Now, Lightning, what if the lucky colt’s friend isn’t a mare, or even a pony?” He stares at the ceiling for a few moments before shrugging and looking at Prodd expectingly.
Prodd glares at Wood Chip for the umpteenth time. “She’s a mare... and I-I already said too much...” He spits out the last few words.
Wood Chip grins, somewhat nastily. “Now, hold on there. You can’t just say something like that in front of the leader of the militia and not expect to tell the whole story. I won’t tell anypony else if it-ts not a big deal, but you need to tell me before I get, you know, curious and all. Flamberge...el, you know what he would do to subordinates who dunn’a tell the whole truth.”
“W-wood... I don’t think Prodd w-would feel comfortable sharing t-that information if it means that much” Lightning took another sip of his drink.
Prodd starts glaring at Wood Chip again and remains silent while finishing his fourth drink.
Wood Chip’s faux smile quickly fades into something foul. “I am not kidding, Prodd. I am NOT kidding ri...right now! As captain of the militia, I have the complete authority to make
citizen's arrests. You know what those are, Prodd? Not one has been made in Duskfield yet, but that could change right NOW if you do not simply tell me a simple little piece of information.”
Prodd continues to glare. “...You’re implying I even know her *HIC* name!” He hiccups mid-sentence in his slightly drunken speech.
“You *HIC* just said she lived here... y-you don’t have a marefriend and not know her name” Lightning asks, very confused at the information he has just received.
Wood Chip leans back on his bench, and hovers a hoof over the bottle he put on the ground earlier. He just watch’s Prodd intently.
Prodd notices Wood move a hoof under the table. “You *HIC* you know what I love ‘bout her? You *HIC* you... jackasses, couldn’ find her ‘ere no matter how hard you *HIC* tried!” He slurs out, looking at his discarded crossbow on the floor beside him.
“‘Course we couldn’t find ‘er*HIC*... unless we decided to ask*HIC*everyone around here” Lightning says.
Prodd slurs, “HAH! You’d *HIC* you’d ask all the wrong ponies!” He laughs like a drunken moron for a few moments and smirks.
Wood Chip smiles slightly, and levitates three corked bottles of swamp whisky into the air, a few feet or so above Prodd. With a sound like an internal explosion, all three bottles transform into clouds of glass shards and foul liquid...and mash together into a whirling red-tinted whirlwind above the stallion, not a single drop spilled. The little pieces clinked and sloshed around each other threateningly. “Lightning, you are a decent stallion, right? Was Prodd resisting arrest?” Wood Chip said mildly.
“No *HIC* if he was resisting *HIC* He would already be on the ground” Lightning grins
Prodd stealthily and drunkenly levitates his crossbow underneath the table and aims it in the general direction of the other unicorn.
“Lightning, Sweet Potato is a nice lass, right? She’s probably still tired right now. Wouldn’t it be terrible if she had to suffer through a scandel like, oh, her husband and a associate having a midnight mare to ride that nopony even know’s lives in this fort? I have to ask again, is Prodd resisting arrest?”
Lightning grins, obviously drunk “Who do*HIC*you have in mind?” He asks before turning towards Prodd “Thought I heard somethin’.. must’ve been my head...”
Prodd glares between the two ponies, he’s planning something. The crossbow remains tucked away under the table.
Wood Chip groans suddenly, and the swirling orb of sharp death is flung to the far side of the wall. Unceremoniously, he falls backwards over his bench without so much as a grunt.
“*HIC*W-we should... put the rest away...*HIC*Being yelled at wouldn’t be my*HIC*idea of a good time...” Lightning suggests
Prodd gently lowers the crossbow to the floor. He silently nods in agreement with Lightning.
Wood Chip simply curls into a fetal position, eyes wide like a deer, talking lowly to himself and pawing at the floor slightly.
“Though... It couldn’t hurt to have one more round...” Lightning grabs one last bottle with his wing
Prodd looks at Wood Chip on the ground and then looks back to Lightning. He shakes his head and picks up his crossbow.
Wood Chip still lies there, talking to himself.
“Come on... Wood *HIC* one more round?” Lightning got off the bench, stumbled around before getting his balance on a wall
Prodd gestures to the door. He slings his crossbow on his back and lifts Wood Chips onto his shoulder and makes for the exit. After stumbling around he gestures for Lightning to follow.
Lightning got his crossbow, clumsily putting it on his back, following Prodd to wherever they were going.
Wood Chip still talked to himself, and if anyone bothered they could tell he was scared half to death.
Prodd looks up to see the moon directly above him. The night was still somewhat young but dark enough to hinder vision. He carries the mumbling unicorn over to the well and lets him go for a swim, ready to levitate the unicorn out just in case.
Wood Chip opens his mouth, and tastes blood. He half-heartedly beats against the pool around him only to find he is in a nightmarish hole where bones were used for mortar. He whimpers slightly and begins to pray for any god, anything, in the bottom of his heart.
Prodd lifts Wood out of the water, waits a second, then dunks him back in and repeats this process. He chuckles to himself.
Lightning chuckled also, trying to keep himself from waking anypony from their sleeps, Amug knows how grumpy anypony could be if they didn’t get their sleep.
Wood Chip tries to scream, but only let’s out a choked gurgle when he see’s his old crush pull him out of the blood pool, laughing at his expense as she brushes of the lifeblood he was soaked in. He closes his eyes, hoping for the nightmare to end.
Prodd looks at the scared unicorn when he comes out. He considers taking him out and stopping... but then he dunks him again.
“H-hey P-prodd... Ya think we should*HIC*pull ‘im out?” LIghtning asked
Wood Chip could not respond to Lightning, still screaming.
Prodd hears Lightning and finally pulls Wood Chip out and lays him on the ground beside the well. He gestures for Lightning to come over.
“Yes?” Lightning trotted up to Prodd
Wood Chip looks at the sight of his sister and his former crush come close together, nearly touching, bodies slick with lifeblood. He watches in horror as the older mare gestures slyly to the younger one, and becomes crushed when his sister all but slinks over to her.
Prodd points to Wood’s face and chuckles. He shakes Wood a bit to wake him up.
Lightning chuckles also before shaking Wood too “What if he doesn’t*HIC* wake up?”
Wood Chip keeps his eyes closed and tries to still his breathing, in hope that he will not be forced to continue watching the blasphemy playing out before him.
Lightning gets the bright idea of getting some water “I-I’ll be right back...” Lightning galloped drunkenly to the bucket stockpile and grabbed a bucket in his mouth. He galloped back and got some water from the well into the bucket, as best as he could being drunk and all, and poured it on Wood Chip’s head “I t-think he should be up soon...”
Wood Chip’s mouth was still open slightly, so he sprung forward in shock, finding that pints of cold, slippery blood simply rained from the sky onto his head. Turning around, shaking in fright and gagging on the coppery liquid, he finds his little sister standing nearby, the handle of a filthy, rusted bucket overflowing with the dark red liquid in her mouth. Sea Breeze just looked at him and licked the front of a hoof slowly, as if to mock him for his inability to do anything but stand and cry.
“Wood... Let’s get home, we don’t need anypony finding us*HIC* out this late, with you passed out on the ground” Lightning said, confused at his shocked look on his face
Prodd taps Lightning on the shoulder and does a drunken impression of a dying badger pony.
Wood Chip watch’s in utter disbeliving shock as Sea Breeze begins to rub on his sister’s withers, elicting a array of terribly pleased sounds from both.
Prodd rolls around on the ground pretending to be stabbed in the kidney and makes gurgling sounds.
Lightning drunkedly laughs at Prodds display.
Wood Chip looks at the ongoing scene of sanity-blasting horror going on between his sister and her murderer, and his body, mercifully, locked up and promplty became dead to the world.
Prodd stops mid-writhe and points at Wood with a shocked look on his face.
“*HIC*Let’s just... take him h-home...” Lightning tries to pick up Wood, but is unable to “You get ‘im”
Prodd shrugs and stumbles over. He tries to flip Wood over onto his front to get better leverage.
Lightning grabs onto Wood “On 3.. 1... 2...” Lightning begins to lift “3”
Wood Chip, while seemingly passed out, was not in fact dead to the world. He could still feel what was happening around him. More importantly, he could feel that he was being lifted off the ground by the two mares. His mind, somewhat out of focus, could only process that his sister was still alive.
Prodd shakes a bit under Wood Chip’s squirming and murmuring. He gives Lightning a questioning glance.
“Sh-should we take him to Case tomorrow?” Lightning asks
Wood Chip merely hears the two ponies carrying him chitter and giggle in a bastardized version of the common tongue, and moans drunkenly for mercy from any god in hearing range.
Prodd gives a questioning glance to Lightning again after hearing faint moaning from the barely conscious unicorn.
“Should I go get somepony?” Lightning asks, looking at Prodd “I don’t*HIC* think we need any, but... if we have to”
Wood Chip suddenly all but cries out the first audiable words he has made in the last few minutes. “Gods...don’t let....dear....sister....knife...oh, kill me first....”
“Wood? You alright*HIC* This is the first time you’ve said something in a while...” Lightning asks
“Sister...stop...she will....oh Nirmek...”
“Sister? Who are you talking about? It’s me Lightning... the Markspony*HIC* You shared a few brews with” Lightning motioned for Prodd to set Wood Chip down.
Prodd drops Wood Chip down, curiously staring at the raving unicorn
“Don’t..die...again...run...sister...don’t...oh Amug! Avel! Nirmek! Anyone....please....my little...don’t let her...die...” Wood Chip all but cries out, words somewhat muffled by the bloody taste in his mouth and the tears running down his face.
“Wood, its LIghtning not*HIC*Your sister... Its okay, me and Prodd are trying to help you” Lightning was annoyed, oblivious that Wood Chip wasn’t hearing what he was saying.
Prodd steps back away from Wood and observes from a distance.
Wood Chips curled himself into a tight ball in an attempt to somehow get the droning voice of the mockery of his sibling out of his head. Quiet, now, he puts both of his hooves over his forhead in a interlocking position snuggly and attempts to ignore the outside world entirely until he wakes up.
Lightning opened his mouth to say something before being interupted by a voice that didn’t belong to anyone in the group of three
“Lightning*sigh* What are you doing out here... I thought you and the Militia were doing late night drills, but from what it looks like, your were out drinking” Sweet Potato said, annoyed beyond belief.
“I-I-I can explain...” Lightning said, stumbling over his words
Prodd slinks into the shadows.
Wood Chip off-handedly chokes out something muffled, but involved the phrases “Murder” and “Don’t die, little sister “.
“And you went and got somepony drunk out of their mind*sigh*I thought we left Fruitholds to get away from this” Sweet Potato nagged
“B-But... I don’t t-think he’s drunk though...” Lightning said, looking to the ground
“Blood...so much...why.....” Wood Chip whispered loudly, begining to shake slightly.
“Wood, get up... we have to get you to bed and I have to get home” Lightning said
“Wood is it? Come on get up... I’ll get case in the morning and we can fix whatever is wrong” Sweet Potato said, shifting emotions from angry to cheery
Wood Chip actually got up on all fours, only to sit up on his back legs and stare at nothing. “Please...dont...my little...she’s...can be....gods why....”
Prodd watches what’s unfolding from a convenient bush while trying not to laugh.
Sweet Potato put a hoof on Wood Chip’s shoulder(?) “What happened to your sister...” Sweet Potato asked
Wood Chip might have been lucid or not, but neverless he responded to her in a way, monotone and emotionless. “Why...why...why not...she was so...that...b...monster of a..mare...she wasn’t even...the bitch ate you alive....don’t die again...don’t let her trick you....!”
Prodd is on the verge of laughing himself to the point of tears.
“Oh my... this is serious...” Sweet Potato said, sounding very worried “We need to get you home immediately”
Wood Chip flinchs slightly at the sound of Sea Breeze laughing at him, but continues to mumble. “Temp.....Maiz.....Smooth...block, I am so...sor..sorry...for this...don’t...”
Prodd suddenly blows his cover and lets loose drunken laughter from the nearby bush.
Sweet Potato gives glare that would make a cockatrice run “You sir, are being very rude... this stallion is having traumatic flashbacks and you are laughing? Have you no shame!”
Prodd’s laughing is interrupted when he vomits all over the ground. “...S-s-sorry” He drunkenly coughs out.
“That’s better” Sweet Potato said
Wood Chip all but whimpers at the sound of his tormenter, and completely lays his head on the ground, covering his ears with his hooves as he struggles out some hasty prayers for mercy for the ponies in the fort.
“Come on Wood, I’ll help you home” Sweet Potato said, smiling faintly.
“D-do...do not...Sm-moothBlock...she’s...to..wouldn’t...under...wouldn’t...get..pl-please Avel...”
“Smoothblock? Avel? Who are you talking about sweetie?” Sweet Potato said
“Sweet Potato... leave this to me...” Lightning says
“No, you caused this and you barely look like you can stand up straight!” Sweet Potato barked
Prodd salutes Sweet Potato and hauls Wood Chip onto his back.
“Lightning, head back to the house, I’ll get to you later” Sweet Potato turned back to Wood Chip and Prodd “Let’s go, We can talk to him when we get home”
“Yes Ma’am!” Prodd says, he still sounds drunk and a trail of vomit is visible at the corner of his mouth.
“Wood honey, we’ll talk about what’s got you down when we get to your house” Sweet Potato said “You, I assume you were at his house, so you should be able to show me there” Sweet Potato said to Prodd
Prodd shrugs and carries Wood Chip as he walks over to the shack they drank at previously.
Wood Chip said little else,only flinching when he felt the rough hooves of Sea Breeze pick him up roughly.
“Get him onto a bench, don’t put him down harder than you need to, he doesn’t need anymore stress than he is already in” Sweet Potato said
Prodd approaches carefully, but unfortunately tripped and took a header into the wall while Wood Chip collapsed remarkably onto the bench like intended. “...ow” Prodd winced.
“For the love of Amug...” Sweet Potato put a hoof on her forehead “Atleast he landed on a bench”
Prodd shrugs to nopony in particular and starts hugging his thankfully unloaded crossbow.
Wood Chip moans, not out of pain, but of shear worthlessness.
“No, no its all okay Wood” Sweet Potato trotted over to Wood Chip and put her hoof on his shoulder “Just let your worries come out, don’t hesitate to tell”
Prodd starts snoring in the background.
Sweet Potato shoots a glance at Prodd
Wood Chip’s ear’s become assaulted with the sound of knives sharpening against each other, but still responds to the vague presence nearby, in a way. “ Why did it...it might..no..must have..followed..couldn’t but...Maize! She...herald...cloud...Cheerfulgrins...Duskfields...why would I be so impo...not really important...never really....I am not worth...”
“Now now, everypony is important, no matter what they do” Sweet Potato put her hoof on Wood’s chin “And if you don’t feel important, then we can change that by you trying something else you might be good at, regardless of its relevance at the time”
Prodd’s snoring gets louder for a moment then fades softly.
Wood Chip does not react to Sweet Potato’s kind actions, and jerks slightly when he hears a knife sink deep into something soft.“She devil...she...doesn’t matter what...can’t...couldn’t...dear sister...demon...all of them...attacking...” Wood Chip wheezes slightly, not out of thirst but out of tiredness. Against all odds, covered in blood and barely able to react to the world around him, he feels sleepy.
“No one matters more than friends and family Wood... No matter who did what and when... you can’t just toss someone away unless they truly did something evil” Sweet Potato smiled, hoping to snap Wood out of his melancholy
Wood Chip, if anything, became more audible. “Don’t...tell...Tem...Tempera....Flamberge...oh Laltur, how will...not Smoothblock.”
“Don’t tell Temperance what?” Sweet Potato asked, moving her head closer, if only to hear what he was saying better
“Not...Smoothblock..she doesn’t...need to get involved. Not...my little...Smoothie.” Wood Chip said, perhaps the first time in the night where he sounded somewhat contented.
“Smoothblock doesn’t need to get involved? Involved in what?” Sweet Potato tilted her head.
Wood Chip’s voice took a turn to the indigent. “Not...in....this...trouble....I...I want...her...we...she needs....my mare...she deserves to be...happy.”
“What trouble?” Sweet Potato said, slightly annoyed, but still keeping her smile.
Wood Chip’s voice took a darker tone, as if another, larger thing was using his mouth to speak through.“....This...place...is...it...it was all...rigged...from...the...it’s already....here.”
“Wha- Rigged from the start? Already here... what’s here?” Sweet Potato asked, losing her smile at the sudden change in pitch
Wood Chip raised his head up, and opened his eyes. Two pools of red ichor with little red pin pricks were revealed to the world. “The true lords of the realm.”
Prodd’s snoring stops in the background.
Sweet Potato forced herself to not throw up at this sight. “Who is this!” She asked, backing up, giving a stern look at... the thing inhabiting Wood Chip.
Wood Chip merely looked at the mare quizzically, and tilts his head to the side. Little inky trails of blackness begin to bleed down his face from his eye sockets. “I am not Wood Chips, mare. However, I am also not many ponies. I am simply claiming what is mine. This land is my kin’s, however, just like the land that Wood Chip claimed was my kins. This world is my kin’s, and they craft the most exquisit of punishments. However, I have some mercy. I have no desire to kill those who are ignorant of their crime of existence, and my people enjoy the ability to make ourselves known. You will live today, mare, as well as little Wood Chip here. However, you will not remember this, nor will he. However, once my own race becomes free from their distractions and games in, say, a decades time, you will either become our servant or die.”
The sound of a crossbow being loaded is faintly heard.
“You... can’t wipe memories! That’s magic even the most skill unicorns couldn’t perform...” Sweet Potato backed up “Even... if you can... Why would I want to be your servant... I don’t even know who you are!”
The ichor fully flees from Wood Chip’s eye sockets, leaving two untouched orbs, and forms a sickly little serpentine shape topped with two red pinpricks that stands oddly on the bench, several little splayed limbs shifting and shuddering to support it’s shifting and shuddering weight. A crown of wormlike horns forms on what might be a head, and several pairs of limbs of varying size form on random parts of its body.
“I am no unicorn, child. To compare my magic to one is to compare a drop of water to the oceans themselves. And while my true name would cause you to crumble to dust, you may learn to fear the name Penumbra, and I suppose Spite and Ravage as well.”
With a little snapping sound, the figure seemingly boils into cold, magical darkness that fills the room.
“What the... Why am I so dizzy...” Sweet Potato collapsed from some unknown force.
Prodd quickly exits the room and waits for the smog to dissipate, his wits have come back to him.
Wood Chip lies there, unmoving. He snores gently.
Sweet Potato soon regained her senses “Uhg... h-how did I get here...” She got up “Why am I out here... I should be home...”
Prodd re-enters the room after the smoke dissipated. “...Hey... your husband is back home, don’t worry... the guard made sure you were safe...” He says.
“Why would I need a guard to keep me safe! Just because I am expecting doesn’t make me any less capable of bucking a pony in the muzzle” Sweet Potato said, feeling insulted
“...It was your husbands request... he’s doing some important work...” Prodd says. “You should go on home...”
“What was so important he had me sent all the way over here?” She asks
“...Crosshair needed some... input on a few strategic locations around the fort...” Prodd lies, “Like sections of the walls and rooftops...”
Feeling satisfied, Sweet Potato heads home while Prodd waves her off. “Man I’m smooth when I’m drunk...” He muses. Prodd checks to see if Wood Chip is still breathing and upon confirming this promptly passes out next to him after a long night of drinking. Tomorrow was going to be a lot of fun...
Wood Chip, perhaps by divine will, slips onto the floor, and stays in a peaceful, dreamless sleep.
Post by: L1wW on April 17, 2013, 12:17:21 am
Prodd managed to get walking with one eye down in under two hours, for that he felt slightly accomplished. However, there was something more important on his mind, something more important than losing his right eye, Redhat. “Why didn’t Redhat come visit me in the hospital...” Prodd murmured. He walked slightly unsteadily to what he believed was Redhat’s house.
The door opened and the pony in question came out, his doggy right behind, he was certain nobody was around, or at least thought so, when he moved down and started to pet his wolf. “Who’s a cute little wolfy?” he happily.
Prodd hears a familiar voice coming from the side he can no longer see. He turns to face it and starts walking.
The pony smiled and rubbed the wolfs big fluffy ears before the thing moved onto it’s back and let red rub its belly. “hmmm... love you bonnet.”
Prodd approaches the two and makes an effort to keep them out of his blind spot. “...You.. forgot.” He said. “Where... where were you?”
The pony jumped up in surprise. “OH! um...” he made an awkward smile and tried to look nonchalant about what he was just doing. “so.... wait? is it talk like a pirate day already?” he said noting the eye patch.
“...No” Prodd says. “I... I needed you...” He whispers, his voice is hoarse and his mane is a wreck, notably his bangs were exposing his normally concealed eye.
“Oh we-... oh buck... um...” he sighed. “I honestly forgot...”
“...” Prodd stays quiet for a moment. “...I woke up... alone and scared...” He moves his hair covering his right eye to show the eyepatch clearly. “It took me a minute to realize this was gone... I needed you...”
He gave off a slight whimper. “Well... I...” He looked down at the ground nervously.
“...I woke up with stitches and bandages covering my entire body...” Prodd says. “I got stabbed repeatedly... then I woke up in the hospital... I needed you!”
“Ugh... Sorry...” The was by far as sincere as the pony could be.
A tear escapes the confines of his eyepatch. “Huh... I didn’t know I could still cry out of it...”
He looked at him for a moment, not really knowing what to say. Bonnet limped over though, and gave him a soft nuzzle.
He smiles weakly and pets the wolf. The smile fades though, knowing he won’t be able to live the life he once had with only one eye. “Why didn’t you visit...?”
He just look at him and opened his mouth, but didn’t say anything, not really knowing how to answer.
“...Can I ask a question... and get a valid answer?” Prodd asks, sniffling a bit.
“Go ahead...”
“...Why... why do you wear a magical hat all the time?” He asks.
He just froze there. “Grrrrrrr” Bonnet picked up on the cue, and gave Prodd a menacing look, but backed down when red rose his hoof. “It’s for personal security...”
Prodd didn’t even flinch when the wolf growled, he’s lost too much in such a short time to care. “I...I figured as much...” He said quietly. “Is... anyone in the fort... after you?”
He gave him a look. “Maybe, and know as a fact they come through every couple months.”
“...Is there anything... I can do...?” Prodd asks, he needed a purpose in life.
“Just please... don’t tell anyone..”
“... I won’t... milady...” He mutters.
“Wha... how do you even know that?”
“...It wasn’t that hard to sense magical entities...” Prodd whispers. “...And... I might have looked into the records during my stay... in the h-hospital... to c-confirm things...”
“... and can every equine with a horn on it’s head do the same?”
Prodd shrugs weakly. “I dunno... I just knew the hat was magical... I inferred the effects based on some observations...”
“Again, don’t you dare tell a soul.” He probably would have beat the pony raw if this was any other situation, but still felt bad for prodd.
“...Don’t worry... I won’t...” Prodd says, he blushes slightly.
“Why is your face growing red?”
“...eh... No reason... just imagining you as a mare...” Prodd jokes.
“... Ugh... am I the only bloody pony in this fort with any class?”
“...Hey, you were entirely clothed if it makes you feel better...” Prodd started to cheer up a bit inside, no longer lamenting over the loss of half his vision.
“... Very well.. but I’ll have you know I’m not some common floozy, or mare of the night.”
“...Well I figured that was true.” Prodd says. “Thanks... whatever your real name is...”
“I would never change my first name, it’s simply too appropriate.”
“...Whatever you say Red.” Prodd says. “So... next time I go to the hospital, will you visit? Probably when I lose my best eye?” He feels slightly surprised he could joke about that.
“I promise, I promise... I wouldn’t want to be hunted down again...”
Prodd laughs. “I think I’m going to shoot the target again... I got to try to get used to this, you know...” He gestures to the eyepatch. “See you around I guess...”
“See you later.” Red said, sighing loudly.
Prodd walks off to the range, feeling generally happier after spending time with Redhat.
The pony kneeled down and taped bonnet on the muzzle. “don’t get aggressive unless I order it.” the dog just whimpered and gave him the puppy eyes. “Ugh...” he couldn’t stay mad at the thing for long.
Post by: Kryptid on April 17, 2013, 12:24:52 am
To say it was winter, the weather had been favorable for most of the day. The cloudless sky produced a cold breeze, rustling the mostly bare branches in the forest surrounding Duskfields. Case Study was itching to get out of confined sterility of the hospital so that he could experience the untamed beauty of nature that he had always appreciated so much. He didn’t want to let the threat of a few discordants or badger pony thieves spoil this opportunity for him. Luckily, the doctor was able to find a member of the guard who was willing to accompany him on his hike. It never did hurt to play it safe.
The two walked along the bank of a stream, periodically making stops so that Case could document some novel plant or bug that caught his eye. “A beetle with a copper shell? That’s a new one on me, especially considering the season.” He wrote notes about the insect as he closely followed its movements along a fallen tree, his lightly grinning face mere inches away from it. Despite his focus, it was not lost on him that he had company, “You are originally from Dawnpick, Ms. Yari? What were things like there? Was the wildlife of such variety and beauty as it is here?”
Yari stared at the beetle and swished her tail idly. “It wasn’t so different, I guess. I never really looked at the bugs that much.” She returned to watching the woods around them, panning her ears around.
He ceased watching the beetle as it disappeared into a crack in the tree’s rotting bark. “Speaking of which, what brings you to our lowly establishment? I hear that Mrs. Virtue’s fort has become quite a successful little town. If anything, I’d hazard a guess that it’s also notably more dangerous here than in Dawnpick.”
Yari didn’t take her eyes off of the woods, but her facial features hardened a bit. “It wasn’t really my choice,” she grumbled almost under her breath. “And in some ways it’s more dangerous here, and in some ways worse in Dawnpick.”
An ear twitched, “So you mean...that your transfer was compulsory?”
She turned her eyes to him, then back to the thick cover of trees around them. “Not compulsory, but it might as well have been,” she said, evidently forcing her tone to be even.
The markspony had momentarily piqued Case’s interest, “If you don’t mind my inquiring, what were the circumstances involved? Forgive me if I’m overstepping my boundaries, it’s just that I’ve only ever known of residents coming here of their own volition.”
Yari finally broke away from watching their surroundings to face Case. “Did anypony ever tell you much about Dawnpick? In particular, the duchess who runs the place, Virtue, is Temperance’s older sister.”
He slowly nodded, “Yes, Mr. Temperance told me a bit about her on our journey to establish Duskfields, although I cannot attest to being an expert on either her nor her residence.”
Yari nodded. “Mmhmm. Well, she’s the sort who worries. A lot. Like, unhealthy levels of it.” She sighed and looked over at the stream. “Anyway, when she found out her little brother was out here, and there were dangerous things that could hurt him, she started worrying...”
It wasn’t difficult for the physician to fill in the blanks, “Oh...I see...and you were sent as an extra measure of protection.” He idly kicked a small stone into the stream, producing an audible ‘plop’ as ripples were generated in its wake. “Did anypony else come with you? Surely she didn’t force you to abandon your family?”
“No,” she said plainly. “I didn’t have any family in Dawnpick. That’s why she picked me. There were at least three others who were a better shot, but they all had family or interests there, so I won the ‘lottery’.”
“I believe I understand now.” The stallion began sketching a stout, brown plant as he continued to speak, “I don’t have any family here in Duskfields myself, so I can sympathize...at least to some extent. I suppose I can’t blame anypony but myself for that. I do miss my parents at times, so I write to them when I can. Neither of them wanted me to come out here. My mother was convinced that it was too dangerous, whereas my father didn’t think I could ever hope to have a successful career out here.”
Yari kept completely still as she said, “I lived in Dawnpick for six years before Virtue sent me here. I haven’t seen any of my family in at least as long. I considered writing, but haven’t since I got here anyway.” She took a deep breath. “Nothing much good to write about.”
Case paused as his mind jumps back to the history of injuries that the residents of Duskfields had sustained over the years, “I suppose you have a point about that. That’s not to say that our luck can’t improve. With each new wave of migrants, our settlement grows stronger and more resistant to the threat of invaders. Your presence will no doubt aid us in this way as well.”
“I guess so,” she said. “This place isn’t so bad, I guess. Just as long as I don’t have to go anywhere near the mine.”
Finished with his drawing, Case closed his sketchbook, “What’s wrong with the mine?” He wondered if, perhaps, she had some fear of the dark.
She started examining her crossbow, as if it had somehow collected some flaw needing her attention in the past minute. “Well, first off Dawnpick was built over an enormous iron mine. You get sick of seeing and smelling it after a while. But really, it’s the things that live down there. I thank every day I wake up and remember they’re not here like they were in Dawnpick.” She sighted the crossbow at a nearby tree. “They make the discordant ponies look like foal’s play.”
“...things?” the stallion parroted, cocking an eyebrow.
“Yeah,” she replied, still staring down the sights of her crossbow. “Nopony knew what to call them. Each was different... but all were enormous. Larger than the giraffes that wandered near Dawnpick. All of them craved blood, too.” She started naming them, “A giant crab with feathers. A monstrous lizard with poisonous vapors. Some weren’t even living things... there was... a giant mud ball... one pony touched it and was paralyzed.” She frowned and set her crossbow down. “She didn’t make it.”
His jaw slackened in amazement, “You’re serious? I’ve heard of creatures similar to those...but only from tomes about urban legends. You’ve actually seen them in the flesh?”
She nodded again. “At least five, personally. I shot at a few, but never got too close to any, which was just fine by me. Captain Halberd slew most of them, but then Captain Glaive got a few too. He actually stopped that crab, just before it killed duchess Virtue.”
Case’s eyes went starry, “I...would be very interested in hearing more about this.” He looks up at the Sun, “Ms. Puff will probably begin cooking soon, perhaps you can tell me more over lunch? Assuming that would be okay with you.”
The tiniest hint of a smile edged onto her face. “I’ve got nothing better to do. But, you probably won’t want to hear about what happened to my old captain Partisan over lunch.”
The doctor hung on her every word as the two headed off towards the tavern. It had been a while since he had heard such an entrancing story, and he wanted all of the details.
Post by: DVNO on April 17, 2013, 03:10:13 am
The day after Flamberge’s talk with Temperance, he finally convinces Crosshair he was well enough to be up and about. His first action was to go and pay a visit to Max Yellowfeather. He arrives, with Crosshair at his side, he dismisses Redhat and Prodd, who were currently the ponies assigned to guard duty, and takes a seat by the bed containing the bird.
Max refuses to look in Flamberge’s direction as he walks in. “Hello, Mr Flamberge.” He said with an ill kept contempt. He instead, kept his attention focused on the window in his room.
Flamberge looks at the griffin and exhales fully, after refilling his lungs, he says, “Maxwell Yellowfeather, I assume you know why I am here.”
He shakes his head. “No, I honestly don’t know why you would be a hundred feet around me ‘bout now.” He glared with an intensity, still looking out the window.
"To put it simply," begins Flamberge, "you are known to have been aware of that dragon's existence long before it's attack, and you kept that a secret. I am here to decide whether or not you are to be held criminally responsible for your actions, as a conspirator against Duskfields. What do you have to say in your defence?"
“Yeah, how about you can go to hell.” Max’s intense glare snaps to Flamberge. “So, kennal mannaðr, you dreyrugr mórðvíg?”
[Gryphonic Translation: So, feel accomplished, you blood-stained murder?]
Crosshair rubbed her temples with a hoof and let out a tired sigh.
Flamberge glares at the birdbrain, "Look, you aren't doing yourself any favors Maxwell. You have Temperance convinced that you are faultless here, but I am the one who will decide your guilt. The beast is dead, whatever it had planned is over, if you tell the whole truth, it will save your neck. Now tell me, did the dragon have any allies besides you? Do I need to be preparing for griffin attacks next?"
“Carnith was a pacifist for Nirmek’s sake!” Max cried out.
"That is seriously the story you are going with, after I watched him slam Temperance into the ground, unprovoked?" replies Flamberge disbelievingly.
“What do you want to hear? That - that Carn and I were conspiring to raze Duskfields? Some sort of a’ vindication fer’ your actions? You won’t find one, no matter how hard you press the screws.”
Flamberge shakes his head slowly and says, "The fact that he was a dragon, near our town was all the reason I need for what I did, Max. Regardless what you or Temperance say, he was a threat. What I want now, is a reason not to hang you for keeping him a secret, and you aren't giving me one."
Max looked unfazed. “You think I’m not secretly wishing for that right now? After what ya’ did? We were a pair, you idiot. Of course I hid him away. Out of fear that you would do exactly what you did!”
"If you loved him, and that was the only reason to hide him, you would have just left here months ago." replies Flamberge, "There is more you aren't telling us, now spill it featherbrain."
“We wouldn’t have done what we did if you’d tell us earlier that you have a Dragon lover nearby, honestly. Temperance would probably tell us not to mess with him. But we can’t go back and change the past now, I really don’t want to punish you more than what you’ve already got, Max. You’ve lost a lover and to me, that’s already too much. But we’ve got a law to follow and I want to hear you say something to keep you safe. Alright?” Crosshair said, reasonably.
Max cocked a disgruntled eye at Crosshair. “I’m already safe. Lying isn’t a crime under equestrian law. I don’t need to justify anything to you.”
Flamberge raises an eyebrow at Crosshair as she spoke of possibly not having chased the dragon off, then turns back to Max and says, “It is actually when you are in court. Perjury. We don’t have a proper courtroom, but we are trying to ascertain your guilt, so it would apply if you are lying here, but that is irrelevant. You're being accused of aiding the enemy, but I am willing to look the other way if you tell me what it was it wanted here, what the two of you were up to, why you waited as long as you have to leave if what you said before was true. And if you were coerced into it all, I'll let you go free from here, that's all I want from you. I am being more than reasonable."
Max sighs, giving up. He was too emotionally drained at this point. If re-counting everything Flamberge already knew would get them out of his room faster, than fine. The griffon could not even guess how little time was left before his self-restraint gave out, and in a rage he decked out the cocksure GI blowhard. He knew full well that course of action would surely end his life or put him in prison for life. So, he kept spurting words instead of spurting his blood all over these white hospital walls. Barely. “Fine. Carnith came down here looking for me. Having my guts spilled, it - He didn’t know. He came in to - to get me out of here. As why we were here? We were here, first, if you recall. And we waited,” Max fumes. “We waited so long because I had faith you ponies were better than this. That things could turn out ideal for everyone. I trusted you. That’s my true crime.”
"Then you were a fool Yellowfeather, Carnith was a monster, that nopony would suffer to let live," answers Flamberge, "But, say I believe your tall tale, what do you plan to do next? Leave?"
“Leave? You would like that, wouldn't you.” He chuckled grimly. “Leave to where? It’s not so easy to leave now. No. I intend to stay. I intend to hurt you, somehow. I intend to hurt you in a way where all your strength means nothing. Not by force, not by any avenue you'd expect - I’m not going to raise a single claw against you. I’m going to ruin you with just an open palm. That’s my next plan. And when it’s over, I dare you to look me in the eye and tell’ me wasn't karma commin’. ” Max stated with conviction, daring Flam to try something. He was begging for an excuse to whip out the knife like claws and ’defend’ himself. To slit out that evil tongue which had the audacity to call Carn a monster in front of his face. Max’s humble nature reached just about the end of it’s fuse.
Crosshair frowned “I don’t think threatening the commander here really is going to help you at all, Max.”
“Redhat, Prodd!” Max shouted out the room. “Can you escort these two unwanted guests out of my room? I believe Temperance said for no one to come in unless it was life or death. These two are not doing that any favors.”
“Belay that Redhat,” adds Flamberge, “Bird, if you want to threaten me, you are deeply mistaken. I should kick you out of town, and never to suffer your presence again, let you fend for yourself in the wilderness with the discordians...”
“Sir, I apologize in advance for interrupting... but I’m kinda going to side with Max here...” Prodd spoke as he entered the room when he heard his name called. “It’s just... if the dragon was here for so long... why didn’t he attack us earlier?”
Flamberge rubs his forehead with a hoof and says, “I don’t know private, that’s what I wanted to find out, but he isn’t telling me anything.”
Red walked into the room, “You do realize when we got to that cave, temp was fine. It’s not like we didn’t provoke it to attack.”
“And foalnapping one of us doesn’t count as provoking us first? Anyway you slice that Redhat, it initiated conflict, but that isn’t what this is about. This isn’t about the dragon. This is about you Maxwell. About you not letting us know about a major threat to our safety. About you not even telling us to let that thing up in the cave know if something happened to you. You put everypony here at risk. I do however, believe that it is due to your utter incompetency, more so than maliciousness, and that will save your neck today.” Flamberge stands up.
“I don't believe the act of foalnapping is a crime that warrants death.” said red.
“How true you are. Thank you Redhat, for bringing some sense to obvious this inquisition.” Max said, Getting up from bed. He sorely stood up and took two steps closer to Flamberge. “I’m a fool, I know. But I am a’ fool with rights. Something you’ve forgotten in yer’ megalomania, possibly?”
"Megalomania! I am trying to keep these ponies safe! I am doing my duty! I have more than sufficient cause to suspect you of all sorts of things, and yet you sit here at say he was nothing more than your lover? That he was a pacifist who would never harm anypony? You are either the dumbest bird I've ever met, or the greatest actor, but I suspect the first." Flamberge turns to Crosshair, "We're leaving."
Flamberge heads towards the door, "You're off the hook this time Yellowfeather, but you stick one talon out of line again, if you are anything less than the model citizen, I will not hesitate to have you banished from our land. I'll be watching you bird." Flamberge exits with Crosshair, slamming the door behind him.
“A model citizen is exactly what I intend to be.” Max said with an exhale, collecting himself. “I’m going to be a reflection of exactly what you aren’t. That’s what Carn would want.” He looks to Redhat and Prodd. “Thank you both for standin’ up. I appreciate it. Redhat, we need to talk.”
“About what exactly?”
Max sighs. He walks over to Redhat and firmly puts a claw on Redhat’s shoulder. “I want to say, I understand. There ... there was nothing you could do. A dragon flew off with Temperance and you had to make a call. I don’t blame you.”
“Well... um... thanks...” red gave an awkward smile.
“I mean, you had a superior officer looking down at you, a career in jeopardy, I understand. Don’t beat yourself up over this.”
“Well... i’ll try not to...” he patted max on the shoulder, in an even more awkward way.
“If there’s any fault to blame, it’s purely mine.” Max says stoically, hanging his head low. He was tearing apart inside.He knew this was all squarely his fault.Sure, he could point at Flamberge all he wanted and say “There’s the enemy. There is where I should pour my hate.”, but was that anger all in the right place? What was Flam other than an effect to a cause? His cause. His own arrogant cause to show Carn he had nothing to fear from his friends below. He was so aimlessly naive, it burned inside. His heart was broken evenly to thirds by a self-loathing, a loss, and a betrayal. He barely touched the food brought to his bed anymore. He couldn't imagine even living on just yet, hasn’t quite grasped the concept. Could he even fly and carve out another hole without Carn? What was the point? The guilt would still be stained into his soul. If Redhat was feeling even a tenth of what he felt ...
It was too much anypony deserved to bare.
-----------------------------------------------------------
After slamming the door Flamberge exits the hospital in a huff, slamming it’s door as well after Crosshair makes her way through, She was worried of the commander’s tempers. “Now now, try to calm down, Commander.” she tried.
Flamberge turns to Crosshair, his emotions running high, he thinks for a second then flares out his wings and says, “Follow,” before flying off and away.
Crosshair quickly followed him, even when he’s angry and flying fast, the little mare had no problem catching up.
Once the two are outside the town, Flamberge slows down and has Crosshair fly next to him, so that she can hear him over the wind, “I don’t understand this Crosshair. How can Temperance, and Prodd, and Redhat, put so much faith in what that griffin says. Redhat’s an imbecile, so I can understand that, but Temperance is a smart stallion, why can’t he see that this doesn’t add up.”
Crosshair was thoughtful for a moment, before suggesting “Perhaps it’s something the dragon said and convinced him? Legends always says that Dragons are a creature of gods. Some claim to be gods even, I wouldn’t be surprised if this one have the ability to convince anypony with it’s words.”
Flamberge thinks for a few moments after that, “That... is certainly possible, and I seem to recall it trying to convince me to let it walk away. If that’s true then I’m even more sure that killing it was for the best, that kind of power would be incredibly dangerous. It would also explain why the griffin was so convinced the flesh eating monster was a pacifist, that loved him.”
Crosshair nodded agreeingly. “I have no doubt that a dragon would have an ability to make even a discordian pony look like somepony who you’d put in a nursery.”
Another moment of silence follows before Flamberge says, “Crosshair, what do you think I should do? I told Max he was off the hook for now, but, I’m still concerned that there might have been more going on then he claims, if the dragon was just manipulating him to whatever ends, then, fine, the threat is gone, but if he’s here to stir up trouble, if that back there was an act, and he was the one goading that monster to strike, then this might not be the end of it. I’d like to exile him to stay on the safe side, but I feel that too many of the ponies would not understand, and resent me for it. What do you think?”
“I think he’s been around without causing trouble for a while already. I think we should just wait and see if he’ll do anything else. If he’s not causing any more trouble then I don’t see why we can’t have him stay around still. But when he starts making trouble, then we’ll have all the more reason to exile him.” Crosshair gave him her input.
Flamberge nods, “Yes, but that’s the thing, after this, I’m not sure he hasn’t been causing trouble. He could be sending information back to the griffin kingdoms, or getting more beasts to attack us. If he was behind the dragon, then how do we know he wasn’t behind that Ogre a few months back, the one that thrashed Bonnet.”
Flamberge sighs, “You’re right though, we’ll just have to keep an eye on him.”
Crosshair nodded “It’s the best we can do right now without making any harsh moves”
Flamberge flies for a few more minutes in silence, then points down into a clearing, saying, “There it is.”
Flamberge flies downward and lands beside the corpse of Carnith the dragon, which, having had a few days to start decomposing, had begun to smell quite terrible.
Crosshair scrunched up her nose. “Ugh.. why are we here, Commander?”
“Because,” says Flamberge as he draws his sword, “Duskfields killed this thing, and I want everything that might try and attack us again to know it.”
“Woah woah, wait, Didn’t Temperance says we’re going to bury the thing whole? Besides. what if it cursed it’s remains? I don’t want you to risk getting cursed just because you want some head on our walls. And we’re not like those Discordians are we?” Crosshair tried to reason.
“Temperance did say that, but this thing’s skull belongs over the gate, if it convinces even one thief to try some other town instead of ours, isn’t it worth it? And, I don’t believe it’s remains are cursed, aren’t the old stories filled with artifacts made from dragon bones and hide?” counters Flamberge, “and if Temperance is so soft as to want to give this thing a funeral, then he is welcomed to the rest of it.”
Crosshair frowned slightly. “As much as I want to scare thieves off with the head of a dragon over our gate, I don’t think it’ll please many ponies.. It’s better to fight threats from outside than the ones from inside is it not?”
Flamberge looks at the decomposing dragon, then turns back to Crosshair, “And what ponies would object to it? Other than Temperance and those two morons back in the hospital? Max’s story sounds insane, I doubt he’ll convince many others that the dragon was any more than ravenous beast that threatened our livelihoods, and why should they care about disrespecting such a monster?”
“Because it might make us look like those Discordians?” Tried Crosshair again.
Flamberge sticks his sword in the ground, “But would it?!” he questions, “The discordians are disorganized rabble, they have no cities, no towns, no civilization, they could not do what we have done. I couldn’t have killed that thing without yours and Praetorians, and every other pony’s help. We did a grand thing, and showing that to the world, showing that we are a force to be reckoned with, is that really that wrong?! If we put that creature’s skull on the wall, then every merchant, every trader, every traveler, that comes through here will know what we did, and they will tell ponies, in other places. Duskfields will grow, WE will grow, our names will be known everywhere. But if we bury it, out here,” he makes a sweeping gesture with his hoof at the forest surrounding them, “no one will know, no one will believe it, it’s wasted potential to just let it rot here.”
After giving that a long hard thinking. Crosshair nodded. “Alright.. I suppose that makes sense. But since the head will rot away anyway and that we’ll only just get the skull. I think we should at least go back to the town and ask around if ponies wanted the skull on the gate or not.. you know? Casting votes? And if more ponies wanted it there to give us all the benefits like you said more than the ponies that doesn’t, then we’ll have it up. How’s that sounds? Plus temperance can’t give you flak for doing something harsh because it’s what the majority of ponies want!”
Flamberge thinks for a moment, then picks up his sword again, brushes of the dirt and sheaths it. He walks up to Crosshair, a serious look in his eyes, he then kisses her briefly on the cheek, pulls back smiles and says, “You are right, Love, I’ll put it to a vote. That should work out for the best.”
Crosshair beamed happily from that and give his muzzle a loving nuzzle. “Of course.. I want the best for both of us afterall.”
Flamberge nods, “Alright then, let’s head back to town, it stinks of dragon here.”
And with that the two ponies spread their wings and soar back to town.
Post by: Telgin on April 17, 2013, 07:32:14 am
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
Temperance's Journal - 13th Hematite, Timber, 271
I cannot bucking believe Flamberge!
He went behind my back and put the town to a vote on whether or not he should display Carnith's skull over our gate! A vote! I told him we were giving Carnith a burial, and he goes and tries to twist it around so I can't!
The worst part, is that the populace agreed with him! So now, we've got a nice polished dragon skull hanging over our gate as if to broadcast to the world that we like to kill things here. And it's immensely disrespectful to Max.
I can't believe this. If I had the authority to, Flamberge would be fired on the spot.
I know he doesn't see this like I do. I understand that he killed Carnith because he thought he had to. But he did not have to do this.
Post by: KingStrongbeard on April 17, 2013, 08:07:44 am
Commander Flamberge's Field Journal 12th Hematite, 271
My town was attacked by a dragon in the last two days. It foalnapped the town manager, Temperance, and flew back to it's cave. I rallied our forces and assaulted the dragon in it's lair, there were injuries but no deaths. I slew the dragon, but was wounded in the fight, upon awakening I learned that we had been able to recover Temperance alive. It was remarkable, however, I grow concerned that the dragon may have expressed some kind of magic over him, for both him and the griffin, that was revealed to have been allied with the beast, claimed the creature was harmless. This is of course nonsense. I will keeping a close eye on both of them for the meantime.
Commander Flamberge's Field Journal 13th Hematite, 271
Today, I put the town to a vote on what to do with the dragon's skull. I spoke in favor of displaying it above the gate, and extolled the many virtues that would come with doing so. Temperance and Max, I was unsurprised to find, resented the idea and spoke out against it, however, the town by large sided with me. I am very happy with the outcome, and flew out to acquire the head myself, we cleaned off the excess flesh and polished it until it shined white in the sun. I used some adhesive to keep the snapped off fang imbedded in the eye socket, I find it adds to the display. From this point on it will hang over the gates of Duskfields for all the world to see.
[Following this is a crude drawing of a dragon skull, it seems the artist was unhappy with the work and scratched it out.]
Commander Flamberge's Field Journal 18th Hematite, 271
The town has grown quite large of late, I'm not quite sure who initiated it, but it seems the citizenry have decided to cast votes for mayor. I listened in as they made their choices, but honestly, it didn't matter to me which pony was elected. I elected not to cast a vote, I didn't want to be seen as putting the military's might behind anyone candidate, and frankly it seemed clear either Temperance or Convalescence would win out, and it made little difference to me either way.
Convalescence won the day though. I'll need to go congratulate her and see about solidifying our new working relationship.
Commander Flamberge's Field Journal 21st Hematite, 271
Seems I'm going to have to delay my meeting with Convelescence a few more days, as she has just gone through labor again.
Commander Flamberge's Field Journal 11th Hematite, 271
Crosshair went into labor last night after dinner, I stayed up all night with her in the hospital, until she gave into the pain and blacked out sometime shortly before sunrise. Dr. Case Study, ordered me out of the hospital. I didn't know where else to go, so I visited Cream Puff. She managed to calm me down a bit, before we went back to wait on the news. When the sun was finally up the doctors let me and Cream Puff inside. Crosshair, was still unconscious, but she was alive, and Case said he was confident she would make it. They then hoofed to me, my new daughter, whom I named Crossbow, as that was the name Crosshair had picked out for her.
I am thrilled to have my foal in my grasp, and I'm glad Crosshair will be okay, but tonight was so stressful. I know Cross wants a lot of foals, but I don't know if I want to risk losing her again.
Commander Flamberge's Field Journal 2nd Galena, 271
The moat is being filled with water. With that done then it seems we have finished the primary defenses, we have walls, and a moat. Still, nothing to keep out flying enemies but flesh and steel and bolts, but there is nothing to be done there.
I'm going to speak with the mayor about expanding our walls such that we have some fortified places to station marksponies to shoot from in the event of a siege.
Commander Flamberge's Field Journal 9th Galena, 271
Another fight this day, several theives and they brought a cyclops with them. Crosshair took the giant one-eyed ape out of the fight with a single shot (going to give her a big surprise present for that one.) but the thing took forever to give up the ghost. The badger ponies bruised up Bonesetter, but he'll recover.
He was luckier than Private Prodd who was cut up pretty badly by a thief, and Sactuary who was killed. I don't know what the priest was doing out there, but I suppose we'll never know now.
Commander Flamberge's Field Journal 25th Galena, 271
There was another thief that showed up today, Cream Puff was attacked, but other than a bruised leg she is unharmed. I however am very happy to report that it was the armed civilian militia that dealt with this threat. Before I or any of the military got there, they arrived and dealt with the situation hoofidly.
Commander Flamberge's Field Journal 26th Galena, 271
If anypony was left that had doubts about my decision to arm the citizenry, I would like to hear their apologies today.
A number of civilians were jumped by six discordant ponies. Crosshair was able to spot them first and take one out of the fight from as far off as the training field. It was an incredible shot.
The fighting then broke out between the armed citizens and the discodians, Cream Puff pinned the one Crosshair shot and beat him senseless, while the rest of the citzen's opened fire with their crossbows. The discordian's broke and fled but not before breaking Pepper's leg and blinding her in one eye.
While her injuries may be tragic, if they had been unarmed, they'd likely all be dead. Hopefully even the idiot Redhat finally sees why I want them able to defend themselves.
Post by: Fr0stByt3 on April 17, 2013, 08:11:05 am
(http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa176/Kryptid/SteelRivetAv_zps696f9230.png)\
13th Hematite, Timber, 271
Just what is Flamberge playing at? He wants to display the skull of a sentient being as a TROPHY!?!? I don't remember when we became Discordians. I'll need to talk to him about this. Temperance, too.
Post by: Iceblaster on April 17, 2013, 11:33:59 am
12th Hematite, Timber, 271
Today was odd... Sweet Potato and Wood Chip don't remember anything about what happened last night... Great that means me and Prodd will sound like madman trying to tell anypony about what happened last night. I got something for my hangover from Case, and sweet Amug it works like a beauty.
13th Hematite, Timber, 271
Flam put out a vote for displaying that dragon's skull... and even though I am gunge ho for these kind of things, I voted no as this is beyond cruel... this Dragon does not deserve this type of blasphemy;I will hold vigil for the dragon, hoping to ease its soul.
Post by: Pokon on April 17, 2013, 03:49:07 pm
I had the most terrible nightmare last night. I need to see Temperance, at the very least, before the start of the next season.
Entry 18
A dragon skull.
The fool pegusus in charge of the military put a dragon skull on top of the gates. I...I will not live in a place where the bones of the dead are used as decorations!
In less angry news, I plan on getting SmoothBlock a surprise gift. Talking to a decent stallion named Bountiful Harvest while unloading some wood near his workshop to be made into ash, I discovered that we have a dyer in the fortress: his wife. The gift of fuzzy socks is universaly appreciated, and it's not like winter is not going to come around.
Post by: Dsarker on April 17, 2013, 04:19:08 pm
...Or some may say that if we display the body of a Fallen enemy, it may convince others to ignore us, and so it is good. Not so, I tell you. It turns our faith in the Sheyim to shame. It was for this Reason that after the death of Sanctuary, my brother in the priesthood, and before my first foal's birth, Myself and my husband helped in removing the skull displayed in our town in the so-called Dog's Watch, and gave the Drake a blessed burial, despite my Pregnancy...
Post by: TALLPANZER on April 17, 2013, 07:14:43 pm
SmoothBlock slowly opened her eyes. She was laying in the mud, having been drinking heavily since the deaths began to pile up. She had been digging graves, making slabs, carving sarcophagi for the ponies who had recently lost their lives. Now she was staring at the toothy, mocking grin of a huge skull. There was a sound, like a tree breaking in half from far away. The bulky unicorn's eyes grew wide and the red veins came to the surface.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” SmoothBlock bellowed as she took to her hooves. With the speed of righteous fury pushing her thick body, She burst into the masonry shop that had been her home away from home for the past few weeks. She grabbed the most expensive stone she could find and set straight to work.
Wood Chip stepped carefully out from the woods and grimaced sheepishly at SmoothBlock fleeing to the masonry shop. She was barely out of it for the past few weeks, and it had been deeply stressful for everypony in the fort.
Then he looked up, and saw the thing set up on top of the community gates. He blinked twice, and then, suppressing an urge to scream out Flamberge's name to face him for what he had done, briskly walked over near the masonry shop.
Lightning, despite not supporting the hanging of the skull over the gate, he was to watch the area, incase somepony tried to remove it.. He noticed Smoothblock rush in, he saw her run into her shop, but didn’t pay much attention to it.
The boulder had been replaced with four perfectly smoothed stone blocks. The seething unicorn lifted her pick, and in a frenzy of pick swings, carved a masterwork statue of a dragon and a griffon, the dragon was making a loving gesture, the griffon was smiling. She then took her pick to another block and fashioned a grave slab in moments. With the statue on her back and the slab in her saddlebag, SmoothBlock made her way to the temple.
Lightning decided to disobey his orders and went to check on SmoothBlock, noticing the statue on her back decided it would be best to help her. He flew over to her “Hey... Pony, Even though my orders say otherwise, I would like to help you... even if it means scrubbing the floor of the tavern later”
SmoothBlock looked at Lightning, her anger barely contained as she plopped the statue in front of the temple door. “Good, stay out of my way.” She hefted her pick and stomped toward the gate, grinding her teeth.
“Look, don’t do what I think you’re doing or I will be forced to arrest you” He sighed, not caring to follow his orders “I don’t agree with it either, but I don’t think destroying the gate is going to help...”
Wood Chip, after staying away from SmoothBlock for a few moments, simply sees Lighting fly up to her and apparently begin to harass her about the gravestone she created. Moderately miffed at both the display of the dead and at Lighting in general, he simply trots over to the temple, looking sternly at the pegasus.
“SmoothBlock, is there a problem here?”
“There is a skull on my home...” Her eye twitched as she replied, her voice deeper and more grating than ever. “I won’t have skulls on my home!” SmoothBlock took her pick in her mouth and made her way to the gate, her eyes locked on the dragon skull.
“Look Smoothblock is it? Flam and the others made sure it would be near impossible to take down, it would take some major work to remove it” Lightning explained “Even if we could remove it, we could get arrested for it, hell maybe get a life-time in prison as Flam sees this as ‘A way to ward off enemies’” Lightning had a mocking tone in is voice
“Flam can kiss my backside! Bent sword, pike twirler!” She pulled her head back and slammed her steel pick right through one of the base supports on the left side, busting it in two. “I know how to break things down with a pick!” she said around the handle. She was very good at speaking with her mouth full.
~What does that even mean~ Lightning thought of the insult Smoothblock said “Even if you get the supports out I’m sure Flam had more built than this to prevents this from happening.”
“And? I chopped down the tree’s that support’s that cursed thing, and those poles are far smaller than the trees they came from. If you do not wish to stand in the way of my axe, Lighting, I believe we have nothing else to discuss.” Wood Chip said indignantly, trotting besides SmoothBlock.
“I did not say I was against the removal of the skull, I was just saying that Flam probably put more suppports than the few external ones.” Lightning says.
“Not enough to stop me!” Wham! Her pick shattered another support in one hard swing. SmoothBlock lifted her pick again and suck it deep into the left side post. She double up the grip of her teeth and started to heave with all her superponily might.
“If you’re determined to bring it down, I’ll see what I can do to make sure the skull doesn’t break when it does fall” Lightning flew up, landing on top of the wall ~Everything seems good...~
Wood Chip looks at the pony on the wall, then at SmoothBlock, and finally at the cursed display on top of the wall. He smiles,trotted over to the unbroken post, and turns around.
“You know, I didn’t earn my cutie mark using a axe. Lightning, prepare yourself and the bones.”
Lightning nodded and gripped the skull as best as he could with his hooves, he considered using his wings to support himself, but he didn’t as flying would probably make this worse
SmoothBlock pulled her pick free and stepped back, letting WoodChips take over. “I’ll dig the hole.” She huffed and trotted outside, with her pick now held by her tail.
Lightning gave an odd look at how Smooth Block was able to hold her pick with just her tail.
Wood Chip grunted in agreement, and, after putting most of his weight on his front hooves, bucked each of the poles at the same time. A thick splintery sound echoed in the area as the pick-damaged side nearly twisted eighty degrees away from it’s anchor, with the other pole quickly following.
Lightning grunted as the burden on his hooves grew larger and larger with each pole knocked down “Good... Work” Lightning managed to say between breathes
SmoothBlock carved a wide deep hole in the earth, perfectly rectangular, with smooth walls and a firm dirt bed.
Wood Chip trots away from the fallen poles and look’s at Lightning struggling with the load. “Come on down now, no reason to stay up there. I’ll carry it for now on.”
“Okay” He flew down, slowly to make sure he didn’t crack the skull “Wow.. these things are heavier than I thought” He said after setting it down.
Wood Chip shrugged slightly. “It’s a dragon skull. Of course it’s heavy.” He steps back to look at it carefully. “Do you...know the ponies who helped skin this poor creature to get it clean? What of the bit’s that remained of him? If there is any left, we must fetch them and bury them with the skull.”
“I think I heard something about the bones being buried in a place near the cave, Temperance or someone is holding a funeral” Lightning says “We should check there before burying the skull elsewhere”
Wood Chip looks at the blue pony steadily. “You know...you could leave now, if you wished. You have helped enough, and it’s not as if I could report you, but if you truely do not wish to go against...your commander's orders, you could leave now and keep your hooves clean.”
“You think I care about Crosshair’s orders right now? This is beyond cruel... I just hope when we finish this the Dragon’s soul will be at rest” Lightning said, meeting Wood Chips eyes “Now, we got a skull to bury.”
SmoothBlock held the dirt in her magic waiting for the skull to be placed.
Wood Chip, foregoing magic, cranes his neck and slowly but surely get’s the skull on his back, head low and face grim.
“Need any help? Not much of a problem” Lightning trotted up next to him, ready to help
Wood Chip found the skull far denser than he would have expected, and it felt like he was carrying a cartload of iron ore on his back. Neverless, he grunted and simply trotted over to where SmoothBlock was.
“Okay, I’ll make sure nopony sees us while you two bury the skull” Lightning flew a couple feet off the ground, making sure nopony would see them as there would be consequences if they were caught.
Wood Chip groaned slightly, the more he flies around the faster another flier might find the trio.
SmoothBlock helped WoodChips lower the skull into the hole, then she covered it with dirt that she packed down tight before placing the slab on top. She let out a long sigh “not enough...” she hefted her pick in her tail and trotted toward the sawmill.
Wood Chip just watched her leave, and sighed slightly as he turned his head to the slab that marked the dragon skull’s resting place. He didn’t even know the creatures name until now.
Lightning landed next to Wood Chip “Hey Wood... You think you can overrule any action taken by Flam for this? Being commander of the military and all”
Wood Chip chuckles slightly. “Military...you know, I never actually thought about that. Well, I suppose that, while he ordered it to be made, Temprence put me in charge. I guess it would come down to a vote if it was really needed.” He looks at the slab. “But in this case, I would fight against him every time he so much as says a word. I don’t know Max well, but I know he wouldn’t make friendly with evil things.”
“I just hope everypony understands why we did this...” Lightning looked at the slab, silently reading the words engraved on it.
SmoothBlock picked up a board from the sawmill and trotted to Flam’s home, and hastly carved the words “NO SKULLS ON MY HOME!” on it. When she got to his home, she nailed the board to a stake by his door with her pick and then trotted away, to the still.
Wood Chip had already left Lightning and was waiting for her, head slightly lowered and utterly concerned for SmoothBlock’s temperment. He simply waited for her outside it, shuffling his hooves every so often.
Lightning, meanwhile, was sitting in front of the slab, head lowered in a silent prayer to Amug for mercy on the Dragon’s soul “amen” He said before getting up and galloping back to town.
SmoothBlock came out of the distillery with a keg of swamp whisky “Chips?” she said quietly.
~No not after last time~ Lightning thought to himself, turning his head away
Wood Chip stands fully upright, and his expression softens fully into the slightly awkward half-smile he typically sported. “SmoothBlock, I will do my best to make sure the poor creature out there get’s justice. Nothing should be used like that after death. It sickens me that you had to be the first to be brave enough to try to knock it down.”
“I... thank you Chips, I don’t know what I’d do without you.” SmoothBlock hugged WoodChips tightly “Though I have some idea’s what I’ll do ‘with’ you.” She winked.
Wood Chip simply hugged back and let her head rest on a shoulder. If somepony was in a position to look at his face, he could be said to have a mask of mild shock. “SmoothBlock, I don’t know what I would do without you. Speaking of that, I have a free shift, and I could do anything you would like.” he said, doing his best not to sound sleazy.
“I want to get drunk... umm again, then snuggle up to my special somepony.” SmoothBlock nuzzled WoodChips and trotted slowly toward his house.
Wood Chip simply followed behind her, and before he entered his house wondered to himself what god he pleased to have him sent to Duskfields.
~Somepony likes hangovers~ Lightning chuckled to himself before flying back up to his post, at least looking like he was doing his job.
Post by: Salabasama on April 17, 2013, 08:45:09 pm
Shim is blue, and a unicorn. He's a stupid baby.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32074504/OTHER%20PHOTOS/shim.PNG)
Diary of Shim, (date illegible).
(All text is illegible. Particularly coherent crayon squiggle in red may be an effort to record the dragon. Small blue sawhorse-shaped figure below the red figure may represent a pony, possibly Shim.)
Also, I quit Duskfields. I'm tired of all the bullshit.
Shim dies from starvation.
Post by: Iceblaster on April 18, 2013, 01:23:33 am
I claim Shim.
Shim is blue, and a unicorn. He's a stupid baby.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32074504/OTHER%20PHOTOS/shim.PNG)
Diary of Shim, (date illegible).
(All text is illegible. Particularly coherent crayon squiggle in red may be an effort to record the dragon. Small blue sawhorse-shaped figure below the red figure may represent a pony, possibly Shim.)
Also, I quit Duskfields. I'm tired of all the bullshit.
Shim dies from starvation.
10/10 would read again...
Derp
Post by: Kryptid on April 18, 2013, 01:29:20 am
Salabasama is just a joker.
Post by: Dsarker on April 18, 2013, 01:29:51 am
I claim Shim.
Shim is blue, and a unicorn. He's a stupid baby.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32074504/OTHER%20PHOTOS/shim.PNG)
Diary of Shim, (date illegible).
(All text is illegible. Particularly coherent crayon squiggle in red may be an effort to record the dragon. Small blue sawhorse-shaped figure below the red figure may represent a pony, possibly Shim.)
Also, I quit Duskfields. I'm tired of all the bullshit.
Shim dies from starvation.
10/10 would read again...
Seriously though, stuff like this is kind of annoying considering you didn't really contribute at all and pretty much just posted "Hey guys I want in... never mind I'm out!" Now if you really want to become part of Duskfields, ask for a pony on the available pony list and contact Kryptid for an avatar and maybe stop by the IRC and ask around to see if you can participate in a scene so that you can get some experience and just talk with the people of Duskfields
>implying he's not Kryptid
Did you see his avatar? Totally Kryptid.
Post by: Iceblaster on April 18, 2013, 01:32:46 am
Relax, Icey.
Salabasama is just a joker.
... I knew that :-[
I claim Shim.
Shim is blue, and a unicorn. He's a stupid baby.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32074504/OTHER%20PHOTOS/shim.PNG)
Diary of Shim, (date illegible).
(All text is illegible. Particularly coherent crayon squiggle in red may be an effort to record the dragon. Small blue sawhorse-shaped figure below the red figure may represent a pony, possibly Shim.)
Also, I quit Duskfields. I'm tired of all the bullshit.
Shim dies from starvation.
10/10 would read again...
Seriously though, stuff like this is kind of annoying considering you didn't really contribute at all and pretty much just posted "Hey guys I want in... never mind I'm out!" Now if you really want to become part of Duskfields, ask for a pony on the available pony list and contact Kryptid for an avatar and maybe stop by the IRC and ask around to see if you can participate in a scene so that you can get some experience and just talk with the people of Duskfields
>implying he's not Kryptid
Did you see his avatar? Totally Kryptid.
Now that I give it a serious look... 10/10
Post by: Dsarker on April 18, 2013, 01:34:15 am
Relax, Icey.
Salabasama is just a joker.
... I knew that :-[I claim Shim.
Shim is blue, and a unicorn. He's a stupid baby.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32074504/OTHER%20PHOTOS/shim.PNG)
Diary of Shim, (date illegible).
(All text is illegible. Particularly coherent crayon squiggle in red may be an effort to record the dragon. Small blue sawhorse-shaped figure below the red figure may represent a pony, possibly Shim.)
Also, I quit Duskfields. I'm tired of all the bullshit.
Shim dies from starvation.
10/10 would read again...
Seriously though, stuff like this is kind of annoying considering you didn't really contribute at all and pretty much just posted "Hey guys I want in... never mind I'm out!" Now if you really want to become part of Duskfields, ask for a pony on the available pony list and contact Kryptid for an avatar and maybe stop by the IRC and ask around to see if you can participate in a scene so that you can get some experience and just talk with the people of Duskfields
>implying he's not Kryptid
Did you see his avatar? Totally Kryptid.
Now that I give it a serious look... 10/10
Told you! Kryptid likes joking around.
Post by: Iceblaster on April 18, 2013, 01:39:13 am
Relax, Icey.
Salabasama is just a joker.
... I knew that :-[I claim Shim.
Shim is blue, and a unicorn. He's a stupid baby.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32074504/OTHER%20PHOTOS/shim.PNG)
Diary of Shim, (date illegible).
(All text is illegible. Particularly coherent crayon squiggle in red may be an effort to record the dragon. Small blue sawhorse-shaped figure below the red figure may represent a pony, possibly Shim.)
Also, I quit Duskfields. I'm tired of all the bullshit.
Shim dies from starvation.
10/10 would read again...
Seriously though, stuff like this is kind of annoying considering you didn't really contribute at all and pretty much just posted "Hey guys I want in... never mind I'm out!" Now if you really want to become part of Duskfields, ask for a pony on the available pony list and contact Kryptid for an avatar and maybe stop by the IRC and ask around to see if you can participate in a scene so that you can get some experience and just talk with the people of Duskfields
>implying he's not Kryptid
Did you see his avatar? Totally Kryptid.
Now that I give it a serious look... 10/10
Told you! Kryptid likes joking around.
I feel stupid for falling for that
Post by: Dsarker on April 18, 2013, 02:04:16 am
Relax, Icey.
Salabasama is just a joker.
... I knew that :-[I claim Shim.
Shim is blue, and a unicorn. He's a stupid baby.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/32074504/OTHER%20PHOTOS/shim.PNG)
Diary of Shim, (date illegible).
(All text is illegible. Particularly coherent crayon squiggle in red may be an effort to record the dragon. Small blue sawhorse-shaped figure below the red figure may represent a pony, possibly Shim.)
Also, I quit Duskfields. I'm tired of all the bullshit.
Shim dies from starvation.
10/10 would read again...
Seriously though, stuff like this is kind of annoying considering you didn't really contribute at all and pretty much just posted "Hey guys I want in... never mind I'm out!" Now if you really want to become part of Duskfields, ask for a pony on the available pony list and contact Kryptid for an avatar and maybe stop by the IRC and ask around to see if you can participate in a scene so that you can get some experience and just talk with the people of Duskfields
>implying he's not Kryptid
Did you see his avatar? Totally Kryptid.
Now that I give it a serious look... 10/10
Told you! Kryptid likes joking around.
I feel stupid for falling for that
Well, it's okay. Don't worry.
Post by: Iceblaster on April 18, 2013, 10:57:15 am
Crosshair is usually a happy Mare. And she lives a happy life, with a happy relationship in her happy family and a happy work in a happy fort full with happy ponies all having their happy lives. She’d wake up happily in the morning to happily get to work, training her happy guardsponies with their crossbows and giving happy praises to them whenever they hit a bullseye. Then she’d happily have lunch after some nice happy patrols, happily training the civilian militias some more before happily going to meet her happy friend Creampuff to have a nice happy dinner with her happy stallion before returning to her happy home and her happy foal to sleep happily with her family. Usually.
This is not a usual day. When she woke up this morning, she found a sign in front of her home with a pickaxe pinning it to the post. Then went to see that the skull’s missing, replaced by a bunch of slabs and statues. All of which Flamberge put it to the test against a sledge hammer. The hammer won. And now he went to vent his anger to Temperance and the mayor.
Crosshair is usually a happy mare. Even when she’s pregnant and showing. But today is not a usual day. She might not be feeling the fury that hell hath not when that discordian thief tried to steal her foal away from her, but she’s positively not happy. And she’s got just the pony ask.
Bright and early in the morning, the small pregnant mare waited. It’s hard to remember sometimes that she’s the captain of the guards, being so small compared to other ponies. And it questions her if the guardspony last night have forgotten about it aswell. She waits at the training ground, casually punching wooden bolts after wooden bolts into the target to keep her anger at check else she might do something she’ll regret later. Bolts after bolts punched into previous ones right in the center mass of the target, breaking off the one before it.
Lightning left his bedroom, saying goodbye to Sweet Potato before heading off to another day of training. Yesterdays events still fresh in his mind, he was wary of even making eye contact with anyone other than Wood Chip. He trotted over to where he kept his crossbow and picked it up in his mouth. He reached his target, the one to the far right, and finally noticed Crosshair, standing at his target “Um... Commander... Is there anything you need?” He asks nervously
Crosshair punched another wooden bolt right through the previous one that lodged firmly to the bullseye. Jabbing her weapon into the ground to hold it with a forehoof before quickly pulling the string back with her mouth at where she’s supposed to bite, loading in her next bolt and leveling her weapon once more. “Captain.” She corrected him. “You could’ve kept the crossbow with yourself, you know?” says the less-than-happy mare. And it really shows.
“I apologize. I didn’t think about taking it home as we don’t have much room to spare after preparing our house for the foal that should be coming soon” Lightning says, calmer but still nervous “Is there anything you needed?”
“Yes, actually.” Says the Captain of the guards, sending another bolt punching through the previous one. “I want to know something. Do you still wish to keep your job as a guardspony?”
“Y-yes why?” Lightning asks
Crosshair considered throwing her crossbow to the ground, then decided against it. She tucks it to her side, letting it hang there, secured by a belt before turning to face straight at Lightning Runner, even though she had to look up at him due to size difference, she somehow seems bigger than him. At least that’s probably how Lightning feels. “Then why do I wake up this morning to find my home vandalized, The Dragon skull missing and the gate that, might I remind you, is one of the only things standing inbetween Duskfield and a horde of blood thirsty discordians, All of which happened during your shift and exactly where I told you to guard? You had ONE task, Guardscolt Lightning Runner. ONE. And you managed to Buck it up this bad.”
Lightning took a step back “Um.. Sweet Potato needed some help doing something and... ummm... She needed my help...” Lightning lied, a terrible one, but a lie nonetheless “I’ll clean up the tavern for a week... a month... don’t take my job...”
The little mare’s anger seems to grow even more. “So, you admit to leaving your post during the night, leaving our gate completely unguarded. Where a squad of Discordian can just trot in and start slaughtering our ponies, including your precious Sweet Potato. And not to mention my own foal aswell in our sleep.” Crosshair took a deep breath. “Do enlighten me, what task is worth such a risk that you needed to help Sweet Potato with that you see more important than making sure that everypony’s lives are safe?”
“Umm...” Lightning said “It was... ummm...” He looked around, trying to find some distraction “Hey why don’t I go and get some drinks for us and we can talk this over some nice sandwiches” Lightning said, beginning to towards the tavern, only to be grabbed by the tail by his commanding pony. “No, we’re not.” Said Crosshair. Stopping him before he can escape her “You’re telling me what happened that shift and you’re telling me /now/ unless you want to be in some real /deep/ trouble.”
“F-fine... Me and two other ponies removed that blasphemous display and put the soul of the Dragon to rest, is that okay?” Lightning said, trying to give it as much and as little detail as possible
There was a mix of expression on Crosshair’s face. Before she spoke again, seething with fury and poison. “So you decide that the majority of ponies here simply don’t matter then, is that it? We had a vote, Lightning. You said no, that’s fine. The Majority of ponies said yes and we put the skull up. But then you decide that, because your vote failed you, you’re going to take things to your own hoof, Disregard what other ponies think, Destroy our gate to take the thing down. Instead of just start up a vote to take the skull down and bury it like civilized ponies? Endangering the lives of our ponies needlessly, Disobeying direct order, failed to execute your task as a guardspony all to fulfil your selfish desire? Is that it?”
“The dead are not decorations! What if your husband was displayed as a ‘warning’? Would you want to take his remains down?” Lightning snapped out “We were simply doing the Dragon a favor after Flamberge desecrated its corpse, if you feel it necessary to punish me, fine just leave the other two involved alone” Lightning said, making eye contact “And furthermore, If I didn’t help, I still wouldn’t have told you who the other two are”
Crosshair was not pleased. “Taking the Dragon skull is just vandalism. But breaking down our gate to do that is Reckless endangerment of the entire town! If you wanted the skull down then that’s fine with me, We make a vote, if it pass, we take the skull down and bury it. But taking things into your own hooves? Failure to protect an important public property that’s keeping us safe and disregarding a direct order? Lightning. If we had a Discordian Ambush last night, your precious Sweet potato would’ve been one of the casualties. Did you even think of that?”
Lightning broke eye contact, noticing a few of the other Marksponies giving some strange looks “Look, we weren’t that far from the gate, if anything came last night, I would have noticed” Lightning tried to keep his anger down, and just kept a neutral look on his face “And if something did come, I could have easily flown back and got some ponies of from their naps to fend it off”
“They have wings too, Lightning. By the time you flew to get ponies up, get them readily geared, they’d have had killed their first victim. And you know why? Because the gate can’t be closed thanks to it being broken to take the skull down. That blood would’ve been on your hooves! I want you to look at me, and tell me with a straight face that if you were the captain of the guards, and there’s a guardspony who ignored your order, failed to execute his designated task, Endangered the entire town to satisfy his selfish needs, Including the lives of your friends and foal. Would you still trust him to continue working as a guardspony and that the same won’t happen again?” Crosshair said once more, seething with anger that could light a pony on fire.
Lightning fell silent, he looked to the ground “D-Do whatever you wish... I have failed my duties... Just don’t harm Sweet Potato...” Lightning Runner said in a depressing tone.
Crosshair grabs the pony by the collar and pulls him down face-to-face with her. “No, Sweet Potato have already been harmed enough by you. What I want, is for you to tell me, with a straight face. If you’d still want a pony like that to be working for you in the guards if you were the Captain of the guards and tasked with keeping everypony safe or not.”
“N-no...” Lightning said “Just... send me out, I’ve already harmed enough ponies as it is...” Lightning tried to get out of her grip, but was unable to
Crosshair tighten her grip even more. “You should be court martial’d, Arrested and punished for this.. Lightning Runner, I really shouldn’t let you walk free from this else ponies will start thinking that breaking down the gate is fine. But you’re not the only pony who did this, you’re probably not even the pony who broke the gate down in the first place. So, Tell me now, and you may yet get mercy. Who were the two others?”
Lightning looked Crosshair in the eye “Like I said before... no matter how much you torture me, I will not reveal their names”
“So, not only that you failed to do your duties. You’re also protecting the criminals that endangered the lives of the entire town, ones who could’ve gotten you and your Sweet Potato killed. I’ll understand if you don’t care for the rest of the town, but What I don’t understand is why don’t you care for your mare.” Crosshair remarked distastefully.
Lightning’s anger multiplied after that statement “I don’t care for my mare? I don’t care for my mare!? You understand why I’m a military pony right? Because I do care for my mare! Me and her both hated the decision to put the skull up, sure I bucked up and didn’t think my actions through, but that doesn’t give you the permission to even say those words in the same sentence!”
A few ponies began gathering around the two, watching in either amusement or shock
“There’s a saying. Actions speaks louder than words. You may say that you care for your mare, but letting that one thing that’s keeping her safe to be destroyed? What’s your excuse for that, then? Hmm? If you cared for your mare then why’d you endanger her life? Doesn't she deserve safety from you?” Crosshair continued relentlessly.
“If you weren’t my commanding officer, I’d have hit you by now. And my excuse? Wait, I’m remembering something... Temperence wasn’t being eaten by the ‘big scary Dragon’ they were just sitting around, maybe having a drink or two. If you ponies let Temperence speak before forcing us to fire on it, maybe we could have a dragon in our village and have more protection than a corpse”
“Fuck’s sake, Lightning. This isn’t about the Dragon anymore, It’s about the Gate! And that’s not an excuse for why you let somepony break down our defense and you know that.” Crosshair rubbed her temple with a deep sigh “Also, good to know you’d hit a pregnant mare, real helping with your guarding work there.”
“I apologize for the subject change, and I didn’t mean that I would hit somepony who was pregnant.” Lightning broke from Crosshair’s grip “I am truly sorry that Sm- somepony broke the gate in the process of removing the skull and I am truly sorry that I didn’t arrest them for what they did because I’m sure if you were on duty you would arrest them without questions” Lightning mocked Crosshair, emphasizing it on each ‘truly’
Crosshair sighed as she Lower her hoof again and rub her forehead once more. “Yes, Yes I would arrest the ponies who endanger the town and breaking our gate. But forget that.” Said the mare tiredly. “Just.. I just can’t comprehend why anypony thought breaking down our gate was a good idea.. And why you’d think it’s fine to let them go thinking that breaking down gates are fine. I just.. I don’t even want to talk about this anymore. It hurts trying to think up why anypony would do that..” The small mare sighed again. “Now, if you excuse me. I’ve got a dragon skull to dig up..”
“Fine... Permission to be excused?”
“Granted.. I sure hope you have a good explanation to give to Sweet Potato about this..”
Post by: Pokon on April 18, 2013, 10:21:45 pm
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Smoothblock%20Avatar.png)(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Wood%20Chips%20Avatar.png)
SmoothBlock rolled over on her side and hugged the form next to her, mumbling into his ear “We need to get up...” She said with a yawn.
Wood Chip was still pretending to be asleep, but shifted slightly on the bed in response to the new weight on his back.
“We need to fix the gate....” SmoothBlock said with a tired sigh.
Wood Chip, only slightly upset at waking up so early thanks to the pony at his side, straightens his neck out on the pillow and sighs contently. “I know, but it was for a good cause.”
“I was more mad then I needed to be yesterday. I should have left the gate up, got Temperance or Convalescence to have it taken down, buried in the hills or something. I need to fix the gate.” The husky mare sat up and slid out of bed on her hind legs and the put her forehooves on the floor.
Wood Chip shimmies ever so slightly to the right and quickly stands up on his side of the bed. “Actually, we both need too. We did this together, it’s only fair that we solve it together. What was done with the poor dragon’s skull was wrong, and your actions were the right ones.” he said, somewhat tiredly. He was not a talkative pony during the start of the day, and his mind was still sluggish. “But I do not think that either Mayors could do anything. Temperance is officaly the table-keeper for the forts books now and Covalescence is understandably busy with her foal.”
“Don’t blame me for that, I voted for CreamPuff.” SmothBlock said mirthfully , as she trotted over to nuzzle him “Thanks for helping Chips. I’m not a very good carpenter.”
Wood Chip returned the nuzzle. “Even so, you are by far one of the best masons I have ever seen. And if it means anything, I plan on running for mayor next time the opportunity presents itself. I would think that I could win as long as Flamberge keeps behaving the way he is doing for a few more weeks, anyway, if it get’s down to that.” he shrugs.
SmoothBlock perked her ears as she opened the door “I just want to make things right.” She nodded to WoodChips to walk with him.
Wood Chip nods his head in agreement and follows her down the hall. “I want Duskfields to be safe and secure. I would hope we all want that here, but I can’t help but sometimes think that some ponies here want other things out of this little community.” He shakes his head, the weight of sleep still clouding his thoughts. “I have been having bad dreams about this place recently.”
“How bad?” SmothBlock asked while they walked to the sawmill to get what they needed “Like, talking to Serenity bad?”
Wood Chip slows down slightly, and carefully look’s at SmoothBlock’s concerned vistage. Finally, he caves in. While he did not want to worry here too much, he really needed somepony he could trust. “Well, Smoothie, you know how Maize was a little...off?”
“Yes... I heard some things, probably should not have been listening, but I heard them.” She ran a hoof through her mane feeling a little guilty about listening to gossip.
Wood Chip watched as she slowly worked a forehoof through her mane, and simply nodded. In hindsight, he was wondering if she was drunk or not when he told her about his home, if he did so at all.“ Well, I knew other ponies like that, a long time ago. But recently, I have been having bad dreams about...them. And other ponies here as well.”
“They’re just dreams, Chips. The ponies here are good ponies, all ponies are good ponies.” SmoothBlock gave him a reassuring hug.
Wood Chip squeezed her back, but was still quite grim. “ I know, but so was, well, the other ponies I knew. And Maize, on her good days too. It’s not...I think I do need to talk to Serenity, or at least Temperance.”
“Serenity is a good mare, Temperance is busy a lot. Serenity would be better. Maze left Chips.” SmoothBlock sighed.
Wood Chip shares her sigh, and leans ever so slightly near her. “I know, I know, but this has been a issue of mine for a long time, and, well, I think this is the only time I have had the chance to sit down and tell somepony about, well, it.” Stareing at the red pony in his light grip, he suddenly decides to screw beating around the bush.
“Smooth, I have a question. Remember that party I set up a long time ago?”
SmoothBlock nodded “I remember.”
“Remember, oh, this is starting to sound strange, how I talked about Cheerfulgrins?”
“Yes I do, you were really upset about something. You told me once about the discordians. They were there, weren’t they?” SmoothBlock looked a bit on edge.
Wood Chip looked down the hall they were in. Nopony else. He looked behind him. Nopony else either. Catching his breath, he looks at SmoothBlock with the most carefully constructed look he could create. “Smooth, you need...well, you trust me, right? Nothing I will say would make you not...” he stumbles on his words, face flushed and quite emberrassed and, futhermore, scared.
“I trust you, Chips.”
Looking into her eyes, he knew that she was telling the unconditinal truth. He takes in a long, shaky breath, and after a few moments of preperation starts the conversation he knew might distroy there infantile relationship while it was barely formed.
“I lied a little then, SmoothBlock. They never actually...arrived there. You, oh g...”
He takes in a few breaths of air, and tried to recomprise himself in front of her. He failed, mostly, and his legs splayed outwards, causing him to begin trembling slightly.
SmoothBlock hugged WoodChips and held him until he calmed down.
“They...there was never a real...there was no discordian ponies that invaded. They....they...SmoothBlock, Cheerfulgrins is still on maps, but ponies call it Wickedsmiles now. They say it’s filled with evil ponies who kill any outsider that comes near it. It is, but those ponies who are there are the same one’s I grew up with. They...they changed overnight. Maize, for whatever reason, was...I don’t think she was one of...she’s not a discordian, yet anyway. But my village...” he chokes a bit on his words, and resigns himself to watch SmoothBlock reject him.
“Chips, that must have been horrible. How have you been dealing with that all this time?” SmoothBlock hugged him tightly.
He, in his paranoid mind, could have sworn that Smoothblock sounded bored and unemotional, but shakes that feeling off and he all but pulled her in tighter. “I...I haven’t, really. I joined a caravan, lived in a little city for a while, but kept traveling east until I found a order for a wood cutter that was issued by Temperance’s sister. I guess I just tried to find a new life, but it hasn’t worked.” He plants a little kiss on her forehead. “Until now, anyway.”
“We can make a home here.” She smiled as she rubbed his withers “You’ll get past the past and live well in Duskfeilds.” SmoothBlock kissed WoodChip lovingly, gently squeezing him in her forelegs.
He returned the hug, and moved his back to the wall. Standing in the middle of the hallway was a bit odd. Grinning slightly, he decides to dabble in some dark humor while he was in a good mood. “Well, I told you my deepest darkest secret, and now I must simply wonder what my dear Smoothie might want to keep secret from other ponies.” he leans in and kisses her lightly on the neck.
Meanwhile, his heart was prepared to burst from shear panic.
“Well, I umm, ummm, yeesh. I don’t know Chips. I mean, I’ve never really had anything I need to be secretive about.” She ran her hoof through his mane “I’m glad you could tell me this. It’s part of who you are, and a hard thing to remember.”
Backpeddling from his mistaken attempt at humor, Wood Chip attempts to move the conversation to a topic both would enjoy talking about. Thinking about what he knew about the current situation, he leans back over to her neck and start’s kissing it. Again. “WoodBlock, thank you, but I want to know more about you, and more importantly to me, being the selfish stallion that I am,” he raises his mouth off her neck and closer to her ear, “I want to know how to make you happy.”
“Oh, wow, Chips, I, well don’t have much to me, rocks, slabs, mining magics. I get happy when I’m drunk, and when I have work to do, sorry Chips.” SmoothBlock hugged WoodChips tight “I’m just a big mare who cracks wise and digs in the ground for rocks.”
Wood Chip was only slightly disapointed in her response. He really didn’t expect her to have anything he could, well, take advantage of, not that he wouldn’t have been pleased by it, but never less tightly held the shorter pony in his forelimbs. “Well, I am just a big stallion who can’t speak worth anything and cut’s trees down. And I insist, you are not big, simply,” he squeezes her a little for emphasis, “huggable.”
She sighed happily “Thank you, Chips, you flatter me so much.” Smooth smiled wide “And I love you for it.”
Wood Chip chuckles lightly. “But the pleasure is all mine, Smooth. I am quite the selfish stallion, I would think. Thinking about politics, my job,my old life, all before breakfast, and even worse, I am keeping you all for myself.”
“Hugh hugh hugh. Come on Chips, we got to get that gate fixed.” She nodded in the direction of the sawmill.
He follows her, ignoring the little part in his brain that went against anything good that happens to him and attempts to subvert it, his good cheer restored and amplified with his favorite pony in the world walking besides him.
SmoothBlock took WoodChips into the sawmill and gets the materials need to fix the gate. “Come on, Chips, we can make this right.”
Wood Chip smiles, and takes his own load of wood in with his magic. “Lead the way, Smooth.”
SmoothBlock trotted with him to the wreck of the gate, seeing the slightly swollen markspony captain and the smashed slab when they arrived.
Post by: Telgin on April 18, 2013, 10:30:16 pm
After most of the ponies had dispersed following the short funeral for Sanctuary, Temperance lingers behind to stare at the two grave sites. The not so old one for Millstone, and the new one for Sanctuary. Two of the ponies who deserved this the least. “I just don’t understand...” he whispers to himself.
Redhat was there as well, wanting to wait for all the ponies to clear out. He honestly didn’t come here to give Sanctuary a goodbye, but instead, he wanted a word with Temp. Now that all of the ceremonies were over, he could finally get some time to talk with management. “I’d say good evening, but that seems hardly appropriate.”
“I guess not,” Temperance replies, still looking down at the gravesite.
“You know, It’s also equally inappropriate to say, ‘I told you so’ but it seems I just did.”
Temperance cuts his eyes to him. “What’s that supposed to mean, exactly?”
“You give some ponies a weapon, and they act as if they have an army.” He gave him a slight look. “I believe our last conversation covered my concerns.”
“He didn’t even have his weapon out,” Temperance says, glancing back to the grave. “That’s what Aventail said anyway. Nopony knows why he was out there.”
“I suppose, some ponies aren’t all too brilliant, and others are just in the wrong place at the wrong time, But regardless, it could have always been worse.”
“That doesn’t lessen the sting,” Temperance says, still avoiding Red’s eyes. “Look, armed or not, I think this would have happened anyway. And that is what I don’t understand.”
“If he was huddled in the tavern like a coward would he be safe?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “I believe that was the old policy.”
“Probably.” Temperance sighs. “But as far as we know he didn’t even know we were under attack. That’s the reason we issued the weapons. For unexpected things.” He points at the grave. “Like this,” he says in a weak voice.
“I’d like to believe this could have been avoided with some form of state regulation, but I understand that your hooves were still tied on the decision to change civilian actions in case of emergency by the... degenerate... That I’m forced to work under, regardless of your personal lack of objection towards the proposal.” he gave Temperance a look, and just waited for a few moments to pass, “but I’d like you to consider if maybe it’s for the best if you draw the line between the topics where flamberge gives orders, and the ones you delegate over.”
He shrugs. “There’s already a line, and Flamberge sits squarely on the side where it comes to a civilian militia. I don’t have a say in this.”
“But every civilian is in the militia, and he controls the army as well. Now pardon me, but, is a civilian given the option to opt out of the militia?”
“Normally, but in exceptional circumstances there is the concept of conscription and all. Being routinely attacked by discordant ponies would fit under most ponies’ concept of exceptional circumstances when there are only a hoof full of soldiers.”
“So, the civilians essentially don’t have that right? And we’re in a constant state of, ‘Exceptional circumstances’ as you put it, he has direct control over the entire population?”
Temperance frowns and looks back at Red. “Honestly? You could look at it that way. We don’t know anything about the discordant ponies who are attacking us, so for now it’s probably the safest thing to do in his eyes. If things came to it, I could write the king about it, but it’s not like Flamberge is trying to control everything.”
“I suppose, but no letter is going to make this pony walk again.”
“No, I suppose you’re right about that,” Temperance says, punctuating the last word. “The badger ponies saw to that.”
“They do get rather rowdy this time of year...” He looked down at the grave, “They are a barbaric crown now aren’t they.”
“Rowdy?” Temperance asks. “I guess you could call it that. Quite frankly, I wish they’d all just drop dead.”
Red seemed rather displeased by that. “You know, that’s hardly an appropriate way of seeing things.”
“Well, forgive me for not having any more patience for this. They’ve hurt and killed too many ponies. Not just here.” He glowers at the grave. “I’m sick of it.”
“You do realize we’re right in the middle of their land, and that what territory they still own is being wiped away by your countries incessant expansionism? How many badgers do you think were murdered indiscriminately and being considered sub-equins simply to justify your countries atrocities committed in the search for a handsome supply of steel for the grand army’s next campaign? One would think they’ve earned that exact same attitude you have long before this event.”
Temperance silently stares at the grave. After a while, he says, “I think the discordant ponies got here first. Or they picked a bad spot to live. Just like we did.” He kicks a pebble. “Either way, I don’t agree with just taking somepony’s home, but killing an innocent stallion isn’t justified by that.”
“They’re just returning the favor, and it’s not like they stand a realistic chance against you guys anyways. you have steel and iron, they can barely scratch enough together from what they gain in their raid to make a few daggers of copper and silver. Now, I’m not going to say I don’t feel bad for this poor colt, but all they’re trying to do fight back in some way. If an entire of band of them could be wiped out by only one or two of your ponies ponies in full armor, imagine what happens when your country’s forces attack a village.”
“A copper dagger is all it took to kill Sanctuary,” Temperance says in a tense voice. “As I said, I don’t agree with stealing their territory. But our country is looking at slow starvation if places like Duskfields don’t grow enough food for them. Stealing their territory is bad. I don’t dispute that. But raiding, attacking and killing small civilian settlements like this just as despicable.” He takes a deep breath. “And it’s not like the badger ponies are exactly innocent here. They’ve attacked and killed us for as long as we’ve known of them. And steal foals in the night to do what Nirmek knows to them.”
“Can a copper dagger kill a pony in iron armor, or an entire legion of them? Do you even realize that your own country is killing them off endlessly in the name of putting of the inevitable, and I suspect your country here has destroyed many more civilian settlements than they could ever hope to, and don't you dare tell me that they could destroy any civilian settlement. The could hardly ever hope to take down even a small town with a half decent militia. Furthermore you say “ the badger ponies” as if every single stallion mare and foal are accountable for their ineffective resistance to a foreign invader. I find your willingness to detest a race without taking into full consideration the circumstances they currently face as unsavory and a discredit to yourself.”
Temperance keeps staring into the ground. “Fine. I guess it’s not right to hate them all. But the one who did this? The one who stabbed my wife in the hoof? The one who stabbed Prodd in the eye? The one who stabbed Plastron in the skull, who did have a steel chanfron I might add? Them? Yeah, I hate them. They can hate me too, but I didn’t go out there looking to kill them. I just want us to be left alone.”
“Do you plan on becoming a noble like your sister?”
That statement cut through Temperance like Flamberge’s sword. “Why?” he asked, again in a tense voice.
“You know, almost all nobles are evil, pride soaks their souls to the brim, and avarice is the only motive for their continued existence. Very few of them are as pure as they would claim their blood is.”
Temperance looks distinctly displeased at that. “Virtue’s not like that. She would never hurt even a fly. If most aren’t pure, she is.”
“I never said she wasn’t. Just know that if you aim to be a noble, the amount of sin available to you on a daily basis and the amount of evil you could do without a single soul having any right to object is enough to ruin even the best of us. Be aware of this, and know even if it’s not you who loses himself, your branding your family with that curse and every first born will half to come to terms with it, given you except your title.”
He shrugs again and says, “Yeah, well, I don’t think we’ll have to worry about that. It’s not my decision, and I’m starting to doubt the king even notices us out here. Otherwise we’d have more protection than we do.” He frowns and deflates slightly. “But I know what you mean. I detest corruption.”
“I agree... just know though, that if you do aim to become a noble and refuse to turn on your morals, you’ll have to learn to stand up for your self...”
Temperance doesn’t reply. He just keeps looking into the ground. He could stand up for himself, but he also knew his place. For now... he was doing everything he could.
“And please, if you're going to be a noble, don’t judge ponies based off what group they belong to.”
All of this talk about nobility was beginning to wear on Temperance’s nerves, but he keeps it in check. “Have I ever?” he asks. “The badger ponies wouldn’t exactly fall under my “judgment.” And I don’t treat anypony here any differently based on where they come from or who they are.”
“I never said badger. Most nobles make a disconnect between themselves and people they’re supposed to protect as a way to justify their greed.”
Yep, really starting to wear on his nerves. “Yes, I know. I’ve given up just about everything to my name to come out here, and even still I work as hard as I can for what often times feels like nothing just to keep this place going and in one piece.” What was Redhat getting at here? “I try quite hard to give everypony here the respect they deserve.”
“Why are you sounding offended by this conversation?”
Temperance blows out his breath and tries to relax a bit. “Sorry... it’s... nothing. I understand what you’re getting at.”
“What am I implying then?”
“I assume you’re just trying to tell me not to let power go to my head,” Temperance replies. And he was doubting it would matter, but that didn’t need to come up again.
“It’s not the power that gets you, it’s what’ll come with it.”
“Which I again assume you mean to be the greed and lack of care. I get it.”
“Could you please not sound so annoyed, I’m simply trying to let you know where your goal leads.”
“Sorry, I’ve been under a lot of stress lately,” he says, tapping a hoof on Sanctuary’s gravestone. “But I do understand what you’re saying.”
“I understand fully, but I just thought this would be the best time to converse with you over this topic and don't assume I don’t know what i’m talking about, I know more about than you’d expect.”
Temperance gives him a slightly confused look. Right after the funeral was the best time for this? Maybe he could kind of see that... but it still felt peculiar to him. “I don’t know much of anything about anypony here other than what they’ve done here. I don’t doubt you do know something about it though. Many ponies have suffered in some fashion or another because of somepony in power over them.”
“Yes, and I’m glad to say I’m not exactly one of them.”
“Me too,” he says. Well, he certainly didn’t want to be in a position of power and abuse it...
“Well, anyway, I believe I’ve drilled my point in, so I guess this should be good day.”
Temperance nods slowly. “Right. See you around.”
“Well, see you later then.”
Post by: Telgin on April 19, 2013, 12:37:51 am
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png) and (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png)
When Flamberge awakens he finds to his surprise an angry sign posted in the hallway in front of his door. After removing the thing and tossing it in the dump, he goes to check on the skull since it was mentioned on the sign, but is horrified to discover that the gate had been damaged, and the skull removed. Crosshair and him explored the area, and it wasn’t long before they discovered the statue of the dragon and griffin and the slab carved by Smoothblock, though they were, naturally, unable to be sure of the artist.
Realizing that this was no coincidence with the sign, and that clearly somepony, or someponies, in town damaged the gate to get the skull down and vandalize it, just to bury the damn thing, Flamberge in his rage goes off to where the tools in town are kept and acquires a sledgehammer, returning to the sight he smashes the statue and gravestone, before sending Crosshair off to question the guard on duty from last night.
Flamberge tosses the hammer somewhere nearby the tool shed, and goes to Temperance’s office, and bangs on the door, heavily. Somepony inside sounds as if they were stumbling over themselves to get to the door, which opens few seconds later. Temperance appears from behind it, initially wearing a worried expression that changes to a very worried one when he sees who it is. “Uh, commander, come in. What’s the problem?”
“I hope you know, gods damn well what’s the problem! Have you seen the north gate this morning!?” shouts Flamberge.
Temperance suppresses the urge to cower away from the very angry pegasus. “The gate? What... no, what happened to it?”
Flamberge takes hold of the earthpony and drags him down the steps of his office, outside, and until he can see the gate, pointing at it with one hoof, while still holding Temperance with the other he says through clenched teeth, “You mean to tell me you don’t know, anything, about this!”
It takes Temperance a few seconds to rally after he had literally been drug through the middle of Duskfields like an angry mother dragging her foal. He looks at the gate and his mouth hangs open. “What? Were-were we attacked? Is anypony hurt?”
“You really don’t know?!” Flamberge glares, “Fine, this morning I awoke to find an angry sign outside my home, then I find the gate was smashed down, the dragon skull stolen, and a sickening statue of a griffin and a dragon next to a gravestone outside the town. Somepony on the inside did this! They broke down the gate keeping the Discordians out because they didn’t like the vote Temperance. They put us all at risk for this, and I want names! So, I’ll ask you one more time, what do you know about this!?”
Temperance’s mouth works silently for half a sentence. “I-I don’t know anything, I swear! If I knew who damaged the gate I’d have them in Crosshair’s hooves right now.”
Flamberge looks over Temperance’s face as if studying each hair individually, he then releases him, “Fine, I believe you, you may have been on their side with the vote, but you aren’t stupid enough to let them take down the gate. Crosshair is already questioning the on duty guard, I hope he has an adequate explanation for what has happened here.”
Temperance brushes himself off and stands, keeping the anger he felt tempered to a frustrated sigh. “So do I.” This was ridiculous. Temperance wanted just throw in Flamberge’s face that if he hadn’t put the skull up in the first place this wouldn’t have happened, but he’s not stupid enough to do that either. “I guess I’d best go get Wood Chips and Veneer so they can get started on fixing this.”
Flamberge nods, “Yes, tell them I want the gate fixed today, no excuses.”
Temperance nods. “Right.” He wanted the gate fixed as soon as possible too. The skull could stay wherever it was though. “I’ll pull all of the carpenters off whatever they’re working on.”
Flamberge continues staring angrily at the broken hole in their defences, “Good, I’m going to go talk with Crosshair and see what all she has turned up, tell the carpenters if they finish early they should start working on a set of stocks for whatever idiots did this.”
Temperance sighs and turns away to go find one of the chief carpenters. Today was starting out fantastic... He wasn’t yet sure if he was going to order the construction of any stocks for this, but whoever destroyed the gate deserved something as punishment...
Post by: L1wW on April 19, 2013, 11:42:24 pm
It was rather early in the morning, and Redhat was out walking his dog. It was quite a nice day. The weather was decent, and wasn’t too hot out, and just the perfect time to go on a leisurely stole, but then he saw something that was rather off. The closer he got the more obvious it became.
The gate seemed to have been vandalized in the night. Whoever had done such an act clearly knew what they were doing, as the gate was both downed, and so was the grizzly monument to brutality and horror. As the pegasus looked upon the scene, the bigger the smile on his face grew, until he finally broke out in laughter.
A groggy one-eyed unicorn woke up from his post on the wall. “Ugh... can you please keep the laughter down? ...I’m... ugh... trying to shake this hangover off...” He groaned as he got up and took a look at the giggling pegasus. “...Redhat... that you?” He asks softly, slinging his loaded crossbow on his back.
He just kept laughing at the sight, to the point he was starting to tear up a little. “Heh... I bet that bloody psychopathic brute is peeing his big colt pants now!” god bless that the captain wasn’t here right now.
“Ugh...” Prodd groans again. “Please try to stop the laughter... you’d think getting stabbed... ugh... would be worse than a headache...” After whining for a little bit he turns his attention to outside the walls, being on the lookout for any invaders. “...I wonder if we had a catapult...” He mumbles, contemplating the difference any siege equipment could make during an attack.
“Oh lighten up, I’m just enjoying some grade A comedy over here.”
“Whatever... real hilarious when an ambush attacks...” Prodd grumbles. “...I just wanted to stay in bed today... but nooooo we need somepony to watch the gate... let’s use the one eyed markspony, he’s perfect for the job!” He complains some more. He makes sure to scan the area from left to right, leaving little in his blind spot. “...You’d think Lightning would make a better sentry...”
He sighed, why the hell did this pony have to have no sense of humor. Redhat picked up Bonnet and flew onto the wall, before letting the animal down. “Well are you telling me you don’t think the fact that the commander is probably irate as equine-ly right now isn’t worth it?”
“...Sorry... ugh... I’m more concerned... with the perimeter right now...” He explains. Prodd continually scans the field, trying his hardest to leave very little in his blind spot, he notes that he can focus on singular objects slightly better than before. “...So why is ‘Capt crapping himself?” He asks, searching into the horizon.
“Well, last I checked him placing that skull on the gate was like a foal putting a decently graded paper on the family’s fireplace, and now that it’s gone... I’ll let you put two and two together. Also I saw him drag the management out of his house and parade him around.”
“...So his pride got shattered.” Prodd says. He doesn’t see much humor in it, but he probably couldn’t care less about the scenario. “...Whatever...” He says, yet again scanning the horizon like a good little soldier.
“Yeah, I enjoy watching undeserved pride shatter and watching him make a fool out of himself by making a huge scene of it”
“Yeah that is so funny...” Prodd sarcastically mutters, he needs to keep his only eye focused on the other side of the wall, he needs to keep watch for trouble. “...So how have you been?” He asks, already losing his focus.
“Well, honestly this is one of my better mornings.”
“...You must have some sad mornings.” Prodd teases. His focus returns to the horizon.
He gave him an annoyed look. “They’re mostly just boring.” he shifted his attention to the dog who was just doing nothing really at this point, and gave Bonnet’s ears a pet.
“...Eh, could be worse...” Prodd says, his eye looks at the wolf. “...How did you meet Bonnet, anyway?”
“Well, I adopted Bonnet about a year before my family migrated here from my original country of residence. She was only a pup back then and she was a stray. One of the worker’s dogs probably had a litter and weren’t wanted. Regardless, when I found the hungry little thing I simply couldn’t just leave it to starve.”
“...Wow... that was surprisingly sweet.” Prodd says, appearing slightly shocked. “Er... anyway... you said you and your family migrated... are they here too?”
“Well, it was more like my father migrated here. I’m an only foal... and my father isn’t among the living nowadays. ”
“...How was your father... when he was alive?” Prodd asks, choosing his words carefully.
Red seemed rather displeased about that “A bona-fide jackass with little to no concern for other’s well being for anyone but himself and me and he also had a debilitating lack common sense.”
“Wow, sounds like a great parent...” Prodd remarks sarcastically, a look of worry flashes across his face. “...He wasn’t in a position of power... right?”
He sighed, “He was a count, and the county he was in control of is named Donskoi...”
“...Is that why you wear a disguise?” Prodd asks.
“No.”
“Then why...? Your father didn’t do such a bad job that rival nobles sent hitmen after your family?” He asks.
“No, they weren’t pissed. He was liked by his peers and followed many the same practices they did. The only problem was he treated his serfs as if they were just farm equipment, and he worked his equipment until it broke. As far as he was concerned he always could buy a replacement.”
“...So you ran away?” Prodd wagered another guess.
“No... I really wasn’t allowed to... not that I would have. As much as he mistreated his serfs, he treated me quite well. I think the only thing he cared about was the family... I think he cried for three days straight when his brother died in the war.”
Prodd remains silent for a moment. “...How old were you at the time?”
“When he died I was just about twenty four...”
“...After you moved?” Prodd asks.
“Well yes.”
“...Okay, so you moved and your father died on this continent... what was life like growing up in Don... Dawnskoo?”
“Donskoi... Anyway, It was above par, being rich and all, and being able to have anything you want was rather enjoyable.”
“...I’ll admit that my own upbringing was more likely than not subpar, but it doesn’t matter...” Prodd states. “...Okay... where did you get your bottomless supply of magical hats...?”
“Before I moved I commissioned the enchantments for my entire hat collection from a high ranking magician in the capital... who might I add had a fine choice in hats himself and shared some of his personal experiences from the frontier...”
“...Okay so a shady magician enchanted your hats...” Prodd says. “So you why did you get them enchanted?”
“Because I can’t just let people know who I am.”
“...What harm could it cause?”
“Well, I currently enjoy living.”
“...What’s gonna kill you?”
“I won’t tell you who...”
“...Could I protect you from them?”
“I’m fine on my own... and no.”
“...I can’t?”
“I’m sorry, but I’d probably just be detained in the night, and then they’d probably do something flashy like give me cement horseshoes, or drop me in a vat of acid, or hang me from a tree right outside of town if I’m especially lucky.”
“...Sorry then. But... I’d still try...”
“Well, thanks...”
“Yeah... sure...” Prodd says. “Why would they be after you... who is after you?”
“I already said I wouldn't inform you, but the reason why is because after my father moved here, we wouldn’t have himself or me live like commoners, but he wasn’t exactly rich after the throne ‘borrowed’ our county... which was and still is on the country’s border. So, once we relocated to this land, he decided to ‘borrow’ money in order to maintain our lavish lifestyle and eventually he borrowed from an unsavory group of ponies and when he failed to keep up the payments, they decided to ‘repossess’ the the only thing he had left to his name. So, basically his debt became mine, like a father’s sin passed down to his child.”
“...How much does he owe?” Prodd asks.
“He doesn’t owe anything now, they bloody killed him, and I don't know how much debt I owe them, but as far as I’m aware he borrowed a thirty thousands bits from them, with a 25% yearly interest rate. Oh, the best part is, that it’s compound interest...”
“...Um... if I gave you some money, could you pay them off?” Prodd asks, thinking of a non-violent option.
“I’m under the assumption that the amount of money I owe would take you something in the ball park of a decade to earn, given you didn’t spend any of your bits on anything and saved up.”
“...Do we have a decade worth of time?” Prodd asks, really hoping for the non-violent solution to work.
“Probably not.”
“...So you’re just going to hide then?” Prodd asks. He looks back to the horizon, making sure he didn’t miss any thief sneak by.
“Well it does seem like a fine solution given the circumstances.”
“Yeah...” Prodd looks back at the pegasus. “...But for how long?”
“However long it takes.”
“...Until what?” Prodd asks, looking worried.
He just gave Prodd a look.
“No. You are not going to hide until you die!” Prodd exclaims. “How long has it been since they killed your father?”
“seven years, I’m under the assumption they’ve given up. But I know the caravans are associated with the group that want me.”
“...” Prodd can’t think of anything non-violent to fix Redhat’s problems. “So you’re just going to hide? That’s it? Is there anyway we could pay them off?” He knew there wouldn’t be an easy way to pay them off, but there must be something they could do to appease the debt collectors.
“I’m not going to risk it, gambling with my life doesn’t seem like a decent idea.”
“...I take it you’ve put a lot of thought into this...” Prodd says.
“I have.”
“...Redhat... are you scared?” Prodd asks.
“I’ve grown accustomed to it...”
“...Okay.” Prodd says. “I... guess I’ll be here on sentry duty... see you later I guess...”
“Well... I’ll see you around then. Good day.” he picked his dog up and flew back down to the ground.
The pegasus and his dog continued on their walk while the unicorn stood vigilant against any invaders.
Post by: DVNO on April 20, 2013, 03:56:15 am
Tulik the badger pony grinned from ear to ear, his face bathing in the dull metallic sheen of gold. He was shuffling as much gold as he could carry into a sack with feverishly quick paw swipes. This was Tuliks eleventh haul up and down the mountain today! He was on the verge of passing out from stealing everything not bolted down in this cave, but it didn't slow him down a second. As far as Tulik was concerned the dog days are over once he's done here. Just one more bag and he'll never have to scrounge again. Just one more. Why were the dog days over for Tulik here? Well, what the badger ponies lacked in intellect they made up in craftiness, you see. The badger ponies had long known about the dragon cave; but none but the absolutely suicidal dared to try such a heist while the dragon was still alive. In the background, Tulik and his clan waited. Tulik and his clan kept an ear to the ground. Watching like a rabid set of spectators the dramatic theater play that was unfolding in the past months. Tulik and his clan saw the founding of Duskfields, and their hopes soared. Other clans, foolhardy clans, couldn't see the bigger picture like Tulik and his friends, the Diamond Dogs. They tried to steal from the town itself, and paid the price for their impatience. Thulik was a smart one! He listened to Diamond Dogs. They told Thulik ponies and Dragons no mix. They fight. Either cave or town ready for looting after. When the dragon fell out of the sky the band of thieves got the windfall they were praying for. The badger ponies did not waste a second to scramble up the mountain, too greedy to wait even a week of the aftermath.
They knew of the tales. Every badger pony has heard of the fairy tale of dragon hoards. But they had no words in their language for the sheer volume of valuables. They hollered and cheered and shed tears of joy! The dog days were over.
Looking around he sees the two other badger ponies stealing voraciously as well. There used to be two more. Ardat and Skyx, they tried to get clever, too. They tried to off every badger pony to get larger shares. They fiddles with the trap levers, which were broken. They were getting no shares now, which made Tulik ecstatic. The Badger pony may be a simple creature, but it was not beyond fractions. Bigger top number and smaller bottom number means happier Tulik!
There were two badger ponies chipping off the gold finish off one of the pillars on a makeshift thrown together wood scaffold. There were two badger ponies outside. There was a Diamond Dog pair, arguing as usual. Too much, Tulik thought. Why fight? These are good times! Less talking, more grabbing!
“ ... I’m saying there were two, and we have no idea where the other one is.” the female Diamond Dog stated.
The male Diamond dog balked at her. “Alexei, dear sister, give me a little credit. I’ve done my research here. There aren’t two dragons living here. ”
She shakes her head. “No, Alex, I’m not saying that. I’m talking about the griffon, here.”
Alex crosses his paws and shrugs. “Him? He’s dead. Has to be. He hasn’t come back here in months. The farm town is probably using his bones for bolts right now.”
“And if he does come back? To us ransacking the place?” Alexei said quizzically. “It’s dilutes a simple plan. I don’t like that a bit.”
“Then we’ll solve the problem like we usually do in these types of conundrums; We’ll stab him until he’s dead.” Alex stated bluntly.
The brown and black furred Badger pony had got his fill of coins,to the point of the bag bursting. He strides up to the Diamond Dogs with a waggly tail.
“Hey, hey, mister Diamond Dog, I has a’ nother bag of loot!” Tulik said exuberantly.
The two paused the conversation and looked over to the Badger pony, rolling their eyes. Alex bends down to the badger pony’s level. “Very good! Make sure to put it in the wagon like everything else!” He enunciated slowly, clearly patronizing him.
“Yes! Yes! I forget that lot’s of times. I’ll remember this time!” The Diamond Dogs were so smart, Tulik thought as he walked to the mouth of the cave. That’s why Thulik kept them in his master plan! Everything was going so well! And then Thultik be king one day with all this gold! Away from Diamonds dogs! Then the dog days will be over!”
Alexei groans and puts a paw over her face as the badger pony hops away. “When do we off them and take their shares?” She uttered quietly.
‘Soon’ Alex mouthed silently.
Thulik hummed to himself. Nothing could bring him down. He shielded his eyes from the light of the cave entrance, the sudden burst of sunlight catching his eyes with glare. “Dwibble? Sharn? Gold!” He called out to the two guard ponies ecstatically. He took a double take. As his badger pony friends were laying in a pool of crimson.Tulik took a sudden step back, The badger pony's head whipped around fearfully. What happened here? His breath became short, his eyes darting around in every direction. “Badger pony no like bashin’, Badger pony no like bashin’!” The pony felt a tremble in his spine. He runs to Dwibble and shakes him. “Dwibble, get up! Please get up!” Dwibble turns over lifelessly.Three long gouges ran down his throat. “Diamond Dogs! Diamonds dogs have to know about this!” He sputtered.
Tulik ran back into the antechamber to find an apocalypse ensuing back in the cave hall. The Badger ponies on the scaffolding were lining up their crossbows at some intruder! The Diamond Dogs were stabbing at it with their copper short swords. “I told you the Griffon would be a problem!” Alexei shouted. “Duely noted!” Alex shouted back. The two were whirling their lanky gray arms wildly, barely taking aim with their strikes. The griffon evades the blows deftly. Max glares up to the scaffold, grabs Alexei by the wrist and twirled her around. The bolts pincushion the Diamond Dog with a crunch. He threw her body at the flimsy structure, sending it crashing down on top of them. One Badger pony was impaled on a upright piece of wood, the other badger pony instantly breaks his legs when he hits the ground. “Alexei! No!” the diamond dog picked up his sister’s sword and went at the Griffon with both at once. Max kicked a silver rapier laying in the dragon hoard up into his hands and parried the blows. The two took a stunted step back from the clash, and circled around each other while they waited for the other to make a move. The dog lost his calm and took a hack. The griffon juked himself to the left, leaving the over extended Diamond Dog open a mile wide. He took a downward swipe and hacked off his hands. With a shout of pain the dog doubles over into the griffon. Max drops the sword and grabs the dog by the neck with one claw, his waist with the other and with a wing aided jump he breaks the dog’s spine on his knee. *gak!* the dog sputtered, spitting blood. Max dropped the broken mass of fur to the floor. His blue eyes turned to Tulik, the glare obviously hinting he had nothing but murder on his mind.
Max strode up to the quivering badger pony and took the bag out of his mouth. “Where did you put the rest of it?” Max asked with a quiet calm that unnerved Tulik more than any shouting ever could. “I - I I can’t remember!?!” Tulik realized in a panic. Where was the wagon? Where was it!?
“That’s a shame.” Max caid in the same ice cold tone. He reached out for a lever in and pulled it. Thulik was skewered apart by ten spears from a spike trap in the ground. “Okay, not everi’thing in this place is broken.” Max admitted in a bit of dark humor. He closed the circular door the ponies left open and started his investigation.
He took a look at the gold pile. About half of it was gone, stolen either by the ponies from Duskfields or these thieves, probably a combination of both. Max didn’t care a bit about the theft at this point. He was used to this situation sliding into a worse one by now. He put a claw on the broken pillar. Judging by the pillar, he could get a good guess at where Carn was standing. Using that information as map key of sorts, he started to piece together the battle. The first conclusion he came to was there wasn’t one; There was little to no blood anywhere near the cave. He could tell there was a volley of crossbow bolts fired. He looked up to the ceiling hole, and followed through it. He took a long sweeping glance around the landscape. It seems there is a storm was coming. He saw a clearing in the forest, A clue leading the way. Max looked away despondently for a moment. That was the path, but did he really want to follow it? What he might find may destroy his view of the ponies irreparably. He may never be able to look at Temperance the same again. His face steeled itself into something resolute. Yes. What was the alternative? He turn away? Lie to himself and let the blissful mercy of his imagination re-write the grim truth? Pretend it’s all fine and normal externally while he dies inside? No. He had to find Carn. As much as it killed him, It’s the least of his responsibility. He ... he had to say a few words.
He swooped down into the forest clearing. He surveyed the place, he found claw marks leading into the untamed woods. Max felt he wasn’t alone. His eyes jutted to their corners as he heard the shuffling of leaves. There’s a crack of thunder and the rain comes. He pensively follows the trail.
Over the pattering of the rain against the leaves around him, Max hears what sounds like a voice. A very familiar voice. “I told you so... Max...”
Max closes his eyes solemnly as he followed the trail. “I know you did,” Gods, he could hear his voice even now. “I know. I bucked this up. I bucked this up for us both so hard.” He said quietly, as if talking to someone intimate.
For some time there is only the boom of thunder and continuing rain. After a weak clap of thunder, a deep voice continues, just audibly, “...you trusted them too much. But they couldn’t be trusted...”
Max raked a claw through the tangerine feathers on his head. “ ... Temperance, his jackal smile, I thought I knew exactly who those ponies were ... For Laltur’s sake, please believe me ...”
The voice returns immediately this time. “It’s not your fault, Max... Temperance is a fool who is blind to that which is happening around him.”
Max stops and looks down pensively. “Yeah, yeah that does sound like the case.” He looks back up and forces his shaking legs to keep moving down the foreboding trail. There was blood following along the track marks now. Lots of it. His breath shortened up now. He was getting closer. “Carn? Help me. Please. I need you now more than I ever did before. What should I do?”
“Come... come...” the dragon’s voice intones, sounding as if it was in his ear now. The darkness of the woods seems to fade away in a faint red glow ahead of him, beckoning him onward.
Max’s solemn eyes widen at the glow. His pace quickens to a dash, feeling a hope. His heart leaps out of his chest as he runs at the chance to escape the consequences of what he has done. Could Carnith still be alive?
“Come... see what they’ve done to me...” the voice says again as Max enters a clearing. Before him, sits Carn, bathed in a faint red from which there appears no source. The dragon appears unharmed, and is wearing a completely neutral face. “Hello, Max.”
The griffon drops to his fours. He gasped in relief. “Carn ... I knew Temperance was a liar. You had gotten away ... I-I knew ... this whole time it wasn’t true.” He looked around. This was the place. This was the spot where they watched the sun set. He knew he would be here. Max flew up and hugged his neck. “We are leaving here right now, you understand? Not going to lose you ever again.” He whispered, a catharsis overtaking him.
Max feels something wet in his claws. Something red, dripping from the back of Carn’s neck. “Temperance is a liar. They’re all liars, Max.”
Max pulls back, horrified. “Wha- What?”
“They used you, Max.” Carn scowls and flares his wings, revealing the shredded and ruined membranes between the digits. “Used us...”
“I was trying to build a better life for us!” He cried out, tearing up. “ Tried to cement the foundation for a better home!”
Carn reaches up and coaxes Max away from his neck. Crossbow bolts were evident jutting from dozens of deep wounds along his arm. “And now you know the price of trusting the ponies.”
“It was Flamberge! He turned the ponies into something lethal! He frenzied them all I - I didn’t know!” Max floated horizontally backwards on his wings. “Price? What price? You’re alive, Carn!”
Carn lets out a low chuckle. “Flamberge... he’s the one.” Max feels something wet drip down on him. Clear tears drips from one eye, but fresh, bright blood flows from the other. Carn looks down at Max, revealing the tooth impaled through his eye. “He’s the one who did this to me, Max...”
Max put his head in his hand, quivering. “No - not again - don’t put me through it all again.”
“He’s the one, Max...” Carn insists, his voice taking on an almost decibel-breaking shrill tone. “...destroy him, Max. Laltur demands retribution and you must be her sword! Destroy him for what he’s done to us... him, and that liar Temperance...”
“Carn, what are you saying? We have to be better than him! We have to rise above his level!” He shakes his head. “I do want to kill him. More than anything. It would be easy. So easy.” He gestured to Carn, trying to placate him. “ But If I kill him he truly wins! You taught me that! I know you want justice, but I can’t ... Crosshair ... Crossbow .... It’s not - I can’t -”
“Why show them mercy?” Blood continues to flow from the wound in Carn’s eye. As he speaks, the scales on his face begin to flake away in patches. He bares his teeth. “They didn’t show me any mercy, Max.” His teeth were now visible through his cheeks where the flesh stretched thin and tore. “They didn’t show you any mercy.”
He stretches his arm out to distance himself from the griffon in his claws. Max can now see that nearly all of the flesh had sloughed off the bones of his forelimbs. Blood slicked claws held him tightly as Carn added, “When they murdered me, when Temperance told them about us? None of it mattered, Max.”
The tooth finally falls from his decrepit eye socket, leaking black, clotting blood, and he rears back on his hind legs, which too were now nothing but skeleton. He takes a deep breath, stretching tattered, taut skin across his partially exposed ribs. “The ponies did this to us, as if we are just animals. The months you spent building up their town? None of it mattered.”
He pulls Max in close to his face. “It’s time to repay the favor, Max. Flamberge murdered me, and wants to hang you as an apology. You nearly lose your life building walls in that little town, and Crosshair stationed guards to keep you in prison. You fixed Temperance’s office, and he stands idly by while you’re persecuted for what they did to you.”
“...everything in my power...” Temperance’s voice whispers from the woods.
Carn’s voice takes on an otherworldly tone. “Give them what they deserve, Max...”
"No! Don't do this to me again!” Max cried out, tears steaming down his face.
In an instant, Max finds himself standing in the clearing again. The red glow is gone, but Carn is still there. Or, what’s left of him. The headless corpse lies motionless in an enormous pool of bloody mud.
“...destroy them...” an almost inaudible voice whispers in the wind.
Max scrambled around fearfully as he tried to piece together what was happening. Then he slowly saw the body. Cocked his head to the side pitifully. "No..." He takes a distrested double take. "No, no!" He falls back to his fours and vomited at the sight. He clasped his shoulders with his claws, a cold sweat overcoming him. He took a wild look at Carns body again. "No!" He gasps. He took a swing at the base of a tree, slamming it over and over again. "Graaagh! No! No, No!" He punched the tree until he dented the heart wood, until his knuckles were raw. He kept at it until he was exhausted. With a long pained breath, he collapsed on his side.With heavy gasps, he looked up to the raining sky, helpless.
Three days later, current day.
Max stumbled into the bar covered head to toe in mud, exhausted, and physically emaciated. He hasn't eaten, or slept, or had a drink of anything in three days. Wouldn't allow it. Not until he finished his job burying Carnith.
"I'm going to need a drink, Pony." He said quietly.
Post by: Telgin on April 20, 2013, 10:32:18 pm
Having been turned away by the guards at the hospital, Serenity heads for Temperance’s office. She raps gently on the door. “Temperance? Are you in?”
A few seconds pass before a stallion answers, “Coming.” The door creaks open, revealing a weary looking Temperance. “Hey, Serenity. Come in.”
Serenity frowns, but does as she is told. “You look terrible, Temperance. Have you been getting much sleep?”
“Trying to,” he answers honestly before sitting heavily in his chair. “It’s been a long few days. But... don’t worry about that. What’s on your mind?”
“Well,” She begins, taking a seat across from him, “I had hoped to speak with the griffon Max, but I was turned away by the guards at the door. I was hoping I could get your permission to enter.”
“I see. Uh, well... I can get you in to see him, yeah. What did you want to talk to him about? He’s under a lot of stress... I was hoping to keep that to a minimum.” He frowns. “Not... that I think you’d be trying to cause trouble...”
Serenity nods. “Well, I was actually hoping to help relieve some of that stress. I’ve heard some rumors around town. There are quite a few different stories, but the consensus seems to be that his wife was slain by the dragon. Do you know anything about that?”
Temperance takes a deep breath. “That’s not quite it, but not that far from the truth. I’m not sure how much Max wants to be known about it, so... can you just keep this between us and him?”
“Of course. I’m no stranger to confidentiality.”
He makes a weak smile. “Right.” His smile fades. “Anyway... Max didn’t have a wife. I’m not entirely sure I was understanding the situation all that well, but the dragon, Carnith, was actually Max’s best and probably only friend.”
“Oh...” Serenity replies flatly, before grasping the full meaning of his words. She gasps, clapping her hooves over her mouth. “...Oh! Ohmygoodness, that’s... then, the skull... does he know?”
Temperance sighs. “I don’t know. I haven’t told him. I didn’t have the heart to be the one to break it to him. Not after I had to tell him what happened to Carnith.” He shakes his head slowly. “Flamberge just didn’t care...”
Serenity’s face darkens. “He rarely does.” She sighs heavily. “In light of all this, it might be better if we let Max be. I’d likely only make things worse.”
“I just don’t know what to do. I feel terrible for Max, but I also feel absolutely helpless. If you think you can help him in any way, I’d encourage you to talk to him, but if you don’t think it’s a good idea then I trust what you say.”
“There’s only one thing I can think of that might help him right now... and Flamberge seems intent on making sure it doesn’t happen.”
He nods and stares through the wall in the direction of the gate. “I know. I can’t believe he’s that insensitive about it. Part of me wants to just got take the blasted thing down and do what’s right, regardless of what he thinks.” He makes an exasperated shrug. “But I know better.”
“Temperance... you are the penultimate authority in Duskfields. By law, he has to obey your command.”
Temperance continues to stare through the wall. “I wish that was true,” he finally says. “At this point, I’m mostly just an accountant and the guy who decides what gets made when. After Convalescence took over mayoral duties, I don’t have any political say anymore, really.” He blinks heavily. “And as the military commander here, Flamberge can get around both of us if he can justify it as being a matter of public safety. Not that I consider putting Carnith’s head on the gatehouse a matter of public safety.”
Serenity sighs. “Well... have you written your superiors in Coupledye about his behavior? They may be inclined to do something about it.”
“Not yet. But I think that’s actually my next order of business. I could tolerate him being a bit pushy, since he is a good soldier and does a good job protecting us. But now, I’m starting to doubt it’s worth it.” He looks back over to her. “I could probably get a few testimonies and signatures. Would... you be willing to help out with that?”
“Of course.” She allows herself a small smirk. “I’m sure I could think of a few things to say. Who else did you have in mind?”
“Myself, of course. Other than that, I’d think Cream Puff might have something to say, don’t you think?” He looks a bit more serious. “I don’t want to ask you to tell me anything too private, but has anypony else come to you about Flamberge?”
“Nopony else has come to me directly, but...” Serenity sighs heavily. “...a while ago, Crosshair happened to come into my office with Cream puff. She never mentioned anything about him, but... I noticed...”
“Noticed... what?”
“...She was covered all over with bruises and... bite marks. Particularly on her neck. She insisted they were from training, but...” she looks up, into Temperance’s eyes. “Temperance, I know when somepony is hiding something from me. And unfortunately, I know all too well the signs of a mare who has been... harmed.”
Temperance glowers. “I see. Everything I learn about Flamberge makes me like him less and less.” He blows out his breath. “I’m doubtful Crosshair would testify against him though, but it’s something to mention at least.”
Serenity lowers her head. “I should’ve brought this to you straight away. I’m sorry...”
“It’s alright,” he replies. It technically was none of his business anyway. “There wasn’t and isn’t really anything I could or can do. Other than complain to the king, I guess. Which we can still do.”
“...Okay. I know the next caravan is still some months away, but should we go find Cream Puff and get this over with?”
He chews over the thought briefly. “Yeah. Yeah, I think we should. The sooner we get something together, the better I’ll feel. I’d like to have some time to refine it before sending it off anyway.”
“Alright. And while we’re at it... I think I will go have a talk with Max. At least to get a feel for how he’s doing.”
Temperance allows a tiny smile. “Alright, I think maybe he’d feel a bit better after speaking with you. I’ll walk you,” he says, standing.
Post by: L1wW on April 21, 2013, 12:09:59 am
Redhat was wandering through the forest. He really didn’t know how he got here, but just kept on wandering. Eventually he ran into a long table in a small clearing. Oddly enough, at the table were a few ponies, one he knew from all around Duskfields. He pulled out a seat and and sat down at the head of the table.
One of the familiar faces seated at the table was Temperance. He sipped a bit at the cup in his hoof as he eyed the newest guest, “Ahem, you are late. What were you doing? Looking for some Discordants to sympathize with?”
Flamberge rises from his chair and screams at the top of his lungs, “REDHAT WHY IN AMUG’S NAME WOULD YOU SYMPATHIZE WITH THOSE FUGLY GENOCIDAL MANIACS?! AND TEMPERANCE WHERE THE HELL ARE THE GODDAMN SUGARCUBES?!!! I KILLED A DRAGON!!!!” He continues screaming while flailing his limbs around.
“QUIT SHOUTIN’, I’M NAPPIN’!” Temperance then passed out, spilling his tea all over the table.
“DON’T YOU TALK DOWN TO ME YOU FILTHY SYMPATHIZER!!! I KILLED A DRAGON AND MOUNTED HIS SKULL ON MY WALL!!!” Flamberge shouts out in retaliation.
Prodd looked at Redhat, a look of worry in his eye “Where were you, we were so worried!”
“Oh please I was simply powdering my hat.” he said as the stallion took of his hat and showed them that it had indeed been powdered. “please don’t associate me with those unsavory discordants.”
“Good because we were about to begin drinking that tea over there with those lovely crumpets and I made sure they were baked to perfection~” Prodd says
“Oh I do say, please pass me one.” Red said, he simply loved crumpets.
“ME FIRST!!! BECAUSE I KILLED THE DRAGON!!!” Flamberge says, continuing to yell at the top of his lungs.
“Oh don’t worry, everypony will get one Flamberge” Prodd started handing out crumpets and cups of tea with his magic, despite only having one eye, he was able to do it as easily as he would have with both his eyes, though he somehow spills it on Flamberge
“AHHHHHH!!!” Flamberge screams. “HOT TEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I KILLED A DRAGON!!!”
“I do say, just wipe it off.” He levitated over somehow and started to remove the tea using the napkin in his hands. “good as new” Red smiled and then floated back over to his seat.
“ I need to operate on the women! With my teeth!” Case Study shouts.
Temperance wakes up suddenly, “Who dat? Who dere?” He perked up and wondered where his tea went.
“Oh just us darling, now just drink your tea and eat your crumpets and we can have a dandy good time” Prodd says, levitating some tea and a crumpet over
“Yay tea! Yay trumpet!” Temperance tries to the drink the pastry but fails, “What?! Something wrong with tea!” He then sticks the treat up his nose and successfully swallows it through his nostril. “Mmm, yum!”
“YEAH SIT YOUR ASS DOWN AND DRINK YOUR GODDAMN TEA!!! I KILLED A DRAGON” Flamberge orders.
“Alright! But only because I’m asocial and cave to peer pressure easily!” Case shouts exuberantly.
Red frowns and slaps Flamberge across the face from across the table. “LANGUAGE, MY GOOD SIR!”
“OWWWWW” Flamberge cries. “WHY DOESN’T ANYPONY RESPECT ME?! WAAAAAAAH!!! I JUST WANT TO FIT IN! I KILLED A DRAGON!!! WAAAAAHHH!!!”
“Calm down Flamberge, nothing to worry about” Prodd randomly levitates over to Flamberge and pats him on the head “You want another Crumpet dragon killer?”
“P-P-P-PLEASE!!! I KILLED A DRAGON!!!” Flamberge wipes his tears away.
Prodd levitates another crumpet to Flamberge’s plate “There we go are we happy now Flamberge?”
“Ooh! Ooh! I will make desert!” Temperance grabbed an empty plate and put it in his seat. He strained and grunted until his face turned purple. “NNNNGGHHH! Why no chocolate come out?!” Soon, a massive pain emanated from his rear, “OOWW! Hemoooorrrroid! I need Preparation H plzkthxbie!”
Prodd stays silent
Red gets up, and floats over to flamb, and gave him a slap on the face. “I DEMAND SATISIFACTION! My name is Redhat Montoya, you killed Max’s lover now prepare to die!”
Flamberge trembles slightly. “UGH RUGH MUGH!!! I KILLED A DRAGON, I CAN KILL YOU! RESPECT MY AUTHORITY!!!!” He accepts the duel in his own special way.
“Case Study! Case Study! You are doctor! Tell me why chocolate no come out! Make me fixed!” Temperance whined as he rubbed his sore booty, lower lip trembling. “Can you also make sure it dark chocolate? That best kind!”
Redhat just gave him an angry look and pulled out his Yu-gi-oh cards. “Okay, I go first!”
Flamberge readies his beginner-friendly deck. “OKAY, BUT GO EASY ON ME PLEASE!!! I KILLED A DRAGON!!!” He was scared because it was his first time.
“Do you want some crumpets and tea while you have your battle? They’re delicious~” Prodd asks, levitating a plate of crumpets and tea over
He smiled, and laid down the five pieces of exodia, cause hey, if the show saw the rules as guidelines why not do so here? “I win!”
“WAAAAAHHH YOU BROKE THE RULES!!! I’M GOING TO TELL MY PREGNANT WIFE ON YOU!!! I KILLED A DRAGON!!!” Flamberge vows, his very small amount of confidence shattered.
Prodd stays silent in the background, polishing his horn.
“I broke the ‘guidelines’ not the rules. Because everyone knows that Yu-gi-oh has no rules when portrayed in any form of entertainment.”
Temperance feels a rumbling in his stomach, “Oah! Wait! I think it’s working!” He strains until his eyes bug out of his head, “OOUUGUGHHAHAJJGSFOERQOBBQROFLpootis!!!” He was pushing so hard that blood vessels exploded in his eyes and nose and blood sprayed all over the table. With that said, a blast of literal dark chocolate Hershey’s Kisses come flying out of his butt, “WWEEEEEE! IT worked! Who want chocolate now!!!!” He begins to pass the treats around to everypony.
Prodd stays silent, still polishing his horn while eating a hershey kiss
“NUUUUUUUUUUUUUHHH!!! YOU BROKE THE RULES!!! I! KILLED! A! DRAGON!!!” Flamberge roars. In a fit of rage he picks up Redhat and throws him into a tree.
“I want seconds!” Case shouts, munching on chocolate.
Red Hat screams out. “I DO SAY THIS IS VERY UNACCEPTA-”
Red jolts up from her bed. “Oh good god, what the hell was I dreaming of?” She was visibly shaken. She had absolutely no idea why she had such a horrid dream about tea and crumpets. Usually such things were delightfully perfect...
“Mmm... Dunno honey, just go back to sleep... it’ll be okay in the morning...” Prodd murmurs from the other side of the bed.
Red sighs, and snuggled up to Prodd. “oh... sorry for waking you up, dear.” The couple peacefully drifted back into slumber together.
Lightning Runner jolts from his sleep “What the hell was I dreaming of! I thought Case said those hangover fixing things were hangover fixing things...” He shook his head trying to clear his mind of his dream within a dream
“Just go back to sleep Lightning, its almost midnight” Sweet Potato snuggled up next to Lightning
“Sorry for waking you” Lightning also snuggles up next to her and falls asleep again.
Spoiler: If you want to spoil the fun (click to show/hide)
Post by: Amorack on April 21, 2013, 12:54:12 am
As Convalescence sat at the desk on the second floor of the hospital that constituted her temporary office, she reflected on her least favorite part of her new job: paperwork. To be fair, she hadn't had to face any major crises and so far her job had been easy enough, but the stacks of plans, work orders to look over, and reminders, were enough to dull her spirits. Suddenly, the sound of hooves on the stairs broke her out of her reverie.
Commander Flamberge makes his way up the staircase into the second floor, “Hello Mrs. Mayor,” he says, “I would have knocked but you seem to lack a door. Do you have a moment?”
Thankful for a distraction, she greets him cheerfully, "Good morning, Commander. Of course, what was on your mind?"
“Well, two things, first, I never properly thanked you for helping me,” he says as his hoof touches one of the places on his chest where the dragon’s teeth had punctured him, “So, thanks, I know patching up ponies is your job, but we are all thankful for the work you and Case have done here.”
"Thank you, Flamberge. That means a lot to me," she replied.
“Secondly, since your election, I feel we should have a little chat about our new working relationship.” continues Flamberge.
"Yes, I was hoping to talk to you a bit about that. I respect everything you've done in defending this town, I used to be in my town's militia years ago you know," she told him.
"Good, glad to hear it," replies Flamberge, "Honestly with the wall finished, the gates working, and the moat dug, I don't have many pressing issues to discuss. Mostly I need you to understand we have an everpresent need for iron, steel, and flux stones. I'll need your word that you'll negotiate for as much of that to be imported as possible."
"Of course," she replies. "Good to hear that our defenses seem to be in order. Although I would like to install some siege weapons on the walls when some of our other projects around here are finished,”
Flamberge nods, “That’s quite ambitious, but before we get that far, the walls need expanded, and I would like to see fortified positions on the walls for our markponies and militia to shoot from. Right now our wall keeps the non-flying foes out, but it doesn’t really let us hit back at them either.”
"I'll have to see how progess on the temple is going before I start reassigning workers, but improving our walls is a priority. I'll start on that as soon as possible,"
Flamberge nods again, "Good good, well I believe the wall and the metal was all I needed to talk about. Hopefully I won't need to have many official meetings like this with you, Lady Mayor, if you have nothing more than I shall take my leave."
She thinks for a moment before shaking her head, "No, I don't think there's anything else. Well, it was nice talking with you. Goodbye," she says, returning her attention to the still formidable stacks of paper on her desk.
"Goodbye," says Flamberge before taking his leave down the stairs.
Post by: Pokon on April 21, 2013, 01:08:24 am
Wood Chip, after finishing a light brunch, arrived to the dwelling of the former mayor slightly unnerved but neverless intent on seeing him. He actually bothered getting dressed for what was hopefully a semi-formal occasion, wearing what could have passed for a pair of horseshoes if they were not pounded nearly flat, and his not-ceremonial axe on his side, looking small compared to the rest of him.
In all, he was all but sweating bullets when he slowly knocked on the door. He could only hope that he was home, or had a few hours or so. Should he have sent a note or somesuch?
“Coming,” somepony called from inside. The door swung open, and Temperance peeks outside. “Wood Chip? Come in, what’s on your mind?” he said, making room for the unicorn to come inside.
Wood Chip, smiling apologeticly and ducking slightly instinctivly as he passed under the door, found himself in a modest looking room. Before he sat down somewhere, he greeted his greeter earnestly. “Sorry about coming in before sending some sort of note, it’s about, well, the state of things, and I think your one of the smarter ponies in town who can help me.”
“Uh, don’t worry about it,” Temperance said, closing the door. “So, what’s the problem, exactly?”
Wood Chip gave his host a quick glance, and let himself relax slightly. “It’s problems, actually. I have a small pile of suggestions as head of the milita, but the new mayor is still caring for her foal and you seem to be the only pony here with a good head on his shoulders who could help me.” His eyes darted around to what might have been the entrance to another room. “Congrat’s on the new foal.”
Temperance cocked his head slightly, finding his guest’s behavior a bit peculiar. He brushed it off and said, “Thanks, things have been a bit busy for me too with him.” He made a small chuckle. “So, several problems? Related to the militia? I’ll see if I can help somehow.”
Wood Chip was a little unnerved by Temperance’s interested look, and hoped he was not coming across as odd. “Well, we could start with Maize’s...” a little ball of fear began to swell in his chest “...Maize’s condition. I must ask, as I do not know her quite well, how has it been addressed?”
“Her condition? Uh... what do you mean exactly?” As far as Temperance knew, she had just been a bit nervous around others, but Serenity and Praetorian had helped that. So, he said, “Wait, I think Serenity and Praetorian have been helping her a lot with that.”
Wood Chip felt as if a small brick was thrown in his face. They either didn’t tell the mayor or were ignorant of her actual condition. Knees shaking slightly, he looks at Temperance in the eyes. “You were never alerted to the nature of her condition,ever?”
Temperance was beginning to look quite concerned. “Is something wrong with her? Is she alright? Nopony has told me anything.”
Wood Chip suppressed the urge to stomp a hoof, and after a few moments at glancing at the door looked at Temperance once more. “That is...very distressing. I am sorry for asking, but you have a office, correct? I do not wish to force you to hear me talk for a hour or so standing up.” he said, attempting humor to hold back his mild anger.
“Uh... yeah, if you would rather talk in private. Come on,” he said, leading Wood Chip to his office. As they get inside and take their seats, Temperance looked at the unicorn across from him, trying to guess what this was about. “Okay, we’ve both got seats and a bit of privacy now. What did you need to tell me about Maize?”
Wood Chip was unsure if he felt more worried for Maize or Temperance at the moment. The latter was doing his best to confuse him about his intentions. “Well, how to explain this...Temperance, do you know why I came to Duskfield with you a few years ago?”
Temperance raised a hoof to his chin. “Actually... come to think of it I’m not sure we’ve ever really talked about it. Although... I seem to recall a rather unhappy story you told of a previous home.”
Wood Chip felt somewhat relieved. “ It was a little coastal village so close to zebra lands we actually had a few living there. However, one day, a few of the adults began to act oddly. I was much younger then, so I don’t believe I have best possible account of what actually happened, but there was secret meeting happening at night and such. Stuff that would have been thought of as oddly in a place like this, but the community was quite tight and close. However, I can say that many of the adults and quite a few ponies who were not displayed symptoms identical to Maize.” He pauses, seeing if Temperance’s reaction.
Temperance reacts by raising an eyebrow and leaning a bit closer to him. “Symptoms? I’m... not sure I follow? I haven’t noticed anything odd about Maize.”
Wood Chip was somewhat expecting this. “Temperance, have you ever felt like something powerful, and, perhape’s more importantly, antagonistic has visited you? Perhape’s during a dream you cannot remember or during the day, just before or after you really wake up?”
To that, Temperance simply swallowed hard and looked Wood Chip squarely in the eyes. “Uh, well, not long after we got here... there was the uh, incident with the mechanics shop. I haven’t really spoken with many ponies about it though. Seems I was just... well... nothing like it has happened since.”
Wood Chip inhaled sharply, but kept calm. “Well, that will help, I suppose. Now, that...feeling, that is what Maize feels nearly every day. Now, the issue with that is....” Wood Chip gave Temperance a judging look “Do you want to know what happened to my home, Temperance? It will certiantly put things into perspective here.”
“I...” Temperance began, trailing off as he thought over what he was just told. “I remember part of your story, but I don’t remember if you said what happened exactly. if you think it’s something I need to hear, then yes, please tell me.”
Wood Chip shifted his weight to the side slightly, and after a few moments of deleberation looked at the manager pony in the eyes. “One day, I woke up alone. The village was quiet, and when I went outside to pick berries, I found the livestock missing. I later...” He winced slightly at the memory, “I later found many ponies cooking them and the zebra family that stayed there on the other side of town. Almost everypony was there, all of whom suffered so much from the odd occurances that it was accepted as just another part of life by the ponies.” he finished with a little odd choking sound, visibly pained and tired.
Temperance listened to the tale, not liking at all where it was going. He waited for Wood Chip to collect himself a bit, and said, “I see... and.... you think that the same will happen to Maize?”
Wood Chip repressed a urge to swear. “ Yes. More importantly, this is magical in nature, very dark magic. If it means anything, well, I knew the pony that tried to attack Cream Puff a few weeks ago. The discordiants are not born crazy, at least not all of them. It spreads, I would think, and when goes, other’s follow.”
This was beginning to make a frightening amount of sense. Temperance leaned back in his chair and sat silently in thought. “If... if what you’re saying is true... then we have a huge problem on our hooves.” He sighed. “But what can I do? Force Maize to leave?”
Wood Chip smiled slightly, albet forced. “No. However, you have knowlage and power in the fort, Temperance. Conval, even if she is mayor, will be too buisy with her foals to do much around the fort, and you are the only pony here with any true skills in managing in the town besides the leaders in the military. She trusts you, yes?”
“Uh, well, I believe so, yes.”
He smiles grimly. “You are one of the few true leaders in the fort, Temperance, dispite what you might think of yourself. The only other true options for mayor, if her rulership is questioned, are all in the military or in this room, frankly. She is almost certiantly eager to please, and I would like for you to be the one who alerts her of the truth behind Maize’s condition and what it could mean for the fort. I would also think it would be prudent for any pony who shows sign’s of odd behavior to be watched far closely then they have been before, especialy if they are in the military.”
Temperance felt a bit uneasy at the praise, but that’s quickly increased by Wood Chip’s request. He made a small nod. “Alright, I’ll tell Convalescence about all of this, and to keep an eye out for any odd behavior. Maybe it’s nothing.” He hoped.
Wood Chip simply nodded his head, and simply decided to move on to less dreadful topics. “On that note, as head of the Militia, I must also make a request that ponies, rather than be trained in crossbows, be trained in the use of a melee weapon as well. As it is, the current state of the militia is shabby, and while I cannot say that every pony in town must be a master of fighting, as it is the typical pony here is better off throwing there crossbows at a foe than try and aiming a bolt in there direction. Surely there is a decent spearpony in town who is capiable of showing a few decent ponyfolk here how to use a spear properly, yes?”
“There are a few, yeah,” Temperance said. “Flamberge is the one who ordered the militia in the first place, so I’d need to run it by him, but I don’t think he’d disagree. They should be able to find a bit of time to train the civilian militia.” He wasn’t really looking forward to learning to stab things with a spear though. But whatever was necessary...
Wood Chip grew concerned at the mention of Flamberge. “I would prefer if Flamberge was removed from this as much as possible, but please, whatever is needed. I fear that he has, well, shown aggression and agitation that compares with that of Maize, and I do belive that he should be looked at the most out of any pony, more so after his feat of slaying the dragon.”
Temperance sighed. “This isn’t something I can really do without him okaying it. But believe me, I try to avoid him as much as possible.” He thought a moment. “Although... now that you mention it, maybe he really should be watched too.”
Wood Chip echo’s Temperance’s sigh. “ I truly regret that I have not addressed this with anyone sooner, but this is needed for not only our prosparity, but the whole of the towns.”
Temperance nodded. “Yes, if what you’re saying is true, this could have grave ramifications for all of us. Fortunately, it seems that nothing particularly alarming has happened so far, but now that you’ve brought all of this to my attention, I’ll certainly be keeping a closer eye out for it.”
Wood Chip nods, but remember’s one other thing. “What of the griffon, Max I think his name was. Anything of note?”
“I don’t think there’s much that can be said about him, really. I’m sure you’ve heard the stories about the dragon by now. He’s pretty torn up about it, but I don’t think he’s going to cause any trouble.” At least he really, really hoped not. That event had already been tragic enough.
Wood Chip hummed slightly. “Fair enough. I do not think is is a threat, but others might be quick to blame him if anything goes wrong. One must think if, well, I suppose I would be dreadfully upset if SmoothBlock was killed by griffons I was staying with. Poor creature.”
“I know, it worries me too. If anypony tries to blame Max for anything that goes wrong, they’ll have to answer to me.” He blew out his breath. “At least we don’t have to worry about the griffons as a whole. I don’t think Max has any ties to them at all.”
Wood Chip smiled wristfuly. “One must wonder about that. I am not sure how they do it in there own lands, but I must question if he and the dragon were not seeking shelter of some sort.” his smile sank downward “A pity it ended like it did. The dragon could have feasably lived in one of the mines, and it’s not as if Max was, well...” he trailed off, somewhat prepared to step up from his chair and leave.
Temperance wanted the conversation about Max to be over with, so he simply nodded. “Yeah... tragic...”
Wood Chip nodded at Temperance’s sullen words.” Before I go, Temperance, I have one last request, as a pony rather than the leader of the militia. Can you alert Serenity to set up a meeting between me and her next season? I...I would prefer if I did not have to do so in person myself, and I do not want SmoothBlock to worry about me.”
Temperance looked a little concerned. “Of course. I’ll speak with her about it. Anything I can help with?”
Wood Chip gives him a detached look. “Unless you can help with thirty years of nightmares involving your childhood crush eating your little sister, I am not entirely sure.”
Temperance hung his head. “Sorry, no, I don’t think I can,” he finally said.
Wood Chip looked at the smaller pony, nodded slightly, and sat up in his chair in preperation to leave. “Is there anything you want to tell me before I go, now?
“I don’t think so, no.” Temperance looked back up. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention, though.”
Wood Chip, without further hesitation, stood up from his chair and started to make his way for the door before stopping. “One last thing, Temperance. If things...here do go south, do not go to the dragon’s old cave. There is a building off near the edge of town that was used to hold seeds during the first year, and it has a basement with food and drink. If anything bad happens to the point you must flee, I suggest you go there.” On that distressing note, he walked out of the room and headed for his own dwelling.
Temperance cocked an eyebrow and waited for Wood Chip to leave. “Uh... alright...” he said at last. He wasn’t sure what he’d do if everything went south, but he’d keep that in mind at least.
Post by: Telgin on April 21, 2013, 01:09:28 am
Temperance's Journal - 15th Hematite, 271
Nopony will let me forget what happened to Carnith, it seems. It seems that some disgruntled ponies removed his skull from the gatehouse, razing it in the process. Flamberge was furious (what a shock), and now our defenses are compromised. I've got the carpenters working to fix the mess, and trying to figure out who's responsible. I hated having it up there too, but I didn't do this myself because I knew this would happen.
Flamberge and Crosshair went and dug his skull up again, then took it to their room. I'm not particularly happy with that, but at least it's not out where everypony has to look at it now.
I just want to forget it, and let Max get some closure.
1st Timber, 271
I guess Morning Dew and I aren't the only ones upset by Praetorian and Maize leaving Duskfields.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/171.png)
Maize was a friend of hers, so when I killed her in game, Serenity was not happy about it. Apparently Millstone was her lover in game too, so she surely wasn't happy about that, although that was a long time ago. I also see that Temperance is her best friend in game now...
I can tell she's trying to hide it, but she's apparently absolutely torn up about it. I tried to stay out of it, but I'm no foal, and I know she had something going on with the two. Maybe she was just a very good friend to them, but I feel like it might have been more. In either case, it's obvious she feels terrible, and I feel bad for her.
She's the one other ponies go to dump their troubles on, but doesn't really have anypony to do the same to in turn. I should probably talk with her at some point. I don't want her feeling any worse than she has to, and it's my fault she's even out here.
Maybe I'll find some way to work it in subtly. I'll see what I can do.
6th Timber, 271
Well, at least we've got a little bit of good news. Smoothblock was doing a bit of exploratory mining, and she ran into some lignite underground.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/172.png)(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/173.png)
This is good because apparently you can make something close to charcoal out of it, which means we can cut back on cutting down trees for a little while. Or at least use the wood for something more productive than just burning it so we can melt metal.
Speaking of which, we've still got a veritable mountain of junk left from thieves and discordant pony invasions that we need to scrap and repurpose for ourselves. That's going to take a long time yet.
18th Timber, 271
This afternoon was a bit surprising. Holly flew back into town from cutting down trees out north to let me know that a large group of griffons were approaching Duskfields. Griffons wearing lots of armor and clearly heavily armed. I was pretty worried, as you might expect. I didn't think they had any relation to Max, really, since he said he had no family out here (especially now...), but when a large group of armored anything approaches, it gives you pause.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/174.png)
The truth was almost as puzzling. I met them at the gate, along with the soldiers of course, and they introduced themselves. Their leader went by the name of Maksim Pankov. Captain Pankov, that is. They were all from a griffon outpost named Canyontalon, some distance away but apparently not too far for them to send a caravan.
He seemed... surprised... to find us here. I'm not entirely sure why they came and brought so many goods if they didn't expect to find us here, but Captain Pankov didn't want to speak with me. He insisted that he speak with our commander, which was Flamberge. What they talked about I have no idea.
Instead, I helped the traders get to the depot and show them where they can sleep during their stay here. I'll see about trading with them tomorrow morning. It's very late right now.
19th Timber, 271
The trading had to wait, because some discordant pony thieves attacked poor old Pine Straw and Holly as they were cutting down trees.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/175.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/176.png)
The first pony stabbed Pine Straw in the leg so hard it broke the bone! But for some reason, he just fled afterward. He didn't steal anything. He just stabbed the eighty year old stallion in the leg and ran away. I don't understand...
The second went after Holly, but fortunately the marksponies were close by at this point. They mobbed and slew him quickly with Crosshair delivering the final blow and without Holly taking even a scratch. Pine Straw's in the hospital and in a lot of pain, but the doctors said he'd recover fully in time. That's some relief.
The griffons seemed to take a keen interest to the attacks, but they didn't try to intervene. I'm starting to wonder more and more about them.
I did eventually end up trading with the griffons, since that's still my job. I gave them the water buffalo and llama we acquired over the last year, as well as some of harvest, for a bit of cloth, some wood, a bit of cheese, and some drink. It wasn't a lot of trading, but maybe it'll encourage the griffons to return next year with more.
21st Timber, 271
A few things to note today. First off, Sand Paper gave birth this morning to her and Flying Buttress's first child: an earth pony filly they named Fine Grain. I didn't have too much time to stop by and speak with them, since I had to go check up on progress on setting up some practice targets for the civilians, but the doctors said they're all doing well.
The targets are the next thing to mention. We finally got some built over near the hospital, since there wasn't much of anywhere else to put them. We're very late on doing that, as usual, but better late than never. Maybe once we've got a proper barracks there will be somewhere better to put them, but for now, this will have to do.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/177.png)
Just 3 for now, since I don't want them to be spewing ammo too much... also, you can see Praetorian, Maize and Spice's (their daughter) corpses next to the garbage dump. Just in case I need to revive them later.
Lastly, I finally got around to asking Smoothblock to dig out a cellar. I was hoping that we'd have enough room in the back of the tavern to store our food and drink stocks, but it's been long evident that isn't the case. We're just getting started on it, but eventually we'll probably move the pressing and milling down there too. I'm sure Cream Puff will appreciate having more space too.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/179.png)
24th Moonstone, 271
Things have been a lot more relaxed for the past month and a half, which is absolutely fine with me. It's given us some time to take a breather and start back on working on some construction projects again. This time, we're starting on a barn. After two years. Finally, a barn. For the farming community. Wild, isn't it?
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/180.png)
There isn't a huge amount of space to dedicate to it, and we've got to fill in the pond there, but it should be plenty of room to store our seeds anyway. I'd like to move some stalls in there for animals, but I doubt we'll find the room. One thing at a time, I suppose.
8th Opal, 271
Smoothblock finished digging out the storage cellar under the tavern yesterday, which allowed us to move all of the food underground. It'll keep better there, and open up a lot more space in the back of the tavern.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/181.png)
It also allowed us to set up cleaner workshops for the quern and screw press, so the plant processors can mill flour and press seeds for oil in peace and with plenty of room. We also took the opportunity to set aside space for bags and jugs underground, so they won't have to go running back and forth to grab those when they need them. Overall a big improvement, I hope.
Now that that's done, we can turn our attention back to the barn. I'm unhappy with where we started building it, so I may have the carpenters adjust things a bit. We'll see.
We also need more stone for the temple. I'm going to send a letter back to Coupledye asking for another miner to help Smoothblock.
13th Opal, 271
Yet another discordant pony thief showed up today. Instead of trying to sneak inside and steal something, he instead attacked Crosshair as she was standing around outside on patrol, and grabbed her daughter!
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/182.png)
Based on what the rest of her squad told me later, she jumped on the discordant pony like a mare possessed and crushed the life from him with her hooves and crossbow. They even described her as repeatedly biting the discordant pony over and over again.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/183.png)
That goes on for 4 pages. She eventually broke his neck and he suffocated.
Little Crossbow was terrified, I have no doubt, but I didn't really get to see much since Flamberge rushed her and Crosshair back home where they could get some privacy. I don't blame them at all.
If a discordant pony tried to make off with Mountain Dew or Honor... I don't know what I'd do...
27th Opal, 271
I'm still a bit jittery, but something most distressing happened less than an hour ago. I saw Maize out near the fields.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/184.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/185.png)
Yep... forgot to construct the memorials I made for her and her family...
It was very late, so it was dark out. As usual, I was the only around at the hour, so I was pretty perplexed to see anypony out there at all. When I saw it was her, I was even more confused. I started toward her, and called her name. What happened next chilled my soul.
She turned and faced me with a pleasant smile on her face. She beckoned me closer, but I hesitated. Something was clearly wrong. She beckoned on, but when I still refused, she simply shrugged and sat with an eerie grin. “You still have time to leave,” she told me. “You too can avoid a terrible fate,” she said. “It's not too late.”
Then... it was as if the flesh began to fall from her bones. She stretched a bare, skeletal hoof at me and scowled. Her voice changed. It was her. The one from my last... vision, I guess it was? The one I thought I just imagined. She told me, “My patience for your kind is wearing thin.” She started toward me. Half of her face was gone, revealing a bloody, decaying jaw bone. “I won't suffer you to kill my children much longer.” She stamped a hoof and her voice exploded in my head. “Leave!” she screamed.
I was in near panic at that point, but then, she was gone. There was nothing but the cool night breeze and the sound of insects chirping in the distance.
I didn't just imagine that. Something... someone is out there. She wants us to leave. And the discordant ponies... are they the ones she meant? Her 'children'? I don't understand...
I galloped home at that point. I didn't tell the whole story to Morning Dew. I just told her I thought I saw Maize in the fields, and I was a bit shaken up by it. Shaken up is an understatement. I don't know if I should do anything. Maybe we should take her advice? It's obvious I'm risking everypony's lives out here, but I don't want to give up. This... this is really starting to scare me though.
Especially after what Wood Chips told me. I... I think I should write Coupledye about this. Maybe somepony there will know what to do.
9th Obsidian, 271
Two completely unrelated things to report today. First off, Sweet Potato gave birth today to a pegasus filly. She went into labor while helping move stone up from the quarry, which was probably too much work for her to be doing in her condition anyway. I checked up on her and Lightning Runner this afternoon, and they told me they named the filly Mist, and that she was doing well. That's great news, and that coupled along with nothing terrible happening in the past few weeks has helped put my mind at ease.
Even more helping to put my mind at ease was the fact that I passed off orders to Crystal Clear to start making some glass weapons to put in traps out south. I don't think I can reproduce the trap system that Virtue had constructed in Dawnpick without the plans or a talented mechanic, but we can at least put a few simpler traps out there.
Glass won't do much against armored ponies, but one thing that seems to be common against the enemies that attack so far is that they rarely wear boots. So maybe they'll actually hurt them some the next time they come. If not, they should make enough noise to alert us at least. Now we just have to be sure everypony knows where they are, so they don't set them off...
13th Obsidian, 271
The caravan from Coupledye came a bit earlier this year, which was spotted about a day's travel off by the patrolling marksponies. They're approaching from the north this time, which is a bit odd. Somewhat worryingly, we've been seeing a few of those odd dust storms out north. I hope they make it through alright.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/186.png)
A discordant magic cloud started forming right outside almost as soon as they arrived. Right where I told the swordsponies to go. Thank goodness they hadn't made it yet.
14th Obsidian, 271
Well, the merchants didn't run into any dust storms, but were ambushed by diamond dogs instead! Seven of the things armed with spears leaped upon the caravan from the trees as they approached.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/187.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/188.png)
The swordsponies were the closest to the caravan and rushed out to help them, but not before the diamond dogs wrecked all of the wagons and scared the merchants off! One guard was also seriously wounded, and is being tended by the doctors. Despite our best attempts we couldn't convince the merchants to stay, even with the promise of keeping their things safe. They left immediately, leaving behind a huge mess for us to clean up. I'm still not sure how I feel about keeping the supplies. Maybe we can give them back next year? I don't know. I guess I won't have to handle any trade this season.
Convalescence is currently speaking with the outpost liaison. So I'm just sitting here shuffling my hooves and trying to figure out what to do about this whole situation.
Get started on the clean up I guess. There's a lot to do...
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/189.png)
15th Obsidian, 271
I've been combing through the mess out north and looking at what we now have to sort through, and there is just an enormous amount to deal with. Everything I asked for last year is here: lots of flux stones to convert some of this iron into steel, a few cows and sheep, lots more bronze, tin and iron, seeds, fruit trees... and a lot of stuff we don't want or need. That I don't know what to do with yet. It's going to take weeks to clean all of this up completely.
In the meantime, Convalescence said that the liaison had something big to announce in the morning before he left, and wanted all of the military, her and myself to be present. I can only think of one thing that he'd be announcing that involved all of us. It seems a bit early to me for that, but... maybe... what else could it be?
I'm a bit excited actually. I hope the incident out north didn't affect opinions of me. We did everything we could, and everypony is going to be alright! And besides, I think Duskfields has shown itself to be a fairly prosperous little town. I've proven myself, I think.
To really drive the point home, two mares here became mothers! Nectarine gave birth to her first foal this afternoon, a unicorn colt she and Pauldron named Tangerine. Pleats gave birth to her first foal too, a pegasus colt she and Keen Edge named Ravel. That should really show them that this place has become a proper town, where ponies can live real lives. Not just somewhere that churns out food and suffers attacks from discordant ponies!
16th Obsidian, 271
Remember I've mentioned that I have the occasional day where I just want to quit and go back to Coupledye? Yeah, today is one of those days. I'm not even going to mention the announcement from the liaison.
Well, okay, I will. The liaison was around long enough to get a good look at what we have to deal with out here sometimes. In particular, we suffered a raid from the badger ponies again this afternoon. I hope he got a good look...
Several attacked from the north initially.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/190.png)
The first met the marksponies, who were still covering the cleanup. After they disabled him, Gorget finished him off by decapitating him.
Down south, things went more poorly. The spearponies were guarding the southern entrance, where Pila was ambushed by one. The first strike shattered a hoof, and she collapsed from the pain before being stabbed several more times. Thankfully, Bascinet, Epaulette and Redhat, the new captain, were right there with her, and slew the badger pony before it could kill her.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/191.png)
A third approached from up north, apparently uncaring that their comrade was just cut down. Lightning Runner took a very bad cut to his left foreleg, but the swords ponies finished that badger pony off too before they could do too much harm.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/192.png)
The last two badger ponies didn't do much damage either. One stabbed Redhat in the leg too, but the spearponies killed it quickly after that. Gorget intercepted the last one and decapitated it too before it could even take a swing.
So today has been a pretty crappy day. Three ponies are in the hospital, with Pila in bad shape. And I get no respect from those in Coupledye. At least I got to send that little letter back with the liaison, who should deliver it to the king soon. I can't wait to see it get ignored.
I'm going to bed. I'm tired of dealing with it for now.
1st Granite, 272
Morning Dew turned thirty-six today, and to celebrate her birthday I had a little surprise for her. Mountain Dew helped me bake a cake for her, which I think turned out pretty well to say I've never baked one before. Mountain Dew is growing up so fast, she was a big help stirring things. Cream Puff offered to help, but I tried to do as much as I could myself. Gotta put all the love in myself, right?
Morning Dew was pretty surprised for me to show up with it during dinner, probably mostly because I don't know a thing about cooking. She seemed to like it though, which is all that matters. Mountain Dew was bouncing in excitement by the time the little party was done, and even Honor seemed to be enjoying it.
I feel a lot better after that. I needed something to take my mind off of the frustrations of late.
6th Granite, 272
Redhat and Lightning Runner have recovered enough to leave the hospital, but Pila is still in serious condition. I checked with the doctors who said she'd recover, but she's going to be out for a while. They've been keeping her sedated for now, but I hope she recovers soon.
Otherwise, not much to report. We're still cleaning up the caravan incident, which was slowed considerably by the badger pony incursion.
Speaking of which, I wonder if Redhat still feels so much sympathy for them...
Post by: Iceblaster on April 21, 2013, 01:36:43 am
9th Obsidian, 271
Today it happened, Sweet Potato gave birth to a beautiful Pegasus foal, and a girl too, I haven't been this happy since I met Sweet Potato in the High Class section of Fruitholds.
[below is an exceptionally well drawn sketch of a foal (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Mist%20Avatar.png).]
Isn't she the best?
16th Obsidian, 271
Sweot Amug... I get called in fer a simple defense mission and I get a
Post by: Telgin on April 21, 2013, 02:59:29 pm
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png), (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Crosshair%20Avatar.png), (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Convalescence%20Avatar.png) and (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
Early the morning after the liaison spoke with him, Temperance assembles himself at the nothern gate of Duskfields. The liaison specifically requested the spot for some reason, but at least the skull that had hung there for a few days was long gone. The announcement was important enough for everypony in Duskfields to see if they wanted to, and he, Convalescence as the mayor, Flamberge and all of the other militia captains had been specifically requested to be present. It must have been important.
As he waits, he nervously shuffles his hooves. He barely dared to hope this was what he thought it was. He’d worked so hard for years to get to this point. Surely the king had learned how well Duskfields was doing despite everything that had happened out here. He’d respect that. And give reward where it was due. Right?
Flamberge arrives first among the others, with Crosshair right at his side, they had left little Crossbow with Cream Puff for a while while they were needed here. Flamberge was unaware about the details of this meeting but the liaison had smiled and told him it was important, he had dared to hope this was the moment he had waiting for since they were sent here. Surely the King had heard of how he’d defended this town against such odds, surely he would see it was time to give him his just reward.
Soon afterwards, Convalescence arrives from the direction of the hospital. "Morning Temperance, Commander, Crosshair," she says to each of them in turn. "Do either of you know what this is about?"
“Good morning Mayor, I have no idea what’s this about.” Crosshair answered with a smile.
Temperance gives her a nervous, hopeful smile. “Good morning. I don’t know what this is about, actually. I was hoping one of you would.”
“Good morning, and no, I don’t know either, but I have a fairly good idea,” says Flamberge with a smile.
Within a few minutes, the sky blue unicorn stallion who served as the outpost liaison came trotting up to the group. He was carrying a large scroll in his magic, which was still tightly bound. As he makes it outside, he turns to face them and Duskfields. “Good morning everypony, I’m glad you could all make it. As you’re well aware, I’ve got a big announcement that affects all of you.”
Temperance was fighting to keep his heart from beating out of his chest. Was this really it? He looks at the scroll intently, recognizing it as certainly one authorized by the king himself.
Flamberge saw the scroll as well and knew what that seal meant, he was unable to fully contain himself, where he smiling any wider the top of his head would fall off.
“Yes, I must say the stories from this little corner of the world have already spread back to Coupledye, and have impressed His Majesty as well as a few others in high places. That,” he says, waving the scroll about in the air, “is why I’m carrying this.” The stallion smiles at each of the ponies present, one after another. “You’ve all played a part in getting this little settlement off the ground, but one of you in particular has stood out as an exemplary standard of your position.”
Temperance was starting to break out in a cold sweat now. Here it came...
Flamberge raises his chin up, trying to look dignified as the news he had been waiting for was about to be delivered.
Convalescence eagerly waits for the announcement to come, wondering which of the two the liaison was about to commend.
Crosshair was no less excited, try as she might, she couldn’t fully contain the excitement of what’s going on. It all looked so big and important
The unicorn smiles wider and begins walking up and down the line of ponies. “The king believes in fair reward for good work, and has empowered me to bestow this,” he says, removing the seal and unfurling the scroll. He steps back to the center of the formation and locks eyes with Flamberge.
Temperance felt his heart stop as the liaison stopped in front of and looked Flamberge’s way. No...
‘Yes!’ thinks Flamberge to himself, his dreams were taking shape around him, this was it, no more would be be a common pony, finally he would be recognized as he deserved to be.
“Commander Flamberge, for your displays of unparalleled bravery and skill in combat, for your expert skill at raising and commanding the armed forces detached to this settlement, and for your unending devotion toward the safety of all those who inhabit it, by the power granted to me by King Golud and in front of these witnesses, I bestow upon you the rank of Colonel in His Majesty’s army, complete with all of the benefits and duties entailed by that position,” the stallion reads. He rolls the scroll up again and presents it to the pegasus. “Congratulations, colonel.”
Flamberge’s face fell slightly, disappointed that this wasn’t the news he had been hoping for after all, but seeing it as a good sign of the things yet to come, he smiles back at the liaison and nods, and says, “Thank you sir. I have only done as the good king asked of me.” as he accepts the scroll.
Temperance stared in mild disbelief. He felt... he didn’t know what he felt. The pony who was in such defiance of any attempt at listening to reason, decency and authority was just promoted?
After the applause from the crowd had subsided somewhat, Convalescence gave Flamberge a small salute and offered her congratulations simply.
Crosshair gave him a quick congratulatory hug and a nuzzle, whispering into his ears before letting him go, smiling proudly.
“One last thing,” the unicorn said, reaching into his saddlebags with his magic. He produced a small metal object hanging from a colorful lanyard, and says, “The king also bestows upon you the Golden Distinguished Service Medal, for selflessly engaging a foe of fearsome might to protect the ponies of Duskfields. Your actions have saved the life of at least one pony,” he said, nodding toward Temperance with a smile. “No doubt every pony here owes their lives to you.” He levitates the medal over Flamberge’s head, letting the elaborate symbol of a dragon’s skull atop a shield and crossed spears hang from his neck. “Congratulations again, colonel.”
Temperance was fuming inside, and wants nothing more than to storm off. He manages to keep it to a mild frown. This was disgusting. He wasn’t sure he wanted anything for himself now.
The second award had left a bit of a sour taste in Convalescence's mouth. As much as she respected Flamberge protecting the town, and knew what a feat it was to slay a dragon by himself, she had heard enough of Temperance's side of the story to see it less as a triumph and more as a tragedy. Still, he was just doing what he had to to protect Duskfields, right?, she thought to herself.
Flamberge was legitimately pleased again, it wasn’t the title he had wanted, but the Golden Distinguished Service Medal was not given out lightly. “Thank you sir, I could not have done it without the support everypony in Duskfields. They should all share in this glory.”
“No doubt,” the liaison replies. “You’ve all done an excellent job, and in no way is this supposed to downplay the part played by any of you. If you all continue to do a good job as you have been, you’ll see your rewards as well.” He takes a step back and makes a small bow in front of them all. “Congratulations, and keep up the good work. Now, I must depart soon, so I will be gathering my things if any of you need me. You are dismissed.”
Temperance looks away and steps aside to give the liaison room to head back inside. After he’s gone, Temperance says in a tense, low voice, “Congratulations.” He too then starts back inside without looking anypony in the eyes. He most certainly had something to speak with the liaison about before he left. A nice little letter to the king endorsed by a few ponies here. This wasn’t over.
“Thank you Temperance,” replies Flamberge, with the minimum of politeness, being quite capable of detecting the dissatisfaction in Temperance’s voice.
Post by: Kryptid on April 22, 2013, 01:24:30 am
27th Opal, 271
After completing his regularly-scheduled jog around the fort, Case Study leaned against a nearby tree and stretched his legs, “Ah, that was nice.” Once he had properly relaxed his muscles, he sat down and rested his back against the smooth, gray trunk. The doctor inhaled the clear air deeply and slowly eased out a breath that helped him unravel. It certainly was nice not having to worry about the health of a fellow pony for the time being, so he closed his eyes and soaked in the warmth of the sunlight.
“Hey, haven’t seen you around in a while.”
The unexpected voice came from his right, causing him to snap out of his voluntary stupor. His red eyes shot over and locked onto another pair of crimson irises which were fixated upon him, “Huh? Oh, it’s you Ms. Holly. Salutations.”
The white pegasus was poised about ten feet away from the stallion, standing with her trusty axe slung over her shoulder, “I’m surprised to see you out here. I was under the impression that you were the kind to stay cooped up indoors whenever you had the chance.”
He chuckled a bit at the statement, “I have to admit that I do enjoy the peace and quiet of reading alone in my room, yes. However, I do crave the transcendent beauty of nature at times as well. Nothing quite like a breath of fresh air.”
Holly nodded, “I suppose I can understand that, even if I do get a bit too much nature every day. Mind if I take a seat? Trees don’t chop themselves down and I must admit that I’m a bit winded.”
“Of course.”
The green-haired mare plopped down right next to Case, her side almost touching his. This made him a bit uncomfortable, causing him to scoot over slightly. “Ahem...well...how has it been lately....supplying lumber to Duskfields?”
She frowned a bit, “Eh, I’ve gotten used to it, but it’s certainly not a dream job. If there are any benefits to it, at least it keeps me in shape.” Her eyes slid over towards the blue stallion, “I see that you take care of yourself as well. Weren’t you jogging just now?”
“Um, yes...I do,” Case answered, avoiding eye contact, “It’s not just in the interest of my physique, but I feel that it also sets a good example for the fort as a whole. What good would it do a doctor to give others advice about their well-being if he doesn’t take care of his own health in the first place?”
The lumberjack blushed, “That’s something to be admired. You’re a good, honest pony. I like that about you, Case.” Holly closed the distance between the two of them once more.
He sat up straight, “Ms. Holly, I...I don’t mean to be rude, but perhaps we should retain our personal space.”
The mare giggled, “Case Study, such the gentlecolt. You are single, aren’t you?”
This conversation had taken an undesired direction. The physician shrank back, “Look...I’m sure that you are a nice enough mare, but...perhaps you should make inquiry with another stallion. I’m not really at a place in my life where I’m prepared to look into commencing another relationship.”
She tilted her head and raised an eyebrow, “I don’t see what the big problem is. I’ve heard through the grapevine that you’re divorced. Did the break-up leave a bad taste in your mouth? Well, I can tell you that not all mares are the same. Whatever she did to you, I’d do my best to make it aaalll better.”
Less than a second after the pegasus finished her sentence, an explosive thud drove her face into the grass-clothed soil underneath them. Case’s diamond-shaped eyes expanded wildly at the sight of Holly’s own hatchet buried deeply into the back of her head. His face and body were decorated with droplets of blood produced by the impact. Behind the freshly-killed equine stood a shockingly familiar earth pony.
“F-Fauna?! What are-?! Why did-?!” The blue pony stumbled over his words trying to articulate the perplexing set of emotions washing over him. What was his ex-wife doing here in Duskfields? When did she arrive? Why did she just kill Holly without provocation?
“Why were you flirting with her, Case?!” The brown-coated mare pulled the blade from Holly’s split skull as tears ran down her cheeks, “You know that I apologized for cheating on you! We were supposed to be together again! Nopony else is good enough for you!” She looked down at her handy work, “Nopony”
He jumped to his hooves as rapidly as he could, “I-I didn’t...you can’t...can’t just come in here and kill somepony like that!” Case swiftly spun his head around searching for some guard or soldier to apprehend her. Perplexingly, none of the other residents seemed to be even slightly concerned about Holly’s head being burst open.
Fauna wiped some of the red liquid from her face, “Tell me it’s going to be okay! Tell me that you love me! See! I killed for you! Isn’t that proof enough for how much I care about you?!”
“Th-this isn’t you! You’re not a murderer, Fauna! What happened?! Why did you do that? Why are you even here?!”
Strangely, the mare’s fur grew increasingly dull and tattered as she stood and gave Case the thousand-yard-stare, “I know you missed me...I certainly missed you.” Her voice had begun to change, transforming from smoothly feminine to grating and semi-strangled. Her tone became less begging and more commanding, “You will leave Duskfields. You will come with me back to Coupledye.”
The stallion took a few steps back, mouth still agape, “I-I’m not going anywhere, Fauna! I told you it was over and I meant it! I’m sorry you can’t accept that, but you’ve got bigger problems to worry about than marriage right now! Do you really think you can just go back to a normal life after what you just did?!” He kept looking around for somepony, anypony, who would pay attention to what was going on, “Help! Guards! We have an emergency!” Why weren’t they responding?
The tan-maned pony narrowed her now-yellowing eyes, “You will leave Duskfields, or I will kill all of the mares here. Do you think that I’ll risk one of them stealing you away?” A greenish-gray fluid dripped from the corners of her mouth as her voice became increasingly gelatinous and cold. Her skin pulsed and writhed on her bones, giving the impression of sizable maggots crawling underneath it.
“You can’t be Fauna...wh-what are you?” Case’s heart was pounding at the unreal sight which was unfolding before him.
A grin crawled onto her face, stretching wider until the drying skin ripped. “This will be your only warning. Wake up, little pony. Wake up and leave forever.”
As if he had been snapped out of a trance, Case Study awoke in bed. His eyes darted around at the ceiling, trying to understand what had just happened. That...couldn’t have been a dream...could it? He sat up and took a deep breath, rubbing his face with his forehooves. It must have been a dream, but it seemed exceedingly real. Even now, it was like a recent memory from actual life. After getting a drink of water, he managed to calm himself and get back to bed. Tomorrow, he was going to make sure that Holly was still alive...
Post by: DVNO on April 22, 2013, 01:37:16 am
It is midday in Duskfields, the sun sets with a brilliant auburn glow on the crossbow training range. There, Max was training with his crossbow. Like most days recently.
Max takes aim, and fires a bolt. He scores a hit in the red second ring on the hay bale target. He looks to his right. Looks like Crosshair and Lightning were coming to get some practice in as well. He made space and lined up another shot. “Good evnen’ ” Max said to them both quietly.
“Evening” Lightning replied, trotting over to where he kept his crossbow ~I still wonder why I never take this home~ He thought, picking it up in his mouth, then trotting over to his target.
Crosshair seems to be in her usual good mood today, humming something under her breath like a pony should “Morning Max!” She chirped as she trots over to her own target. “Need any help with training?” she offered.
Max gave her a weary smile. “Actually, I could, thanks for offering. I don’t use weapons much.” Max gave Lightning a glance. One that said ‘Do it just like we practiced.’
Lightning nodded “Soo Max, you need help with anything in particular?” He trotted over to his side, the one closer to Crosshair’s house, something hidden under his wing
“Yeah, the knock back on this crossbow is a real son of a bitch.”Max says, rotating his left shoulder. “I might be doing something wrong.” He gestures Crosshair to come closer with his wing. “How about you fire some? Show me the best way to do it.”
“Sure thing!” Said Crosshair as she trots over with her crossbow. Putting the edge into the dirt and hold it down with a hoof as she draw the strings back with her mouth, locking it in place and putting a bolt in there before lifting it up again. “That’s one of the ways to reload quickly, as for firing..” The small mare stands up on her hindlegs as she bring the crossbow up and aim down the sights, using her wings to level herself. Pressing the Crossbow’s stock against her shoulder, then flick her hoof at the trigger. Sending the bolt straight into the center of the target. “You’ve got to keep the pressure at the hoofguard up, so that the recoil that tries to push it down won’t mess up your aiming!” Chirped the little pony.
Max admired the whole process. “You know I never did understand why you adopted the crossbow of all things. It’s much more suited for the Griffons and Diamond Dogs and the more -” He puts up his left claw and wiggles the digits. “Dexterous creatures of the world.”
Crosshair giggled at that, smiling as she reloads her crossbow again in just the matter of seconds. “Well, the alternatives are Bows, which are even more unwieldy, lower accuracy and stopping power, then there’s blow guns which are absolutely useless to armor, then javelins. Which cost too much and doesn’t have enough for a prolonged fight. Besides, anyone could just pick it up and throw it back at you.” Answered the Captain of the guard “But Crossbow? It’s not exactly the most comfortable of things, but it’s simple to use with a little training. And it’s got enough stopping power to punch through metal even with wooden bolts! Easier to use than bows, MUCH more stopping powers than blowguns and you can shoot really far with one if you practice enough like me.”
“I agree, even with my wings to hold lets say a bow, I can’t see myself holding a bow” Lightning said, slowly trotting towards the area where Crosshair keeps the bolts that were initially brought on the journey... supposedly... ~Crosshair probably booby trapped the area, so I’ll have to proceed slowly once in~
“So, like this?” Max said while purposefully getting his crossbow firing posture all wrong.
Crosshair face-hoofed herself. Which is just as painful as it sounds. Before getting over to him to help adjust his posture slightly. “Your legs are too close, need to spread them a little more to brace yourself, your elbows are too slack, and you’re not even looking down at the sights!”
“Ah, thanks.” Max straightens up, suddenly showing a very practiced pose. He takes careful aim and almost lands a bullseye. “What do you know.” Max laughed. “Looks like i’m a natural.”
Lightning takes the thing he was hiding under his wing out, a small lock pick set rolled up in a cloth bag. ~Been awhile since I’ve done this, but I should be able to~ He began work on picking the lock.
Crosshair rolled her eyes and chuckle slightly. “Oh you.”
“So, I know things got a little tense back there. In the hospital room.” Max said with a frown while starting to reload.
Crosshair nodded “Mmm yeah, Personally I didn’t want to post any guards there. But it’s also for your own safety, I wouldn’t want some ponies with the wrong idea to sneak in and slit your throat in your sleep.”
A satisfying click sounded from the lock ~Still got it~ Lightning opened the door just enough to get in and shut it as soon as he got in, he immediately began looking around for where Crosshair stored those bolts.
Max’s head swerved back in surprise at that. “Gods, who would do that? I’m liked by most around here. Smoothblock, Redhat, Temperance, Prodd, Lightning .... who were you thinking of that would go and do something like that? Your hubby? That’s the only one I can think of.” He lined up another shot.
Crosshair shrugs slightly. “You can never be too careful.”
Lightning began looking in any nook and cranny in Crosshair’s home, hoping that Flamberge wasn’t waiting in the shadows, ready to jump him and possibly put an axe to his head ~If Flamberge is here, I will be dead twice over~
“Heh, looking out for me.” Max smiled. That did him in. He couldn't hold up the act anymore. “And putting Carn’s head on the top of the damn fort gate!? Also looking out for me, I guess?” Max suddenly spattered with vitriol, turning on her.
“Wasn’t my decision.” Crosshair said in defense. “And I know full well how mean it is for you. Really.”
Lightning looked under the bed to find a hatch ~In floor safe, interesting~ he got out his lockpick kit again and got to work on the lock
Max cocked a brow. “Oh really? So you weren't an advocate for keeping the skull up? that’s a different story from what I heard from Lightning. I heard you chewed him out for it’s removal, even though you had no proof he even did it! I heard you wanted to put it back up again! I heard he’s hanging in your living room!” Max shouted, tightening his grip on the crossbow.
Lightning faintly heard what Max had yelled “- --ard -ou ----- -- -ut it ba-k u- --a-n I he-a-d it’- -anging -n -our living r-om” is what Lightning had heard ~It?~ Lightning stopped his progress with the lock and looked around ~It...It...It... It! The dragon skull? Why is it here and not buried outside of town walls!~ Lightning thought, staring at the eyesore of an ornament “Why is this eve-” He put a hoof over his mouth, hoping if anypony was home, nopony heard him.
Crosshair frowned “I didn’t chew out Lightning because the skull was taken down, I chewed him out because the gate was taken down! The skull is one thing, I understand that! But breaking down the gate because of the skull endangered everypony in the town!”
Max cocked his head with a bitter grin. “So it was a security issue. Solely a security issue. Not because you husband Flamberge had his authority undermined. Not because for a second, you realized your power had limits. And it scared you. Of course.” Max growls “ I want Carn’s head back. It’s the least you could do, for the Griffon who built the place it’s currently in.”
“I know that my powers have limits, Max. I have nothing against you, And besides, it was a vote we put up for the majority of the ponies. And if they wanted the skull down, they could’ve done the same vote and take it down without breaking one of the things that’s standing between everypony and the blood thirsty discordians.”
“The vote was rigged!” Max shouted. He pointed the crossbow at Crosshair. “It had to have been. Had to. If it wasn't?” Max glared at her sadly. “Then I have no idea what you ponies really are. Not the ponies I knew. In my eyes the difference between discordants and ponies are growing thinner, and thinner.” He looked at her with a pleading. “Please tell me it was rigged.”
Lightning went back to his work on picking the lock on the floor safe under the bed. After a good five minutes he heard yet another satisfying click ~Good now lets see what we have here~ Lightning pulled a box out of the floor safe [i[~Self Portraits... A family portrait... recent. And it seems I found the gold here~[/i] Lightning pulled out a quiver, with metal arrows filling it, about twenty-five, dust filled the air ~What would Max want with these?~ Lightning began putting the things back into the box, making sure they weren’t damaged as-if he were found out-Crosshair would be pissed to Tartarus. Lightning began creeping towards the door, making sure he didn’t leave anything out of place from when he came in.
Crosshair frown at that. “It wasn’t... Max, listen to me. As much as it seems disrespecting to Carn.. Would it not be at least something to let a part of him live on, benefitting those around him as we take care of that part, looking after it and might even be honoring it, letting ponies and people everywhere remember him in their hearts instead of dumping into a hole in the dirt and just forget him like he was nothing? Is it not better for him and all of us that, even in death, he still means something more than a piece of bone in the dirt?” The little mare tried to reason.
Max’s beak curled up in disgust. “If you’re going to make my Carn into a sick art exhibit you better get my bucking grace first you flying harpie.”
“We’re not turning him into some sort of an Art Exhibit! But ... You know what? He’s your Dragon. I suppose it’s only fair you decide what we do with the rest of him. If you want to dig him a hole and dump him in there, Fine. I’m not going to stop you from that. I only wanted what helped the community. But I will respect your choice, Max.” Crosshair huffed.
Lightning opened the door, the light-at least what light there was-flooding the room. He put his lockpick kit into the quiver-as it was small enough to fit-and positioned it under one of his wings. He attempted to get Max’s attention before continuing towards the two.
Max glared at Lightning and nodded. “I expect Carn’s head out of your house by Sunday.” He twirled the crossbow in the direction of the haybale target and blind fired it with a single claw. He scores a respectable hit on the outer ring. “Do not make me come in there and take it.”
Crosshair furrow her brow at that. “You’ll have to come pick it up, Max. We’ll take it down and take it out but unless you tell us where to put it ... Besides, I think you’d prefer to bury it yourself ...”
Lightning galloped off out of sight, waiting for Max to come over. ~This better be worth it, If I get caught, I’m as good as dead~
“Sunday.” Max walked away and let Crosshair sputter, dropping the crossbow. The two walked back to the apartments. “So, did you get them?” Max asked Lightning.
“Does this answer your question?” A quiver fell from under his wing
Max’s eyes widen. “One bolt would have done, Lightning. A whole quiver?”
“A thief, regardless of their skill, doesn’t go ‘one bolt’ they go ‘All of it’ as, incase you haven’t lived like me, is a lot more than just the one... plus if you fail whatever with the one bolt, you’ll have at least twenty-four more bolts.” He said, picking up his bag of lockpicking tools “Also, if you get caught, my name is not mentioned at all.”
Max closed his eyes. “Of course. And a single quiver isn’t that conspicuous. Things get misplaced ‘round here all the time. A job well done.” He starts to take out a bag of gold.
“Your welcome, have a nice day Max, hope my deeds are put under the covers soon enough, no pay necessary” Lightning turned around, prepared to head back to the archery range.
Max grinned. “Alright. Remember, a revolution is coming. Things are gonna change around here, I promise.”
Post by: Telgin on April 22, 2013, 02:35:05 am
Today was looking like one of those boring days for Temperance. He sat in his office staring at the paperwork in front of him, daydreaming about what to get Mountain Dew for her birthday instead of actually tending to them. He shook his head, unable to think of anything appropriate.
There was a few polite knocks at his door, getting his attention. He shrugged, pushed aside the distracting thoughts and moved to open the door. “Yes? Oh, Crosshair. Come in, what’s on your mind?”
Crosshair walked in, closing the door behind her “Good morning Temperance, I’m sorry to bother you this early in the morning but.. I’ve got something concerning to tell you.” said the small mare with a worrisome frown
Temperance mirrored the unpleasant look. “What is it?” he asked, feeling his mood flip completely from what it was moments ago.
“Well, yesterday I found out that an entire quiver of metal bolts of mine went missing. I kept it under the floor safe under the bed. The bolts have my signature and everything! At first I thought it was some thief’s work, but my gold in there are still safe and wasn’t taken.. so yeah.. a bunch of bolts with my names on it went missing, I’m sure you see my concern here.”
“I do,” he replied, raising an eyebrow. “I can’t imagine why anypony would take them though. Or know about them, for that matter.” He thought back to some of the trouble Mountain Dew used to and still rarely got into and added, “Is it possible that maybe Crossbow did something with them? Unicorn foals have been known to do some very strange things.”
Crosshair shook her head. “I kept it locked pretty tight, and hidden away. Afterall, I keep dangerous things in there, you wouldn’t keep dangerous things anywhere your foal could reach, would you?”
“No, no, of course not.” He tapped a hoof to his forehead. “But a foal with a horn can get into things you wouldn’t believe. Still, I never knew Mountain Dew to do something quite like that. She usually went for sweets.” He thought a few moments. “Who all knew of the bolts? Just you and Flamberge?”
Crosshair nodded. “And I’ve told Fauchard about this, he didn’t steal it. Plus I’m the only one who keeps the key.. I don’t think Flamberge would be the type to know how to lockpick neither... But I suppose it doesn’t take a genius to guess that I keep some of my craft with me.”
Temperance nodded, but didn’t look any more comforted. “I’m afraid I don’t know anypony else here who would know how to do anything like that. Steel Rivet could make keys probably, but I sincerely doubt he’d be able to do that without the lock to work from, and in turn without you knowing about it.” He looked down for a moment, then back up. “Do you have any ideas at all who did it? One of the other marksponies?”
Crosshair rub her muzzle as she think back “Hmm... well.. Yesterday I did run into a little trouble with Max and Lightning.. he threatened me to give him Carn’s skull back by sunday, pointed his crossbow at me too. I agreed, of course. Weird, Lightning Runner wasn’t around when I was talking with Max, though he was before and he came back after we’re done talking..”
Temperance’s eyes widened a bit. Clop. Clop, clop, clop. “Max... threatened you about Carn’s skull? What happened exactly?” He was terrified he’d be burying Max next to Sanctuary by sundown...
“Well, he wasn’t exactly very happy that we put Carn’s skull on the gate, or in our room and wanted it back. I said that it’d at least let him continue to serve and be useful even in death.. Then he insulted me saying that Doing that is some sort of a sick art exhibit and pointed his crossbow at me. I managed to talk him down and we went our separate ways.. Of course I didn’t tell Flamberge about this, I think you know what’d happen if I tell him that Max threatened his pregnant mare and pointed a weapon at her.. right?”
“Yes, I do,” Temperance said, not really relaxing at all. “Thank you for defusing the situation like that... Flamberge doesn’t...” He shook his head. “If Max does try to hurt anypony, you do what you have to of course, but, ah, that... I wouldn’t...” He shook his head again. “A-anyway, you, uh, seem to be implying that one of them might have something to do with it? I’m not sure I see how or why either would. Stealing the bolts seems kind of pointless.”
Crosshair nods. “Unless they’re going to.. use it and try to pin that on me..”
That made more sense than Temperance wanted to admit to. “Uh, well... how could either have known about the bolts? Or taken them? I’d just keep looking for them, I’m sure they were just misplaced somewhere.” Please gods, let the bolts have just been misplaced. Laltur, Nirmek, please don’t let Max be the one with the bolts.
“Mmm.. let’s hope that.. For Everyone’s sake let’s hope that..”
“Indeed,” Temperance replied, nodding. “If I see them, or hear anything about them I’ll certainly let you know.”
Crosshair nod and smiles a little “Thanks, Temperance. You have a good day, okay? Oh and.. Give Mountain Dew my happy birthday.”
He nodded again and forced a small smile. “Thank you, I will.”
Post by: Iceblaster on April 22, 2013, 11:40:06 pm
18th Obsidian, 271
I finally dusted off my Lockpicking set and did something that me and Max have been planning for a long time. I was able to sneak into Crosshair's house and steal some dusty old bolts from 2 years ago... why there useful to Max and not some other metal bolts I have no idea. I was able to get back to the range with only a few questions from Crosshair like "You sure Max is okay?" and "Wanna help get the skull down later? Without breaking down anything this time."
[There are signs of an incomplete tear near the bottom of the page]
19th Obsidian, 271
Well I should rip that page out as Crosshair has been looking at me suspiciously after what happened yesterday. Though... I told Sweet Potato I lost this after yesterday too so... Maybe I could get away with leaving that page in granted she doesn't see me writing in this, or little Mist doesn't get into the
20th Obsidian, 271
Today has been quite pleasant. Took little Mist to the Tavern to show her to awesomeness of the sandwiches here... let's just say she didn't like them that much. Sweet Potato almost caught me writing the last entry, but luckily it was dark at she only caught a glimpse of me hiding it under the covers of bed, and me smiling at her like I was just waiting there for her... her beautiful hair... her wondrous eyes, her beautiful fl- Sorry getting off track of the topic at hand. I do have one thing to be concerned about, it looks like Temperence is having searches conducted in the purpose of finding those oh so precious bolts... though it could be soldiers visiting family... no it has to be that, I'm sure of it.
[below is a half finished drawing of Sweet Potoato, scratched out]
Post by: L1wW on April 24, 2013, 12:12:01 am
Prodd was bored yet again after shooting targets, but hey at least there’s a few more now; it’s nice to mix things up a little. He heard that Redhat took a stab and was in the hospital, sure Red didn’t visit him, but he's supposed to be the nicer soldier. He went to the stockpiles for a few supplies and made his way to find the pegasus trapped in a hospital bed, poor Red. He silently sat in the nearby chair and waited for the pegasus to regain consciousness.
The pegasus in question was currently sleeping right now, and near the opposite end of the bed Bonnet was sleeping there as well. Even in sleep the pony kept the hat on, just to make sure if someone came in without Red knowing.
Prodd plays with his eyepatch for a few moments then thinks up a way to accelerate the waking process. Using his horn, he lifts Red’s hat off her head and leans in just above her. He braces himself for a deliciously violent response.
Instead of her waking, she just rolled onto her side and murmured something. The removal of the hat gave Prodd a chance to see what she really looked like. She was more feminine now in appearance, and definitely more beautiful.
Prodd remains silent, taking in the view before him. He checks to see if they were alone, hoping that nopony saw this transformation. Prodd brushed her mane out of Red’s face and sighed softly. He then used magic to gently lower her mane back into place and took a glimpse at the wound that brought her to the hospital.
The pony’s wound was covered in a bandage. It had recently been treated to, and in comparison to the other wounds encountered recently it wasn’t all too bad relatively speaking but it was enough to land her a stay in the hospital.
Prodd double checked to make sure that they were alone out of some minor paranoia. He went back to his seat to take out a bone he got for Bonnet. He left the present next to the sleeping wolf and resumed his post on the chair, still waiting for the pegasus to wake up.
Bonnet started to gnaw happily on the bone. The pony herself still seemed blissfully unaware and just kept sleeping.
Prodd got up from his seat and gently petted the wolf. He then turned his attention back to an unconscious Red. He looked softly at the sleeping mare, curious why she hasn’t woken up yet. He wondered if she was pretending to be asleep, maybe wanting something? In either case he went back to his seat and watched whatever else the pegasus would do aside from toss and turn.
It took her awhile, but eventually the mare, started to stir a little. “Hmmm...” she opened her eyes just a little, not yet aware of prodd or the fact her hat was gone.
Prodd spoke up, “Rise and shine, princess...” he taunts while waving Red’s hat in her face. “...Did anyone ever tell you how beautiful you are?” Prodd adds.
“What the...” She blushed a little bit at the comment, before shifting around so she could get a better view of the room. “Prodd is that you?” Then she noticed the hat, as a hoof moved up to touch the top of her head. “Um... might I ask why my hat is currently in your possession?” Prodd’s got five seconds to defuse the situation.
Prodd smirks a little when Red starts sounding angry. “Eh... I guess I’m a thief trying to steal something valuable... and it seems your lovely guard dog was all for the idea...” He chuckles. He lowers the hat within grabbing distance of the pegasus, “...here... ‘Course you still look cuter without it though...”
She held the hat in her hooves, before looking around and seeing that nopony else was in the room aside from Prodd and her so she just decided to leave the cap off. She still kept looking away from him though trying to hide the blush after he complemented her again. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Prodd considers the situation before him. On one hoof, she could feel genuinely complimented, on the other, this could be a trap for some swift retaliation. He prepares himself for a beating and moves closer to the bed. “What...? That I find you attractive as a mare and not a stallion?” He pauses, “Well... that’s on the outside...” He remains quiet after that, waiting for a response.
She sighed and looked back at him, “Well one way to go about flattery...” Redhat smiled a little now. “And, thanks. I haven’t been complimented on my personal appearance in ages.”
“I’d consider that a bit shocking... however you’ve been on the run for a few years...” Prodd teases. He sits down on the bed next to her, the little alcohol he drank before the visit was still his source of courage. “Hey... you still got an inner beauty too, something a hat couldn’t hied...” He smiles at her.
She didn’t really object to him sitting there, even if she thought that line was cornier than Maize. “What would make you say that?” she was starting to blush again. She shifted around again so she was sitting up now, and not laying down, her wound now more easily visible.
“That right there could answer your question Red...” Prodd says, gesturing to the wound. “I... I was scared...” He pauses. “I... don’t want to lose you... and that’s proof that I can’t prevent it...” He takes a deep breath, gathering some composure. “It’s just... we could die tomorrow... but if we die... I want you to know... that... I... er... love... you...” He looks to her, his eye starting to water.
She froze there and just looked back into his eyes, not knowing exactly what to say. Red just didn’t know what to do or how exactly to react right now. She hadn’t even heard that phrase said to her in years.
Prodd looked at her for a few moments, a look of sadness appeared in his eye.
“A-are you being sincere?” She inched a little closer to him, starting to actually feel bad for making a pony’s mood go foul for once.
Prodd nods softly.
She sighed and smiled a little. “Thank you...”
Prodd smiles, too. He pulls her into a loving embrace.
She tensed at the sudden hug, but after a few moments, hugged him back with her good foreleg and rested her head on him. “love you too...
Prodd tightens his embrace slightly and nods slowly. “...Thank you.”
Post by: Kryptid on April 24, 2013, 03:38:58 pm
Yari’s Journal - 15th Hematite, 271
I don’t pretend to understand this whole dragon skull fiasco, but I wish that it would die out already. Some as-of-yet unidentified ponies trashed the gatehouse as they took down the mounted skull of said dragon. I admit that I don’t fully follow Flamberge’s rationale for putting the thing up, but if it’s gonna cause this much trouble then maybe he should consider leaving it down.
As far as I understand, the beast had some connection to the griffon which has been staying with us. I’ve heard various rumors about them, including a particularly hard-to-believe one about it being his lover. I’m not sure I want to get in the middle of all the heat about this, so I’m keeping my hooves clean of the matter.
10th Opal, 271
Perhaps I have no one to blame but myself, but I just can’t seem to loosen up and try to get to know the other ponies better. Even as long as I’ve been here, I don’t think I can consider anypony here to be anything more than a regular acquaintance. I thought that maybe Case Study might become my friend, maybe, but he seems to be more interested in my stories about the monsters back in Dawnpick than anything. That in itself kind of disturbs me; why would such a well-learned doctor be so fascinated with those abominable killing machines? Maybe I’m just too dull to hold his interest otherwise.
28th Opal, 271
Even as I write this, I’m trying to figure out what happened last night. I was on guard duty during the night shift, as is my preference, when I thought for certain that I heard Virtue’s voice calling to me. I heard it several times coming from the direction of the gatehouse. I approached cautiously, ready to strike at any intruder who may have been trying to deceive me with some vocal trickery. Then I saw her. Virtue was lying right outside the gate. Although it was dark, I could tell that it was definitely her. Or something that looked just like her. She was on the ground, obviously afraid of...something. She kept calling for me to help her, repeatedly chanting that Dawnpick was in severe danger and needed my help immediately.
It was hard to make out what it was exactly, but something big with a nasty-looking set of jaws leaped out of the darkness and bit her in half. I reacted instinctively and fired off a bolt at the thing, but it and Virtue both vanished into nothingness before my weapon could even reach its target. I searched the area thoroughly afterwards, but found no sign of blood, footprints or anything else to prove that anything physical had actually been there. I still feel spooked when I think about it, and I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do. I don’t want to think that I’m going crazy, but at the same time I don’t want to believe that it was some vision of the future. At least I certainly hope it’s not a vision. I probably need to talk with somepony about this. I would die inside if anything happened to Dawnpick when I knew that I had warning in advance...
Post by: KingStrongbeard on April 24, 2013, 06:32:06 pm
Flamberge stands in the forge at Duskfields, hammering away at another piece of hot metal, thankful to finally have the material to spare to create better weapons for his town than the crossbows he had been forced to equip most of them with.
As he works, an older earth pony stallion pokes his head inside. “Flamberge? I’ve been looking for you,” he says, stepping inside. “Didn’t think I’d find you here.”
Flamberge continues working, “And why not. You were the one to teach me how to forge iron, to work steel, I’m only using what you taught me.”
“Yes, well, after you ran off and joined the army I figured you’d never set hoof in one of these again.” The stallion steps closer. “What are you working on?”
Flamberge keeps his focus on the task at hoof, “Spear tip, for the town militia, still need dozens more after this one, going to be here all day at least... Why are you here dad? I never thought I’d see you out of Coupledye’s safe walls.”
His father frowns and sighs as he looks at the weapons being produced. “I should have known this is what you were making.” He turns his head away, but cuts his eyes to the spear tip he was currently working on. “As for why I’m here, I was hoping I’d convince you to give up this nonsense and come back home.”
“Why would you ask me that? You know I couldn’t even if I wanted to. These ponies depend on me to keep them safe. If I left it would be as good as throwing them to the discordians myself. The king promoted me, since my last letter to mom, I’m a Colonel in the Royal Army now, I can’t walk away from this responsibility. It is my duty for fight for every pony here.”
His father snorts. “Then they all need to leave too. We’ve heard of all the things happening out here. It’s too dangerous here for anypony. Even you,” he says, emphasizing the last word strongly.
Flamberge puts down what he was working on and at last meets his father’s gaze, “We can’t all leave dad! If there was nopony out here, outside the city walls, we would all starve! It’s a fact that we need this land to provide food for the nation, and because of that, we have to fight to keep it safe from Badger Ponies, and Diamond Dogs, and Discordians, and worse. If you are too spineless to defend yourself, or your family then fine, but somepony needs to do it, and you know what, I’m bucking good at it. I’m not going to go back home and make horseshoes and nails for the rest of my miserable life like you did.”
“Uh huh,” his father says, frowning still. “But making nails and horseshoes back home didn’t put my family at risk.” He raises a hoof to Flamberge’s head. “Son, one day you’re going to run into something out here that’s as hard as that head of yours, and then what are you going to do? You can’t win this fight.”
"Then I'll go down swinging, I might fall, but I've put my heart and soul into making this town strong enough to hold off anything and even when all the discordant hordes are upon us this town will last! Or at least make them pay ten times over for each soul they take."
His father scowls at him. “Pay ten times over? Son, do you think these ponies are just willing to die? Even if it means taking discordants down with them? Just because you are willing to lay down your life doesn’t mean they are!” He snorts again. “This is just like you. Never thinking ahead. It’s always what you want, and what you want now.”
Flamberge finds his hoof reaching for the hammer by the forge as he glares at his father, "They know the risks! They understood what could happen when they CHOSE to come here! Don't you blame me for the decisions of others!"
“Do they know the risks? Or aren’t there things you haven’t told the common folk?” His father leans in closer. “And even then, what of those who didn’t choose to come out here? I saw no less than ten foals on my way in here. What will you think when one of them is taken by the discordants?” He narrows his eyes. “You and Crosshair choose to come here. But what about your daughter? What choice did she have? Will you be happy when you have to lay her to rest next to Millstone and Sanctuary?”
Flamberge’s grip on the hammer tightens and he replies, “Yes, there is plenty I haven’t told them, but all for the good of the country! Yes, they don’t know how much we are really up against, that Duskfields is just the bait in a giant trap, but I’M TRYING TO SAVE THEM, because I’M the only pony who CAN! And don’t you dare bring Crossbow’s name into this, it wasn’t like I planned for her, but I’m trying to protect her as much as everypony else, but I can’t leave here just for her, there are bigger things to aim for.”
“Bigger things to aim for?” His father turns up his muzzle. “I know that look, that tone. All you’re really after is being in charge. ‘Colonel.’ I bet that felt good, didn’t it? You just want to wait here, and kill your way all the way up to general. Or even better, baron or count or duke or something. That’s it, isn’t it?”
“Get. Out. Of. My. Town. Now.” Flamberge seethes at him.
His father slowly shakes his head. “No. Not without you, Crosshair and Crossbow coming with me.” His eyes wander down to the hammer trembling in Flamberge’s enraged grasp. “What, do you plan to fight me?” He narrows his eyes again. “That’s all you can think of, isn’t it? Just like a useless, brutish thing.”
“I. Said. Get. Out.” Flamberge swings the hammer towards his father, there is a sickening crunch as the skull is smashed apart, brains splatter upon the wall, the figure falls, Flamberge looks down and finds that it is not his father upon the ground, but Crosshair and Crossbow, both of their heads smashed open. Flamberge falls to his knees, “What...how did this? Crosshair! I’m sorry!” he pleads with the corpse.
As he stares in disbelief, terror and guilt, both corpses start to rot before his eyes, as if left in the sun for weeks. The flesh on their limbs decays and liquefies in the spanse of a few seconds, dripping from the bone in clumps of foul smelling goo. The skin left on their bodies darkens in places, rips and tears in places, and reveals rotting and decaying organs within.
Flamberge watches in horror, too confused and disgusted to react.
“How does it look?” Crosshair’s voice asks, seemingly coming from nowhere. “To see me and our daughter dead like this?”
Flamberge gets to his feet stumbling backwards, “Crosshair? Gods, what is going on?”
“Are you willing to risk me dying?” a tiny, foal’s voice asks. “I trust you, daddy.”
“I have no choice! I’m sorry!” he pleads.
Before him, Crosshair cracks her eyes and grins. Her skeletal limbs crack and pop as she hauls her semi-rotten carcass from the ground, then turns to face Flamberge. Her yellowing eyes lock with his as her grin widens, revealing ragged sharp teeth. She casually tosses the similarly decayed body of Crossbow behind her. “You should trust your daddy too, Flamberge,” she says in a raspy voice, completely unlike Crosshair.
Flamberge takes a moment to regain his composure as he stands up to meet this thing saying, “Who, or what,are you?”
She takes a step closer to him, laughing slowly to herself. Blood spurts from her nostrils and holes in her exposed lungs. “I don’t have to answer to the likes of you,” she says, slowly shaking her head, grinning all the wider. “I am beyond your understanding.” She steps closer again and casually wipes away the blood flowing from the corner of her mouth. “You should listen to your father, Flamberge. You are in so far above your head, you cannot imagine the oblivion that comes your way.”
“I don’t know what you are, but I’m not going anywhere, kill me if you think you can, but I don’t run away from a fight.” Flamberge states.
She halts her advance, and her face darkens into a heavy glower. “So stubborn, you ponies. I don’t know if I admire or pity you for it.” Her face darkens further into a scowl. “Or hate you for it.” She raises a skeletal hoof and touches it to his muzzle. “I’ll give you the same warning I gave that fool Temperance. I won’t suffer you killing my children much longer.”
The world flashes to darkness, and she grows to dozens of times her previous size. She leans in close, touching the tip of her muzzle to Flamberge’s. “I will not spare you, nor your wife, nor your foal.” A deafening boom fills his ears, and she screams, “Leave!”
Flamberge sits up suddenly his eyes wide, breathing heavily. He looks around and sees he is in his own bed in his own home. Crosshair and Crossbow were laying next to him beginning to stir from his sudden movement. "A dream...?" He mutters to himself in a confused tone.
“Mmm... is something wrong?” Crosshair murmured as she stirs up from her sleep, giving little Crossbow a soft nuzzle to coax her back to sleep as she slowly sits up to give Flamberge an affectionate nuzzle as well.
Flamberge nuzzles her back and then looks down at his sleeping daughter, "I... had a very strange nightmare. My father was there, I killed him, then you and Crossbow were dead too. And something was telling me to leave Duskfields. It felt so real. But you're okay now," he gives her a brief hug.
Crosshair smiles happily as she nuzzles into the hug and let him hold her in his strong legs. “Of course I am.. We have you here, you’ll keep us safe.” she coos at him soothingly and lovingly.
Flamberge thinks to himself about his real orders here then forces a smile, "I'll certainly try Cross. I'll do everything in my power to keep you, to keep everyone of them, safe. "
Post by: Pokon on April 24, 2013, 09:23:27 pm
"Wake up, Chi~ppy!"
Wood Chip refused to open his eyes, for the sense of weightlessness he felt cued him in on the fact that he was probably dreaming.
There was also the matter of the fact the voice that was calling him out was that of a dead mares.
"Come on, Chip. Your missing in on the fun!"
Wherever he was, neverless, it was only slightly cold, like a fresh spring day.
"Wood Chip, this isn't funny. Come on, open your eyes."
Wood Chip, naturaly, kept his eyes shut.
"Hey, Wood Chip, it's been a long time. Thirty years it's been, I think, right?"
Wood Chip keeps his mouth shut and is content to ride out the nightmare.
"Oh, come on, Wood Chip, stop faking this. I am here for a reason, you big doofus."
He couldn't repress the growl that formed in the back of his throat. Sea Breeze, wherever she was, let out a exaggerated gasp.
"My word, the beast awakes."
"Begon, spirit." he half-mumbles as he tries to bury the sound of the mare in a gauzy sea of thoughts.
"Spirit? Oh, please, you know I am a pony, Wood Chip. Don't tell me you grew up to be a dutiful worshiper of one of those western gods." she said, tisking lightly.
"I am dreaming." he said simply.
He was interupted in his serenity by something breathing in his face. Opening he eyes, he see's, quite clearly, a young mare nearly as tall as he was, albet far more youthful and skinnier, with blue fur and hair that was a slightly darker shade of blue striped with light green.
"Nope, your not." Sea Breeze said, giggling.
Eyes wide, he scrambles to his feet, which somehow find ground in a seemingly floorless enviroment.
"See? If you were really dreaming, could I do that?" she said mockingly.
Breathing heavily, he simply turns around and begins trotting in the other direction, only to step in a free-floating puddle of a dark, inky substance. Closing his eyes for a few moments, he sighs and turns around to see the phantasm that tormented him.
"Why are you here, then? And what are you?"
Sea Breeze tilted her head slightly, and began to laugh. Mockingly, at first, but then honestly.
"Because I could, you daft workhorse! And...I am a pony!"
Wood Chip snorted. "You are either a ghost or a figment of my imagination. If you are a pony, you would at least look a little older than I do."
Her laughter stops, but is replaced by a fit of snickering. "Nope to both! I look like I do because I want to. You could have gotten the chance, Chippy, but then you lef-t!"
Wood Chip took a few steps around the younger pony, and to his mild displeasure she didn't seem to have aged a day. To his further displeasure, she slowly trots around the empty room-space as if she was dancing for the wrong sort of company.
"You know, it has been a few years, but you dog, you haven't change a bit. Even when you were younger, somehow your eyes always found there way to my-"
Wood Chip swung a hoof into the lith mare's direction, which she barely avoided.
"Filthy whore!" he yelled, which was responded to by a loathsome cackle.
"Ooh, play nice! Watch the language! But really now, Chippy, arn't you wondering why I am even here, bothering you? I mean, really now, can't you just hear me out and see what your old bestie has to say about what's been going on for the last few months?"
Barely calm, he snorts. She giggles in return.
"Well, anyway, I am here to offer you a chance to come back home." she said, comparitivly serious. "Really, now, I am surprised at the mess you got yourself into. You could even bring your marefriend with you, I mean, unless..."
She wiggled her eyebrows slightly, and he felt something gentile and soft press against his upper back. In a moment, however, it was gone.
Wood Chips was angry, but neverless somewhat curious. "What could you possibly mean by that? From corrupt ponies to dragons, it seems Duskfields is safer than home."
Frowning slightly, she waved a hoof vaugly to her side. "Well, this place is screwed. The rulers of the world are having a quarrel here, and there's like, three involved, so this place is going to be distroyed no matter what, but one of them is the one who gave our town true life, and because your from there I can basicly go ahead and ask if you want to come back before everyone else here dies or gets converted."
Wood Chip blinked. "Is that so? Three chaos spirits?"
Sea Breeze looks up, or at whatever up was in the realm they were in. "Well, that's what I could guess, anyway. There's the one who made our town natural, the one who owns this place, and the one who is sending her servants over to your little dirtpile to claim rights to some pony or another. It might be your leader or something. Anyway, your pretty much claimed, so your home free, but you might want to go home before you end up as lunch."
Wood Chip took a step closer to the blue mare. "And you are offering me a way back home?"
She smiled, and nodded. "Pretty much. We do miss you, you know."
Wood Chip smiled back, and lowered his head and charged. With a strangled hiss, the blue mare turned into a blue-purple haze, which quickly reformed nearby into somethat that could have passed for Sea Breeze, were it not for the pair of curling horns adorning the side of her head and the bucketsworth of blood that soaked her very being.
"Worthless little...this is a limited time offer, Wood Chip. You can even bring your mare, if you want, I an't picky. Either come home, or die here. Simple as that." she said, voice sounding like wet sandpaper.
"Go to Tartaurus, foul demon, and stay there." he said simply, and began walking away.
At least, he would have if a perfectly normal Sea Breeze did not suddenly appear on his path and kiss him on the cheek.
"Aww, look, even after thirty years, you really do lo-" Sea Breeze was unable to finish, having had her lower jaw shut by the virtue of a unicorn horn suddenly finding a way through it and into the roof of her mouth.
"Mmmphfuahkwouuuu!" groaned the mare. Wood Chip said nothing, even when black ooze slowly trickled down his head and near his eyes.
He continued to say nothing even when a barrage of hooves began to rain on his neck and back, and only ripped his horn out when the apparition stopped moving. When he opened his eyes, however, he was greeted to the sight of a little brown pony with light yellow hair, gurgling slightly as she raised her little skinny legs feebly in defence.
"Br...ruth....er..."
Wood Chip stepped back franticly, only to stop when a elbow found it's way on his right shoulder.
"You know, you two should play nice. It's not good to roughhouse." Sea Breeze said mildly.
Wood Chip threw the mare off him, and simply continued to run around in the empty void, and so he did.
Post by: Impending Doom on April 25, 2013, 12:09:52 am
Redhat was flying towards Serentiy’s office as fast as he could manage, as much as the pegasus prefered walking, the recent injury made that rather difficult, and he needed to see Serenity right now. It didn’t take too long at all before she finally reached the office, and gave the door a knock. “HELLO? MADAM I DEMAND A BLOODY APPOINTMENT, ITS AN EMERGENCY.”
In only a few moments, the door was thrown open to reveal Serenity, with purple parasol at the ready. “Redhat? What’s going on, is everything alright?”
“NO, everything is quite wrong at the moment.” He looked down at the parasol. “What’s that for?”
“Oh?” Serenity glanced to it. “N-Nothing.” She set it aside. “Please, come inside and tell me what’s wrong.”
He flew in and over to take a seat on the couch. “Okay, I’m rather confused at the moment, and this just couldn’t wait after what happened today.”
Serenity took a moment to shut and lock the door, before taking her seat across from him. “Okay... what happened, exactly?”
“Okay, so you know how I was in the the hospital with an injury?” he pointed to where his leg was covered in Gauze. “Well, I was given a little visit.”
“By whom?” as she asked, a thought occurred to her. “...Flamberge?”
“No, no, It was Prodd. Seems he had been waiting for me to wake up for quite some time.”
“Interesting... what did he have to say?”
“He kept complimenting me and telling me how he was afraid I got injured, and he’s known for a while that I’m a mare... and before I had woken up he had removed off my hat.”
Serenity seemed mildly alarmed by this. “Oh my... did he tell anyone?”
“No, in fact he’s known for a while now and hasn’t told a soul.”
“Interesting. Strange, but... interesting. What do you know about Prodd? I’ll admit, I’ve only seen him around occasionally.”
“Well, I actually know him rather well. We see each other often.” He sighed.
Serenity nodded. “I see. So, would you consider him a friend?”
“Well I suppose. He is the only pony in this town who’s openly treated me kindly that wasn’t obligated to due to their profession.”
Serenity considered objecting to the mild insult, but decided against it. “Then why does it bother you that he knows?”
“Because, he told me bucking loves me.”
It took Serenity a few minutes to respond to this. “...I see.”
Red look down at the ground and slouched down. “I don’t know what the hell to do... and actually said I love him back.”
“...Do you? Do you really love him?”
“I don’t know... and what the hell does he even see in me?”
Serenity shook her head. “I couldn’t tell you that. You’d have to ask him.”
“Very well... I’ll talk to him about this...” He sighed and leaned back. “But Prodd really isn’t the only issue.”
“Go on...”
“Well, I got promoted, and I have to put up with the dragonslayer more than I had to to before, while instructing three greenhorns how to fight.”
Serenity sighed. “I don’t envy that position. The best advice I can give you about Flamberge is to only spend as much time interacting with him as is absolutely necessary - though that’s advice I give to absolutely anypony who will listen. As for the new recruits... being their captain, you can afford to be a bit more harsh - and honestly, it’s probably for the best that you do.”
“very well... I’ll attempt to avoid that cur...and at least try to work with the recruits. Just I feel now that if one of them dies, it’s my fault.”
“Then do everything you can to make sure that doesn’t happen. Train them to keep themselves and each other alive, and watch over them when the fighting starts. That’s the duty of any good commander to his troops.”
“Okay... I’ll try. Thanks for assisting me in these matters.”
Serenity smiles warmly. “It’s my pleasure, really.”
Post by: DVNO on April 25, 2013, 01:32:32 am
Temperance nodded at Plastron. “Alright, thanks. If you see anything, just let me or Crosshair know.” He waved the pony off and continued making his way around Duskfields, hoping to let a few more key ponies know about the bolts going missing.
Lightning was finishing up an entry in his journal, he looked up from the book and saw Temperance nearby. He quickly shoved the book back to where he kept it “Hey Temperance! How are ya doing?”
“Hello Lightning,” Temperance replied, making no note of him stowing the book away. “I’m doing alright. How about you? Do you have a minute?”
“Doin’ alright, Mist has-surprisingly-been good-for a foal and all-and yes I do have a moment.” Lightning trotted over to Temperance “What is this about?”
Temperance raised an eyebrow at the way Lightning worded his reply, but shrugged it off mentally. “Nothing much, it’s, uh, just that we’ve had something go missing around town and I was hoping to get a little help looking for it.”
“What’s gone missing, all I know of that’s been missing is some bolts from Crosshair’s house” Lightning said “I could help search around ya know, I do have some skill with a lockpick. I could snoop around a bit”
Temperance raised both eyebrows. “Wait, what? Lockpick, no... why would...” He shook his head. “No, no, I don’t want anypony just systematically searching homes or anything. But, yes, this is about the crossbow bolts.” He looked behind himself, wondering which pony he’d spoken to that would have had time to run into Lightning already. “Have you already spoken with Crosshair about it?”
“No, I have heard from... sources, that bolts did go missing and somepony broke into her house. Me? I would never break into someponies house for something that I can get just by asking” Lightning said, not noticing his disposal of self incriminating information
Temperance nodded slowly, keeping one eyebrow raised. “Uh... right. That’s, um, good to know.” He scratched the back of his head. “So, I guess you know what’s missing then and don’t have any idea where the bolts are? I’m still hoping they weren’t stolen so much as misplaced. Haven’t seen them around anywhere?”
“I did hear of some badger pony sneaking in and snatching something, though I wouldn’t say that is the definite answer” Lighting lied “And I’m sure whoever stole them will get found out eventually.”
“A badger pony? That’s strange, I didn’t hear anything about that,” Temperance said, trying to keep his face neutral. “And again, I’d love nothing more for the bolts to just be found,” he said, looking at Lightning at a slight angle. “I’d hate to know we had a thief here. I don’t know what we’d have to do if that was the case.”
“Th-Thief? I’m no thief okay.” Lightning said nervously at the mention of it “I would never stoop so low as to steal what isn’t mine, Amug commands that I mustn’t take what isn’t mine and I never will.”
“Whoa, whoa, slow down,” Temperance said, raising a hoof. “I didn’t say you were a thief! I just want the bolts found, okay? Crosshair is pretty concerned about it.” Inside, he frowned. A lot. Was he really reading this pony right?
“Sorry, I just get... uncomfortable with that word... I don’t like to talk about it much...” Lightning calmed down. Mentally, he began realizing everything he has said pointed this to him, though he was sure Temperance wouldn’t lock him up without evidence.
“Right, right, sorry to get you so worked up,” Temperance said, taking a probing step backward. “That’s, um, everything I needed to say. So, I’ll let you get back to what you’re doing, alright?”
“Sure, and it isn’t your fault really” Lightning turned around and trotted back to the wall he was standing next to. He got back to his shift of guarding the gate... for hours.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Max%20Avatar.png) and (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
Maxwell was leaning back in Temperance’s chair, in Temperance’s office. He has reading glasses on and he was glossing over a book from Temperance’s bookshelf, Equestrian Law Vol. IV . The door to Temperance’s office creaks open and he glances up.
Temperance was planning on just throwing himself into his chair the moment he got back to his office, where he could ponder why on earth Lightning Runner would steal the bolts. He discovers it’s currently full of griffon however. “Uh, Max?” he asks, not really able to make any other sentence come together.
“Hello, Temperance.” He said, his attention obviously divided. “I hopped in and borrowed a book of yours, hope you don’t mind. Door was unlocked.” He got up, never peeling his eyes away from the book, and sat in another seat in the office.
“Well, no, I don’t mind if you borrow it,” he replied. He immediately recognized the thick tome. “Is there something I can help you with about that, exactly?” he added, making for his now vacant chair.
“I’m glossing over a’ few things. The Equestrian Mayor electoral process, mostly.” He said gruffly.
Mayoral elections? Why would he need to know about that? “Oh, I see. Well, there’s a few thousand tiny little details about that, mostly locale specific laws.” He shrugged. “Most of that doesn’t apply here, since nopony has really established anything about it here.”
Max’s eyebrows raise up in surprise. “Yeah I’ve noticed. Here, I’m looking mainly for being disbarred to run for being non-equestrian anywhere.”
So, that was it. “Being a pony isn’t a requirement, really. It’s more of a problem of being a citizen.”
Max licks his thumb, creases the corner of his current page in a triangle and closes it with a thud. “I’m not going to lie Temperance; I’m scared.” He says casually.
“Scared?” Temperance stops daydreaming about the unholy amount of crap he was going to have to deal with related to Lightning Runner stealing from Flamberge and Crosshair. He looks at Max. “Why? Did something else happen?”
“No. I’m scared about what’s going to happen. What road Duskfields is going down.” Max said with a small but noticeable twinge of anger. Max wondered how Temperance was going to react during this little conversation. A bit of relief? A little bit of fear? Choices, choices ...
Max wasn’t the only one worried about the road Duskfields was going down, but that wasn’t something Temperance wanted to admit yet. For a moment, he wonders if Max had seen Maize’s rotting corpse parading around town too, but dismisses that. “So... you’re hoping to put it back on track then? As mayor?” This couldnt possibly end well.
“I’m hoping to at least put a wrench in Flamberge’s fast-track to running this town. I’ll be happy if I can get that much done. But yes.” Max muttered. “See, unlike him? I believe in Duskfields. I believe you’re better than slaughtering the locals and mounting their heads as barbaric decour. By gods, I should not. But I do.”
Temperance looked away. An awkward silence fell. “That makes two of us,” he replied finally.
Max nodded to Temperance graciously for understanding. “ I know you do. I know almost everyone here does. Almost.” Max pauses, and leans forward. “Look, I know you never asked for any of this ... It would be unfair for me to ask you to pick a side. But all I can say is, I look at you as a capable pony, and I’d treat you like any other. Even after what happened. Even after I should have a grudge with you about a mile long. Can the ‘other’ guy say the same?”
Temperance continues to look to the side uncomfortably. There really was no good answer to that question. Well, if they weren’t going to elect him as mayor, he could still at least try to support the democratic process. He sighs. “If it came between you and Flamberge, over civic matters I’d side with you.”
“Good.” Max smiled. “There’s good money to be made as a campaign adviser, ya’ know. If you’re interested.”
Temperance made a weak chuckle. “If I was in this for the money, I’d still be an accountant back in Coupledye.” He finally looked back up to Max. “If you really want to run for mayor, I think I can help.” Oh, he could see Flamberge wanting to snap both of their necks already.
“We’re going to have to get Flamberge out of the picture.” Max said, as if reading Temperance’s mind.
“You were honest with me, so I’ll be honest with you,” Temperance replied. His eyebrows fell into a glower. “Flamberge is a good soldier and probably the only reason we’re still alive. But despite that, I’m pretty much terrified of him. I don’t want him getting any more power than he absolutely needs.” He shrugged and slumped back into his chair. “I don’t know. Maybe if somepony with a spine was mayor it would help. Not that Convalescence hasn’t done a good job as a whole.”
“I have a plan.” Max said quietly, distantly. “ I have a plan to reduce him into nothing but a hauler, to completely break him. Inverse his life so quick he won’t even have the time to let his jaw drop.” Max continued smugly.
“Part of me tells me I really shouldn’t be hearing this,” Temperance said. He wanted to slump further back into his chair, but there was nowhere left to go. “But, you’ve got my attention.”
“And you won’t.” Max said dismissively. “All you need to hear is part one: Trust me. Implicitly. I’m not going to lie, this isn’t going to happen over night an’ this isn’t going to be bloodless. But! This is Duskfield’s freedom we’re talking about. It’s just worth it.”
The worried, uncertain look on Temperance’s face returned. “Max... Max, you know I can’t just consent to that. I want Duskfields to thrive and ponies, and everyone, to not have to worry about looking over their shoulders constantly for fear of their lives. But... to solve it with violence... I can’t do it.” He raised a hoof to his forehead. “Look... I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that part. If you want to run for mayor, I can make that happen. If you get voted in, I’ll take that as enough faith from the populace that you’re the right one for the job.”
Max closes his eyes and smiles. “That’s all I’m asking, Temperance. All i’m asking is for you to be mute. When Flamberge’s little introverted world comes crashing down ... I need you ta’ stand strong and silent when he looks to you for rescue. I’m not asking anything but that.”
Temperance wonders briefly if he was conspiring to murder Flamberge. If he was seriously doing that. No, he wasn’t. He didn’t like the stallion for a dozen reasons, but he wasn’t going to just stand there and let him die, or try to actively kill him. If Max kept it to something less than that, maybe. “I... I can’t make any promises, Max. You’ve got my support for the mayoral election. But what you do after that... I... I won’t interfere, unless I must.” That was all Max was getting out of him.
Max tries put his fears to rest with a laugh. “What? What do you think I’m advocating murder here? I assure you, no equestrian citizen is going to be harmed because I want to run for Mayor. I’m just preparing for tha’ dirty politics. Flamberge is going to fling every punch he has to stop me. I need to hit harder in the end is all.”
Temperance pauses at the emphasis on ‘equestrian citizen.’ “Alright. As I said, you’ve got my support. I don’t know how you’re going to convince him to run against you though.”
“All part of the plan.” Max assured him. “Right, before we talk about running, let’s talk about walking. Am I or am I not a documented citizen of Duskfields?” Max asked.
“Formally?” Temperance shook his head. “No. I was going to offer it to you since you’ve been such a huge help here, but when you said you were planning on, uh, leaving, I never brought it up. If you’re planning on staying though, well, I can still do it.”
“Right, what do I have to sign?” Max slides Temperance’s ink jar towards his side of the table and plucked a feather out of his forearm. He dabbed the makeshift quill in black slick ink.
Temperance fished through a chest next to his desk for a few moments. “A couple of things, actually...”
Post by: Telgin on April 26, 2013, 02:21:11 am
Immediately after he’d spoken with Max, Temperance remembers the unsettling conversation he’d had with Lightning Runner and decides it’s best to go ahead and let Crosshair know what he’d heard. The last thing he needed right now was for them to find out, then find out he knew, and hadn’t told them. Now, he just needed to find Crosshair.
Crosshair wasn’t too hard to be found, she’s at the training yard, shooting some targets as usual with terrifying precision. Little Crossbow squeaked and giggles happily each time her mother hits the target.
Temperance strolls over, waiting for her to finish her current shot before interrupting. “Um, Crosshair, do you have a moment? I think I might have some information on the, ah, concerns you brought to me earlier. Perhaps we should speak in private about it?”
“Hmm? Oh, okay Temperance. It’s pretty private here, nopony’s around right now.” Crosshair said as she settles her crossbow down and pick her little crossbow up to give her a soft nuzzle, making her squeaks and eeps adorably. Hugging onto her mother’s muzzle.
He shrugs mentally. “Alright. Uh, well, I don’t know how else to say this, other than I think I know who stole your crossbow bolts. Or had a hoof in it, at least.” He sighs. “I think it might have been Lightning Runner.”
Crosshair frowned greatly. “So not only he’s an incompetent guard who let the gate be destroyed, he’s also a thief? Temperance.. why do I still have him as my guardspony?”
Temperance’s mouth went slack. “Wait... he was also responsible for the gate being torn apart?” Now he was questioning why the pony still had any authority in town.”
“He was the one who I put on guard the night the gate was torn down. And didn’t stop the two ponies that tore the gate down. Even refused to tell me who they were!”
Inside, Temperance seethes a little. He hated the blasted skull being up as much as Lightning Runner apparently did, but letting the gate be destroyed was unacceptable. “I see... well, I won’t tell you how to do your job. I’m leaving that matter in your hooves. But, now that I know that, I can’t help but wonder if he has some darker motive here.”
“I wouldn’t doubt it.” Said Crosshair “Unless I have an order from you, Temperance, I don’t think I can make an arrest without ponies thinking that I have a grudge against Lightning Runner. Even though disobeying direct order, failed to carry out guarding duty, show of incompetence and Thievery is more than enough to get him out of the job and into chains. I don’t know what to tell you, Temperance. But ever since the skull’s been taken down, whatever I do gets related to that and It’s really chipping away at what I can do to keep ponies in check. And if I can’t arrest ponies for what they’ve done... well.. I’m sure you’ll figure out what’ll happens when ponies know they can break down the gate and nothing will happen to them. I don’t want to play judge here.”
Neither did he, really. “I understand. The whole fiasco related to the gate seems to have blown over at least, so I’ll leave that be. I assume you handled that how you saw fit. As for this... well, that’s different. If I knew he’d stolen the bolts I wouldn’t have any problem signing a warrant.” He sighs, now wondering if perhaps he was reading into things too much and was wasting Crosshair’s time. “He was just acting very suspiciously when I asked him about it. I didn’t see the bolts or anything... so I have no proof. I don’t think anypony would blame you for arresting him if you caught him with them, though.”
“Mmm, we’re going to need more than suspicion to get him arrested, sadly. We’ll see what happens. But as much as I want to do something about him letting the gate destroyed, my hooves are tied. Do you think you can do something about that, Temperance?” asked the small mare.
“I’ll see about it,” he answers, not at all looking forward to figuring out a punishment for Lightning Runner. “Do you have any suggestions? Do you want him out of the marksponies?”
“He’s not a bad shot. But I don’t know if I can trust him to be a guardspony anymore if he’s found guilty of thief as well.”
“Nor could I,” Temperance echoes. “Maybe it won’t come to that... we can just wait and see if he really is guilty first.” He lowers his head. “Well, that’s all I needed to speak with you about. I’ll go think about the gate some. Unless you had anything else you need to tell me?”
“Ah, yes. I’d like to have some more guardsponies, more Marksponies for my squad. We’re a growing town and I’m not going to let crime start becoming a thing here. Also, if you’ve got some spare copper ingots for me, it’ll be real good. I wanted to make some more metal bolts. I don’t want to defend our walls from incoming discordians with wooden bolts. Oh and, I might need to make us some new crossbows, mine’s getting a little too.. unwieldy.”
“Alright, all of that sounds reasonable. I constantly send requests back home for more soldiers, so I hope they’ll send some experienced marksponies soon. The bolts should be easy enough, I believe Smoothblock has brought some tetrahedrite, I think she calls it, back up to the surface. She says you can smelt copper out of it. And new crossbows probably wouldn’t be a bad idea. Though we still don’t have much metal to spare.”
Crosshair nodded “We can at least melt down the broken metal bolts to make some more later.”
“Right, right. Still have a lot of that to do on leftover scrap, but at least it’s not going to waste.” He looks back toward his office. “Just let me know when you want to get started on it, and I’ll clear the resources."
“Will do! Good day, Temperance!” Crosshair said with a smile as she let little Crossbow sits on her back and snuggle onto her mother’s neck happily, turning to trot back and away to her home.
He nods her off and trudges back to his office. Somehow, he felt this was not going to end well. He just had to find the least bad outcome and shoot for it.
Post by: L1wW on April 26, 2013, 07:50:44 pm
Red was flying around the fort, trying to hunt down Prodd. “Oh where the hell is the damned bloke...” He kept looking wherever he could for Prodd, needing desperately to talk with him.
Prodd continues to shoot at new archery target. He begins to focus on his next shot...
He finally sees the unicorn as he flies by the barracks, “Prodd we need to talk!” she started to fly over the mark’s pony.
Prodd hears the pegasus spear pony overhead and discharges his crossbow on the ground. He looks up and waits for Red to land.
The pony flew down to him and just hovered off the ground. “Prodd, could we talk in private?”
“...Yeah... uh sure... just let me retrieve my stuff...” Prodd answers, he scoops up his quiver and crossbow and gestures that he’s ready to go.
The pony nodded. “Can we just go over behind the Barracks?”
“Sure?” Prodd says, becoming suspicious.
He leads Prodd behind the barracks, before taking a seat on the ground. “Well, can you take a seat?”
“...Sure.” Prodd says. He sits down and props himself up against the wall of the barracks. “...what is it?”
“Okay, you remember back at the hospital?”
“...vaguely” Prodd responds. “I... I drank a small amount of alcohol and visited you... I think.” He doesn’t look too sure and ponders for a moment. “...I woke up with a hangover though...”
“Well, you said you loved me, and I wanted to know what exactly made you state that.”
Prodd went wide-eyed for a moment and muttered a certain four letter word, got up, and ran like hell.
Red got up and tried to follow after Prodd,“Where the hell are you going you yellow basta-!” That’s when the pony’s leg made an audible pop, resulting and yell of pain and Redhat collapsing onto the ground.
Prodd heard the scream from behind him and stopped dead in his tracks. Tears welling in his eye he runs back to the source of the sound and he slides to a stop next to the injured pony.
Red was just laying on the ground, holding the broken leg in his hoof. “Oh god...” He seemed unaware that Prodd came back.
Prodd kneeled beside Red. Somepony must have heard that, hopefully. He tried to remember something he learned in a book when he was young.
The pony just kept holding his leg, it clearly was hurting like hell.
Prodd remembered. He held Red close to him, mindful of the broken leg. His horn glows and numbs the broken leg. “...It’s gonna be okay... it’s going to be okay...” Prodd kept repeating.
Red started to relax for a moment, feeling the pain start to subside. He just held still and didn’t move, Prodd’s chanting seeming to help quite a lot.
Prodd recalled the next chapter in that book. He looked to see if Redhat was conscious, and he was. Prodd looked at the leg, he theoretically had the knowledge to fix it, it was just one bone out of place. He had to keep Red from moving, manipulating the bone would take a lot of concentration and the patient needed to keep still. “Red... wish me luck...” Prodd murmers, he numbs one of his forelegs and offers it to the wounded pegasus to bite down on. He stifled a yawn.
Redhat gave him a look, and pushed his leg away with his muzzle. He just tried to hold still, not knowing exactly what Prodd was about to do.
“...Red... please bite the damn leg... it’s already numbed... just bite it...” Prodd says, he turns his attention to the broken limb, his leg placed back into Red’s face. “...This is going to hurt...”
“Are you experienced at this?” he didn’t exactly put his muzzle around Prodd’s leg just yet.
“...I read a first aid book when I was younger... it covered fractures... and...” Prodd pauses. “I’m sober, I don’t have a license, and I love you, so bite the damn hoof...”
He sighed “Very well...” and finally put her muzzle around his hoof, not yet willing to bite down.
“...It’ll be over soon.” Prodd said. He focused intently on the broken leg. Using his horn, he slowly and carefully relocated every broken bit of bone into its original location. After a few minutes of cautious work he finished setting the last bone fragment. He had no idea what happened around him for the past few minutes, but he still focused on the limb.
Red flinched and whimpered every now and then as the pony’s leg was effectively reset slowly by Prodd’s magic, but even with all the pain he kept himself from biting down on his leg, simply just keeping it there unharmed.
Prodd remained concentrated on the limb and made sure everything was back in place. He levitated his crossbow over and smashed it for wood. Using the bow string and wooden parts, he managed to make a basic splint for the leg. After an unknown amount of time, he finally finished his work. He faced Red and moves his own leg from Red’s muzzle.
“Um... thanks...” The pony sighed and didn’t exactly move from the spot, feeling rather content to just stay there a little longer.
“...Don’t... don’t mention it~” Prodd murmurs. He looks exhausted.
Red just waited there a little longer before talking again. “so... what was it that made you say you love me?”
Prodd tilts his head back. “...Uh...? Can I just... close my eyes for a bit?” He yawns.
“yes, but I’d appreciate it if you didn’t dodge the question.”
“Hey... I just fixed your leg...” Prodd whispers. He closes his eyes. “So... what was the question?”
“Why did you say you loved me?”
“...Because I love you?” Prodd answers softly while smirking.
“Okay... and why’s that?”
“...Where... do you want me to start?” He faces Red with his eye half open.
“Anywhere... Just please tell me.”
“...Alright... listen up then.” Prodd clears his throat. “...I grew up in an orphanage when I was young. I kept to my own devices... and most of the other foals left me alone... but... there was always one jackass...” He stops momentarily. “...too early?”
“No, no carry on.”
“...Alright... so jackass thought he was the best of the best... your run of the mill bully or something...” Prodd continues. “The ponies in charge surprisingly didn’t give a damn about us, you’d think they would... anyway he ran rampant and terrorized most of us. I read a lot of books when I was there, I learned what a hero was... I wanted to be one... you know where this goes.” Prodd pauses. “He beat my ass into next week... but he stopped messing with us... I believe you had that idea set, wanting to help others in need...”
“What are you getting at?” Red was pretty sure he knew what Prodd was implying...
“What? ...that I love you for your personality and ideology?” Prodd asks. “Anyway... I lived off on my own once I reached my adolescent years... and had zero trust for anyone...” He pauses for emphasis. “I asked you for help then... because I knew I could trust you...”
“Oh... it seems most ponies hate that about me.” The pegasus looked down.
Prodd nuzzles Red. “Yeah... I didn’t trust anybody... that first aid stuff... I wanted to be independent when I was younger, learned a few tricks... like how to detect magic.” He gestures to Red’s hat.
Red nodded, actually seeming rather interested. “I see...”
Prodd noticed a look of intrigue from Red. “Yeah... I’m not sure what triggered it though... the self reliance stuff...” He says. “When I was an adult... I left the city and made a home a few miles out... far enough to enter the city in an hour and a half by hoof. Anyway... I used the crossbow to kill some animals for food... then I traded the furs for more food and drink at the city and fashioned the bones into the crappiest bolts ever... I forgot how to do most of that now... huh...” He explains. “Then I was told to stop living off the land by the guys in charge... and I was sent here to help keep a frontier town safe...”
Red nodded. “Yeah, but, how is that all relevant to why you love me?”
“Eh... I thought you’d care about that...” Prodd shrugs. “Yeah... I love you... because I trust you, because we have similar morals... and that you wear a magical hat that disguises you from a bunch of debt collectors... not a lot of reasons if you ask me...”
“Oh... well I do care about that... but regardless I suppose even if they aren’t many reasons we it could be a foundation of sorts...” He smiled a little.
“Yeah... but since when has love ever needed a reason?” Prodd jokes. “We should probably get out from behind the barracks... lest somepony were to get suspicious...”
“Yeah, but... I’d just like to ask if we’re going to make anything of this and how?”
Prodd hoists Red up, being mindful of the broken leg.
“Well, could I ask if we take things rather slow? I’m not exactly acclimated to this kind of thing.”
Prodd nods his head in agreement, "...I see nothing~" he yawns "...Wrong with that"
“Thank you then.”
Prodd nods again, and sways unsteadily for a moment.
The pony takes a moment, before flapping his wings a few times and hovering off the ground. “If you’re having a hard time carrying me, I’ll just do this instead.”
Prodd nods in thanks and finally passes out, still exhausted from the magic fiasco.
The pony sighed, and hovered off the ground, just trying to think of a way to get him somewhere more appropriate to nap. In the end he just gave up trying to think of a way to carry him, and settled down on the ground, waiting for him wake.
Prodd’s eye flutters open after a few minutes. “...hey... Red? Why... didn’t you... fly after me?” He asked tiredly.
“Because I didn’t think that before and I tried to chase after you and ended up undoing Case study’s work...”
“...S-sorry” The exhausted unicorn mutters. “...yeah... I suck at this...”
“Aside from your attempts at fleeing you did fine.”
“...Well... that’s good to hear...” Prodd says. “I’m... just gonna take a nap here...” He closes his eyes and tries to get comfortable on the ground. “...You owe me a crossbow...”
“Very well, I’ll just go on my way then I suppose...”
Prodd nods his head and leans on the barracks wall, sleeping on the job.
Post by: Kryptid on April 26, 2013, 08:48:17 pm
One way or another, Yari discerned that her experience on the night of the 27th represented a security risk of some type. Possibility one was that she was indeed beginning to hallucinate, which would bring into question her ability to soberly wield a weapon and properly perform her duties as a guard. The second possibility was that it was a true vision of some type, which would mean that Dawnpick’s future could be in jeopardy. The third interpretation would be that it was some kind of hoax, perhaps using magic or some other technique foreign to her full understanding. Anypony with such power and intention would likely represent a threat to one or more residents of Duskfields.
Determined to get to the bottom of the matter, Yari had asked Temperance to join her in a meeting with the local counsellor, Dr. Serenity. Once the stallion had been able to find the time to accompany her, the two ponies ventured over to the psychiatrist’s office. The archer tapped lightly on the door, hoping not to have interrupted an appointment in progress.
In short order, the little bespectacled mare answers the door with a smile.. “Oh, hello Temperance. And who is this?”
“Oh yes, I suppose we’ve never met face-to-face before,” Yari admits, “I’m one of the guards, Yari. I’ve been told that any matters of a...mental nature...should be spoken of with you? Actually, there is a reason that Temperance is here as well. I...suppose I could go ahead and explain, if you don’t mind seeing us for a moment?”
Serenity shakes her head. “I don’t mind at all. I don’t have any appointments scheduled for a while, so we have plenty of time.” She ushers the two ponies into her office, gesturing for Yari to lie on the couch.
Following along, the markspony pegasus takes to her new resting spot and waits for Temperance to find a seat of his own before continuing, “Alright, I suppose I’ll cut to the chase. This is about something that I saw a couple of days ago. Well, nights rather. What I’m about to say may sound a bit insane, but I suppose that’s what I’m here for. I was taking my shift of guard duty on the 27th. It wasn’t even an hour after I started that I heard somepony calling my name. None of the other guards on duty confessed to asking for me, but I kept hearing it. I investigated a bit further and...” Yari began to shuffle her forehooves together, “I saw Virtue. Yes Temperance, your Virtue. She was lying down outside of the gates, but I know that there was no reason for her to be here, especially out all alone at night.”
“Virtue?” Temperance asks, raising an eyebrow, and looking a bit alarmed.
Yari sighs and then continues, “That’s right. She was pretty frantic, telling me again and again that Dawnpick was in danger and that my help was needed immediately. When I tried to approach closer, some kind of beast jumped out and...well...I’ll spare you the details. Anyway, I fired at it and both the monster and Virtue disappeared. There was nothing there at all. I don’t think any of the other guards saw what I saw. If they did, they didn’t admit to it. For those few moments, your sister...or whatever it was...seemed just as solid and real as flesh-and-blood. I know it can be hard to see things clearly in the dark, but I’ve been on the night shift many times in the past and I’ve never seen anything remotely close to that before.” She turned over and looked at Serenity, “So...doctor...do you think there is anything to what I saw? Or might I have some condition cropping up that I’ve been unaware of until now?” There really was no “good” answer to those questions.
Serenity considers this for a moment. “If you’re asking whether this is some sort of... supernatural occurrence, or precognitive vision, I wouldn’t know. Honestly, I’ve never put much stock in such things. However,” She looks back to Yari. “I haven’t seen or heard anything from you that leads me to believe you’re suffering from any mental disorder.” Serenity goes to her bookshelf, pulling down a large, thick tome and flipping through it. “Do you remember what you ate that night? There are a number of plants that can cause very vivid hallucinations when eaten.”
She sat and thought for a moment, “You know it’s funny how hard it can be remember what you ate just a few days ago...but in all likelihood it was either something spicy or something that I had salted to Tartarus and back. I do have a tendency to munch on pickled jalapenos during watch.”
“Wait a second,” Temperance says, raising a hoof. “You said this happened on the 27th?” His eyes wander around the room as he does some contemplating. “Oh...” he says, looking even more troubled than before.
Serenity cocks her head. “What is it? Did you see it too?”
He looks over to her. “Oh, uh, well, no, not exactly. I didn’t see Virtue. I, uh, saw something else. Inside town, near the fields.” He raises a hoof to his forehead. “I thought I just imagined it...”
Yari sat up a bit straighter on the couch, “...you did? Like...what?” She was both intrigued that her report may have had additional support and worried that it may have been something potentially malevolent in nature.
He bites his lip for a second. “I saw Maize. Or, I thought I did anyway.” He shakes his head, slowly. “She told me ‘that it wasn’t too late to leave too,’ and that I could ‘still avoid a terrible fate.’” He shakes his head again. “After that... she became something else. It looked like she’d been dead for weeks... decaying. She demanded that I leave Duskfields.”
As Temperance recounts his vision, Serenity slowly grows very pale. “And... then it vanished, yes? She wasn’t there?”
He nods. “Yes, that’s right. She screamed, ‘Leave!’ Then she was just gone.” He stops shaking his head. “I-I couldn’t explain it. I didn’t see how I could have imagined it, but... I... just don’t know.”
Now sitting completely upright, the markspony chimed in, “Well, for what it’s worth, Case Study told me that on that same night he had a very vivid nightmare. Something about his old ex coming and killing all of the mares that lived here unless he went back to Coupledye. Maybe it means nothing, since dreams are well...dreams. I did think it odd when the dates were compared, though.”
After recovering her wits, Serenity retrieves another book from her shelf, flipping through it as before. “The twenty-seventh, you said?”
“That’s right...what is it? Is there something special about that date?” Yari inquired.
“Well, while I can’t reveal any names, lately several ponies have come to me about very vivid and disturbing dreams. All of them on that same date.”
“Really?” Temperance asked, unsure he wanted to know more. “Uh... anything like what we experienced? Have you seen anything like it?”
Serenity shakes her head. “No, I haven’t had any such visions. And while other ponies reported similar imagery, your stories are unique in that you were both awake at the time.”
After remaining silent for a moment, the gray pegasus asked somberly, “So...what does this mean? Is there something here that’s trying to tell us something? Trying to warn us? Trying to scare us? Or is the whole town descending into hysteria?”
Temperance continues to look disturbed. “I don’t know. There... was that event not long after we got here. Do you remember, Serenity? I can’t help but worry they’re related.”
“Oh, I remember it quite vividly.” Serenity sighs, raising a hoof to her forehead. “I... I don’t know what to tell you. If they are related... then this is far outside my area of expertise.”
Yari scratched her black mane, “I’m afraid I don’t know what the two of you are talking about. I believe that must have been before I arrived. Care to elaborate?”
Temperance sighs. “Not long after we got here, I was, for lack of a better explanation, possessed by something that compelled me to build that set of gears that are in the well’s bucket mechanism. It... or she... showed me a vision of everypony here murdering each other. She warned me to leave then, or all of that would happen.” He frowns. “Obviously I didn’t listen to her.”
The pegasus looked down towards the floor, “I never was one to believe in ghosts nor hauntings of any sort, and I don’t want to start believing now. However...I’m having a hard time finding a rational explanation for all of this.” She looked back up at Temperance and then to Serenity, “Should we tell the town? Or is that a bad idea at this point? I’d rather not start a panic, especially if it turns out that this is nothing.”Please let it be nothing.
“I don’t know,” Temperance said. “I’ve been asking myself that continuously since it happened. Part of me still thinks it is nothing. If it really was someone or something, I feel like we’d have seen more by now. I think maybe it really is a sort of mass hysteria. Brought on by magic native to the area or something.” He slumps down, clearly not convinced by his own explanation.
“...Perhaps one of those fog banks drifted over the town in the night? they certainly look quite noxious.” Serenity offers.
“It didn’t look that way,” Temperance replies. “Still, I haven’t got a better explanation, and nopony has been brave enough to test the clouds, so we don’t know if they’re dangerous. Maybe?”
“We need to study this further. I’ll report back anything strange that pops up, whether it happens when I’m awake or asleep. I’ll try to help in whatever way either of you may suggest,” Yari offered.
“By all means, if you see anything unusual like this again, please let me know,” Temperance says. “But more importantly... be careful.”
Post by: Telgin on April 28, 2013, 01:18:31 am
Flamberge sits in the office that normally belonged to Temperance. The griffin military captain had wanted to speak to him privately and this seemed the best place for it. He sits behind Temperance’s desk and looks over the things he finds atop it while waiting for the others to arrive. There wasn’t much of interest to be spoken for, mostly notebooks scribbled with crossed out notes on things Temperance had continued to forget to do on time.
Eventually, Flamberge hears the sound of metal clanking together, and a large black-feathered griffon wearing a full suit of steel armor enters the small office. “Ah, commander, it is good to have a chance to speak with you in private.”
Flamberge stands and offers a hoof to the griffin across the desk, “Indeed, Captain Pankov. I apologize for the delay in our meeting, but this is a new settlement and I don’t have an office of my own setup for private talks yet.”
The griffon takes his hoof and nods. “Yes, you will have to forgive our gruff introduction earlier. I am not accustomed to the military commander being different from the one who runs other matters.” He removes his helmet, revealing several old and poorly healed scars on the side of his head. “But that is not important at the moment. I suppose I should begin with congratulating you on doing such a fine job keeping this settlement so untouched by the discordant ponies who plague these lands.”
Flamberge takes his seat again, “Not entirely untouched, of course, we have had a few casualties, and we do anticipate bigger troubles on the horizon, but I’m confident we will overcome them.”
Captain Pankov nods. “Indeed. You have done well, but the conflict is far from over, I fear.” He sits across from Flamberge, scarcely fitting in the pony sized chair. “That is what I came to speak with you about. I was told by my commander that this is not a military outpost. That seems most strange to me, so far into discordant territory.”
Flamberge nods, “That is true, we are, strictly speaking, just a simple farming community. But this location was chosen specifically by our generals for a very specific reason. I should not say anymore on that however.”
The griffon smiles, as pleasantly as an old veteran can. “I have been made aware of some of these matters, though I do not have a complete picture. I can understand and respect your wishes however.” He raises a claw up and casually examines the articulations in his gauntlet. “In either event, I thought it best to perhaps discuss a bit about our foes. I suspect we have a bit to learn from one another. For twenty five years we have fought the discordant ponies at Canyontalon.”
Flamberge nods, listening intently to what the griffin has to say.
“The specifics of fighting them I suspect I have little to teach, or at least nothing that could be taught in a few hours. Strategy for larger engagements is another matter. Tell me, how many discordant ponies have attacked you thus far? How many at a time?”
Flamberge replies, “It's probably been close to a hundred ponies in groups of five to ten, once as many as fifteen, plus of course a couple dozen diamond dogs and badger ponies, in smaller groups.”
Captain Pankov sneers at the mention of the badger ponies. “The thieves plague you here too, then. I should not be surprised, the vermin are omnipresent.” He clenches his fist. “In any case, I see that you have a moat, which is an excellent start at defending yourself from the packs of ambushers. I doubt I have anything significant I can add to your defenses against them, since I am sure you take great precaution with allowing anyone outside.”
Flamberge shrugs, “I do what I can, but the civilian leadership is not willing to go as far as I would wish at restricting outside access, however, nopony goes outside unarmed, I’ve made sure of that much.”
“That is a good start, yes.” Captain Pankov shifts in his seat. “We have few civilians at Canyontalon, so sending escort with them usually suffices, but you do not have that luxury here, I see.” He pauses for a moment. “Is it possible for you to have more soldiers sent here? If I was in your position, I would do everything in my power to get at least twice or three times the standing strength you currently have in your armed forces.”
“Yes, I’ve been trying to get more soldiers from the capital, but they only send one or two at a time.” explains Flamberge, “It is most frustrating, they ask for everything, but give me nothing to work with, still, from recruiting and training some civilians into the army and with the few skilled soldiers I do get, we’ve done well enough.”
His company nods. “That is good. I suggest you keep trying as hard as you can, on both fronts. These civilians do not realize what dangers lurk outside these walls. For that matter, I am not sure that even you truly realize it. Every few years, we receive entire sieges of discordant ponies at Canyontalon. Over a hundred attacked us at once just a few years back.”
Flamberge nods, gravely, “I am very aware of that possibility, we are making preparations for such an event as best we are able, however,” Flamberge sighs and does not finish his sentence.
Captain Pankov cocks his head and raises an eyebrow. “Yes?”
Flamberge leans back in his chair, “This never leaves this room, alright?”
“Of course,” the griffon replies.
“Duskfields is bait. The entire reason we were sent out here was to attract such a force, to goad them into attacking so the army can come in and mop them up all at once. We are sacrifices on the altar of the general’s ambition, and I’m the only pony here who knows the truth.” Flamberge looks down at the desk, his forehead on his hoof, then he looks back up at the captain, “That’s why they give me so little to work with, they don’t expect us to succeed, just to draw them out.”
A solemn silence falls. Captain Pankov nods. “Yes, that is what Major Rykov said. He was not aware of all of the details, and declined to tell me all of what he knew. I am afraid I am less knowledgeable in the matter than you, but I do know that in some way we are working together with your army.” He folds his arms, making faint plinking sounds as his taloned gauntlets touch his rerebraces. “I do not like the idea of bait, much less unknowing civilians. But my claws are bound.”
“As are my hooves,” answers Flamberge, “I have my orders and intend to follow them, though I’m still fighting to get our defenses such that we may actually be able to hold out until the army arrives. Though, it is a distant hope.”
“It looks as if you are well on your way to that, at least.” The griffon wipes a vambrace and adds, “Your city is fairly well fortified. The discordant ponies are cowardly. I suspect you could hold them back for a very long time if you were hard pressed.” He frowns. “And though I have little say in the matter, I will be speaking with my commander. If at all possible, I hope to strengthen our patrols and raids in the nearby areas. We are allies, and I wish to do what we can.”
“I had not been informed that the griffin’s command was at all made aware of our plans in the area, though I will of course be thankful for any support you can provide. Perhaps I can offer some soldiers for joint raids against the discordians in the future, if you have intelligence as to the location of their camps. In addition, we have a large food surplus here, but a distinct lack of metal for weapons and armor, if possible I would like to offer that as trade between our two cities.”
“Such a trade would be very beneficial to both of us. Though I have not been told such directly, I suspect that has been the plan all along. We brought many surplus weapons with us, ready to be sold. Unfortunately our armor is little suited to you, but raw materials would be. We, in turn, have difficulty growing food in the mountains, and trading for it would be most helpful.” He shifts in his seat again. “As for the raids, again, I am not fully aware of what the plans are, save that the major has been in contact with someone who is strategizing with the ponies. It is actually very rare that we come this deep into discordant territory.”
Flamberge nods, “I see. Well, the offer stands.”
The griffon taps his metal clad claws against the arm of the chair. “Actually, that is something I wished to ask you about, commander. Since we rarely come this far, I was wondering if you had anything useful to tell us about the discordant ponies. Anything useful about their command structure, perhaps. Or even related to their lands. I have gathered that you witness strange, unnatural clouds drifting about these parts.”
"Yes, the red clouds.” Flamberge continues, “The Unicorns tell us they are magic, but what effect, or effects, they have we have not determined, though, it is only a matter of time before we are unable to avoid one. In terms of their command structure, I don’t really know. When they ambush us they seem to following the command of one squad leader, but we have not captured any to question, and I don’t know of their organization beyond that, I’m afraid.”
Captain Pankov sighs. “That mirrors our observations as well. For twenty-five years we have fought the discordant ponies, but beyond the most vague semblance of command, we have observed nothing that holds them together. In combat they seem to experience fear as does any creature. Out of combat they seem barely sane, though I have never borne witness to any interrogations personally.
“We have sent teams into their territory to investigate further, but they invariably turn up nothing of value, or never return at all. We stopped sending them over a decade ago. Recently, however, their behavior seems to have changed somewhat. We have been experiencing fewer attacks, but those we receive are more coordinated.” He shrugs. “Lacking further evidence, I can only conclude it is because they are diverting their attention here. I had hoped perhaps you had more information on that matter.”
Flamberge shakes his head, “I’m afraid I don’t know anything else that could help in that respect.”
“I understand. One day we will learn what drives these ponies, and when we do, we will be rid of them forever.” He sighs again. “Perhaps this risky gamble by your general will prove to be the deciding point in that struggle. I wish you the best of luck.”
“Thank you, and good luck in your own dealings with the blighted creatures as well.” replies Flamberge.
The griffon nods and stands. “Thank you. We will be in touch, but for now I should probably take my leave. We will return next year, barring any change of orders.”
“Very good then. Until next year,” says Flamberge standing as well.
Post by: Iceblaster on April 29, 2013, 10:47:58 pm
~Same boring night, Same boring time~ Lightning thought as he trotted through the grasslands of Duskfields ~If its like normal, it will probably be a rabbit or two~ He saw a few sets of eyes peering out of bushes, but shrugged them off as-from what he remembered-Rabbits had glowy eyes. He heard some bushes rustle in the distance “Damn Rabbits” He muttered “It could be worse though” He continued, as if talking to somepony.
Soon, he heard a little rustling, and the eyes started to slowly move up to him. They weren’t to far away, and certainly getting closer.
~What could I have that those Rabbits would want? I don’t have any food on me do I?~ He looked in the pockets of his cloak ~No... Then what do they want~ He turned around towards the eyes “Look, rabbits if you want to snuggle with ponies, there’s a whole town of them over there” He pointed his hoof in the general direction of Duskfields “I have duties right now, I can’t play”
The eyes moved just a little bit closer, only a meter was between the Lightning and the eyes. “Hehehe...” All of a sudden, a pegasus jumped out of the tall grass, a large whip held firmly in it’s muzzle. In a sudden flash, the pony snapped it’s weapon down on Lightning.
“AH! FUCK!” Lightning jumped, the whip hitting his leg, as he got away “You chose the wrong pony to mess wi-” An earth pony grabbed him, leaving him open to another strike
Another pony, a small unicorn, slinked over into the general area, a little knife hovering beside him. He simply looked at Lightning and grinned slightly before moving closer to his winged companion.
“Let me go!” Lightning attempted to break free, but he underestimated the Earth pony’s strength “Can you atleast speak, or are you that type of pony who just kills without uttering a word?”
The unicorn coughs lightly. “We dislike playing-talking with food, you understand.”
“Food? You bastards you actually eat your kill? What in Amug has this... stuff done to you?!” Lightning reacted with disgust
The unicorn blinks. “Amug? Like a cup?”
Lightning was surprised by their lack of knowledge of Amug, as everypony should know who he is “Amug, the god? You don’t know who he is... pray tell, what are your gods if you don’t believe in Amug?”
The unicorn laughed lightly when he realised what the poor pony was saying. “You speak of gods? I truly feel pity for you, in that case. We need no gods, only rulers and worthy masters. I assure you, our masters were here before the eldest of dragons crawled out of there eggs.”
The pegasus grinned. “Keep the meat still, I want to tenderize it a little” he smiled and and got his whip ready for another lash.
Lightning braced himself for another lash ~Oh Amug... I’m going to die... I’m going to die~ was the only thought that came to mind at the time.
“Calm down, i’ll only make it painful” The burly pony then snapped the iron whip down, firmly across the pony’s chest, leaving a nice gash and maybe a few broken ribs.
Lightning screamed in pain ~If I’m lucky... they might let me go...~ He was way too optimistic
The unicorn with the knife actually tisked at his comrade’s actions. “Oh, calm down now, friend, no need to rush the process. In fact, we might want to keep this one alive.”
“W-Why... Why should I be left alive... I thought I was just food to you!” Lightning yelled
“Because if we just kill you now you’ll rot, while if we took you peice for peice...” the pony was lying, but just wanted to get the pony more worked up.
The unicorn looked almost upset at the pegusus’ words, and looked at Lighting with faux apathy. “Oh, no, you are worth to us for far more than just food. You want to know why, pony?” He raised his knife a little higher.
“S-Sure... w-why not... Doesn’t look like anypony is going to save me” Lightning’s optimism left as he heard the last bit ~Great I’m not going to get a quick death~
“Why, my dear stallion, you have a wonderful, young, family. A family with a young and tender foal. We could kill you now and go into your house and snatch away your child now and raise her among our own, or you may live and we feast on foal-flesh tonight. Either way, it’s your choice, as the alternative is to eat you, kill your wife, and take the foal tonight.” the unicorn said, smiling all the way.
“Y-You bastards! You wouldn’t touch her!” Lightning once again tried to break free of the Earth pony, still failing
The unicorn snickered. “Who say’s we haven’t already, fool?”
“I don’t care what you do to me, but touch my daughter and you will face all that I can throw at you!” Lightning yelled
The pegasus laughed and gave his side another good lashing, “Go ahead, throw-” The pony lashed him again, this time going over his belly. “everything you’ve got”
The unicorn looked at the battered stallion and simply smiled widely and the knife nearly touched his midsection. “Now, I didn’t hear anything about me not touching your wife. Light brown coat, dark pink-purple hair? I must say, stallion, she did look mighty fine for a pony like you. I must wonder what vallant act you did to catch her eye, hmm? It surely wasn’t your brains.” the unicorn then swiped the knife cleanly across his upper torso, leaving a shallow wound ment solely to hurt.
Lightning screamed in pain again, he was sure by now somepony was on their way “I-If you want to know...I... I was in the upper class area.. o-of my hometown... I had... charmed her with my charisma...” Lightning grinned “What else...?” ~This is hopeless~
The unicorn sighed. “Oh, shut up. I don’t need to know your life story. Besides, if it means anything, Sweet Potato is going to live tonight if you simply shut up and accept your fate.”
“T-That is how cowards die... I will get out of your friends grasp... and I will shove that knife down your throat” Lightning threatened
The unicorn giggled. “Flirt.”
“Apologize now, and I won’t snap your leg like a twig.” The Pegasus said as he picked a rock up.
“Oh? I’m sorry... Sorry that I can’t bash your skulls together” Lightning bluffed knowing that he couldn’t do that
The unicorn sighed, and flicked the broad side of his knife against Lightnings nose. “Be quiet before I fetch your foal.”
Lightning shut up, not for himself, but for Mist
“Now hold still.” The pegasus smiled as he held the stone up in the air, mainly for dramatic effect, but also to make the pony more stressed. “heh” Then a loud howl was heard in the distance. “Aren’t wolves just majestic creatures?” The then smashed the large stone against the pony’s leg.
“F-Fuck you...” He managed to say between breathes, pain coursing through his body
“What’s that? speak up a little... oh looks, seems I didn’t put enough gusto into my smashing.” The then brought the stone up and smashed down again. “looks like I got it this time... now it’s all nice and bent.”
The unicorn took a quick stab into Lighting’s uninjured leg, and all but dragged a line in Lighting up to his upper torso. “No cursing, unless you want your foal to be renamed Bloody Mist.”
“W-why don’t you... just go and eat wolves or rabbits... there plenty of those...” Lightning asked
The unicorn shrugged. “You misunderstand our intent. We do eat rabbits and wolves, and other things as well. However, our masters hate ponies, and our masters at the moment hate this little hamlet quite a bit.” He paused. “Also, ponies are plump, and unlike cattle they are not almost entirely fatty tissue.”
Lightning’s eyes darted around “A-are there more of you...I-If there are... just s-send them home...”
Another loud howl was heard, this time much closer. “Heh, you look so tasty when your wriggling around like that...” He brought his whip up again, this time ready to swing at Lightning’s face. “I’ll make you nice and pretty this time...”
Lightning braced himself for the incoming pain ~Amug... what did I do to deserve this... what?!~
The was a sudden gush of wind, and as soon as it passed, there was a metal suit armor with what appeared to be a fedora hot glued to top of the helm, and a spear lodged within the lasher’s chest, effectively impaling the pegasus before he could even lower his whip.
“Thank Am-” Lightning was pushed into the ground by the Earth pony before it ran towards the armored pony with a sword drawn
“Pony, you do not know what you have done!” The Earth pony shouted
The pony made a loud grunt and pulled the spear out of the pegasus’s chest, the sadistic bastard falling on the ground holding his chest, before effectively blocking the pony’s sword.
The Earth pony back up and readied himself to strike again “You will not get away with this!”
Lightning shakily got up, pain coursing through his every nerve. He began to limp off towards town, hoping the unicorn and Earth pony would be killed instead of chasing him.
The unicorn looked at the new pony, smiled meekly,and popped away in a burst of magic.
The earth pony swung at the pony, hoping to hit something vital, or at least something to cripple it
A knife quickly popped it’s way point-down right above Lightning, which was quickly dropped.
The pony dodged the sword by sidestepping to the right. The earth pony left himself wide open when he struck, letting the spearpony throw a jab at the thing.
The knife, somehow, landed a foot or so away from his head. However, there was a lock of purple-pink hair tied to the end of it.
“What the?!” Lightning yelled out in surprise “What the hell...” He limped over to the knife “No... Sw-Sweet Potato?”
The Earth pony fell to the ground “Even if you kill me... there will be more” He said to the pony
Against the laws of physics, the earth pony’s brutal sword suddenly began to float low to the ground, then higher, eventually higher than anything had the right to be. Like a archer aiming a bow, it stayed in place but it’s point began to lock onto Lighting’s general area.
“Please don’t send more, I prefer not to squander my time slaying you brutes...”
The Earth pony grinned “We don’t... negotiate with things our master hates”
“ You make things difficult...” The pony thrusted it’s spear through the earth pony’s chest with deadly precision, this time hitting him right through the spine. “I wish could have met on more friendly terms... I wish you the best now and good day.” He then pulled the spear out, and looked over to the last discordant in the group, “I’ll be on my way now, I hope you’re willing to forgive me.”
The unicorn, who revealed himself rather close to Lightning, clapped slowly.”Good show, a pity. Before you leave, I must ask out of respect, are you interested in coming back with me to camp? You seem like a decent stallion, and you are worth the two poor souls you have dispatched already”
“I don’t associate with brigands.” The armor suited pony walked ever so slowly over to the unicorn. “Now, I can’t allow you to simply walk off these lands, and I know this sounds cliché, but I’ll promise a swift end if you let that pony go.”
Meanwhile, the sword shifts from Lightning’s direction to what was possibly the back of Reds neck.
The unicorn rolled his eyes. “ I can teleport, you understand. Also, I insist you do not turn around, as I want to savor the look on your face when you fall to a dead ponies sword.”
Lightning looked up from the knife after admiring it for some reason “Look out!” Lightning yelled out, hoping to catch the ponies attention
The pony just took the cue and dashed forward at the unicorn, spear on the ready, hoping he could outrun the sword that was probably behind him.
The sword dropped to the group in a instant, but the knife buried in the dirt twisted out of it and found it’s edge on Lightning’s throat. Meanwhile, the stallion simply popped out of existance and popped back in on the far side of the area, near the sword.
“What the hell!” Lightning yelled out, trying not to move around much to avoid his neck being sliced
The pony looked over to the bloody mess that was Lightning. “Oh stop being a yellow bastard already. Holding a knife to his neck is only prolonging the task at hand.” He inched just a little closer.
The knife blade found itself a millimeter deeper in Lightning’s poor throat.
“ I insist you do not insult me. Also, I belive the term is ‘hoof’. The task at hoof. For shame, what do they teach young foals like you now?” The unicorn sighed. “Anyway, we could settle this like gentlestallions, where we give each other our names and then try to brutally murder each other, or we could simply give our names and murder each other brutally.”
“Just let me go and you can do whatever you want to this other pony...” Lightning pleaded
“I’m Redhat, count of county Donskoi, displeased to make your acquaintance.”
“I am Silent Night, former priest within the duchy of Hoovingrod, now elite member of the western hordes, pleased to make your acquaintance. I must say, however, that after eighty years of living there, I always was under the impression the eastern noblities always prefered female rulers, but I trust your judgment.”
“If you’re going to duel, can you remove this knife... its kind of... painful” Lightning asked, hoping they were finished
“I’m an only foal, now please, I wish not to exchange pleasantries any longer.” Lightning then heard a little whimper, and a white ball of fluff got next to him, “Bonnet, please fetch me that dagger.” The dog then bit down on the handle.
The unicorn laughed lightly at the sight of the little dog. “Adorable. Frankly, almost as adorable as Lightning’s foal. A pity, if it was not for the fact I plan on taking one, I would almost feel needed to take the other.” Never less, the sword next to him began floating off the ground, albet somewhat slower than it did before. “A knife against a sword? A pity that I shall kill nobility today.”
“What the hell are you getting at?”
“ I wonder what would happen if I took your hat?” the unicorn said airly.
“You’d ruin my sub-par fedora and I’d have to hot glue another worthless hat to my helm.”
Lightning began backing away, hoping to get back to town with his guts still inside of him
Silent stopped the nice act. “It’s magical, you daft twit. A nice part of being close to true reality is the ability to sense obstructions against it. Give me the hat, and I leave.”
“The thing is hot glued to my helm? how on earth do you plan on having me remove the bloody thing?”
The unicorn shrugged. “Take off the helm, then. Really, now, the more you talk the more I become bored, and I will remind you that I can teleport. At will. Please, just toss over the damnable thing and I will leave without killing anything.”
“Just do it Redhat! It’s better than risking your life” Lightning said, turning around
“And his life, and his wife’s life, and his child, and your little dog’s, too.” Silent half-nickered.
The pony sighed, and slowly started to pull the hat off his helm, before finally taking it off and throwing it at silent’s face. “there you go, you happy?” the pony’s voice was higher pitched than before.
Lightning was confused at the change in pitch “Umm Redhat? You okay?”
Silent Night blinked as he picked up the hat off the ground. “Odd. Well, I am a stallion of my word. I go now.”
With that, he does, but not before the lock of hair on the knife blows off into Lightning’s face.
“What? Oh...This” He smiled, grabbing the lock of hair with his hoof, sticking it under his wing “Hey Red.. thanks for coming when you did”
“Uh... your welcome.” Red then ran over in the direction of lightning “I was so worried” the pegasus then went down and gave bonnet a hug. “Oh... and you don’t look all too healthy...”
“Considering I was whipped, cut and beat, I’m sure I would be fine” Lightning said sarcastically
“Well, do you want some assistance? I could try to carry you back to the fort.” Red wasn’t very good at trying to sound like she had a deep voice...
“Y-Yeah sure... now time to change the subject... Why do you sound like a mare? You playing with me?” Lightning asked
“I have a medical condition.” Red then tried to pick up the pony, before hearing a loud wheezing over yonder. “Seems I didn’t put the lasher down...”
“Let him rot” Lightning said bluntly “What Medical condition?”
“Pardon me, but I need to be professional about this.” He got up and walked over to the downed pony. “Can you wait there for a tad bit longer while I dispatch this brute?”
“Sure, just make it quick, these wounds hurt like hell and I don’t plan on spending the night here” Lightning said
The pony moved over to the downed pegasus. “I’m sorry to do this, but you honestly left me no choice.” The lasher just made a few gasps and hacks, before feeling a spear driven through his head. “Finished.”
“Good now we can get back home and get me patched up” Lightning said “Now... What Medical condition do you have? Not to be nosy or anything, just small talk for the way back”
“It’s rather personal.” The pony then picked up Lightning and placed him on her back, before walking off to the gate.
Post by: Impending Doom on April 30, 2013, 11:02:13 pm
Serenity steps out of the hospital, slipping discretely down the side towards her office.
Redhat was just going about, walking his dog, before noticing Serenity. “Good evening Serenity.”
Serenity is a bit startled, but puts on a smile. “Oh! Hello there, Redhat.”
“Pardon me, but ask a favor of you?”
“Yes, of course.” She replies. “What do you need?”
“Well, I got to talking with Prodd, and we’re going to try and see how things work out, but I don’t think we can be seen in public together...”
Serenity raises an eyebrow. “Why? It isn’t like being seen together will blow your cover. Ponies will just think you’re gay.”
“I don’t think Prodd would like that all too much.”
She considers this for a moment. “I see. So, what do you need me to do?”
“Well, I’d appreciate a place me and him can get together, so, could we meet in your office when you're not in need of it?”
“Well... that depends. What exactly do you plan on doing in my office?”
“Socialize and getting to know each other.”
Serenity nods slowly. “Nothing... untoward?”
“I don’t follow...”
“You’re going to be getting to know each other purely in the social sense, and not in the physical, yes?”
“You do realize I’m not a floozy, slut, lady of the night, or temptress, correct?”
Serenity blushes just a bit. “I-I wasn’t suggesting anything of the sort! I just...”
“Why are you blushing all of a sudden?” Redhat was starting to get a little confused.
“...Nothing. You and Prodd may use my office if I’m not in.”
“Thanks... I guess I’ll go relay that to Prodd then.”
Post by: Telgin on May 02, 2013, 01:54:24 am
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
Temperance's Journal - 19th Granite, 272
Looks like the diamond dogs weren't done. Four more managed to sneak inside the walls today, getting as far as the fields before they were spotted by Rosebud.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/193.png)
The swordsponies immediately responded, after a few ineffectual shots by Rosebud to scare them away. Flamberge killed two of the thieves, and Gorget got a third before the last escaped.
I don't know what they were trying to steal, but all they managed to do was kill one of the chicks. Heartfelt found the little chick's body in the middle of the field where Flamberge killed the first thief. It was just a chick, I know, but it was just needless.
The cleanup is finished at least, so we shut the north gate. That should help keep the dogs out...
28th Granite, 272
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/194.png)
I stopped by the hospital today to check up on Pila, but despite my hopes she wasn't well enough for me to see her. I did leave my best wishes for her with the doctors, who still assure me she'll pull through. I certainly hope so. I believe them.
Anyway, other than that, I don't have a whole lot to report. We've got a bit more work done on future housing, so we've got a bit of space for any newcomers in the future. I'm sure we'll need it sooner or later.
The temple is coming along too. We just finished the furniture for it, and will be finishing the roof very soon. I know Sacerdotessa will be glad to have it finished. I must say that I'm impressed with the work the smiths did on the copper statues. The one of Gasis is particularly nice.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/195.png)
14th Slate, 272
Pila left the hospital a few days ago, and is getting around well enough to report for duty. I hope she's taking it easy at least. She's still in pretty rough shape from what I saw.
I'm glad she's recovering well, but in more recent news, Mountain Dew turned two today! She's grown so much it's almost unbelievable. I wanted to make another cake for her, but Cream Puff convinced me to make it this time, and hers turned out a lot better than mine, so no complaints there.
There's not a lot in the way of presents to be found here, but I did managed to commission a little cloth doll from Patches for her, which she instantly fell in love with.
I must say that heading to bed tonight, I feel better than I have in a long time.
18th Slate, 272
Today, we finished installing a few of the weapon traps I wrote about a while back. Six simple traps with glass saw blades hidden under the ground were installed near the southern gate. It's not a lot, but a little deterrent is better than none. Whenever we can get a bit more sand scooped up from the hills up north we can make a few more.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/196.png)
More importantly than that though, is the completion of the temple. It's pretty small, and the statues are only copper instead of the vibrant gold Virtue was able to use in Dawnpick, but it's the effort that counts, right? Maybe with this finished some of the more unsettling things from a few months back won't return.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/197.png)
20th Slate, 272
Well, it's a good thing I had those new rooms built. We had another little bunch of ponies show up in a small caravan around lunch time today. Here's the rundown of who all arrived:
A 16 year old unicorn stallion swordspony named Vambrace, and his wife,
A 16 year old unicorn mare plant processor named Cornbread,
A 19 year old earth pony stallion spearpony named Hauberk, and his wife,
A 15 year old earth pony mare mason named Corinthia,
A 29 year old unicorn markspony named Fleeting Quiver, and his wife,
A 29 year old pegasus furnace operator named Galena,
A 75 year old unicorn mare miner named Peridot, and her husband,
A 71 year old unicorn stallion farmer named Durum,
A 66 year old earth pony mare furnace operator named Cuirass, and her husband,
A 66 year old pegasus stallion mason named Pestle,
A 65 year old pegasus mare farmer named Snow Pea, and her husband,
A 60 year old earth pony stallion animal caretaker named Fleece,
A 24 year old pegasus stallion craftspony named Wooden Shaft, and his wife,
A 17 year old earth pony mare brewer named Fruit Smoothie.
Cuirass and Pestle are an interesting case: apparently they're Pauldron's parents, and Cuirass is retired from the military. They decided to move out here to look after their son in retirement. I hope everything goes well for their family.
To top things off though, Crosshair was busy giving birth to her second foal, this time a unicorn colt that she and Flamberge named Claymore. I understand she had a lot of trouble delivering the foal again, and is currently in rough shape, but stable and recovering. I feel bad for both of them... I can't imagine if this happened to Morning Dew. I also hope they decide two foals is enough. Crosshair might not be so lucky next time.
Anyway... it's going to take me a little while to get all of the new ponies integrated. I'm glad to have Convalescence's help now. She's been a godsend.
6th Felsite, 272
The first thing to report today is that Sacerdotessa gave birth to her first foal: a pegasus filly that she and Marble Slab named Sacramenta. She said she's planning a small dedication ceremony for the filly in the temple soon, which I haven't seen in a long time. I'll be sure to attend and give her my support.
The other thing to note today is that we've finally picked out places to start work on both Convalescence's office and a barracks for the soldiers. Both are hideously overdue, but between juggling everything that's been going on we're just now getting around to both. The office will be near the southern entrance, since that's where most of the diplomats who would need to speak with her come through anyway, even though I wish we could get it closer to her home or the hospital.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/198.png)
Right in that empty spot across from the depot.
The barracks will probably go next to the temple, where it will very close to the northern entrance and close enough to the southern entrance that the soldiers can scramble there in an emergency. I hope we've got enough room, but with only about fifteen full time soldiers it should be I think. First, we've got to clear out a lot of junk, though.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/199.png)
I really ought to get to organizing the megastockpile here anyway
7th Felsite, 272
Another foal was born this morning, this time Pumpkin Patch delivered a small pegasus filly she and Plastron named Sugar Plum. You know, it's really something, but I never realized just how many foals we have around here. 19 according to my counts. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy seeing the children around, but it does remind me of just how dangerous this place is.
Morning Dew is pregnant again too, but she's not due for a few months yet. I've been talking with her a bit, and I think perhaps three foals is enough for us. The more there are, the harder it is to keep your eyes on them all the time, and somewhere like this...
8th Felsite, 272
As if to underline my worries yesterday, more of those simian ogre things were spotted out south. Plastron and Bascinet were the two who ran into them first, and moved to stop them from heading through the gate. Frustratingly, they avoided the traps we laid...
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/200.png)
Bascinet took a beating from one, which kept driving her back with attacks until it broke her leg and dropped her in the moat. Fortunately she was able to tread water with the help of her wings until help arrived after the fight was over.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/201.png)
She should be drowning, but isn't. The ogre punched her out over the moat, so it's probably a physics glitch in DF.
The military mobbed and killed the ogre pretty quickly after that, with Redhat and Flamberge in particular fighting with the ferocity I've come to expect from them.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/202.png)
It didn't end there. The other two ogres attacked at that point, which the marksponies charged. They were out of ammo, since it seems in my mismanagement we've once again run out of enough ammo for them. Why didn't they let me know!?
Either way, Fleeting Quiver has a broken knee, another broken leg, and is now missing several teeth from the fighting. Yari has some nasty bruises, but is otherwise fine. They'd probably all be dead if Plastron hadn't jumped on the ogres and crippled them with many sword blows.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/203.png)
So, once again... we have several ponies in the hospital. It seems the stream of injuries is never going to end...
18th Felsite, 272
Today started out as a pretty awful birthday. The usual calm day was interrupted by Pepper Flakes' scream of terror when a discordant pony ambushed her just outside the walls, where she'd been helping move some stone up to the mason shop. The pony grabbed Mace and was running away with him!
The soldiers all rallied together as fast as they could, but the thief was fast and ran off into the woods. It took them nearly an hour to find the monster, but I can say I am quite pleased it was Flamberge who found him.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/204.png)
Almost got away... almost...
He got everything he deserved. Poor little Mace was trembling in his mother's hooves, but at least he's safe and unharmed. The soldiers are on high alert now and are patrolling the perimeter for more. It almost never happens that they attack alone.
But, at least there was a happy ending to this story, so the rest of my birthday went a bit better. I'm 38 years old today, which isn't quite 40, but I'm getting there. Starting to feel a bit old too, but then the job would make anypony feel old after a while I bet.
I feel pretty good now, compared to this morning at least. I just hope things don't escalate over the next few days.
19th Felsite, 272
Not more discordant ponies, but another swarm of parasprites! The blasted things flew inside while the soldiers were out on patrol, and managed to get inside the tavern and down into the cellar!
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/205.png)
It took hours for the soldiers to clean up the invasion, and they had to call off the patrols to have any hope of clearing them out. The end was just like any other time the parasprites attack: dozens of their bodies strewn everywhere across the settlement, ponies huddling everywhere in fear, and a few injuries. Blast Furnace has bruises and nicks everywhere over his body, and even got a broken nose from one of the litle monsters. They even killed one of the dogs and a chicken! It's unbelievable!
Cream Puff seems to have not forgotten what they did a few years back, either...
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/206.png)
I guess the excitement of it all was too much for Mauvine, who went into labor in the middle of the fiasco, giving birth to a pegasus filly she named Saffron. Thank goodness none of them were hurt at least.
I'm not too sure how to reconcile this with the scene posted earlier, but the simplest explanation to me is that there was another small engagement nearby that Flamberge responded to. If anyone objects overly, I can try to doctor this more to match it.
22nd Felsite, 272
I feel terrible again. Hauberk is dead, and two others are in the hospital.
It was the discordant ponies again. Actually, there was an alarming new twist to that this time. A small squad of discordants under the cover of one of those magical clouds approached from the northwest. There were three ponies, but also two zebras and two griffons among them.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/207.png)
Forgot to set their soldier tiles. I'm actually not sure that can be done per caste.
The fight started off bad and only got worse. The newest, greenest soldiers responded first, leaving the experienced soldiers far behind. Lightning Runner was struck several times, breaking a leg and an ankle, but amazingly managing to avoid much further injury. He's a tough pony if I've ever seen one...
Redhat was close enough to rescue him, distracting the others for a while as the other soldiers came running.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/208.png)
Nopony has stepped into the magic yet...
Redhat is a lot more skilled than I realized. He held them off the ponies, zebras and griffons nearly by himself, even felling some with his spear. It couldn't last though.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/209.png)
Too bad Redhat is too distracted ineffectually stabbing that poor battered pony in the head, not getting through its hood.
Hauberk tried to help him, but he wasn't a very skilled soldier. The discordant unicorn leading them somehow broke two of his hooves and a leg with a whip. He was completely incapacitated by the attacks, so one of the attacking griffons killed him with a blow to the skull.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/210.png)
If there is anything to be said for the fight, Flamberge finally arrived at that point with Plastron. He bit the lasher's nose off while deflecting attacks from no less than three of the invaders. They were so terrified of the display that they broke and fled, but not before Flamberge, Redhat and Plastron caught and slew one of the ponies, a zebra and a griffon.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/211.png)
One of the ponies, a zebra and a griffon escaped. I wish Flamberge could have caught and torn them to pieces like they did to poor Hauberk. I had to witness another widow, not even twenty years old, cry her heart out over her dead husband.
I'll never get used to seeing that. Never...
13th Hematite, 272
At least the wounded were treated quickly enough. They're all well enough to get back to work, but nothing will bring Hauberk back.
I don't want to think about that anymore. I can at least report that Convalescence's office is done. Finally. I hope she's not too upset by this taking so long.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/212.png)
And with that done... we'll be starting on the barracks next. And back on the barn soon.
15th Hematite, 272
Given the injuries we continue to sustain when attacked, and in light of Hauberk's untimely sacrifice just days ago, I thought it would be a good opportunity to see what can be done about the soldiers' equipment. I know we've been working around the clock to scrap a lot of the materials left behind by the discordants, so we should have some raw materials stocked up. I was right.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/213.png)
We're sitting on a lot of scrap steel, iron and bronze, and not using it. I can't believe this. I immediately put in work orders for a lot more boots and cruppers to be produced to fill the gaps of what our soldiers are missing. It's too late to save Hauberk... but maybe we can prevent any more needless deaths...
Oh, and I just remembered that Pepper Flakes gave birth to another foal, this time a unicorn colt named Coriander. It's yet another reminder of just how fragile our existence out here is.
25th Hematite, 272
The new construction projects are coming along nicely. We set up a new chicken coop behind Serenity's office. It's out of our way now, but I hope she can tolerate a bit of crowing on occasion. They weren't too far from her earlier, so maybe it won't be too different for her.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/214.png)
The barracks is another matter. We've got a few walls put up and set aside some storage space for a proper armory, but it's a while off from being finished yet. The biggest obstacle is that we need to find somewhere more permanent to stow the junk in the way, which I haven't yet figured out. We may just have to move it temporarily.
The other good news to report is that the soldiers have a lot of new armor to use, which should help a lot in the future. I dearly hope we can avoid so many broken legs in upcoming fights.
11th Malachite, 272
Something interesting happened this afternoon. A single earth pony stallion named Phalanx arrived at the gates, claiming he was a spearpony sent by Coupledye. They couldn't possibly have already heard of what happened to Hauberk, so I can only imagine he was already on his way out here. It's our good fortune to have another competent soldier at least, although his arrival is peculiar. I'd have expected a few others to come too. Well, I'm sure it's just a fluke in the paperwork somewhere.
Anyway, we've also made a bit of progress on the gradual improvement on the organization of the place. We moved the general purpose stockpile closer to the workshops, where we'll eventually build a warehouse around it. The important part, though, is that it let us get back to work on the barracks. It's coming along nicely. Should be done around the end of Malachite, barring any setbacks.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/215.png)
Still a little ways to go, and a bit of junk to remove.
20th Malachite, 272
Things have been pretty uninteresting for the past month or so, which is fine with me, after what happened recently. Today, something definitely interesting happened though. Serenity gave birth to her daughter, which she named Aquila.
I must admit, after she started showing I wasn't sure what to think, but after crunching some numbers on the dates and linking back to the fact that she was very good friends with Praetorian, I can't help but wonder if he's the father. She looks a bit like him too, but at this age it's hard to tell, of course. I'm not going to intrude on her over it, though. It's her business.
But, yet another foal, and to somepony who I know a bit more personally than most of the ponies here. It makes me nervous, thinking about how many there are here. Very nervous.
Post by: Iceblaster on May 02, 2013, 05:26:54 am
22nd Felsite, 272
Sidenote- I was writing this with my mouth, and I seem to have made plenty of mistakes.
Also, I was able to convince Redhat to stop for a moment for me to grab this. Hehe, 'I need to stretch my wings' never fails.
Post by: Kryptid on May 02, 2013, 06:46:18 pm
The calm had finally come after the storm. Little insectoid corpses peppered the inside of the tavern, covering both the floor and the tables. Several ponies marched around inside, searching for any of the little beasts that may have survived. The markspony Yari came upon one such creature which was still flinching. Part of its body was burst open with greenish entrails sticking it to the smooth surface of the table. The pegasus placed a hoof over the half-dead parasprite and pressed downward until it issued forth a sickening pop. Wiping the verdant goo from her foreleg, she sighed and continued her observations. Sometimes it was necessary to kill, but she wanted to minimize the suffering as much as possible. She honestly did not enjoy inflicting injury, not even upon her enemies.
Crawling out from underneath one of the tables, Case Study cautiously peered around at the mess that had been made of the establishment. Seeing that the only obvious movement came from the other equines, he stood upright and sighed in a bit of relief. He had taken a late lunch break and was one of the few residents left in the tavern when the bugs invaded. The doctor trotted over to Yari and inquired of an update on the situation, “Are they all dead?”
She answered without really looking in his direction, “Yes, so far as I can tell. If there are any stragglers outside, they are being taken care of as we speak.” Her eyes slid over towards him, “...and what was that all about? Hiding under the table? You didn’t want to grab your crossbow and help with the exterminating?”
The stallion cut his glance towards a nasty cut on the pegasus’ wing, “...Ms. Yari, I am a pacifist. I believe in bringing harm to no living thing, be it pony or beast.”
“So then, what of Colonel Flamberge’s orders? Isn’t every civilian to be armed?” She was curious about how this contradiction was resolved.
“That is correct. I was issued a crossbow in accordance with that decree, but I have elected to keep the weapon in my room. If others wish to follow those orders, that is their decision. I would most likely just become a burden on the battlefield in any case.” He stood firm in his statements as he continued to gaze at her bleeding wound.
The black-haired markspony acted unaware of the injury, “So what if the lives of those you care about are in jeopardy? Will you still refuse to take action to save them?”
Case stood silent for a moment, “...I’ll do what I have to...depending on the specifics of the situation...but I hope that I never have to compromise my basic principles at any point in the future.”
Yari smirked, “Standing by your beliefs...I suppose I could admire that. Just don’t get into trouble with the Colonel about it.”
The doctor finally pointed out the obvious, “Ms. Yari, you’ve been hurt.” He pointed a gray hoof at the red-stained feathers on her right wing, “You need to get that treated before it becomes infected. It looks like you’ve been pierced down to the deeper tissue layers.”
She groaned and tried to shrug it off, “It’s just a small bite. It doesn’t even hurt any more. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“Don’t be so certain of that,” the physician stated as he reached out and stretched the wing from her side, “Small wounds can lead to illness just as well as large ones can, and this has almost penetrated to the bone.”
Yari reflexively snatched her wing closed again, “Look, I understand your concern for me, but I’d rather if you didn’t go grabbing on me like that...”
His eyes narrowed, “Ms. Yari, you have your duties as a guard, and I have mine as a doctor. You’ve done your job for the day and now it is time for me to do mine. You will join me in the hospital immediately where you will get the proper treatment for your wing. Doctor’s orders.”
The pegasus twists her mouth a bit and relents, “Alright, if you insist. Just...don’t keep me any longer than I absolutely need to be kept, alright? Hospitals make me a little...nervous.”
“I assure you that there is nothing to be afraid of,” he responded as he beckoned her to follow him out of the tavern.
Easy for you to say, you’re not the patient. She swallowed her fears and kept a brave face as she went to her mandatory appointment.
Post by: DVNO on May 02, 2013, 09:28:17 pm
Max mentally ticked of the passing seconds in his head as he strode towards the hospital wing. He had a small window, a blind spot for but the briefest moment as the guard changed rotation. As he opened the door to the building, he took a look back, for but a moment. Then he steeled himself and walked in. He stalked past Convalescence and Case Study's offices with not even the smallest whisper of a sound. turning the corner into the patient room hallway he shadowed the wall until he came to the right numbered door. It was the door to the hospital room where the griffon from the caravan had been put to rest. He slowly turned the knob and to his severe displeasure it made a rouge rusty, loud creak.
Max's feathers stood on end as he looked around. Would anyone else have had heard that? With a couple tense seconds, he felt comfortable enough to continue.
The griffon inside the room looked up from his bed. His eyes were green and his feathers were a lighter tone of beige than Max's. The tips of his feathers were red as well. To Max's astonishment, he knows exactly who this griffon is.
"Sergi?" Max called out with a mundane surprise.
"Maximilian!" Sergi said with a gregarious grin. "Or are you still going by your pony given name, Maxwell?"
"Heh, good to see you Sergi. Still just plain 'ol Max." Duskfield's griffon said in a friendly but guarded tone.
The caravan griffon lets out a belly laugh. "Figures the pony lover would be around. Amug's sake, Am I glad to see you!"
Max winces. Ten seconds in the conversation and yes, there it was already. There's the reason why he never sticks around other griffons very long. Griffons, they can't wrap their head around the fact of his adoptive pony parents. It bothers them, and like a sore at the back of the mouth, they kept antagonizing it, causing the issue to flare up something fierce almost unconsciously. "I'm surprised to see you here, Sergi. Never pinned you for the soldier type."
"Yeah, well. Probably because I never thought I’d be a soldier.” He laughed. “Oh, but you know how it is ‘round the Griffon lands.”
Max laughs. "Yes, do I know how that system works. Never about where you want to be ..."
“... Always where you need to be!” Sergi finished. “Yes, that is de motto.”
“Quite the system setup.” Max added.
“Yes, It’s going to lead to a true utopia one day.” Sergi chimed with a prideful boast.
“Everyone gets their fair and due share. The banks are all centralized, the means of production are all controlled. Citizens are placed to their ability, the world is perfect, and shared equally.”
“An’ everything is free to boot!” Sergi grinned.
Max cocked a worried brow at him. “Free? Not free by a longshot. It's all free at the cost of freedom, Sergi. The police patrol the skies relentlessly, the point to keep you grounded."
"Yes, so better to make sure no one griffon takes advantage to rise above the other. So we all slowly rise into prosperity together! As equals."
"So tell me, friend, where does the individual competitive spirit come in to your perfect system? When does that -” Max makes a jab in the air and makes a *umf*, putting some feeling into it. “- strive for achievement kick in? To outdo the other guy? The very thing that creates the greatest strides of productivity in common life? The most creative pieces of art? The most steeled an' hardened public figures? It’s suppressed. No reason to strive. Who would want to live like that?”
“All coming from the Griffon who felt he was above chipping in ...” Sergi lashed bitterly.
“Was never allowed in, actually. ‘Cause of my adoptive parents I was never able to become a citizen.” Max corrected for him.
“Then you have no idea what you are talking about. It’s funny how you speak as if your system is perfect.” Sergi scoffed.
“No, by gods it’s not.” Max shook his head. “But it doesn't have to be. Just less backwards than yours.”
“Fine. We’ll agree to disagree then.” Sergi dropped the subject. “Why are you here?”
“Me? I’m here to make you feel more at home while you’re on the mend.” Max said with a dishonest smirk.
“Well, you’re doing a poor job.” Sergi retorted. “How does starting a argument over politics exactly make me at home?”
He shrugs. “Because that’s all we ever did back on the road.”
Sergi crossed his arms. “Well, we’re not on the road right now. Can we talk about something else?”
Max cocks his head with a slight frown. “Sure. Let’s talk about why you’re here, Sergi.”
“What’s to say? I was part of the merchant caravan’s escort. That and I was foolish enough to get into a fight with discordant ponies without Captain Pankov and the others with me.”
Max shakes his head. “No, Sergi. I want to know why you’re really here.”
Sergi raises both claws. “I’ve told you all I know. If you want to know why we are here, you’ll have to talk to the captain. I don’t get told anything but where to march and how fast.”
“Well I can’t ask the captain, now can I?” max asked in an agitated tone. “They left. Even though the Griffons never leave their own behind.”
Sergi looks alarmed. “Wait, they left? But-but I can’t make it back to Canyontalon on my own! Why would they leave?” He shakes his head frantically. “This must be a mistake.”
Max looks to the left dismissively. “Said something about collecting you next year. Griffons just don’t do that. And merchants just don’t come to trade armed head to paw in plate armor. You can fool the ponies but you can’t fool me, Sergi. What are you playing at?”
“I’m not playing at anything!” Sergi pleads. “Look... okay, look, this can’t leave this room, alright? I didn’t actually talk with the major, but word spread down the ranks. Rumors always do. As far as anyone can figure, we’re working with the pony army for something. Supposed to provide this place with some weapons, and they give us food since we can’t grow much in Canyontalon.”
Max’s eyes light up with an intense sheen. “And I assume Flamberge is heading this deal with the Griffons at Canyontalon? Any other key players?”
“I don’t know.” He clasps a claw across his face. “It’s probably a good thing the captain left me... if he found out I told you that he’d wring my neck. Look, I don’t know, okay? I don’t know who Flamberge is, or what Major Rykov is doing, or anything. Like I told you originally, I was just sent as part of the detachment to guard the caravan out here.”
“Uh huh. You want to know what I think?” Max walks over to the Griffon’s bed table and opens the drawer. “I think Canyontalon has an ulterior motive. I think the trade caravans were really a scouting party posing as a trade caravan.”
“What’re you talking about? We’ve been at peace with the ponies for generations. Why would we be
‘scouting’ out this little farm out in the middle of nowhere?”
The griffon starts shuffling aggressively through Sergi’s belongings in the nightstand.
“Hey, what’re you doing now?” Sergi tries to sit up and stop Max, but catches halfway. “You know what? Fine, look at whatever you want. It’s just what little I brought with me other than my gear.”
Max pauses his investigation, and grins. He raises up a letter, clutched between his fingers. It had big red letters that read ‘For your eyes only!’ “Like I said, you can fool the ponies ...” He opened the letter and read aloud. “Duskfields: Military armament. Twenty to thirty odd soldiers. A mix of crossbows, a mix of close combat weapons. Wood palisades. Goes on and on ... Been spying on us, Sergi?”
The wounded griffon grimaces. “Quit playing. Is that my letter back to Anfisa? That is personal. Give it back.”
Max quirks a brow, still reading. “Your sweetheart is an army Major, and military stats on opposing armies drive her wild? How bizarre. Or, it could be a report, written by a plant, taking advantage of an accident.”
Sergi’s grimace fades. “Max... please give it back.”
the griffon’s eyes flick up to Sergi’s. “This is a capital offence ‘round here, you know.”
Sergi nervously props up in bed and inches back. “Good thing I’m a griffon and not a pony then, right? Max... just give it back, please? I’ll destroy it. Like it never even happened. Captain Pankov didn’t ask for it. Major Rykov didn’t ask for it. I-I just thought maybe it would be something useful to note...”
Max’s face eased with a smile and he shredded the document. “Don’t worry Sergi. This will be a secret. Just between you and me.” He assured him.
Sergi looked slightly relieved. “Thanks. I was pretty dumb to do that anyway. The captain, I bet he’d wring my neck over that too.”
Max let’s out a big, wild chuckle. “All’s forgiven my friend. I mean, it doesn't even fit the narrative! Can’t have that!”
Sergi makes a weak chuckle and raises an eyebrow. “Ah, right. Uh, what ‘narrative’?”
Max grabs one of Crosshair’s signature bolts out of the quiver strapped to his back, twirled it around in his claw and punctures Sergi’s throat with a stab. “You have to look faultless when I pin your death on Flamberge.” He said solemnly.
Sergi clutches the bolt sticking from his throat, and gasps. His eyes snap open as he stumbles out of the bed, choking and making a number of other unpleasant gurgling noises. He finally looks back up to Max, backing away into a corner and desperately holding a claw to his profusely bleeding throat.
Max steps back a bit as Sergi stumbles around. He leans backwards to the door, and locks it. He casually unslings his crossbow and loads a bolt. “You see, Sergi? If you want to get something done, ya’ need to get a little dirty, get a little blood on your hands. You have to commit everything you have! Even when you know it’s going to lead down a path you never wanted to follow ...”
Sergi frantically looks around the room for an exit. He spots the window on the far side of the room and spreads his wings. He tries to take off, but in his panic and wounded state, he only manages to accomplish staggering two steps forward before collapsing onto the floor. His entire body tenses in a cringe as he looks back up to Max with a pleading expression.
He points the crossbow at Sergi’s head, the stirrup pressing down on the top of his beak. “ ... You probably find this twisted and sick. Probably thinking 'How can I?' But Sergi, trust me when I say this is the least disgusting event to happen in the last few months. What's really disgusting? Is how little Duskfields deserves a griffon like me.” Max pulls the trigger with conviction.
There is the snap of the crossbow’s string releasing, and the crunch of the bolt tearing through Sergi’s skull. The griffon twists aside as the bolt snaps his head back, and he convulses on the ground for a few moments, spraying the floor with even more blood. He grows still.
Max lowered the crossbow and took a long dragged out breath. He was astonished he did it. He actually did it. He took the first step to avenging Carn. Why did it feel so awful?
He backed away from the body, suddenly unnerved to the core. He always had a curiosity, as everyone does; a little dark fantasy, put away in the back of the mind where we dare not broach in casual conversation. He always wanted to ask a grizzled soldier how it felt one day. He didn't know it would make a griffon feel so hollow inside. Max knew the gods were in his favor, but would that be enough? Enough to look himself in the mirror when all was said and done here? Max's face hardened into a scowl. "Now's not the time to start moralizing, Max." The griffon said to himself. Not the time. Not while he still had holy work to do. He examined himself. He had a blood stain here and there, nothing a little water can't fix.
Max heard a light tap on the other side of the door. Somepony checking in on their Griffon guest. Max leered at the window and with a headlong start jumped through it with a smash. He took a short dive and went airborne into the sky.
Post by: Telgin on May 04, 2013, 12:19:16 am
(http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/042/9/3/thing_krpytid_drew_and_i_edited_slightly__by_jaxler-d5uo19c.png)
Redhat was currently outside the trade depot, waiting on some foal to spend his allowance. The pony had been wanting to survey the trader’s wears, and had been eyeing over a particularly nice fedora, and a boater with a red band, before noticing one of the guards was keeping an eye on him. It was rather funny, he figured one guard bird could hardly hope to win in a straight fight with him. “Might I ask, what’s making you look at me like that? It’s rather annoying.”
The griffon shrugged and glanced aside. “Sorry, I did not mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”
“Well, it’s not too bad, but staring at me like I’m about to kill somepony isn’t going to make the chances of me doing so any less so.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Forgive me, I meant to imply no such thing.” She feigned paying attention to the merchants again for a moment. “But, you are one of the soldiers here, yes?”
“Yes, in fact I’m one of the captains.” Red said, walking over to the merchant, being mindful of the trade goods as he does.
“Oh, I see,” she said, relaxing a hair. “That is most interesting.” She extends a claw to shake. “Corporal Akulina Tabakov. And you are?”
“Captain Redhat, glad to make your acquaintance.” He shook the griffon's claw.
“Likewise,” she assured him. She casually turned away and tapped her claws against the ground for a few moments. “I do not mean to interrupt you examining our wares, but I must say, I am a bit surprised with the military of this town.”
“How so? I find that our army is doing an above par job at keeping everypony alive.”
“Oh, certainly,” she said. “Not for a moment would I claim otherwise. You have done an excellent job keeping this place safe.” She cocked her head. “Although, I must wonder, is this... all of your soldiers? I believe I have counted fewer than fifteen with a weapon or armor.”
“...” Red looked down for a moment, and tried to think of a good response. “I’d like to pin the blame on our half wit of a commander... but, as much as I rue saying it, He is certainly capable of downing a squad of discordants, and, as much as I hate to brag, I capable of downing numbers comparable to him. Between us and the veteran soldiers we certainly are capable of holding off the size of assaults we’ve been experiencing.” Redhat was sure the town could hold off on it’s own if the invasions stuck to the current status quo, but the moment the enemy honestly tired, He knew they’d have problems.
Her eyes widened a bit. “Oh, is that so? That is most impressive. I too have seen soldiers with such amazing skill. Captain Pankov has slain nearly a hundred discordant ponies himself. Not at once, of course.” She sized Redhat up a bit. “Still, even he cannot repel a siege alone. There have been times that Canyontalon was assailed by hundreds of discordant ponies. I find it hard to believe this town is intended to do the same with so few soldiers.”
Red sighed, “Well, as much as I like to think this town is a safe haven, I can’t help but admit that this town could be blown off the maps if the discordants actually tried... it’s as if they’re toying with us almost.”
“It was the same with us, my parents tell me. The first few years that Canyontalon existed were plagued by thieves, mostly. It was not long after our full garrison arrived that the sieges began, and the monsters began to attack.” She shrugged. “We were prepared, of course, as an outpost. Over two hundred soldiers.” She nervously scratched at her left gauntlet. “So, you do have a large garrison on the way, yes?”
“We keep getting one or two soldiers. I’m starting to think we’re being left for dead... if we get invaded by a sizable force we’re certainly doomed and the capital doesn’t seem to give a damn.”
Akulina cocked her head the other way. “Is that so? I was under the impression that this place was intended to play some large part in the ponies and griffons stamping out the discordants forever.” She looked around them. “That is what surprises me so about this place. It seems as if you are nothing more than a bunch of farmers and their guards.”
“All I know, is that as things stand we’re dead ponies. The fact I’m even starting to envy my old captain for high tailing it out of here at first chance.”
“Fleeing?” she asked, looking confused. “Has the pony army decided to abandon the plan then?”
“He moved out, I don’t know how... but in a sense he did abandon the plan, but may I ask, what plan are you speaking of?”
“Oh, well,” she began, scratching her head. “Perhaps I am just mistaken. It is only rumors that we have heard back home, but word has it that this town was intended to be a disguised military outpost. That you were planning on luring as many discordant ponies here at once as you could, so that our combined armies could destroy them. Is that not correct?”
“We have less than fifteen ponies and no sort of reinforcements being sent. Clearly you are mistaken.”
She looked confused, but nodded. “Yes, I suppose I must be. Though, if that is not the case, why are you here? Are you just here to grow food?”
“Welll um...” The pony paused and thought for a few moments. “This could all just be an empty gesture... perhaps the command never planned on backing you in a serious way.”
Akulina looked astonished at that. “Hoping that we would overcommit ourselves in the fight? I... do not see why. Our relations are good. Why would they do that?”
“I’ll tell you this right now, I’m not from this country. I have no pride, or respect for it, and It wouldn’t pass me as surprising if they’d do something devious for it’s own personal gain.”
She chewed on her words. “This cannot be right. I-I should probably speak no more of it. I must have misheard the rumors. Forget I said anything.”
“Before you freak out, please know I’m not the one in control around these parts.”
“You are a captain, are you not?” She skewed her beak slightly. “Oh, but yes, your colonel is the commander here. He is speaking with my captain at the moment. I am sure they are setting everything straight as we speak.”
“Even the commander can’t make reinforcements pop out of thin air.”
“No, I suppose not.” She gave him an uneasy smile. “I have no doubt that your colonel is informing Captain Pankov of the truth, nothing more. In any event, we do wish to establish a strong relationship with you.” She raised a claw to the merchant stands. “We have excess, and so do you. Trade is good for all.”
“Yes, I suppose...” Red said before picking up the two hat’s he was considering buying. “Anyway, I best get these two pieces before somepony else buys them up from underneath me.”
Post by: L1wW on May 04, 2013, 12:50:11 am
Redhat smiled and knocked on the door of the office, after waiting and getting no reply, the pegasus opened the door. “Prodd, seems like we have the office to ourselves.”
Prodd nods. He still doesn’t know why Serenity agreed to this.
Red walked in, waiting for Prodd to follow. “I guess I’ll go take a seat.”
“...Right” Prodd follows suit and sits behind the desk. He stops himself from rifling through the drawers.
Red smiled and closed the door, before taking a seat on the couch, and lowering the hat, and placing on the arm rest. “Hmmm... there we go.”
Prodd stops screwing around with Serenity’s desk and sits next to Red on the couch. “So... what do you wanna talk about? Also... why couldn’t we just use our rooms?”
“Because I figured pony’s would get suspicious if we’re in each other’s rooms, and we just come here we claim group therapy.”
“...So what makes group therapy less suspicious?” Prodd asks.
“Cause’ it’s an excuse and it’s easier to explain than us being in each other’s rooms.”
“...Alright.” Prodd agrees. “So what do you want to talk about...?”
“Well I don’t honestly know... I guess we could just get to know each other better...”
“...Alright... um...” Prodd pauses. “Yeah... just... uh... ask me something... or... er... something”
“Well, what’s it like being a mark’s pony, one would assume it would be rather entertaining?”
Being a soldier, that’s something Prodd could go on about. “Well... it varies from ‘entertaining’ to ‘shit yourself scared’ based on the distance from the target...” Prodd pauses to gesture to his eyepatch. “Not fun when they get too close and you need to reload...”
“Ah... Usually I just impale them in the face, say ‘good day’ and move onto the next sorry bloke who wasn’t smart enough to run... but I suppose being a markspony is harder than being a spearpony when it’s come down to melee.”
“Yeah, but other than that us marks-ponies are solid.” Prodd muses. “So how’s it feel being the second best soldier in the fort?”
“... buck wavy sword, I’m willing to settle for second best, if being best requires a general lack of concern for the well being of others, and some form of mental illness.”
“Wow you must really hate Flamberge...”
“You do realize I have to work with the power hungry menace?”
“I thought you had your own squad...” Prodd says. “Like Crosshair’s marks-ponies, Flamberge’s sword ponies and your spear ponies...”
“I’m a captain, so I have to work with more than I would have to otherwise.”
“Ah... I considered asking Crosshair to put me in charge of a non-pegasus squad... but I decided against it...” Prodd states.
“Why not, the worst she can do is say no.”
“I just would prefer not to be held responsible for other soldiers... or have to make important decisions on the spot... or deal with new recruits...” Prodd explains, already decided on the future of his career.
“Well, I’ll just tell you this. My job certainly isn’t the ritz but, it’s pays decently, and I can make sure that i’m the one who makes the calls... and honestly I wouldn’t trust any of the other three green horns with the job. That’s why I took up the job, it wasn’t a matter of if I wanted to lead, but I was really the only one who could when the old captain fled with his wife.”
“Considering Duskfields is still intact... you’re doing fine.” Prodd says.
“Yes... but one of the twins took a dive in the moat last time there was a fight...”
“...She knew how to swim... right?” Prodd asks, slightly concerned.
“Well, she didn’t die, so one would assume.”
“That’s good to hear...” Prodd says. “So... anything else to talk about?”
“Well, do you think you’d make a good leader?”
“...I... I don’t know...” Prodd pauses. “I’d try to preserve everyponies life above whatever objective we’d be assigned, I’d keep the squad back and try to force the enemy fight on our terms... course that would lead to longer engagements and could potentially lead to lives being lost...” He sighs. “I guess I’d just try to keep the enemy pinned to one position by crossbow fire, y’know like area denial...”
“Well, and if somepony died, would you think it was all your fault? Would it haunt you for the rest of your life? Would you never forget that face, and keep that memory with you for the rest of your life?”
Prodd closes his eye. “At... at least for a few months... maybe a year or... a decade...”
“Well, then you’d be a good leader. Those who forget the equine cost of their actions are the ones who lose themselves.”
“Still... leading wouldn’t be my cup of tea...” Prodd mutters.
“Well, I always saw leading as more of a gift than a job, like a right that’s given to you... but I suppose everyone has the right not to exercise all their rights.”
“...You’re implying I’d do a good a job.” Prodd says. “Yeah, I’m content with being a grunt...”
“Well, I suppose it matters less how good you are at leading, and matters more what you’d lead your followers to.”
“I guess... still not going to ask though.”
“I wouldn’t if your not prepared, but if you ever think you’d be able to handle it, I’d advise you talk to Crosshair about it.”
“...Why though?” Prodd asks.
“Because, I think you’d do a better job than most.”
“Thanks...” Prodd sighs softly. “I’ll... think about it...”
“Very well then, we can change the topic if you’d like.”
“...I guess... just... thanks for that...” Prodd says. “So... when will Serenity come back?”
At the mention of her own name, Serenity ducks a little lower under the window behind the chicken coop, making an effort to be as silent as possible.
“Well, I haven’t the slightest clue.” Red said, smiling a little. “though I expect she would knock before coming in.”
“Yeah hopefully...” Prodd says. “...Sorry to go back to the leadership topic... but how does it feel being in charge?”
“Could be worse I suppose.” Red smiled a little, before extending her wing and putting it around Prodd, pulling him close to her. “But it certainly isn’t overly entertaining or enjoyable.”
“Yeah... not like shooting thieves with a crossbow?” Prodd jokes, positioning himself upright, causing Red to lean on him.
Red rested her head on his shoulder, “Well sorta, but since I got promoted I have to paperwork and all that... Though I never really enjoyed the killing part of my job to begin with, though sparring was always funs so long as the old captain didn’t beat me to bad.”
“...Eh I might just enjoy that part a little... for my eye and all that...” Prodd muses. “Anyway... I told you I could use some close quarters practice right?”
“Yes?” She asked.
“Could you spar with me sometime? I... could use the help...” Prodd says.
“Well, I’ll make sure to then.”
“Yeah... thanks.” Prodd says sincerely. He snuggles up to Red. “We should probably leave soon...”
“Oh... I suppose...” Red honestly didn’t want to leave...
“I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt if we stayed a little bit longer...” Prodd says. “...I just don’t want Serenity to kick us out or something...”
“Yeah... “ she paused for a moment and thought something over, before giving him a little nuzzle.
Prodd returns the nuzzle and sighs softly.
Serenity glances over the windowsill just in time to glimpse the little gesture of affection, and a warm smile crosses her face.
Prodd notices something out of the corner of his eye but pays no heed. “...I could stay like this forever...”
Redhat smiled a little wider at that, and closed her eyes. “I’d feel quite content to do the same.”
While she thinks the two aren’t looking, Serenity carefully levitates the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign from the shelf by her desk, bringing it out the window.
For some bizarre reason, Prodd thought he saw a sign levitate behind him. He was probably seeing things. He returns his attention to cuddling with Red.
She just didn’t see anything with her eyes closed, and just relaxed there, giving Prodd the occasional nuzzle.
With a huge grin, Serenity slips the sign onto the doorknob as she trots off.
Post by: Impending Doom on May 05, 2013, 03:29:17 am
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Serenity%20Avatar.png)(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Praetorian%20Avatar.png)
Praetorian saw the town once more as he crested the hill. He smiled, grimly. He never thought he’d be returning here. He started the long walk down to the town, looking for a unicorn.
Serenity is sitting off in a corner of the tavern, silently eating her lunch and watching the other ponies mill about.
Praetorian enters, and looks around for Serenity, the pony he’d come so far to find.
Looking up from her plate briefly, Serenity freezes as she lays eyes on a stallion she never thought she’d see in Duskfields again. “...Praetorian?”
Serenity! He walked over to her. “Serenity... What’s happened? I got your letter...”
Serenity leaps up from her seat and rushes over, pulling him into a tight hug. “Oh, I didn’t think you’d actually come all the way out here! Where is Maize?”
He held the hug, and nuzzled her. “Maize is back home, looking after our little foal. I’m not staying, just coming to see what was wrong.” He pulled back, and looked over the mare. “What is it?”
“Well, nothing’s wrong, but... can we talk about this in private?”
Praetorian nodded, a look of concern on his face.
Serenity takes a moment to return her empty plate to the kitchen, before leading Praetorian back to her office. Once there, she recounts the events that have transpired since his absence: The true story behind the dragon ‘attack’. The incidents surrounding Carnith’s skull. The strange visions.
Praetorian looks moderately upset. “This is disturbing.” He sighs, and speaks again. “Serenity... Please, I know you don’t want to, but I want to ask you, once more, to come with me and Maize. To leave this place. It’s not safe here.”
“I know. I’ve thought about that a lot... especially recently...” She subconsciously raises a hoof to her belly.
“...what do you mean?” he asks, both relief and a sharp pain surging through him. “Did you... Have you found somepony else?” The natural effects of that he left unsaid, though it would make sense...
Serenity shakes her head. “No, never! It’s... you remember the night before you left?”
A sick feeling went through him. “Yes, I remember...only too well. What do you mean? What’s happened?”
She puts on the best smile she can manage. “Praetorian... I’m pregnant. I only found out a few days ago myself.”
Praetorian’s face was shocked. “You’re... You’re pregnant?”
Serenity nods. “It’s yours.”
Praetorian sits down hard. “You’re pregnant?” he says again.
She steps over, leaning against him.
Praetorian can hear the little movements of the baby inside her. “I... I...” He is speechless.
Serenity reaches up with one hoof, pulling his muzzle down to hers.
“Serry,” he whispers, still in shock.
“I know. I was just as shocked as you when Dr. Case Study told me.”
“I... I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Please... Tell me what you want to do...” he says, not knowing what he was saying.
Serenity puts her hooves around him. “There’s nothing to be sorry about. I couldn’t be happier about this.”
“But... I should be here with you, but I need to be with Maize... Please, come back with us,” he pleaded. “Please.”
Serenity looks away. “You know I can’t. Temperance, Cream Puff, everypony... they need me. I can’t just abandon them.”
Praetorian nods, unhappy as he is. “Yes, yes. Dammit, you’re right. You always were. I... I’ll try to come back as often as I can, then. I... I’m sorry, Serenity. Even though you say there’s nothing to be sorry about... I should be here with you.”
“You should be with Maize, she needs you more. I can protect myself.” She smirks. “I had an excellent teacher, after all.”
He smiles a little. “Maize will be happy to hear of this news, I’m sure. Serenity... Please, stay safe. If anyone harms you...” He shakes his head. “I can’t say I’ll let them harm you and not seek retribution. Serry... Stay safe, no matter what happens.”
“I will.” She says, locking eyes with him. “I promise.”
Praetorian hugs her tight. “If anypony tries to hurt you, or harm you in any way because of the foal... Well... Anyway. Have you decided on a name?”
Serenity nods. “I have a few ideas. What about Aquila, for a filly?”
Praetorian nods. “That sounds like a good name. If it’s a colt?”
“I...” She ponders. “I don’t really have any good ideas. What do you think?”
He smiles. “I suppose I could suggest Praetorian, but that might be getting a little too egotistical even for me,” he said with a laugh. “Perhaps Munifex?”
Serenity immediately recognizes the significance. “Yes... I think that would be a lovely name, dear.”
He hugs her tight again. “I love you, Serry. Whatever you ask of me, I will do. Please. Stay safe? For me.”
“For you, and for our foal. I promise. Give Maize all my love.”
“I will.” Tearing himself away from her, still wanting to take her away with him, he bows to her. “I hope to see you again soon, Serenity. If you need me, for anything, just write, and I will come.”
Post by: Splint on May 05, 2013, 10:13:27 am
Post by: Pokon on May 05, 2013, 12:34:07 pm
Journal:
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
It has to be someone's foal who drew this, but if that's the case, well, I don't know what to do or who to say, because the thing is, well, the bottem shape thing is not drawn with crayon as the rest of it. It's a smear of blood.
Going to say something to someone, but I am going to hide this from Smoothblock.
I am, frankly, scared right now, because I found this on my dressing table, and my rooms a bit off to the side in the fort, and somepony would have said something if they went in.
Post by: Telgin on May 05, 2013, 12:44:28 pm
I really need to get another journal written...
Things have been fairly quiet for Scimitar, aside from poor Pepper Flakes getting blinded in one eye by a discordant pony, but I'm always happy to see journal entries. :)
Post by: Iceblaster on May 05, 2013, 01:41:59 pm
Medical Log, Entry 13
I seem to have run out of those Zebra potions from last caravan. I hope the next Caravan will bring more of them, as they are vital to my sanity. Might speak with Lightning about picking some up next Caravan.
Medical Log, Entry 14
Lightning has agreed to pick some up from the next caravan... if they are in supply. I would give up everything I own to get another batch for a year.
Medical Log, Entry 15
I felt as if I was watched today. As if... something was stalking me... probably nothing. I spoke with Bonesetter about this. While he showed concern, it seemed like he had no clue on how to deal with my medication situation(Hey I rhymed... ha) I sent a letter out with a pigeon to Fruithold to see if they can ship a couple months supply over.
Medical Log, Entry 16
Damnit to Taturus! Fruithold has denied my request, declaring it 'Unnecessary.' I need that medication, regardless of the importance. I might have to lock myself in the house if I don't get a batch when the caravan comes.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Lightning%20Runner%20Avatar.png)
Logbook Entry 14
Oh dear Amug.... Sweet Potato has run out of her zebra Medicine and it doesn't look like we will be getting a caravan soon. I hope we won't have to restrain her if her condition gets worse than a feeling of being watched.
Post by: Telgin on May 07, 2013, 10:25:51 pm
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Convalescence%20Avatar.png), (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Mountain%20Dew%20Filly%20Avatar.png), Mittens and (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
On a crisp afternoon under a blue sky, Convalescence walked with her eldest colt, Mittens, through the town. Already beginning to feel the stress of her new position, she was looking forward to having a small break. Setting up a playdate between Mittens and Temperance's filly would be a good opportunity for that, and as she walked towards his home she thought briefly that it had been a while since she'd talked to him about anything but work.
Meanwhile, Temperance was busy putting away a few things in preparation for Convalescence visiting. It was supposed to be a pretty informal playdate, but the room needed to be tidied up a bit anyway. Morning Dew was off with Honor, getting something to eat for the two, she claimed. That just left him and Mountain Dew, who was the important one anyway.
Mountain Dew finished stowing a few unnecessary toys in their drawer and skipped over to her. “Done, daddy!”
He ruffled her mane and smiled at her. “Good job! Conny will be here with Mittens in a little bit.”
Just then, the two hear a knock at the door. Temperance looked up. “Oh, that must be them now.” He stepped over and opened the door. “Hey, come on in, we were just expecting you,” he said, smiling and stepping aside.
With a smile of her own, Convalescence greeted him, "Hey, Temperance. How are you?" And bending down slightly, she said, "And hello, Mountain, you've grown a lot since the last time I saw you," as Mittens watched suspiciously from behind his mother's legs.
“I’m doing well. I hope everything’s well with you?” Temperance replied. He kept his smile up as he looked down at Mittens. “And how about little Mittens?”
Mountain Dew grinned at Convalescence. “Hey Mrs. Conny!” She noticed the pony hiding behind her and greeted him with, “Hello! I’m Mountain Dew. Are you Mittens?”
"Oh I'm doing well, I had no idea how much paperwork was involved with running this place," she said with a small laugh. Noticing Mittens, she said reassuringly "It's alright Mittens, they don't bite." Moving out from behind her slightly, he looked up at the stallion and said, "I'm fine, sir." Then he jumped slightly as Mountain began talking to him, "Yes. Hi," he replied.
Mountain Dew waved for Mittens to come in. “Come on, I’ll show you around!”
Nervously, Mittens followed her as his mother waved him on encouragingly.
Temperance made an almost inaudible chuckle, then said to Convalescence, “Good to hear you’re doing well. Yeah, it’s more work than you’d expect, especially with the redundant paperwork.” He made another small chuckle. “I’m really glad to have your help, though, make no mistake.”
"Likewise." she said, "Do you mind if I take a seat?"
“Oh, no, go right ahead,” he said, pulling out a chair for her and taking a seat himself. “It’ll be good to have a chance to relax and talk about something other than work.”
"Thanks. That's what I was hoping for," she said watching Mountain and Mittens.
Temperance watched the two as Mountain gave Mittens the grand tour of their little home. “They grow up fast, don’t they? How old is Mittens now?”
"They sure do. He just turned two in Galena, and his brother is about a year now. What about Mountain and Honor?"
“About the same, actually. Mountain Dew turned two in Slate, and Honor is right at a year old now.” He chuckled. “And the third will be here before too much longer. I can’t remember exactly when Morning Dew said she was due, but it can’t be too long from now.” He looked over to her. “Two enough for you?”
Thinking for a moment she replied cheerfully, "Yeah, I think so. The two I have are already a hoof-full as is,"
“Yeah, I hear you,” he replied. “Two was enough for me too, but Dew kept hinting at it, and well, before you know it...” He shrugged. “I don’t know how my sister managed four children on top of running Dawnpick.”
"I couldn't even imagine...Do you get to keep in touch with your sister very often?" She asked.
He nodded. “We write each other from time to time, though it’s been a few months since I’ve gotten anything from her.” He smirked. “She worries so much about me out here she’s probably just happy to know I’m alive and in one piece. How about you? Got any family you keep in touch with?”
Shaking her head she replied, "No, it's just me and Patches, and the foals of course. All of my family lives here in Duskfields,"
He sensed there was a story to that somewhere, but it was definitely something he wasn’t comfortable asking too much about. “I guess that makes matters a bit simpler. Is that why you decided to move so far away from civilization? Are you from Coupledye?”
"Not originally. I've lived on the frontier for most of my life. I actually met Patches in the town we grew up in." Sighing softly she continued, "Unfortunately, that settlement didn't last, and after it fell apart we moved to the capital. But after a year or so we missed our old life, and when we heard about here we just couldn't pass up the opportunity to live out in the country again."
“Oh, I see.” He made a nervous laugh. “Duskfields has probably been plenty of excitement for you then, I take it?” He left out the obvious extension that he hoped it didn’t fall apart like that anytime soon.
"Oh yes, plenty of work for a surgeon out here, even if I don't get to do as much work in the hospital lately," realizing the tone her story may have set, she tried to smile reassuringly, "I have a good feeling about this place though,"
He smiled as Mittens refused the offer to play with one of Mountain Dew’s dolls, and said, “I stay worried about everypony, but things are definitely looking up lately. I think everything will work out.”
Nodding in agreement, Convalescence followed his gaze across the room to where the foals were sitting. Mountain Dew had settled on kicking a little ball back and forth with Mittens. She said, “So, your mommy is a doctor. What does your daddy do?”
"He makes clothes for ponies," he replied as he kicked the ball back to her.
She stopped the ball with a forehoof, and her face lit up. “Oh, I remember now. Daddy said that somepony named Patches made my doll for me. That must be him. My daddy is the manager, whatever that means. I think he just tells ponies what to do and draws stuff in his office. My mommy is a farmer. She spends a lot of time in the fields.”
After thinking about that, he said, "That sounds boring, watching plants grow all day."
She nodded. “Yeah, I love mommy, but it is kinda boring. She and daddy say it’s important though. What do you want to do when you grow up?”
At this he sat up straight and puffed out his tiny chest. He was small even compared to the other foals his age, but he replied, "I'm gonna be a soldier. The toughest one in the whole kingdom,"
She grinned. “I told daddy I wanted to be a soldier once, and he didn’t like that. I dunno what I want to do. Being a manager sounds easy.” She kicked the ball back at him. “But being a soldier is cool!”
"Yeah it is!" He replied with sudden enthusiasm. "Being a manager could be okay. You'd get to tell everypony what to do,"
She nodded. “Yep. Hey, but soldiers get to tell ponies what to do too, right? Oh, I know!” She grabbed one of the rulers stored on a nearby shelf with her magic and said, “We should play soldier!”
Temperance’s eyes widened a bit as he hopped up. “Uh, Mountain sweetie, why don’t you and Mittens play something else?” he said, gently tugging the rule out of her magic. Something safer, he really hoped.
She pouted and sat back down. “Aww, okay.” She went back to the ball and kicked it at Mittens again. “Bet you can’t stop it!”
Temperance sighed and returned to sitting next to Convalescence. Foals would be foals, but at least they probably wouldn’t hurt each other now. He smiled at her, and said, “So...”
"Good thinking there," she says laughing softly. Seeing the small near-incident reminds her of some things she needs to talk to Temperance with about the militia, but she stops herself short of bringing it up. No, not today she thinks, you can give yourself a break...at least for today.
Post by: DVNO on May 12, 2013, 01:39:52 am
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Max%20Avatar.png)(http://fc09.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2013/042/9/3/thing_krpytid_drew_and_i_edited_slightly__by_jaxler-d5uo19c.png)
FLASHBACK
It is a cool mid-afternoon when Max walks in to the bar. He strode in and gestures for his usual, a hard lemonade with ice. As he put his bits down on the table. He glances to his left, saw Red also at the bar.
Redhat had what seemed to be a bottle of fine wine, and had his dog sitting next to him, between him in the gryphon. He had been there for a while, just trying to relax after a long day.
Max was tired. Max was sore. Max frankly wanted to drink in peace. But Max also always made a point to strike up a conversation. Especially with the exact pony he wanted to talk to. Max glances over his shoulder again and moves two booths over to Red and his dog. "Hey Redhat, how's life?" He opened up the conversation. "Not in the hospital, so I assume better than usual?"
“Well, I suppose I could be worse.” The dog limped over and gave max a loving little lick on his paws. “Ugh... why does my wolf always have to be so adorable...”
Max grins and scritches the wolf behind the ears. Bonnet closes her eyes in content bliss as the claws massage down on the hard to reach spots. "What a fun breed. You're very lucky, wolves don't pick just anybody."
“Well, I’d hope the poor thing would pick me after all i’ve done for her.” She gave bonnet a little pet on the ear.
"Guard duty still treating you fine? With the attacks increasing more an' more ... Well lets say I hope the heat ain't getting too much to handle out there."
“If it get’s too much I’ll just get better. I can dispatch an entire squad of those brigands and intend on doing so again and again.”
Max sighed. "Sure glad I'm not out there. I - I still get a relapse from time to time from when that Discordant gutted me."
“Oh yeah... I had to make you go nini after that, right?”
Max squints at Red, trying to remember. "Were you in the hospital during that?"
“Yes, I was actually the one who put you under, you probably would have killed yourself if I hadn’t.”
He blinks with a surprised look. "I'll have to take your word for it, I can't remember the aftermath at all. It's funny to think the doc who worked on me is mayor now."
“Well, I suppose... you don’t mind if we change the top from hospital debauchery to something more appropriate ?”
Max looks up in the air. "Sure, though I can't really think of anything else off the top of my head."
“Well... I guess could talk about my most recent promotion.”
"Sure, in all ears. Tell me a bit about the military life."
“Well, Being captain isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
"Let me guess, Flamberge isn't easy to take orders from." Max probed, looking for ill will for his enemy like checking for uncooked raw pink in a unfinished steak.
“Aside from disregarding anything I say, I can hardly withhold my criticism from him. I say I one thing against his word, one comment it’s like shooting yourself in the foot. I’m a better warrior than some moraless shell of a stallion. The bastard lacks any kind of professionalism in the battlefield. He decapitates left in right, no finesse. When he slays, he doesn’t feel remorse, or pity. I can hardly listen to him for more than five minutes knowing he’s inferior.” The pony looks down at his crippled dog. “HE is among the reasons why this world is in a state of dec-. Excuse me, I got a bit carried away there. Just, I’m more skilled than him in every way when it comes to his role. If he hadn’t killed a dragon, I’d be giving him respite from his job.” He sipped some of his wine, “I suppose this seems prideful, but it’s not pride if it’s painfully obvious.”
Max grins wryly. Looks like we have a winner.
"It's true. He's truly a brute of the worst sort, isn't he? Wouldn't even give me a day to grieve before barging into my hospital room and insulating me of high treason." He gave bitter laugh and looked at his drink. "It's not so much him I pity, but poor, poor Crosshair. Trapped in the middle of all this. Does she love him? Most definitely. But not vise versa. Not at all. Just another stepping stone, like every pony else here."
“It’s funny... she shows up with bruises, and he assumes we can’t tell. I know for sure that bastard is as harsh he is to those he smites as he is to those he loves... that is if demons can feel love...”
Max frowns and his eyes turn to slits. "They don't."
“I don’t think he’s a demon yet. I prefer to believe that in the beginning all of us try to do what we think is good... I know it isn’t true, but it’s my rule of thumb.”
"Hell is painted with good intentions..." Max quotes stoically. He couldn't remember from where or what though. " I agree. To a point. But then there has to be cause and effect. A reaction to an' action. A balance of the moral scales. Some justice. Take the crime Flamberge committed just today for example ..." Max tailed off, hoping to reel Red's attention in.
“Please, listen to me. We all try for the best, but this world is corrosive, and it’s eats away at us all. Listen, a demon is nothing more than a shell of who they were. Something that’s a husk. It’s not a matter of if but when. We all are heading that way, there is no paragon of morals, everyone is willing to compromise and trade, until you’ve compromised who you are.” He looked at him. “Are you telling me that tragedy didn’t change you for the worse?”
"My tragedy is none of your damn concern." Max glared, the insinuation he could somehow dip to Flamberge's level put a sour taste in his mouth.
“So I’ll take that as a yes. please, understand you’re nowhere near as far gone as he is. He’s fargone, a zombie almost. I do believe ponies can be saved, either by care, or a spear... I prefer to believe in the beginning we’re all equal, and sometimes the only way to fix a ruined building is demolition before it collapses and hurts somepony.”
Max sighs. "Yes, perhaps. I'll admit, I ain't one for philosophy. I believe we can combat how far gone we are with a 'lil honesty. I'll start right now. I didn't start this conversation for a little idle conversation: I came to ask a favor."
“And what would you ask of me?”
Max smiles and continues into his sell. " Crosshair's been wandering all 'round town for a week looking for her bolts. I found them ... but in the oddest place; found them in Flamberge's office. Seems odd someone's lover would neglect to tell the other he'd borrow them for so long. Could you run them to Convalescence and not mention me? The relationship between Flamberge and I is rocky already, I don't need to be put on his kill list again. Maybe Crosshair can finally stop screeching around the fort when she gets her precious bolts back."
“... it’s rather peculiar to be asking me to deliver something like that in this of all places, and why would you have me do him a favor?”
Max's hard frown returns. " It doesn't matter, and I can make it worth your while if doing Flamberge a favor rubs your feathers the wrong way."
“I don’t believe your acting normal... but I won't protest further....” The pony didn’t know why the talking bird would suddenly get more cheery.. and ask him to help flamb in anyway... but he found it best to just let it slide for now.
"Thanks, and who knows, the small things may lead to big rewards."
Max looks at Red with a drunken, knowing smirk.
Two days after the events at the hospital
Two days later, at the same time in the bar, in he same seat of the bar, Max sat with another Hard Lemonade. The only difference was a very darkened set of sleepless eyes. He rotated the little umbrella in the drink around, waiting.
Soon, the door to the bar was open, and Red came in. He sat right next to the bird and waited to see how he’d react.
"So, can you believe what Flamberge has done?" Max asked, seeing if his lie was still holding up to scrutiny.
“Why did you set me up?” Red wasn’t going to have any of it.
"Why did I set 'us' up, Redhat. Why did I set 'us' up is the question you should be asking." Max said with a cool, unconcerned tone.
“Tell me right now why you did this, else I’ll kill you right now for treason.”
"I did it, because Flamberge needed a relief from duty. I know it, and deep down you know it too." He slowly glanced up with his blue eye. "You told me yourself, Red."
“I don’t frame somepony for murder. I have morals. It’s what keeps me from falling apart.” He gave the bird an angry look. “Now, please, why the hell was one of the gryphon’s dead?”
Max cocked his head and leaned back. "You don't understand what really at stake, do you? This is bigger than us and a dead Griffon now. I am wrestling this town out of Flamberge's destructive grip. And at this point, no option is off my table."
“Please tell me why the buck you’d have ME have him framed? and please, why is there a murdered gryphon, and why are you, trying to pin the heinous crime on him as opposed to another approach?”
"Max blinks. "What other approach?" He said with a grimace."I have thought long and hard on any other approach There ain't no other approach." He looked him over. "And why you? You gave the most to gain out of all this. That's why you had him the buck framed. I need a pony who will be different than Flamberge in every way. I need a Militia Commander I can trust."
“Okay...” Red gave him an angry look. “I’ll consider not turning you in... but please... tell my why you killed the gryphon?” he was guessing now, but he was sure max had something to do with it.
"The Griffon was spying on us, as I was sure he was. A part of Flamberge's deal of selling Duskfields down river I'm sure. He was a dirty spy for the Griffon army, Redhat. I did nothing more than what you would have done - and twisted a death to my gain." Max winces at the words, but a certain tone of assuredness can be heard from them.
“I would never twist another’s death..” He paused for a moment though. “but what’s this about selling the fort?”
"Oh, you don't know?" Max asked. "Flamberge, he has his eye on the barony. He has no interest in us. A storm is coming and he intends to be long gone when it hits. Selling off the crops we promised to Coupeldeye? That's just the start. Soon, this whole place will be sold off to the devil if Flambege has his way."
“You do realize the gryphon I talked to at the depot was that this base is essentially here to drag out a force of discordants so our combined forces could crush one of their armies. He isn't going to sell this place... but what I don't get is why the hell we're not getting the forces needed to keep up our end of the bargain with the the gryphons.”
Max closes his eyes. "He simply doesn't care, Redhat. He is going to leave with Crosshair and leave us to die." He gestures around him. "This whole place? A trap, and we're the bait."
“... I figured as much...” he sighed heavily. He had a feeling that was the case, but didn’t want to admit it... “Okay... I won't turn you in..”
Max frowned. "Redhat, I just made you king of this place, and you don't even know it. With Flamberge gone, with Crosshair gone, no one can stop you from leaping up the ranks and and building a proper military; and you were going to turn me in?" He made a plaintive gesture. " 'Thanks' come in all shapes and sizes I suppose." He takes a gulp of his hard lemonade, and looks down at the glass. "You know... Last time... We had a talk about Demons ... not a matter of if but when ..."
“Stop right there. I'll have you know, ranks and titles mean nothing to me. There is really one thing I want.” He looked over to max, this time though he wasn't angry, he even seemed happy by now.
Max snaps his eyes to him. "Say the word and you will have it." Max gruffed.
“I want my freedom and I want my birthright.”
Max cocked a brow. "That's a bit .... Cryptic. But I'll try as best as I'm able to accommodate. What, specifically, is your birthright? How are you enslaved?"
“My father has essentially left me with slightly less than two hundred thousand bits worth of debt, If I can’t pay in cash, I’m going to pay in blood, and I can’t reclaim my family county, which my birthwright, until I’ve repaid that debt.”
Max steeples his fingers together. "T-two hundred thousand bits?" He exclaimed, his cool and confident air broken. "What, was he burning the money? How do you rack up -" He gasped with astonishment. Calming his shaky hands, he tried to negotiate. "Even if I put my cave and everything inside on the bargain table, it would only amount 'ta half of that." Max thinks hard. "I could set up pension for you that could add to a hundred thousand bits in a few short years, if ya' like. But, Amug doesn't even have that kind of coin."
“Well... the town has a some wealth... and those artifacts could sell for a pretty penny.” He leaned back in his chair. “I see no reason why a few useless crafts couldn’t go for sale, I donteven think the last few “Legendary” items have even been used.”
Max’s cracks his neck, as if very uncomfortable. “ I could send a few artifacts to the Market... the original owners will not be happy about it ... But that’s a possibility.”
“Are you sure? dont most of the Artifacts just rot in the stock piles?”
Max closes his eyes and rests his forehead on his steepled thumbs. “Yes, and that’s where the craftsponies put them, that’s where they expect them to be. I’ll try. I’ll try whatever it takes. l am going to set this place right, I’m going to turn this place around into a proper farming community and if raising two hundred thousand bits is what it’s going to take? That’s just what it’s going to to happen.”
“Also, The debt is growing on compound interest.” The pony sipped some more wine. “Yeeeeaahhhh... It’s bollocks right?”
Max pinches the crux of his beak with his thumbs. “Alright, i’ll help you if you help me. That’ll be the deal.” He extends his claw out. “Do we have a deal, Commander?” He asked.
“Fine, but I hope you know, I only plan on backing this place until I’m no longer needed and can return to my dutchy.”
Max retracts his hand. “I’m not raising that much coin on a limited investment. Five years minimum, then you can leave for your Dutchy. Or, I could leave you to the wolves and you’ll never get out of debt. Your choice.”
“Fine, but I best be living like a king while I stay here.” He smiled and took another sip of wine. The deal was only getting better.
“Alright.” Max extended his hand again.
He smiled and extended his hoof to Max. “It seems to be a fine deal.” and then he shook it. “So, What’s your plans?”
Max sighs. “Now? Now I’m going to make a speech. Denounce Flamberge. Make sure nothing like what he did to Carn never happens again.”
“Would you at least keep him in the army? If this place is really a bear trap set for the discordants, then we’ll still need his lowly arse.”
“Leave Flamberge to me.” Max said simply while shaking on the deal.
“And when he’s out, how will keep this place prepped”{?”
“You will keep this place prepped!” Max said. “That’s what I’m paying two hundred thousand bloody bits for. What, did you think all that money came with no responsibility?”
“Very well then... but i’ll expect you to back me up on this...”
“Everything in my soon to be power.” Max confirmed for him.
“Very well then...” The pony rose his glass. “Cheers!”
Max grinned. “To a’ better future.” The two clinked glasses.
Post by: Iceblaster on May 12, 2013, 10:43:04 pm
Lightning stared at the ceiling of the hospital room he had been put in. He was in the hospital for the second time that year-this time a broken leg-and already he was ready to just get up and trot out, regardless of Bonesetter’s warnings. Sweet Potato and Mist had visited him a few times, and that made him happy. He closed his eyes, prepared to go to sleep, probably for the whole day.
Prodd heard about Lightning getting injured again, and as much as it pained him to admit it, Lightning was a good friend of his. He stepped into the room and saw the pegasus sentenced to bed rest. “Alright Red, it’s clear.” He moved over to the nearby corner.
Soon, there was a knock on the door, “Hello, may I ask for permission to enter?” Prodd probably knew who it was just from the voice.
“My permission or his?” Prodd gestured to Lightning. “Oh Lightning... wanna meet my marefriend?” He assumed the injured pony was awake by now.
Lightning opened his eyes “Wha- Who’s there? Oh, hey Prodd, umm, sure, where is she?” Lightning remembered Prodd saying something about her, but he never described her in any way, so whoever it was going to be a surprise regardless
“She’s just outside...” Prodd answered. “I’m sure you met her before...”
Lightning tried to think of all the mares he’s seen here, but he was still clueless on who it was
“Prodd, is that you?” Red didn’t expect to see him here of all places.
“Yeah, of course.” Prodd responded. “Come on in! It’s a party in here!” He said sarcastically.
The door opened, and Red saw the two of them. “Well.. okay then...”
“What? I can’t visit a fellow markspony?” Prodd inquired. He took position in the corner and let Red do whatever Red was going to do.
“Hey Red, now, Prodd where is your marefriend? She can’t be far from here” Lightning said, waving a hoof at Red
“Um... Prodd...” she whacked him on the back of the head. “Why does he know about this?”
“Ow!” Prodd said. “What? I can’t tell him I’m seeing somepony? I’m sure you met her too, such a sweet, beautiful young mare...” He sneered. “That hurt...”
“Is there something I should know? You don’t seem to happy about me wanting to see Prodd’s marefriend. We’re all adults here, I’m sure it would be fine for us to talk about our special someponies” Lightning said.
“...Yeah Red... didn’t anypony ever tell you it’s rude to wear hats indoors?” Prodd asked. He propped himself up against the wall, giving Red some space.
“Prodd...” he glared at him. “Prodd.... I thought I told you...”
“Red calm down... jeez you’re acting like we’re married or something...” Prodd stated. “So Lightning how have you been? Sweet Potato visit you?” He changed topics.
“Yeah, yesterday-I think-and she brought Mist, thats always great. The little foal is the most precious thing I’ve ever seen” Lightning said happily “How’ve you been?”
“Me? Pretty good, shot a target a few times, read a book, same old same old...” Prodd said. “Say, Red, do you ever want to have a foal?” He looked at Red with a faint smirk.
“I’d like to not think about such things. I’d maybe have one... but foals can be very obnoxious...”
Lightning glared at Redhat, “Obnoxious? Where’d you get that idea? Have you seen any of the foals out here, they are the most precious things in the world.”
Prodd intervened, “Hey it’s just Red’s opinion, no need to make a fuss...” He looked between the two. “So Redhat, what do you need?”
“Apologies” Lightning said before looking over at Redhat.
“I came here to visit the man I saved. Also, I mean some foals can be obnoxious... not all.”
“So Prodd, your marefriend. I haven’t forgotten, If she’s hiding somewhere in the hospital, just tell her to come in here, not like she’s gonna be shot on sight” Lightning changed the subject to the original one.
“Eh I’m not so positive she’ll show up, she’s got a medical condition that’s got her voice a bit higher pitched than normal...” Prodd said. He observed how Red would react to that.
~Wait... medical condition... higher pitch... no can’t be~ Lightning thought. He shook his head before focusing back on the conversation.
Red just gave Prodd the evil eye, before trying to stealthily slip out the door. He was just gonna head out before things got any worse.
“Yeah... I think my marefriend probably left already Lightning...” Prodd said, enjoying the entirety of the conversation.
Lightning saw Red leave, but thought nothing of it.“Eh, alright, well if she ever comes by while I’m still in here, please tell her to stop by, I would love to meet her” Lightning said
“Yeah, you’d like her, she’s a real lifesaver at times...” Prodd said. He smirked as Red made his way to the exit.
Red sighed and just left the room.
“Hey we still getting dinner together, right?!” Prodd yelled out after Red.
“UUUGGHH.” he came back in. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because it’s fun seeing you flustered...” Prodd said. He leaned over and whispered to Red, “Besides I bet we can trust Lightning here... and if worse comes to worse I could try to wipe his mind...”
“You could do that?” Red now felt slightly concerned. “Um... and you think?”
“Yeah, I trust him at least... this one time we got really smashed and some possibly illegal things happened... you’re the first pony to know that. He can keep a secret.” Prodd whispered back. “Also... maybe I can...”
Lightning was confused at their sudden secrecy, but again thought nothing of it.
“C’mon Red, we can trust him... besides this is really suspicious...” Prodd whispered. He took a few steps back to the corner.
“Ugh... fine... I better not regret this Prodd.” she rolled her eyes and reluctantly removed the hat. “Are you pleased now?”
“Yeah... very much... so dinner’s a yes?” Prodd grinned.
Lightning nearly jumped “What the f- WHAT? But... Your a? Wha? How?” was all that Lightning could say in his confusion and surprise
“Magical hat Lightning, magical goddamn hat...” Prodd answered before Red. He grinned again. “I found it pretty hot when I met her...”
“But why? Why would he... she need to be a stallion? If you two love each other... wouldn’t you just be mare and stallion instead of... Secret mare and stallion...” Lightning was still confused, but was at least able to understand what Prodd said
“I’ll assure you her hat has nothing to do with us as a couple, she’s got a personal reason that she may or may not want to say...” Prodd explained. He looked to Red for her approval after shutting the door.
“Ugh... I’m trying to hide my identity in order to protect my person from potential harm, I don't wish to go into further detail, now can we please stop conversing about this?”
“Red, If you don’t want to talk about it, I am perfectly fine with that. Thanks for telling me...Take a bit to get used to, but I should be fine”
“Ugh... just... ugh...” She turned to Prodd and put the hat back on. “I’m gonna keep this on from this point onward...”
“But I like checking out you’re flank...” Prodd said. “But very well, if thou royalty wishes...” He opened the door once Red put her hat back on. “Get well soon Lightning...” He then waited outside the door.
Lightning nodded
Red then followed behind Prodd. “Good day, wish you the best and all.”
As Prodd and Red walked out of the hospital, Prodd had one last thing to say. “So what are we getting for dinner again?”
“I was thinking just some corn on the cob, if you don’t mind... and buck you, ya lowly twat....”
“I love you too dear...” Prodd laughed heartily.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Lightning%20Runner%20Avatar.png), (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png) and (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Crosshair%20Avatar.png)
Bonesetter backed up a step and nodded approvingly. “Looks like everything is healing as well as it should be.” He scrutinized Lightning Runner’s leg again. “It’s still going to take weeks for the fractures to heal completely, but you’re mending well.”
“Good, I can get back to guard duty soon... Unless you want me to stay away from guard duty for a month... just to be sure?” Lightning asked.
He tapped a hoof to his chin. “Target practice probably won’t hurt much if you take it easy, but I wouldn’t want you doing anything more strenuous than that. Actually, you probably shouldn’t even do any crossbow shooting either for a week or two. You don’t need to stress the bones much for a while.”
“Got it, what about my wings, I’m sure those weren’t hurt in the attack... were they?” Lightning asked, extending his wings to check for injury.
“Nothing worse than a few light bruises,” Bonesetter replied. “Flying shouldn’t be a big deal, but any exertion is going to slow the healing.”
A hoof knocked loudly at the door, and before anypony could move to open it, somepony pushed it open. Temperance stepped inside, looking as if he’d seen something nopony should ever have to see. “Sorry for interrupting, but Bonesetter, Case Study and Convalescence need your help down the hall. Right away.”
Bonesetter set his instruments aside. “Alright, I was just finishing up here anyway. What’s the matter?”
Temperance shook his head and pointed down the hall. “I-I can’t really explain it. Case Study will fill you in.”
“Alright,” Bonesetter said with a shrug before exiting.
Once he disappeared through the doorway, Temperance stepped inside, shut the door and looked at Lightning Runner with a distant stare. “Lightning, we need to talk about something very important.”
“Sure, what do you want to talk about? I haven’t much to do anyway... ya know, being effectively given leave.” Lightning trotted over to Temperance, keeping a couple feet between them.
“Right.” Temperance glanced to the floor, then back up to Lightning. He looked like he could vomit any moment. “Lightning, it’s very important that you tell me the truth. I cannot stress how important it is for you to tell me the truth.” He took a deep breath. Then another. “Lightning, did you take Crosshair’s bolts?”
“I assume from Crosshair’s looks at me the day after our last talk, you already have a good idea.” Lightning looked Temperance in the eyes “So tell me, what is your guess.”
“I don’t know,” he replied in a weak voice. “I didn’t want to think you did, but now I’m not sure. Lightning, the griffon down the hall is dead.” Temperance choked on something and raised a hoof to his forehead. “There are two of Crosshair’s bolts in him right now.” He looked back up to Lightning again. “Did you take Crosshair’s bolts? Did you murder him?”
Lightning let out a breath “I took the bolts and no I didn’t murder him... Hell if I kill a griffon it’s one of those Discordant bastards,” Lightning said, still looking Temperance in the eyes.
Temperance didn’t look too convinced, but still looked gravely ill. “If you didn’t kill him, I need to know who did. Lightning, where are Crosshair’s bolts?”
“Don’t know somepony took ‘em somewhere.” He looked off to the left a bit before returning to looking Temperance in the eyes.
Temperance’s expression turned to a pleading one. “Lightning, this isn’t a game or a joke. I need to know. Please, did you give them to somepony? Why did you take them?”
“Temperance, I used to be a thief, I took stuff, I broke into homes. Somepony out of town wanted something, I did it, and they decided to do that. I can’t help what they do with my expertise, now if that is all, Sweet Potato has been awfully worried about me and I mustn’t stay away for long.” Lightning began to head to the door.
“Somepony from out of town?” Temperance asked. He raised a hoof to stop Lightning. “No... no, no, I’m sorry but you can’t leave.” He slowly shook his head. “Lightning, whether you murdered that griffon or not, you stole Crosshair’s bolts and you’re going to be arrested for that. And there is nopony to point a hoof at for the murder, so I don’t see much to avoid filing charges against you for that too.”
“Look, that somepony just sent me a letter and where to leave them.” Lightning took a breath. “I thought we were civilized ponies here, at least give me a fair trial, even if all the evidence points to me. Ponies would think that you just locked me up for no reason. If you want your posterity intact, at least do that.” Lightning hoped his lie would keep him from revealing the true recipient.
“All of the law of the Meandering Gloss applies here,” Temperance assured him with a grave expression. “You will be given a trial, and since we have no judge I will preside over it. Lightning, I am going to be blunt with you. You’re going to be found guilty of theft, since you admitted to it, and barring a miracle you’re going to be found guilty of murder. If you tell me now who killed that griffon, you may be acquitted of the murder.”
Lightning sighed. “I. Got. A. Letter. No name, just an item, and a place to stash it.” He lied “If you want me to find the letter for evidence, I burned it. I don’t keep incriminating evidence on my person. If I did, I would have spent my late foal-hood in a jail.”
“And that was good enough for you to steal from your...” Temperance trailed off with a sigh. “Nevermind. You’re not on trial now. I don’t know when or how we’re going to do that, but it has to happen. You can defend yourself then.”
“Fine, just... can it wait until I heal fully, I really don’t want to spend a couple hours standing in a room on a broken leg,” Lightning asked, accepting the details, but angry at what Max had done with the bolts.
Temperance sighed. “I don’t think it can wait, Lightning. I’ll have to decide with Crosshair just what we’re going to do, but you’re a suspect in a murder. I can’t let you go free.”
“Fine, where will you be locking me up for an indefinite amount of time before you consider having the trial.” Lightning rolled his eyes.
“I don’t know.” Temperance swept a hoof across the room they were in. “Here, for all I know. I have to go get Crosshair. She’ll have to decide on that.”
“Keeping a prisoner here would be like giving a foal-snuggler a job in a daycare,” Lightning said “Just... dig something out from under the barracks, probably better for a prisoner...even if they didn't do half of what you claim...,” LIghtning said, the last part substantially quieter.
“I don’t know, I don’t know,” Temperance said, becoming frustrated at this point. “Look, you’ll be watched wherever you are. Just.... just come with me. I have to keep an eye on you until I find Crosshair.”
Lightning nodded and followed Temperance as he trotted out of the Hospital. Once they reached the outdoors, Lightning took off, blowing dust into Temperance’s face.
For a moment, Temperance was stunned. On one hoof, he couldn’t believe Lightning Runner just did that. On another hoof, he couldn’t believe how stupid he’d been to trust him. There was no doubt left in his mind that Lightning had murdered the griffon. He coughed and waved the dust out of his face, then spun in a small circle, wracking his brain for what to do. Crosshair! He had to find her. He bolted toward the target range, shouting, “Crosshair! Flamberge!”
He didn’t have to bolt for long, Crosshair didn’t trust that Temperance would be able to handle a criminal himself and have perched herself on top of the hospital’s roof, seeing Lightning blowing dust and bolting for it, she raises her crossbow and aim down the sight at the fleeing Pegasus. Shouting “Stop! Or I’ll shoot!” loud enough to get the bolting Temperance’s attention.
Temperance spun to see her aiming at Lightning, and paused. Was this really going to turn into more bloodshed?
Lightning didn’t pay any attention to the warning calls, he just wanted to get to the forest just outside the gate, at least there, he wouldn’t have to worry about being accused for murder just because he picked up some dusty old bolts and handed them off to Max. Then, the thought hit him ~Did... Max do this? No it couldn’t have been, he is too nice of a Griffon to do this...~ His thoughts were interrupted when a bolt lodged itself into his left wing, causing him to crash in the clearing that was designated Town Square.
Temperance swore under his breath and started in Lightning’s direction. He was pretty sure the stallion wasn’t armed, but even still, neither was he. Maybe he should have run back inside to get one of the doctors first?
Seeing that her target have crashed, Crosshair quickly reloads her crossbow before taking flight towards the suspect.
Lightning began to get up, but soon collapsed again “You happy... Shot the ‘murderer’,” He said, turning his head in Temperances direction.
Temperance frowned, and again considered if he should go get the doctors. No, he wasn’t going to just let Lightning run again. “No, Lightning, I’m not happy. I’m not happy about one thing right now, but trying to flee only convinces me even more that you’re guilty.” He examined the wound, glad that Crosshair didn’t shoot to kill at least.
“Well, at least it... shows you atleast have a conscience. Are you going to interrogate me further... or are you going... to just toss me in a cell and hope I don’t bleed out by the time the Trial is put together, as I have some... questions I would love to ask,” Lightning said flinching when Temperance put a hoof on his wing
Crosshair arrived nearby, slowing approaching the two, her crossbow raised towards the wounded pony and keeping it there. “Lightning Runner, by the laws of the Meandering Gloss, you are now under custody for suspect of thief, suspect of Murder and resisting arrest. You have the rights to remain silent, anything you do, like trying to run away, or say, will be used against you in court. You have the right to an attorney. If you do not have an attorney one will be appointed to you. Do you understand?” Crosshair said to Lightning as if she’d said something like this before.
“Understood,” He said, giving up his efforts to explain it wasn’t him
Post by: L1wW on May 14, 2013, 11:12:47 pm
Prodd stared down at the spear-pony wielding the blunt stick. “Darling... is this really necessary?” He gulped. Sure he needed to get better at fighting in close quarters, but this seemed a little over the top.
“Yes, it is. I’d prefer you don’t get impaled by a phalanx or something during combat.” Red then handed him a fake crossbow made for training. “I’ll be using a sword though, seeing how me using a spear would be rather unfair..”
Prodd levitates the crossbow in a defensive position. “B-b-but...” He goes quiet.
“Spit it out, I promise not to hit you yet.”
“J-just... be gentle...” Prodd whispered. He was really scared at this point, a highly trained melee fighter versus a standard archer would not end well. .
“Very well.” he swung the sword, using his blind spot to his advantage.
“Eep!” Prodd yelped, his masculinity out the window. Before he knew it the glowing crossbow intercepted the blow almost reflexively.
“Very good” His sword then went right for his legs.
Before Prodd could smile at the praise the sword swept at his leg. He winced at the wooden stick nailing him in his front leg. “Owww, damnit!” He limped a few paces back.
Before he could even move a few steps, the pony was hovering over him, and had the sword up to his neck. “I win!”
“Wait... that’s how you win?!” Prodd asked, genuinely confused.
“if this was a real blade, you’d be dead.”
“Yeah but... that makes some sense...” Prodd said. Boy sparring sure is more complex than shooting a target.
“Okay, now this time I want you not to die horribly, deal?”
“Deal...” Prodd said. He looked down for a moment, then looked back at Red with renewed confidence.
This time the pony backed off a little. “You ready?”
“...A-as I’ll ever be...” That confidence already started to fade.
The pegasus charged into him in the blink of an eye.
Prodd quickly jumped to the side and kept his crossbow trained on Red as a reflex.
Red then passed him, before stopping the moment he was behind Prodd in order to swipe at his back.
Prodd kept his sight locked on Red, pivoting to keep her in sight. He pulled the trigger to his crossbow and nothing happened. “Y-you could have given me some blunts!” He shouted in panic. He held his crossbow as a shield.
“This is melee combat, not ranged.” She then rushed forward and tried land a hit on the top of his head with the sword.
Before Prodd knew it, he again found himself blocking with the wooden piece of crap. “This is fantastic!” He cheered meekly. This blocking thing felt somewhat natural to him.
The pony then grabbed the shield, and tried to pull it off from him, leading to a tug of war.
Prodd’s horn flashed a bright light almost instantly. While Red was stunned he regained control of the shield with his horn and started to step back.
The pony sighed, “Magic is bloody overpowered...” Redhat then just circled him, looking for an opening.
Prodd flashed again and ran in the opposite direction. “...I-if I make it to the well I win!” He yelled as he ran.
Red sighed, and flew at him. Pegasi were naturally faster than any other cast, and unless the bastard magiced his way out of this he was going to lose. “Prodd!”
Prodd gauged the distance between the two based on both Red’s shouting, and the reflection coming off the water in the well. When he figured Red was a few paces behind him, he slid on his back and thrusted his wooden toy crossbow upwards, hoping to catch Red in the gut.
Red just thrusted his sword down at Prodd, and tried to knee him in the crotch. “Stop being so unruly.”
Prodd got as low to the ground as possible and saw Red’s knee fly inches above his groin while his crossbow was magically accelerated into Red’s abdomen. He noticed Red’s wooden sword was a few inches above his chest, he hoped he could decelerate quickly enough so Red would overshoot his stab.
Red didn’t overshot and landed a hit right over the pony’s eye patch. Prodd’s crossbow found itself being pushed into the feathery wings of the pony, which he had extended to keep his belly safe.
Prodd eeped at getting poked above the eye. He rolled to the left to disengage while the well came into view. Red should really look out for the incoming wall.
The pony EEPed before colliding with the wall, and falling onto his side, not moving one bit.
Prodd levitated Red off the ground while running to the well to claim victory. After tagging home base he gently lowered the pegasus on the ground in front of him. Prodd pants from the mental strain. “You...huh... okay?”
The pony just held still, before pouncing up and landing another jab from the sword on his side. “Yes, I’m fine, you on the other hand died three times today.”
“S-sorry... but I minimized damage to my worse eye earlier, evaded you, and in theory I ran back to the wall and was presented the opportunity to pick you off from a distance...” Prodd explained. “I think that lowers it to one death... while I could have dropped you at least twice with a loaded crossbow...”
“If I had a spear, I’d have lowered you in less a few seconds. The training sword is just to make things even.” The pony walked over to Prodd, this time dropped the sword to the ground. “Anyway, your magic wouldn’t have helped you much in a fight.”
“B-but... I would have shot your high profile on sight...” He mumbled. “Whatever... I think flashing and running would help me the most... also maybe grabbing an actual shield to hold on to...”
“No no, I mean, I keep ace in the hole when I go into combat when it comes to fighting. Odds are I’d be dead right now if it weren’t because of it.”
“Okay... so my ace is my magic?” Prodd asks.
“That’s not what I’m talking about. Could you give me a moment to go get something?”
“Uh...sure?”
The pony got up and walked over to where he left his real weapon, as well as his armor. The pony sifted through, before pulling out a few trinkets and walking back over. “This is what I’m talking about.” What he was holding where two things. the first being a small knife, and the other being a small ring, both of which held a few foreign markings on them. “This is my ace in the hole.”
“Um... what’s the ring do?” Prodd said. The ring felt extremely unsettling to him, though he didn’t know why.
“It’s a magical ward, that sucks up all the magical energy around it, and keeps the pony in question from having their magic be of any use.” He smiled and moved it a little closer to prodd. “That is of course, if the pony isn’t powerful enough to drown the thing in energy... but I’ve only ran into the problem once...”
Prodd instinctively backs up from the device, almost repulsed by it. “C-can you... p-put it away please?”
“Very well...” he put it in his pocket. “The knife does exactly the same thing, though.” The pony held up the silver bladed weapon. “It’s about the only good thing silver can be used for in weaponry.”
“...So the runes... enchant them?” Prodd asks. “Do you have... like a book on the language or something?”
“I have one indeed, but it’s not in your language..”
“...Do you have a different book that is in my language that can translate to the other one?” Prodd asks, intrigued by this runic language.
“Translation is rather difficult... but, I could read it to you if you’d like.”
“If it’s fine with you...” Prodd said. “But... if I learned the language, could I enchant bolts to pack more of a punch?”
“If you got great at it, they’d set whatever you’d like on fire the moment they made contact... but that’d most probably take more than a decade... and I’d like to let you know these aren’t really enchantments, they just sap the magic of any nearby unicorn in order to take effect.” Red looked around, before giving Prodd a little nuzzle. “Anyway, it won't work if a unicorn isn’t in the general vicinity of the mark.”
“...Why does it sap energy from unicorns? Also, why do you know this?” Prodd asked, his only questions for the long explanation.
“Because it needs power somehow. And more exactly, because earth ponies make up an extremely large majority in my homeland. They work the land, and using these runes, they can actually work much more efficiently when they’re used to power machinery.” the pony then picked up his spear. “But they also have other applications, like this one here.” he pointed to a few etchings on it. “Keeps the thing sharp no matter what, and those things that extinguish magic, essentially just keep sapping endlessly, until they either run either get overloaded, or suck the pony dry.”
“...Alright then...” Prodd said. He mulled over what Red said. “...Do the runes sap from anything and everything, or can you volunteer to charge it?”
“It leaches off any being that can produce magic, which includes all ponies, though, unicorns are much easier to harv-” He tried to think of a better word, “Sap. but I promise you these have no lasting effect on unicorns... The Czar would never allow such a device for public use if it did so.”
“...I guess I’ll lay off the enchanting... but... I would like to learn about the language some time...” Prodd said. He doesn’t like the idea of unwillingly losing energy.
The pegasus grinned a little and chuckled. “You know it’s kinda hilarious.”
“What is?” The unicorn asked.
“I bet you think this is a way of using unicorns against their will..”
“Yeah seems like it... let me take guess, the unicorns are holding everything else against their will?” Prodd guessed. That seems like a logical reason to develop ways to mute unicorn magic.
“No, in fact it’s the way they keep everypony under their hoof. All the master’s in the art are unicorns, and the only way our economy runs is because of that magic. The only way you can make the more complex runes is with magic.”
“So the unicorns were in charge?” Prodd asked.
“They still are. The entire royal family, and over two thirds of nobility are unicorns. The only reason why my family is noble is because pegasi are above earth ponies, and well, my father was a unicorn.”
“...So was your father looked down upon for marrying a pegasus?” Prodd asked. “I’m assuming your mother was a pegasus...”
“No, Mother apparently had money, and Grandpa owned a small fortune before he passed, and there’s nothing wrong with marrying for money in my country.”
“Do you think there’s anything wrong with... marrying somepony out of money?” Prodd asked.
“Well no if it ends in creating me.”
“But otherwise?”
“Otherwise it’s a half decent way to ruin your life.”
Prodd nods. He felt better knowing that he wouldn’t have to prove himself financially if he ever decided to propose.
“But, just because you're a unicorn it wouldn’t be all too big of an issue. In fact, it’s what is expected.”
Prodd didn’t say anything to that. He dipped his head respectfully, but more so to hide the blush creeping up on his face.
“Are you blushing?”
“...No.” Prodd retorted. If “eep”ing wasn’t enough, now this blushing business happens.
“It’s okay dear...”
Prodd nodded and regained his composure. “...Thanks?”
“Why are you being shy?”
“...Dunno... I guess I’m nervous...”
“Don’t be. We’ve been seeing each other for a while, it’s not that it’s just going to change.”
“...I guess... but it’s more about the future that I’m concerned about.” Prodd explained. “...I’m just worrying too much or something...”
“What’s there to worry about?”
“As of right now? Nothing you should be concerned with...”
“Oh... very well...”
“...So... should we spar again or shall I shoot at a target for awhile?”
“Why don't we go have dinner or something?”
“Oh... sure I guess.”
“You don’t want to?”
“No... it’s fine. Just what shall we get?” Prodd asked.
“Well, what do you desire for dinner?”
“Eh... probably something light... maybe a sandwich or something...”
“Very well.... still if you don’t want to it’s fine by me.”
“No it’s fine!” Prodd firmly said. “I’m just... not that hungry...”
“You s-... sorry...”
“S-s-sorry Red...” Prodd stuttered out. “That... I didn’t mean to... sorry”
“Please, please don’t take that the wrong way. You know I have a temper.”
“Sorry...” Prodd murmured.
“I...” The pony sighed and moved forward to try and hug him.
Prodd flinched slightly, but returned the hug meekly.
“It’s okay, I’m not mad at you.”
“...W-what are you mad at?”
“Well.. I thought that’s why you were stuttering all of a sudden..”
“Alright then... l-lets.... lets just go get dinner...”
“Alrighty...”
Post by: Kryptid on May 15, 2013, 03:36:43 pm
There would be no rest tonight. As much as Case Study tried to force his mind to shut down, it stubbornly defied his will. There was too much to process...too much to be concerned about. The metaphorical gears constantly revolved in an endless mental dance as they attempted to bring sense to the nonsensical. Having finally given up the fight for sleep, the stallion kicked the already-tangled mess of a blanket off of the bed and got to his hooves.
Lighting the oil-fueled lantern kept in his room, he took the dull metal ring in his mouth and carried it over into the adjacent hospital room. The faint light cast the room in a shade of flickering orange-brown, which was only just bright enough to see with. Placing his light source down on the desk, Case then proceeded to pour himself a sedative drink made with tenderoot extract. After taking a seat, he probed the empty hospital bed with his eyes as he took a sip. It was hard to imagine that a murder had taken place in this very room not so long ago. Nothing like this had ever happened in any of the hospitals he had ever worked in during the past. He needed answers.
He had examined the evidence personally. Two grievous wounds made by a pair of crossbow bolts. It was no mystery how the crime had been committed. That was the easy part. He sighed and rubbed a temple with his left hoof, his head now hanging in grief. Who would have wanted to do this? What was the motive? Other than Lightning Runner himself, Case knew of no obvious suspects. He did know, however, that whoever the culprit was likely did not have expertise with a crossbow. If they had, then a single bolt to the skull would have been sufficient to perform the grisly deed. That made Lightning Runner himself unlikely to have been the pony in question. It also seemed likely that the murderer was trying to pin the crime on Crosshair by using her personal bolts to do the killing. If that was the case, then it was a failed strategy as it had been known previously that those particular weapons had gone missing prior to the event in question. The inefficient execution of the murder he had made mental note of earlier also made Crosshair an unlikely suspect.
Swallowing another mouthful of green-tinted refreshment, he attempted to contemplate the motive. The one that stuck out in his mind most prominently was that of prejudice. A hate crime. It was certainly possible that one or more of the ponies in Duskfields possessed a distaste for griffons. It was a simple fact of life that bigotry existed in all areas of civilization. This explanation, unfortunately, had problems. If there was a strongly griffon-averse resident in town, then why had there been no threats against their longtime guest, Max? As far as Case could tell, most ponies here had a positive view of the guy. If anyone had a grievance with him, it wasn’t because of his species. The prejudice theory seemed to be a dead end.
Was the attempt to pin the crime on Crosshair just a way of throwing investigators off of the criminal’s trail, or was it the entire point of the act itself? Was it not a hatred for the griffon, but rather for Crosshair, that motivated the murder? Did anypony hate the pegasus? It was at this point that Case began to regret his lack of sociability, as he had taken little opportunity to learn of the opinions and grudges of the populace. He didn’t personally know of anypony who would want to frame her for murder.
Having finished consuming the brew, his head began to ease off. The doctor decided he would give resting a second try and climbed back into bed. Having already lost hours of sleep, he knew tomorrow was going to be rough.
Post by: Telgin on May 15, 2013, 10:30:07 pm
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
Temperance's Journal – 26th Malachite, 272
I'm still in absolute shock. One of the griffons from the last caravan was found dead in the hospital this afternoon. He'd been wounded in a fight, and the others left him here for some reason. But that's not how he died. He was clear murdered, and by Crosshair's bolts.
I immediately followed up on my suspicion and confronted Lightning Runner about it. He couldn't have looked anymore guilty, and tried to get away when I went to get Crosshair. Thank goodness she was nearby to stop him. Unfortunately that meant shooting him, but he's in custody now at least.
Gods, why did this have to happen? What's next? Why did he want to murder the griffon? What did it benefit him? And if he's telling the truth and somepony else did it, why?
I don't now. We'll find out soon enough when we question Lightning.
2nd Galena, 272
Well, the jail was hastily dug out, and Lightning Runner was moved there. I was pretty proud that we didn't need a jail out here, but I should have known it would only be a matter of time. There's only space for two, but gods willing that's all we'll ever need.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/216.png)
We also set up a small office for Crosshair down there so she could work on the case. Not that there's much to really figure out at this point, since Lightning claims he doesn't know who he gave the bolts to and refuses to really cooperate on that front.
I don't want to get involved with that. Crosshair can just do her job and leave me out of this.
8th Galena, 272
Another day to be exhausted. Morning Dew gave birth not long after breakfast today. We knew it had to be any day now, because by the doctors' figuring she was a little late.
In any case, she's doing quite well, having given birth a few times before. And our new son, little Daybreak, is currently right next to me in his mother's hooves. I'm glad we had another earth pony, since Mountain Dew was more than a hooffull with her magic, and I don't know what we'd do with a foal that could fly!
I'm heading to bed with my family. It's been a long day for all of us.
14th Galena, 272
We got sidetracked on finishing the barracks because of the disaster involving Lightning Runner, but despite that setback it's finally finished. After years of practicing outside, the soldiers can now train inside and out of the way of everypony. I hope that they're happy with it. It's a bit small because we are so short on space, but it's big enough I think and better than nothing.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/217.png)
Speaking of the soldiers, Gorget is a father today. His wife Crosscut gave birth to a unicorn colt they named Bokken. An appropriate name, if you ask me.
His birth brings us up to 90 ponies in Duskfields now. This place has grown by more than I'd have ever believed possible in such a short time. I think we're reaching a happy size now though, so I'm probably going to write home to ask Coupledye to hold off on sending many more ponies in the near future.
17th Galena, 272
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/218.png)
A zebra caravan was spotted off to the southeast this afternoon, and should be here in a day or so. It feels like it's been too long since the zebras have been here, and I dearly hope that things won't turn out as poorly with them as it did for the griffons.
This is also a prime time for discordant or badger ponies to show up, so the soldiers have been placed on high alert. Please, Nirmek don't let anything happen. And Nokzam be with the soldiers if it does.
18th Galena, 272
Nirmek doesn't seem to be paying me much attention these days. Of course the badger ponies showed up.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/219.png)
That would be the red ! raging at the zebra wagon.
The first attacked the zebra caravan, but I'm glad to say that the zebras slew her without taking so much as a scratch. I guess Nokzam heard my prayers at least.
A second ambushed Pinestraw rushed outside for reasons I cannot fathom. Thankfully Redhat was already on the way and intercepted it. Right as a third was encountered by the swordsponies.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/220.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/221.png)
Both were dispatched without any injuries. Flamberge and Redhat both killed one each, about what I expected to hear. I was told that two more badger ponies showed up, but they were killed by the caravan guards. All told, surprisingly little fuss and no injuries on our side for once.
After that settled down, I went to tend to the merchants and pick up some things we needed. Some drinks were high priority, since we seem to have trouble keeping any in stock. I also picked up a mail short on a whim, but they didn't have much else in the way of useful metals, weapons or armor.
The big attraction was the piles and piles of wood. I bought every last bit of that, since we still can't seem to hang on to it for more than a few minutes before something necessitates its use.
26th Galena, 272
And of course the discordants had to show up too. I can at least claim that we made it out of the fighting without any life threatening injuries. Everypony was pretty terrified when a sickly looking griffon wielding an axe and wearing steel armor flew over the eastern wall, though, of that you can be sure.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/222.png)
None of the soldiers were nearby, so it was up to the civilians to prove our worth. I came galloping with my crossbow as soon as I could, but by the time I got there the griffon was already writhing in agony on the ground. Veneer apparently shot him out of the sky, striking and breaking one of his legs.
When I got closer, I could see why he was in such agony though. Keen Edge was biting him, since he didn't have his crossbow on hoof. That was a pretty horrifying thing to witness, let me tell you.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/223.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/224.png)
The soldiers arrived around then. Bascinet, Crosshair and Scimitar took turns hacking and bashing him until he stopped moving. The others were galloping or flying outside to meet the others: another griffon and three ponies armed with axes and a whip.
That fight started off poorly as Pauldron broke a hoof to the axe griffon, but Flamberge repaid him in kind by cutting all of his legs off.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/225.png)
Flamberge dominated the battle there, the others tell me, by cutting the heads from all of the remaining attackers one after another. The spear ponies didn't even make it to the fight by the time he'd torn them to pieces.
I'm starting to remember why I'm pretty frightened of the stallion. He's nigh unstoppable with that sword of his. At least it's mostly served us well so far...
One thing that really worries me though, is I think I saw the Canyontalon emblem on one of the griffons' armor. I hope I was just seeing things.
3rd Limestone, 272
We had another scare today, but of a decidedly different kind. When I was on the way to my office this morning, somepony told me Flue was acting strange. I went to investigate, and sure enough, it was what I was worried it would be.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/226.png)
The old mare is currently holed up in one of the forges, mumbling something about Max and picking through our metal supplies. I'll need to speak with her as soon as this is over. I hope she's going to be alright.
12th Limestone, 272
Amazingly, Flue is still churning away at whatever she's making. I grow more nervous with every passing day, but so far nothing ill has come of it.
In less alarming news, Scarlet Swirl, Pila and Underglaze's daughter, turned ten today, and that means she's old enough to start a proper apprenticeship. We set aside some space in the tavern for a little party, where I overheard her parents talking with her about what she wanted to do. Apparently she wants to be a soldier like her mother.
I can appreciate that, and we definitely need more soldiers out here. I just hope she'll be alright.
16th Limestone, 272
Well, Flue finished what she was working on today. She ended up making a little figurine of a griffon being brutally murdered by a monster of some kind.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/227.png)
She was pretty shaken up by the incident, as I had no doubt she would be, and asked me to put it somewhere she wouldn't have to see it anymore. When I pressed her for details, she said she saw me killing Max, but wouldn't say anymore. Other than when it was over, something terrifying told her to leave before she was next.
A definite theme to these visions... but nothing ever seems to come of them. I assured her everything was alright and walked her home. I wish I was so sure, myself.
Anyway, something a bit more mundane is the various construction projects we've still got going on around town. The barn is mostly finished now, finally. We mostly just need to put a roof on it, but we've already moved the thousands of seeds we have in there, which is a huge improvement over what we were doing with them.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/228.png)
We also have a few stone blocks lying around without anything obvious to do with them, so I asked the masons to start laying down some roads with them. The mudstone isn't particularly pretty, but it works well, and maybe everypony's hooves won't be so sore after walking around on the open grass so much anymore.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/229.png)
Post by: Iceblaster on May 16, 2013, 07:33:21 am
Medical Log 17
Thank Amug, a Zebra Caravan has arrived. I went to browse their wares for some of their potions that I so greatly need... as Lightning was locked up for the death of some Griffon... I trust he didn’t do anything, but if he had done something... I don’t know what I’d do.
I have had some strange dreams in the past few days. Normally i would be fine with this, but these are.... stranger than what ‘normal’ dreams would be.
I was in town square, enjoying some time with Lightning, he wasn’t locked up... He left to go get us some food, but when he came back, he had the corpse of a pony in his mouth. He told me to eat up. I woke up at this point, possibly my body telling me to wake up and get on with my day.
Medical Log 19
I had another dream. It was like the dream from a few days ago... except I didn’t wake when Lightning came back. Incase a doctor is reviewing this, I will write the entire thing.
I was in town square, enjoying some time with Lightning, he wasn’t locked up, he left to go get us some food, but when he came back, he had the corpse of a pony in his mouth. He told me to eat up. I refused to eat it.
Once I had uttered those words, Lightning had a look of disgust in his eyes. “Sweetie what’s wrong? I thought you liked this” He asked, stopping his... feasting.
“Lightning... why are you eating... a pony?” I asked him, slowly backing away
“What? This is normal for us Duskfields folk. I think you must’ve hit your head. Why don’t you go get Mist before she gets into trouble” He said before taking another bite out of his... ‘meal’
“But Lightning! L-look at yourself!” I yelled, stumbling over my words
“Sweetie” He said sternly “Stop making a scene”
“But you’re eating... a pony!” I yelled once more
I woke up at this point. However my troubles were not finished... Lightning was over my bed, but it wasn’t him I am sure somepony knows that feeling. The feeling something is so close to being the real thing, but it isn’t, and the flaws are more easily noticeable. I... is this real, was he really there? He's locked up... but? I don't know... I'm sure he is.
In other news, I was able to get me a month of medication. I just hope that I can get Case Study or somepony else to get the recipe for the potions so I don’t have to worry about me running out as quick.
Medical Log 24
DAMNIT TO TARTARUS! I came back to the house to find that Mist had spilled the bottles before I could put them into the medicine cabinet.
However... I managed to save one bottle of the medicine, I gave it to Bonesetter to keep it stored until I can get Case Study when he isn't busy.
Medical Log 27
I swear something was watching me today! I saw a damn Discordant standing on the wall. Nopony paid it any attention... maybe It chose me to see it instead of them... but why didn't it attack? Don’t tell me I’m seeing things.... if I am... Amug help me and all around me...
Medical Log 29
I saw something... it had 8 legs, fangs, and looked like a pony! What in Amug’s name would that be called? A spider-pony? I hope it was fake... I don’t want those to be real, because if they are, I would rather die then let those things get near me.
[Below is a crude sketch of the creature]
Medical Log 31
Why? What did I do to deserve this? I don’t want to be like I am, unsure of my mental condition, only reassured by the... hallucinations I see. I don’t want any of this. I want to be free of any condition... I don’t want Mist to even get an idea of what I have, I love her, and I know as sure as the sun is going to come up tomorrow that she would still love me, but... who knows if I’m right... or wrong? She isn’t even a foal yet, I can’t predict her thoughts... but Why am I so sure about it? What if she hates me? What if she doesn’t want to see me anymore because of my condition. Why... why couldn't I have been born without any problems. What if I don't have a problem... Doctors have lied to me before. What if they were lying about it so I can pay for medicine for a condition I believe I have but don't actually have. Maybe that's it... Yeah if it was the case, then these things will go away. If I don't believe they exist then they don't...
This was a waste of paper, one of the only things to keep me sane regardless if I'm right or wrong and I've wasted it.
Post by: Relus on May 17, 2013, 06:28:20 pm
If you have plans for him,i will claim Hauberk instead, but i would prefer Vambrace.
Also, if it is not too much trouble, may his relations to his wife be removed?
Thanks.
Post by: Telgin on May 17, 2013, 07:27:44 pm
I'll divorce him too. And I should probably go update the front page pony list.
Post by: Pokon on May 17, 2013, 10:45:49 pm
Journal:
There already here. Heh. Heh.
You know, it's funny. I undertand now.
Post by: Relus on May 18, 2013, 11:02:23 pm
Journal of Vambrace.
20th of Slate, 272.
I had been waiting for this for a long time. I’ve moved to a small farming village, known as Duskfields.
Hopefully, the Discordants
The ponies seem to find it odd that I talk to myself, and my eyes. I will need to tell them about my eyes. He could get me tossed in a jail, due to his nature.
But anyway, today was a great day. I talked with some of the ponies on the way to Duskfields
Anyway, when we arrived, they already had prepared rooms for us. Quite a prepared village. Seems like they will becoming a thriving fort one day!
Sometimes, I really wish I didn’t do that. I don’t deserve to be afflicted with a fool like yourself, even for what I did.
Well, I guess I should head off to bed now. Today has been somewhat tiring.
8th of Felsite, 272.
Today is the first day I have seen combat here in Duskfields! Not many would be excited about ogres attacking the village, for understandable reasons. It’s been a while since I fought last, and I’ve grown somewhat rusty. But if I want to protect the village, I’ll need to train. And train I will! I will not accept ponies dying. But, only this time, I shall not resort to those spells. I will not allow him to gain full control of me. Not again.
But anyway, I need to get to the point. Today, several ogres attacked Duskfields, and the military was assigned to go kill them. We charged to the location of the ogres, and attacked them.
But not before some other ponies, who had already confronted the beasts! One of the brave ponies was sent flying into the moat, and thankfully, didn’t drown.
But, more ogres awaited us.
Before we could react, however, the marksponies charged them for whatever reason. Brave, but foolish.
However, many ponies had been wounded, leaving some in the hospital.
18th of Felsite, 272.
As mentioned by the idiot above, a foalnapper had the intent of stealing away a child from Duskfields! I have heard the legends, and the Discordant Ponies raise the stolen pony, and brainwashing it.
Luckily, the Foalnapper did not escape.
19th of Felsite, 272.
Today the parasprites swarmed Duskfields. They are such annoying pests!
Why can I not go a day without you hassling me? I would love it if you disappeared.
22nd of Felsite, 272.
I have not trained enough.
Today, there was a death. It was Hauberk who died.
2nd of Galena, 272.
Well, a jail was constructed today, according to the ponies. I would have thought that would be a priority, but maybe Duskfields had no need for a jail until today? I hope so, I would love to be able to trust ponies here. But if a jail was constructed, that means there must be a criminal around here.
14th of Galena, 272.
Not much to write about, as usual. But just thought I would mark this milestone in the journal. Duskfields has apparently reached 90 ponies, or so I hear. Pretty successful.
18th of Galena, 272.
So, it had been a while since anything combat related happened. Today, a zebra caravan was spotted.
It apparently found its way into some combat with something known as a badger pony. It is fairly obvious as to what it is, a badger, and a pony.
Our military group encountered an ambush of the odd ponies, but we cut them into pieces.
26th of Galena, 272.
I knew it had been a while since the last discordant invasion!
Today, they attacked.
We had been ordered to attack the discordants, and so we did. When I arrived, which was a bit later due to being a unicorn, I was greeted by the sight of a blood bath.
Anyway, I really need to talk to the ponies here more. Better than hiding within this house all day, but what will happen if he takes control of me?
No. I will not let that prevent me from talking to the ponies. I will someday have full control over myself again.
There are several pictures underneath the writing, showing some sort of amulet, a claw, a bar of some sort of metal, Pegasus wings, a horn of a unicorn, and an orb. The pictures are ordered in such a way, it would seem the items would make the amulet.
Post by: jaxler on May 20, 2013, 01:23:08 am
The day following the murder of the griffin, Flamberge goes in search of his Spear Captain, Redhat.
Red, currently was waiting outside the barracks, his dog bonnet with him. He was throwing a stick and watching his dog retrieve it and bring it back. The wolf was limping whenever it tried to run after the stick, but bonnet didn’t seem to mind. By now it was simply a fact that the dog had difficulty moving around, but the animal never showed a sign of worry. It wasn’t just the limp though, the wolf was growing old, and had more days behind her then she had ahead.
As Flamberge approaches, in full uniform he stops near the wolf and gives it a quick pat on the head, "Hello Bonnet," he says before turning his attention to the one he was here to see, saying in a serious tone, "Captain Redhat, I have new orders for you."
The pony sighed and stopped what he was doing. He would have prefered to spend more time with his wolf, especially seeing how he thought he wouldn’t have to work anymore today. “Well, please enlighten me as to what would they be?”
"You are, of course, aware that the griffin soldier that stayed behind from the last caravan was murdered yesterday. The Griffins are our allies and I wish to inform them of his fate as soon as possible," Flamberge says producing a sealed letter from his pack, "You, Captain, are to fly to Canyontalon and deliver this letter to their commanding officer."
The pony paused for a moment. He was fairly certain such a mission, one that would leave out in the wilderness for weeks maybe months, was certainly a dangerous one, especially with the discordants and badgers and diamond dogs that festered in this division of the world. “I’m under the assumption I have no say in the matter... may I ask you first, why this isn’t something you can delegate to a pony with more experience in the wild, or at least why you’d send me alone in too a place so unruly as the countryside?”
Flamberge shakes his head, "You misunderstand, I am putting you in charge of this, but you may take any one other pegasus in the military with you. I chose you because you are one of our swiftest fliers. I can't be gone that long, and Crosshair is busy heading up the investigation, and is pregnant again besides. You are the next most experienced pegasus. But if you don't think you can handle it, I can find somepony else."
“Would it be acceptable if I brought with me somepony other than a pegasus? I know of a pony who a decent amount of experience out in the wild. I know it might slow down the mission, but I honestly have little experience surviving outside of the walls of civilization.” There was only one other military pony the pegasus was willing to trust, and Redhat hoped he’d be heading out with him, as opposed to someone he didn’t trust.
"It's a long way to Canyontalon, captain. On hoof it will take you weeks to get there. But if you think the mission has better odds of success with them along then that's fine with me? Who do you have in mind?"
“Prodd, the markspony. Before he came here he lived off the land. I’m sure having a well trained survivalist would assist me in this mission... and I’d prefer to have a markspony along with me as well.”
"Permission granted. The two of you should begin preparing immediately, I'd like for you to set out by tomorrow at least," Flamberge replies.
“Very well...” The pony then noticed bonnet, who just started to nuzzle Flamberg’s leg. “If I may ask, what shall I do with my wolf?”
"Well... that's up to you, but if you have nopony else, I can at least feed her for you, while you are gone," Flamberge offers.
“I’d appreciate that, though I’m sure I could talk max into holding onto her while I’m away.”
Flamberge nods, "Max? Of course. The offer stands if needed though, just let me know. Anyway, my business here is done, any other questions, Captain?"
“None, though I would like to see what supplies I’ll be getting before heading out.”
Flamberge nods affirmatively, "You and Prodd can help yourself to whatever supplies you need, for now though, I have other things to deal with, good luck Redhat."
“Thank you and good day...”
Post by: DVNO on May 20, 2013, 01:55:30 am
Max walks into the makeshift prison, only to be stopped by one of the guards, Swift Quiver. “Sorry Max, no civilian allowed down here. Convalescence’s orders.” The pony told him. Max sneered at the inconvenience. “Swift, I‘m not a mere civilian, I’m here to be Lighting’s attorney. As every accused pony is allowed to receive by law.”
“You’re a defense attorney? “ Swift balked.
“Closest one this town’s got.” Max retorted.
Quiver shifts around, uneasy. “I - I guess that’s an acceptable reason ... Alright make it quick.”
“I’m going to need you to leave the room, too. For confidentiality reasons.”
Quiver cocked his head, his gullibility stretched to near breaking point. “I’m not leaving more than twenty feet. Sorry.” He retorted.
“That’s good enough.” Max eased back. He had a feeling he could haggle no more than that out of him, and left it at that. He walked to Lightning's cell. “Hey Lightning.” Max grumbled. "How’s your week been?”
Lightning opened his eyes to see Max standing by the bars of his cell “What? Oh Amug... Max what do you need?”
“Okay, first off, how did you get in this jail, and second, what story did you tell them?” Max asked. “It’s not what I want, Light, it’s about how I can help you, now.”
“Well if you want that let me go over the whole ordeal!” Lightning said, rolling his eyes “Some griffon got killed with those bolts I stole, they suspect me. I told them that and when they asked me who I gave them to, I just said it was somepony out of town. Now, let me ask you,” he took a breath “,Why do you think you can help me? I’ve been convicted of murder, no matter how hard I try afterwards, this is what I’ll be remembered for.”
Max exhaled with a contrite but impatient tone. “I never intended you to get caught. I thought you were a professional and had your end handled, and for that i’m sorry. You're probably running light on reasons to not turn me in, probably with justification. Let me give you some. I intend to be the leader Duskfields needs. Mayors and Barons can pardon convicted murderers. With some time I can and will pardon you of this. It’s the least I owe you.” His sympathetic tone hardened up.
“As to why there’s a dead griffon with a bolt in his throat in the hospital? For that, we’re gonna need a primer on Revolutions.”Max gestures as if he was lecturing. “There has been no revolution in history that’s been waged peacefully. Find me one, if you can. Make no mistake, I am at war with Flamberge, and this war will not go on without it’s fair share of martyrs. With the whole animosity toward the dragon skull on the gate, I knew the was a powder keg forming, and my window of opportunity was coming. I just ... Lit it.”
“First off, most of my thievery was done in my foalhood, I bestowed myself with professional for... ego reasons. Second, they knew I stole the bolts apparently, Temperance confronted me just as I left the hospital room. Third, you plan on being Mayor? That is interesting. I imagined you just being content to disemboweling your enemies and running.... also thanks, if succeeds and I’m not killed instead of..” He took an angrier tone “, Wait, you killed that griffon? I'm in jail due to your doings! You're lucky I'm not calling the guard to turn you in”
Max raises his arms in a ‘come at me’ gesture. “Go ahead. Do it, foal. Desperate pleas of a convict in denial. I have just as small a reason to end that griffon spy ” Max puts a heavy emphasis on the spy part. “ -As you did. If not less. Crosshair is content on letting you take the fall; It means less work for her. You may be in prison because of my doings, but trust me when I say, I'm the only friend you have invested in getting you out.”
“Fine, but the minute you do not achieve your promises. I will be the bringer of your imprisonment the next time they decide to speak to me” Lightning said seeing no point in angering him any further.
“Duly noted.” Max acknowledged. “Well, I got in here on the promise I’d give you legal advice, so I’ll bestow some. I do keep my promises. This somepony you alluded to, twist it into ‘some creature’. Diamond Dog would be a good one. The ponies love to hate Diamond dogs. It simply fits the narrative.”
“What narra- Nevermind, sure, couldn’t hurt. Now I couldn’t help but overhear you said something about being my attorney? Is that going to be kept as well?”
“Sure. I can’t think of anypony else who’s qualified to do it or read through nine volumes of Equestrian Law recently. And, I’d like to keep up on your case without arousing suspicion.” Max continued to say in a hushed tone, knowing Quiver was still around.
Lightning nodded “Alright then.”
A gray pegasus trotted hastily within a few feet of the griffon. Clearing her throat, she questioned the hybrid, “Excuse me, but how did you get back here? We’re under orders not to allow any visitors. I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave, Max.”
Max waved her away dismissively. “I’ll be gone soon ... Yari, right? I’m his Legal guidance at this time and -”
The mare cut him off mid-sentence, “I’m sorry, but I have strict rules to go by. If you need permission to speak with Lightning, then you should seek to acquire some from Temperance. Until you can provide such proof, you’re going to need to go.” Yari remained unemotional but firm in her stance as she pointed towards the exit.
Max growled with contempt. He put up his claws defensively. “Fine, have it your way. I’m going.” He turned to Lightning. “Stay strong, Lightning. Remember always, you are innocent. Don't ever forget that no matter what they tell you.” Max backed up and headed towards the prison exit.
Quiver walked up to Yari. “He - he wasn't supposed to be in here?” He asked.
She twisted her mouth in disappointment, “You do remember what we were told, don’t you? Nopony may come down here unless they have proof of authorization. Please try to be a little more discerning next time.”
His eyes shifted around, conflicted. “Sorry, Yari. It’s just - between Crosshair’s bolts at the crime scene, picking up this random pony ... interrogating him day in and out, I don't know who to really let in anymore. “
The red-eyed female sighed, “Well from now on, unless it’s Temperance or another one of the guards, you should ask to see some documentation before allowing them to pass. Try not to forget that. We don't need any kind of compromising situations when murder is on the table.”
“If you ask me, this murder is getting more and more shady every day.” Quiver said with a bit of cynicism. “But I’ll be tighter on the security next time, I promise.”
“It may be, but I'm trying to reserve my judgements until all of the evidence is in...and yes, you do that...”
Post by: jaxler on May 20, 2013, 02:57:03 am
Red was just sitting at her room's only desk. It wouldn't be long before she set out into the wilds, and this was her last night in the fort. It was the latter parts of the night, and early hours of the morning were creeping by. No matter how hard she tried, it seemed returning to slumber was impossible... and now she just waited there in her chair, siting at he desk after spending an hour in her bed. She felt chilled to her core, and the only thing was giving her much solace now was the lamp she'd lit after getting out of bed. She thought of waking bonnet, but wolf needed it's sleep. So she just sat there, thinking over what she had dreamed. "This world truly is rotting..."
That was something she never doubted. The land around her was proof of it, not that she needed any. Experience and travel had given her all she needed when it came to the topic of salvation, corruption and decay, but still, ever time Red was forced to meet the idea head on, is left her solemn, and in a state of disdain and indifference to the world around her. She thought- no she knew, this world was on it's last legs. This place she lived every day, and could never escape was on it's way to corruption. All things come to and end, and what is between creation and destruction is decay.
Her dream tonight, forced her again relive her parable. "The world is rotting" she kept saying, each time growing more solemn as the red light of the lamp glazed the room over. Below her was a book, an atlas, to be more exact, of her old homeland. The old leather cover was decayed, and had a few spots and stains on it, and beside it was another book, her journal. It was a much less tattered book. It was a book she had been writing in on and off sense she first came here, to this dusty town in the middle of nowhere.
"Nothing is beyond corruption, and corruption is inevitable." Red leaned back in her chair, before opening the diary. She slowly pulled a quill out from one of the larch wood desk's many compartments. She then finally began to wright in her diary.
"I stood there in the snow. It was as cold as the harshest winter I had ever experienced in my years. The rolling mountains in the far were as clear and flawless as when I was a younger pony. I would had been able to take it all in, and just enjoy the long lost scenery of my past, but the cold... I kept wondering why I wasn't dead, hypothermia surely would have claimed any mortal who would go out into open for even a moment if they had worn nothing but they're fur as I was then. Not even my evening wear was on. It was sickening, freezing and revolting how cold it was, yet I still stood there, not shivering or shaking in the slightest. I kept walking for miles in the cold. I was practically begging for my mortality back, so maybe it would end, but instead I kept plowing though the snow. I was indestructible. When I finally saw something, it was a small manor, surrounded by a wall.
I kept walking, but no mater how close, it seemed just in the distance. I began to think if it was a mirage. I could never get there, but it was my birth right, my land, my family estate. My homeland was always cold during the winters, the ice and snow made the winters unbearable to the weak. It made our people hard. The land was only good for growing the hardiest of crops, and those crops built a nation. It was built on a land nopony wanted, and was littered with villages towns, rarely a city, and huts, and even the occasional manor. That was my manor off in the distance, taunting me. It was close, yet out of reach.
I eventually just stopped walking. I could have used my wings, come to think of it, I don't know why I didn't. I was grounded I suppose. The land was still freezing, and my soul chilled. It just stood there, then I finally felt a shudder. Finally, I could the fatigued of a thousand miles, yet never getting any closer to anything. I hadn't gained anything, just experiencing the same cold. In the end, I was thankful I could give in. It was all over. The cold soaked me to the bone, and frostbite was spreading like a wildfire. I couldn't move, it was pure agony, it filled my body with defeat and pain. My soul was burning in pure cold. I finally stopped. It was over. I could swear the green of my fur, was colored white in the pure cold of an endless march are the way to the impossible. At least it ended then.
When I awoke in a cold sweat, I felt exhausted. I felt alive, and the warmness of my bed, as well as the warmth of bonnet sleeping on top of the covers against me. I was still alive. I'm still here, thinking it all over. I'm not sure what was worse, the march or the inevitable. I tried to go back to bed and block it all out, but I couldn't. To make things worse, the entire time I lived that hell, I felt like I was being watched.Why wasn't bonnet there? Why the hell couldn't it end sooner?Why couldn't I fly off into the bloody sun?What was the point to it all?Who the hell was watching me?!?Why wasn't it over sooner?WHO WAS WATCHING MEI need to stop this..."
Just then the red light of a new sun shone though the window. Red sighed heavily and dropped her quill. Another night without rest had slipped by. "I need to stop this..." This wasn't the only time a foul dream had stolen her night away. The Countess pulled away from her desk and just tried to relax a little in her seat. She oddly didn't feel the slightest bit tired. At least soon, if max kept his end of the deal, she'd have her salvation, her birthright, her father's sins wiped from her slate. All she had to do, was end a stallion she already hated, and she could leave this town. Five years payment and deal with devil was all she needed, and she'd be free... She could leave, take Prodd with her, and live the rest of her life. She'd have her county, and her life back.
You always, regret a deal with the devil.
Post by: L1wW on May 20, 2013, 11:21:08 pm
Red was currently sitting outside Prodd’s door. The pony was starting to have some second thoughts about all this. The more and more he stood there waiting for Prodd to show, the more he was beginning to regret dragging him into this. He knew full well the countryside wasn’t safe. He finally knocked on the door, after stalling for quite some time.
Prodd heard the knock on his door, he was lazily beginning to carve out a wax figurine in his spare time. He put down what he was doing and opened the door. “Oh... what do you need, Red?” He said, he cracked a weak smile, but his eye showed little emotion.
“You and me are being sent on a mission. We need to head out before noon and make our way to Canyontalon.”
“Flam’s orders?” Prodd sighed.
“Yes. We have the right away to take any supplies we need.”
“Alright...” Prodd nodded slowly. “It’ll beat sitting around here... I’ll go grab some equipment I think might just save our lives... well at least mine...” His tone was strictly business.
“Okay then...?” something was off with Prodd... “Well, you're the survivalist, what do you think we’ll need?”
Prodd looks up at the sky. “It’ll rain soon. You should note that, if you’ll be flying overhead...” He looks back at Red. “We’ll need some food and water, in case the game is scarce or there’s no fresh water in sight. The path to Canyontalon is crawling with bandits right?”
“Well, yes, and I’ve heard stories about how twisted the countryside is from the griffins.”
Prodd thought that over. “Alright... yeah I’ll need that and that...” He mentally prepared a list. “You as a pegasus can sleep on clouds right?”
“Well yes.... but I wouldn’t dare touch those red clouds... they’re unnatural”
“Hmm...” Prodd said. He thought over his preparations. After a considerable pause he spoke up again. “Alright... Red, if the grass and other plants are green we should be fine... could you please go get rations for the trip and anything else you need while I go make something?”
“Very well then... I’ll also go get some stuff so we could make a tent.”
“Alright then, just make sure we could hide it...” Prodd said. “Stealth would probably be the best plan for this journey.”
“Okay, I’ll get some green dye or something.”
Prodd nodded and went off to prepare for the journey after locking up his house.
Redhat then walked off, and went over to go sift through the storage buildings.
Prodd met up with Red at the main gate. “So... you got what you need as we walk into certain death?”
“Depends.” Red was clad in full armor, and had the supplies on his back. “You ready to head out?”
“As I’ll ever be...” He replied, unlike Red the only armor he had was a wooden shield painted multiple shades of green and some lightweight leather armor reinforced with a breastplate dulled with excessive amounts of mud and dirt. He wore a cloak made of netting with different plants stuck between the threads, appearing as though he was a walking bush. The same netting was applied to his crossbow and sparsely on his shield. He has a quiver filled with as many bolts as possible on his back and two satchels at his hips. A few extra bolts were strapped to the curve of his weapon as well.
“Um... why are you dressed in such attire?” The pony had never seen a markspony dressed up like this.
“So I can hide in a bush and take my time aiming?” Prodd looked at Red. “Camouflage...?”
“Okay... I guess that makes sense...”
“I got some spare mesh I could make into another cape... if you ever need one...” Prodd stated. He took a deep breath and checked the sky again. It would rain soon and it was midday, could be worse...
“Well, if you could that’d be wonderful.” Red was just about as sure of the rain coming. Pegasi had a natural gift when it came to such things. The pony figured they should head out before it starts though, maybe they could outrun it...
“Alright... that’d be something to do during the night...” Prodd muttered the last part. He checked that his crossbow was ready to fire. “So shall we be off?”
“Very well then.” Red finally walked through the door, and waved him over.
Prodd followed after the pegasus and got his map ready. “So how long is this going to take?”
“I don’t know, it probably depends...” The pony stopped for a moment. “How good are you with maps?”
“Decent...” Prodd examined his map. “We could probably reach Blackfeather Roost by nightfall, which would set us what looks like around... about two hundred miles off of Canyontalon.” He pauses. “By hoof we could make it within five days with little to no interruptions... then there’s the return trip...”
“Very well then... I guess you should lead the way then.” The pony waited there for Prodd to take the lead.
Prodd shrugged and led the way with his crossbow on his shoulder and his hood down. “So Bonnet’s staying home I take it?” He asked, making small talk, though his tone was somewhat empty.
Something about Prodd was definitely off... “I left her with max. I just hope she doesn’t get too lonely without me. The poor pup can hardly go an hour without me.”
“Yeah that’s a shame...” Prodd whispered. He checked the map one more time before stowing it away. They could easily make Blackfeather by sundown.
“If we run into anything that’s too nasty, like... a band of badgers... I think we should let them pass unless they’re marks ponies.”
“Yeah my plan was to hide in the brush on the side of the road...” Prodd explained. “The trick with these types of camouflage is to alter your profile enough to lower suspicion... in other words look like a bush amongst grass or something...”
“Ah, I can see how that would work. You really do look like you’d blend in... Still though, if it’s marks ponies want to be up close and personal. Unlike melee ponies, they won't have to give as much of a heads up if they’re looking for a fight.”
“Yeah... if I back away and move alongside the road in the bushes, don’t freak out or anything...” He said. “Also if we hear a patrol, we hide. I could distract them from an unseen position with some crossbow fire while you could flank them...”
“Very well then... though if they try to run can we let them go?” The pony sighed loudly. “Unless it’s discordants. I always try to let badgers and diamond dogs get away.”
“Yeah they can run all they want...” Prodd agreed with a nod. He was tempted to check the map again to see how far they got, but he knew deep down that they still had more to go. He would feel discouraged if he wasn’t feeling so apathetic.
“Prodd... are you alright?” The pony was acting off, and Red was starting to worry.
“I’m fine.” Prodd said sternly. He picked up the pace a little. “Hurry up, the sooner we make camp at Blackfeather the better...”
“Don’t.Give.Me.Orders. I’m still the one leading this mission, and I’m still captain.” The pony still picked up his pace...
Prodd looked dead ahead and rolled his eye at the remark. He walked on in silence.
Red sighed, and just kept walking... It didn’t take much to get the spear pony annoyed, and sooner or later Red was going to snap if Prodd didn’t clean up his attitude. They kept walking for a while, until suddenly Red heard a small “tink” from drop of water hitting the spear pony’s armor. “Um I think it’s about to-” before he could finish it started to pour down. “I do say, that’s quite a bit of precipitation...”
Prodd sighed. They just met the halfway mark to Blackfeather. “...Do you want to make camp and call it a day?”
“I think that’s for the best...”
Post by: Iceblaster on May 25, 2013, 12:57:22 am
Lightning lay down in the-now indented-corner of the prison, his routine now adapted to being in one room all day unless Crosshair let him out to eat, but even then he was watched by the many guardsponies on duty-or at least he thought-while doing so. This night however was going to be one of those nights where he couldn’t fall asleep, no matter how he slept. Even using his wings as a pillow-painful but comfy until sleep is obtained and the natural pegasus reaction of retracting the wings-wouldn’t help. He kept tossing and turning in the corner, at one point he got up, paced around the small cell and went back, this helped him somewhat and he finally achieved sleep. This was a mistake.
In the moments before sleep, thoughts of the griffon that died just down the hall from him kept coming back. Then Temperance confronting him and ultimately him being shot out of the sky by Crosshair only to be hauled down to this jail cell. As he drifts off to sleep, he can’t help but shake a feeling that someone or something was whispering to him, but he can’t make out quite what it is.
After an indeterminate time, he found himself drifting back to being awake. It sounded like somepony was moving around in the barracks above him, but as best he can tell it’s still the dead of night.
He got up, still half asleep and approached the jail door. “Anypony there?” He says into the darkness. Hearing no reply after a few minutes he began back to where he had been previously been sleeping and lay back down ready to fall asleep again.
There was no response, and he feels fatigue begin to overtake him again. Just as he’s about to drift off to sleep, he hears the scuffing and dragging sounds above him again, followed by the hatch leading down to the jail clattering and creaking open.
He ignores the sound, passing it off as Crosshair switching off with somepony else for the night ~Who’s gets the pleasure of watching me sleep tonight? Prodd,no he’s buggered off somewhere with his love... Yari? No a pony like her would never watch me~ he played with the thought of it being Flamberge, coming to kill him in the night, forgetting any trial and just getting rid of him due to his supposed actions against the town and all that BS.
The hatch finishes groaning open, and something thumped against the top step of the stairs. In the darkness, he can’t make out who it was. They seemed to be moving very slowly.
He couldn’t shake the feeling of dispair ~Its Flamberge, he’s sneaking in... he wants to kill me... I... no it can’t he’s a monster, but honorable... no it’s him~ he looked around his cell, the figure slowly gaining ground towards him. He made a mental note that there was enough room for him to dodge a battle axe swing. He got up and readied himself for a fight, however his sleepy state would leave him much less prepared for a fight then he assumed.
Whoever it was, they continued to all but stumble down the steps. As they get further down the stairs and into better lighting, Lightning can see that it was a pony, but none of the guards. He sees wings hanging lazily at the pony’s sides, and a brown coat. Oddly, the pony appears to be dragging itself down the steps.
“Oh dear Amug! Are you okay!” He shouted to it. He stared at it, before realizing who this pony was “Sweetie! No! Are you alright... please be alright!” He yelled to the figure, his hooves at the bars of his cell “Please...”
The pony tumbles off of the steps onto the floor. In the brief moment it was in the light, Lightning believed he saw crossbow bolts sticking from the pony. “No...” she gasped. “I’m not...”
Lightning flinched when he saw the protrusions “Who shot you! I want their head I am not having my wife killed by somepony here, I do not give a shit if they are Convalescence they will not hurt my Sweetie!” He banged his hoof on the bars, testing the strength. Not strong enough, yet sturdy... he could take it out with a few consecutive kicks, but it would tire him out to the point of exhaustion... he had to do it, his wife was dying and he isn’t going to let her die in front of his own two eyes while he stood there. He steadied himself on his front legs and hit the bars once... twice... thrice, the bars had a noticeable dent in them now, his kicks had done nothing but dent the metal. His spirits crushed he looked out again. Hoping to at least see his wife before her death... embrace her.
She dragged herself into the full light, just in front of the jail cell. “It was Max...” she choked out. A bolt was protruding from her neck, spilling profuse amounts of blood. She looked at him with a pained and remorseful expression and coughed, spattering more blood on the floor.
“No... That bastard! I will kill him!” adrenaline filled his veins and he kicked the bars twice more, the dent getting more and more noticeable “When did he do this! Why isn’t he dead! WHY!” His mind raced everywhere, some thoughts spoken others hidden in his mind, many things he ignored trying to get out. As if by a miracle the bars broke, a pony sized hole formed. He let out a smile before jumping through and embracing his lover “Sweetie... I will kill him... he will not live to see another day!” He buried his face into her blood stained mane, tears wetting the blood once more.
She shuddered in pain as he touched her and let out a moan. Blood was running from the corner of her mouth and the wound on her neck. She weakly reached up and put her forelegs around him in an embrace. “It’s okay...” she wheezed, then coughed. “...I don't blame you...”
“I know but.... if I hadn’t helped Max you wouldn’t be like this... this is my fault... Blame me... There is no alternatives, I was the one who allowed him to do this... I will kill him for you... he will die if that’s what it takes for my guilt to subside” Lightning said, his words getting slower and slower, realizing his words “No He promised... he’s bad... he good.... bad... good... OH AMUG TELL ME!” He raised his hooves to the ceiling, his anger, guilt, sadness among many emotions taking their toll on his sanity.
Tears began to well up in her eyes, and she coughed several times more, spraying flecks of blood onto Lightning Runner. “You... you didn’t know...” She wheezed and convulsed in agony. “...but... sometimes... good intentions... go... wrong...”
“I... Just don’t want to lose you... I’ve spent most of my life in the dirt... you are what brought me out and made me truly happy... I can’t... I won’t lose you... please... you can’t die” Tears began to puddle on the ground near the two, blood being rewetted by it and contaminating the relatively clean water. He held the embrace as long as he could, regardless of how bad his coat was stained... he wasn't letting his lover die without him nearby... he won’t
She writhed in his grip for a few seconds more, then went limp with a pained sigh. Blood covered every inch of her coat around her face and neck. Oddly, Lightning Runner noticed a second, new bolt sticking from her skull.
He fell silent, and dug his face into the now dead mare’s ,mane and just began to sob, he continued this for about an hour to him... He finally noticed a new bolt. He was filled with anger and sadness and now adding confusion to the boiling pot of emotions. He figured out where the bolt came from and saw a very familiar griffon standing there...holding a crossbow... pointed at his Sweetie’s head. “Fuck... you...” Was all he could say before charging at the griffon, rage empowering him with adrenaline
Max simply smiled and stood his ground. The two collided and tumbled together for a moment, but in the struggle Lightning suddenly found his grasp empty. Max had disappeared altogether, leaving behind nothing but a faint chuckle. The chuckle of a mare. Sweet Potato’s voice.
“Sw-Sweetie?” He ignored the spectacle, his mind only focusing on the current event “Sweetie!”He almost jumped up and down at the miracle “You’re alive, I can’t believe it, Come lets go before Max gets back” He said blissfully unaware of anything around him at the moment
When Lightning scooped his broken wife from the floor, she chuckled again. “I... forgive you... for killing me...” Lightning felt something grab his hoof, and when he looked down he saw that it was a griffon’s claw. “But I don’t...” a male voice growls. He was no longer holding Sweet Potato. He was holding a griffon.
He jumped... or would have if he was able to move an inch from being paralyzed with fear “What do you want from me!” He yelled at the griffon “I’ve already lost my wife! THAT YOU KILLED! YOU MONSTER!” His anger multiplied tenfold “Give me 5 reasons not to kill you when I get free” He said, trying to bluff his way out
The griffon coughed and looked up at him with a grin. The crossbow bolts were protruding from him in the same places they’d pierced Sweet Potato. Blood covered his feathers and coat. But more than that, the griffon looked like he’d been dead for days. “What’s the matter?” it continued in a raspy voice. “Don’t remember me?” He extended a claw and dragged his broken body forward. “Private Sergi.”
“Pr-Private S-Sergi... The griffon... Oh Amug... I’m sorry... I... Oh Amug...” He said, pacing back and forth again... and again... and again “Please let me help you... I its my fault... all my fault... oh Amug” he said, trying to get the griffon up off of the floor “Come on... I can’t lo- Oh Amug... you look like you’ve been dead for... oh Amug no...”
The griffon sneered at him. “Help me? Do you intend to bring back the dead?” He dragged himself a pace closer. “It’s too late, Lightning Runner. Far too late.”
“I will bring the dead back if it can stop the deaths of two things today... I don’t care if I’m late, I am going to help...” A tear rolled off of his face “I have to... its my duty... I will prevent... no I have to... Help ponies....”
Sergi reached out and grabbed him by the foreleg. He tightened his grip and pulled Lightning toward him. “You and all of your kind make me sick,” he said. “Killing innocents and destroying everything you touch.” His eyes flared red and a scowl formed on his face. “You.. all of you are alike. Stabbing each other in the back to get ahead. How much have you stolen to get this far? How many have suffered at your hooves? How many have you killed!?”
His face grew pale at this statement. “H-how do you kn-know that... I... I only told that thing because we were talking about our foalhoods and... it slipped. I... agree I stole... but... I... I” Another tear rolled down his face before he collapsed to the ground “I ruined lives... I got families destroyed when I stole... I... I never admitted it.... Amug... forgive me” he said in a monotone voice, as if instructed by an unforeseen force to say it. He continued crying into his hooves “Amug forgive me! Please bring mercy to the souls I stole from!” He begged fruitlessly
“Amug can’t hear you,” he taunted, latching on with another claw. “You’ve ruined many lives, Lightning, but now because of your foolishness you’re going to ruin many more.” The griffon tore the bolt protruding from his neck free and held it up to Lightning’s face. “You killed me when you gave this to Max. And your precious Sweet Potato is next. Then your daughter.” He pressed the bolt’s head against Lightning’s skin. “When they come, this town will have torn itself apart, and there will be nothing to stop them.”
He lost his will to continue arguing “D-Do.... it... I-I’m a terrible pony...” He surrendered his body, letting the bolt pierce his skin. He awoke with a scream, finding himself back inside his cell.
“It’s too late... you can’t run now...” a voice whispered to him. From the corner of his eye, he sees something lying on the floor just outside his cell. Something a bit larger than a pony and covered in feathers.
“GET AWAY FROM ME!” He batted his hooves in the air, hoping to hit whatever was there “Leave me alone!”
His hooves struck the door to his cell and jostling the form, which rolled onto its side to reveal that it was the corpse of Sergi. Still and lifeless, but with the bolts reinserted into the wounds and blood everywhere. The thunderous rapping of galloping hooves sounds from above him.
“Nirmek’s mane!” a stallion shouted. “What happened!?” A unicorn all but galloped down the stairs, skidding once on something unseen. “What in the names of the gods,” he said, staring at the body outside of Lightning’s cell. “Wh-what?”
Fleeting Quiver circled the body, wide-eyed. “Wh-what? Who... how did this get here?” He sidestepped the corpse up to Lightning’s cell. “Lightning, who did this? Why?”
“I don’t know... maybe... maybe” He chuckled to himself “MAYBE THIS IS ALL ONE BIG FUCKING DREAM!” He rolled onto his back, laughing, obviously broken by that night’s events. After regaining his composure, he got into a sitting position “I don’t know... I DON'T KNOW Why doesn’t that sink into you’re damn minds! I don’t know why, I don’t know WHO but I what I do know is this big unforeseen force is coming and they are gonna kill us all because everything wants to kill us... nothing is nice... hehe maybe... we killed the nice things in an attempt to make our lives better... maybe they ran when we tried to make friends and just ki-” He was cut off by Fleeting Quiver
“Lightning! Get a grip! Tell me what happened! Did you see who dragged this here?”
He calmed down, still a bit off beat but back to sane levels of off beatedness “I... don’t know who dragged Him here.... all I know is... he... they want us dead”
Fleeting Quiver looked back and forth between the pegasus and the griffon corpse. “Hang on... I... I need to go get one of the doctors. We need to get him back...” He spun in a small circle. “Uh... I’ll go get Crosshair. Don’t... don’t go anywhere,” he said, oblivious to the fact that Lightning couldn’t.
Post by: Telgin on May 25, 2013, 12:59:04 am
Max is once again sitting in Temperance’s chair. He’s reading a historical text on the various revolutions that shook the the very roots of the Equestrian Kingdoms in their forming. He seems quite engrossed.
The door swings open as he reads, revealing a very tired looking Temperance. The stallion starts for his desk when he realizes that there was a griffon occupying his seat. He pauses, then shuts the door behind him. “Max? Reading up on law again?”
“Yes, been very interested these days. Hello, Temp, how’ve the kids been?” He asked, moving again.
“They’re all doing well, thanks,” Temperance replies, accepting his seat. “How have you been?” he asks, mostly out of an attempt to be polite more than expecting an honest answer that he was doing well.
“Very Intrigued.” Max answered with a grin, a flare in his eye. “Very intrigued. A murder mystery in Duskfields. At a risk at sounding macabre, i’m sort of ... Well, let’s see how ta’ put this. I can put all this law I’ve been studying into practice, Defending Lightning. It’s always good to put something learned to practice.”
At the mention of the murder, Temperance looks twice as tired. He props his chin on his hooves and says, “I hope you have better luck than I have. Lightning won’t tell me anything. Nothing to acquit or condemn him.” He shrugs. “Though I guess it’s none of my business anyway. Maybe if you’re going to go through the trouble and formality of being his legal defense, he might open up to you.”
He mulls over Lightning’s predicament. “He may.” Max shuts the book and sets it aside. “How are you holding up over all this, Temperance? Honestly?” Max asked his friend in a concerned tone.
“Honestly?” Temperance sighs and shuts his eyes. “Not well. At all. I kept clinging to the hope that Duskfields would yet turn out to be a decent, safe place.” He blows out his breath again. “But now? I’ve pretty much given up on that. It’s not my job to investigate the crime, or do anything about it really. Not anymore. Despite that, I can’t help but worry about it constantly.”
Max nods his head and sympathises with Temperance. “I know exactly how you feel, Temperance. We’ve both done more proper good than anypony can expect out here in the badlands. Given, more than any sane pony would. And yet, it feels as though the violence, and the paranoia, and the fear, slowly gripping every pony, it’s a tidal wave we can’t weather. A force that’ll crush you into the ground.” Max exhales heavily. “But fear is just pain leaving the body, in the end. We have to carry on through it. Because who else will? We’re not allowed to bend and break and buckle, you and I. I feel sometimes we have to stay the course solely to let other ponies know; good is not just an ideal. Otherwise, it’ll all slide into chaos.”
“A tidal wave, a force that’ll crush me into the ground.” Temperance opens his eyes. “That’s a good way to describe it, I guess.” He slumps back into his chair. “But I don’t run from a tough job. It’s going to have to get a bit worse before I break.” Max seemed to be handling this surprisingly well, all things considered. If he could be doing this well, maybe there was some hope after all. “Setting a good example is the least we can do I guess.”
Max steeples his fingers together and loses himself in thought. “It’s all we can do sometimes, set a good example. Even when it’s a lie, even when in truth we’re all trapped in Amug’s gray shroud. The ponies need heroes, villains, and a narrative.” He smiles. “We’re constructing a quaint peaceful farming community. That’s the narrative. That’s what we feed them, that’s what they believe. Is it true? Doesn't matter. That’s the lie that keeps it all falling down. It’s what they want.”
Temperance frowns. “I’m not sure if I’m just too much of an optimist or an idiot, but I prefer there be no need for heroes and especially not villains.” He shrugs. “Then again, it’s like you said. Doesn’t matter, does it? What’s going to happen is going to happen. And this time, it turned out like this.”
“A million stories, unfolding in the same curious structure ...” Max continues, as if mulling over something. “Every passing day, I wonder more and more which one I am.”
Temperance considers his next words carefully. “I wonder the same for myself sometimes. It really seems like there’s some malign force driving everything here down some dark story. For some of us more than others, I guess.”
Max looks perturbed. “It’s funny I - I had a vision of th’ most vivid sort ...” He tailed off.
A deathly silence falls over the office as Temperance studies the griffon in the room with him. “You... too? What... did you see?”
the griffon looked at the mahogany office table with a thousand yard stare. “I saw Carnith, talked to him. He demanded blood. Retribution.” His head shook sullenly as his stare continued. “His skin sloughed off till there was nothing but bone. Then I buried those bones.” He looked up to him. “It was - I - feel - I don't know how to describe what it felt like. I don’t know if there are such words in your tongue for how it felt. I feel there should not, they would be too dour for such a colorful language....”
Temperance looks for all the world as if he’s seen a ghost. That was too similar to what he’d seen. “I... I don’t think there are words in any language to describe it. Not for something like that.” He considers apologizing to Max about Carn yet again, but what good would it do at this point? Aside from looking patronizing? Instead, he says, “That... that worries me though. I saw something similar a few months back. Except it was Maize, telling me to leave and take everypony with me. I, uh, probably shouldn’t say this, but several ponies around have seen things like this. That’s what Serenity told me.” He sighs. “I don’t know what to think.”
Max looks disturbed as well. He wasn’t the only one seeing visions? What could that possibly mean? He was under so much stress of late, he couldn't think of anything that could possibly cause mass hallucinations. A plant, A magic, there must be an example out in the wild somewhere, but whatever the cause he didn’t know it. “I don’t know what to think either. At a loss ...” He shrugs and grumbles. “Well, that’s not entirely true ...”
That got Temperance’s attention. “What do you mean? Do you know something about what’s happening?”
Max smirked. “Pfft,no. I have no idea what in tartarus is going on anymore. But what I do know?” Max grabbed the book and fluttered behind Temperance’s chair and firmly put one of his claws on his shoulders as he opens the book cabinet. He starts massaging almost absent mindedly. “ ... we both spend too much time on the big picture. It can drive you crazy.” Max said dismissively.
Temperance tenses and slips out of Max’s claws. He didn’t take massages from anypony but Morning Dew, sorry. “Uh... I... guess?”
Max sighs as he balls up his empty claws. He shouldn't have done that. Why would he do that? Habit, he dismissively thinks. Just wasn’t the same anyway. He finished putting the book away in the shelf behind Temperance. “... Anyway...”
“Right...” Temperance says, hoping to move on past that. “I guess you may have a point. I don’t know what the big picture is anymore. All I know, is that that griffon from Canyontalon was killed with Crosshair’s bolts, and Lightning Runner couldn’t look any more guilty than he does.” He shakes his head. “We’ve got to get past that before anything else.”
Max shakes his head dismissively. “Lightning isn’t guilty. I have a confession from Redhat the bolts were in Flamberge’s quarters a day before it happened. He’s innocent.”
Temperance raises an eyebrow. “I don’t understand.” He raises a hoof and makes a little motion with it. “I can’t rightly see Flamberge killing him. Whoever did it must have put the bolts there. But... why? Why? I just want to know why this happened.” He rests his chin in his hooves again. “And if Lightning didn’t do it, I’m even more frightened because that means we have a murderer still trotting about in town.”
Max trains a blue eye on him. “Okay. Let’s put ourselves in Crosshair’s horseshoes. your husband makes a deal with an army you don’t trust. They leave a soldier behind. How many days could you stand, watching, knowing this soldier is knowingly or not gathering intel on you and everything about your settlement. Now Imagine, with a simple claim of missing bolts, and knowing you’re judge, jury and prosecutor of whoever you pin, how easy it would be to walk away. When you really realize how little is stopping you from getting away with it, how many days would it take before you try and make sure that intel never gets home? It was never a question of why but when.”
“Which is yet another piece of this puzzle that makes no gods-forsaken sense,” Temperance mutters. “I don’t understand why the griffons would be doing that. We’re allies.” He groans. “And while I see your point, I really, really don’t think Crosshair did this. Or Flamberge. It... it just doesn’t fit. Lightning insists it was for somepony outside the fort... though he could be lying. Probably is. Gods know why.”
“Well, as I’m defending him, I’m just not allowed to see eye to eye there, Temperance.” Max grimaces. “All I do see, is a pony who would secretly love to have another war to fight.”
“Flamberge?” Temperance asks with a hint of disbelief in his voice. “I can’t see him trying to provoke the griffons. Not like that... or did you mean trying to spark a civil war here?”
‘Here, there, doesn't matter. It’s free buy-in for him, as his wife did all the heavy lifting. If he convicts Lightning, they both get off. If he does not? Well, he can throw his wife under.” Max pantomimes moving a chess pawn across his table. “ ... leaving one less loose end on the board when he’s eventually married into nobility. Either way, win win. He gets to be the hero, gets his villains, and he gets the narrative that will fast track his career.”
Temperance chews over it for a moment. This was starting to scare him more than a little bit. “I-I still don’t believe that. Flamberge... no, he wouldn’t do something like that. He has too much to lose.”
Max scoffed. “What? The town he felt above the second he walked into it? Why did this quaint farm town just get shipment upon shipment from weapons from Canyontalon? What is Flamberge preparing for?”
“I don’t know,” Temperance answers honestly. “I’m not part of the military chain of command, so they don’t tell me anything. Whatever it is though, the griffons are in on it. That doesn’t really mesh with Flamberge murdering one of them.” He rolls his eyes. “I don’t think anyway. Who knows what the buck is going on anymore?”
“Well, I’m holding my ground. It’s all I got left. I can’t afford to be unwise anymore if griffons are being hunted down, for a reason or not.” Max said with a determined growl.
“Can’t say I blame you for that,” Temperance says with little emotion. He looks at Max. “I hate to even have to suggest this... but... do be careful, Max. Nopony knows for sure why this happened or who did it. If it wasn’t Lightning Runner...”
Max feels comforted by that. “ Temperance, I feel like I’ve already been in the crosshairs for a long, long time. Starting with the .... event about the gate. If something - something . . . look, we’re in something bigger now. Things are shifting. I would not even be the slightest of surprised if I get crushed in the gears. But i’ll try to be a smart as I can.”
Temperance nods slowly. “That’s all I can ask.” Getting caught up in the gears sounded like a frighteningly likely possibility. “I still hope to prevent anything else from going disastrously wrong, but I just don’t know if I can.”
“I know you can’t.” Max said in a rude, impatient and rather coarse tone.
Temperance stared down into his desk and sank almost imperceptibly into his chair. He certainly had failed Max, hadn’t he?
“I know this isn’t ideal, but we tried it the ideal way didn’t we? If really loved you I should have listened. All I’ proved was how much of a fool I was, You were right, of course .... you were always right, should have razed the place ...” Max continued sullenly, as if having an argument with somebody. Certainly not with Temperance, though.
The stallion simply sits and watches Max, in profound confusion. After a moment, he hazards a simple, “Max?”
“I know Carn, I know!” max slams his fist on Temperance's table. “Of course I know what I’ve done. Of course I did, Carn. Who else would?” His feathers flared up and standing on on edge, his eyes are wild. He pants after his little episode, for a good three minutes, before his breathing eased and his posture melted back into something near the recognisable Max Temperance knew, or at least thought he knew. Max looked almost afraid as he slinked back from his aggressive posture. “ ...”
“Max?” Temperance stands and takes a cautious step in his direction. “Max? Are you alright?”
“I .... “ Max wouldnt dare to use the word ‘fine’ in this context. “I ... need to go, I need to get out of here for a while...” Max muttered as a pathetic attempt to remove himself from the conversation . “I’m trying to take care, Temperance, I really am.”
“Um, alright. Do, uh, take care,” he replies, walking Max to the door. He wasn’t sure what he just witnessed, but it was certainly not a good thing. Part of him wants to go run and grab Serenity right now and make sure Max wasn’t losing his mind. Or maybe Flamberge and have him put under watch. No... that would just make everything worse...
“That was uncalled for, Temp. I’m sorry for shouting.” Max continued to apologize as he got up.
“Don’t-don’t worry about it,” he assures him. Now, if only he could stop worrying about it. “Just... just take care. I mean it.”
Max nodded, got up and walked out of the room wordlessly. He did not even want to try and take a chance to rectify his outburst, for fear of his beak causing a bigger mess to fix.
Post by: L1wW on May 25, 2013, 11:13:50 pm
Prodd focused on the new campsite and its surroundings. It was a dying forest covering a wasteland with a single road stabbing into the horizon. There were a few hills nearby, and the clouds were blood red yet raining standard precipitation.
Red was currently unpacking some of the supplies that used to be mounted on the pony’s back. “Since it’s just us, do you mind if I take off my hat?” Red said, before laying down the pack full of goods on a patch of land under a dead tree that looked half dry.
Prodd shrugged and used the spare camouflaged mesh to construct a makeshift shelter over the supply pile. “Don’t make a fire, it could draw in some unwanted attention...”
“Okay then...” Red sighed removed her hat before starting to try and help him set up the shelter. “I think it’s for the best if we try and avoid staying in this rain... anything falling from that red cloud probably is dangerous.”
Prodd nodded and double-timed the creation of his tent at the base of the dead tree, next to the supplies. “Don’t worry... the fabric in this is rain-proof...” He gestured to the now completed tent.
“Thank goodness... I’d rather stay dry for the night...” The pony then just rested up against the side of the tree, before hearing a loud crack come from behind her, followed by some decayed bark, particles of dead wood, and a few termites getting all over the back plate of her armor and even inside of it. “Well that isn’t pleasant...”
Prodd magically took off the backplate of her armor and removed most of the termites out of her coat. He remained quiet throughout the ordeal.
The mare cringed slightly moved away from the tree, “This place is disgusting...”
“It could be a lot worse... that should be most of the bugs...” Prodd muttered. He looked back at her. “Go get some sleep...”
“What about you?” Red had started to take off most of her armor. She figured if she was going to rest, armor would only get in the way of that.
Prodd shrugged. “I’ll probably keep watch for awhile...” He raised his hood. “The cloaks also rainproof... kind of...”
“Very well I suppose...” Red moved over to him and smiled a little. “Do you mind if I have somepony to rest on?”
“Fine... just watch my front legs...” Prodd said, scanning the horizon with his crossbow.
Red frowned, “Why the hell are you acting so cold all of a sudden?”
Prodd ignored her and looked emptily into the distant hills with a raised crossbow..
She got up and looked angrily at him. “Answer.Me.Soldier.”
Prodd didn’t respond and thought he saw something move.
“Prodd...” She was about to hit him upside the head. “I’ll inquire again. Now, if you’d be so kind to explain to me, why the bloody hell, are you being an apathetic jackass today?”
Prodd finally spoke. “Ooh please don’t hit me!” He said sarcastically. “It’s not like I’ve been hit before in my life...” He looked back at Red, showing the bad side of his face. “If you don’t mind.. I think I saw something move out there...”
Red’s bad mood seemed to subside for the moment. “Wait... what did you see?”
“I saw a distant shrub shake... that could either be some rodent or some assailant trying to sneak up on us...” Prodd sneered the last phrase. He aimed his crossbow on the target, if he pulls the trigger, whatever was moving would soon be dead.
Red picked up her spear, “Can you kill it from here?” she then rose her shield. She looked almost like a hoplite.
Prodd ignored her getting up. “Do you want it dead?” He asked, holding his aim steady.
“Wait and see what it is.”
“Let’s hope it isn’t an archer with a bead on our position, ready to fire at any moment...”
“We’d be shot at by now if it was.”
“Maybe he needs to get a bit closer to line up a shot...”
“Very well... put my back plate back on...”
Prodd ignored her and fired his weapon, whatever was moving just caught a bolt.
“Prodd... why didn’t you listen to me?” She had planned on getting a closer look, and wanted her armor back on so if it was hostile it wouldn’t stab her.
Prodd, still facing the target, rolled his eye. “Because my way is safer... whatever’s out there is now dead... go to sleep.”
“We should see what it is first, what if it was a badger or something? I’d prefer to know if they were in the area.”
Prodd thought about it for a second. “...Fine.” He reattached her back plate. “I’ll cover you from here... don’t get killed...” He started to reload his crossbow.
Red nodded and walked slowly over to the dead bush. The rain was growing torrential by now, not that it would help the dead pine trees that made up this forest. The closer she got, the more clear it was. “Well look at that...” What was behind the bush, was just an average Turkey Buzzard, with a large bolt sticking out of it’s chest, with the end of it poking out it’s back.
Prodd beckoned her to come back. He scanned his surroundings incase anything else was moving around...
Red nodded and walked back, her spear lowered this time. “It was just a buzzard.”
Prodd nods. “Good... now get some sleep...”
“Fine...” She got under the shelter, and tried to keep dry. “Night... wake me if you need anything.”
“Yeah yeah yeah...” Prodd responded. He kept his watchful eye trained on the horizon, scanning the dead wasteland from the campsite.
“Bucking menace...” She then got down on the ground, not even taking the time remove her armor. “Night...”
Prodd ignored her and continued his guarding.
Red sighed, and finally started to nap on the dead grass.
Prodd made sure Red was fast asleep. He left his guard post to lay his cloak over the sleeping mare as a blanket. Without making a sound, he resumed his post. This was going to be a long night.
Post by: Telgin on May 26, 2013, 12:32:14 am
Temperance sits quietly in his office, face in his hooves. The past three days had been much worse than he could have expected. After Lightning Runner was locked up, he’d hoped they would quickly get to the bottom of things. Instead, Max had spoken with him about defending the pony, and in the process convinced him that he might be losing touch with reality. Then somepony dragged the still unburied corpse of private Sergi down into the jails to terrify the stallion, which convinced him that Lightning hadn’t acted alone and whoever really killed him was rubbing it in their faces.
He shakes his head and sighs. None of this was making sense, and it was only getting more and more strange and frightening. What could possibly happen next? As he trouble himself over in his mind, there’s knockings on the door. Not hard, urgent and furious ones, so Flamberge’s out of the question.
That was something at least. He takes a moment to collect himself before opening the door. “Yes?” When he sees who it is, he steps aside. “Oh, come in, Crosshair. What’s up?”
The small mare looks visibly stressed. Her mane’s a slight mess, and with her.. current condition, it might be worrying to the foal inside her if this goes on. “Temperance, we need to talk. It’s about Lightning Runner.” she said, walking inside.
“I... figured as much.” She looked like she wasn’t faring much better on the whole disaster than he was. “Take a seat,” he offers, pointing at the empty chair. When he finds his own seat, he asks, “What’s on your mind?”
“I’m Thinking of giving Convalescence the case and pass the judgement on Lightning Runner. There haven’t been any leads at all and we can’t find other suspects, It’s just him now. So unless something changed his mind to tell us who it was he gave the bolts to, He’s going to be in big trouble. We can’t go on working on a case that’s not moving anymore and wasting pony times in some wild goose hunt while they could be better saving those energy to keep the town safe.” Said Crosshair as she carefully sit down.
“I don’t know what to do either,” Temperance admits. “We don’t have a proper judge, so Convalescence is probably the only one who’s permitted to make such a call. The only alternative is to send Lightning Runner to Coupledye to be judged, but that would take along time and would waste a lot of effort and resources.”
He exhales slowly. “There’s no doubt he’s guilty of stealing your bolts. He admitted that. But after what happened yesterday, I don’t think he’s the one who shot the griffon. It doesn’t add up.”
Crosshair nodded. “Whoever shot the griffin isn’t very skilled in their execution, I’d say that. And as little as I think about Lightning, he’s still an acceptable shot. And would’ve had made a better execution than that.” observed the small mare. “And who could drag a corpse all the way into the jail, through the guards and stays undetected? a griffin corpse’s pretty big.. do you think anypony could’ve done that?”
He shakes his head. “No, I don’t. Anypony could have done it with enough time, but how they got past the guards I haven’t the foggiest idea. I spoke with Fleeting Quiver this morning, since he’s the one who found it, and nothing makes sense. He said he was standing guard the whole night. One moment there was nothing, then he saw blood trailing down to the jail cell and found the body there.
“None of this makes sense. At all. I mean, at this point it could be anypony. For all I know the griffons could have set this up for some reason. He said he gave the bolts to somepony out of town.” He raises a hoof to his forehead. “At this point, I think you may be right though. We have nothing concrete to go on aside from Lightning being in jail. We may have to just go ahead and prosecute him.”
Crosshair let out a little sigh and nod. “So we have a murderer walking around. But there’s nothing we can do about it, not unless Lightning decides that he suddenly remember something very important then?”
“That seems to be about the size of it,” Temperance agrees. “We may never find out who did it at this rate, given the lack of evidence. Maybe being put on trial will loosen his lips a bit.” He frowns and gives Crosshair a grave look. “You know the law. For committing murder, execution isn’t off the table.”
“I know.. unless something changes, we’re looking at exile or execution at worst. As much as I’d like to have everypony safe and unharmed, we can’t just turn a blind eye when one of us assisted a murder.” the small mare mused as she ponders.
“I don’t think he killed Sergi, but he’s at least an accessory to it. If we don’t execute or exile him, I don’t know what will happen. Years in prison seems most likely, but at this point I think I’m just being optimistic.” He glances off in the direction of the hospital. “I don’t envy Convalescence. She’s going to have a very tough decision on her hooves regarding this.”
Crosshair nodded at that “Yeah.. she will. I’d spare her the trouble, but I think that wouldn’t really look so good on any of us. I mean, I’ve already shot him!”
Temperance wasn’t feeling up to too much dark humor at the moment, but he gives her a nervous half-smile. “Right... I, uh, would rather avoid anypony else getting hurt right now. If the law says we have to do that, we will. But not before.” He mutters, “Maybe the threat will get something out of him...”
“I certainly hope so.. Truth and cooperation is the only two thing that can save him from the law now.”
That would help anyway. He nods. “Yes, so it seems.” Everything sounded and felt pretty hollow by this point.
“Well, that’s about what I wanted to talk to you right now, I hope things will get better faster than it gets worse.” Crosshair said as she carefully got up to leave.
“So do I. So do I,” Temperance agrees. He walks her to the door, and says, “Take care. I hope things work out.” For all their sakes. As for him, right now he was heading home. He needed a rest.
Post by: Pokon on May 28, 2013, 03:23:41 pm
Journal
I have yet to talk to anyone about what really hurts me now.
I don't know what day it is.
Post by: Iceblaster on May 28, 2013, 08:22:35 pm
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Lightning%20Runner%20Avatar.png) and (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png)
Shortly after Crosshair was informed of the mix up allowing Max to speak with Lightning Runner, she questioned him, again, extensively, but getting no new information, she passes the torch to Flamberge, who reluctantly agrees.
The door to Lightning’s cell creaks open and imposing figure of Flamberge makes his way inside, the guard outside closes the door behind him, locking the two stallions in together.
Lightning looked up and was startled by the sudden entrance of the stallion. “What do you want?” He asks, not caring about his attitude anymore/
Flamberge sits by the wall, opposite the prisoner.
“I want to ask you a few questions, and you are going to answer them,” he explains coldly.
“Fine, what are they... not like I have much to do anyway” Lightning got up from his lying position and sat up opposite of the soldier “If its about what I think it is, I already told you last time one of your guys came in here”
“Alright, so we’re going to take this from the top Lightning. You stole the bolts from a hiding place, in my home. Then you claim you gave them to something outside of town. Is that correct?” Flamberge stoically repeats.
Lightning nodded with much boredom. The same routine of questions was awaiting him, he was just waiting for the trial so Max could get him out of this mess.
“So you met with something, outside of town, and then stole under it’s instructions? Why?” Flamberge begins with the usual questions.
“Yes a Diamond Dog. And I did stole them. I did it for the dog in an attempt to get them to stop attacking here. It seems it didn’t help” He lied, hoping it would at least trick him into believing what Max had vaugely told him to say.
“A Diamond Dog? I was told you said you didn’t know who it was. Your story is changing Lightning Runner,” replies Flamberge.
“Well I thought it would get me out faster so might as well tell you what I know.” Lightning said, tapped his hoof on the ground. “Can we hurry up, I have a bit of the grumblies and would love to get some food real soon”
“You will eat when I say we are done, and not a moment sooner,” Flamberge replies, “If that is true, then how did the diamond dog sneak into our fort and kill the griffin, and more importantly why? Nothing other than the bolts was reported stolen that day. A dog would have only come to rob us, and yet they murdered a bird and left.”
“I will ignore the ‘Bird’ comment and continue with the rest. The diamond dog didn’t give its reasons. Maybe it had a bone to pick with him and settled it that way, I was just told to get them and drop them off in an alcove somewhere in the wild” Lightning said, interest slowly getting lower and lower “Please, not every ‘thief species’ we have here just want to steal our things”
“What did he offer you to do this?” Flamberge asks, though he clearly doesn’t believe the tall tale.
“Gold, but I refused. I do not take money for anything I do...” Lightning replied
Flamberge places a hoof to his forehead lets out an exasperated sigh, then says, "So, for no promised reward, you stole from your superior officer, by sneaking into their home, then gave weapons bearing their name to a known enemy combatant? Who then snuck into town to kill a foreign soldier that we were treating, without committing any other crimes, in such a way as to deviate greatly from their usual MO. That's seriously the story you are going with?"
“Yes and no. The dog mentioned they were valuable therefore it wanted them. What I didn’t know it that it would kill somepony.” He said, hoping Flam would continue to believe his lie, regardless of what it would lead to afterwards
Flamberge resists rolling his eyes and asks, “And how would it know about those old bolts specifically? If it wanted weapons, why steal from my home instead of from the armory? Clearly you wanted bolts with my Crosshair’s name on them, you were trying to frame her for something.”
“Why do you insist I was involved, when I was hospitalized!” Lightning said, not realizing his shift in tone. “I did not murder anypony! Sure I provided the means but I had no idea M- The diamond dog would do that! I don’t know... I don’t know why it didn’t take from the armory” He calmed down, hoping that would suffice for a day or two
“Yes, you were hospitalized, you were just down the hall from the victim, twenty feet away, behind two doors at most, when he was murdered, and you won’t tell us who was involved!” Flamberge seaths with anger, “I don’t believe you pulled the trigger, but you are still responsible for his death, WHO ARE YOU PROTECTING?” Flamberge strikes him across the face with a hoof.
Lightning flinched, surprised Flamberge had even struck him in the first place, let alone during an interrogation “At-Atleast you don’t... think I killed him... I am not protecting anypony... I told you all I know, why do you insist I know more” He asked
Flamberge strikes the prisoner again, and picks him up slamming him into the wall, "You are lying! What are they going to do next? Who is the next target? What is their goal?"
Lightning let out a small yelp as the sudden rush and pain of his actions shocked him “I don’t know what they are doing next... I... They’re next target is... somepony in power here. Their goal is unknown to me” He coughed, a small amount of blood coming out
Flamberge smiles though keeping Lightning held upright and pinned to the wall, "See, you can be helpful, now please, let me help you. You are facing execution in the next few days, and you don't stand a snowballs chance in hell at the trial, unless you rat out who the pony you really stole the bolts for is, right now. You do that, and I give you my word you will live."
“That pony is a friend of mine, I don’t rat out friends” Lightning said, not noticing the change in his story “Execution? Don’t I get a fair trial? This place is as corrupt as Fruitholds”
Flamberge drops Lightning Runner and steps back, "Corrupt? No. You will be given your trial soon. And it will be fair, you have just admitted you know the identity of the murderer, and are protecting your friend. On Top of theft that is more than enough to hang you, but it isn't too late to save yourself, and by extension your family? What will Sweet Potato do without you? Or Mist without a father? Is your friend worth more than them to you?"
Lightning shook his head, and decided to stay silent just to keep this from going on any longer.
Flamberge sighs and moves towards the door, having the guard open it for him.
“I’ll let you think it over for tonight Lightning, I’ll return in a few days, and I hope you will see to reason,” Flamberge says as he takes his leave.
Post by: Iceblaster on May 31, 2013, 09:00:23 pm
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Lightning%20Runner%20Avatar.png)
Lightning Runner laid in his cell, counting the bugs that scittered past his sleeping area, bored out of his mind. He hadn’t eaten and while he wanted to fall asleep but, he wasn’t able to due to the constant sound of hooves, stone being laid down, and ponies talking above. He laid there on his belly, just watching the ants march up and down the floor, looking for crumbs that may have fallen out of his wings after he preened them, heck he didn’t even know why crumbs got in his wings some days, maybe the drunkards got some of their biscuit crumbs in his wings as a joke.
He got up and looked at the metal door. His reflection showing the weeks in prison have no done him good. His fancy manedo now all dirtied up, and not even resembling his normal style. He sighed, knowing that it would take hours for Sweet Potato to help get it back to normal.... and with how she is now, it might not even be fixed for a few months due to her... condition. One of his main concerns was Mist if Sweetie ever... snapped, and he was... dead or still here. He played around with Prodd and Redhat taking care of her as they looked like they wanted a foal of their own and... even if Mist didn’t take kindly to it, she might need a home if neither of them were able to take care of her.
He sighed in frustration and kicked the ground, kicking up a decent sized cloud of dust. He sighed once more and laid down, and just thought about his younger days...
I lay in bed, staring into the window of the attic, and yawned. I knew a day of... ‘school’ was ahead of me so I went to the small box where I kept my things and began digging out my foal sized saddlebags and other ‘school supplies’ I had. After gathering my things I trotted downstairs to see the normal sight, my mother and father still in that double bed, I left a note that I had left for ‘school’ and galloped outside.
I stayed clear of the groups of colts and fillies... though I did stay for one filly, she didn’t pay much attention to some of the colts hitting on her, how I longed for their position. I shook my head before continuing on. ~I can’t watch her, I don’t even have parents with that much money for a ring...~I quickly galloped to the nearby woods of Fruitholds and began to unload my saddlebags. A lock picking kit, a small knife for self defense, and some biscuits for lunch.
I snuck around in the alleys, making note of any guards nearby. I heard the clop clop clop of a guard coming close to me, I jumped and quickly galloped into another alley close by and jumped into a stationary hay cart, keeping a hoof over my nose to make sure I didn’t sneeze. Just as I was sure it was safe, it had begun moving again. ~Greeeat, a day of sitting around instead of getting pawnable goods to keep the family afloat~ I just relaxed, making sure not to alarm anypony of my presence. It stopped after a while and after I was sure nopony was near, I jumped out and found I was in the inner city, home of the damned rich. I panicked, if I was caught here I would be sent to jail for simply being here without any escort by some royal guard or some other pony like that.
I scanned the area, finding an alleyway with relative ease and fled into it, making sure nopony saw me as, like I stated before, I would be sent to jail. Many guards patrolled the area, poking their halberds in the hay bales-probably checking for hiding ponies-and just generally made it so where I couldn’t get out. I spent at least 10 minutes in the alley before getting bright idea of throwing a few discarded whiskey bottles from the trash bins to distract the guards so I can move between alleys. I then thought of flying out as I had learned-in comparison to mother-how to fly quicker than the others. I stretched my wings, hoping I would be able to hold myself up if I was able to lift myself.
I flapped my wings, lifting myself a foot off the ground before falling with a soft thud. I cursed under my breath before picking myself up and regaining my composure. I looked for some whiskey bottles as there was a pub looking sign over a back door. I saw a box with a bunch of bottles. “Great” I said before putting a hoof over my mouth, hoping nopony heard me. It was then I noticed that these were filled bottles, no empty ones in sight. I cursed again. I finally got the bright idea of emptying a bottle and throwing it. I grabbed a few bottles and used my knife to uncork them and dumped them... after taking a sip of one of them experimentally as father never let me into his stash. I nearly gagged at the taste.
After I had emptied the three bottles I had stuffed two into my bag and looked for an alley I could gallop towards once the guards were distracted. CRASH. The bottles shattered ten feet from where I was, all my stength was put into that throw. Guards rushed to where it shattered and began searching for the pony who threw it. I galloped towards the alley, it was across the street from my original location.
I tripped over a rock as I entered the alley, knocking my saddlebags off of me and spilling the contents onto the ground. Luckily nopony heard it. I heard a bell and that meant school has been let out for the day. I only had a few hours to get home before mum and dad noticed I was gone. I started to panic as I was at least an hour from home and I was in no... wait who is that... the filly from earlier? No it can’t be she wouldn’t go to school with pea- She’s approaching me... as if she saw me. I back up until I felt a bump and my back was against a wall. She giggled as if she thought I was... funny?
“I haven’t seen you at school? Who are you? You’re funny” She said, in a almost disconnected sentence style.
“I Um... I...” I said, unable to form a coherent thought “Don’t turn me in please I don’t want to go to jail it was an accident I won’t show up again” I pleaded as the words spilled out of my mouth
“Turn you in... You mustn’t be from here.. I would never do that..” She trotted closer to me. I finally caught a better view of her. Grey eyes, beautiful pink purple hair and a brown coat. She was beautiful in all definitions of the word.
“What are you doing...” I searched for my knife... I didn’t see it anywhere “Please don’t hurt me...” I shrunk smaller and smaller as she grew closer and closer. I felt her hooves fumble around with my mane, eventually backing away and giggling once more.
“There now you should be able to pass as a citizen here. What’s your name?” She asked, her voice removing all former thoughts of hate into thoughts of... love?
“L-Lightning...Runner” I hesitated to spit my family name out as... my family isn’t in best relations with the royalty or the high wealth ponies of Fruitholds
“Runner Clan? Hmm Well I am Sweet Potato... though I prefer Sweetie.” She said, bowing. The surname rung a bell in my head... one of the richer families in town? No that family wouldn’t be caught dead socializing with an urchin like me
“H-Hello S-S-Sweetie...” I said nervously. Stupid! Stupid! I’m talking to a rich pony and I’m ruining it. “G-Glad to meet you... I.. I should go” I gathered my things, but with my luck she caught a glimpse of my lockpicking set and gasped
“You’re a thief? I don’t know what to say” She gasped. I jumped as she nearly tackled me
“Don’tturnmeinpleasemotherandfatherwouldhatemeifIwenttojailagain” I said, not stopping to even take a breathe
“Turn you in? No a thief can change and all you need is some love and maybe some money... I think my mum can let you stay at my home for a week. I’ll get father to send your parents a letter about how you are going to be staying at a friend’s house” Sweetie said. I didn’t pay much attention. All I knew is that I was going to get some love some... money.
Lightning Runner awoke from his sleep. Startled by a door opening and Fleeting Quiver trotting in. “Runner, Lunch time, 20 minutes. Move it” Quiver commanded
“Yessir” Lightning said, quickly getting up and galloping towards the tavern... hoping to see his love again.
The revelling in nostalgia calmed him down, however he was still stressed because of the recent events and what these could culminate into.
Post by: Relus on May 31, 2013, 10:29:45 pm
Vambrace was inside his room. As usual, he was reading spell books to pass time.
Vambrace had many spell books, dedicating a whole section to spell books.
The book he was reading was the somewhat old "Research on the Elements" book. It was outdated, but it was filled with old knowledge.
The book contained pages on many of the elements, going into detail on them. Each element had a page of it's history, a list of spells, and famous users of the element.
Vambrace flipped the page, when he heard a voice.
“Reading as usual, I see, Vammy?”
“Just leave me alone.”
“Do I not deserve more respect? You should be honoured to share a body with me!”
“You think you deserve respect?”
“But of course, Vammy. I deserve much respect.”
Vambrace started to ignore the voice within his head, and went back to reading.
There was a large amount of text on the page. Some ponies would skip the boring parts, but those willing to become masters of magic would not do that, as they may skip important info.
Within a few minutes, Vambrace began to read Page 55.
Page 55 was about famous ice using ponies. Some names Vambrace had already heard before, such as Arkel Speyl, who was mentioned many times in the book.
Hours passed, and Vambrace was finished with the book.
However, he was unsure on what he should do.
“Kill the ponies.”
“Tell me. Why is it you hate all ponies, and wish to kill them?”
“Have you not seen what they do? They are low. The Outlaws, the Criminals!”
“All intelligent races have outlaws. The Griffons do. The Zebras do. And the Discordants sure do.”
“I know that. But, do you think I’m heartless for my desire to kill the ponies?”
“Yes.”
“The reason I hate the ponies is not for simply existing. You do not know my past. I had something important taken away from me, by them. They stole it from me.”
“Stole what?”
“Tell me why, why I would tell you. It was important, and they will never be forgiven.”
“Just tell me.”
“Never, my dear.”
“Why not tell me?”
“YOU WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING, DON’T YOU!? WELL, I’LL TELL YOU. I’LL TELL YOU WHEN I CUT OFF EVERY SINGLE LIMB AND BEAT YOU DOWN WITH ALL OF THEM, AND I WILL MAKE YOU SWALLOW THEM! NOW SHUT UP."
“Please, go back to talking like an intelligent pony.”
“I WOULD TALK LIKE A NORMAL PONY, BUT IT WOULD APPEAR SUCH A NOSY PONY LIKE YOURSELF WANTS TO KNOW WHY I HATE PONIES. LOOK, THERE IS A REASON I HATE PONIES, RIGHT THERE. YOU WANT TO KNOW EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON! ONE DAY, I WILL CLEAVE INTO YOUR SKULL WITH AN AXE!”
Vambrace felt no need to continue talking to his inner voice.
But what is so important about his inner voices secret?
Vambrace would think about this in the morning.
He tried to sleep, but his inner voice was still ranting.
“I’LL CHOKE YOU WITH YOUR OWN TAIL, YOU SCUM! I WAS IN A GOOD MOOD, AND YOU WANTED TO BE NOSY! SOMEDAY, YOU WILL WAKE UP. WAKE UP WITH MANY BOLTS AND SWORDS AND AXES IN YOU. BUT SOMETHING WILL BE DIFFERENT. YOU WILL BE DEAD! AND-“
Vambrace finally drifted off to sleep.
Post by: L1wW on June 01, 2013, 10:47:17 pm
It had only been a few hours after Red had fallen asleep. Though, oddly she had began to shake a little, make a few whimpers.
Prodd heard a faint whimper from the sleeping form behind him. He checked once more to make sure nothing was near and went to investigate the noise. He crouched down next to Red to see her shake and whimper in fear. He could do a lot more to help, but he needed to keep watch. He stroked her mane to try and comfort her. Prodd then quietly spoke in soothing tones to the sleeping pegasus and hummed a little lullaby he learned when he was younger.
It seemed to help a little, though when he touched her mane, she felt cold. Her fur was standing on end, and she just kept quivering. When she gave off a stressed breath, he could see it, as if it was freezing.
Prodd figured Red shivering in her sleep and feeling extremely cold was a bad sign. He nudged her gently and tried to wake her up peacefully. “Come on Red... get up... get up...”
She just kept that way, not really waking from Prodd’s slight prodding.
Prodd nudged her more forcefully. “Come on Red... get up!” He was starting to get worried, but he kept nudging her.
She whimpered and struggled a little, before finally opening her eyes. “Wha-... Prodd?”
“Yeah, who else?” Prodd said. He pulled her into an embrace and whispered, “What happened?”
“Oh... heh...” She was still shaking a little. “Just a-a nightmare...” She rested her on his shoulder.
“Great... then why were you so cold?” Prodd asked, concerned about how a dream could change the temperature in the physical world.
“I just... I honestly haven’t the slightest clue why I w-would be cold in real world...”
Prodd pulled away from the hug and stood up. “Well... do you want to go back to sleep, or should we get a head start on our walking?”
She looked at him, being a little concerned. She didn’t want to let go of him just yet. “I... How about you take a nap I keep up guard?”
“No... I’m not tired...” Prodd said, he spoke slowly and with a slightly negative tone in his voice. “Do you want to go back to sleep, or should we start moving again?”
“Lets just get moving then...” she was still shaking a little...
Prodd levitates his cloak over to her. “Wear it. You’ll warm up faster... also maybe try trotting around or something...”
“Okay then.” She put on the cloak and got up, before starting to help him pack up.
Prodd finished packing his equipment. “Red... if you have difficulties with anything, let me know...” He pauses. “I don’t want to end up carrying your corpse back to Duskfields...”
“Okay then...” She went over to pick up some of the supplies. “I’ll most likely be fine though...”
Prodd nods and sets down the path. Dawn would arrive in a few hours or so.
She followed behind, wanting to get out of this rotting forest as soon as possible.
Eventually, the daylight started to cover the land again, and morning had come. The trail was lonely, and nobody else seemed to be moving down it. The two kept moving though, never running into anything exciting, until they saw some smoke off in the distance.
“Well that excites things a little...” Prodd responded. He checked his crossbow to make sure it was loaded. “Red, I’m going to need my cloak back...”
She nodded and gave it back to him, before pulling out her spear. “Very well then...” She then started to strap on her armor, hoping she wouldn’t have to need it.
“Stay close to the left of the path, I’m going to sneak through the bushes over there-” He points to a line of shrubbery a few paces to the left of the road that extends past the smoke. “I’ll check what’s up ahead and make bird noises if it’s dangerous...” Prodd puts on his cloak.
“Fine then...” She was the one in charge... why the hell was he making order’s? “I’ll go ahead and do that then.” She kept walking towards the fire, ignoring Prodd. She honestly didn’t fear badgers and discordants.
Prodd rolls his eye. “It was a safe plan...” He walks diagonally of Red with his crossbow scanning the horizon for targets. He kept himself a step behind Red’s right.
Eventually the two found what was making the smoke. Over in the middle of a gully was the remains of an overturned wagon. The thing had been set alight, leaving the smell of burning wood in the air. It also had a few arrows stuck in it. There were no ponies in sight. Whoever the wagon had belonged to must of had to have been in quite a hurry to just leave it.
“Well that’s unfortunate...” Prodd mutters. “Think we can loot anything we could use?” He keeps his eye trained through the sights of the crossbow, wary of any bandit lurking in the shadows.
“I don’t know...” She flew down to it, and scanned it for anything of use. “It look’s like it’s been looted fairly well. All that I can seem to find are a few empty bins.”
“Fantastic...” Prodd sighed. “Shall we move on?” He could care less about an empty broken down wagon.
Red sighed and flew back over to Prodd. “Well, I suppose we should... We should stay on guard though, if this is still smoking, than we know that bandits are in general vicinity of this area.”
“Ain’t nothing new to me...” Prodd agreed. “Let’s go, the sooner we get to a town the better...”
“Yeah.” she nodded at that. “We should be on our way then.”
Post by: DVNO on June 01, 2013, 11:57:44 pm
Max perches on his apartment bed, tucked in feathered ball and his head tucked under his wing. He snores quite loudly for a bird thing with such small nostrils.
It was the early morning right and the sun was still rising. Red had just left her house and was making a B-line for the bird’s house, with her pet wolf being right behind her. If she was going to have to head out in the wilds, she was going to need to find someone to take care of bonnet. Once he got to the bird house he knocked the front door.
Max lazily stirs as he hears a knock at his apartment door. He groans, and shifts himself out of bed. What could it possibly be now? He opened the door and hears the familiar Redhatted Stallion and his pet bonnet. “ Uh, hello, Redhat.” He shifts his groggy eyes up and down the apartment hall. “Do you know how early it is?” He yawned.
“Well, I’d like to apologize for this inconvenience but I need to leave the fort in a few hours and need someone to take care of my dog, and furthermore I need to talk to you about something...” The blue maned pony looked around a little. “and do so somewhere more private..”
Max looks a little perplexed but also more than willing to try and rectify whatever Red had on his mind. “Yes, of course, sure.” Max nodded. “Let me, uh, put on some pants.” He said while looking back into the apartment.
“Um... very well. carry on.” Red just nodded and waited for him to close the door.
Max closes the door and the a lull for a few minutes, until Max pushed the door wide again, this time clothed. He walks and talks with Redhat. “Alright, Shoot.”
Red nodded and came into the house. “Well, I know what happened to lightning...” He gave him a rather pissed look and closed the door behind him. “Now tell me... is that the second pawn in your grab for power who you’ve thrown away?”
“What happened to Lightning is Lightning’s own fault.” Max said in an agitated, hushed tone. “He offered his services as a thief by trade. He didn’t even allow himself ta’ take my money for the deed. I assure you I am doing everything I can to help him, he is a pawn that still has much tactical worth to me, even this late in the game.”
“... Whatever bird. I feel sorry that he’s being put up for the murder you committed for your own gain, but that’s not the issue at hand.” Red moved closer to Max being rather intimidating. “I’m not some pawn you can throw away. I know you’ve killed someone just for your selfish needs for revenge, and I fully expect you to do something equally horrible to anyone who get’s in your way, or becomes a liability and I just want you to know, that if you ever try to give me the short end of the stick, I’ll put my stick right through your spine.”
Max gives a long, low chuckle. “He he he, Well say good bye to your estate then. If you even get out of this alive after sticking that blade in me. Tell me, How long do you expect to survive under Flamberge’s wing, hmm? How many more assaults do you think your and your dog will weather?”
“I expect to leave this ship long before it sinks. And, I’m simply saying if you dare try to put a dagger in my back, I’ll put a spear in yours...” the pony backed off a little. “As for being under his wing... I’ll walk out of this all alive no matter what abomination I must fight.”
Max closed his eyes solemnly. “Brave words from a foolhardy Pegasus. Listen. I was not so different, I thought I was invincible once, too.” Max gained a smile.
“You see... I’ve already lost everything...” She frowned as at his creepy little grin. “But I like to think over the years, and all the discordants I’ve put down and all the experience I gained I’ve grown more adept at survival.”
“You can never survive without the proper tools.” Max takes out two bright, smooth stones from his pant pocket. “Here, I want you to take these.”
She looked down at them, but didn’t take them. “Max, I need to know something before take a favor from you...”
“I’ll try to answer best I can at this juncture.” Max responded.
“Okay then... do you plan to throw me into the fire the moment you think I’m a liability?”
“Rather ... direct. Of course I would.” Max told him simply. “ I have A diamond dog on call, who can deal with this Flamberge business for a lot cheaper than a hundred grand. That’s plan ‘B’.” Max continued casually walking. “I have thought of all angles to this, even the unlikely ones. Do you blame me?” Max asks. “I genuinely hope I don’t have to enact these ‘what if’ scenarios though.”
“... I’m not surprised... I honestly expected this much out of you... but again, I will put you down if you ever try to double cross me.”
Max gives an aggravated sigh.” I honestly can't understand how you suppose to to gain so much in so little time without a little risk. Come now. You’re intelligent. You know how this game is played.”
“If you make a deal with the devil, you should at least have a plan to fall back on if things go sour.”
Max looks her in the eye. “Glad we’re in agreement. Now, about the rocks?”
“what are they for?”
“You’ll see, in time. Just keep them on you and your friend at all times.”
“If I may ask, what do they do?”
“They’ll keep my investment safe.”
“... fine...” Red took the rocks, even though she had the slightest idea what they did.
“So, did you want me to take care of something else for you, or was this purely a temporary loss of nerves and your dog?”
“Well, so long as you know how to take care of bonnet and where to get her some meat, I’m quite finished here.”
Max looks at the aging dog. “ I did always have a soft spot for this dog. Does he need any medicines?”
“I usually try to talk to case about getting some pain medicine if we aren’t low on supplies... and remember she can hardly walk.”
Max looks back to the dog with a dry expression. “Riiight.”
“... I would never take a narcotic without a medical professional's consent. Ever sense that ogre mangled her, she’s had back problems, okay?”
Max whistles to Bonnet. “C’mere boy, you’re going to live with ol’ Max for awhile.”
“It’s a she.”
Max looked at Redhat incredulously. “As if the wolf knows the difference.”
“You do though, so treat Bonnet with dignity.”
Max laughs. “All right miss Bonnet, you’re staying with me for awhile.”
Post by: DVNO on June 02, 2013, 12:01:27 am
The Duskfields Chapel was a solemn place now. The pews were empty and had a light coat of dust. The stained glass windows depicting the equestrian gods cast an eerie sepia tone glow upon the place. The altar stands alone, silent. Max stands at the foot of the altar, his hands clasped together in prayer.
"Hi Amug. It's been awhile." Max muttered to the altar. "I know they ain’t no real reason to listen for my voice, when there are so many others crying out there; but if My life have ever been caught in a twilight, it would be now, Amug. Gods, it would be now."
Max sighed sighed and began his prayer.
"Amug, grant me the strength to fight through these dark times, to pierce the shade enshrouding me. Guide me to th’e sunrise again."
"Thebil ToastDumpling, I beg you to allow the ponies to see what have I seen. Feel as I feel. I beg you to favor me, and in doing so, let the will of Duskfields stand behind me. I ask you to put my actions in the history books favorably when all is said and done."
"Aval, the goddess of generosity, spare me any more ill luck!” Max drawled. “My plan hangs in the edge of a knife. Buck me over once? Fine. Twice? I doubt yer’ impartiality. Buck me over again? I will personally kick your throat in when I ascend from this good earth."
“Favos?” Max cocks a brow. “Favos, you were always an odd one. Mosquito god. I pray Duskfields doesn't get any droughts any time soon. That’s the one thing this town has going.”
“Gasis, goddess of love, I need not explain why i’m doing this to you, you know this has to be settled.”
“Nozkam, keep your valor. There’s nothing valorous about this, this is just good old fashion revenge. I knew whose side you were playing for the - the second that medal was pinned on Flamberge’s chest I cursed your name. Sod you. If it weren’t for you, Carn would still be alive.”
At that, Max turned heel and walked away from the altar.
18th Galena
Max returns to the altar, this time backdropped by red banners, waving idly in the breeze. Max came up to the altar with the intention to say a few words.
He leered around at his audience sitting in the pews. “So, it’s come to this.” Max uttered. “A body found in the hospital. An assassination. With no leads, Except for a family pony with no criminal history.” He gives off an aggravated sigh. “Duskfileds, we’re better than this.” He moans, letting every pent up piece of frustration he had about Duskfields seethe through his voice. “ “I, for one, can’t stand it any longer.” He grips the sides of the podium. “For how much Flamberge has spent of defending Duskfileds, who here really feels safe?” He asks, an open question to all. “Have the discordant attacks lessened at all over the months? Have any of you truly felt safe?” Max asks. Max points to himself. “I for one, as’a griffon and a citizen, am not so certain of his ability to keep us safe. Neither should any of you.” He gives an aggravated sigh. “Are we truly going to ignore the fact Crossbow’s signature was on the bolts that pierced Private Sergi’s heart? Are we truly going to ignore the fact That the bolts were in Flamberge’s possession both before and after the crime, as both convalescence and Redhat can attest?” Max slammed his fist. “Are we truly going to ignore the facts and pursue this obviously contrived witch hunt? This Farce? I am going to restore what was lost here, Duskfields; Sanity. You’ll all be pleased to know I’ve sent a letter to both talontranced and canyontalon offering to be temporarily titled baron, a mutual mutual diplomat for both parties until this is all sorted. Also, I’m asking politely, Flamberge, let Lightning go. He has a wife. He is obviously not a killer. And lastly?” Max Smirked. “I’m offering five thousand bits to the pony who would hand Flamberge’s ‘badge of Valor’ into my claws. That is all.”
Post by: Telgin on June 02, 2013, 01:02:51 am
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Lightning%20Runner%20Avatar.png) and (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png)
A few days when Lightning’s trial would have happened some new catastrophe struck, postponing it for at least another week before it could be held. Said catastrophe? The griffon-Private Sergi-that was murdered body had shown up in the jail, no clear signs of whom had actually moved it down there, once more pinning the blame on Lightning. Later in the day when it had gotten less hectic around, Flamberge decided to stop by and question Lightning once more.
Flamberge arrives outside the cell, this time deciding not to go inside. He pulls over the chair from Crosshair’s desk and sits down, he asks the waiting guard to stand watch outside, they comply.
“So, Lightning Runner, have you given any thought to what we talked about last time?” he asks, as if unaware of the rotting carcass that was laying here just hours ago.
“Y-Yes... I... I have...” He looked over his shoulder, as if afraid something was watching him.
Flamberge nods, watching Lightning Runner intently, “And?"
“It was a griffon. A, uh, Griffon. . .” He said, keeping himself from mentioning names - regardless of the consequences, hoping Max’s plan would work and he would get him out.
Flamberge raises an eyebrow, “A griffin? And from our last talk, you said a friend. The only griffin in town is Max. It was Max wasn’t it? Max killed the griffin, with my mare’s weapons, bearing her name, to frame us, because of the incident with the skull. And now he’s letting you take the fall. Am I right?”
“Y-Yes... I... His plan isn’t working... it’s going to get me killed and... yes he is, and he has some weird plan ... I didn’t know when I stole the bolts... I was just told he wanted them for gold or something as they were valuable. And for the... skull... he didn’t say a word about it.” Lightning admitted, his lips flowing free despite what his mind was telling me and how he should shut up.
Flamberge nods, "Thank you Lightning. I'll inform Crosshair, she'll want to arrest him right away. You'll still be tried for the theft, of course, but I promise you, you won't be facing the headspony's axe. You did a good thing coming clean, Duskfields thanks you."
Flamberge stands up, "Is there anything you want to tell me before I go?"
“Yes...” He took in a breath “I had a dream... My wife was killed by Max... then Private Sergi took place of her... and I woke up... that is the short version.”
“A dream?” Flamberge looks curious, “You aren’t the only pony to be having bad dreams Runner,” he says remembering his own nightmares, “I wouldn’t worry about it, but... if you are worried about Max trying to target your wife or foal, I can make sure somepony looks after her, while we make the arrest.”
“Thanks... Please do not mention me... or say anything that would sound like I am involved... in our talks he mentioned a few things I am scared of...” Lightning said, substantially happier now, however he was still a bit melancholy due to the events in the dream “And I wasn’t worried.... it’s just that it worried me more than any of my other dreams I’ve had...”
Flamberge nods, “Yes, I understand, I’ll make sure Scimitar is with her during the arrest, though. You have nothing to worry about.” Flamberge moves to leave.
Lightning nodded.
Post by: L1wW on June 05, 2013, 12:17:27 am
Red and Prodd have been on the road for three days since the caravan incident. There was no sign of the bandits that caused it, nothing attacked them during their nights in the wilds. Prodd kept himself distant most of the time, and slept very little. He appeared fine physically, and he said that was good enough. Then two continued on the path before them, less than a mile away from some quiet town called Wormrot.
Red would have felt rather bad for resting during the nights, but this entire trip Prodd had hardly shown her any kindness, and it was starting to get to her. Maybe it was just the lack of sleep, but all she knew he was this way on the first day.
“Come on, pick up the pace...” Prodd ordered to the mare behind him. “Wormrot’s in sight, we can rest there-...” He cut himself off, noticing the smoke, his crossbow raised in a heartbeat.
“Oh buck off, ya lowly twa-” That’s when she saw the smoke. She got her weapon out just as quickly as he did.
Prodd crept low to the ground, side stepping into the bushes to his left, he silently stalked up to get a view of the smoking village. He hoof-signaled to Red to approach the town.
Red walked towards the town, keeping to the road. The closer she got to the place, the more clear it was what happened to the outpost. All she could see was the palisade... well, what was left of it...
Prodd crawled forward and observed the town and it’s structures after confirming it was a ghost town. The palisade wall was relatively intact, save for two openings made by destruction and a main gate. The tallest structure was a four story tower with the top floor completely destroyed, he could use that as a good vantage point. Prodd stood up and walked down to Red and removed a few bear traps from one of his satchels.
“Looks like this place is rather barren... We should keep our guard up.” She looked over to the town, wondering if anyone was still there. “I don't think badger’s could have pulled this one off...”
“Yeah...” Prodd nods, he levitated the traps to protect the holes in the wall. “I’m going up into that tower for a better vantage point, I’ll drop anything I see...” He made his way to the tower and opened the door. “ I think something’s coming... I’d recommend you stay safe or hole up somewhere you could face any invader one at a time... I love you...” Prodd closed the door behind him and ascended the tower.
Red nodded, and moved around scanning the area. She expected him to be safe on his own, so she just slowly skulked her way through town, before hearing the sound of broken glass over by what looked to have once been a general store.
Prodd watched Red turn to face a building, he faintly heard glass breaking and raised his crossbow. From his position, he couldn’t see directly into the building, but could see anything that came out and into the center of town. He covered Red’s position, watching her back from the tower.
Red slowly moved over to a window, and looked in, seeing what looked to be a diamond dog. He just looting the place, and just dropped something one could assume was a bottle or something.
Prodd saw Red linger at the building. He had no visuals over what Red saw, so he continued to watch her back. Nothing set off the bear traps yet; if the traps had went off, he’d have already known.
Red sighed and kept watching. “Hmmm...” The dog looked around, before moving back over to what remained of a counter top. He pulled out anything of value, hoping he’d find something that’d at least turn him a bit or two next time he dropped his finding at a caravan.
Prodd still couldn’t tell what was going on in the building. Before he could think of a solution, he saw a few figures move in the bushes outside the hole to the wall, a few yards behind Red. He saw the glint of his bear trap, this would be good for a laugh in a couple seconds.
Red heard a loud ruffle off in the distance, and the sound of hooves clopping down the road. She couldn’t see who it was, but she had to either choose between hiding in the building behind her, or running the risk of seeing who it was walking around the corner.
Prodd raised his crossbow on the hole in the wall, he could make the shot even without his lack of another eye. Three discordians stepped through the wall in a loose single file line. The one in front stepped on the bear trap and screamed in pain while hitting the ground, missing a leg. The trap was originally built to maim, but Prodd tinkered with it at some point and managed to get the device to amputate. The second foe caught a bolt to the head. “Just plain talented...” Prodd muttered to himself, grinning smugly while reloading his weapon. That might have been the first time he’s smiled this entire journey. The fresh corpse and the screaming comrade would be enough to slow the third down long enough for Prodd to take another shot.
Red sighed. They were definitely getting closer... She decided it was probably best if she took the building, and thus she opened the door to the ruined general store, but when she got inside, the dog was gone.
Prodd took a second shot and tagged the third discordian in the chest, probably piercing a lung, because the discordian hit the ground and was gasping for breath. Red could finish the wounded off if they don’t bleed to death soon, speaking of which, where was she? Prodd cursed under his breath and loaded another bolt. He stayed at his position, hoping Red gets out into the open. The other two traps he set prior are still out there, he knew that.
Red sighed, and looked around, not finding the dog anywhere. “Show yourself and I’ll let you live...” she had planned on doing so anyway but...
Prodd shot the discordian missing a leg in the abdomen, probably hitting his guts... maybe. Prodd sighed and reloaded again. What the hell is Red doing?
“Annnnd why would I take you seriously?” Somehow the looter was already behind her. “I mean, you’re probably just another discordant.” Red tensed and pointed her spear at the him. “Why aren’t you on the ground cowering?”
Prodd suddenly had a bad feeling in his gut. He tried to ignore it and scanned the town from his vantage point in case anything else would show up. There was still no sight of Red. He checked his crossbow and contemplated finding her, but he realized Red could most likely take care of herself.
Red just rolled her eyes, and took a seat down on a broken table. “If I were a discordant I’d have stabbed you by now.” The dog shrugged. “Why haven’t you hightailed out of here or just hidden or something?” The diamond dog sighed and took a seat too. “Because, I don't want to make too much of a commotion, and there is an entire squad out there right now.”
Prodd was about to descend down the staircase when he heard another one of his traps go off and a scream accompanied it. Prodd had his crossbow pointed on the area from his nest in a second. Four discordians were coming in through the hole, the lead missing a leg. He smirked at his trap working and took a shot; the second discordian hit the ground before the first one collapsed.
The dog peared on the window behind him, taking note that the squad was gone. They had probably ran off to go check up on the yelling off in the distance. “Looks like they’re gone... ya didn’t come into to town with some crossbow toting unicorn right? Cause looks like he’s about to get swarmed.” He had been aware of Prodd being up in the tower for a while, but the stealthy guy was good at keeping his head down and out of sight. “I’ll put five bits that he’ll be put down in a few minutes...”
Prodd loaded his crossbow and heard footsteps coming up the stairs. “Heh... this is why preparations are complete...” Prodd hooked just enough rope to reach from here to the general store Red hid in to the end of his bolt. He clamped it securely to a sturdy looking chunk of rubble and shot at the roof of the store. The bolt pierced the building and the line hooked to the rubble was almost taunt. Prodd reloaded his crossbow when one of the discordians made it up the staircase, he had a bolt in his chest and a mean look on his face. As the discordian and his buddies made it to the top floor, Prodd stomped as hard as he could at a very shaky floorboard and then used the rope as a zip line to the other building. The floor to the tower caved in when Prodd was about halfway to the roof of the store. “Oh that was fun!”
“Damn... t’aws impressive.” The guy turned around and started to pull something out of a pack he had on back. “I’mma keep this out in case archer boy get’s a bit trigger happy.” Red sighed and pointed her spear at him. “and how do I know you won’t just stab me with whatever you’ve go in there?” “Because... friendship is magic?”
Prodd rolled onto the roof. He drew his crossbow, confirmed it was loaded, and pulled out his shield with his magic. “Where the hell are you guys? Hello?” He yelled out, he hoped Red would hear him. He made sure to ask in plural, to imply that he wasn’t fighting alone in case anything else was out there. He crouched low at the corner of the roof overlooking the main entrance, it looked like somepony decided to plant a bush there as decoration.
Red sighed, and brought the spear closer to his neck, but the moment Red moved her spear closer to him, the dog had already pulled a kama out of his pack and redirected the weapon. “I only kill if I’m paid, or forced to. You’re making it really hard to get out of this without putting a blade in your skull.”
Prodd called out again. “C’mon, you know I wouldn’t do this to you!” He aims his crossbow at the door with his forelegs and preps a spare bear trap with his horn. “Would you kindly take a step outside?” He knew Red was in danger at this point. If she steps outside, she’s in deep shit; if she doesn’t...
“So... looks like the cavalry showed up... you mind if we don’t look like we’re killin’ each other? I don’t want whoever walks in to be a dipshit and stab me...” Red just gave him a look. “Spear master, some bird over in Duskfields hired my services, and I doubt getting in a mexican standoff with two randoms is in either of our interests.”
Prodd listened intently. “Look, whoever the hell you are, give me back my significant other here, and help yourself to some free dead shit!” He started to get angry, Prodd was rarely pissed, unicorns were rarely pissed, there was a reason for that...
“Calm your tities, I was just about to go on my way...” Red sighed. “He probably isn’t going to touch me dear...”
“Yeah? Can we just leave then or does jackass here got an agenda or something?” Prodd took a few deep breaths, his horn dimmed.
“Probably, but this town should be swarming now that you’ve killed a few guys. Best you and I lay low for a while...”
“Well that’s great...” Prodd dropped from the roof and entered the store, his crossbow was loaded, his shield was blocking in front of him, and he had a set bear trap hidden behind his back.
By the time he got in, Red and the dog had already put their weapons up and were sitting at either end of the store. “So... how are you this fine evening Mr.Sniper?” Red rolled her eyes. “Hello... how was pissing off the town, dear?”
“Felt pretty good...” Prodd answered. “And Mr. Scrotumbreath, call me by my first name... Cold.” Prodd kept his bear trap at his side and lowered his crossbow. He stood by Red and briefly nuzzled her. “Got a plan... dear?”
“Well... wait I guess...” Red said, returning the nuzzle.
“D’aww.... how cute.”
“Whatever, what do we do Oh Great Mut?” Prodd said.
“Meh, calling me a diamond dog is honestly just as bad, so keep yapping horn donkey.”
“Alright then, so we’re hiding out here?” Prodd asks.
“Would seem.” The guy started to walk over to the thing he was rummaging through before Red got here. “So... you know this place used to be a pit stop for trading? Only been up for about a year now.”
Red nodded. “Yes, that’s why we thought we could restock on supplies here.”
Prodd nods and checks to see if there’s a second floor.
Red followed behind him, and they soon found a staircase.
“AH found it.” the guy pulled out a bag of hooftacks, “Just what I needed...” he took the bag in placed in his pack.
Prodd couldn’t care less what the dog found. “Red... you okay?” He whispers to her.
“Yes, I’m quite fine Prodd.”
“Alright then...” Prodd said. “How long ‘till the discordians leave?”
“Probably a good while...” Red gave him another nuzzle.
“Shall we hide out on the second floor?” Prodd asked. He returned her affection for once.
Red smiled a little. “Well, I suppose that’s for the best...”
“Yeah...” Prodd went over into the corner and lied prone, covering the staircase with his crossbow from the shadow of the room.
Red noted this and took a seat over on a crate.
“You’re no fun...” Prodd whispered from the corner.
“Oh hush. You're just as bad.”
“Whatever...”
“You know what. I’m getting sick and tired of all your bloody-” She was cut off by the sound of the door downstairs opening. “Oh buck...” Then they suddenly heard the sound of a pony yelling at the top of it’s lungs in pain, and finally the sound of hard metal against stone.
“...I think they know where we are now.” Prodd said. “Please don’t go down and check...”
“I actually can’t leave the guy to die...” She was fairly certain he was the diamond dog that max had hired....
“Goddamnit...” Prodd muttered. “I’d go with you... but I’d be little use in close quarters...”
“Fine, just hide up here and try to find a window or something.” She moved down the stairs, spear already armed, only to find the dog was standing in front of the door way, twirling a chain with a kama attached to the end, and a small weight on the other, and beneath him was what one would assume was a discordant with a large dent in his skull. “We need to get the buck out of here, sir.”
“I would assume so...” the diamond dog nodded and went for the stairs, before stopping at the first step, waiting for the pony to head up first. Red followed behind, before throwing a contents of his back of hooftacks on the ground, making sure whoever walked in would have a nasty surprise.
Prodd stood in the shadow of a windowsill. “We leaving?” He asks, right before leaning out and taking a shot. A scream was heard. “Yeah I see five out there that are still alive...”
“Prodd, more of them will show up!” by now the diamond dog was already trying to dig a hole in the drywall with his weapon. “If we jump out there, we’ll die, it’s best we try and come out from behind the place.” He was making quick work of the wall, probably only take a minute or two at this pace.
“Should I keep shooti-” A bolt flew by his head, that answered his question. Prodd took another shot. “Yeah, lobotomized!” He had around sixteen or seventeen bolts left.
A few cries where heard from down stairs, “GOTCHA!” The dog kicked a few times and finally finished making his hole. “Come one, it’s done.” he jumped down, falling to the ground behind the building.
“Ladies first! Go!” Prodd yelled to Red. He took a third shot and reloaded his crossbow. They were coming.
Red jumped out, and flew down to the ground, waiting for Prodd to hurry up.
The dog got up to the side of the building and pulled a small glass bottle out of his cloak. He bashed it on the side of the building, before pulling out a matchbook and setting light to the side of building. It wasn’t spreading too fast, and Prodd definitely would have enough time to jump out, but odds are the fire would get out of control fast and hopefully ignite any who stayed inside.
Prodd saw the fire. In the blink of an eye he slid through the hole and rolled onto the ground below. He shook off the dirt and ran with Red. “Friggin’ morons!” Prodd yelled back at the discordians.
The dog rolled his eyes and started to dart off in the same direction as the two of them.
“Goddamnit why don’t we ever go somewhere nice for once?!” Prodd whined. “How about we hit a tropical goddamn island paradise or something!” He looked over his shoulder at the town. “Where the locals won’t try to kill us!”
“Just calm down, we should just keep heading to bloody Taloncanyon” The dog kept following. “HEY I was just fine until you alerted everyone.”
“Oh I’m so sorry! It’s not like those discordian’s were actually threats or something!”
“Yeah, and I didn’t mean to slice off my little finger but that doesn’t mean it didn’t hurt.”
“Just shut up, and let’s get out.”
“Fine dear!” Prodd retorted. He checked over his shoulder, nothing was chasing them.
The wall was just up ahead, and seeing how it was hardly in tact a hole was probably nearby. Red started to fly hoping she could just go over it.
The dog took note, and tried to climb over it, using his kama like an ice pick. He wasn’t in the mood to look around.
Prodd focused and channeled all the emotions in the past few hours; intense fear, worry, anger... envy. He shut his eye and teleported to the other side of the wall in a bright blue light.
The dog got over and fell to the ground on the other side. “We aren’t out yet, lets keep moving.”
Red nodded. “Let’s get over to that rotting forest over yonder.”
“Did I just teleport?” Prodd shouted. He quickly composed himself and ran into the dead woods.
The other two followed behind him like before. “Wait, you couldn’t do that before?” Red was confused...
“...Nope...” Prodd mumbled. He stayed close to Red.
“Cool then...” They were right at the edge of the forest now. “here we are!”
“So... now what?” Prodd asked.
“hide probably then go our separate ways.” Red kept moving deeper into the woods.
“Sound about right.” the dog nodded and kept following her.
Prodd rolled his eye and ran after the two.
Post by: Iceblaster on June 06, 2013, 10:59:18 pm
Sweet Potato knocked on the door that led into the jail. It was answered by Fleeting Quiver. He looked rather annoyed. “Look, I ha- Oh Family? Sorry, fine 10 minutes. If you take any longer I will throw you out.”
Sweet Potato nodded and called over to Mist, who was playing in the flowers nearby, and she quickly ran in. The door shut quietly as Fleeting returned to the desk and began writing on a paper. Lightning was asleep, of course that was all he could do as he had almost nothing to do, and due to this never heard the door. “Honey~” Sweetie said in a soothing, loving tone
“Daddy! Daddy! Wake up!” Mist jumped up and down, making quite a bit of noise.
“Huh?...Oh Hey” Lightning said, blinking his eyes a few times before standing up. “How have you been... I’ve been... Good. Trial is on in a few days... also I’m not up for murder anymore...” He smiled
“Really? That’s great, did they find the one who did it?” Sweetie asked smiling, the first time since Lightning was locked up
“...Yes...” He replied. He sat down, about eye level with Mist. “How has my girl been? Has mommy been good for you?” He asked cheerfully
“Yes! I even got to hear the story about you fighting a bunch of mean discordants off!” She said, blissfully unaware that it was made up. Lightning chuckled at the thought that Sweet Potato would make up a story about any deeds he did before now
“Really? That’s awesome! Anything else happen?”
“Other than having to read a stupid book about some stupid... fish and this old pony” Mist answered, rolling her eyes
“Whale honey” Sweetie added “It’s an interesting book... and it’s a helpful way to get you more literate”
“I don’t wanna be literate, its boring” Mist complained, stomping her hoof
“Girls, come on don’t argue” Lightning said, a slight chuckle escaping his lips
“Five minutes!” Quiver said, looking up from his paperwork.
Sweetie sighed. “Yeah... Would it be too much trouble if you let Lightning... I don’t know out?”
“Fine. if anything happens though, you two are being sent out immediatly” Quiver said. He grabbed a key from under the desk. The drawer squeaked as it opened, the jingling of a bottle and keys hitting together was heard as he grabbed the key in his mouth. Click. “There, now you three can... do whatever just don’t do anything that is illegal” He went back to his paperwork.
Mist jumped up and down once more. “Yay!” Lightning smiled. Her innocence to many of the things that happened brought happiness to him.
“Now. We only have five minutes. Mist didn’t you make something for Daddy?” Sweet Potato nudged the foal forward
“Oh Right!...Here you go Daddy” She pulled a small box out of Sweet Potato’s farming saddlebags.
“Hm?” He took it in his wing and set it on the ground “What could this be...” the pegasus took the top off and set it neatly beside it. There was a small sculpture made of stone. It showed a pegasus in a powerful looking pose. “This is great? Did you make it by yourself?”
“Nooo... I had help from Mrs. Smoothblock” Mist smiled as Lightning put it in his cell “I hope you like it Daddy”
“I do honey... it’s the best thing I’ve ever had... Thank you” He hugged his child. The embrace lasted a few minutes before being interrupted by Quiver
“10 minutes is up, get out” He said bluntly, not caring for the scene in progress
“Fine...Just let us say our goodbyes and we will be off” Sweet Potato said. “Go on Mist, say goodbye to Daddy before we have to go”
Mist frowned. “I don’t wanna leave.” She stomped her hooves on the ground
“Mist, please just listen to Mr. Fleeting Quiver” Lightning asked, hoping to calm the filly down enough to obey her mother
“Fine... Bye...Daddy I hope I get to see you again” She hugged Lightning’s leg and Lightning swore he saw tears in her eyes. If this was making her this sad...
“Mist... Tell you what... when they let me out for lunch tomorrow, I’ll play a game with you... if that’s okay with you Quiver” Lightning said, looking over to Fleeting Quiver
“Fine Fine, just get out so I can get to bed” He said, not caring much for what Lightning said
Mist bounced up and down “Yay!”
Sweet Potato giggled at this and corralled Mist out the door. “Bye honey... I’m sorry we couldn’t stay longer” She blew kiss to him.
Quiver looked at Lighting “Get in the cell now Runner... and that Sculpture... Screw it you can keep it, doesn’t look bad”
Lightning nodded and picked it up in his mouth and set it in his cell. “Thanks Quiver”
Post by: Relus on June 07, 2013, 01:46:53 am
Vambrace was searching in his bag for something to read.
He had nothing to do to pass the time, but read.
Inside the bag were weapon cases, and other books, but Vambrace could not find a book he had not read yet.
He moved books in his bag, and saw a familiar item.
“Remember that amulet, Vambrace? Remember it?”
“I refuse to think of it.”
“Why turn away power?”
“For that power, i need to murder.”
“Is there a problem with that?”
“There are many things wrong with you.”
“And many things wrong with you. You desire power, and much of it.”
“Power I will use to defeat those who attack us.”
“And, that power will corrupt you once again. Want to deal with another me?”
“Back then, I was foolish with my magic. I can control myself now.”
“That is what they all say. “
Vambrace grabbed the amulet, and realised it was nearly burned out of power.
Repowering the amulet was a dark task, something Vambrace wanted to put behind him.
“Want to refuel it?”
“No. I will not murder any ponies.”
“You want the power from that, and desire no negative effects on yourself? Keep dreaming.”
“I could kill Discordants to fuel it.”
“Why not ponies? They deserve to be killed.”
Vambrace placed the amulet on his neck, and felt powerful, stronger than ever.
But, there was a side effect…..
Post by: L1wW on June 09, 2013, 11:37:34 pm
Two days. Two goddamned days spent hiding in the woods. It has been almost an entire week and they haven’t even reached the halfway point yet. Prodd found himself much more agitated and he was extremely distant towards Red. He’s refused to sleep the entire journey. He kept to himself nested in a sturdy enough tree, messing with his bear trap.
Red was getting sick of this. Prodd just kept being a jerk all the time, and no matter what, she couldn’t drop her guard. She just sat there on the opposite side of the tree. She had been having nightmares this entire trip, and to her surprise, it seemed Prodd had even stopped waking her... and they were only getting worse. “Ugh....”
Kusarigama was up in one of the trees, keeping lookout. The diamond dog had mostly kept to himself the past couple days, but hadn’t left the two yet. He figured it was for the best if he kept with them, just in case the discordants hadn’t dropped their search. “Prodd, ya mind if ya tell me how you make those bear traps lob off limbs?”
“Sure...” Prodd explained. “One easy trick is to tighten the spring mechanism, the other is to turn the teeth into a smoother blade... like an axe or something...” He looked at the trap he was fiddling with. “However... this one’s kept with it’s teeth... it could make a decent melee weapon.” He closed the trap and stowed it away. Prodd heard Red say something. He ignored it.
“Hmmm... I like it. Looks like it could really kill somethin’.” The dog jumped down and pulled out a Bronze kunai, only the blade’s were barbed. “You think you could find a way to poison the blades or something along those lines? or get it barbed?” he started to carve into the tree a little, mainly for the sake of killing time.
“Poisoning wouldn’t be too hard... unless you don’t have poisons...” Prodd replied. “Barbing? It defeats the purpose if you try to maim someone with the trap... plus it’d be harder to line up the teeth to fit like a puzzle...” He thought about the different traps he made when he was younger, what he used today were his best works.
“Whatever. I just find barbing something and dippin’ it in poison makes makes something like let’s say... this blade.” He pointed to the kunai, “About as deadly as possible. I don’t know a single person who can tug one of these out their leg before the poison get’s in their system.”
“Man... you two must be having one hell of a conversation over their. Might I ask why the art of killing is such an interesting topic to you? I swear, can’t we just be civilized for a change...”
“Yeah I know what you mean, I just prefer keeping my kills clean as possible... specially when someone wanted meat on the table...” Prodd muttered. He ignored Red and pulled out a bolt. “See the head? Designed to pierce through armor, and it’s lightweight too, so it flies farther. What it lacks in brutality it makes up for in accuracy, precision, and finesse...”
“I see nothing wrong with brutality. Just get the job done as quickly and as quietly as possible.” He then looked over the bolt. “Also, nothing has the same finesse as one of these.” He pulled out what looked to be a blade from a pizza cutter. “You see, nothing is more fun that turning some random piece of metal into a throwing weapon.” He took the blade and threw it off at a tree a few meters away, getting a few inches of the blade stuck into the tree. “Quick and quiet.”
Prodd shrugs. “Never liked throwing things...” He acknowledged Red’s existence. “How do you feel about this Red?”
“I don’t know. How do you feel about putting those discordants on high alert?”
“OWwww... burn...” The dog grinned a little. “What’s your rebuttal?”
“I’d go with: maybe next time I’ll let them jump you...” Prodd responded with an apathetic tone.
“Buck off.” Red was clearly getting pissed with him.
“Oh, now that’s original.” Watching a trainwreck unfold sure was fun.”To be honest, ya did kinda force me out of a day looting.”
“Red you’re more pissy and stubborn than usually...is it that time of the month?” Prodd inquired.
“Awkward..................” Kusarigama chuckled a little.
“Whoa, someone’s being classy for once.” She got up and moved to his side of three. She was clearly pissed. “And can you stop being an obnoxious little twat?”
“Not really... no.”
“Yeah so far I like the dog more than you. He doesn’t nag my ears off or gets nightmares every goddamn night.” Prodd stated. He couldn’t care less about their relationship, she dragged him into this hell.
“...” She slapped him right across the face. “Worthless trash, at least my parents didn’t drop me off on the streets to rot. I’m sure poverty is more of a hell then this bloody mess that you made you piece of street garbage.” She had been pinning up all of her anger for a while now... time to let it all out.
Prodd shook off the blow. “Huh, that’s funny, I thought he was the dog here!” Prodd gestured to Kusarigama.
“I’m actually more closely related to a wolf, but yeah.” He started to play around with his weapon, “Ya know, it’s probably best if you two calm down... but feel free to keep yelling, this is really entertaining.”
Red just tried to ignore the freakin dog. “Buck you man, I thought you were actually nice. What happened?”
“The hell happened with you? Goddamn rode Flamberge’s shaft right into this shithole!” Prodd yelled back. “And for what? Some dead dumbass gryphon?!” He calmed himself down. He looked at her and gritted his teeth. “And Red... my parents never abandoned me to the streets... they were killed... if you ever cared to ask...”
“WELL THEN. Sorry for not picking at you like a Buzzard.” Red’s voice was livid with sarcasm. “If I did you’d probably put a bolt in my face just for walking up and saying hi.”
“You slapped me across the face, I have a perfectly good bear trap right here.” Prodd tossed his trap aside. “When in the hell have I. Ever. Goddamn. HURT YOU?!”
“It’s only a matter of time you sadistic psychopathic cyclops!”
“Yeah screw yourself with that spear of yours!” Prodd yelled. “Or better yet mount that dog you love so goddamn much!”
“Odd, the only dog I know is you, and you’re so unlovable your own parents gave you up.”
“MY PARENTS WERE KILLED YOU STUPID BITCH!!!” Prodd screamed at her. He raised a hoof but stopped himself from striking her.
“AHHHH. That’s right big boy, back the fuck down.” She grinned a little before laughing out at him. “Hell you’d probably miss. It’s hard to actually hit something when you’ve only got one eye.”
Prodd was silent. He gritted his teeth and stayed his hooves from smacking Red across the face.
“Heh.... pathetic.”
“Really? Pathetic stallions don’t hit mares?” He calmed himself, he wouldn’t want to explain how Red was turned into a red puddle to Temperance. “Your father must have been a great stallion, I’m surprised he didn’t give you any lasting damage... or did he?” Prodd spat.
“Nah, he was a well rounded jackass, just like you.” She smiled a little. She could care less what he said about her dad. She surely didn’t give a buck about him.
Prodd rolled his eye. “Coming from the royal bitch herself, why don’t you go crawling back to your shitty county? However... I find it hard to believe anyone missed you.”
“My homeland is about as nice as could be when put in comparison with this spec of dirt in the middle of nowhere. I swear, it’s almost always sunny. I don’t think I’ve seen it snow once. It never get’s below sixty. Your government tries to convince you all that you actually matter. It’s not like the mayor does anything once he’s elected. I mean, wouldn’t you all catch on after so long? You're all slaves, and just don't realize it. The king gives you the right to elect a worthless office and you all assume you matter. It’s funny. You might as well be working the fields of your landlord like a good little serf, you already pay like twenty percent in taxes. Might as well make the transition complete.”
“Yeah I bet you hate being in broad daylight you ugly, politically incorrect bitch. I don’t know what I saw in you, I bet alcohol had something to do with it...” Prodd sneered.
“Oh yeah, everyone in this rat hole is addicted to booze and can hardly walk straight half the time.”
“I’ve been walking just fine, and I was going to quit if we ever had a foal. Though I believe you’re mentally and physically incapable of starting a family.”
“Foal’s are just annoying. Their like ponies who don’t know anything, it’s irritating.”
“I hope you die alone, you heartless bitch.” Prodd said clearly, calmly, and slowly; just to make sure she understood it.
“Well, alone is better than with you.”
“The same can be said about you.”
“Buck you, cunt.”
“Really, that’s the best you got?” Prodd took a breath. “I’ll tell you though, I’m pretty stupid for loving you, heartless bitch...”
“You're the heartless one, you apathetic little shit.”
“Apathetic? Yeah I am, because I don’t see the point of a tommorrow anymore... especially with you.”
“OH why’s that? life too hard for lil’ Proddy. Does Prodd need his mommy?”
“My mother is dead! HOW HARD IS IT TO GODDAMN UNDERSTAND?!” Prodd went right back to his rage. A few rocks levitated around him with a bright blue glow, he didn’t seem to notice.
The dog just sat back now. Somehow this got a lot less fun to watch... “Aye... I’m gonna go ahead on my own and let you two kill each other...” He jumped down from the tree and started to walk off.
“Calm your prissy ass down.”
“SHUT THE HELL UP!!!” Prodd was seething with rage as the floating rocks grew in quantity.
“I SAID. ‘CALM YOUR PRISSY ASS DOWN’ THAT’S A BUCKING ORDER.”
“I SAID SHUT THE HELL UP, YOU LESSER BORN FILTH!!!” Prodd’s voice had a hollow tone echoing behind his voice. His eye glowed a fierce blue and there was even some light smothered by his eyepatch. Ten of the rocks instantaneously flew right at Red, more were ready to be thrown.
“You call me lesser yet I’ve killed enough of your pathetic kind to make armor out of their horns.” She pulled the visor on her helm down and took out her spear. “I’ve killed your kinsmen, I’ve killed earth ponies, and I’ve killed pegasi. Don’t be a retard and assume just because you make rocks iridescent I can’t just as easily put a spear through your neck for insubordination and be on my way.”
“THEN GODDAMN DO IT YOU BITCH!!!” Prodd screamed at her.
She pointed her spear right at his face, before stepping forward, and...
Stepping right on a set bear trap. The device closed upon her front leg, the teeth pierced her skin and armor halfway at her leg. The trap was designed to cause nothing but pain and agony, she could still walk... once she could bear it.
She yelled out in pain, her leg’s armor starting to cover in blood. She held still there for a few moments trying to just think of something to do in order to make it stop hurting so bucking bad, before falling to the ground still screaming out.
“Yeah I bet I’m the first one to use a bear trap.” Prodd said coldly. His stance was cruel and his eye retained that ghostly blue glow. “So how does it feel? Heartless bitch...” He disarmed her using magic. The rocks served their purpose as a distraction and hit the ground.
She was just laying on her side, panting. She was starting to get a wee bit dizzy. She was bleeding a lot. “I’ll.... *pant* Bucking....” She tried to stand up again, before buckling under her own weight. “Damnit....” She flapped her wings a few times, not even getting an inch off the ground.
Prodd grinned, his eye still glowing. He toyed with the bear trap on Red’s leg, opening it slightly then reclosing it in an instant. “Does that hurt bitch? How about that? Or that?”
Prodd could hear the sound of the trap’s teeth grinding against bone. She didn’t answer and just made a soft whimper. She was only growing more dizzy as time went by, and it hurt to much to even try to move. “Demon...”
Prodd knelt down at her. “This is all your fault you know, you dragged me into this hell. You chose to do this!”
She just looked down, trying to avoid his stare. She was trying her best not to just break down and start crying. She wouldn’t give him that pleasure. He was right though, it was her fault for trusting him.
“This could have never happened... but you brought this upon yourself...” Prodd continued to speak in a hollow tone. His eye still glowed blue, but now with a hint of red.
“What... happened...” She whimpered a little. “to you....”
“What happened, was that you dragged me into this HELL!!!” Prodd shouted, his eye glowed more red. He no longer controlled the bear trap.
“sorry...”
Prodd’s eye glow dimmed. When the glow faded, Prodd was wide-eyed and in shock. He quickly pulled out a first aid kit and got the bear trap off. He said nothing.
She closed her eyes and just laid there, not moving a single muscle. She finally gave into the pain and blood loss. She was still alive though, but if he didn’t stop the bleeding that wouldn’t be the case much longer.
Prodd focused and used his magic to cauterize the wound, the bleeding should stop. He used all of what medical supplies he brought on her leg. He still said nothing. Prodd instinctively pocketed the bloody bear trap.
She just didn’t move the entire time, and just laid there as he worked.
Prodd put the last of the bandages around Red’s leg. He hoped that was enough. He dropped all his food and water next to Red along with the map and compass and ran away from the spot as fast as he could, tears formed in his eyes.
Post by: L1wW on June 10, 2013, 12:11:45 am
Prodd kept running through the dead forest until he reached a secluded spot. The sound of Red’s screams ran through his head. Why didn’t the dog stop him? Why didn’t he stop? Why did he do that? Many more questions ran through his head, he had no answers for them. Prodd felt sick, he must have been possessed by something, his lack of control over his emotions must have led to his lack of control over his magic… and actions. Sorry was the last thing Red said to him, even though it was all his fault. What the hell did he do? As tears continued to flow, Prodd removed his eye patch. He continued to think about what transpired, his sobbing was heard faintly in the quiet of the dead forest.
Prodd kept to his thoughts for awhile. He felt like a monster, he was a monster. Demon… Red called him. Why didn’t he stop hurting her? Why didn’t he stop? He couldn’t control his emotions... Red suffered because of it. He couldn’t walk back to Duskfields, he wasn’t fit to even look in their general direction. Why did Red have to get hurt? How were words enough to set him off? He ignored the hellish landscape and the fact that he hadn’t slept in almost a week. He should have been able to control his emotions…
He said Red was unfit to have a family. At this moment, he felt he shouldn’t even be put near another sentient being. He’s killed things before, but did he have the right to? All those discordians back there, none of them truly deserved to die, did they? He could have incapacitated them… he didn’t have to kill them.
But Red... he threw what he had with her away just moments ago. He hurt her, not just emotionally but physically. He vomited what little food he ate on this shitty journey. Why did he have to be a unicorn? Why did he always have to keep his emotions at bay in case he ever flew off the handle and hurt somepony he loved?
He took out the bloody bear trap. Prodd thought about the trap, cursing everything about it. He started to cut his foreleg with some of the teeth. He was numb to the pain and didn’t feel it dig deeper and deeper into his skin. He brought a few teeth a few inches into his leg and with his magic pulled the trap down the rest of his limb, shredding the skin. His foreleg was crying red tears. If he could have bared all of Red’s pain, he would have taken it in a heartbeat. The tears stopped flowing as he bled more from his leg.
Prodd dropped the trap and pulled out his crossbow. A bright light shown from his bloody leg, he hated that blue light more than anything else. He looked down and saw the blood stop tricking down his leg, his magic keeping him from bleeding out. This wasn’t the first time his magic stopped him from dying of blood loss…
He looked at his crossbow, examining all the old cracks and splinters in the weapon. He’s used this crossbow enough to last a lifetime.
Maybe one more shot wasn’t out of the question…
Prodd thought about one final question. Was he really fit to walk this world... or was he meant to die alongside his parents? He cradled his father’s crossbow and pressed it against his chin. He thought for a few more moments and spoke quietly to himself, stuttering, trying to force the words out. “I-I... d-d...” He paused and took a deep breath. “I don’t deserve salvation... I don’t deserve happiness… I don’t deserve life…” He pulled the trigger, the loudest sound resonated from the weapon. The twang of the string was heard for miles. Prodd had both his eyes shut, he awaited death. The next sound was him hitting the ground in a crumpled heap.
Post by: DVNO on June 10, 2013, 03:10:51 am
“Maxwell Yellowfeather, Lighting has just confessed that you’re the one who told him to take my bolts from me and give it to you. by the laws of the Meandering Gloss, you are now under arrest for murder, Sabotage and thievery. Come quietly or I’ll have to use force.” The small, pregnant and very undangerous-looking captain of the guards mare threatened.
Flamberge stands nearby, watching. He was ready to leap to Crosshair's defence should things turn violent, but was otherwise happy to let the guard do their job.
Max smiles. “Oh? And so how hard did you twist the hoof screws to to get Lightning to say what you want to hear like that?”
“You have the rights to remain silent, everything you said will be used against you in court. If you refuse to come then I will add a resist arrest charge aswell.” Continued the mare, ignoring Max’s questions.
Max rolls his eyes. “This is ridiculous.”
Crosshair takes out a pair of shackles to try and cuff the griffin without further words. Knowing that saying anymore won’t do any good.
Max looked away dismissively. Almost uninterested. “Sure. Fine. I’ have nothing to hide.” He puts his hands out. And was effectively cuffed by a much smaller pony. It looked kind of funny, really.
Flamberge is surprised to see Max go peacefully and moves to follow him as Crosshair leads the prisoner out.
“So, what’s the plan, Flamberge, interrogate me, lock me up, throw away the key?” Max asked in almost a banal, bored manner.
Flamberge responds blandly, "That isn't up to me. The Captain of the Guard and the Lady Mayor will decide your fate."
Max cocks a brow. “Not even going to admit you w’ere even hoping to see me in cuffs at the end of this month? Are you not’ even going to make this honest? For a single second?”
Flamberge decides to keep the bird talking, maybe he'd slip up and say too much, "And why would I have wanted that?"
“Simple, you’ve wanted me gone since my hospital stay. I think you said, and I quote, “One more slip up and i’ll run you through bird.’ Let me guess. You can’t find the killer. But you’re never one to pass up mak’in lemonade out of a situation. So you’re cuffing me.”
Flamberge moves to face the griffin and says loudly, and plainly, "Lightning Runner has gone on record that he stole the murder weapon to give to you, before the death of Sergi. For that reason, and that reason only you are being taken in for questioning. Crosshair, get him out of here."
The small mare nods and tugged Max along to follow her, holding the chain with her mouth. It was almost silly to look at and is obvious in every way that he could’ve just easily fly away and there’s not a thing the pregnant mare can do to stop something that’s nearly three times her size.
Max goes along without a hesitation.
Several minutes later, Max was sitting in a prison cell, next to Lightning Runner’s. Flamberge was sitting at Crosshair’s desk, leaning back, his rear hooves propped up on the table, while the mare in question stood near the bars looking at the prisoner.
Max leers from left to right as he taps in the interrogation table with his claw rhythmically.
Crosshair entered his cell with other guards waiting outside to make sure that the bird doesn’t do anything funny. “So! Max. I’m going to cut to the chase and ask you now, what do you know about the Murder?”
“I know I had nothing to do with it. I know I have no probable cause. Killing one of my own? what are you? Dense?” Max says, taking a long look at his handcuffed claws.
“Alright, then tell me. Why did you have Lightning Runner steal weapons for you? Weapons such as my personal bolts, to be precise. The ones that we found on the dead griffin.” Crosshair pressed on.
“I think the proper question is why would I have asked Lightning Runner to steal weapons for me?” He asks in a rhetorical tone. “What’s my motive? What would I have to gain from all the theft, detective?”
“Well.” Crosshair begin “I’m not sure if you have any ulterior motives or not, but the obvious reason would be because Flamberge killed your lover. Whom from what I understand, been with you for many, Many years. So it’s no doubt you’d love some revenge. And of course, what other way would be better than framing Flamberge’s mare, get her dishonorably discharged, hoping that he’ll get the flak of it as well and suffer a strain in his record for the rest of his life? Perhaps you even plan to kill me a swell in the end to get even with him.”
Max’s feathers flare. He leans in. “Little mare, if you think you’ even amount to an infinitesimal little pawn ta’ either Flamberge or I, you are more naive than a could have even thought possible.” Max leans back. “Yeah. It’s true. The revenge part. I do. And I try to get it. By defending Lighting and his wife from you, I get a little revenge. By holding rallies and shining a light up to this whole farce, I get a little revenge. By staying calm, in these cuffs and proving how desperate you two really are at covering the tracks of who really murdered Sergi, I get a little revenge as well.”
Flamberge rolls his eyes from the desk, at the absurd notion that they would have any reason to murder the soldier.
“Protecting Lightning Runner by turning him into a thief which ends up getting him shot and locked up behind bars.” Crosshair snorted “I’ll be sure to never ask for your help, then. But do tell me, if you weren’t involved in this, then why would Lightning Runner say that you are?”
Max massages the brook of his beak. “Since, when have ponies who babble in their sleep and teleport corpses into their cells become reliable, dependable sources, Crosshair?”
“Oh I’m certain that Lighting Runner have no way of teleporting corpses into his cell. And you’d be surprised how desperation can make a pony very truthful about something.” Crosshair pressed on. Not giving up.
“Desperation can also make a pony lie through their teeth and say anything to lighten their prison bail and ditch town.” Max interjects. “So I had the bolts in the end is what you’re getting at?”
“Where were you when the murder took place?” Asked Crosshair.
“What day in particular was tha’, exactly? Refresh my memory.” Max asked curtly.”It was so ordinary I can’t even remember. I was flying around, checking the roofing on the apartments. I remember a faint shattering of glass, but paid no mind. It was probably something innocent. Turns out it wasn’t, I later found out.”
“On 26th Malachite, 272 At five before noon. It’s understandable that you can’t remember all of it, but did anyone else see you that day to vouch for you that you were somewhere else when the murder happened?”
“Redhat, Prodd, and Temperance.” Max answered, an ace up his sleeve. “Redhat, who was flying over the apartments as well, watched for Intruders, he saw me, he can vouch.” Max glances at the two. “As you both can easily verify, as you set the flight schedules yourselves. Redhat can prove I was nowhere near the crime scene. Twenty minutes before the crime? I was helping Prodd. Twenty minutes after I was calmly reading a law book in Temperance’s office. Honestly, I challenge you to find somth’in sinister about me.”
Flamberge stands up, "Twenty minutes before and after means nothing. The town is small enough you could get from any one place to any other in that time. Crosshair will, I’m sure, be asking Redhat about seeing you, when he returns, and we'll certainly mention this to Temperance, but don't think you are anywhere near off the hook."
Max chuckles. “It won’t do you no good Flamberge, you know that.”
Flamberge glares at the murdering bird, trying to figure out what he had planned, but has no words to add.
“Lock me up? Temperance or Convalescence will set me right back out when the griffon caravan form Canyontalon arrives. Amnesty laws. Look them up.”
Flamberge look at Max for several seconds before saying, “Do you know what the Griffion’s do to traitors? It isn’t pretty, and you, a griffion yourself, murdered one of your own.”
Max lays back cooly. “I’m not talking to another pony other than Convalescence this point forward, Berge. Good luck collecting a’ actual physical shred of evidence to give Canyontalon in the midterm. Carpe diem. Better yet, have fun convincing the griffon ambassadors their alliance with you isn’t shaky to undependable now at best.”Max cocks his falcon head wryly. “Perhaps father was right afterall, Flamberge. Just- Just couldn't cut it, could you?”
As Max says that, Flamberge loses his cool completely, he roars with rage and flies forward slamming a forehoof through the bars at the birds beak, only to immediately be pulled back and away by Crosshair and the other guards.
Max takes the horseshoe to the beak with a grunt. He rubs his chipped, bleeding beak with almost a pride. “See? The lunatics are running the asylum. All it takes is the right push.” His chuckle was deep and low; the cruel laugh resonating down the cobblestone dungeon.
Flamberge huffs, and struggles, then when Crosshair moves in front of him, he realizes where he is and what he just did, he stops resisting and says "Let me go." He then pulls free from the guards, as they let him go and then storms toward the door, he stops and gives Max one last look, one of intense and deep hatred before leaving the cell block slamming the door behind him.
Post by: L1wW on June 12, 2013, 10:50:51 pm
Prodd opened his eyes to see nothing but an infinite void covered in darkness. He felt a warm, somewhat thick liquid make contact with his skin. He used his magic to make a light. The liquid was oil; wherever he was, it rained oil. He looked up and couldn’t make out any clouds.
Prodd noticed something though, his right eye worked. He could see out of it again, but there wasn’t much to see. He didn’t feel like calling out, and he just sat there, listening to the pitter-patter of oil drops hitting whatever the floor was. As he listened, he heard something faint: Red’s screaming. The unicorn got up immediately and ran towards the source.
After a few seconds though, he slipped on a puddle and landed on his ass. Red’s screaming turned to laughter. Prodd took a breath and calmed himself down. He tried to stand again, but fell back down the moment he got himself up onto four legs. He stopped trying to get up and laid there as Red’s laughing intensified. “Shut up…” He croaked out. His throat was dry, and he found himself hungry as well. He couldn’t fix either of those problems so he ignored them.
Prodd looked up to see a faint, orange light in front of a pegasus. Upon closer examination, it was Red… but… Prodd gasped. One of her front legs was mangled beyond belief, the skin shredded to the hoof and dangling by a few ligaments. There was a deep bloody hole in her chest, where her heart would have been located. And her eyes… her eyes were torn out of their sockets; tears of blood streaked her face. She grinned from ear to ear; her teeth were chipped, broken, and jagged.
The light she held was a lit match, and that soon plummeted to the ground. The oil around him burst into flames, he was in the center of a flaming pentagram. He tried to get up out of the flammable puddle before he got set alight as well, but he suddenly found Red’s spear impaling him in his abdomen. The spear pierced through his body and lodged itself on the ground he laid on. He wasn’t getting up any time soon, good thing too; a trail of fire was approaching him.
The flames licked at Prodd, he recalled Red waking up cold as ice. Guess he’d wake up burning. He felt the heat of the fire, but he didn’t feel himself getting burned or injured from it. Prodd closed his eyes again and laid there. He tried to wake up, but he soon realized the last time he was conscious he tried to put a bolt in his head. Waking up wouldn’t be an option.
Prodd suddenly heard all of Red’s whimpering, screaming, and crying coupled with the sounds of a bear trap being set off repeatedly. He vomited from disgust, however no regurgitated meals came up; just blood. He kept his eyes shut and stayed still; however the pain was starting to manifest itself. Prodd croaked out in agony, he was literally on fire and there was a spear lodged firmly in his lower body. He opened his eyes again, the fire proved to be a good light source; Red was gone and he could make out gears above him. Without warning, two spikes railed down from the ceiling and stabbed his hind legs; pinning him further into the ground. He felt like a creature being dissected on a table. He looked to see two large bear traps come down on either side of his forelegs. The traps pressed in and clamped down deep on his legs, the teeth moved on their own and grinded against his bones. Prodd screamed in response.
A shadow cast over Prodd, he saw Red grinning viciously at him. “R-Red…” He coughed. “…s-sorry.” Red laughed maniacally at him. “That’s funny! I said the same thing!” A bear trap met his face. “You didn’t stop!” The teeth embedded themselves along his chin, jaw, and ears. “You made it worse!” Red pulled the trap up, the skin on Prodd’s face was ripped away with it. “You could have stopped!” Red tossed the bear trap with torn skin stuck in it's teeth away and pulled out a set of tongs. “But you didn’t!” Prodd’s right eye was pulled slowly out of his skull. He screamed as loud as he could. “Aww poor Proddy… let me cauterize it!” Flames engulfed his face; he continued screaming out in pain. Prodd knew deep in his heart that he deserved all of this.
Prodd’s remaining eye opened; the flames, gears, and psychotic Red were gone. The pain was still there and he felt his eye socket was empty. He was in the middle of Duskfields, the sky was pitch-black. He made his way to the well, hoping to drink something to take the dryness out of his throat. There was no water in it, only lava. He heard hoof steps behind him.
Mist appeared before him, she reached out to hug him. Suddenly Sweet Potato pulled her back and Lightning pointed a loaded crossbow at him. “Mist, never approach monsters , never ever!” Sweet Potato scolded her daughter. Lightning kept the crossbow pointed at Prodd. “What are you doing here in Duskfields, monster?” Prodd stared in shock. His wounds must have carried over from his last vision. “L-Lightning! It’s me! Prodd!” He hoped Lightning would put the weapon down. “I know who you are, monster” Prodd cringed at the word monster, he knew what he did.
“Lightning! Please-” He was interrupted by a bolt piercing his chest. Prodd screamed out in pain. The family went back inside while he bled at the well. Prodd was bleeding heavily, a pool of blood formed beneath his hooves. He took a step after his friend but slipped and fell down the well. He met the lava in it, burning his body to the core of his being. He shut his eyes.
When he reopened his eyes, he found himself on top of the tower as a foal. He cursed to himself; he was at the orphanage again. He looked down, where he once tried to kill himself when the full impact of his parents getting butchered by bandits hit him. His younger self jumped head first, before he fell one of the six stories, he teleported onto a bed in one of the rooms. His magic prevented his suicide; it wouldn’t be the last time.
Prodd jolted awake. The only wound he had was the cut down his leg, he didn’t have any burns and his face was intact. His right eye was there, but it still didn’t work. He examined his surroundings. There was a bloody bear trap tossed to the ground and his crossbow was to his left. The wooden crossbow he used since he could hold it was broken; it was his father's too. The bolt fired from it was stopped a few inches past the front of the weapon and was stuck there; the string tore through the wood and further damaged the weapon. His horn must have grabbed the bolt before it made contact with his chin, and must have jammed the weapon in the process. Thoughts flooded back into his mind.
Where was Red? He ruined anything he had with her… but maybe he could still redeem himself… at least in his eye.
Prodd got up, his weapons were unusable. All he had on him was some leather armor, a dinged up copper breastplate, and his cloak. He could sneak into the town they had ran away from, loot a few corpses to supply himself, and then help Red in any way he could. Prodd smiled at the prospect of redeeming himself…
The hunt begins.
Post by: KingStrongbeard on June 12, 2013, 11:52:35 pm
After leaving the prison, Flamberge takes a few minutes to calm himself, before heading to Temperance’s office. He arrives and knocks on the door in his usual manner, saying, “Temperance, we have somethings to discuss.”
There could have been only one pony who knocked so loudly. Temperance considers for a moment if he should pretend to not be in, since this couldn’t possibly end well. He sighs and pushes that hypothetical aside. “Coming.” He opens the door and moves to let Flamberge in. “How can I help you?”
"You may have been made aware already, but Captain Crosshair, just arrested Maxwell Yellowfeather, for the murder of Private Sergi," says Flamberge, moving in and taking the seat across from Temperance's desk.
Temperance’s eyes go wide as he stops in his tracks. He turns to face Flamberge and asks, “What? Max? He did this?”
Flamberge nods, “Yes, it seems most likely that he did. Lightning Runner confessed this morning that it was Max who asked him to steal the bolts, and that he delivered said murder weapons, to Max before the event. And I am inclined to believe he is telling the truth.”
Temperance remembers he was on his way to his seat, and finally takes it. “But... but, why? Why would Max do that? What would he gain from killing another griffon?” He thinks for a second, then cocks his head at Flamberge. “The bolts? It was Crosshair’s bolt?”
Flamberge nods once more, "Yes, I believe he was trying to frame Crosshair for this, to get to me, because of what happened with the dragon. So, we have a motive, and Lightning Runner's testimony. The best defense he could offer was that he with Prodd, twenty minutes before the murder, in your office with you twenty minutes after, and that Redhat saw him, around the actual time."
“That defense doesn’t do him much good, unless Redhat can say he was with him at the time. I mean, he’s been in here a lot reading the law books, but I wasn’t here to confirm that. Twenty minutes is a lot of time, too.”
Flamberge continues to make agreeing head movements as Temperance talks then says, “I told him as much, any flying creature could get across town in literal seconds, twenty minutes would be more than enough time if Max was a crippled earthpony and, the murder itself wouldn’t have taken much time at all, unless Redhat can say he saw him when the murder happened, he doesn't have a leg to stand on.”
Temperance nods himself. “You haven’t talked to Redhat then? I guess that should be our next step. He should be trustworthy enough anyway, if he even does confirm Max’s story.”
Flamberge quirks an eyebrow, “You don’t know? Redhat and Prodd are both away. I sent them to Canyontalon a few days ago, they are delivering a letter to Captain Pankov for me, explaining about Private Sergi.”
“Oh... I, uh, didn’t know that. That would explain why I haven’t seen them.” Temperance thinks for a moment. “What are you going to do then? He’s the only one who can testify for Max, if there’s much point, and I assume it’ll be a month at least before he could get back. Probably more. Just hold Max in prison until then?”
“I suppose so. Really, it’s up to Conny at this point. She’s the mayor, she’s the highest authority we have for dealing with citizen criminals, and since you helped Max get citizenship, he’s out of my jurisdiction. He isn’t a foreign threat, he’s domestic. I will give the Lady Mayor my recommendation though. If it were up to me, I’d just hold him until the griffons arrive and give him to them, in chains, to deal with.”
Once again Temperance found himself thankful to have the mare taking up the reins of mayor instead of him. “I can speak with her about it, but that sounds like the best thing to do to me. If nothing else it might help avoid us damaging our relationship with the griffons any worse.” And now, he was less thankful he’d extended citizenship to Max.
Flamberge stands and says, “I think we should go talk with her straight away.”
“Yes, perhaps that’s for the best.” Temperance stands too. “We need to get this settled immediately.”
Post by: Telgin on June 12, 2013, 11:57:43 pm
Temperance's Journal - 15th Sandstone, 272
Well, we got to the bottom of the murder of Private Sergi. In a way I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but I'm still wishing it hadn't turned out to be who it was. There was no good answer of course, but did it have to be Max?
After everything that's happened, it turned out to be him? After I trusted him and let him stay in Duskfields? He was a good guy. Really. Did he have to turn out to be a murderer? Then again, after what happened to him I'm sure he feels like all of us have stabbed him in the back. I still feel awful about what happened to Carnith, but... but...
You know, I guess there's no excuses for any of this. What happened happened. I just don't understand really why he thought to do this. Did he not think Flamberge and Crosshair would be trusted over him? And now, we're holding him and waiting for the griffon caravan to arrive so we can give him to them for whatever they decide is an appropriate punishment. I have no doubt they'll execute him.
Which reminds me that Flamberge sent Redhat to go deliver the news to the griffons, and he took Prodd with him. I'm starting to wish we'd just waited to break the news to them in person when they got here, since even the best of our soldiers would have little hope of making it to Canyontalon alone, but it's out of my hooves.
And what will the griffons say? Will they blame us? What will happen then?
I don't know. I don't know anything anymore. We'll just have to wait and see.
15rd Sandstone, 272
The last two weeks have been pretty boring, at least. Construction continues at a slow pace on the barn, as we once again set toward building a little more room for ponies to sleep.
I took some stock of our, well, stocks, and I see that we've still got lots of raw metals to work with. The soldiers are making do with a lot of bronze armor though, and our ammo stocks for the marksponies are a bit low. I think I'm going to put in an order for some of this tetrahedrite to be put to use in making copper bolts. A bit more steel armor should go a long way with the soldiers too.
I also can't wait until the road is finished between my home and office.
21st Sandstone, 272
It was too quiet, for too long, I suppose.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/230.png)
The parasprites returned again, though in a slightly smaller swarm, if that's any consolation. The soldiers took care of them in pretty short order, as it's kind of become routine at this point. I even got to take a shot at one, and hit it, amazingly.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/231.png)
Plastron managed to break his leg somehow. He tripped on something in the fighting he said. At least it's nothing worse. I've seen what those little monsters can do.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/232.png)
He killed it, it fell on him, and chipped the bone. WTF?
There was no major damage done to any of the buildings, thankfully, but progress on the barn and housing was definitely zero for today. Good thing we don't have any specific timetable for getting them done.
9th Timber, 272
I was starting to think I didn't have to worry about ever hearing the news Smoothblock gave me today. I vividly remember reading Virtue's accounts of the caverns that spanned so far underground beneath Dawnpick. I also vividly remember reading about all of the terrible things that lived down there. We haven't done a lot of mining here in Duskfields, but I was still hopeful that those caverns were localized to Dawnpick.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/233.png)
I was wrong, it turns out. Smoothblock didn't see anything nasty when she took her first looks, but it's probably just a matter of time before something bad happens.
I'm going to work on getting the caverns sealed immediately. I don't want a fire breathing blob of poisonous mud to come flying out and kill anypony.
15th Timber, 272
I got word that the cover for the hole in the caverns is ready. I went to go see to that being installed personally. I read Virtue had many problems with things sneaking by miraculously...
It took a few hours, but the hatch cover is in place, so that should be secure for now. I also saw that we found some marble underground, which is great since it'll let us make some steel out of our iron.
It occurred to me today that the griffons are a bit late. I wonder if it has anything to do with Prodd and Redhat going to deliver the bad news to them?
25th Timber, 272
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/235.png)
I feel nauseous.
Mauvine was all but hysterical when she came to me claiming she couldn't find Saffron a few days ago. She and Bountiful Harvest looked everywhere for her and couldn't find her in Duskfields. They even searched out in the woods, but couldn't find her.
We got all of the soldiers involved to help find her, but after three days if nothing, there was nothing we could do but call the search off. Even if she was outside somewhere safe, she couldn't have survived this long without water.
Deep down, I know what really happened. One of the discordants must have taken her somehow. I just don't know how... how could they have gotten inside like this without anypony seeing?
Morning Dew and I have been keeping an even closer eye on the foals after this. Every parent has.
I just don't know what to do for Mauvine and Bountiful Harvest. I just can't imagine...
I have no idea how it happened. The little filly must have wandered outside without mommy somehow. :(
1st Moonstone, 272
The mood in Duskfields has remained sombre ever since Saffron disappeared. I can't really blame everypony. I haven't felt well since then either, and haven't seen her parents around at all. I really ought to go check up on them at some point.
I was hoping that the day we finished the barn would be a bit happier, but that's not how it worked out. At least it is done, finally.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/236.png)
22nd Moonstone, 272
Continuing on with the construction projects, we've finally gotten to a point where we have time, supplies and skill to start installing perimeter fortifications around the walls.
[/i](https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/237.png)
It's probably going to take three or four months to finish it, but once it's all in place it'll be a good spot for the marksponies to form up and give covering fire to the soldiers when we get attacked again. Flamberge asked for these last year some time, but better late than never I guess.
We also started working on a small warehouse, but I really have to stress that it's small. Good thing we don't produce too much excess here, else we'd have nowhere to store it.
9th Opal, 272
Work on both the warehouse and fortifications continue at a pretty steady pace. That was interrupted by Sweet Potato giving birth to her second foal today: a pegasus filly she and Lightning Runner named Yam.
24th Opal, 272
Well, today has been more strange than anything I'd ever have believed I'd see.
First off, and completely mundane was Nectarine giving birth to her second foal: a unicorn filly she and Pauldron named Cuisse. A cute little filly, and nothing at all wrong there.
What happened next shocked everypony. Galena gave birth today too, but not to a unicorn. Nor a pegasus. Nor an earth pony.
She gave birth to a griffon. I didn't believe it when I heard what happened. I went to go see her and Fleeting Quiver, and sure enough, she was holding the little griffawn in her hooves. Both of them seemed just as spooked and confused as you'd expect, but... Case Study confirmed that she did give birth to it. He was there.
I don't know what to think of this. I'm no foal, and it doesn't take a doctor to know this isn't possible. Griffons and ponies can't breed together, and griffawns hatch from eggs. But it happened. By now I'm pretty sure I haven't completely lost my mind, and I'm not imagining it.
It isn't possible, so that leaves but one explanation. It has to be the dark magic around Duskfields. The magic that drifts so close but never into town. If it can do this, I don't know what to expect next. I heard murmuring among some of the others that they might be leaving. I can't blame them. This has pretty horrifying implications...
Little Pinfeather, as they came to call him, is alright at least. I want the doctors to keep a close eye on him. Maybe nothing more will come of it, but I don't want to be caught off guard...
This is most perplexing. I reset the pop ratio on the griffons to be 0 so that I wouldn't get anymore after I created Max this way. Yet, it happened anyway. I'm guessing that the game treats 0 as 1, which would make the odds of this 1 in 361. I should go up the caste frequencies for the non griffon castes...
2nd Obsidian, 272
Another new life came into the world today when Fruit Smoothie gave birth to another unicorn filly that she and Wood Shaft named Applesauce. I could tell they were visibly relieved that it was a pony and not a zebra or griffon or something more strange. I know I was.
Anyway, we finished the warehouse today, if you can call something so small a warehouse.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/238.png)
There isn't really all that much space to expand it either, but again, so far we haven't needed a lot of miscellaneous storage space. Maybe it'll be enough.
13th Obsidian, 272
We had another discordant attack us from the east today. A single female griffon tried to fly over the wall, no doubt hoping to snatch up another foal, but she ran into Keen Edge.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/239.png)
He mostly makes bolts these days, so I wouldn't have expected him to be particularly adept at shooting with his crossbow, but he did the militia proud by taking a single shot and clipping the griffon's wing. She crashed into the moat, where he shot her a few more times and she drowned.
Good riddance. Now we just have to figure out how to get her body out...
15th Obsidian, 272
I know I've written this somewhere before in here, but I've never been so scared in all of my life.
First, the mundane news: the caravan from Coupledye was spotted down south and headed this way. Great. Fine, we need supplies and have lots of food to send home.
That's not what scares me though. What scares me is what happened to Mountain Dew today.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/240.png)
It has her. Just like it had me, and Flue. She's currently sitting in one of the craftshops whittling away at a piece of wood like the most skilled wood workers I've ever seen, constantly saying, “Okay, mommy.” What is she seeing? What's going to happen to my little filly?
Morning Dew and I are sleeping out here with her tonight, keeping our eyes on her. Nirmek preserve her, but if something does happen... I want to be here to help however I can.
In the back of my mind, I can almost hear something. Like a mare laughing. I don't know what it means. I don't know what anything means anymore.
17th Obsidian, 272
Mountain Dew is still working away at whatever this madness that grips her drives her to make. It's hard to say for sure what it is, but it looks like a bracelet of some sort. Something innocuous at the very least.
Anyway, I couldn't put off meeting with the traders any longer, so I left her briefly with Morning Dew to go tend to them. The trading was very profitable to both sides. We got a lot of wood from them, as well as a lot of steel and drinks. All things we can't ever get enough of. In exchange, we sent tens of thousands of bits worth of food home with them. That ought to go a long way back home in Coupledye.
I didn't stay long though. I immediately went back to be with Mountain Dew to find she was still blissfully cutting something out of a small strip of leather. I worry about what she'll tell me when she snaps out of this.
19th Obsidian, 272
I'm so excited, I can barely contain myself long enough to write this down! Today is the day that made all of the pain, suffering, heartache and hard work I've put in and put up with for these four years worth it in every way. After getting married to Morning Dew and having my three children, today has been the best day of my life.
Convalescence came to me this afternoon after speaking with the liaison, claiming she had some big news. I could tell she was excited about it, but when she told me the truth I nearly fell out of my chair.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/241.png)
She said that the liaison wanted to speak with me about it, and when he came in my heart was nearly beating out of my chest. He said that they had been carefully monitoring everything that has happened out here in Duskfields, including the concerns I sent to them in my last letter. I felt a bit embarrassed about that in hindsight since it felt like I was being a bit childish, but he thanked me for bringing the concerns up.
In light of all of the evidence they had collected, they agreed that I was the best pony to be the leader of Duskfields and to spearhead its future. He gave me the sealed document from the king himself, declaring me baron of Duskfields and its lands.
Finally! Finally, all my hard work has paid off! I showed them I could do it, and now they know I can do the job! Virtue isn't the only one who can run a town!
Oh, but I forgot. Even better than me being granted the title, Mountain Dew snapped out of her trance this afternoon! And she's alright! She ended up making a bracelet of some sort after all, but I was pleased to see that there weren't any ponies or buffaloes or anything else being killed etched into its surface.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/242.png)
She said that she just saw Morning Dew sitting there, telling her what to do. She kept saying that everything was going to be alright, and that no matter what happens she would be alright.
That is a decidedly less horrifying vision than what I saw, but it still worries me a bit. Morning Dew too. Does it mean something? What?
I don't know. But right now, I don't want to think about it. My little filly is alright and happy, I'm a baron, and everything is looking fantastic for the first time in years.
24th Obsidian
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/234.png)
The griffons returned this year, just like they said they would. They were late though, which was a bit odd. The soldiers formed up to go help escort them inside, just in case the discordants or badger ponies return. So far, no sign of anything but the griffons themselves. I'll meet with their leader soon to discuss what will happen with Max.
I'm not really looking forward to that.
25th Obsidian
I traded with the griffons first, as it turned out. Captain Pankov didn't return this year, and instead Captain Kapsirko Garin was leading them. He to went to speak with Flamberge while I handled the civil matters. I guess being baron doesn't get me in on those discussions. Not that I really need to hear them I guess.
I traded away a lot of gems we have no use for, as well as some food for wood, drink, cheese, some steel and steel equipment. I'm not entirely sure what the griffons are going to do with the gems, but the merchants seemed happy enough to take them.
The other soldiers seemed to be too busy watching the skies and everywhere for something to really notice me. They never said it, but they all looked scared out of their minds to be here. Do the discordant ponies worry them that much? Well trained soldiers who have fought them for decades?
Speaking with Captain Garin about Max turned out to be a lot less painful than I thought it would be. He expressed great regret at the loss of Private Sergi, but thanked me for apprehending Max. They'll be handling matters in Canyontalon, he told me. The way he said it told me everything I needed to hear. Max is going to pay with his life.
I'm not sure if I want to see him before he's taken away. It would be... weird.
Anyway, Morning Dew's birthday is coming up, so I got her a nice necklace from the merchants. I think she'll like it.
Post by: Kryptid on June 15, 2013, 12:58:04 am
Case Study's Journal - 15th Obsidian, 272
After learning that Mr. Temperance's daughter has been caught in a trance not unlike the one experienced previously by her father, I have felt moved to act. There seem to be many bizarre happenings in this area and it is currently unknown just how hazardous they may or may not be. It is known that there are three unusual characteristics of Duskfields. Firstly, the bout of realistic nightmares experienced by the residents, often in close temporal proximity. Secondly, the hypnosis-like states which compel ponies to construct random objects, sometimes accompanied by hallucinations or visions. Finally, the atypical, red clouds of dust which have been witnessed blowing by the fort randomly. Since correlation does not equal causation, it is quite possible that these three phenomena are completely unrelated. However, I feel that investigation into any possible connections should be attempted.
What follows is my current attempt to reconcile these matters with one-another. I hypothesize that the scarlet clouds are not of ordinary dust, but of some type of hallucinogenic substance. It may be that they are actually pollen created en masse by a species of psychedelic plant not yet categorized. Alternatively, they may be an fungus-derived toxin released in quantity by underground eruptions akin to geysers some great distance upwind of Duskfields. Where they come from is not of importance at the moment. What is of importance is the effect that they have on living beings. If the clouds are indeed of a bio-active chemical nature, then it could explain the psychological phenomena of nightmares and trances we have experienced here. If any correlation between their appearances and such mental aberrations can be deduced, then my hypothesis may gain support. Interestingly, I recall no clouds actually passing through the settlement itself. If even tiny, invisible quantities of vapor coming off of the clouds in the distance could create psychological effects, as would be required for my speculation to bear out, then I imagine that the damage may be much more severe if direct contact is made. This is worrying. I do not know what symptoms direct exposure to a cloud could cause. It may even be fatal.
While I attempt to gather data linking the events, I will also go a step further and investigate the clouds directly. If indeed these entities are toxic, then I cannot risk approaching one without taking proper precautions. My current plan is to completely cover myself face-to-flank with protection. I will wear a mask that covers all of my face, with a filter in the nose containing rose, mint and any other aromatic plant species which may minimize the damage of harmful vapors. I will also wear thick garments and gloves, protecting me in the case that the substance can be absorbed through the skin. To be honest, these are actually fall-back measures. The main source of defense will be in the form of an air-tight, magical force field cast upon me or upon some item which I will carry with me. I will have to inquire if any of our resident unicorns are capable of such a feat, of course. As a final fail-safe, I will carry a container of Moon's Tear potion with me. I am uncertain if it can cleanse me of the toxin, but it is better to have it with me just in case.
I will attempt to observe what effects the cloud has on local plant and animal life. I will also try to obtain a sample of the cloud, but I will not be bringing it back with me. Even these protective clothes will be kept outside of the gate walls until better knowledge of the crimson fog's nature are known. I cannot take any risks that may lead to harming the population. The clothes will even be burned if deemed necessary. If the worst happens, then I must be kept away from the population as well. If I am rendered ill, comatose or incurably-psychotic, I cannot risk spreading the malady to others. If I die, my corpse should probably be cremated, if approaching it is considered a worthwhile risk in itself. I am probably being overly cautious, but it is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.
I must run my proposal by Mrs. Convalescence and Mr. Temperance. Mr. Flamberge may also have something to say on the matter. Obviously, I will not attempt this if there is objection, but I feel that it could be of importance to the future of the fort if these clouds are having a negative impact on our lives. The more we know, the better-prepared we will be in the future and the safer our children will be.
Post by: L1wW on June 17, 2013, 12:51:07 am
Red had spent the last few days walking towards Canyon talon. She was feeling downright horrid the entire time. No matter what she did she couldn’t get mind off of it, and every night her nightmares had been getting worse, and had pretty much started to avoid sleeping. Right now she walking down a dirt road, in the middle of a valley. There was no green for miles, only dirt and rocks.
Prodd looked down on Red from atop the ridge. He’s trailed her for a few days, he also didn’t sleep. After he woke up from his... incident, he managed to loot a bronze crossbow, more bolts, and some gauze fabric from a dead discordian. The crossbow wasn’t really different than his old one, but it was heavier. He also used some of the gauze on his self inflicted leg wound. The rest was used to cover his face except for his good eye, in case Red were to catch a glimpse of him, he also wore his hood to cover his mane. He needed to redeem himself and he figured protecting Red for the rest of the journey would be enough, then he could die happy.
Red was pretty much unaware of the pony following her, and was just trekking down the road. She was too locked into her thoughts to really notice, and Prodd was good at stealth. So, she just kept walking, not really running into much.
Prodd moved ahead of Red along the side, scouting out the area beyond her position. He’d do this frequently, so far nothing has caught his eye. He checked what food and water he had, enough to get him to tomorrow, everything else was dropped at Red’s hooves. He kept moving.
Red kept on walking, but, in her absent mindedness, she stepped into a small divot in the road, making her fall over, and land onto her bad leg. She yelled in pain.
Prodd turned sharply and saw Red in pain on the road. She must have landed badly on her leg, he cursed himself. Earlier in the day he dropped some pain relievers made out of some of the local fauna along with some edible plants and a container full of water. He hoped she’d see it.
She held her leg for a few moments, before finally getting back on her legs. It hurt like all hell, but she couldn’t stop moving. If she did she’d be dead.
Prodd nodded in satisfaction as Red got back up. He continued scouting the path out, if anything showed up, it’d be dead.
She sighed, and started to hover above the ground. She always was a weak flyer, so she generally avoided it. She started to go fly forward. It looked rather awkward, but at least she was avoiding the pain.
Prodd double checked the path, it looked safe enough. Now all Red had to do was keep moving... thinking back on it, Prodd should have mentioned something about her flying. However he’s technically dead or gone in Red’s eyes, so that means nothing to him now.
She sighed and kept moving, this was annoyingly slow, but she wasn’t stopping at least, and her wings needed the exercise.
Prodd walked along the ridge, she would soon reach the cache of supplies. He could do so much more though...
Eventually, she flew over to the cache, and started to sift through. This was happening way too often. It’s as if some caravan was going down this road had some of it’s bins fly off, or something like that.
Prodd smiled a little as Red got the supplies. He was doing something right after all. He kept his eye on Red as she moved along.
She got what she could into her pack, before moving out. She really wished she had hurt her hind leg instead of one of her front ones. Now it was hard to walk and use items.
Prodd kept himself vigilant, monitoring the path ahead of her. He felt confident enough to drop a target from this range. He wondered how long it would take for Red to forget about him... he wagered a year.
She kept on moving, still not aware of his presence.
Prodd yet again checked to make sure the path was clear. After making sure, he practised teleporting. Whenever he was bored, he started practising his magic. The past few days he’s been trying to controllably teleport between locations, so far he’s been able to bounce between both sides of the valley about twice. He’s hoping to build up his endurance at this.
She kept walking, and occasionally saw a bright flash off in the distance. She assumed it was something dangerous, and whenever she saw it, she moved just a little bit faster hoping she wouldn’t have to fight.
Prodd flashed onto the other side of the valley and observed Red from a different vantage point. She was moving slightly faster now, he doubted his boredom had anything to do with it.
She just kept moving, wondering why the hell she was seeing flashing lights. Maybe she was going insane... not like it really mattered.
Prodd finally stopped teleporting, he was getting better at it though. He trailed Red as she continued to walk down the road.
Eventually, the days went by, and Red was only a few hours away from canyontalon. She could even see it off in the distance, she was so close to the place. She was just about to make it and she’d be out of this nightmare of a trip.
Prodd saw an ambush down the road planned for Red, he had about a minute prepare. He had no more bear traps, but he still had his crossbow and his wits. He was a few minutes ahead of Red, the ambush was set around an overturned wagon, a few rocks, and a dead tree. The wagon was bait, who wouldn’t want free supplies? Five discordians were hidden around the rocks across the road from the wagon, one markspony was on lookout in the tree. The markspony didn’t see the bolt tag him in the forehead. The five in the rocks were worried, Prodd teleported to the other side of the valley and took a shot. A scream was the response, Red must have heard that. He teleported back to watch the chaos, ready to drop any of the four in case she needed support.
Red heard a loud yell scream out. She started to gallop as quickly as she could over to whatever made the noise. She saw an overturned waggon, and what seemed to be a few bandits surrounding their downed comrade.
Prodd observed the situation, crossbow ready to fire at another if things go south. He also mentally prepared himself to teleport on a moments notice. However, Red could probably handle the situation; he’d still assist though.
She sighed and just tried to sneak by, hoping they’d be busy helping their friend. That’s when she felt an arrow breeze right by her face. Guess it didn’t matter how bucked up their pall was, mugging a pony was clearly more important. “Don’t you jackasses have a half dead pony to attend to?”
Well that escalated quickly. Prodd shot and killed the other markspony that thought it could kill Red. Instead of reloading, Prodd teleported behind the one closest to the rocks. He held the discordian and teleported back to the cliffside. A scream and a wet thump were heard throughout the valley. Prodd loved his magic, however brutal it might be-... he suddenly didn’t like magic as much as he did before and reloaded his crossbow. Red can take three bandits, easily, and one of them is almost dead.
She pulled out her spear and rushed the other two, who were only now getting their weapons. Before the pegasus could even get his axe raised, his skull had a spear impaled in it. “bulls eye...”
Prodd watched the second discordian, he was ready to jump into the fray if need be.
The last standing discordant charged blindly at red swinging his sword like a mad pony, who currently had her spear embedded in the pony’s face. She knew she wouldn’t be able to pull her spear out in time to block, or kill the thing, so instead she placed her wing between her and the sword pony.
Prodd saw the swordspony charge, he acted fast; shooting his crossbow into the melee fight would be too risky. In a blink he teleported between the two and fired a bolt off into the discordians leg. He used his body as a shield for the Red, the blade slashed down the bad side of his face: a line was drawn down his right eye and cheek. The gauze on his face was slowly turning crimson as the discordian shrieked at the bolt in his leg. Prodd quickly teleported out of the fray, Red’s wing probably prevented her from seeing him.
She just waited a few moment’s for the swing, before lowering her wing and seeing the poor guy clutching his leg. She sighed and just yanked her spear out of the other discordant’s face. “Why do you have a bolt in your leg?” She pondered this for a moment before stabbing him in the face. “Meh... at least my wing isn’t torn to shreds... oh and good day.” She then began to walk off, leaving the would be ambush behind.
Prodd smiled under the bandage. Red was safe for now, that was enough for him. He looked down into a puddle to see his reflection. He removed the gauze to take a look at his cut, it wasn’t that bad, the only fear would be infection. He rearranged the gauze to have the clean side covering the wound and the bloody side exposed under his eyes. He took one last look at his reflection and carried on.
Red Kept on moving down the road, acting as if the fight never happened. Eventually though, she came up to the wall of Canyontallon. She figured she could probably fly over, but that would take a while, and it was for the best if the city guard knew she was from Duskfields, so she walked around the wall in search for the gate.
Post by: Iceblaster on June 21, 2013, 11:55:32 pm
I have been good recently... the voices... they seemed to have stopped... that is good. Maybe I’m actually a very sane pony... maybe this is all a big elaborate dream, and I’m under a unicorn’s spell, harvesting my dreams to fuel some dark magic... no that only happens in the stories.
Log 1
Lightning... I miss him dearly. I swear I saw him in the bed last night... it may just be dehydration... I gave birth recently... I think its just my body telling me I need more liquids to replace what was lost when little Yam was born.
Mist has finally gotten to chapter 15 of ‘Sir Blubber the Third and the Equine Menace[/u]’ and while it is the abridged foal version, it is still a good read for somepony her age. She doesn't seem all that interested. Foals.
Log 5
Mist is asleep, she does not seem to notice me writing these... good I don’t need her to read the ravings of a crazy pony. I wish to tear those pages out, but I will leave them for neatness’ sake. What was that...
[there is a small scribble, it appears to have been left by a quill hastily put down]
It was nothing. Just my imagination... I should take a break from work tomorrow... but I don’t want to take a break from work. I got a letter yesterday about Fruitholds accusing us of ‘Escaping Taxes’ and they apparently think they have the authority to take us. I’d like to see them try to lay a hoof on me.
Post by: L1wW on June 23, 2013, 12:52:20 am
Red slowly pulled into the town. The place was pretty much built onto the side of a cliff. It was quite a neat place to look at, but she needed to to talk to the management and deliver her message, so she looked around for the nearest militia griffon.
Prodd was relatively happy, at least now they managed to complete the objective. The return trip would be something entirely different, but they at least made it to Canyontalon. After Red entered the town, Prodd checked his disguise, made sure his identity was concealed, and went straight for the market. If anyone was going to question him, he’d say he was a guard from the caravan that got hit on the way here.
Red eventually found herself a Guard, and walked up to her. “Um... I’m Captain Redhat from Duskfields, I need talk to someone about what happened to one of your caravan members.”
The gryphon guard looked down at the pegasus. “Duskfields huh? The pony town? Caravan member? You better go on then...” The guard points to a building embedded in the cliffside with a balcony protruding out of it. “Mayor’s home is there, go fly up...” The guard returned to his guarding duties.
She nodded. “Very well...” She walked off, before finally putting her hat back on, and makng her way to the building.
Prodd looked around the marketplace, apparently no one was suspicious of the unicorn with a ghillied cloak on and bandages covering his face. He looted a few coins off those dead bandits earlier for some spending money. He figured he could get some more bolts, and maybe a souvenir or present for Mist’s upcoming birthday. Prodd around and saw mud brick houses built on terraces were seen at the sides of the canyon, this was a pretty interesting place to build a town. The market center was on ground level, most likely to keep it easily accessible to traders without wings. He made a mental shopping list and started to look around.
Red finally made her way to the building, and stopped at the main entrance to interact with two of the guards. “I’m Captain Redhat from Duskfields, and I have a message for the mayor.”
The two guards looked at Red and let the pegasus enter the office.
Red nodded and made his way into the stone building, and found himself in a large waiting area. He beelined for the door and gave it a knock.
Prodd went and bought fifteen more bolts to add to his quiver, he was up to thirty-three. That should be enough for the return trip. He also stocked up on some pony-friendly cuisine and some medical supplies. He looked around to find a stall that sold toys or something, but he couldn’t find one. However he did find a store that sold wax blocks. Prodd was a great wax worker when he was younger, carving something would at least pass the time...
The mayor heard the knock and took his talons off his desk. “Come in.” He said, his voice clear and with authority.
The door was opened, and Redhat took a step into the building. “Sir, I’ve come all the way from Duskfields to inform you of a tragedy.”
The gryphon raised an eyebrow. “Tragedy? What tragedy?” He pauses. “Did something happen to the caravan?”
“Well, the gryphon who was left behind was well... assassinated. We currently are investigating, and trying to find out exactly who did this.”
“I’m sure your town’s authorities can take care of it,” He menacingly leaned forward. “However I want the criminal here in Canyontalon, understood?” He leaned back. “But... which of my gryphons were assassinated?”
“I’m afraid it wa sergi” He seemed untouched by his menacing look. He’s seen far worse over the years, and this mayor honestly wasn’t all too scary. “And I’m not sure if would ship a citizen over to you for a crime committed on our land.”
“My citizen died. Your’s should be tried for the crimes commited to my people in my town.” The mayor said, his mind made up.
“As of right now, we don’t even know who did it, and we’ll debate the procedure once we’ve had a trial, are we cle-” he cut himself off. “I’m just a messenger, I’ll tell our mayor and Flamberg what you’d like when I return.” .
“Very well. I expect answers with the next caravan.” The mayor stated. He gestured towards the door.
“Very well, good day sir.” He started to make his way for the door, “Oh. Also can I ask of you a favor?”
The mayor sighs. “What?”
“On my way here, I’ve ran into a lot of trouble, and I lost the pony who was accompanying me on this mission.” He gestured to the huge mark on her leg. “I really need to see a doctor...”
The mayor stopped himself from questioning the pegasus. “Hospital is one level below the terrace your standing on.”
“Thanks... also you might like to know that the trading outpost between here and Duskfields that popped up about a year ago is pretty much dead right now... Got overran by discordants.” He started to walk over to the door.
Prodd sat on a hill near the outskirts of the town. He was waiting for Red and was passing the time by carving a figurine out of wax. However he was still a bit rusty.
Red made her way out of the guy’s office and tried to walk to the hospital. Her leg still hurt when she walked on it, but at least she’d gotten used to it, she still prefered it over flying though, so she tried to locate the nearest stairway.
Prodd took his time carving; if this was going to become a gift, he should at least try to take his time. When he was at the orphanage, he carved wax figurines to sell for money. The money was always saved up, hidden away from sight. The money later went to reclaiming his father’s crossbow, his only inheritance.
Eventually she found one wand trotted down, and went straight to the hospital building. There was a line... and to make things worse there was a crying fledgling a few spaces ahead in the line.
“Now serving number twenty-one, any newcomers grab a ticket and get in line!” exclaimed one of the doctor’s assistants. The next ticket was numbered forty-three. The gryphons sure had an advanced system in place.
Prodd continued to distract himself with his carving, he figured he could pour all his attention for the next few hours in this. He kept himself aware the main road, just in case Red finally decided to leave. He hoped the figurine would turn out nice.
Red sighed and walked on up, grabbed a ticket, and then headed back, stopping by the mother with the crying bird. “Aww... I’ve chloroform will shut em up if they’re having a hard time...”
Post by: L1wW on June 26, 2013, 07:31:09 pm
Red finally was heading out of canyon talon. The doctors said her leg actually had pretty much been tended too, and all they could do was give her some pain medicine. She assumed Prodd got all guilty after half amputating her leg, and gave some first aid. She sighed loudly at the thought of Prodd, then just proceeded to make her way out of the gate and onto the road.
Prodd sat on top of the canyon, staring down at Red as she walked down the road. He put away his carving tools and the almost-done figurine of Lightning and Sweet Potato holding a baby Mist. So far it was looking very nice. However he stowed it away and pulled out his new metallic crossbow. Checking his quiver and counted his thirty-three bolts, he loaded his weapon and followed at a distance.
The pony kept walking down the road, thinking she was safe from attack as the wall was still in sight. Once she was certain nopony was around she removed the hat and put it in her backpack, before continuing her walk.
Prodd kept himself concealed on the ridge, he’d keep on it until they reached the badlands, then he’d stay off the road in various shrubs. So far the road beyond seemed clear of bandits.
She was unaware of him, like usual. She wasn’t looking for him though, and just kept walking on and on. It didn’t matter though, if her trip was already half over, so she just kept looking forward to home.
Prodd thought about Duskfields for a moment. He couldn’t go back to them anymore after what he’s done.
She looked off towards the horizon, trying to tell how much longer she’d have til’ night time. It seemed it would only be a few more hours, which was good. She wasn’t tried yet, but felt relaxing would be for the best after the long day.
Prodd saw Red slow down. He scanned the surroundings and waited to see her next move.
All Prodd saw was her pause and then start to move ahead again.
Prodd continued to trail her, until he finally reached the end of the ridge. He teleported off onto the other side of the road and in a bush that was a good forty yards off from the road.
This time she noticed the flash, and the sudden movement in the bush. She’d been seeing flashes like that every now and then, so she really getting concerned. So, she started to trot over to the spot where she thought she saw it.
Prodd saw Red move towards his spot. He rolled his eye and tried to teleport away, however his horn didn’t respond. “...Shit.” He murmured. He flipped his cloak so the black side showed instead of the camouflage.
She kept moving towards the spot, before actually noticing there was something there. “HEY SHOW YOURSELF!”
Prodd kept trying to teleport, it wasn’t working. He made sure his bandage was in place and got up and started to walk down the road, away from Red and towards Canyontalon.
She saw him move and trotted after him as fast as possible. “HEY!”
Prodd ignored the shout and broke into a run.
She ran after him, and she was clearly faster than he was.
Prodd dipped off the road and into the bushes. He was less encumbered in leather armor, as opposed to a full suit of metal. He found himself running through shrubbery and tall grass.
She kept chasing not slowing down for an instant, before finally making a mistake. She felt the hoof on her bad leg end up in a small pot hole. She was at full clip, and ended up wiping out.
“...Goddamnit, goddamnit, goddamnit.” Prodd repeated under his breath. He stopped running and turned around. He looked down at Red. He remained silent.
She was holding her bad leg, which looked slightly bent. She tried to get up, but found it hurt a bit too much.
Prodd approached the pegasus slowly, being slightly cautious. He stood over her, taking a look at her bent leg.
She noticed his shadow cast over her. “If you try to hurt me I’ll kill you.”
Prodd altered his voice and mimicked a more older gruff voice. “Your legs pretty banged up. I can carry you to your destination or where someone can give you help.”
She turned around to see him. “Stop hiding I know it’s you.”
“...” Prodd didn’t say anything. He proceeded to pick her up and hauled her on his back. “...I’m going to take you to Duskfields, where it’s safe. Then I’ll leave you alone forever...”
“Did you ever think for a moment that I don’t want to be alone forever?” She still wasn’t fighting back as he picked her up, but she clearly wasn’t amused.
“I almost killed you... I don’t want to hurt you again, so I will leave.” Prodd said. He started walking with her on his back. “...You can easily find somepony better than me.”
“You know, I was just about to kill you too right? I just want to know why the hell did you get so bucking distant to me.”
Prodd kept walking and ignored her. “We can make it home in about three days...”
“Seriously? you still won't bucking tell me?”
“It’s not important.” Prodd said. “Because once we get home, I’m leaving... for your own good.”
“Damnit, bucking tell me!”
“...I try not to let my emotions interfere with things.” Prodd stated. He still kept walking when suddenly his horn fizzled.
“I want a bucking answer, you were that way before we even left town.”
“Maybe we just grew distant...” Prodd muttered. He took Red off his back and held her close. “Hold on.” His eye began to glow before he closed it and started to concentrate.
“What are you doing?” she asked, not quite sure what he was casting.
“Quiet.” Prodd said. He kept concentrating, focusing as hard as he could on the road outside Duskfields.
“Ugh... fine just don’t bloody answer me.”
Prodd focused and the road near Duskfields became clear. In a flash of light they stood within walking distance of the main gate, but just far enough for nopony to spot them. He slowly opened his eye.
She seemed even more pissed. “So what now, you just walk off like nothing happened and off yourself in the forest?”
“Sure... why not?” Prodd answered, he handed Red a container with the figurine inside. “...Give it to Lightning, it’s for Mist’s birthday.” He started to walk away from her and the settlement.
She followed after him. “And leave me alone to die? You know, I’ve been alone for a few bucking years now, and your first pony I’ve met who didn’t treat me like shit. I don’t want to see you freakin shoot yourself.”
“I almost killed you...” He kept walking.
“I did the freakin same.” She kept following.
“I don’t care.”
“Can we just talk this out?”
“What’s there to talk about? I almost took your leg off just because you insulted my upbringing...” Prodd sighed. “I ain’t fit to walk on this world...”
“I stepped on the bloody trap... and you did fix me up....”
“I shouldn’t have set it in the first place.”
“Can we just start over, and if you mess up again, then end yourself?”
“...That is the dumbest solution I have ever heard.” Prodd paused. “Fine.” He turned around and headed for the gate. “You should keep your hat on...”
She nodded and put it on. “So you won’t kill yourself?”
“I guess not.”
“Thanks...” She put hat back on and started to walk back, hoping she wasn’t making a mistake.
The two finally made it back home after a really shitty adventure.
Post by: Iceblaster on June 26, 2013, 11:49:47 pm
Prodd was already back to shooting targets, it had only been about three hours since he got back. That unicorn was addicted. However he was significantly better, snagging bullseyes left and right. He was even smiling a little. Of course, this suddenly got boring when there was no pony around to witness this incredible feat and Red was most likely explaining what happened to Flamberge or reuniting with Bonnet. So he packed up his gear and decided to visit Lightning in prison.
The pegasus who had been imprisoned was sitting idly, as if waiting for something to happen. Of course the cell next to his was occupied, the griffon that occupied it rarely made a noise and slept most of the day. While this didn’t surprise him as -admittedly- it was a rather boring way to spend a few months before everypony in charge could get together for a trial. He was too entranced in his own thoughts to hear the door of the prison opening and a pony stepping in.
Prodd entered the room and nodded at the guard on duty. After a brief exchange of greetings and idle chatter, he was now stationed in the room. After the guard left he tapped the bars to get the incarcerated pegasus’s attention.
His head turned in the unicorn’s direction. “Oh... Prodd? You’re back? That’s great. How’s Red?” He began, forcibly stopping himself to avoid bombarding Prodd with a million questions before he even got a greeting in.
Prodd feigned a smile. “We’re fine Lightning. How are you?” He sits down on a nearby stool, momentarily checking the entrance to the prison. He wouldn’t want to catch some hell for taking guard duty.
“Bored.” Lightning said, stifling a chuckle as he was sure Prodd expected this. “Well other than that, I’ve been doing great. Sweetie and Mist visited the other day... or week I lost track of time”
“Yeah, do you want a calendar or something?” Prodd asked. “How’s Mist been... with her father in jail and all...?”
“No, I don’t think a calendar is necessary,” he began, pausing for a moment to catch his breath “She’s been fine... I just feel a bit worried with her mother being how she is...Did I ever tell you?”
“I don’t think so? I got time to listen...”
“I... I don’t really know how to explain it... The doctors say its something that her far off relatives had and its just manifested in her and not anypony else... It causes her to.. hallucinate, visually and auditory, and these can be minor or major” Lightning took a breath “I just fear that Mist could get hurt. She doesn’t seem to be aware of it, though only time will tell how long she will stay this way” He explained, hoping it would satisfactory
Prodd nods. “Well... best of luck to you.” He wondered if he knew any sick ponies from the orphanage, which could have explained those quarantine rooms. He shuddered slightly. “Er... when’s Mist’s birthday, anyway?” Prodd asked, changing the subject.
“Hmm...” He put a hoof on his chin, if only to visualize him thinking “If I am guessing right... at the very most two weeks from now, give or take a few days”
“Alright then...” Prodd pulled out his partially finished figurine and got to work.
Lightning examined the figurine. “That’s a very nice figurine Prodd.... Who’s it for?” He asked, not noticing the obvious resemblance
“Mist, figured I’d at least give something to your family...” Prodd said. “It’s you and Sweet Potato holding her when she was a baby...” He levitated his work in front of him and kept the carving knife steady. “Used to make wax crafts when I was at the orphanage, I made some profit...”
“Really? I assume you made a lot as this is probably the best I’ve seen yet”
“For starters I didn’t start off good, and when I got better... well they found some of my savings.” Prodd paused. “Then I invested in a safe... then a bear trap... then a first aid kit...”
“...Bear trap?” He picked that specific detail as it seemed way out of the ordinary. “Why would you need a bear trap. Unless you are the type of pony to actually consume meat, you wouldn’t have the need for a bear trap”
“Well... there was this one guy that was really mean... he picked on most of us... and he broke into the safe...” He gulped. “It was in self defense... and he was still alive... the first aid kit helped...”
“You... No I won’t question any further. Well... back onto our previous topic. If I ever need to send Mist out of the house, would you be willing to keep her with you?”
“Yeah, sure... my house is safe enough...” Prodd said. “How hard could watching her be?”
“Just make sure she reads her book if it ever comes to you having to take care of her” He said.
“What’s she reading?”
“I forget the name... Sweetie should be able to tell you. Something about a Pony taking revenge on this whale for something”
“Alright then...?” Prodd said. He went back to carving his figurine. “So... how goes the trial?”
“From what I picked up from when they decided to speak without poking me to see if I was asleep” Lightning chuckled at the thought. “It will happen within this month or the next month. Personally I just want this to be done so I can get back to protecting those I love”
“Well good luck. I’d testify, but I doubt they’d let me... plus I might just be a suspect...” Prodd shrugged. “I’m sure everything will end up okay...”
“Yeah me too... I’d advise asking Temperance if you could... that might help” He said
“I’ll try... but knowing Flamberge I doubt I’d be able to...” Prodd said. He put away his tools and the figurine. “I guess I might try talking with Temperance... I’ll visit again soon...”
“Alright, see ya” Lightning waved his hoof at Prodd
Prodd nodded in return and left the prison as the old guard came back. Maybe he could testify for his friend...
Post by: L1wW on June 27, 2013, 12:52:15 am
Prodd knocked on the door to Temperance’s office. He wanted to testify in the trial to help Lightning Runner. He was doubtful that he could though, considering he knew almost all the parties involved in the case.
Temperance hopped up. “Coming,” he said, trotting over to the door. “Prodd? Come in, how can I help you?”
Prodd dips his head respectfully and clears his throat. “I’d like to ask... um... if I could testify in the trial...”
“Testify?” Temperance steps back and shows Prodd to an empty seat. “Is there something you know that could help in the trial?”
“Not that much... however I have seen Max and Lightning talking presumably about the theft... more so that Max was a little... threatening towards the pegasus... when I was on guard duty one night...” Prodd said. “I’m just saying that Lightning might not have been so eager in stealing Crosshair’s ammo... I doubt it helps that much though...”
Temperance raises an eyebrow. “You saw Max approach Lightning about this? That... yes, that could be relevant. If Lightning was coerced into stealing the bolts that would be favorable to him. Though not reporting it means he’ll hardly be absolved.” He cocks his head at Prodd. “Why didn’t you mention it before?”
“I thought it was of little relevance, and when I finally realized it was important I was out on the road towards Canyontalon...” Prodd shrugged. “Yeah... that’s why I have my doubts it’d help...”
Temperance thought silently for a few moments. “I can’t say it’ll have earth shattering effects, but anything relevant to the trial is welcome and encouraged to be accounted for.” He sighed. “I don’t think it’ll really affect things much, but if you want to speak, then by all means.”
Prodd nodded and thought it over. “Thanks for the confirmation...” He paused. “...How do you feel about the whole ordeal?”
“That depends on what you mean exactly,” Temperance replied. “Do you mean how I think it will turn out, or how I feel about the whole situation? Max and the murder?”
“The whole situation, I missed a good portion of this... having to deliver the body and all-” He paused. “It went... well... nothing we couldn’t handle...”
Temperance nodded slowly. “I’m glad you and Redhat were able to handle speaking with the griffons. Had that gone poorly, this would have been a wholly unmitigated disaster. I think that should summarize pretty well how I feel about it all.” He frowned. “Lightning stole Crosshair’s bolts without knowing why, and Max planned the whole thing as revenge for Carnith’s death. It’s almost unbelievable, but after hearing and seeing what I have, I believe it.”
“Alright then... what if the gryphons want the murderer?” Prodd asked. “Do we give them up?”
“I’ve been wondering that almost incessantly since Max was locked up, and honestly, I think that’s the least bad course of action. If the griffons want Max, that may be the best way to smooth over relations after what happened to their soldier.” Temperance glanced aside. “Yet, I made Max a citizen, so that has odd legal repercussions. I don’t know, we may have to wait and see what the griffon commander wants when he or she arrives with the next caravan. I, uh, don’t suppose they told you what they wanted?”
“They told Redhat, I was... buying supplies...” Prodd looked down. “She did mention that the mayor personally wanted who did it though...”
“Then it stands to reason that anyone in a higher position of authority would probably want the same.” Temperance shook his head slowly. “It may be what we have to do. Max is certainly going to be found guilty, and even if we didn’t turn him over to the griffons he could be sentenced to death.”
Prodd nods grimly. “If I killed the gryphon, I wouldn’t blame you if you sent me to them...”
Temperance looks as if he had been chewing on an apple that suddenly turned sour. “Things... would possibly be different if a natural citizen was responsible. I’d rather not think about it though.”
“Alright then...” Prodd turns to leave. “Uh... thanks for your time... things should work out for the best...”
“And thank you for coming forward with this.” Temperance gives Prodd the tiniest flicker of a sad smile. “I hope things work out for the best too, whatever that could be at this point.”
Post by: Telgin on June 27, 2013, 12:58:41 am
The following scene takes place after the griffon caravan has come to Duskfields, at the very end of the previous update. The griffon caravan has probably come, but not left yet.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png) and (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Temperance%20Avatar.png)
As Dusk falls on the Fields of the small town, a lone pegasus, clad in his armor, a sword at his belt, rushes along the road from gates to the office held by the newly made Baron Temperance.
No pony was there to see him, however, it seems though some careless mistake, no pony had been scheduled to guard the gate tonight.
The pegasus arrives at the door, and bangs upon it, hoping the noble pony kept the same late hours now that he always had before. He is rewarded by shuffling of hooves and the door popping open. Temperance peeks out, looking somewhat concerned. “Flamberge? Is something wrong?”
Flamberge wore a troubled look on his face, he was dirty, there were specks of what might have been blood on his armor, his brow was coated with sweat.
“Lord Temperance, I was just attacked, outside the walls, by... things. They were like discordians, but... but different. I killed them, but as baron you need to see them, now,” he says, his voice giving away contained panic.
Temperance looks even more concerned, and steps outside, shutting the door. “What? How-how can I help? Where are the other soldiers?”
“All will be clear when you see them, milord, come with me, we must go now,” says Flamberge.
Temperance wasn’t at all comfortable with this, but if he needed to see it, he wasn’t going to ask questions. He had an image to live up to now. He gallops after Flamberge, doing his best to keep up. “What happened exactly?”
Flamberge quickly leads Temperance out of the town out the gate into the woods, “Like I said, sir, I was out patrolling and was ambushed, they looked like ponies, but they were twisted, with bizarre features, bat-wings and tentacles, I think they might be cursed...I don’t know, just that they tried to kill me. They are all dead now, and I looked around, there are no more around, but I need to show them to you. This is your town now, you need to know what’s out here.”
Temperance was growing more and more convinced he didn’t want to see this, but he trusts Flamberge’s judgment. “Alright, just show me where they are,” he says, following Flamberge. Already he was feeling a bit winded. He really needed to work out more, or spend some time in the fields with Morning Dew, or something.
Flamberge leads him deep into the wood, far from town, as the dusk turns to night, the only light coming from the full moon, which hung in the sky, though it was obscured by the branches of the dead looking trees.
“How... how far out... were they?” Temperance asks between huffs. “Do... do you normally patrol this far out?” They could get surrounded out here. They really should head back.
“We’re almost there,” assured Flamberge, the sound of running water could be heard, “Just in this clearing up ahead, by the stream.”
Temperance nods and keeps trotting after Flamberge, since that was all he could manage at this point. “Okay, but let’s make this quick. I don’t like being this far out at night. Maybe we should have brought the others?”
Flamberge reaches the edge of the woods and step to the side letting Temperance come up beside him, when reaching the clearing Temperance sees nothing unusual, just some rocky ground and a stream.
The white stallion looks around, thoroughly confused. “Where are they? Did some scavengers get the...” His sentence is interrupted as Flamberge throws a hoof into Temperance’s jaw with all of his considerable might. Unexpecting the blow as he was, Temperance is knocked clean from his hooves. He lets out a startled cry and clutches at the spot where he’d been struck. They were under attack! “Help!” he shouts, wanting to say more but stopping when his jaw explodes in pain.
Flamberge leans over the now prone baron, placing his left hoof to his lord’s throat, then striking the baron across the face again, causing his skull to hit hard upon the rocky ground.
Temperance manages to catch a glimpse of Flamberge just before he struck him again. The pain wracking him was enough to deal with, but he has no idea what’s going on now. He tries to bring his hooves up to protect his face, but in his daze he can scarcely tell which way is up.
Flamberge keeps one hoof on Temperance’s throat, keeping him pinned, but still able to breathe, barely. “Four years! Four years I did as I was told! I worked so hard! I gave everything for this town, and it was all for NOTHING! The king rewarded you! YOU! You are nothing, nopony, a worthless sniveling spineless worm.”
Temperance coughs and gags at the pressure against his throat. He can taste blood in his mouth, though he’s too scared to check if all of his teeth are still there. The last few seconds were so sudden he was still reeling, but he manages to say, “Wh-what?” He coughs again, which sends pain radiating through his bruised skull. “Fl-flamberge, wh-what a-a-are...” he trails off into an involuntary moan.
"Why!? Why would he pick you over me!? He didn't even trust you with the bucking real reason Duskfields exists! HE sent you here to DIE. I'm not going to leave Duskfields in your hooves, I'm not going to let you run us to the slaughter!"
Temperance spits out a little blood and moans again, thankful for the moment that Flamberge wasn’t hitting him anymore. “..die? What... we... we’re farmers...”
“Farmers! You still don’t get it do you? You are BAIT! Duskfields is bait for the Discordians, and I’m going to make damn well sure this bait is not going to be swallowed up whole,” Flamberge says, as he presses a bit harder on Temperance.
Temperance squirms and clutches at the hoof on his throat, gagging. Flamberge had lost his mind! He was going to kill him! He twists as far as he can to try to get his hindlegs beneath the imposing pegasus and bucks for all he’s worth to dislodge him.
Flamberge flaps his wings and lifts off into the air, as Temperance kicks, then comes crashing back down, his hooves slamming into Temperance’s stomach and chest, ribs cracking under the assault. “You aren’t getting out of here, Temperance. This is for the good of Duskfields, for the good of all pony kind, you must be removed from power.”
A fine spray of blood exits Temperance’s mouth as his ribs buckle and crack. He opens his mouth to scream, but only a choked gag comes out. Once again he tries to shake Flamberge off, but his motions are weak and stiff.
Flamberge lifts the broken earthpony from the ground and slams him into tree, holding him upright, “I’m going to kill you here Temperance, then, then I’m going to go back to town, and when your fate becomes known and your title passes to your lovely daughter, I’m going to step up as regent. And who would argue? I’ve done such a good job leading our military, forming our militia, who better to lead? Then, the next to go will be your pretty little wife, then your sons, then your daughter, and when there are no heirs left... Duskfields will be mine, as it was always meant to be.” Flamberge delivers another crushing blow this one to Temperance’s pelvis region.
The panic surging through Temperance reaches its height when he hears something about his family, but any hope of breaking free or reasoning with Flamberge ceases to exist when the next blow strikes him. The sound of several bones snapping like twigs under his hooves was drowned by Temperance forcing a scream, peppering Flamberge’s face with droplets of his blood.
Flamberge turns, throwing and discarding the broken earth pony towards the rushing water. He tumbles against the rocks, twisting his shoulder and landing in an awkward position on his back. Temperance shudders from the overwhelming agony wracking his body, letting tears drip freely from his eyes and blood from his mouth and nostrils.
Flamberge walks over to Temperance, kicks him in the spine with one rear hoof, then says, “Pray to your gods Temperance, you’ll be meeting them soon,” as he drags the pony toward the rushing water.
Temperance whimpers, but is too weak to resist being dragged along. Instead, he does exactly as Flamberge recommends, begging the gods to save him, or at the very least his family. When he cracks his eyes, he sees an ominous red off in the distance. Through his bleary vision, he can’t tell if it’s just blood running down his face, or worse.
Flamberge however can clearly see that another of those accursed red dust clouds was heading right for them, “Time’s up Temperance.” he says as they reach the river side, Flamberge forces Temperance’s head under the water, drowning him, and smashing his face to the cold stone riverbed.
The broken stallion just accepts his fate. He tries to hold his breath, but his crushed ribs won’t let him take more than the tiniest breath. The impact against the riverbed agitates his injured jaw, and the new explosion of pain is too much for him to handle. He drifts off into merciful unconsciousness. From the corner of his eye, Flamberge can see that the red dust cloud is drawing nearer and nearer with each moment, and will be upon him very soon.
Flamberge waits as long as he can, trying to make sure the job was done, however, after a few moments the cloud is nearly upon him, he curses and bolts upwards into the sky, above the cloud, allowing it to run over Temperance, he waits to see what will happen, from a safe distance.
Temperance groans quietly as the world around him slowly begins to reform through the blackness and fog encroaching on his vision. For a moment, he can't remember where he is or how he got there, or why he was in pain. He nearly blacks out again as he tries to take a deeper breath, and his body explodes in agony. When he realizes his face is underwater, he rolls to the side to get to the air. Every inch hurt so badly he couldn't stand it. Even breathing was nigh unbearable. He tries to scream. He tastes blood.
Time passes as he writhes in the grip of agony, unable to scream, move or even whimper. He can't tell how long he had laid there, but what he could tell sent a chill down his spine, as much as it could feel anything but pain. Everything around him was cloaked in a red haze. Even distracted as he was, he knew what that meant, and he tries again to stand to find his ruined shoulder and crushed hip utterly unable to support him. He only manages to shift slightly before he once again has to fight to remain awake from the all consuming pain. Gods, he'd give everything to his name to be free of it.
“Temperance?” a mare calls to him. He can't turn to face her, but shortly the slate gray mare steps into his vision. “Temperance, what happened?” Initially, he's convinced that he is hallucinating from the pain, but she was there. Virtue.
He again tries to speak, but his words are distorted and choked by the blood in his throat.
Virtue sits squarely in the middle of his vision. She frowns and shakes her head slowly. “My, my, look at what you've gotten yourself into, little brother.”
Why wasn't she helping him? He desperately tries again, managing to do little more than mouth a plea for help.
His sister mocks him with exaggerated surprise. “Help you? Wow, I never thought I'd ever hear you ask me for help.” She turns her nose up at him. “You're a big stallion. You can take care of yourself, right? Isn't that what you told me back in Coupledye?”
Tears begin to cloud his eyes. “Pl...ple...”
Virtue begins examining a forehoof, turning it around to get a good look at it from all sides. “I dunno. I mean, if I help you, then that just proves you couldn't do this without me.” She watches him squirm, and her indifference melts away to pity. “Oh, alright. Let me see what mom and dad think.”
Sure enough, a dark gray stallion and snow white mare appear at either side of Virtue, looking down at their son with a remorseful demeanor. Temperance drifts in and out of lucidity, too confused to really know what was going on anymore, but he knew his family was here, watching him suffer with an apparent lack of care.
“So, mom, dad, Temperance thinks we should help him. What do you think?”
Ward hangs his head and looks aside, but Faith takes a step forward. “Help you? Son, we tried to help you. Just like your sister here. We tried to keep you from coming out here. We tried to get you to come home with us when you had the chance, but you didn't listen.” She pats Virtue on the back. “Why couldn't you listen, like your sister does?”
The tears were flowing freely now. Why? Why were the just letting him die? And why were they saying these things? Was this how they'd all felt about him?
His father looks back up. “And we tried to get you to not marry that tramp Morning Dew.” He looks behind himself. “Isn't that right?”
“It is,” Morning Dew says, stepping into view from the haze. “You should have listened to your parents Temperance, they had your best interest at heart all along.”
The pain was almost numbing now. He can scarcely feel his limbs as he begins to weep. Now his wife was here to just mock him as he died. As much as he'd loved her and his family, this was what they were going to do to him?
“Loved me?” Morning Dew scoffs. “Well, I guess I had you fooled then. You really bought that sappy story about me poisoning you into conceiving Mountain Dew, didn't you?” She chuckles. “No, no, she's not your daughter. I just saw an opportunity and snatched it up. When we drifted apart, I needed a reason to get back together with you, so I hit Flamberge up. He's a real stallion, by the way.” She grins. “Anyway, it worked out just great. I married the guy who became baron, so I'm set for life.”
Mountain Dew peeks out from behind her legs. “Yeah, I don't want you as a daddy. Mommy says my real daddy is big and brave and strong, and he's not afraid of anything!” She points and giggles. “And he doesn't cry like you!”
Honor and Daybreak poke their heads out from behind their mother and nod as one. "Yeah, we don't want you as a daddy either."
Temperance can't take anymore. He breaks into silent attempts at sobbing, spattering the grass with specks of blood with each agonizing heave. Even his children hated him. Everypony hated him, and he never knew!
Faith steps forward again. “You're a terrible son. You defied us, married a godless whore, and threw away everything we've ever taught you.”
Between his failed attempts to wail in emotional and physical anguish, he whimpers a distorted, “'m sor...sorry...”
“Sorry? Sorry!?” his mother shouts. “Indeed you're sorry. Everypony is sorry when it's too late. And you know what, son?” She crouches near him, narrowing her eyes. “It is too late.” She stands and returns to the rest of his family, which turn away one by one and disappear into the mist once again.
Temperance's heart sinks. He can do nothing but cry and wait for death to take him. His limbs were lifeless and cold, and every breath brings up more and more blood. Why, dear Amug, wasn't he dead yet? He begs anyone or anything listening to come and release him. If the gods could hear his prayers now, he would repent a thousand times for his wrongdoings and beg for them to take him from this suffering.
“They never loved you,” someone says from behind him.
Something touches his side, and the cold and lifeless sensation engulfs him. When the feeling begins to return, the pain is gone. He feels an intense urge to cough, which he fights as long as he can for fear of the agony it would bring. When he finally does, he coats the grass with a final mist of fine blood particles, but feels no pain. He tests his legs, and they work. Finally, he looks up to see what was brushing up against him, and his heart stops. A giant skeletal hand is resting against his side, radiating a bright but pale golden glow.
He scrabbles from beneath the terrifying sight and twists to face its owner, finding something equally horrifying kneeling next to the massive puddles of blood where he just was. A serpentine figure five times his height peers back through luminous yellowed eyes. It retracts its hand and stands, and the exposed skeleton of its limbs crack and pop with the motion. Clotted blood cakes its bones, liquids ooze from tears and lesions on its body, and a dull red aura shrouds it. It spreads its bone wings, and takes a step forward.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
It was her. The one from his visions. The one who had demanded he leave or she'd take his and every pony in Duskfields' life. It was her.
She stops and smiles pleasantly, revealing sharp teeth through a rent in her cheek. “You have nothing to fear from me,” she says, raising her hand up. “Son.”
He wants to bolt in absolute terror. He'd flee and find Flamberge, and they'd kill this... this thing. But he can't. He is so overtaken in fear, his legs won't move.
She strolls toward him again. “They never loved you. Not like I can.”
“Wh-wh-wh-what?” he squeaks, cowering closer to the ground with each step she takes.
“I don't want to hurt you, son. You've been hurt enough.” Her hand begins to glow, this time taking on the red of the magic surrounding them.
“Wh-who a-a-are y-y-you?” he pleads, still unable to move.
“Why, I'm your mother,” she says, matter-of-factly. “Entropy.”
He shakes his head. “No... no, no, you're not my mother. F-Faith is my mother!” She is nearly upon him.
“She abandoned you, remember?” Entropy says, stopping just in front of him. She kneels next to him again, lowering her face to his. “I'll never leave nor forsake you. Not like the others.”
Temperance hunkers down and covers his eyes. Anything to avoid looking at this soul chilling monster speaking to him. Time seems to stand still. New tears of terror well up inside him and a tiny whimper passes his lips. What was she going to do to him?
Entropy raises her glowing hand and cups his chin with it. She gently encourages him to look up, and a warm, calming feeling rushes through him. “It's alright, look up at me.”
He opens his eyes and does as she asks. He didn't feel so scared anymore.
“That's better,” she says, still smiling. She wipes the tears away with a massive clawed finger. “The ponies here have wronged you. You never did anything to deserve what happened to you, did you?”
He shakes his head and sniffles.
“Life isn't fair, is it?” She raises her other massive hand and strokes his mane. “But I can make it fair. I can give you another chance, and a chance to fix this injustice.”
The fear he felt moments before begins to change to smoldering anger. His parents, wife and children hated him. They'd used him. Used him and left him to die in agony. He meant nothing to them. Every pony in Duskfields hated him and only saw him as a mean to an end.
Entropy strokes his mane again. “It's going to be alright, my son. All of the bad things that have happened here will be fixed soon. Very, very soon.”
The smoldering inside him explodes into a blaze of wrath. They hated him? Fine. He hated them too. Every last one of them. He'd show them, too. They might have been afraid to tell him the truth, but he wasn't. When he saw Virtue again he was going to knock that smug look off her face. She thought she was better than him, and she was wrong. Faith and Ward? He'd show them how it felt to have family cast you aside while you bled to death before them. Morning Dew? He'd beat some sense into her too for misleading him. And Mountain Dew? Maybe Flamberge would like to see what he thought about him pawing his foals off on him.
“That's right.” Entropy stands again. “They're all going to get what they deserve. And it starts tonight. It starts with you.”
Temperance looks up to her, eager to do anything she asks. “What should I do?”
“Flamberge did this to you. He caused all of your suffering, and he's hurt or killed many of my children. Your brothers and sisters. Your real brothers and sisters.” She gestures a taloned finger toward Duskfields. “Go and destroy him.”
“With pleasure,” he says, scowling. He trots off, then breaks into a gallop. He'd deal with his family and the other backstabbers inside the town later. First, he had to pay Flamberge back for everything he'd done. He clenches his teeth, all but snarling with anger.
Impending doom was upon them all.
As this was happening Flamberge was keeping watch over the scene from above. He spies that Temperance had managed to get up, and he curses again. He can see something large and serpentine moving in the dust, but it is far too obscured to make out, after a time he hears the voices, he hears this Entropy. He recognizes the voice from his nightmares. As the voice finishes he sees Temperance, galloping, back towards Duskfields. He could hardly believe his eyes, he rushes after him intending to cut him off.
Temperance continues to sprint back for the town, growling the entire way. When Flamberge gets close, he can see that blood still soaks the stallion’s coat, but instead of the pristine white from before it is now a sickly yellowing color. When Temperance begins to descend the final hill toward Duskfields, he shouts, “Flamberge! Flamberge show yourself! Face me!”
Flamberge swears, unsure what has happened, he looks over Temperance, the coat and cutie-mark are both different now, the scroll now replaced with a bloody tattered bit of paper with a dagger running through it. Despite the changes it was clearly the same pony, the face was unmistakably that of Temperance. It was as if he had been turned into one of the discordants. Making a hasty decision he decides to finish his work now, he dive bombs the earthpony from above, slamming into his spine with all the force he could muster.
Temperance buckles under the immense force that drops on him. His legs collapse and he plows into the ground amidst the sounds of yet more bones snapping. A roar of pain fills the night air as he twists his neck to see what hit him. His eyes go wide and he snarls, “Flamberge!”
No longer out in the woods, far from the town, Temperance shouting his name was not something he wanted, “Shut up!” he smashes a hoof into Temperance’s face, trying to break his jaw.
Several teeth come free with a spray of blood, and Temperance snorts from the impact. He looks back up at Flamberge, wild-eyed. “I’m going to destroy you!” he shouts. “Entropy demands it!” With a shocking amount of strength, he bucks Flamberge in an attempt to dislodge him.
Flamberge is forced off of Temperance by the blow, mostly due to surprise at the pony’s newfound strength, but aside from some bruising he is unharmed, “Entopy? What the hell happened to you in that cloud Temperance?”
Temperance stands, then staggers as it becomes apparent one of his forelegs was completely shattered in Flamberge’s initial impact. He starts toward Flamberge, glaring at him. “Mom showed me the truth!” he shouts. “She showed me what everypony thinks of me, and everything you’ve done!” He crouches in preparation for pouncing on Flamberge. “Rejoice in the coming oblivion, Flamberge!” He leaps at him.
With lightning like reaction speed Flamberge avoids the attack and strikes back with a hoof, rebreaking Temperance’s ribs. As Temperance falls to the ground, Flamberge leaps upon him, now, more cautious of the stallion’s strength. He begins a barrage of strikes to the stallion’s head and face.
Temperance shouts then gasps with pain when his ribs are crushed again. Each strike to the face removes another tooth, but he doesn’t give in. Temperance bucks and kicks to displace Flamberge yet again, and when that fails, he bites at his hooves. “...die...” he wheezes at his attacker, leaking blood from his mouth again.
Flamberge wraps a foreleg around Temperance’s neck as they grapple, “It’s over Temperance.”
“...not...over...never over...” Temperance wheezes again, still glaring holes through Flamberge and trying to escape his grasp.
Flamberge twists the discordant baron’s head to the side, until there is a cracking sound as the bone breaks and the muscle rips, eventually leaving the earthpony on the ground, dead, his head twisted around backwards.
Flamberge stands up and examines what he has done, he regretted nothing, but was still grappling with what happened to give Temperance his second life. From behind him, he can hear a faint rhythmic clatter and low chuckle. When he turns, he sees a monstrous draconic thing sitting on the wall, looking down at him. The monster continues to clap slowly, echoing the clack of bare bone against bone as it does so. “Bravo. Well done, Flamberge,” it says in a feminine voice.
Flamberge looks up at the creature, “Entropy, I presume. What are you?”
She stops clapping and crosses her legs casually. “Oh, little Flamberge. You stand there and address me so brazenly. You’re not even afraid, are you? You really don’t know what I am, do you?” She makes a cocky smile and leans forward. “If you did know, you’d flee in terror like the others that came before you.”
"I've never fled from anything and I don't intend to start now. What others? There were other attempts to settle here?" Flamberge replies fearlessly.
Entropy studies the pony. “I’m starting to think perhaps I was wrong about you, Flamberge,” she says, standing atop the wall and flaring her wings. She glides down to the ground. “Yes, very wrong.” She shrugs as she starts toward him. “The others? Where do you think the ‘discordant’ ponies as you call them came from? Or the griffons? Or zebras?” She sneers. “For centuries you’ve been invading my lands.”
"You created the discordians?" he questions looking up at the giant.
“Now you understand,” she says, strolling toward him. “Though my brother and sister had a hand in it too.”
"There are more of you, disgusting things?" he asks his eyes wandering over her exposed bones and rotten flesh.
She stops halfway to him. The air of cool she maintained until then begins to vanish with a scowl. “It’s funny how a few centuries can make you forget,” she says, obviously restraining rage. She raises her hand toward Flamberge, and there is a flash. All around him, he sees thousands of creatures like her, but smaller. Closer to his size, and with all of their flesh. They run and fly away from ponies who slay one after another. Even the infant sized are run through with spears and swords, and screams and moans of the dying drown all other sounds.
“Four hundred years ago, your kind nearly wiped mine out. The draconequuses.” She clenches her fists and starts toward him again. “The ponies and griffons sought to destroy all of us. But you could not kill me and my siblings. Even now our collective hatred for you drives us on.”
"And you've been corrupting ponies ever since? Well then, I will say this, unless you and your siblings wish to wind up like the rest of your foul race you should leave our lands. This forest isn't yours any longer." Flamberge replies.
Entropy bares her teeth and dismisses the illusion with a swipe of her hand. She then gestures as if grasping something, and Flamberge feels an invisible hand wrap around him. He is pulled toward Entropy, where he stops just in front of her face. “You think it’s that simple, do you? Four hundred and fourteen years ago you did kill me, but that didn’t stop me. You can’t kill what’s already dead.”
She hurls him at a nearby tree, which he slams into while still bound by the invisible force. “You think this forest is yours? Yours? It was ours long before any of you set hoof or claw in it! You came and killed us, and think you can just take it!?” Her entire body is wreathed in flames for a moment as she lifts into the air. “You will not have my lands! If you don’t leave, you’ll end up just like all the others that didn’t!”
Flamberge struggles against the invisible force, but finds himself unable to move. He looks up at her defiantly. "You're afraid of us Entropy, even a foal could see that. If you weren't you'd have wiped us out years ago instead of letting us gain a hoofhold. You aren't nearly so mighty as you claim."
The flames circling Entropy die out, and the rage she expressed disappears. She hovers in the air silently, again studying Flamberge. “You think so, do you?” She returns to the ground and approaches Flamberge, then kneels next to him. “I know why you’re here. Why do you think I’ve been waiting so patiently?”
"You... know? Then, why? What are you planning?" Flamberge demands.
“You’re all so short sighted. You and the griffons. You think that you will come and destroy us, but you’re wrong.” She grins. “You will all join me. Including the armies sent to stop me.” She strokes Flamberge’s mane with a massive hand. “You know, you remind me so much of my brother Mayhem, back when he still went by the name Zeal. Loyal to whatever he believed in and afraid of nothing.”
"You'll turn the whole army!? That many discordians could... No. I'll not let that happen, beast, so long as I draw breath I'll fight you. I'll stop you." Flamberge claims defiantly.
She stands and waves her hand over Flamberge, releasing the field holding him down. “So much like him...” she says in an almost mournful tone. “When you too come to serve and love me like the others do, you’ll understand.” She turns back toward Temperance’s body. “Then this will all finally be over.”
Flamberge returns to his hooves and says, "I'll never join you," as he draws his blade.
“They always do,” she says, stopping next to Temperance’s body. “Always.”
"Why show yourself now Entropy? If you hadn't we'd have continued right on with the plan and you'd have our armies at your command. Or are you going to kill me before I can leave here?" Flamberge questions circling the monster in a defensive stance, ready to fight at a moments notice.
Entropy silently looks over Temperance’s corpse, as if deep in thought. Without looking up, she says, “No. You’re more useful to me alive than dead. Whether your armies come or not.” She kneels next to the dead pony in front of her, and runs her claws gently down his side.
"Useful? I've killed more of your damnable spawn than anypony here. How am I useful to you?" Flamberge asks forcefully, still on his guard.
The draconequus brushes her hand along the dead pony once more and stands. “You’re strong, but blind to what happens around you.” She lowers an open hand at her slain ‘son’ and adds, “I didn’t even have to raise a finger to get you to kill him. I merely stirred the waters you’d already set in motion.” She finally looks over to Flamberge, and coldly says, “Innocence proves nothing, doesn’t it? I could leave this town to you and you’d destroy it in civil war all on your own.”
"I did only what I had to do, for the sake of Duskfields. Like plucking the weeds from a field sometimes one must destroy to create something worthwhile. I wouldn't expect a beast to understand," Flamberge says though his words ring hollow as if he had trouble believing them himself.
“Whatever it takes to soothe your conscience,” she says, narrowing her eyes. “Only after you’ve been the weeds do you understand what it’s like.” She relaxes. “Destroy Duskfields yourself, or don’t. Bring your mighty armies, or don’t. No matter what you do, I’ve won.”
"Your siblings, this... Mayhem, and the other, where are they? Why did you come alone?" Flamberge asks fishing for more information while watching her movements.
Entropy cocks her head. “Mayhem and Anarchy are both near and far, as they always are. Just like me. I am alone, because like with any family, after enough time passed they grew to despise me, and I despise them. They don’t understand...” she trails off.
"And do they want us gone as you do?" Flamberge questions.
“Dead,” Entropy replies simply. “Mayhem would have killed you all the first day you set hoof here. Anarchy would likely still be torturing you all to death.” Her face hardens as she speaks.
"And yet I seem to still be breathing, why? Are you holding them off? You said they despise you." Flamberge continues milking Entropy for as much information as he can.
“We try to stay out of each others’ way, but sometimes it does take personal intervention,” she says, again barely containing anger in her voice. “As much as I hate your kind, at times I hate them even more.”
Flamberge thinks for a moment, never letting his eyes leave the monster before him, “Your...children, they try to take ours. One nearly snatched my daughter, and a filly named Saffron was taken. What are you doing with her?”
She points at Temperance. “The same I did to him. I showed her what it really meant to be among your kind, and how I could do so much more for her.” Entropy smiles at him. “She loves me now. And just like Temperance, she will do anything I ask of her. Just like Crossbow would have, if your wife had been a bit slower.”
“You make them love you, then send them to die for you against our walls, pointlessly? You sicken me,” Flamberge states.
“Pointless? Allow me to answer your question with one my own,” she says. “What purpose did murdering Temperance serve? You say it’s to preserve your existence, but we both know that’s not true, is it?”
"It's true enough," replies Flamberge.
Entropy smiles. “A convenient cover you told your wife, but I know the truth. I heard everything you said.” She starts circling Flamberge at a leisurely pace. “You just hated him, didn’t you? When you heard that the king favored him over you, you let it get the best of you. So you killed him. Just like you’ll kill his wife and children.” She stops and smirks at him. “Did I mishear that part? Or will taking the lives of children preserve you somehow?”
Flamberge seethes with anger, but can’t deny her point, “Shut your mouth, or I’ll knock out your teeth!”
She chuckles and resumes pacing around him. “Flamberge, you’re one of the most easily manipulated ponies I’ve ever met. You’re dominated by your emotions and anger. You let them drive you to murder today. What’s next? How long until you hit Crosshair? Oh, again, I mean. Or Crossbow? Or Claymore?” She grins. “Will you be happy when you’ve put one of them in the hospital? Or killed them? You’re well on your way.”
Flamberge's eyes burn with hate, he leaps at her, his blade flashes in the moonlight. It strikes nothing as a crack of displaced air meets his ears, followed by another disembodied chuckle.
Back on the wall of Duskfields, Entropy stands with a smile. “So easily predicted. I told you when we last spoke that I would give no more warnings. So, instead of a threat, this time I will give you a promise.” She extends her hand. “When we next meet, you will all submit to me. Including you, Flamberge.”
In front of his eyes, Flamberge sees a dead beetle float from the grass. “And not even death...” The beetle twitches and shudders, then flies away. “...can save you from me.”
With another crack and flash, Entropy is gone.
Flamberge looks back at the still corpse of Temperance, then walks back to town.
This is not the end of Duskfields, and I have planned accordingly. What happens to Max and Lightning Runner should be completely unaffected, and the fort will continue on. Convalescence will rule on their matter, as before.
Post by: Splint on June 27, 2013, 01:04:49 am
Post by: KingStrongbeard on June 27, 2013, 02:03:55 am
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Crosshair%20Avatar.png)(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png)
Flamberge enters his family’s home and slams the door. Flamberge seethed with uncontrolled rage, the likes of which Crosshair had only seen him express on the battlefield. Crosshair had previously set the table and brought up food from the dining hall, but Flamberge in his rage and looking for something to take it out on, wipes everything from the table, smashing the plates, and roaring with anger throws the table over end into the wall. The foals on the other side of the room begin to cry at the outburst.
Crosshair was alarmed of the runkus inside her house, she have been out for just a moment to fetch some drinks for her family but with something going on she feared for the worst, perhaps something sneaked in and nopony saw? She couldn’t bear to imagine what would happen to her foals. So she didn’t, she bucked the door open and rushed in, ready to draw her weapons only to see that it’s just Flamberge. “Flamberge?” she called out, confused.
Flamberge roared with frustration, but instead of lashing out at anything more, he just laid down on the floor on his back, staring at the celing. He looked angry, confused, and betrayed.
Crosshair was just even more confused as she approaches him, not even being cautious about it. “What’s wrong? Why are you so angry?” she asked.
Flamberge just stares up at the ceiling, paying no mind to baby Claymore who was still crying. He then says, "The King... he made Temperance Baron of Duskfields. TEMPERANCE! That spineless sniveling worm. I had to look him in the eye, shake his hoof, smile and congratulate that witless paper pushing deadweight for walking away with what I deserved, what I've devoted the last four years of my life to working for!"
Crosshair trots over to the crying Claymore and Crossbow to pick them both up, nuzzling both of them warmly and motherly as she hums a soft tune to try and sooth them down. Not wanting them to hurt their throats from all the crying. “Well.. you were made a colonel, right?” asked the small mare as she sang to her foals.
Flamberge rolls over on his side, putting his back to his family, "Yeah... and Temperance was lifted into the nobility. This was my one chance, my one hope to make myself something more than another common soldier. To get my family in a place of real respect, and the king passes me over for the guy in middle bucking management. For the poor sod he didn't even intrust with the truth. The pony he sent here to die, like a worm on a hook."
“What.. do you mean?” Crosshair asked, holding her foals a little closer. “Even if he’s a baron now, you still have plenty of chances to become a noble, right?”
Flamberge just shakes his head, "No...no. Duskfields was it. I was sent to defend here, my orders will be unlikely to change as long as Duskfields exists. I'll have to sit here and take orders from, him protecting his town, for the rest of my life. I just don't... Crosshair, there is something I have never told you, but I need you to know it now, so you'll understand why I have to do what I'm going to do next."
Crosshair was unsure of how to make of this, she just sits down there with her foals, keeping them close and nuzzling them “Something you never told me? What do you mean?”
Flamberge sits up and looks Crosshair in the eye, he touches a forehoof to one of hers, while she holds their foals, “Crosshair, and you can tell this to nopony else, under pain of death, but Duskfields... Duskfields is bait. The fact that we are undersupplied, and under protected is no mistake. The generals... They want us to goad a discordian army to wipe us out. To attack here. When they do, the Coupledye Army and the Griffion Army will catch the discordians in a vice and wipe them out. They will deal them such a blow that it will take them generations to recover, and this land will then actually be safe for real settlement. They... don’t expect us, they don’t expect Duskfields, to live through it. I was sent here, on a suicide mission, to ready our defenses as best I could, so we could hold out as long as possible, to give them the time they need to get into position.”
Crosshair’s eyes widen as her jaw went slack, her ears lowered as she whimpers, her mouth moved for a moment, trying to say something, but nothing came out. Untill she finally manages it “but.. our foals.. our family..” She began whimpering.
Flamberge looks sadly at his children, “I...I didn’t plan on having a family... That... that’s was never something I expected. But... Crosshair. I’ve done all that I can so far to build up our town’s defenses. I had so much more planned for when I was made Baron, and would have the power I needed. I... I believe I can save Duskfields, I believe with me in charge, we can actually survive the coming siege. Hold out long enough for the griffion and Coupledye reinforcements to come. But with Temperance in charge... I don’t know. He’ll never listen to my suggestions. Before now, he had no choice, I was the sole pony in charge of the military, and our defence, but now, now he’s above me, he can veto anything I want to do, he can order me to do as he likes... I can’t let him stay baron, I need... I need to take control, for the good of everypony. Do you understand?”
Crosshair nodded as she looks down, trying not to cry while holding her foals close to her. And the third one’s expecting soon enough aswell.. “Why.. don’t we just leave? Praetorian and his wife did, why can’t we? I don’t want our foals to die here.. I.. I just want to live a happy life with you and our foals!”
Flamberge leans forward and hugs his mare, "Crosshair, I can't. I can't leave them all here to die. Cream Puff, and Heartfelt, and Dr. Case, and Lady Convalence, and all the others. I can't just abandon them. Not when I can save everypony, I just need... no, Duskfields just needs Temperance out of the way. For the greater good."
The little mare felt so lost, unsure and not knowing what to do. She simply began to sob. “H-how?”
Flamberge wipes away her tears and says, "My love, you don't need to worry about the how. I'll take care of that myself, all I want from you, is that if anypony asks, you tell them I was here all night, the night the deed is done. That I came home early, and was here until sunrise."
Crosshair gulped as she looks up to him, worried and troubled. “Are you.. are you going to kill him?”
“I’m going to make sure he isn’t going to be Baron of Duskfields any more.” Flamberge replies.
Crosshair wasn’t sure of what to think of it. She took a long pause, before looking up to him “You’ll.. try and keep our foals safe, right?”
Flamberge nods, “I’ll try and keep everypony safe. But Crosshair...if my plan fails, if this doesn’t work. You take the foals and you leave. You get as far away from here as you can. You leave and don’t stop till you have Coupledye’s walls behind you.”
“I can’t leave without you..”
“You can, and you will, I won’t have you risking our foals, for my sake.”
“Then promise me to be safe!”
“I promise,” says Flamberge as he wraps his family into a warm protective hug, “I promise I’ll try.”
[End Scene]
The following takes place immediately following Flamberge’s meeting with Entropy.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Crosshair%20Avatar.png)(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png)
Returning to his home, late at night, Flamberge flies through the same window he snuck out through earlier, cautiously making sure he is seen by nopony. When he arrives, he closes and locks the window, and begins to remove his armor in silence, still processing all this new information.
Crosshair and her foals have been resting, although it’s mostly the foals that’s sleeping. Crosshair couldn’t sleep, knowing what’s going on tonight.
With his armor removed Flamberge hovers over to the bed, and leans his sword up against the bedside table. “Crosshair?” he whispered, “Something... has happened.”
The small mare nodded solemnly. “I know.. Temperance’s not our baron anymore, is he?”
Flamberge nods, “He is not, but... we weren’t alone out there. Something was watching.”
“Something?” Crosshair asked curiously. “More discordians?”
Flamberge shakes his head, “No. She said she was a draconequus, but she was enormous, and... dead. Her bones were showing, and her flesh was rotting... She turned Temperance into a Discordian, then... after I stopped him, she spoke to me. She said her name is Entropy.”
Crosshair did not know what to say or make of this.
Flamberge takes one of Crosshair's forehooves in both of his and says, "She said she's been watching us for a long time, since we arrived. She said she, along with her siblings, made the discordians, she called them her children."
The small mare frowned. “Why would they do that?”
"Revenge I think, she said she and her siblings were the last of their kind; that ponies killed the rest of them hundreds of years ago," answers Flamberge.
“I see why we’d want to do that..” She mumbled.
Flamberge nods, “Yeah... but she said that she knew of our plans. She implied that she was going to turn the entire army when it showed up... That’s what those red clouds do, Crosshair. They take your mind and body and twist them, until you serve her. I saw it happen to Temperance. If a cloud like that rolled over the combined Pony and Griffin Armies, it would spell complete disaster, not just for Duskfields, but the world.”
Crosshair gave a sharp gasp and hug her foals a little closer. “That.. That’d be the end of us all!”
Flamberge nods, “I’m not going to let that happen, though, I’ll write both our generals, and that of the griffions and let them know about the clouds, and about Entropy, and if I see her again, I’ll kill her. I swear it. I will wipe out her kind, if it’s last thing I do.”
“I can only pray that you can.. I’m not sure how much my bolts will be of help, but we’ve got to bring her down. For all of us..” The small mare said, giving their foal another soft nuzzle to their heads. Looking down with concern.
Flamberge looks silently at his foals for a moment, then adds, "I suppose she's helped us in a way. Temperance's body will be found in the morning, but he's clearly a discordian now. His mark's changed, his fur, even his eye color. It's still recognizable as him, but he was clearly changed. In the morning, I'll say I was attacked by a discordian while on patrol, and will send some ponies out to clean up the body, they will find who it is, and no one will even suspect that there was foul play involved."
Crosshair still frowns at that, but nods. “It’s what had to be done.. right?”
Flamberge looks away, not daring to meet her eye, “It’s too late to second guess that, we will continue on as planned. I’ll need your support as we go on. I can trust you with this right?”
“Of course you can! I wouldn’t want my foals to be fatherless.” Crosshair said, lowering her eyes to her foals once more.
"Good, good. Tomorrow, Morning Dew will be devastated by the loss and transformation of her husband. You will be there for her, you will comfort her, you will, in the coming months, become her very best friend in the whole world. It is vitally important you do this. Do you understand?" Flamberge says in a quiet, yet commanding tone.
Crosshair only nodded obediently. “I’ll do my best.”
"And then, when I command, likely in a year or more, you will kill her, and her filly. The details I have not yet decided upon, but it will be you pulling the trigger," Flamberge whispers to her.
Crosshair perk her ears and look up in surprise. “Me?.. but..” She gulped “Are there no other ways?”
“Well, if I can think of a way that doesn’t involve either of us dirtying our hooves directly, then that would be preferable, but I’m not sure how. We shall think on it. Anypony willing to take bits to do the deed, I wouldn’t trust enough to associate with, lest we wind up like Max,” whispers Flamberge.
Crosshair gave another sad nod. “I still wish they don’t have to die.. especially if I’m going to be their friend. Why can’t we just make them leave and never return?” the small mare suggested.
Flamberge contemplates that possibility, "I... I had not considered that... The title will pass to Mountain Dew... She will be Baroness, but... she is not old enough to know what that means... If, if she were to abandon that title, if Mourning and the foals all went away to stay with family, and left the title up for grabs... then... I would have no need to kill any of them, but I don't know if she would do that. Would they really just walk away from Duskfields? From nobility?"
“I don’t think Morning Dew is the kind of mare that really cares for nobility. I think if I can convince her to leave and stay inside the safety of the capital’s walls with Mountain Dew’s grand parents will be best for everypony.” Crosshair said hopefully.
“Well, if you can do that, then that would be best, but if you can’t, then...” Flamberge drops the ending to his sentence, knowing that she knew what that would mean. And she knew what it means. Nodding again.
Flamberge sighs, then moves onto the bed as well, snuggling with his family, "We should get some sleep, Cross. It's going to be a busy day tomorrow."
“And no doubt a sad one.” His mare agreed before laying her head down to cradle her foals together close to Flamberge. And with that, the two ponies drift away to sleep, the murderer and his accomplice, and Flamberge at least, sleeps just fine.
Post by: Iceblaster on June 27, 2013, 12:58:48 pm
Journal Log 5
Prodd returned. He came to visit and we had a nice chat. I can say one thing for sure though, his foalhood was definitely worse then mine, that's for sure. Piecing together information from that binge(Yes I still keep that in mind journal)we had, that bear trap might've been a bit of defense for his home in the wilderness... still I'm suspicious of it. I know I shouldn't be afraid of my own friend, but I have the right to be wondering about his past as long as I don't mention it
Amug said to the peasant. 'Did thou wish your neighbor harm?' The peasant replied, 'Yes, but have I done wrong against thou, my lord? I didn't hurt him, and I shalt never do it.' Amug accepted his apology, however he felt great shame for his transgression. 'Thou shalt not hurt thy neighbor, and thou hast broken my law, just by wishing it? Prepare a sacrifice of a bale of hay, grain and fruit. Burn it, and thou shalt be forgiven.'
Journal Log 6
An Alarm's been sounded... I'm being moved into Town Square... I've been allowed to keep this. I fear that we are being attacked.
Its... a discordant- No its Temperance. No! I never liked him much, but I didn't wish him to die! Why! Who did this. Amug rest his soul in the holy land. I don't care how much he has made wrong decisions or what else, he couldn't be dead... They are... oh god the sounds... Its... Surely Temperance... Oh Amug what did he do to deserve this. Why was he outside the walls! How... how is he even a Discordant... The body is being taken to be prepared for burial. I'm being taken back to my cell.
I don't understand. I have no hunger anymore. I have no sleep. I have no
EDIT: THE FUTURE HAS DECIDED THE DELETED SECTION IS IRRELEVANT!
Post by: Relus on June 28, 2013, 12:57:55 am
“Vammy, wake up dear.”
“Just let me sleep.”
“Wake up! Badgers stealing your books!”
Vambrace quickly got up, a crimson tinge blurring his vision.
“What is going on? There are no badgers.”
“You are very gullible, you know that?”
Vambrace walked over to the window, gazing outside.
“Could you have woken me in the morning, instead of midnight?”
“No. Go accomplish something for once in your miserable life.”
“My life is miserable? It is not exactly great, especially with an idiot like you inside me.”
Suddenly, Vambrace felt a stinging pain within his legs, and fell to the ground.
He could hear chuckling from his inner self.
“Look, the foal has forgotten how to stand!”
“What was that?”
“You forgot how to stand!”
“Tell me. What happened?”
“Blaming me for your own idiocy?”
The red tinge grew thicker, like fog.
“What is this crimson tinge?”
“Still blaming everything on me?”
“Who else would have done it? A Discordant with red paint? And don’t bother blaming it on the ponies, either. No-one here dislikes me, or knows me that well, as far as I know.”
“But there is someone who hates you!”
“And who would that be?”
“It is I!”
The red tinge began to change colour, into a black tinge.
“What do you think is happening? Are you closing your eyes?”
“I’m not closing my eyes.”
Vambrace attempted to open his eyes, in case they were shut.
But they were open.
“You want to know something great?”
“I don’t care about your fantasies of murdering ponies with a meat cleaver.”
“See that amulet you have?”
“What of it?”
“It’s cursed.”
“Impossible!”
“Oh, but it is. See, it made you more powerful. But remember, I share a body with you.”
“…”
“I can easily take over your body, and shock ponies to death with the help of the magic charm.”
“…”
“You want to take it off now, don’t you?”
“…”
“Too scared to answer? The amulet is stuck onto your neck, now.”
“…”
“You will not be able to cut it off.”
“…”
“Just remember, we are at equal power now. Before, I had trouble taking you over. Now, it will not be so difficult.”
“I will never allow you to take over my body!”
“And now, I should tell the truth about refilling the amulet, as you will not plan on refilling it anymore. It was a lie. It never needed to be refilled. It was all a lie, to trick you into killing ponies for weak old me. But do not fret, you do not need to kill anyone else. I will kill them for you, and bathe within an ocean of blood, killing my opponents with magic, squeezing them hard until they pop. But I will not forget my weapons, oh no. I will slice limbs off, and beat ponies with them.
“You are a monster.”
“I have heard that one before. Say another!”
“I’m not going to entertain you.”
Suddenly, something could be barely seen within the darkness, resembling a pony.
It opened it's eyes, revealing a dark blue.
It was him.
“You always thought of me as an insane pony inside you, didn’t you?”
“Yes, and for good reason. You are.”
“You will live in the life of me, someday. You will be helpless, unable to do anything.”
“That will not happen.”
“Oh yes, because you ARE helpless. Now, leave!”
The black tinge disappeared, and Vambrace was not in his room anymore. He was near the hills of Duskfields.
Did the ponies see him walk here? Or did he teleport somehow?
Vambrace looked down at his amulet. It was glowing purple, but with more red than blue.
He attempted to rip it off, but was shocked.
How could he take it off?
Perhaps he could ask the town blacksmith?
Vambrace quietly walked back to his house, thinking of what he would do.
Post by: jaxler on June 28, 2013, 09:41:01 pm
It was early in the morning, maybe about 6PM. The sun hadn’t even began to rise yet. It was at this time that somepony knocked at Crosshair’s door.
Crosshair heard a pony knock on the door to her house. “H-hello Crosshair?” it was barely past sunrise, and she likely sleeping.
The captain of the guards groaned as she carefully strumble off of her bed. Trying to not wake up her foals as she walk over to the door, rubbing her eyes as she opens them up, her mane somewhat messy “What..?” she asked groggily.
Strawberry Shortcake was sitting outside her door. “Um... I saw a monster over by the trading thing...” She whimpered a little, feeling bad for waking up Crosshair.
Crosshair woke up immediately after that, she knew that if there’s a monster there now there wouldn’t be time for armor, so she grab her crossbow and quiver of metal bolts before dashing past Strawberry Shortcakes towards the trading area, loading up her crossbow in the process with experience.
At the trading post things seemed almost one hundred percent normal. There were a few merchants unloading their goods, but surprisingly only one wagon, and a shockingly low number of guards considering the amount of merchants. Aside from that, things were going as you’d expect, except for the fact that there was an odd figure in a hood next to one of the guards. It clearly wasn’t a pony...
Crosshair would’ve tackled the figure and put dozens of metal death into him already if it weren’t for the fact that nobody’s freaking out. So, somewhat confused, she approaches the hooded figure. One whom never seen her would see this as quite an odd sight, a small mare in her nightgown wielding a crossbow approaching him like that.
The closer she got, the more odd the figure looked. It was clearly taller than a pony, and seemed to be standing on two legs. The creature had a hand scythe attached to his belt, so he was clearly armed, though seemingly unaware of her sneaking.
Thinking that it’s not a good idea to sneak up on him at the moment, Crosshair moved a bit so that she’ll be approaching him from the front. Cautiously and curiously.
That’s when The figure looked straight at the odd mare sneaking around in her sleeping wear. From the front she could tell that he was indeed a diamond dog with a bandage around the left side of his face, “Um... aren’t I supposed to be the one sneaking around?” He hadn’t the slightest clue she was actually the guard captain, but when he saw the crossbow, he did inch a little to the left so the caravan guard was in the way of the two.
“Exactly my thought. What’s a diamond dog doing here not sneaking around stealing foals or things and getting shot at in the process of doing so?” Crosshair asked.
The dog sighed and kept himself behind the guard. “Um.... I’m with these guys, and I promise you, I’d never steal a foal like those primitive badger ponies.”
The guard nodded, and turned around to the mare with the crossbow. “Yep, he’s with us.”
Crosshair is still cautious, but nods at that. “Alright.. but I better not find you stealing anything around here, alright? If you can keep your paws to yourself then we’ll get along just fine.”
“Um.... I know you’ve had a lot of problems with my kind in the past, but isn’t it the guard’s job to threaten random merchants?” The dog honestly didn’t have the slightest clue why a random mare had a crossbow and was trying to take down a diamond dog, especially seeing how as far he knew she was a civilian.
“The guard’s job isn’t to randomly threaten merchants, but to make sure that there’s no stray trouble maker slipping by and pawing himself some goods away.” replied Crosshair. Looking absolutely like anything /but/ a guardspony due to her deceiving size.
“Yeah... but I’m under the impression that you’re not a law enforcement official, dear. I mean... Are you even allowed to wield a crossbow?”
Crosshair looks a little insulted. “What? I’ll have you know. That /I’m/ the Captain of the guards around here. So if there’s anypony who’s allowed to wield crossbows, it’s me.”
“Oh...sorry, I was completely unaware you were someone of importance in this town.” He extended his paw guestering a hoof shake. “The name is Kusarigama.” He figured he might want to try and clean his act... She did technically have right away to fill full of bolts.
The small mare looks at the offered paw for a second longer, then up to him. She cautiously sling her crossbow and reaches out a hoof to accept it. “Crosshair.” She said.
He gave her hoof a light shake before lowering his paw. “glad to make your acquaintance, Cross.” He took leaded back onto the wagon, seeming a bit more relaxed now that the situation was defused. “Is there anything you’d like to inspect around ere’?” He was sure she still wasn’t very trusting, and giving her a chance to look around and make sure everything was in the green was probably for the best.
Crosshair thought about that for a second.. “hmm.. It’s alright. I’d better go get properly uniformed first.”
“Oh, go ahead. It’s probably for the best, though you might want to know that the outpost liaison has asked me to be present during his conversation with the mayor. I figured you’d probably want to know.”
“Then I’ll have to be there. To make sure that everything will go smoothly, no offense, of course.”
He nodded. “None taken, I understand completely....Though, I’d like to ask you to do me a favor.”
“Depends on the favor.” Replied the mare.
“Well, could you make sure no other guards pony or member of the militia comes over and tries to take a stab at me? I know you’re clearly sensible enough shoot after asking, but I’m not sure if one of the other ponies around here would be so level headed.”
“Right. I’ll see to it, but don’t have your hopes up too high.” Crosshair said as she makes off to go get properly uniformed and telling her guards about the visitor.
After properly uniformed, Crosshair lead the dog to Convalescence’s office. Making sure that the thing’s not leaving from her sight. She knocked on the door a few times and waits.
Sitting at her desk in her new office, Convalescence lifts her head at the sound of a knock at door. Thankful for something to relieve the tedium of looking over reports about the town, she yells for whoever knocked to enter.
Crosshair opened the door and gesture for the dog to go in first.
Dropping her calm demeanor, Convalescence jumps up from her desk and grabs for her crossbow.
“Oh please calm down, I’m just a traveling merchant.” Kusarigama expected as much, but figured if he acted civilized and overly nice he wouldn't get shot. “In fact your liaison asked me to come here.”
The fact that the diamond dog actually started talking gave her pause, and she waited for a moment, waiting for an explanation.
The liaison, a thin earth pony stallion, steps up past the diamond dog and Crosshair. “Mrs. Convalescence, we’ve come to you to ask if it would be possible to let the ponies of this town know that the diamond dog here, Mr. Kusarigama, is not a threat. I think we’d all appreciate it if his presence didn’t turn into a fight.”
Still calming herself from the initial shock, she replies to the liaison, “I’m all for avoiding a fights in the middle of town, but are you sure? I’ve never heard of a diamond dog traveling with a caravan before?”
He was surprised, had these ponies not put one and one together came to the conclusion that diamond dogs need to do something with stolen goods, and caravans are always looking to make a deal. “Oh well, if makes any difference, I used to be a merchant over in the trading outpost that popped up a few months ago, in fact that’s where I got picked up by this caravan.” He took a seat in the office’s chairs, and was leaning back in it. “That fact that I’m from there is actually the reason why I’ve found it in both our interests that I move out here to Duskfields.”
Suddenly noticing that she was still standing and holding her crossbow, she put it back in its place beside her desk and sat down heavily in her chair. She was starting to miss her day being boring. “I’m sorry...did you say you want to move to Duskfields?”
“More like move my operation here, as my current trading post has been... ‘compromised....’ so I’m in need of a new town to peddle my goods.”
Crosshair stood watch, keeping eyes on the dog to make sure that he wouldn’t pull a knife and shank the mayor. Not quite succeeding in looking very intimidating, but she try her best anyway.
“And by ‘compromised’, you mean?” she asked, somewhat rhetorically.
“Well....you haven’t heard by now? I’m sure every town in the region would know about what befell the poor place.” His voice was riddled with feigned concern.
Already having a good idea what had happened, she asked “It was the Discordants, wasn’t it?”
“Well... you’re a smart one, but you only guessed the half of it.” He ended his leaning back and now seemed more solemn. “If I tell you exactly what happened, I’ll need documentation guaranteeing that I’ll have unlimited access to your trade depot for the next ten years, and that your local military will not threaten me.”
“There’s no way I can guarantee something like that, even if I knew what happened there. For all I know at the moment you had something to do with it. Look, if you just tell me why you need to be here, it’ll be much easier for me to trust that you aren’t going to cause us any problems.” she replied.
“Here it is. I have seven pups and a wife, and I really don’t think living a mile underground in some cave is the ideal place to raise a family. I.Need.Money. if I want to avoid having them live in some dark, monster infested third world crap hole in middle of n-” He paused for a second, “Look, can you just give me some signed proof that you won’t stab me and glue my head on the gate once the liaison is gone. I’ll tell you everything, just I need to know I’m safe here.”
Her gut reaction was to refuse, but the chance that he was telling the truth about his family wasn't something she wanted to ignore. And to be fair she couldn’t blame him for wanting some assurance for his safety; if Crosshair hadn’t escorted him to her office he probably would've already been attacked by the guards. “As long as you obey the law, and stay out of trouble, you’re welcome here. We can put in writing that you’ll be left alone as long as you don’t break any laws, but I can’t promise that anyone here will trust you because of it,”
He sighed loudly and relaxed a little. “Thanks... so... ya’ wanna hear what happened to the poor place?” His voice still seemed troubled though.
She frowned a bit, and nodded. “I think I have an idea, but I should hear the story. Especially if it means Duskfields is in danger as well. Or...more so than usual I mean.”
“Well... I guess I’ll start then.” He leaned back again, “Well, it was a normal day, like any other when it happened. The town only been up for a few months.” He frowned “It had already been attacked a few times by small ambushes, and held them off every time. You see, the city wasn’t invaded, it already had a wall, and a militia, just like your own town does.”
She leaned forward, interested in the story. “Then what happened?”
“Well, red fog.” He paused for dramatic effect. “I had the pleasure of being inside a building when that crimson mist covered the town like a sandstorm out of hell. I was inside a general store when it stuck. The gas corrupted all it touched, the very wood on the side of the building turned green with rot, and the grass that covered the walkways decayed and grew brown with death, but the ponies...” He paused again. “You know, the discordant didn't need to invade, for they already were inside the place. They’re inside each and every one of us. The cloud, just let them free.” He sighed and looked down, “about half the town became twisted by time the cloud had subsided, and every caravan guard and militia pony who outside became just as horrid. I Believe I saw a mother strangle her foal, and marks pony fire at whatever moved... I’m still not quite sure if she was a discordant, or just some poor panicked soul.” He paused and looked up to the mayor, seeming genuinely depressed by the topic. “I’ll have you know that I used to be part of a caravan other than the one I arrived here on before I had to flee the town.”
She looked truly shaken at hearing the tale. “I’m sorry...I have to know though...how did you escape from there?”
“Well, it’s no secret that us diamond dogs have an inborn adeptness to stealth and the like, and I generally try to keep myself well armed. I doubt, any merchant worth his weight wouldn’t be in such a violent frontier.” He added in that last part to make sure they wouldn’t jump at him if ever walked by with a weapon attached on his belt. “And, I pretty much hid away until things cooled down, and then, I snuck out of town. That’s when I ran into the caravan that’s currently unloaded in the market. I warned them about the town, and instead they chose to skip the place and just come straight here, though we did run into some trouble during the trip...” He pointed to the bandage on his face. “But I’m glad to say nobody aside from me had the bad luck of getting too hurt...”
The mayor sighs and says, “Well, that’s quite a story,” Realizing how that may have sounded she quickly added, “I believe you, and I’m glad you and your family made it to safety. So I guess you feel Duskfields is safer than this outpost was?”
“Well, my family is still off with the tribe... I've been trying to earn enough money to buy a house over in the capital.” He sighed. “And yes, this town seem safer if it’s been on the map this long, though, I need to ask, did you know what those red clouds did before I came here?”
She shook her head saying, “No, we knew they were no good, but this? None of us could have known it was that bad...We’ve just been trying to avoid them as best we can.”
He glared at her when she told him that they didn't know. “Well... well regardless, what happens if one blows over the town, or during a fight turns your entire army against you...”
Maintaining her calm, she looked at him and replied, “Like you said, Duskfields has lasted this long. If one does drift over town though, one of the pegasi should be able to give us enough warning to get everyone inside. I hope it doesn't come to that though,”
“Very well... anyway it’s probably best if I leave now. I’m sure the liaison is tired of waiting for his turn.”
“Yes, I’m sure he has some business of his own to talk to me about. Crosshair, could you find a place for our guest to stay? And find somepony to keep an eye on him. Just a matter of caution. Otherwise, welcome to town,”
When Crosshair and the diamond dog are gone, the liaison turns back to the mayor. “Now that that little matter has been attended to, perhaps we can get to more mundane matters?”
Post by: L1wW on June 28, 2013, 11:02:13 pm
Red had spent the last hour looking around the fort hoping he’d find bonnet. He hadn’t the slightest clue where the animal was now that Max got arrested, and nobody gave him a straight answer. He’d spent an hour circling the fort not finding anything. Redhat looked like he hadn’t slept in days. The fact that the plan Max was gone, and what was happening with Prodd was taking it’s toll.
Prodd was in his house for once, making sure all his dangerous yet sentimental stuff was still there. He did have to clean the dust off some of his furniture though. Other than that, his home was basically the same. He relaxed in his home and contemplated smoking again, not feeling the need to practice his marksponyship.
There was a loud scratching at his door, as well as a loud whimper.
Just before he found himself comfortable there was a noise at his door. Sighing he got up and opened the door.
A big fluffy white wolf walked in and gave Prodd’s leg a nuzzle.Bonnet had been getting lonely and saw him walk into the building, and had been waiting for him to come out for a while, so she just decided to get his attention.
Prodd looked down at the wolf and gave her a little pet. “...Go on back to Red, she’s back too.” He cooed. “She... probably needs you...”
Instead Bonnet just whimpered, and tilted her head.
Prodd sighed again. He shut the door behind him and gestured for Bonnet to follow as he went over to Red’s house.
The Wolf just followed behind him.
Prodd made it to Red’s house and knocked on the door, he had the sudden urge to smoke again even though he quit about five or six years ago.
Nobody answered, as Red was still looking around for Bonnet.
Prodd sighed at the lack of an answer and decided it would be best to wait at her house when she inevitably returned.
About thirty minutes passed before Prodd finally saw the mare walking toward the apartment after giving up her search. He seemed way too lost in thought to even notice Prodd or Bonnet.
Prodd let Bonnet go jump on Red while he leaned next to the door.
Red snapped out of his trance the moment the dog jumped at him. He smiled and just gave the dog a hug, actually feeling a little better for a change now that he found his longtime pet.
Prodd smiled faintly and walked away from the two.
He looked up, just to notice him try to sneak away. Red didn’t go after him though, and just kept holding onto Bonnet.
Prodd was back at his house. He decided to try to relax again.
Red just stroked bonnet’s head a few times before starting to walk back to her house, actually feeling slightly better for a change.
Prodd again contemplated smoking again, maybe lighting a wax cigar or something. He wasn’t sure why though, he never had these urges for the past five years. However, something in his gut didn’t feel right... and he always trusted his gut.
Post by: Kryptid on June 29, 2013, 12:16:43 am
Kusarigama couldn’t help but have a smile on his face. He just lied his way into getting to use the town’s market as a place to fence off stolen goods, and none were the wiser. He couldn’t help but feel like a genius, and nothing could sink his mood, even the concerned stairs of the towns folk as he walked through the streets. Though, no matter how ecstatic he was, he still needed to take care of one thing. The wound he had on his face still needed to be looked at. He located the hospital and made his way there, walking in like he owned the place.
It was probably no surprise to find that the doctor was feeling quite sombre. Case was in his office, but perched at his window and hanging his head low. For all that it was worth, he was chewing tenderoot to ease the stress-induced headaches. It did little good to relax him or to answer the questions that ran through his mind, however. Temperance is dead? Normal ponies can become Discordant? How did any of this happen? It makes no sense! He was lost in his own world and was unaware of the diamond dog’s presence.
The dog just waited a little while, before speaking. “Aye mate, your the doctor around here, right?”
Snapped from his thoughts, Case turned to face the unexpected voice. He stood still for a moment, spooked to see that he was being addressed by a diamond dog. “...yes? Can I help you?” The stallion dearly hoped that he wasn’t about to get mugged.
“Well, yes ya can.” he pointed to the big bandage on his face. “I got slashed across the face when the caravan I came to town with got ambushed by badgers, and it’s been mostly left to fester. I was hoping you could help.”
How did this dog even make it in here without getting killed by the guards? Hopefully, this was not some kind of trick. “I believe that I can help with such matters...I do have antiseptic.” The pony began rummaging through the cabinets, careful not to turn his back to the potential threat. “Forgive my asking...but...where did you come from? Does anypony else know that you are here?”
“Well, again I came here with the caravan, and I’ve already cleared things up with the mayor and guard captain. Also how much is this going to cost?” He sitting on one of the stools by now, not really doing much.
Perhaps he really did have a legitimate reason for being here, but the blue pony wasn’t dropping his guard just yet. “I don’t normally charge for my services...not from the townsfolk at any rate.” He lifted a bottle of reddish-brown liquid out of one of the wooden drawers, “I do have a healing potion that could theoretically heal your wound in under an hour, but I fear what negative impact it may have on a diamond dog. I’ve seen bad reactions before. To be safe, I’ll have to use this instead.” Popping out the cork, he cautiously approached the black canine and prepared to dip a swab into the fluid.
As he noticed him walk by started to remove the cloth from his forehead. “Well, how exactly do you make a living if you do everything for free?” Now that the cloth was gone Case study could actually get a good look at the wound, which was clearly infected.
“For as long as we have been here, we have supplied for one-another’s needs for no cost. We have taken and given as was needed. I imagine that has worked out because Duskfields is so small and similar to a kind of big extended family. If we expand too much more, I believe an economic system of some type will probably become necessary to support stability.”
He did the best he could to apply the iodine solution to the scabbed tissues on the diamond dog’s face as he spoke, “A single application will probably not be sufficient to clear an infection of this magnitude. I would likely recommend that you apply some every day. However, I don’t have much to spare. I’ll see what I can do about creating more. How long were you planning on staying with us?”
“I figured I’d only stay maybe a week, and come back whenever... though it’s probably for the best if I come here with an actual caravan like I did this time. I don’t want some marks pony jumping the gun and thinking just another outlaw.”
“Yes...I have to admit that our dealings with diamond dogs in the past have not been positive. If I might suggest it, you may seek to have a pony escort you around town to minimize suspicion and fear.” He resealed the jar, “Anyway, I don’t think you could have chosen a worse time to come to our fort. It seems that our baron was recently infected, corrupted, into becoming a Discordant. He is now dead because of it. I fear that this infection could actually be passed from one being to another. How it is transmitted, I do not know. I plan on having every member of Duskfields checked just for safety. You may wish to stay clear of his grave, as a precaution.”
“Oh...” He looked down for a moment. “You know, the town I was peddling in before I came here actually had an outbreak of this ‘corruption’. I could tell you about if you’d like, also should I keep this wound covered or does it not really matter all too much?”
Case raised an eyebrow, “Is that so? You have prior experience with this?” He became more firmly focused on his patient, “If you have any information that could help save even a single life from this condition, I’m all ears. Oh, and, please do keep your injury covered.”
“Well... you know the crimson fog that occasionally blows in? Well, the town was just so unlucky as to have one blow right over the place.”
“You’re saying that there is a connection between the two?” Case had to chew that one over for a moment. Perhaps it was for the best that he had not yet gone through with his plan to enter one of the clouds to study it. “The phenomenon has been seen outside of our walls, but I’ve never seen anypony directly exposed to them. Tell me as much as you can about what happened.”
“Well, I didn’t see anypony get touched by it... but I did see the aftermath. Everyone who outside, gryphon pony or otherwise was turned into a mindless creature bent on slaughter, and pretty much anything that hadn’t been touched by the fog was dead within hours.”
After some thought, Case shook his head, “That...doesn’t make sense. If a red cloud had overtaken us last night, then surely many more would have been converted than just Mr. Temperance. If a cloud was responsible, then he would have needed to have been alone outside of Duskfield’s walls. Surely he would have known better than to wander outside by himself, especially at so late a time. It just doesn’t add up.” The puzzle was becoming harder to solve, not easier.
“Well, does he often leave the fort at night for no apparent reason?”
The stallion scratched his head, “Not so far as I am aware. If anything, I took him to be on the cautious side, perhaps even timid. It wouldn’t make sense for him to do that given the threat of Discordants in the area. He would have known that as well as anypony. If there was some reason for him to leave our walls, surely he would have taken some guard protection with him. Then again, nopony has stepped up and admitted to having been with him at the time”
“Well, would anypony want him dead? If so the could have hired an assassin... if they knew what the fog did, then having him get stuck in it would be a decent way to remove someone you didn’t like.” He started to think. “If he had no reason to be outside the wall, I’d guess someone made him come out by force or otherwise.”
“What? No, that’s not possible. No one here would have wanted him dead. He’s only done the best for us.” The only one he thought might possibly be willing to do it would be Max, and that’s only if he was truly guilty of murder as he was currently charged with. He was locked up, however, and could not have done the deed. “No...no one within our walls could have done this. At least I don’t want to believe that is possible.”
“Well, maybe someone didn’t ‘want’ him dead... Tell me, what was his job again?”
Case sighed, “He was baron, the highest ranking member of Duskfields. If anything, I’d say that his duties had actually become lessened ever since Dr. Convalescence had become mayor. I don’t feel as though he would have done anything to step on anypony’s hooves. He would have known his place and his duties.”
“Well, maybe nobody wanted him dead, and in fact he wouldn’t be if he was corrupted. Maybe, somepony wanted his job, and thought they could make him disappear. It’s worth noting too that if they wanted the job, it would have to be somepony who had a realistic chance at taking the role...”
Rubbing both of his temples with his hooves, the doctor moaned, “I don’t think I’m up for conspiracy theories right now. If there is a crime to investigate, I’m sure the appropriate parties will get involved. My main concern right now is keeping the townsfolk safe from any further infection risk. That said, I thank you for your cooperation in telling me what you know of the red cloud. I’ll see what, if anything, can be done to mitigate the risk. Make sure to come back tomorrow some time for some additional treatment if you want your own infection to be cleared up.” He paced back over to the window, “I...I think I’d just like to be alone for now...”
“Very well then..” He got up from his seat and started to walk off toward the door before pausing. “Thanks by the way.” He said before finally leaving.
“Oh, yes, you are welcome...” Case trailed off before becoming lost in his thoughts once more.
Post by: KingStrongbeard on July 04, 2013, 03:11:58 am
Max looks up at his small cell window, admiring it’s small sliver of light. Three months. Three long months. With nothing but a small barred culvert for company.
Suddenly, the beam of light was blocked by a body.
“Took your sweet time.” Max muttered.
A coin purse slid down from the culvert and into Max’s awaiting claws.The figure moves away just as quickly as it appeared.
Max looks to his jail cell door.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png) (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Max%20Avatar.png)
The door to the prison opens, Flamberge in uniform, enters, he asks the on duty guard to take a lunch break, and pulls Crosshair’s desk chair over to face Max’s cell, just out of claw reach, should the bird try to attack him through the bars, “Hello Max, enjoying your stay?” he asks as he makes himself comfortable.
“Quite.” Max said sarcastically. He leans into the cell bars. “So what’s new in the outside world? Crosshair is a terrible conversationalist. Won’t tell me anything. Why don’t we chat a long while, friend?.” He said, trying hold his attention long enough to get him in arms reach.
Flamberge leans back in his chair, “Well, Max, I’m not here to indulge your curiosity, but you lived in this area for a long time, and may be able to help us. Tell me, you and Baron Temperance, I know you borrowed his books, and read them in his office, would you have called him a friend?”
“A damn good one.” Max stated simply. “He gave me a chance when no one else did.”
“Then surely it will grieve you to know that he is now dead, slain as a direct result of the actions of a creature of this forest, one who calls herself Entropy. Do you know of her?” Flamberge explains emotionlessly.
Max scrunched up his face in distress. “What happened? Entropy? The wise tale? What are you talking about?” Max snarls. “Temperance is what?” Max slams his fist against the cell bars. “He trusted you! You let him die on your watch, just like that?”
Flamberge keeps his cool on the outside of the bars, safe in the knowledge that even the griffon couldn't bend steel bars with his bare claws, he then calmly explains, "The Draconequus Entropy, she transformed Temperance into a Discordant pony, he went berserk, and was put down, he's dead, because of what she did. If he was your friend, you'd want to help us avenge him. Can you tell us anything about her that might help to fight her, or to prevent this from happening again?"
Max smirks. “So that’s the practiced lie you tell yourself at night is it, Baron Flamberge?”
“It is the truth Max, and I am not Baron. The current Baroness is Temperance’s eldest daughter, Mountain Dew. I am, however, acting as Regent, until she comes of age.” Flamberge states.
“Entropy isn’t real. Entropy is a ghost story badger ponies tell each other at night. No, I’ve wised up since then. Wisened up to know that the real monsters live a lot closer than the gremlins under the bed.” He leans up to Flam as close as he can. “Closer than ever.”
"Close enough that you even shared your bed with such a beast," Flamberge stands and changes the subject, "If she is nothing more than a ghost story, as far as you know, then you are of no help to us," Flamberge puts the desk chair back by the desk.
As Flamberge gets up to leave, Max chants an ominous psalm oft recited by fervent religious doom sayers around these parts.
“For ponies who have dulled their eyes with sin,
And dimmed the light of heaven with doubt,
And built their temple-walls to shut thee in,
And framed their iron creeds to shut thee out.
Beware, Beware.
Beware Entropy the World-Betrayer.
Her blade discerns not
In her wickedness, faithless crusader.
Her Fangs flow accursed evil, poisoned deadly knives,
Brimstone she bellows, wings sharp as scythes.
- To call a foul god would not be unwise.
This is why we pray; Evil as this we ward away.
This is why we pray for the day.”
He finishes on a somber tone, hinted with mourning at the loss of his friend. “ . . . So, presuming this ‘foul god’ of yours is real? What could you possibly do to stop her?”
Flamberge keeps his back to Max as he recites his poem and question, standing by Crosshair’s desk, “She most certainly is real, I have seen her, and... she bested me quite hoofidly, I don’t know how to stop her yet, but I will. I have to. Nopony else can.”
“Why?” Max scoffs. “Because you’re ‘ordained’ to? Because of a higher purpose? Because in some twisted way, you see yourself as the golden hero in all of this? Well, I have news for you: If the stories are true? Entropy is going to keep you a hair’s breadth above alive, only to dissolve your wife and your children in front of your very own eyes. A way to let you feel as she feels. You should pray to simply be losing your mind, Flamberge. To be hunting a phantom in the night. If not? The gods can’t even save you now.”
Flamberge turns to face Max, "I don't believe in destiny, and I doubt the gods have ever done a lick of good for me in my entire life, I don't need their help, I can stand on my own, and I have to kill her, because no ordinary pony can, because we can't just run away, because she is a deamon who should, no must be cleansed from these lands, my lands. I don't expect to do it alone, but I have no doubt that behind all that magic power, is a creature that can be killed, just like the rest of her kind, and I will find a way to strike at that, or die trying. She is no god, just another dragon to be slain."
Max looked at him shrewdly, ignoring the obvious goading. " -What if that first dragon had a contingency plan for all of this? Would your opinion of him change then?"
Flamberge considers that, "You said you thought she was just a ghost story. But now you are telling me it had a plan for her?"
“ My Carn was more superstitious than I was. Carn always did expect the worst. Sadly, I now truly know why.” Max looks at him cautiously, as if he was debating sharing another word. “Stones. The key is stones.”
"Stones? What are you talking about? You're going to need to elaborate." Flamberge says sceptically.
“Magical stones. Defensive, shielding hex charged stones, ones which Carn planned ta' shield the Cave with, to buy time while we came up with a plan against whatever was attacking us. Would have used it on you too, if you didn't catch him by surprise. Inn’a theory, you could shield the entire town with them, against whatever comes until some reinforcements arrive. They are very powerful.”
Flamberge fails to hide his eagerness at the idea, "I have never heard of such things. And there are enough of these in your cave to defend the whole town?"
" . . . One stone alone is powerful enough to protect the entire town, the question is how long. I have four. That's enough to make a sphered barrier around the town for - a month or so, if your luck holds steady. They each last for about five to seven days."
"Where are they kept? Will we need to worry about more traps when we... Wait, why didn't you mention these before? When you decided to stay here after the dragon was killed."
"Why in-deed." Max drawled."A bargaining chip." Max flicked his cage bars. "Just incase of situations like these. "You're not going to get somethin' for nothin'. Your peace of mind is going to cost you."
"A shame then. I might have listened if you had told us earlier. I assume you want to bargain for a lighter sentence, Yes? But Lady Convalescense has already ruled you are guilty, and I have already spoken with the Griffin Captain about you, he'll be here soon to take over custody and take you back to CanyonTalon to face sentencing," Flamberge explains dryly, "We'll search your cave once you are gone of course, you won't need the contents of it where you are going, I'm just giving you the chance to prevent any more blood from getting on your claws, by giving us a list of the defenses we might not know about."
“Why would I keep something so valuable in the cave? The one you blew a hole in the ceiling of, if you recall.” He draws one of the stones from behind his back. “No, too valuable to be kept there.” He grinned. “Freedom isn’t my price, either. Sounds like I have the better part of the deal if Entropy is coming to visit. No.” He grabs the bars. “An apology is my price.”
Flamberge takes a step back and looks strangely at the presented objects, “How did you get those? You were searched when we arrested you, where did those come from? Who brought them to you?” Flamberge asks in an accusatory tone.
“I’m a gay griffon. How do you think I got them in here?” Max balked back. “It doesn't matter. Do you want to take my offer of not? I can’t believe I’m actually considering this ... only because of my love for Duskfields. I couldn't stand the sight of her fall...”
Flamberge huffs, and responds, "And for what am I supposed to be apologizing for? For, killing your scalie lover? Because I won't. I am sorry that your bad decisions led to pointless fighting, and good ponies getting hurt. I'm sorry, your own feelings getting in the way, stopped us from getting something meaningful for the town out of it. I'm sorry to Sergi that I listened to Temperance and Crosshair, and didn't hang you that day! That's all I have to apologize for."
Max draws the stone back. “And here I thought you actually cared for Dawnpick like I did.” Max leans against the left wall of his cell. “Co’mon, I know somewhere behind all the pride and the inferiority complex there’s a conscience somewhere. A guilty one. If not for me, then for all those citizens who vehemently cried out in protest about the skull? Ponies who in no uncertain terms hated you for the decisions you’ve made for them. Anything? Anything at all?”
Flamberge seethes with white hot rage, then surpesses it and says through gritted teeth, "That decision was put to a vote, Temperance and I both made our cases, and the majority went with my suggestion. Why should I apologize to a few angry vandals, tearing up the place just to get their way?”
Flamberge sighs, and tries to make a small concession, “But about the dragon, I'm not sorry about what I did. It was the right thing to do with the information I had. His death is on your claws, not mine. He's dead because you tried to keep him a secret. I'm sorry for your mistakes, but I won't apologize for my actions."
Max looks him up and down with a frown. “That’s the best I’m going to get out of you, isn’t it? Well fine.” Max moves back to the cell bars and hold out the bright sky blue stone for Flamberge to grab. “Luckily for you I am a bird of my word.”
Flamberge looks at the stone, "So, how do I activate it? Is there a password, or..." he reaches to accept it.
As Flam grabs the stone they both look as if they were being electrocuted by lightning as a pure magic force courses through the both of them.
After a momentary shock, Flamberge gets back on to his hooves. “It’s touch activated, actually ...” He said with a grin.
Max crawls and shakes his head, disorientated, he stands, and places a claw to his forehead. He retracts his claw and stares at it in utter shock and disbelief, he feels his beak, and his feathers and his lion body, he looks out at Flamberge standing outside the bars, and realizes where he is.
“You... monster!” the bird rockets to the prison door, reaching a clawed hand out trying in vain to grasp the pony by the throat. After a moment he gives up, and sits back, trying to make an angry glare, with the now unfamiliar face.
“Monster, huh?” Flam said while casually moving his head away from the futile claws. “You had another pet name for me, didn't you?” Flamberge leans on the desk. “What was it now?” He rubs his chin, pantomiming a deep thought. “What was it .... Oh yeah, ‘the fool.’” He makes a gesture towards Max. “Well, who’s a fool now, the free bird? Or the Pony who just took a strange magical stone from a striped prisoner on the fleeting hope it will protect him from gribbles and snarks and entropies and all the other figments hiding under the bed?” He then laughed. He laughed a dark, grim laugh. “Who’s the fool now!?” He shouted madly.
The griffin doesn't know what to say, a mix of furious rage, and the crushing pain of shame in his chest, "Okay, you've made your point. I'm a fool, and I should have never trusted you in the least. So what happens now?"
“Now? Now I become the leader DuskFields needs while you get shipped off to Black Falcon prison, up north where the Griffons keep their murderous population. It’s nicknamed the ‘Bird Cage’. You’re going to love it. They say it’s a ‘total isolation’ camp, but they lie; They let you have contact with another being and even let a single letter sent to you be read once in a full year. How nice of them. You are going to sit there and rot, as the world spins without you, and you know what? I actually think it’s not going to stop. Not for one second. In fact, I think things will actually be for the better in Duskfields, as I steal your entire life and utilize it and improve life for these ponies.”
The griffin turns around and tries to buck the iron cell door, only to painfully find that lion paws are more sensitive than pony hooves, he curses and stares daggers at the pony, "And... what about Crosshair? What about my foals? Do you really think you can fool my family? ...Or do you plan to kill them like Sergi."
“I don’t care an iota one way or the other about your family. My quarrel is not with them. Crosshair will belive me over you. I can be quite convincing you know. Wouldn't be here if I was any less. It was hard manipulating you to get you exactly where I want you, you know.” Flamberge crosses his hooves. “You see, the problem with plotting a revenge for you is, you want death! You welcome it. It’s not as easy as simply killing you. No; to truly break you I needed to claim everything you fought so hard for, and strip it from you completely. Your Status, your wife, your body, your sword, everything. Everything. That’s how I’d truly hurt you; I had to take your Legacy from you ... Well, I’ll admit, it was not that hard, but very time consuming. The art of being twelve steps ahead is letting you think I’m five steps behind, after all.”
The griffin thinks then tries to reason with the pony, "You aren't a soldier, you aren't a leader, you aren't fit to rule them. This town needs me Max. Duskfields needs me to protect it. Without my mind, my skills, in that body, Entropy and her army will kill every, last, one, of us."
“Entropy does not exist.” Flamberge stated firmly. “We need more crops, not more weapons!Not more soldiers! We need a pony who can compromise with others, not a pony who can fall so low as to murder another for something so petty as a promotion. I - I don’t think you fully get this; Your paranoia is going to kill us all. You are the threat to us. I am the savior, here, not you. I want you to think on that. For a very loong time.”
"The only murderer here is you, Max, you killed an innocent griffon, without any cause other than your own twisted thirst for vengeance. Entropy is coming. I have spoken to her, she twisted Temperance against us. I saw it happen. If you don't let me do my job, and get this town ready for the coming siege, their blood will be on you Max, your quest for vengeance will kill everypony here."
Flam rolls his eyes. “Oh come off it. It’s all a twisted delusion in an’ attempt to push what you’ve done onto conjured auspices in order to conceal the grit and hide it even from yourself in an attempt to keep your distorted golden persona alive an’ well... Tell me. When you saw her? This fell god? Did anypony else see it alongside you?”
"I heard her speaking to Temperance, she transformed him into a discordian. It's common knowledge that he was transformed when they found the body. I couldn't fake that Max, I don't have that kind of magic. I was the only one to see Entropy, the only one to talk to her, and I only told Crosshair about her before asking you about her, but I'm telling you now, if you won't get ready to fight her, then run away from here. Take my family, and everypony else and find someplace else to live, someplace outside this forest, because she and her siblings will kill us, if you give them the chance." Maxberge seems to believe everything he says, and speaks with a pleading tone.
“Nopony saw it but you. . .” Flamwell gave a deep sigh. “ Then it’s croc. Pure croc. I had wished you were more mentally well for this, Flamberge. I could have hoped for only so much, I guess. I’ll make sure Duskfields survives with every tool available. It’s not your concern anymore. If this Entropy wants, say, children or whatever? Well I think I know where to start. But that’s about as much thought I’m going to put into your tall stories.” He shifts this hoof back and forth, gesturing between them. “Don’t take that pleading tone with me. Don’t you dare take that pleading tone with me! You had your way out of this! If you had just given me an apology! You would not be in the situation you’re in! A single sign of remorse! And now you plead with me? Unbelievable.”
Maxberge fidgets and struggles with the words then says, "Fine. I'm sorry. That drag... Carnith, probably didn't need to die. I'm sorry I tried to turn his death into something to benefit the town, instead of letting him rot in the ground. I did what I thought was right, and I don't think a better solution could have been found, it was a bad situation, and I did what had to be done, but in retrospect, it was a tragedy. But please, don't doom all these ponies for what happened back then. Just give me back my body."
“Now you see, I just can’t do that now, Flamberge. I appreciate the sentimentality, though. I will ask Convalescence to see if we can execute you here, instead of letting the Griffons have their way with you, so you have that going for you now.” He taps his hooves together, with an almost lost look on his face. “You see, if Entropy is real? That means she’s set all this in motion, not me. And if that’s true? I feel a little like dying anyway...”
Maxberge just sits down, he knows he's lost this battle, "Max, you won't get away with this... I will get out of here, and I will make things right."
“... And so ends the story of the hero Flamberge, Military Commander of Duskfields, with his tongue on the tip of a promise he knows he cannot keep. We are done here.” With a content inspection of the cage Flamberge takes the keys off the key hook as he trots up the dungeon stairs for safe keeping. He had a bittersweet expression on his face as he walked up, for even though the battle had been won, there were still loose ends to be tied up. Especially ones concerning Temperance. In his lust for revenge he let his friend die at the hand of a manic, and that must be atoned for. But for the most part, Max was content about Flamberge’s incarceration; finally, after months, he could take a breath of ease. And It felt so good.
When Max is gone, and Flamberge left alone in this new body, he collapses onto the bed, he didn't know what to do. He'd been played like a fool, and he had nopony to blame but himself. Flamberge looked at Max's claws... His claws, saw how sharp they were. He thought he could just rip himself apart. That he could keep Max from the joy of watching him hang, or being carted away to some dark dungeon, but he dismisses the thought as quickly as it came.
Flamberge sits up and looks at the door again, "No. This isn't the end. This is only just beginning," he says to nopony in particular, "Now we just need a plan." He smiles.
Post by: Iceblaster on July 04, 2013, 09:39:47 pm
Journal Entry
A vision. Why is this important. Amug showed up, she explained something... I don't know if I should follow or just pass it off as optimism, hoping I could have something to look forward to after I get out of jail.
[The text becomes a large rant at this point]
My life is ruined because of him! I will have no money... no home... No anything because of some damn bird! If I could go back to when I handed off those bolts and instead refused to do it... I would. I don't care about the gate being destroyed that one time. I don't care about the fiasco with his lover. I don't fucking care what I did to get in here. I was imprisoned for him, and all I get is 'Oh yes I used you, You are a tool. nothing more' I don't get a Thank you. I don't get a damn thing for taking the fall for him. I'm glad he's incarcerated now. I'm glad I don't have to worry about him skipping town and leaving me to rot. If I get out, the first thing I do is get migration papers filled. I don’t want to be within five miles of this bird.
I wish I never left there... at least there I had a guaranteed income from being in the reserves. I'm not even sure if my paycheck from Fruitholds ever reaches my father and the bank... I've made my mind up. I'm taking my family and skipping town A.S.A.P. I don't care if this town is 'destroyed' as Amug said. I will not stay here if it means I'll be tortured by 'a deal with the devil' as I have called it. I don't care if Max 'promised' I will get a position of power once he takes over, either through force or otherwise... I just don't care.
I ranted on about something of little importance... I need to rest. More tomorrow...
[The ink at the bottom is new]
I don’t actually think this... This time in the prison has made me more cynical than I thought.
Journal Entry 7
More about this vision as I... lost myself in an angry rant.
I was just having a good dream... I was... [text is scratched through to where the underlying text is undecipherable]
Never writing that again
Anyway, the dream faded and I was before Amug herself. She told me that an innumerable force is coming.
I will talk with Flamberge, Prodd, Case Study, or possibly Convalescence if they all deny me anything to use for this quest that Amug wants me to go on... maybe I don’t know... I don’t want to leave if I don’t have to.
I’ve begun to repeat myself. I’m done with this journal entry.
Spoiler: The vision in scene form as I'm sure you would want it. (click to show/hide)
Post by: DVNO on July 04, 2013, 10:41:03 pm
Flamberge rattles Lightning’s cell bars with his iron horseshoe. “Wakey Wakey, inmate.”
Lightning jumped at the sudden sound, blinking multiple times before drowsily getting up. “Morning Flamberge...” He said
“I have come to set you free, Lightning. I am dropping all charges.” Flam said in his typical bursk and uninterested manner.
“Really? Where’s the chopping block then. You always seemed to want to kill me” He inquired, surprised at his sudden release.
Flamberge quirked a brow. “Kill you? Don’t take this so personal, Lightning. I only ever wanted to get to the bottom of this.” He shrugged his shoulders. “You lead us to the real culprit, and you have done your job. As far as I’m concerned, you’re just cluttering up Crosshair’s jail.”
“Really?” He said, raising an eyebrow “I was told I’d be tried for thievery. I assume I’d be tried for that, found guilty, and sit here for another year.”
Flam leans against the cell bars. “I could still do that I suppose ... Or I can assume you’ve learned your lesson about working with criminals like Max, and never ever breathe a hair out of line again.” After a long moment Flamberge sighs, and explains his change of heart. “Thank your children, Lighting. I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing this because I also have a family. A family that I fear of not caring for. Do not take this generousness lightly, you will not be granted another.”
“Fine. Now would you mind letting me out. I would love to see Sweetie again.” He grabbed the statuette he received from Mist a few weeks ago in his mouth.
Flamberge grabs the keys from their wall with his mouth. “You played your part in the narrative flawlessly, after all ...” He said with a down played causality, though the words haunt Lightning. He has heard that phrase before ... though not uttered from him. Flam unlocks the cell door.
Lightning thought of what Flamberge said, usually only Max mentioned a narrative, but he ignored it as Max dead... he couldn’t be here.. “Thanks, now I’ll be going” He said around the statuette. He began towards the exit, not paying any attention to Flamberge
“Huh. Um, okay.” Flamberge pouts. He really didn’t catch that clever reveal? It truly sailed over his head completely? “Is a thank you, Max, out of the question? A little gratitude for keeping my end of the bargain?”
Lightning paused, set down the statuette and turned around. “What Bargain.”
Flamberge rolled his eyes, getting agitated now. “No, Lightning. It’s me- I just saved you from jail. Me. Maxwell. As promised.”
It finally clicked in his mind who this was, and he was afraid that he had a revenge plan. “...Max...” His face grew pale. “Y-You aren’t... mad? I...” He asked, ending a second sentence before he began as it would only lead to trouble.
Flamberge grinned. “Mad? Yes, well yes guess I am a little mad in a sense. Not mad at you, though. Can’t be any happier, in fact. You were the lynchpin for getting Flamberge out of the picture, and getting in a position to guide Duskfields into prosperity. I am in a way indebted to you.”
“Indebted? How, all I did was give you some dusty old bolts.” He asked, a slight grin appearing on his face. He has a few favors from the baroness’ regent and he will make the best of them when the time comes.
“Ah, but you see, It was never about the murder. I knew you would crack. I knew I would be cuffed. I knew I would be hanged. I knew you would give Flamberge the confidence of an upper hand. When in reality he never took a step in a direction I didn’t want.”
“Really. Pray tell how you got out. I would love to know.” He said, actually interested in his story.
Flamberge laughs. “Now, now. You know a’ great magician never reveals his tricks.”
“You are indebted to me. You owe me an explanation. If its so secret that you can’t reveal it, then consider any future arrangements, gone.” Lightning said, looking him in the eyes.
“Is it not immediately apparent?” Flamberge asks.
“Other than some black magic, no. You are alive, yes, but I see no way in tartarus you could have lived without foul play” Lightning accused.
“You’re on the right track. And I am Max. The twenty fourth. we swapped the bolts then. After my bout with Crosshair. I offered to pay but you refused.”
“Yes and what does that have to do with now. You shot that griffon. Kill him in cold blood, I took the fall. I know what happened”
“Well, have I settled your doubts that I am not Max yet?”
“Okay. Yes you have settled that. Now, have you killed Flamberge or whatever you wanted to do to him yet? While I don’t like him, I would hate it if you actually went and killed him.”
Flamberge makes a tisking sound. “Oh, Lightning. You can wish for no one getting hurt. You can throw off your shackles. But you can’t do both.”
“...You...Killed Flamberge. I.. Why did I trust you. You killed the one who could take on five discordants and kill them without getting hurt,” Lightning took on an angrier tone. “,you decided the town would rather lose its best stallion, just so you can become the ruler. I’m ashamed to even have helped you.”
Flamberge blinks twice. “Explain the part where I care, again. Just one more time. Incase I have missed it.”
Lightning couldn’t think of anything. He quickly thought out a response. “If I wasn’t there to help you, it was likely you could’ve been caught breaking into Crosshair’s home. I am the reason you are where you are now due to my expertise- I mean, knowledge in the art of lockpicking.” He was sure this would work, however it was more likely to get him in more trouble.
Flamberge trots towards the pony. “Of course. Invaluable. And as I said I thank you for that. Not invaluable anymore though. A tool thoroughly used. You must know by now, I have told you too much yet again, don’t you?” He grinned.
“Told me too much? You still being alive baffles me and yet you think I know too much;And I am not invaluable? Well that just makes me feel so special. Now, if you may, I wish to leave” He began to turn around.
Flamberge struck Lightning with a headbutt that would break a cinder block, rendering him unconscious. He stroked Lightning’s mane with a caring hoof. “Shhh, Lightning. This was yet another lucid dream, and tomorrow, you will wake up next to your dearest Sweet Potato. Finally free. My gift to you.” Flamberge then hooved a stone and placed it on Lightning’s forehead. A bright blue aurora flowed from his head, into the stone. He was sucking this very conversation out of his memory. There. He admitted to Lighting he was apologetic about all this and fulfilled his promise, in his usual roundabout way. Flamberge threw Lightning over his back. “Co’mon, Lighting, let’s finally get you home.”
Post by: vkiNm on July 05, 2013, 07:12:51 pm
Journal Entry, Scrubbed off date.
Something's not right, Something doesn't feel right. Flamberge have been acting.. weird, lately. Distanced, distached, and just plain odd. I don't see him drilling the troops anymore, Or even do as much as touch his sword. He looked awkward whenever we're together with the foals and he barely take us out for some family dinner!
Worse yet, he just released Lighting Runner! We haven't even have a Trial for his thievery yet! I'm going to have to re-arrest him again and have him properly trialed for thievery and assisting a murder. Although there'll probably be some lenient for helping us catching the bird.
I know he's my Stallion and I know that he's the Commander of the Militia and also a Colonel and the Regent, but He never. EVER messed with civilian and guards duty before. And when I thought I'm starting to become crazy, the bird's been trying to talk to me and saying that he's actually Flamberge. And you know what? I know it's crazy, but I think I'm starting to believe him. It's probably more likely that what the Bird's telling me is true than Flamberge suddenly starts asking for more tools to be made and less weapons aswell as stopped drilling the troops.
especially with what's coming.. Is he giving up and going to let us be bait like we're supposed to be? I sure as hell hope not. If there's anypony who could save us, I'm sure it'll be him. But not the him who refuses to Drill the troops, mess with MY bucking work and looks like he's oblivious to the threat!
hm, I think a house arrest for Lightning will be enough until we have a Trial.
End note. Something's not right with my Husband. He haven't even TOUCHED me for a whole week! A WHOLE week!
Post by: Pokon on July 06, 2013, 12:44:15 am
This scene occurs a few days before the death of Temperance.
Wood Chip waited besides his bed. He hadn’t spoken to SmoothBlock in days, but that had to do with the amount of work they had to do. Now, they had a day or so of nearly pure rest.
“Hey Woody, how has work been going?” asked SmoothBlock. She had spent most of her time underground in the mines.
Wood Chip smiled at that. “Oh, you know, the usual. Really, I might be out of a job soon with the amount of tree’s we are cutting down.” He shook his head, as if he was trying to shake off a cloud of flies. “But let’s not talk about work, we have a whole day off together. Did you have anything in mind?”
“Snuggles? I really kind just want to forget all this crap that’s been happening.” SmoothBlook sighed heavilly.
Woodchip looked at her sad expression and scooted over on the bed. “Oh, come here. I need a squeeze too. But we do need to talk about something else. It’s nothing bad, I promise.”
SmoothBlock slid over and hugged WoodChips in her forelegs “Tell me.” She lay her head on his withers.
Woodchip leaned back a little while holding SmoothBlock, letting her lean on him fully. “Well, we have been moving in and out of each other’s rooms, and while we haven’t done anything that would require a strong, sturdy bed, I was thinking that we should move into one or the other. Rooms, I mean. Basicly,” he admits, “I am asking for you to move in with me."
SmoothBlock smiled wide “Oh Chips, that would be wonderful!” The burgundy unicorn snuggled WoodChips warmly.
Woodchip had a distant look on his face as he snuggled back. “Yes, I know. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go there.”
He pauses, and spoke slowly.
“You remember, those few months ago, that I said that you would help me with making the first move? I could use that help now. It seems like the right time.”
She gently put her forehoof on his chest and kissed WoodChips deeply. “Then I’ll help you.”
Woodchip said nothing for a very long time, as his mouth was occupied by tongue.
However, even if he didn’t want to, he needed to breath. Shaking slightly, he stammered on his words as he pulled her into a full body embrace. “I don’t...I have never felt so close to another pony before, SmoothBlock. I don’t want to let go of you. Oh, I probably sound like a helpless colt right now...”
“You sound like a stallion in love.” SmoothBlock rubbed Woodchips chin and caressed his neck.
Woodchip stared at SmoothBlock’s eyes, almost unable to blink. “Is that so? Well, if anything, you sound like the only mare I need in the world.” Woodchip wondered for a moment if that came out right, and thought against mentioning it. “Before we do anything, if I said I had a bottle of some of the oldest swamp whisky I could find and two glasses with some dried zebra herbs lining the rims that promote...vitality, under this bed, what would you say?”
“Some whisky with interesting spices. I would like that very much. Spending some private special time with my lovely rugged woodworker, It would be perfect.” SmoothBlock leaned back on the bed and ran her hoof down his back.
At that, a small wooden board floated out from under the bed and landed softly on it. It looked zebra-made, covered in soft-looking spirals and swirls that were engraved into the wood, and the two cups that lay on it, indeed, had a small pile of dried leaves that had almost sweet quality.
“Now, apparently, you are not supposed to taste it in your drink, but you know it’s working you when you start getting a tingley feeling down your back, and everything just happens from there.” Woodchip explained as he poured himself out a moderate gulp into the cup. “Apparently, the dose in the cup is supposed to be used by bison. Goodness know’s what that means, but I just paid the shaman and he shut up. “At that,he passed the bottle over to SmoothBlock.
SmoothBlock lifted the cup and filled it with swamp whisky, with an dose of leaves equal to Woodchips. She took a gentle sip and gave him a snuggle. “Sounds like it should be just strong enough for me.”
Woodchip looked at the mare with her head on his belly, looked his cup, and took a sip roughly as large as the one SmoothBlock took. “You know,” he said, drawing out his words a little bit, “If I said that we toast to this newly, firmly grounded relationship of ours and we both down our cups at the same time, you wouldn’t say no, would you?”
“I would say, ‘Cheers’, and we drink to our solid love.” SmoothBlock raised up her glass in her magic as she nuzzled Woodchips chest.
Woodchip swished around the contents of his cup for a few moment, smiled at SmoothBlock happily,clinked his glass against her’s, a downed it’s contents. He felt a little fuzzy just from that little sip, and, truth to be told, he was wondering what the effect on SmoothBlock would be.
SmoothBlock finished her drink and turned look into WoodChips eyes, a loving look in her eyes. Slowly she crawled up WoodChips body and pushed him gently onto his back. “I’m going to take you in my hooves and make love to you all night long~”
Wood Chip blinked. For a moment, he thought he had heard SmoothBlock say that she wanted to make love to him.
Oh, wait. Hello there Mr. Brain. It seemed that you have exploded.
Wood Chip stared at the small mare who was holding him down on his back in a mix of wonder and simple surprise that this was happening.
“SmoothBlock, there was....” Wood Chip tried to think for a moment. Ah, yes, fertility drugs are fertility drugs, and they were certiantly not made for just fun. But he was planning on having a family anyway, and but he pushed the warning he was given into the back of his mind.
“SmoothBlock, I just want you to know that I hope I just feel half of what I am going to make you feel tonight.” He wasn’t much for dirty talk, but she didn’t look like she would mind.
SmoothBlock gave WoodChips a loving smile and snuggle him deeply “Take me and make me feel, all the things you can, all the pleasures you know.”
WoodChip’s was unaware that the herbs would make ponies attempt to try and talk poeticly, but he chalked that up to the fact that the mix came from a zebra shamen.
“I will do that, and more. Do not worry, Smoothie, because you are going to be on top of the happiest stallion in this land of ours for as long as you wish.”
“That will be a long time~” SmoothBlock blew out the light.
“So I prepared correctly, I see.” Wood Chip chuckled as he shifted his weight onto his lower back and grasped her sides, not resisting the urge to squeeze a little as he got prepared. “But, enough of jokes, I am here to please, for however long you like.”
Fade to black, nothing more to see folks.
Post by: DVNO on July 06, 2013, 01:15:15 am
Flamberge walks into the apartment and starts unfastening his peytral with more than a bit of difficulty. It’s not like he’s ever had to do it before until today, which was marked with many, many firsts. Cooking with hooves, shaving with hooves, getting over questioning how sanitary everything is when you use your mouth for everything ...
Crosshair is fortunately still out on her work, probably will be coming home soon. But the ones who are here are their foals, Crossbow squeaked excitedly and trots over to her apparent father with her brother Claymore who they quickly nuzzled onto Flamwell’s legs for attention and love.
Flamwell looks down at them with a bit of surprise, and leans down to their level. “Hey there little guys, do you know where C-Mom is?”
It doesn’t seems like the young babbling foals understands him, They just want snuggles and nuzzles and loves as they squeaks and face-hugs their /Father/’s legs.
Flam sits on his butt and hugs them back awkwardly, but enough to not look too out of place.
The foals went batshit excited, squeaking adorably and happily as they’re wrapped in their father’s hug. Nuzzling their faces and body up to him as they coos. Then the door opened and Crosshair trots tiredly inside, closing the door behind her before beginning to strip her armor, she gave her family a smile “Home early?” she asked.
Flamwell greets his new wife with a smile. “Uh, yes. I found out something a little disturbing and had to come by early. It’s good to see you Crosshair, you look especially stunning today.”
The small mare gave him another smile as she wiggled off of the last piece of her armor, walking up over him to nuzzles her face against his muzzle, Turning them into a whole family fully of love and nuzzles that could probably repel a changeling invasion. “Something disturbing?”
Flamberge’s surprise can’t truly hide as he’s suffocated by love. He simply nuzzeled back, hoping to it was not to out of the ordinary to do such a thing. His tone turns to a low growl.”Maxwell’s has been trying to get under my skin again, surprise surprise ....”
Crosshair blinked. “What do you mean again? He haven’t been trying to do so before have he? I’m pretty sure of that. Didn’t even want to talk to me much when I guard him.”
Flam lifts up a black book with his hoof. “My Diary. I found it in his cell, Crosshair. I don’t know what he wanted with it, but it can not have been for anything good.”
“You keep that thing in here all day, how’d he get it in there?” Crosshair questioned further.
Flam threw the book on the table with a dissatisfied grunt. “I have no idea. Or why he would want to read it. The bird should not be underestimated.” He looks to his family. “Not that it matters now, though.”
That made Crosshair tilt her head again “Why not?”
"Well, the griffon caravan is almost here. If he has a hand to play, he better play it soon is all I can say.” He changes the topic. “So. I have the night off. Do you or the foals want to do anything in particular tonight? Can I make dinner, any clothes that need to be washed or dried, anything at all?”
That made Crosshair raise her brow even further “But I usually do all of that.” she said.
Flamberge face hoofs mentally when he realized he was misjudging his role here. Kindness? Crosshair was expecting a total aggressive monster. “Well, never say I did not offer. I think I’m going to retire to the boudoir.”
“To the what?” Crosshair asked confusedly.
Flam grips his forehead with his hooves, visibly now. “The bedroom. You know, boudoir, it’s another word for - I have plans for a new routine for the soldiers tomorrow. I need to write a thing or two down.”
“But didn’t you promise to take me and the foals out for some family dinner outside tonight?” The small mare asked, continue to be confused.
“Yes!” He said angrily. “ A dinner which I would have been glad to make myself, I would have been happy to get the foals in nice and presentable in some fresh clothes, but you apparently have other plans. You looked like a deer in the glow of a light spell when I mentioned preparing for it, so I assumed you forgot. I didn’t forget, it’s all in the journal, my dear. I’m well aware!” He squints. “I swear, you a acting weird, crosshair.”
“What?” Crosshair blinked. “But we were going to go get Creampuff’s food! What are you talking about? You never cooked before! and what do you mean fresh and presentable cloths? I’ve already washed them and prepared them last morning for our foals!” Crosshair huffed a little. “You’re acting weird..”
Flam sighs. “I was imagining more of a outside picnic. Of course you meant Creampuffs. And you are right, I never cook. I sort of wanted to change that.”
The small mare finally give him a slight small smile. “Well, I suppose work’s been getting on all of us.. That’s why we really need some time away from work together as a family, yeah?”
“I agree. I need the weight of all this Entropy business of my - our shoulders. Just a little time off. Enjoy the life we’re fighting so hard to save for once.” ‘Yeah, that’s a dead on Flamberge thing to say’, Flam thought.
Crosshair nodded with another smile “mm.. once in a while, still can’t do it too often, no? we’re going to need everypony to e ready for when they show up..”
Flamberge nods too. “Sounds like it’s time to put that backlog of bolts I ordered from Temperance to good use. Get every citizen comfortable with the idea of protecting their town.” Flam rubbed his temple, growing tired of spewing the ‘kill the invaders and boogeymares’ rhetoric already. “But like I said, after the drills, let’s do something, just the family. Are any play dates with Morning Dew’s foals coming up? I might tag along.”
“I think so, maybe Claymore and Crossbow will like playing with other foals some more aswell.” Crosshair agreed.
Post by: Amorack on July 10, 2013, 09:05:38 pm
(Written shortly after Temperance's untimely demise)
Convalescence’s Journal
I can still hardly believe what I'm about to write. Something horrible happened last night, and now Temperance is dead. I'm still not sure what exactly happened; all I know is that Flamberge found his body outside the walls, altered somehow to look like a Discordant. Even his mark had changed...I didn't even know that was possible, and now I almost wish I still didn't. That the thing that represents our identity, something so personal, could be changed...well that's something I'd rather not think about. The dark and perverse things that the magic surrounding Duskfields has done will never stop unsettling and horrifying me. The nightmares, the red clouds, and now this. Not to mention the griffon I helped Case Study deliver a few weeks ago. That shouldn't have possible either...I'm rambling. I haven't been able to focus since I heard the news. Everypony is pretty shaken up, but I considered him a friend. Our foals played together, and now I don't know how I'll explain to Elixir and Mittens where he is. I envy Morning Dew even less for that though. I gave her my condolences earlier, but I didn't stay long. I would've felt like I was intruding. I feel lost now, a lot of us do, but I don't have that luxury. Now everypony will be looking to their leaders more than ever, and right now that means me and Flamberge.
I've promised that we'll continue investigate what happened to him. Something feels wrong about this, not just that it happened in the first place, but it makes no sense. Why would he have left at all? It doesn't sound like him to wander around at night, and he knew as well as any of us what could be lurking outside town. Was he forced to leave? Did anypony see him go? I need to talk to Flamberge again about all of this. Until then that's it for now.
Post by: Iceblaster on July 12, 2013, 02:15:28 am
Lightning opened the chest his family kept for many things they had owned. He dug through the assorted junk and soon found two things that he had kept for a while: His lockpicking set and a knife with the letters ‘L.R.’ engraved into it. He picked up his lockpick set and left the knife. He wanted to take the knife, but he wouldn’t need it.
He picked it up in his mouth, making sure not to undo to knot keeping the bag shot, and trotted over to his door. ~Of course they lock it from the outside. No matters, nothing I can’t handle~ He opened the bag and rummaged through it, getting a lockpick and promptly sticking it into the keyhole. He began to work on getting all the tumblers to a point to where he could just open the door.
After around five minutes he had succeeded in unlocking the door. He made a silent cheer before putting up his lockpick set, not wanting to get it confiscated. The door opened with a quiet creek. He stepped out, checking to make sure he wouldn’t be ambushed by a guard. He began towards the stairs...
The town seemed to be deserted, as was typical at this hour. Curiously, even the guards patrolling the tops of the walls appeared to be missing. Only the sounds of distant insects chirping met his ears as he moved about Duskfields. As he neared the front gate, the sound of somepony weeping in the distance were just audible over the ambient noise.
Lightning’s ears perked up at he noticed this weeping. “Hello?” he said into the darkness. After receiving no answer, he continues closer to the sound, hoping to find the weeping pony and make sure they were alright. “Hello?” He said once more, hoping to get an answer from the darkness.
The sounds were coming from outside of the gate, and as he drew closer Lightning could hear a stallion moaning between the cries. “Please... help me... anypony...” the voice says before descending into sobs again. There appears to be an off-white, almost yellow coated stallion sitting outside the gates, turned away from the town and burying his face in his hooves.
Lightning gasped before galloping over to this pony. “Oh my... are you alright, you need anything? Food, medicine?” Lightning got a closer look at the pony, the color of his coat familiar... no it can’t be, he was dead. He saw his body himself.
The stallion ignored Lightning and raised his head up to the heavens. “Amug? Why? Why did you leave me? Did... did I do something wrong?” He looked back down and began to tear up again. Between sniffles he croaked, “I tried to be a good pony! I-I couldn’t stop her! Please, forgive me!”
Lightning began to trot around the pony so he could get a glimpse of his face, and as he did this he caught a glimpse of said pony’s cutie mark... a bloody dagger over a tattered piece of paper. “H-Hello... are you alright? Y-You need help?”
Temperance’s eyes snapped open and he looked around frantically. “Amug? Did you come back for me?” He settled on Lightning Runner and a horrified expression washed over him. “No... Lightning... did-did she get you too? A-are you dead too?”
“N-No... I... I’m alive...b-but how are you...” Lightning couldn’t believe his eyes, however he kept his amazement to himself. “And who is she?”
Temperance immediately launched himself onto Lighting, wrapping him in a tight hug and beginning to cry softly again. “Oh, thank the gods and goddesses... if-if you’re still alive, then you can help... it’s not too late...”
Lightning let out a small gasp as the hug was more of a tackle, but he remained on his hooves, and returned the hug. “Help with what?” he asked. “And I still don’t know who ‘she’ is...”
Temperance relaxed the hug and backed off a step, still dripping tears of elation. “I-I don’t know. She... it... it was a monster.” His expression began to shift to fear. “Horrible... terrifying to look at. She-she’s going to destroy Duskfields. She’s going to kill everypony!”
This sounded familiar, like a certain thing a certain goddess had shown him. “Oh my... I... I think I know of this... she is still somepony I don’t know of, however I was blessed with knowing something like that” He said. “And if it means anything... I’m sorry that I couldn’t help you”
Temperance looked down into the dirt for a while. “Nopony could have helped me,” he muttered eventually. He looked back up. “But, it’s not too late for everypony else.” He raised a hoof to Lightning. “You have to help me now, to help everypony. My wife, my children. Your wife and children. Everypony. Please... promise me you’ll help now.”
Lightning took a moment to think. “Yes. If I can prevent more unneeded death, I will do whatever I need to do.” He put his hoof to Temperance’s
Temperance smiled weakly. “Thank you... so much.” He turned back to the wilderness around them. “Lightning, that monster... she’s coming back soon. I-I don’t know when, but soon.” His voice turned remorseful as he adds, “Running away isn’t going to work. She’s tried to scare us away for years. I can see that now. And we didn’t listen. Nopony is going to listen now if you try to tell them to leave.” He looked aside. “Lightning, Duskfields can beat her, but not like it is.”
“Then what do I need to do.” Lightning said, putting a hoof on Temperance’s shoulder. “I will do what I need to do, even if it means leaving my family, but I will help as best as I can.”
“Thank you,” he said again. “I don’t know the details, but there is an army coming to help us. They just won’t make it here in time.” He looked Lightning in the eyes. “Amug told me so. Before... before she disappeared. We... we need to delay her somehow. You, or somepony else like one of the soldiers need to go and delay her. Maybe several of you, if you think you can get help.”
“I don’t think they’ll help... I’ve already lost the trust of most of the ponies here just for being jailed. I will check with Prodd as he seems to be the only pony I can trust, but I won’t count on it...” He said, and tried to get Temperance off of the floor. “Come on, let me get you some medicine... you don’t look too good”
Temperance raised a hoof to stop Lightning, shaking his head slowly. “It’s too late for me. Nothing Case Study or Convalescence can do can help me now. I-I know I’m dead. I can still see Flamberge...” He stopped and shook his head again. “No. No, away from that.” He grabbed Lightning with both forehooves. “You said you’d help me? And nopony will help you? Then you have to go and slow her down Lightning! Anything you can do to stop her! Even for a day! It might be all Duskfields needs!”
“O-Okay I will... but... I...I will. I will go. I will b-break into the armory and get some gear so I’m not all unarmored” He tried to get out of Temperance’s hooves, but found himself unable. “Where do I need to go”
“Good, good, do whatever you have to,” Temperance assured him. “Uh, A-Amug didn’t tell me what to do to slow the monster down. She did say that there would be an army of discordant ponies coming with her though. That many ponies would have to have camps or something around. Maybe if you sabotaged some of them somehow?” He pointed a hoof off in an arbitrary direction into the forest. “She came from that way... Amug says she’ll return from there too.”
“Thank you. I will head out tomorrow. Are you sure you don’t want to come with me... you seem very alive.”
“No, no, thank you Lightning. You may be Duskfields’ only hope right now.” He smiled weakly. “Maybe I should come with you. I know I’m dead, but... that means they ca-” Temperance stopped midway through his sentence and swept both ears back. “Amug?” he asked, whipping his head around.
Temperance turned around completely, a look of disbelieving hope on his face. “Amug? Did you come back for me? Please, don’t leave me again!” He started galloping off toward Duskfields, crossing the drawbridge and sprinting for the center of town.
Lightning galloped after him, turning a corner that he could have sworn he saw Temperance run past, but he had disappeared, no trace of his being there. He just sighed and began towards his house to retrieve his lockpick kit so he could begin preparations for this crusade.
Post by: DVNO on July 13, 2013, 03:20:29 am
“Good Evening, Duskfields.” Flamberge announced to the crowd forming in front of him. A day before Flamberge had issued out an invitation to the population of Duskfields to a voluntary meeting to discuss a few things in the town square.
Flamberge stands up to the podium he had set up.“Over the recent, troubling events, an epiphany has struck me; and Duskfields is going to undergo a dramatic shift in direct response. First off, Offence. Forget the word. Strike it out of your dictionaries. We are not, on our own, able to wage a war. We are a Farming town. We do not have the Bits to wage an offensive war. We do not have the Ponies to wage an offensive war. If we ever were in a war, this small Farming community would surely perish. We must think defensively now, that is how we will dispatch our threats. I am calling for higher, stone furnished walls within two years.”
Flamberge looks to the crowd. “If any one of you are having trouble in picking a career, there will be incentive given to those getting rocks out of the ground and masonry in the possible future.”
“We are also increasing inner security ten-fold. How? Let me show you a magic trick ...” He lifts a card and shows it to the crowd.
“This? This is a card laminated in vinegar. When you dip it in a solution, like red cabbage juice, a number shows up in invisible ink.” Flam lifts a wood bucket and puts it on the podium. He dips the card and a light blue number shows up: 54-92.
A random number will be printed on these cards identically with the screw-press. A new, randomized card will be issued every three weeks to citizens and official guests. If some pony does not belong here, we will know exactly who. I’m am thinking of a way to mass produce these cards, hopefully I will have a solution in a few months. I am also urging Convalescence to enact a law for mandatory bi-annual therapy sessions for the entire citizen body. They will not be confidential. Everything you know, every feeling you have will be on file for Duskfield’s perusal. I warn you now: If you think this is a step too far? If you think this is too much?”
Flam points in the direction of the town’s exit.
“There is the gate. Feel free. Bear in mind, I am not enacting this on a whim. This is but a reaction to an action. Something is taking a hold of Duskfields. I do not know how, but something is turning us against each other. I will find the cause. Again, if you are thinking of what to do for a career, there will be possible incentives and classes in therapy the coming year.”
“We are going to build new farms, inside the walls, wooden planter boxes built in vertical columns, sky high to maximize space. Pegusai farmers should have no problem with this arrangement. Our overstock of food is our best defense. It can buy more of what ever we need to stop a conflict and it can keep this town well fed under a siege even years long.”
Flam moved back and forth, getting to his final point.
“Lastly, we are going to enforce a strict zone above Duskfields. No flying. If you are a pegusai, you must fly to the gate, and show your card to the guard along with the earth ponies and unicorns before entering the town. The hours spent on military drills will also be doubled. This is not set in stone, but this is a plan I will strongly champion. That is all.”
As Maxberge moved away from the podium, there were some muted boos and hisses from the crowd. It slid off of his turned back like water. That was the point of Flamberge. Not what the ponies wanted, but what the ponies needed.
He was immediately pulled aside by a /very/ angry looking Crosshair. “What the /buck/ are you doing!?” She hissed at him, trying to keep her voice low. “Offensive war? What are you even /on/ about!? You’ve said that Entropy’s coming soon and you plan on making the walls higher in /TWO YEARS/!? I thought that we should be keeping everypony ready for what’s to come! The enemy are coming from the outside and you’re increasing the security /inside/ ten-folds!? What are you even thinking!? There wasn’t even plans for ballistas on the walls! Or have you already gave up? Is that it? Going to let us be the bait we were supposed to be. That’s it? What about your foals? What about /me/? going to have us do our part as bait and die for the royal army as well? The world’s at risk and you’re making mandatory mental check on ponies? Bi-yearly!?” Crosshair was in tears at this point by all of the disbelief, seething anger and sadness. Convinced that her stallion have indeed gave up his hopes on saving their city.
Flamberge looked thoroughly shocked and surprised at Crosshair. “ If the stories are true,I am fighting a fell god who induces psychotic nightmares in ponies and turns them into discordants from the inside out. Tell me, Crosshair, how do I win that battle with military numbers? Hm? Sabotage will soften us faster than the waves of discordants, I promise you. What would you have me do? If you have a grand plan, I want to hear it. Please. I am all ears. ”
Crosshair flops her ears down and bit her lower lips until it almost bleed before speaking up “A discordant saboteur would be so very obvious, ones that guards on the walls could spot. And you’ve told me that Entropy is bringing her ‘children’ here, we’ve both assumed that it will be an Army. We do not fight off an army with stupid identification cards! If I were you, and we really are going defensive. I’d tell the capital that we’re in serious need of some Unicorns that can deal in defensive spells. Shields domes, anything!”
The mare huffed.
“In your credits, I did like the vertical farming idea of yours, though.. Maybe we can build multiple story of rows after rows of farms as time goes. Make ourselves entirely self-sustaining from within the walls. Then maybe we’ll hold out long enough.. but it wouldn’t matter when the royal army arrives and gets turned.”
She adds “We’re going to need traps too. Lots of them.”
Flam Nods. “I agree, but again it sums down to resources. Do we have enough rock or metal to mass manufacture trap components? Do we have a skilled enough mechanic to fill the order in time? I know Steel Rivet could be persuaded to make some traps, but not on the scale you are talking about. I have thought of it, Crosshair. I really have. The two years for the stone wall was a generous overstatement. That’s just with Smoothblock and her crew working alone.If we magically fortify the wall, it’s just an air battle with the discordant pegusai. Then we hold, and we’ll live, Crosshair. I Feel as though this is the best foundation I can make with the card hand I have.” Flam gave a disappointed frown. “I doubled the military training hours, like you’ve been asking me to all month. I thought you would be satisfied. Happy, even.”
“Yes, I am happy about that..” Crosshair said, lowering her ears as she sighs tiredly. “but.. It just.. feels like something’s missing. Maybe i’m just being too stressful, maybe I’m still a little angry about you hurting and releasing Lightning runner.. maybe your plan really is our best chance.. Maybe..” she sighed again. “I’m sorry.. It’s just that you feel so.. different.. and been so distant lately.. I understand though, keeping everypony alive takes priority over family of course.. and I still need to convince Morning Dew and her foal to leave to a safer place..”
“If I have been distant, I am sorry.” Flam gives a long sigh. “It is a downside of becoming the tyrant the world needs me to be, perhaps.” He looks to the gate. “The army knows of the red clouds, of ways to protect themselves from them. I’m sure. Or at least have faith. Perhaps a bit of both.” ‘Crosshair is dead set on preparing for this assault, isn’t she? She seems so certain is starting to become infectious. He softly puts a hoof over her shoulder. “You don’t have to apologize. Not a single word. All I ask is that you have enough perseverance to know when to stop me.”
Crosshair blinked up at him and tilt her head. “Tyrant? Flamberge.. what are you saying? I know that what we’re doing aren’t exactly the nicest of things.. But It’s far from tyranny, and you’ve always said that it’s the right and best thing to do. Not even once have you mentioned anything about a Tyrant.. until now.” She was getting suspicious, and what the bird have been telling her? it’s starting to sound more real. Too real.
“No, No. I’m not saying that in a derogatory way. Sometimes we want dictators in times of crisis. It’s something to be mindful of, It’s something I can become if I’m not careful, ” He looks at her solemnly. “If the power ever gets to my head, if I ever abuse it? I want you to stop me. Any way you can. I want to be a golden ruler. Not a twisted mockery of one.”
Crosshair frowns again and nods. “I’ll be sure that we stick to the plan..”
“Isn’t that all we can do?” Flam bring Crosshair into a hug. “I am sorry for being distant, Crosshair.” He restated with a bit of guilt, knowing he, Max, is taking the real Flamberge away from her. It somehow never clicked until now, that he’s repeating the same sins he has damned flamberge for.
A hollow “I love you.” is all he could offer in comfort.
Post by: Iceblaster on July 13, 2013, 05:32:29 pm
Journal entry 10
I saw Temperance. He wasn't dead. He wasn't even alive according to him. What he said backs up everything Amug said, even claims that he himself heard the same things from her. I will leave in a few days on this little crusade he wants me to go on. I will help Duskfields. I originally was going to stay here, but now that our Baron has told me that I should go. I shall do it, regardless the cost.
Journal Entry 11
Flamberge. I should have expected this. Due to my history, I was given one of his damn cards first, and I cannot stand for this. I can't fly, I have to gallop if I want to get somewhere fast. 'Security' my ass. If you want your shipment of 'Herbs' in ten minutes, you bet your ass I'm gonna fly. I'm overreacting, but with my recent taking up of civilian... Normal jobs I have been getting a bit more stressed than normal.
There will be mandatory therapy sessions. Alright I can live with that. Not Confidential? Flamberge. Why am I surprised? You aren't an honorable stallion from my experience, but I know as sure as Amug raises the moon at night, that you would never do that. My wife has kept her condition secret, but revealing it for everypony to see will not help her friendships here. I'm afraid that when ponies learn of her condition, they will begin a petition to remove her from her farming position as sickles and hoes are apparently 'deadly' weapons and that she could hurt somepony. I'm probably overreacting, but I don't want anypony to know except Case Study -who can keep a secret with a bit of Charity- and me.
If I wasn't near my family, I would've challenge 'Regent Flamberge' on his decree. I am glad Sweetie could keep me from lashing out at him. I joined in with the booing that occurred afterwords. It felt good.
Me, being the sneaky bastard I am, decided to eavesdrop on him and Crosshair, all I heard was Crosshair rebuking Flamberge and Flamberge apologizing. Figures, that stallion does not deserve a mare like her. True we've never gotten along, but I can respect a pony who can walk through town with a griffon behind her and not be intimidated.
Anyway, I digress. I have a plan outlined on what I'm going to do.
- I will sneak in the armory after the last pony leaves. I might have to resort to violence if I can't get in without it.
- I will then leave the town and begin into the forest, I pray the night guard doesn't spot me
- I will find this army of sorts and burn any supplies, hide any weapons, and hide any armor. Hopefully I'll be able to get in, get out without any complications
I will leave my journal unless a pair of Saddlebags I find in the armory allow me to take it. I will, of course, take a sword and crossbow /w bolts along with some simple armour. Sweetie has told me they store rations in the armory as she has gone before to store some food for one of the Marksponies.
Post by: jaxler on July 13, 2013, 09:01:56 pm
Prodd was temporarily stationed to guard a guest of some sort. He didn’t know who or what it was, nor did he know why he had to watch him... or her. He should have asked more questions when he had the chance. He walked over to the trade depot to find the guest- it was Kusarigama. Now Prodd had even more questions to ask. He approached the diamond dog. “Kusarigama, I have orders to watch over you and make sure you don’t do anything stupid... how have you been?”
The dog was just sitting at the depot, polishing a diamond ring. He always hated how it was hard to to find jewelry that both griffons and ponies could use. Regardless he dropped everything he was doing when he heard the pony. “Oh... um..” He didn’t really know what to say. He was fairly sure the guy knew he wasn’t a real merchant... “Oh, well I’ve been quite well, thank you for asking.”
“Yeah... say, how and why did you get here anyway?” Prodd asked. He sat down near him and slung his crossbow on his back.
“I ran into this caravan on the way here. They needed an extra man in armor after some bandits attacked, and I really didn’t mind a free ticket here...”
“Awesome... make yourself at home I guess.” Prodd said. “You got a place to stay?”
“No actually. I’m really just planning on staying here a little while though.”
“Alright... so why are you here? You are a thief after all...” Prodd stated.
The dog’s ears flopped down. “C-can we talk this out in private?”
“What? There are other thieves here... it shouldn’t be a problem...” Prodd chuckled.
“Okay... so why haven’t you shot me in the face yet?”
“Because I’m not supposed to. Orders are to guard you and make sure you don’t do something illegal. You haven’t broken the law yet.” Prodd explained.
“Oh.. well that’s convenient... can you still do me a favor and not tell the guard about this though? you still owe me one for not hurting you girlfriend when she pulled a spear on me and getting us out of that building”
“I have no intention of explaining your past career choice to the authorities, provided you don’t break the law.” Prodd answered. He ignored the girlfriend part.
“Well fine... are we talking the law in and around this barony or just anywhere in general?”
“Don’t do anything stupid.” Prodd cut him off.
“Sounds fair I ‘spose.” He shrugged and started to go back to polishing the ring. “So... you still wanna know why I’m here?”
“Sure, why not.” Prodd said.
“I thought you asked me just a little while ago...” He chuckled a little. “Well, the griffin... Marvan I think it was... Hired me to assist him in something which It wouldn’t disclose in a letter. So, I spent the last couple weeks trekking out here, only to find they guy’s in jail and can’t pay me squat. So I figured I’d try to make this at least worth my while and get myself a town to do business in, considering my old trading node in this area was recently blown off the map..” He wasn’t really making up anything this time. He figured Prodd would keep to his word though, he seemed trustworthy...
Prodd nodded slowly. “Alright... that’s all I wanted to know.”
“So, should I high tail out of here before you grab seven other ponies with crossbows, or are we good?”
“Again, you’ll die if you do something illegal here. In the town.” Prodd explained. “Just keep your past a secret and you should be fine.”
“Very well... So is there anything you’d like to buy? I I’m pretty sure a silver chain for the misses could really be helpful after that nasty fight you two went through.”
“...Nah.” Prodd said. “I doubt she likes shiny, useless things.”
“Very well, do you like shiny useless things that cost lots of bits?”
“...Not particularly. You’re a crappy merchant.”
“Eh? Well your face is crappy. Maybe if you bought a silver chain it’d distract people from it.” The dog turned around and started to rummage through some stuff. “Your a markspony right?”
“Indeed I am.”
He nodded and pulled out what looked to be a masterfully wooden crossbow, “You looking for something better than that wimpy pea shooter you’ve been using?”
“...I’m content with my metal one, thanks.” Prodd responded.
“Come on, throw me a bone...” He sighed and went back to looking for stuff. “I have a trumpet made out of wood... I’m not sure how somepony made this... Oh, I also got a huge cool looking large gem made out of smoky quartz.” He pulled out a two foot long polished crystal, “If only it was amethyst.”
Prodd shook his head. “Have you sold anything at all?”
“Well, most the ponies here haven’t warmed up to me yet. I figured once they got used to my face and I went long enough without stabbing someone I’d make some money then. And I did sell a few rings earlier today to some unicorn.”
“Alright then... however you should work on that sales routine a bit more... not very selling.” Prodd said.
“Well, I’m usually the guy who supplies the goods, not the one who sells them...”
“No surprises there...”
“Well aren’t you an enthusiastic one...”
“Not much to be enthusiastic about... where are you getting your wares from?”
“Mystical and far away lands.” as far you know >.>
“...Okay you got to work on lying about stolen goods. Big red flag for the guards.” Prodd sighed.
“The gem isn’t stolen but whatever... And I would've thought of something better if you were an actual threat.”
“Well let’s hope you don’t have to face a threat...”
“Well fine then, do you have any real advice on what to do then?”
“...Not really.” Prodd admitted.
“Fine then don’t criticize me.”
“Alright, alright... how are you liking Duskfields?”
“Seems nice and all”
“Great...” Prodd sighed again and looked around the depot. “...What was your home like?”
“Dangerous, nasty, full of mold and smelled of it too. It was always dark and if we go above ground half the people there want us dead and the rest want us for slave labor.” He shrugged. “But it’s not all bad.”
“How so?”
“Well, all the danger helps make a clan more close knit. You need someone to trust when the worlds out to get ya. In fact because that, betrayal is about the greatest sin a diamond dog can think up.”
“So what you're saying is... you’re as loyal as a dog?” Prodd kept himself from laughing.
Kusarigama chuckled a little. “Pretty much. It’s kinda funny how much you ponies don’t trust us. I mean, we’re not the kind to a put a dagger in your back, at least you're not griffons though.”
“...Why is that a good thing?” Prodd asked, waiting for an answer.
“Anything bad the ponies have done, they’ve made into an art. Maybe it’s because their predatory and you're just a bunch of grass munching prissies, but your kind ain’t nearly bad as them.” I wonder if he even knows how horrible his kind is. “At least you’re kind drew a line when it came to what you’d do in the name of imperialism... You wanna hear a story?”
“...Got nothing else to do.” Prodd said. “Go ahead...”
“You know, we used to not be nothing more than a bunch of primal tribal savages. We used to as civilized as any other race you’d see.” He Grinned. “I’ve heard stories of fortress mines riddled with gold and diamond.” He grinned a little. “We had a majority stake in the mining and exportation of the earth’s riches.”
“And then what?”
“I’ll get to that in a moment.” He grinned a little. “You see, there were fifteen clans, each one taking up a specific role in our society. One would be the metal workers, the other the miners...” He sighed and looked down for a moment. “They say they found something they shouldn't of.” He frowned. “All the sories say that we found something that made us rich, and powerful at the cost of thousands of our own lives, but most of all, made a threat to the balance of power.”
“...So greed caused some problem? Where have I heard that before...”
“Well, it pulled the ire of other nations. We already were stepping on toes when we had a grip on minerals, and now we had the key to military superiority... something the griffons and ponies didn’t particularly want to give up.”
“...” Prodd didn’t say anything and waited for the dog to continue. He didn’t particularly care for the history lesson, but it was slightly better than doing nothing.
“Then our emperor died, and he had no heir, and the clans finally saw a chance to snatch up all the power. They were like vultures fighting over a carcass. It didn’t take long for it to get violent. We broke into a fifteen sided civil war that might as well have been chaos. And all the time, the ponies just watched as we burnt our own empire, but, the griffons wanted to be more proactive and be more involved.”
Prodd continued to listen intently.
“They came into our lands without so much as a diplomat, and led a campaign of fire across our nation. We died in the tens of thousands as they killed indiscriminately and stole our riches. We were too busy fighting ourselves to even react, and after only ten years they’d removed us off the map. we fled to the caves, the only place the birds were too chicken to chase us. The fragmentation of our society, and the threats of the world around us down there has only lead to the decay of our society and is why we’re as bad off as we are now.” He sighed and grinned a little. “You know, I’ve heard some tales that the birds were our allies too before they invaded.”
“So... greed caused problems...” Prodd said.
“Well, this is more than a simple tale of misfortune... let me ask you, do you know what a cave pony is? DId you know they used to live around these parts? Oh, how about a draconequus? Do you what a shadowbolt is or tentacle pony? What’s happening to the badgers right now?”
“Vaguely, didn’t know that, those strange mix of races things, and shadowbolts were dark pegasi and tentacle ponies were dark unicorns with tentacles for horns I think... and no I don’t know what’s happening to the badgers...” Prodd answered nonchalantly. He read a lot of books in his life.
“Well, I personally haven’t seen any of those races anywhere outside the rainbow trade empires. They simply don’t have anywhere that is their own anymore, and well, the badgers are being pushed out by the griffons and you ponies jumped on the bandwagon just like you did to the dragon hybrid things. Now, you do realize the birds have killed off the cave ponies, demodians, my kin, and with your help the draconequui.” He grinned even wider. “You see, the birds kill anything that isn’t them. You're not one of them you're a treat by just existing. Cave ponies? Decimated, demodians, same thing. Draconequui, all dead. My kind is in hiding with a grand total of five clans still in existence. The badgers are barely holding on to their land and will probably be killed off in a matter of years, and the griffons have talked you guys into fighting the discordants.”
Prodd shrugged.
“Don’t fucking get it? Ya’ll are next on the chopping block, and once you’re battered and bloody from fighting the discordants the griffons will personally set sights on you. You’re the only race that still lives on this land that hasn’t been eradicated by those beaked bastards, and they’re masters of genocide.”
“...We can take them. Gryphons can’t do magic. We can.”
“So can tentacle ponies and cave ponies, and the number of ponies who can lay waste to hundreds is linked directly to your declining number of purebred alicorns who, to my understanding are becoming more and more rare.” He shook his head a little. “And even then, they aren’t immortal.” He gazed at him. “I promise you, if they don’t kill you all right after this war, the buffalo are next, followed by the zebra, and by then alicorns should be so rare or even extinct, that you all will fall like any other.”
Prodd shrugged in response.
“Eh? You don’t think that when it’s just you and them on the playing field they won't hesitate to jump at your neck as soon as your guardians are dead.”
Prodd ignored him and did his job for once by guarding the dog.
“Your all the same...” He laughed a little. “I mean, we see black in white, so if weren’t for that mark your ass you’d all be damn near identical.” He laughed once more. “Anyway, I guess if you're done talking could you go watch at a distance, mate? I’m trying to make some money.”
“Fine, fine...” Prodd said, he walked away and observed from a distance. Why he was ordered to do this, he had no idea.
Post by: Pokon on July 15, 2013, 03:48:36 pm
Temperance is dead. I don't know how, but Flamberge somehow managed to take the reins of Duskfield. I don't know what to do. SmoothBlock is back on mining duty and I fear for what is to come.
But that's not all.
I talked to a minotaur last night. Or something like one, anyway. We talked.
It was big, bigger than any pony I have ever seen. It's arms were covered in odd red marks, like veins. It was standing outside my door, off in the halls, arms and horns scraping the walls and ceiling and dark enough that I couldn't tell what color it was.
It said it pitied me. It said that it's master wanted me to come home, while there was still time before the 'dead one' comes.
You know, we talked a bit. It was a herald, of sorts. The minotaur's, according to it, were once the original servants of the Draconequui. Then they warred with the griffons, and they scattered. There like dragons, you know, in a way. They don't know if they are the last generation. Ponies killed too many of them,to the point that some have turned to goats. While it's true that satyrs are good servents, he doesn't believe that minotaurs have a future if we still exist.
That's why he was here, I think. He was warning me. He said that, in the end, ponykind will end up like the creatures we have slain. But he said that, at best, others will remember and miss dragons and minotaurs when they are gone. He doesn't think anyone will do the same for ponies.
I think I agree with him. I think I am going to talk to Flamberge soon.
Praise Carnage.
Post by: Iceblaster on July 16, 2013, 04:32:40 am
I heard hooves hitting the ground, signalling this was the final soldier of the day put his gear up. I waited in the shadows for my chance to get in. He exited the building, I did something I wouldn’t normally do. I hit a pony as the aggressor... anyway, he was out cold and I had at the very most, five minutes before he gets up.
I began to rummage through the supplies and I found a set of armor, a peytral, and crupper, and I began to search for a melee and ranged weapon. While searching I picked up a saddlebag and some stored rations, and as soon as I had gotten that done with, I found an iron sword and a crossbow. I took the sword and sheath and stuck it in my saddlebag so I could work with that later, and I grabbed bolts for my crossbow.
I galloped out, a cloak covering my face, iron armor covering my body and a saddlebag with me. If anypony saw me, they’d think I was a discordant thief... until they check my house. No worries, I have to do this, regardless the cost. I am not letting Temperance down. I hadn’t gotten but fifteen feet away before I heard the telltale twang of a crossbow and a bolt hitting the dirt near me. Of all the things that could happen. I double timed my way into the woods, and as if by miracle I had no injuries by the time I had reached the forest.
As the adrenaline left me, I collapsed to the ground, more winded than I had originally thought. I slowly got back up, and began to trot, still panting as if I had just galloped a marathon and it felt like I had just done that. Adrenaline does marvelous things, no? I now realized the scope of what I was trying to accomplish;I am going in a direction, hoping that I’d reach this army of Discordants and not be killed by them or be killed by the wilderness.
I couldn’t turn back though. By now, they’d be making sure nopony was hurt and checking the hoard. I should get moving, and get as far as possible as they would have a pony on my tail to make sure I didn’t get away. Flamberge is sure to have sent a soldier after me after I made off with weapons, armor and food, and I don’t want to have to explain my little ghost encounter from a couple days ago.
I heard a few shouts and I swore I heard a wolf barking as I attempted to gallop through the woods. Smells of pine needles, leaves and sap filled my nose as I tried to make my way through. I pushed branches out of my way, manoeuvring my hooves around the shrubberies when the worst possible thing had occurred. I tripped on a root, and it felt like I sprained my ankle. I got up, pain going through my nerves with every second.
I looked to both sides, looking for a place to hide so I could figure out what I did to my ankle, and with my luck there was nothing but bushes. I cursed to myself before forcing myself to gallop over the next hill, even with the massive pain I was enduring, I was able to hobble over it and get away. I silently cheered before I made my way towards a tree. As I trotted over to it, the pain began to get worse. i feared I had broken it, which would lead to me having to come back, get in jail, and fail what I had set out to do.
I held my left fore leg out and examined it closer. Damnit to Tartarus! I had dislocated it and now I will have to... I could snap it back into- No I can’t, I will not harm myself further. I made a short prayer, remembering Amug’s words... but no answer came. I am left without an answer for a while. Alright I have no choice.
Snap!
AHG.... Mother...fucker...
Snap!
I tried to keep my pain contained, but I couldn’t even curse to myself. The pain was too overwhelming. A yell of pain left my lips as it snapped back into place... the pain was unbearable. S-sure... I can get better.... I... I don’t think...
Darkness overtakes me. My hearing and eventually smell fade as well. I saw an image of Amug. She just stood there. Disbelief. She almost looked like she was... beckoning me to follow? I was unable to move. I looked around, panic overtaking me. I saw Discordants surrounding me. They were dragging me... I lost sight of Amug, she shook her head and trotted away.
My sight comes back to me. I’m in a tent, my leg is in a splint and doesn’t look absolutely fucked. An old looking pony approaches me, a steaming pot of soup in his magical grasp. “You’re awake? Good. Good, I found ya out there, one of those strange clouds was a comin’ and I didn’ wanna leave ya out there ta become one a them” He said, a rather annoying accent filling the tent.
“Wh-Where am I?” I asked, turning my head slightly, looking him in the eye.
“You are in my tent. Ah don’t normally let strangers inta my living quarters, but ah saw you out there and I thought ‘My ain’t he the mos’ unlucky pony in the world’ and I brought you here, fixed ya up, and made you some supper” He levitated a bowl from a nearby table and filled it with the soup.
“That is?”
“Tomato soup with some local herbs, I checked, none o’ them are poisonous” He levitated a spoon into the bowl. “You take care, try to stay off your leg.”
I stifled a chuckle at the thought of him just downing random herbs to see what they did. He kindly helps me up and steps back a bit so I can stretch as best as I could with a bad leg and all. “I’m glad you decided to help, but... I think I should be going”
“Whoah there, don’t move around too much, your leg was pretty bucked up, I found you a few days ago, got the supplies to fix it up yesterday. Why don’tcha rest for ah bit and give it some time to get healed..” He gestured to the bed. “You sleep there. I slept out in tha’ stars for a few nights” He trotted outisde, beckoning me to follow. “I live out here, most of the time ahm just makin’ sure nothin’ gets in mah camp, however ah do spen’ some days chopping trees down for firewood, other days I just admire the bea-” I interupted him
“Look, I know you are doing a nice thing, but I don’t need it” I turn to him. “Private First Class Lightning Runner of Fruithold Markspony Squad nine Regiment four. My squad got hit, I managed to escape, however as you saw I got wounded pretty bad.” I was lucky I remembered my designation. It seemed to fool him as he nodded
“Ah understand ya, but ah can’t let ya go out with how dangerous this area can be, and ah don’ wanna leave ya to fend fer yourself” Of course. I had to get rescued by an overbearing pony. I sighed and put a hoof on his shoulder
“I have to be back to break the news in a week at most or else I’ll be marked dead. Where are my things” The unicorn sighed and pointed towards my saddlebags, right next to his campfire. I trotted over, making sure to stay off my leg, and hastily put them on. “Thanks. I’ll remember you for what you did.”
“I’ll be seein’ ya around” I began to trot off. I moved considerably slower as I had to move on three legs, but I made do with what I had been dealt. I thought back to that unicorn, the pony I had lied to and just left as soon as I got medical supplies;Maybe its just my judgement getting the better of me, but it feels like I had just stolen medical supplies from him, and didn’t even give him a thanks.
I heard a rustling in the bushes and drew my sword from its sheath and slowly approached the bush. If anypony was there, they’d have come out by now... what if it’s a... no can’t think... am I even going in the right... goddamnit I don’t even know if I’m heading in the right direction. I took a quick look at the sky to get my bearings, letting my guard down. Think I’m going in the right direction... forests all around.
The rustling continued. I approached it in a fit of stupid bravery. “Whoever you are, come out.”
No answer. Seems somepony is nervous. “The sword making ya nervous?” I put the sword in its sheath.
“Oh? Disarming yourself for me. Lightning Runner. I am dissapoint” I heard a... familiar voice say.
“Who are you?” I asked, backing up, ready to take the sword out once more.
“You don’t remember me? Hows about I refresh your memory.” A dagger flew out of the bush and embedded itself in my left back leg.
I yelped in pain, struggling to remain upright. “Who...Who are you...” I said, as if I’d get an answer
“Don’t remember?” The pony stepped out. A unicorn stallion. “Does this refresh your memory? ‘No cursing, unless you want your foal to be renamed Bloody Mist.’ If this doesn’t then I truly pity you.” The memory flooded back... the woods...Amug help me
“Why don’t you buck yourself. I-I don’t need...” A hoof was put on my mouth and soon the unicorn pushed me to the ground
“No no. Don’t speak. Let me speak, as I am your guest. I escaped, and you know what I did? You know what. You guess” I can’t believe it...
I pushed his hoof away. “Why don’t you leave me alone!” I shouted and attempted to stand up.
“You really aren’t that bright are you?” The unicorn questioned, chuckling. “Mother doesn’t want you to live. She told me to bring you to her. Whether alive or dead. It won’t matter.”
“J-Just let me go... I don’t care what your mother thinks” I begged, not even noticing the pleading tone in my voice.
“Let you go? Oh no my dear Lightning Runner. Mother doesn’t like it when her Children fail her tasks” His horn lit up, a ball of energy forming at the tip
Fuckfuckfuck. I painfully got up and began to hobble away, further into the woods. “Don’t run. It will make this so much harder” The ball of energy flew towards me and luckily hit the ground beside me, a small crater in its place. It seemed I had escaped long enough to get my sword out, and I did so.
I can’t die... whoever this ‘Mother’ is will be getting her judgement when I find her. THe stallion approached me, dagger in hand. “You really thought me, a unicorn, wouldn’t be able to find you.” A knife embedded itself in my other back leg, I managed to stay up, however I wasn’t sure how long I would be able to.“You will become like me, and you will enjoy the blood of your enemies”
“F-F-Fuck...” I began before shutting myself up
“I’m sorry my door doesn’t swing that way. Also, if you ever get out, remember to bring proper protection. Helmets are an important part of your armor, and it seems you have body and flank armor, but no helmet.” He put a hoof on my head. “Shame I have to teach a military pony proper armor use” The unicorn said
“J-Just kill me...” I saw the hopelessness in this situation. I wouldn’t get out. I’m dead. I... this was a journey I shouldn’t have gone on.
“Don’t feel that bad. I say you put up a nice fig-” I pushed him down and grabbed my sword in my mouth.
“Why don’t you just leave. I-I’ll leave from here if you leave” I held my sword to his throat, the unicorn just smiled
His horn began to glow and I saw two knives float out of a bush. “I suggest you put down that sword or you get two knives down your eye sockets”
It became a stalemate. I stood there, sword in my mouth, he lay there, knives in his magic.
“Submit to him. At least then you’ll be alive” Said a voice from behind me
I am not going to submit! He might just kill me!
“Who said you would?”
Shut up.
“Did I make Little Lightning mad? Oh poor baby.” The voice materialized infront of me.. as me... Mindfuckery aside, I began my plan.
I made it look like I was about to thrust my sword into the ground, and as soon as he dropped his magic field, I thrust it into his lower torso. “Gah! You-” He coughed out blood. ”little bugger!”
“Hehe...” Adrenaline filled my veins. Time to dance motherfucker I pulled my sword out and stabbed him once more. The unicorn’s horn lit up. Getting your damn knives? Why don’t we take care of that I slammed my only unstabbed leg’s hoof to his horn, a sickening crunch echoed through the area as the unicorn screamed in pain. “Now who’s the one in control of the others life?”
“M-Mother... I-Is... That you...” The unicorn began to crawl away.
“Oh? You want to live? Oh Boohoo. Your life is in my hooves now, and I say you will pay the price for your sins.” I brought my sword down to his torso once more. I brought it up. I brought it down. I didn’t stop until I was sure he was dead. Take that you motherfucker. Sad. I would’ve enjoyed the entertainment. Looks like the next Discordant I kill will have to las- What am I thinking!... I’m not like this!
Realization over what I had just done to this pony... tortured him... I didn’t make it quick... I prolonged his death. I-I’m just like them... I put my hoof to his eyes and shut them. I knew this wouldn’t make me feel better... but I did it anyway. I began to pull the sword out... but just looking at was making me sick. I dropped it next to him.
It wasn’t until now I remembered I had knives in my back legs. The pain returned and it felt like I was being sta-sta-... hurt by knives repeatedly. I lay down and moved one of my back legs to me. They weren’t bleeding as much as I thought... Though removing it might cause more...but I am in pain. I must do this. No I can’t or I’ll cause more bleeding and possibly black out again... without that kind old pony to wander upon my dying corpse.
“You seem like you actually want to have this be painless. Why don’t you take what you gave that poor Unicorn over there.”
Shut up! I... I need to concentrate
He sat down infront of me, tisking. “You should have just stayed home. You might die out here. No one will know. Your corpse will be eaten up by the forest bef-”
I put my mouth on the hilt for the dagger, biting down to ease any pain, and pulled.
GAH...FUCK
“Pain. Pain is such, an odd concept with you. One moment you’re in total fucking pain, and the next you are fine.” It taunted
Oh? Pray tell how much you know about me... I bit down on the hilt of the current dagger before tossing it over, preparing to get the other
“You seem to be overprotective of your wife. Your child isn’t allowed within ten feet of the walls. I can go on for days”
I’m a bad father. I can fix that, now please shut up so I can work
“Yes the all powerful Medical Doctor who blacks out due to performing a bone relocation on yourself”
I put my mouth on the other knife, bit down on the hilt, and pulled. Pain began once more and the only thing keeping me from screaming was me biting down on the dagger’s hilt. I just need... To check his bags... I despised the idea of ‘looting’ his corpse for medical supplies... but he’s dead... he doesn’t need it.
“Thieving like usual. What would his family think if they saw you. What would your friends think?”
He’s dead he doesn’t need it anymore
“Always rationalizing. First it was because your family needed money. Now it’s because he’s dead. When will you stop”
I crawled over to his bag and luckily found a bottle of alcohol and gauze.
"You gonna drink yourself to death? It'd be a great end to your legacy"
I've. Quit.
"THen why were you out drinking with Wood Chip and Prodd Hmm?"
“Leave me alone... I’m sorry...” I said to myself before getting the initiative to begin fixing myself up.
The alcohol stung like the disinfectant Case Study had used when he was in by the injuries that dis- Unicorn and his friends had given him. I beared the pain and I began to wrap the gauze around one of my legs, saving some for my other leg.
I quickly applied the alcohol and the gauze and found that I had some alcohol left over... No I won’t... I’ve stopped, and I won’t go back to doing it again. I shakily got up and put the remaining medical supplies in my saddlebags.
I saw a light. I limped towards it and I saw a clearing. Tents... fire... Ponies. I... I reached this place. I collapsed to the ground, not caring how hurt I was, and not caring how much pain I was in. I’ve... left Amug... Left my home... left my Family... I’m a failure. Why did I even listen to Temperance
“So... you’ve come,” a female voice called from behind Lightning Runner, rich and flowing with regality.
Lightning kept his eyes to the ground, looking as if he’s ignoring the voice. “And for what?”
“Have you no faith, little one?” she continued. A tall, dark and beautiful unicorn mare stepped around into his vision.
He looks up. “Faith? You never helped me. I found better help in a hermit’s tent than I found in you.” He said bluntly.
Amug’s eyes widened briefly and a tiny grin edged onto her face. “Perhaps I was right all along,” she said. She pointed a hoof at him. “You see now. Amug can’t help you. She can’t help anypony.” Her voice began to turn gravelly as she spoke.
Lightning looks this pony in the eye. “Then who are you? I-I’ve already been hurt enough...” He said, the last part significantly quieter
“Yes, you’ve been hurt enough already,” the pony said remorsefully. The flesh on her face and legs began to rot and putrefy. “Like so many others, life has been cruel and unfair to you.” She took a step closer to him.
He is mildly shocked by Amug’s change in appearance, but decides to keep his shock to himself. “Yes... it has... but... how do you think you’ll be able to fix it?”
She cocked her head as if pondering the statement. The grin returned, then the skin on her cheek peeled away. “Very straightforward. I believe now I chose better than I expected.” She stepped up to Lightning, then knelt in front of him. She stretched out a forehoof, which inexplicably became a skeletal hand the size of his face. “I can offer you so much more than Amug, Nirmek or any of your other gods. Because I am real.”
Lightning gained realization of what was in front of him. Not Amug... but some thing. He slowly brought himself up off the ground so he could get a better look at it. The beast was obviously female, but... her appearance unsettled him. Hooves like a pony, but claws...hands like a griffon, parts of her skin... rotting as if she was dead and just got up and starting moving. It had wings that were just bone. No skin. No feathers. He felt like he was about to vomit, but his nausea just got worse the longer he looked. “I-I...” He gulped. “I... What do you have...” He asked, unsure of what this being even was.
“What do I have?” she mimicked. She reached out and cupped his chin in her hand. “Little Lightning Runner, I have everything to offer you. A sense of place and purpose. Safety and security. Family.” She grinned again, baring ragged and sharp teeth. “Love. You will never need to feel betrayed or alone again.”
“I already have family. Sure they weren’t the best, but I have family.” He took that one detail out of all the others. “And... I have safety... and security... I protect the ones I love. I feel a sense of purpose...” He slowly got quieter, until he eventually just stopped speaking altogether.
Entropy frowned. “There is no need to fear me. It’s alright,” she said as a red haze began to form around her hand. Lightning felt his unease melt away slowly. “You understand more than you realize. You want to protect your family. You want them to be safe and feel no pain. You want them to accept you and love you.” She glowered. “But they don’t. None of them do, nor have they ever. They will all leave you and stab you in the back when tried. Even your wife and child.”
“Maybe... you are right... I don’t need them.” His original thoughts of disgust and unease turned into thoughts of appreciativeness and ease. “I should’ve have noticed it earlier. My ‘happiness’ kept me from noticing. I... I can’t believe I thought they actually cared”
“That’s right. Nopony has ever cared about you, but I do. I want to end all of your suffering and worry, so you can finally be at peace. With me... with us, you’ll always be loved. You’ll never be alone again.” As she spoke, two earth ponies stepped out of the shadows next to her and nuzzled her legs affectionately.
Lightning smiled. “Thank you. I... I appreciate your gift to me. I won’t make you regret your decision of letting me into your family... I’m sorry for hurting Brother... I don’t know what came over me. I..I hope I can make it up to you”
“It’s alright, son,” she replied, stroking his mane. “Daggerfall made a necessary sacrifice, and will never be forgotten.” She extended her hand over his back. In a moment all of Lightning’s body is engulfed in a pale golden glow, and he feels his wounds, pains and aches vanish. “Come with me,” she instructed, standing.
The two other ponies smiled. “Yes, come, we will show you your new family.”
Lightning Runner smiled once more. “I would love to see my new family. Should we get going?”
Entropy beckoned him to follow, and the four make their way deep into the camp. Hundreds, perhaps a thousand discordant ponies are busying themselves with any of a dozen tasks.
Lightning felt odd... as if he was supposed to be doing something here. He doesn’t think to question it at the time.
They all smile broadly as Entropy passes by, greeting her and Lightning warmly. A foal trotted out of a tent and up to her. “Mom! Did he join us? Is he going to help?”
Entropy mirrored her smile and nodded. “Yes, sweet child. Meet him yourself.”
The foal skipped over to Lightning. “Welcome, brother! My name is Lilac, who are you?”
He kneeled down. “Hello sister. My name is Lightning Runner.”
Entropy stroked Lilac’s mane and urged her to return home. “There will be time for more introductions later. Run and return to your siblings.” She beckoned Lightning on once more, and they pass what appears to be a covered body with ponies standing around in mourning. “All of the ponies you see here are your brothers and sisters, and no matter what happens we will love you unquestioningly. But there is a special task I have for you, little one.”
“Anything for you Mother.” He said.
“I want you to return to Duskfields. I believe perhaps the most decisive moment in our history will play out there soon. An army from the ponies, and perhaps the griffons too, will be marching there. They hope to destroy us. To kill you and all of your brothers and sisters.” She paused. “And me.
“I want you to return there and do whatever you can to make sure that Duskfields itself will be unable to resist us when we move on it. We will not be destroyed. They and all who oppose us will join us.”
She stopped and faced Lightning. “Some may die, but know that it is for the good of all one day. With your help, fewer will have to give their lives. Do you understand?”
“I understand fully. One question though. Shall I re-enter into society or shall I assume a new identity?”
Entropy studied him for a moment. “Return as a new pony. Though they may not trust you as much, having no history with them may make things simpler all the same. Many of my children take new names when they join me. Do you have one in mind?”
Lightning thought for a moment. “I remember hearing of a plant named ‘Quarrel’ I think that would be a name I could use. Is there any further information I need?”
“Then Quarrel you shall be,” she said. Her smile darkens slightly. “I have little other guidance to offer you. Do what you can to hamper their strength and cohesion however you can. Frighten them, sow doubt. Whatever you can.” She rested a hand on his withers. “But if you ever find yourself in a situation that you don’t know what to do, remember that I am watching you always.”
“I will do what I can.” He said confidently. “I thank you for your worries, but I can handle myself. I know how these ponies act.”
“I know you do. That is one reason I chose you,” she said, smiling again. “Now, you are free to stay as long as you wish to meet your family, or you may return to start your task.”
Quarrel exchanged goodbyes with his mother before heading to the place that was the mess hall type area. After a quick meal, he began to pick up his things.
Quarrel asked around for a bit, got to know his new family. He found out that the path they use to Duskfields can get him there in a day or two, and he gladly accepted the offer to be shown and with those words, he began his journey back to Duskfields.
[Two days pass.]
Just as the his brothers told him, he reached Duskfields in a decent amount of time. Of course he couldn’t just walk in the gates late at night, so he and his brothers set up a small camp just over one of Duskfields’ hills. Tomorrow will be the first day of his task an he knew just the pony to start talking with.
Spoiler (click to show/hide)
Post by: KingStrongbeard on July 16, 2013, 09:06:16 am
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Crosshair%20Avatar.png)(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Max%20Avatar.png)
The bird rests in his underground cage. Laying back on his bed, sharpening his claws, the only weapon he was allowed to keep since Max walked off with his sword, and the rest of his life with it, leaving him to rot.
The door opens, Maxberge sits up, he knew by the time of the morning that it must be Crosshair. Seeing Crosshair, while he was like this, filled him with a mix of emotions, he was of course happy to see her, but pained that she would not see him, and angry that the traitor had her so fooled. But still, he thought he might be able to coax some information from the mare.
Sure enough the Captain of the Guard enters and from Max’s beak Flamberge speaks, “Good morning Cross, how are things?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Crosshair grumbled, she looked miserable, stressed and just plain confused. The small mare walks over to her desk and slumps against the chair, letting out a deep sigh.
Maxberge frowns, “Is Max doing such a poor job in my horseshoes?”
“I don’t want to hear about it.. I didn’t believe you the first time, what makes you think I will believe you now?” Crosshair groaned once more, not sounding like she even believes in her own words.
"Because Max is not me. He may be a skilled actor, but even then each day that goes by, you must see through him more and more. Surely he isn't ruling like you would expect me to. Surely he doesn't treat you as well as I did. One day I believe you'll see I'm telling the truth, hopefully before it is too late," the griffin explains.
The mare just let out another long sigh. “Checkpoints.. Cards.. I don’t think those will save us from the Discordians..”
“Or from Entropy, I did tell you Max said she was just a fairy tale. A myth to frighten small foals, and that I was a fool for believing in her, that I was delusional for claiming to have seen her. Makes sense then, right? He’s not preparing for her at all. He just expects more of the same, not an army, not a monster,” he states with certainty in his voice.
Crosshair rests her head onto her desk and just stays there. Suddenly feeling heavy all over. “I don’t even know what to do anymore..”
"Help me then Crosshair... Help me get my body back." Flamberge holds up two pieces of rock, that were once obviously one single stone, "This was the stone he used to switch our minds, it's broken now, but he may have more, if he does, we can switch back, I can put everything right then. Please Cross, I love you, please help me with this."
[ DVNO, in the other scene, you never actually said Max picked the pieces back up after they broke, so I'm claiming them for myself, birdbrain. :p -KSB ]
Crosshair looked at them for a moment, then look back up at the bird. “And.. how am I going to do this?”
The griffin places the stone fragments just outside the bars of his cell, then backs up to the far wall, “Take them, maybe a unicorn will be able to tell you if there is any magic left on them, I don’t know, I’ve never had a horn. Even if they don’t, how you proceed from there is up to you. Maybe show them to him and ask him what they are, tell him Max was clutching them or something. He’ll lie of course, but he might let something slip, or just search for wherever Max might hide something, I trust you to figure it out. Just be careful, Max is already a convicted murder and has my body and my political pull, he will hurt you if he thinks you are getting in his way.”
Crosshair cautiously takes the stones up and examine them. Then pockets it. “I’ll.. go find out what’s what.”
“Hmm, before you go, can I ask one last question?” the bird asks.
“Might aswell as.” Crosshair nodded.
“How are the foals? Crossbow is okay? He’s being good to them? Where did you leave them today? Who’s taking care of them now? Especially little Galant... Oh, I’m sorry, that was more than one question wasn’t it.”
Crosshair frowns a little, flopping her ears and looking down slightly. Either that this bird’s a really good actor and knows way too much, or that he’s really her husband in the bird’s body. “They’re.. fine, I let them stay at Creampuff’s again today. It seems like Sweet Potato also let Mist go over as well. Puff’s like the town’s foalsitter nowadays really.”
The griffin smiles, “That’s good. At least Creamy has enough help in the kitchens now that she can do this too... maybe she should get some extra pay from the town for doing such... Well, as long as they are all alright... that’s all I needed to know for now. Thank you Cross.”
The small mare only nods silently. So many things on her mind, she decided to take a walk out.
Flamberge sighs, he felt he might have gotten through to her a bit today, but all the same, even if he did convince her he was who he was, he was still stuck in here... and still in jail as well. He then returns to his cot and goes back to sharpening his claws.
Meanwhile, Crosshair have been comparing things together in her head. And decided that maybe the bird’s not so crazy after all. And that maybe it wouldn’t hurt too much if she’s going to have some investigations to do, of course she couldn’t let Flamberge know about it. Plannings will be had, for the sake of everypony.
Post by: Pokon on July 17, 2013, 04:02:22 pm
Wood Chip waited outside the office of the new ruler of Duskfield feeling very, very upset.
Frankly, he was unsure of might happen in the next few moments, but as it was, he had little choice.
Knock-Knock went the door as the unicorn’s right hoof knocked at it a little rougher than needed.
Flamberge was quite preoccupied writing down numbers on a pad with a fountain ink pen in his mouth, trying to get these numbers tamed before the Griffon traders come this year. Also, he wrote a little something for one Miss Redhat as well. Then the knocks at the door came, jolting him a little. He looks to the door, then his sword. He slaps it around himself and opens the door. “Oh, Hello Mr. Wood Chips. Please, come in if you would like.” He motioned to a seat inside. “My door is always open.”
Wood Chip blinked. He expected a little less...kindness.
“Ah, thank you Flamberge. I am sorry we haven’t really talked to each other for quite some time, but with Temperance’s passing I...have some important information to pass onto you. I do have one mildly selfish request, but let us get on to the true meat of the issue’s here. Wait, no,” he retracted, looking slightly embarrassed, “there’s no need to beat around the bush here.”
Flamberge quirked a brow. “Mr. Wood Chips, are you insinuating something?”
Wood Chip looked at the puzzled expression on the slightly intimidating stallion’s face and suppressed the urge to laugh. “Oh, no, hah...” he took a few moments to stop chucking. “No, no, it’s just a simple request. I am aware that you are asking for more miners, but I would like to request that Smooth Block gets some extended time off. If I need to, and can supply you exess wood products to make up for the lesser amount of stone we would sell elsewhere.”
Flamberges eye’s burned into him, and the fountain pen between his lips quivered with rage. “So - you’re telling me, that, after finally breaking through the aquifer so Smooth Block can do her job and mine stone, She wants a extended time away from mining stone?”
Wood Chip breathed in deeply. “No, I want her to, and this is my idea.” She is...” Wood Chip paused, wincing lightly, “she is pregnant.”
Flam rolls his eyes. “So it’s maternity leave you want.”
Wood Chip nodded. “On the virtue that it’s my child, yes.”
“Tell you what, I’ll strike a deal. Find me three bodies to fill her place and I’ll give her nine months.” He frowns. “If you can’t, I’m sorry but I have a solid stone wall to build and I need the material.”
Wood Chip sighed, and gave a dejected look at Flamberge. “Please, sir. You have a family, we both know that, but Crosshair is different than Smooth Block. We...the reason I am doing this is that she doesn’t know yet. I learned it from a doctor in the last Zebra caravan. Please, if not a full leave, a lessening of work load. She could find three ponies easily, we would just need three more picks, but....it’s more complicated than just giving her time off, Flamberge.”
Flamberge cocks his head. “You found out before she did? How did you - Huh. Thats - Huh.” Flam walks back to his desk and takes a seat. He also pours some lemonade out of a cooler and into a mug on his desk. “Explain this shit in more detail. How did you find out before she did?” He says, taking a sip.
“Well, we have been...together for a short while, but I had my suspicions. I mean, she’s a stoutly built mare, so it’s slightly hard to tell, but she’s been...oh, to make a short story shorter, I took a bit of her hair to the zebra doctor stationed with the last caravan after I consulted him, and after dipping it in a brew he had it turned blue. I have seen the method before, so I knew that that simply ment she is pregnant. At the moment, we have a little bet to see who can go without a drink the longest, and she’s a determined mare.” Wood Chip said the last part rather remorsefully, but he was still wondering about Flamberge’s casual behavior.
Flamberge snarls, leans back, and takes another sip. “She’s going to find out eventually, Chip. You should tell her now rather than when the foal pops out. Smooth is rather rotund. I doubt she would even realize before the third Trimester.” Flam taps the desk with his hoof.
Wood Chip keeps his calm. “I see. Well, let’s go forward with the actual buisness at hoof. Do you know the origin of the evil ponies that beset us, Flamberge?”
“They are ponies that lost their minds, long ago? Colonies of explorers that went so far as to see the edge of the world, and simply went mad? Are they the thralls of something much more sinister? I do not know. What I do know, is that they will not get through our walls.”
Wood Chip looked at the stallion before him. He didn’t really carry himself like he did before.
“I do know, as did Temperance. He deemed it that, if the truth gets out, that it would mean panic throughout Duskfields and possibly beyond.”
Flam throws his hooves up,throwing the lemonade in his mug behind him. “Let me guess! Entropy! It is Entropy, isn’t it? Everypony is so spooked about this Entropy.”
Wood Chip stared at the pony behind the desk for a very long time. “My village was forcibly converted to the worship of a Draconequus named Carnage, and I have been having dreams regarding me returning to it for ‘safety’.”
“You too, huh?” Flam groaned. “Your story is not that uncommon. A lot of ponies are complaining of sleeplessness and delusion. Me among them. It’s those red clouds, they must be having a nasty effect on us. I would tell you to take a few days rest but,” Flamberge chuckles. “Looks like you have Smooth Block’s whole workload to tack on to your schedule.”
Wood Chip simply kept a smile plastered on his face, ignoring the urge to see if wing bones were as fragile as it was said they were.
“Those red clouds are the main issue at hand, as it was a large patch of them that overtook my village when I way away. When I returned, Flamberge, they were eating the livestock. My best friend ate my sister. At the very least, pretend that have the entire forts....”
Wood Chip’s eye’s widened suddenly. “How is Max doing?”
Flam shrugs. “He’s doing reasonably well for a dead Griffon. Why? Would you like me to relay him a message for you?”
Wood Chip looks warily at the other red stallion in the room. “Just a simple one, it’s not important, really. It’s just that I am deeply sorry that I never did know him better, and that we probably could have been friends. But perhaps...something like that is better for a funeral.” A little bit of edge came into his voice. “On the off chance that he is to be killed.”
Flamberge can’t help but smirk.”Death? Oh no, He’s in for much worse than simple death.”
Wood Chip looked at Flamberge, something like bile rising in the back of his mouth. “You act like a griffon.”
Flamberge looked at him, looked at him for a good long while. He looks a Wood Chips with a quizzical expression, mostly. “Alright? How so? Because I fly, or what? I don’t follow you. What an odd thing to say.” Internally? Max was rehearsing every second of this conversation over and over in his mind, trying to find the exact spot in it where he royally bucked up. Was it so glaringly obvious a stranger could figure it out?
Wood Chip sighed. “Well, you are using your hooves far more often than pegusi normally do. You are cursing a bit more than usual. Also, between you and me, no need to stop tilting your head. Flamberge never did that.”
Flamberge glares at him. “ ... I’ll take that into consideration. So, full Maternity leave for Smooth Block, No strings attached, was it?”
Wood Chip smiles lightly. “Yes, full leave. Before you ask, I already told you how I knew. I was going to ask if I was still the head of the militia, officially, but as that went nowhere under Temperance and you do not seem to have any plans for it, I don’t see a need for it.”
Flamberge simmers.”Plans for the Militia are coming shortly. Ponies don’t take kindly to being drafted, as you know. I’ll get to it promptly.” Flamberge pulls out a document from his desk and scribbled his signature on it with his pen. “Here, Give this to Convalescence for signing, then give it to Smooth Block when you are ready.” He shoves it to Wood Chips side of the desk. “And don’t feel ‘gleeful’ about this either. Duskfields could really have needed her in the coming months and I may not be able to find ponies with her level of expertise any time soon.”
Wood Chip slowly takes the paper with his magic. “Thank you. Max, please. I understand that you don’t owe anyone here anything, and that my words mean nothing coming from me. But I meant what I said before.”
“I have no idea to what you are talking about. This conversation is over, I suggest you leave, and if you insist on confusing griffons with pegusai and continue seeing Draconequus in your sleep; I will seriously consider throwing you into a padded cell for psychological evaluation and throw away the key.” His eyes flick back to his work. “Good day, Mr. Wood Chip.”
Wood Chip looked at the stallion, and then at the paper floating near his head. “Good day to you too.”
Walking to a point to where he was almost outside the office, he paused for a moment. “Make sure to play with the kids. They need good guidance, you understand, even if it seems unsightly to you.”
“Don’t pretend to understand what’s going through my mind, Wood Chips.”
“I will not, and I don’t. But if you do not, Crosshair will be even less pleased with you than she probably is already.” he replied,walking out of the room entirely.
Post by: Relus on July 19, 2013, 09:10:55 pm
Vambrace was outside, practicing his spells, and swordsponyship.
He had found an uncut tree, and decided to practice with that.
Vambrace slashed at the tree, barely damaging it.
“Trying to break down the tree? You’ll have a… ghost of a chance!”
“Stop.”
“No! Why would I do that? I’m a blazing example of what we all should be!”
“You really think ponies want to be you? You’re trapped inside another pony, causing grief for them.”
“I’m an icon of what everyone desires to be!”
And so, Vambrace ignored his other, more destructive personality. It would not stop him from practicing to fight.
With a quick slash, Vambrace slightly cut into the tree.
“Ahahahaha! I could cut more with my hooves!”
“I could cut into you.”
“Do you think I’m… haunting you? I’m not. I’m trying to help you. All these ponies would love to put a bolt into your hideous face.”
“Why? Why would they hate me? I’ve barely interacted with anyone.”
“Because I can do this.”
“Do what?”
“That! I’ve got even more control over you than before, due to that amulet! Soon, you will discover what it is like to basically be a spectre, watching everything happen without you being able to fix it. I’ll destroy all of your ‘friends’ from home. I’ll destroy your books. I’ll destroy your horn.”
“You’ll regret this.”
“I’m the phantom of death. Why, why would I regret this?”
“You’re the phantom of death? Did you create that name yourself?”
Vambrace went back to practicing the art of battle. He gripped his sword with telekinesis, and sent it flying towards the tree. It stuck into the tree, making Vambrace pull it out.
Somehow, after all this blade has been through, it has never dulled. Was it magic?
Thoughts crossed Vambrace’s mind. His inner self could know take slight control of him. What if he manages to fully take over his body?
“Hehehehe….
Post by: jaxler on July 21, 2013, 01:13:46 am
Prodd was starting to worry about Red. He hasn’t seen her in awhile, more so he really wanted to take up smoking again and wanted somepony to talk him out of it. He made his way to her home, hoping she was cooped up in there and not wandering around town. He knocked on the door.
It took a long while before he got an answer. “Ugh... who is it?”
“Who do you think?” Prodd responded. “Can I come in...?”
“Go ahead... the door isn’t locked...”
Prodd entered and sighed. “I’m... well... worried about you...”
When he came in Red was still in bed, and looked depressed. “and why would you worry about me?”
Prodd sighed again at the state of the spear master. “Because I care about you... and... I feel like we’re all going to need you at your best...”
“Meh...” she looked away from him and sighed heavily. “They’re fine without me. Flamb will just behead anything that’s a problem..”
“And if Flamberge was to fall...?” Prodd asked. “And who would lead the rest of the spearponies?” He sighed. “I... I want the old Red back... at least for me... but I won’t be the only one needing you...”
“Ugh... you don’t get it..” She looked back over to him.
“Then explain it to me... please...” Prodd pleaded. He wanted to help...
“Look, I’m sick being stuck here, poor as dirt, going nowhere in life. What the hell am I even working for every day that I’m in this fort? I’m not going anywhere or doing anything spectacular I’m just getting older and waiting to die.”
“...you have a house, employment, and somepony who cares about you...” Prodd said. “That’s a lot more than what a lot of ponies have...”
She made a little whimper. “Well yeah... but... I just...” She sighed and looked down. “I just want to stop needing to hide...”
“...Then stop hiding.” Prodd said, his tone clear and hopefully supportive. “...If you’re scared, you could always live with me.”
“Do you honestly think that would help?”
“Maybe a little... at least emotionally.” Prodd said. “...And maybe my spontaneous death scream would wake you up and my corpse would slow the attacker long enough for you to escape.”
“Ugh... can we not think like that?” She just sighed again. “Still... if you think it’ll help I guess we can try.”
“Sorry for the lame joke...” Prodd sighed. “But Red... you need to talk to somepony... I’m here...”
“...Thanks.”
Prodd pulled Red into a hug. “...I’m sure things will turn out for the better.”
Red sighed and hugged him back. “Yeah... s-so if I move in are you sure you’ll have enough room for bonnet?”
“...My rooms moderately empty and spacious. It could work.” Prodd reassured her. “But... if there’s anything you want to talk about...”
“Well... I’m starting to hate my job.”
“Anything you can do to improve it...?”
“Well, not really. Flamberge is still a bloody retard who’s only interest is bloodlust. The people I’m in charge of aren’t to bad, but when I have to deal with him I feel like crap.”
Prodd held her closer. “Then work for your subordinates and keep time with Flamberge to a bare minimum. You’re strong... you’ll be fine.”
“Yeah...” She hadn’t really told him the big things on her mind though, but this was definitely helping. “Thanks.” She gave him a little nuzzle.
“Anything else troubling you? I won’t be going anywhere...” Prodd said.
Well...” she thought about telling him. “No not really...”
“You sure? You can tell me anything...”
“I’m sure.”
“You look like you’re hiding something... I’m a little concerned...”
“I’m fine.”
“Am I going to have to read your mind?” Prodd’s horn began to glow.
Red looked a little concerned. Not because she had something to hide, but because she actually felt uncomfortable with that. “Don’t you bucking do that.”
“Why? What could you be hiding?”
“The fact that I don’t like keeping my own personal thoughts private.”
“Because you’re hiding something.” Prodd smiled. His horn was still glowing as he inched closer to her.
“Why the hell do you want to know my every thought?”
“I just want to know what’s troubling you... if you tell me now, I won’t have to figure it out myself...” Prodd said. “I care about you...”
“No I’m not telling you, damnit.”
“Why not? I don’t want to use my magic here... but I will if I have to.”
She just glared at him.
Prodd sighed. “Why would it hurt to tell me? You... trust me... right?”
She didn’t say a word. She was certain he wouldn’t do it.
“...Right? Trust me?” He was saddened slightly and his horn dimmed.
“I DO. I just don’t want to bucking hurt you damnit!”
“I don’t care if you hurt me or not, I want you to tell me.” Prodd said. His tone was final.
“Okay then...” She glared at him again. “I haven’t quite let the thing with the bear trap go, and the retarded gryphon offered me enough money to pay off my debt if I worked with him... Now i’m scared that he narced on me, or they’ll find out, and I’m out of a chance at freedom!”
Prodd thought over what he was going to say. “...If I were you I would have killed me in an instant. And let me get this straight... you made a deal with Max... the plan went haywire, and you’re scared?”
“Pretty much.” she said, seeming depressed again.
Prodd’s horn already stopped giving off light. He pulled Red into a tighter embrace and whispered, “You’re right to be scared... but it’s okay. Things will always work themselves out for the better... I don’t think anyone else knows about it. And Red... please remember this... I can always teleport you out of danger...”
She just held still, and pressed her head to his chest. “Thank you...”
“...No problem.” Prodd smiled warmly and slowly swayed her from side to side.
She sighed and closed her eyes. She lightly nuzzled Prodd and tried to relax in the embrace.
Prodd continued to hold her and spoke up, “If it helps, I can’t read minds...”
“Heh... knew it.” She hummed and just kept relaxing there.
“Oh... one thing I was meaning to ask you... would you stop me from smoking? I quit a long time ago...” He paused. “I... I’m starting to get the urges again...” It was his turn to verbally trot around something.
“Well, how do you think I can help?”
“By... I don’t really know... I just... don’t want to... have a relapse...” The relapse wasn’t just about his old habit.
“Well, if I’m always around I guess I could badger you about not doing it.” She smiled a little, before something crossed her mind. “Or if you ever find a need to smoke we can just do this...” She gave him a kiss.
Prodd broke the kiss after a few moments. “Yeah, I totally need to smoke right now.” He really can get help for his problem, he can even get comfort from the impending doom.
She just grinned and gave him another kiss, this time holding it as long as she could.
Fade to black...
Post by: Telgin on July 26, 2013, 01:53:27 am
The current plan is to start the final battle in game in a couple of days. I've tested the scenario and know I have the process of triggering everything down. All that needs to happen now is to actually run the fight and record the bloodbath.
Rejoice in the coming oblivion!
Post by: Splint on July 26, 2013, 02:48:55 am
Post by: Telgin on July 26, 2013, 07:37:36 am
Spoiler: Monster! (click to show/hide)
She vowed that she was going to come take all of the ponies in Duskfields or destroy it in the process. That was several weeks ago in game, and it's difficult justifying putting her attack off, so I'm going to be doing it soon.
Post by: Splint on July 26, 2013, 10:51:52 am
Post by: KingStrongbeard on July 26, 2013, 12:34:00 pm
If you haven't been keeping up with the RP you're probably lost. :) Recently (in game time) Temperance was murdered by Flamberge because Flamberge was angry and jealous about him being promoted to baron. In the process, he met the draconequus Entropy, who was responsible for the discordant ponies in the area:Spoiler: Monster! (click to show/hide)
She vowed that she was going to come take all of the ponies in Duskfields or destroy it in the process. That was several weeks ago in game, and it's difficult justifying putting her attack off, so I'm going to be doing it soon.
In addition, another thing you might have missed Splint, that could be a point of confusion, was that shortly after the death of Temperance, Max the griffin (DVNO's character, currently in prison for the murder of a member of the griffin caravan guard) used a magic stone, acquired through vaguely known means, to switch bodies with Flamberge. Thus presently, the Flamberge walking around town is really Max, and the real one languishes in prison for a crime different than the one he attempted to commit.
Post by: Splint on July 26, 2013, 12:37:18 pm
And now you've really lost me.
Post by: Iceblaster on July 26, 2013, 06:20:42 pm
Well, murder is murder...
And now you've really lost me.
WELL IT GOES A BIT LIKE THIS
Some ponies go to form a farming town(woohoo) and it's normal except a few bad guys and a pony or two got stabbed
Later there is a murderization of a certain Baron and then it becomes a clusterfuck of stuff!
Lightning Runner/Quarrel fucks off into the woods and gets hypnotized into being a
THere is this whole thing with Proddy and Redhat
Flamberge and Max do a brain swap type thing and become each other and are each other
AND THIS ENTROPY THING WILL ATTACK UNLESS WE SAVE DUSKFIELDS!!!!
I hope I have helped
Probably not :P
Post by: Telgin on July 29, 2013, 01:40:53 am
It was early morning, and the sun had only just begun its trek across the sky. Everything was normal, and Zweihander let out an exasperated sigh as he continued his patrol along the wall. He stopped at the edge of the unfinished crenellations across the southern wall and shook his head. This was taking too long. He'd feel a lot better once the battlements were finished. What if they got attacked from another direction?
No, that wasn't what had him on edge. It was the waiting and being cooped up in a town big enough for maybe seventy ponies that really had ninety, all on top of the morose tone that had settled more or less permanently now.
Temperance was dead. That was an utter shock. He hadn't had a lot of interaction with the stallion, but he was always polite and friendly to him when they did. Everypony else seemed to like him for the most part. His wife and children were good ponies too. He liked them. Everypony did. Seeing them absolutely shattered after their beloved's passing was very painful. It was one of the reasons he opted for patrol on the walls when he could. It got him away from that. Anytime he passed one of Temperance's family in the streets there was that unspoken "Why?" look on their face. He didn't know. Gods and goddesses he didn't know what was going on anymore.
He brushed his hoof against the stonework of a firing port and started back on his patrol. Flamberge was the one who ran into Temperance. After he'd been twisted into one of those psychotic bloodthirsty discordants somehow. Flamberge hadn't been right after that. The pegasus definitely had issues with Temperance. You'd have to be pretty blind and stupid not to see it, but being forced to kill him because of that? Yeah, even Flamberge wasn't made of tough enough stuff to just walk away from that unaffected. He didn't want to meet the pony that could.
Something had to give. Duskfields felt like it was a giant bowl of tension held inside these walls, just waiting for somepony to come along and let it out before the walls blew apart from it. Zweihander snorted and swished his tail, passing Gorget coming the other way without a word. See? Everypony was just trudging along now out of duty or apathy or whatever. There was no life left in Duskfields. The moment they got word from Coupledye on how to handle Temperance's passing, he was putting in for a transfer to somewhere else. Anywhere else. He was going to lose his mind here.
Gods, he just wished something would happen.
Something caught his eye. He glanced through the firing port on his left and watched the horizon. Another one of those forsaken red clouds. Word had already spread through town on what they did. That was what happened to Temperance. How or why nopony knew, but that's what happened.
He snorted again and started back on his patrol. In four years the clouds never came close to the town. It seemed almost like they couldn't. Nopony even cared anymore when they showed up. Just don't be stupid and go out in them and you'd be fine. End of story.
That counted as something at least. Five seconds of alleviated boredom. He started back on his patrol, passing the far side of the finished construction work. The red cloud extended the entire way along the wall. That was unusual, but not unheard of. He paused and turned around in place. The clouds... they were everywhere. The entire town was surrounded! This was new! He'd never seen this before! "Clop! Clop me with Redhat's spear!" he exclaimed, trotting toward the nearest stairs. Oh, this was bad. Very, very bad. Flamberge needed to know right now!
Something else caught his eye. Movement in the clouds. Lots of movement. Pony shapes. Flying things. Griffons and pegasi.
Discordants. Hundreds maybe. A thousand? Oh. Buck.
"Flamberge! Crosshair! We! Are! Under! Attack!" he screamed at the top of his lungs, skipping stairs as he galloped full speed for the barracks.
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/256.png)
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Entropy%20Avatar.png)
Standing in the red haze she had conjured, Entropy studied the town before her. She felt... something. Confidence? Yes. Satisfaction? Certainly. Vindication? Not yet, but soon. ...apprehension? More than she would admit.
This situation was more delicate than it appeared. Many things could go wrong. She had not lived four centuries around ponies without learning to not underestimate them. They could not stop her. She alone could crush them. They could not resist her. Flamberge and everypony would bow to her before the day was out. So why did she feel a hint of worry?
A pony nuzzled her side and she lowered her hand to stroke his mane. She wanted to go and fight alone, so they could not suffer more at the hooves of these cursed ponies. Yet they begged and pleaded with her to help, and she gave in. It would reduce the risk regardless. If things went poorly she could still save them.
"Are we ready yet?" he asked her. Deadly Strike. That was his name. He was among the oldest and most skilled of her children, and insisted on coming.
"Soon. Very soon," she assured him. "Remain here."
She strode forward until she exited the concealing fog. The ponies could see her here, but not attack her. Good. They needed to see their impending doom, and to appreciate what was about to happen. She worked an invisible spell, and announced in a voice that carried to the horizon, "Ponies of Duskfields... you have slain my children and trespassed on our lands for too long. You have sent for your armies to come and destroy us, but today the world will learn that we will be pushed around no longer." She scowled and anger entered her voice. "Today marks the beginning of the end. Cower and despair inside your walls, because they will not save you. Surrender yourselves to me now, or suffer."
She clenched a fist. "Resist... and I will show you why you should fear me (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Entropy_Taunt2.wav)..."
The greater draconequus Entropy has come!
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/257.png)
Post by: Splint on July 29, 2013, 03:20:13 am
Post by: rakasha01 on July 29, 2013, 10:51:00 am
Post by: Iceblaster on July 31, 2013, 01:28:16 am
Quarrel was preparing for supporting Mother’s attack. He look around in his bags and found the peytral and crupper he had stored for this moment and hastily put them on, fastening the straps and making sure everything was secure. Once he had finished with his armor, he put on a cloak that obscured his armor, making sure nopony would be suspicious on how a traveler would have military grade armor.
He checked his cloak pockets, making sure his concealed weapon was there. He made a mental checklist on what he was to do, and he had done most of what he needed to do. The last thing he had to do for sure, was to make sure Flamberge... or whoever was leading their army was out of the picture. He turned around, put on his saddlebags and began towards the barracks, hoping he could find Flamberge easily.
Prodd stepped out of the barracks fully equiped, he had the graveyard shift again. Sighing he looked at the cloaked figure approaching the barracks. He thought he saw a glimpse of armor, but he could have been wrong. Prodd sighed again remembering Lightning’s disappearance, he saw him run off into the night from his post. He should have done something that night, but he couldn’t change the past. Prodd looked the traveler up and down and readied his guard voice. “Halt traveler.” He said, “State your business...”
Quarrel stopped and let out a small sigh. “I am... Finding somewhere safe. I heard the barracks has an underground portion and I assumed that would be able to be defended easily.”
“...You heard right.” Prodd responded. “‘Course the underground portion was only known by us soldiers... one having left recently into the night and having never been seen again.” He was obviously suspicious now. “...What’s your name traveler?” He shifted a little to block the main entrance with his body.
Quarrel was getting annoyed, but he kept quiet, as this would get him caught. “Quarrel of Runner Clan”
“Runner?” Prodd asked. “Remove that cloak, now!” Lightning would be dumb enough to use his own last name if he was going to come back. Or this could be his murderer...
“Getting a bit antsy aren’t you. You haven’t even treated me to dinner” Quarrel joked around, hoping to distract Prodd from his questions. “Sir, I have came here to mourn the loss of my brother.”
“Yeah, how do you know he’s dead? And I said remove the hood.” Prodd said, his voice moderately intimidating. He backed his tone with a loaded crossbow pointed at this Quarrel.
Quarrel’s eyes widened in fear... feigned fear, but a little fear was still in his stance. “Whoah whoah... I’ll comply, don’t shoot” He raised a hoof to his hood and pull it back, revealing his face for all to see. “Anything else? You want me to dance for ya-” He began in a joking tone of voice before being cut off by Prodd
“Shut up.” He said flatly. “The only Runner here was named Lightning... and you look just like him, albeit faded. You twins?” He kept his crossbow at the ready, however pointing it to the ground.
Quarrel’s stance went back into a neutral stance, and began to take a moment to think. “Y-Yes... Yes we are. Now have I answered your questionnaire to receive a shipment of cake? If so, can I please go and hide in this bunker type thing so I don’t get killed or maimed or whatever by this force.”
“I would... but Lightning told me he was an only foal.” Prodd said. “And considering what’s coming and all this foul magic in the air... I’d wager some thief got corrupted by those vile forces of darkness...” He explained. His crossbow was right back up. “You have two choices, either you come with me and I lock you up... or I make you come with me.” He was ready to fire in a hair of a second, and he knew how to make his shots non-lethal.
Quarrel sighed. “I really didn’t want anypony to find out... Alright you found me out. Now what are you going to do?” He took a short step towards Prodd. “Send me to Case Study? Lock me up? Kill me?”
Prodd gestured to where he stepped as the recently primed trap sprung under ‘Quarrel’s’ hoof. He then shot his old friend square in the left wing, flying away would be pretty hard for him now.
Quarrel held back a scream, however it was getting hard as the sudden pain was a bit much for him. “F-F-Fuck... Wh-Why... A-All I did...” He wasn’t able to finish his sentence.
“Let’s go Lightning.” Prodd said. He hauled the crippled pegasus onto his back and made his way to the prison cells. He’d get his dulled trap out of his friend’s leg once he got back to normal. Prodd was glad he was a guard here, nopony questioned what he was doing; although his methods turned a few heads. Once they reached the cell, Lightning was immediately restrained to a bed.
Quarrel mentally swore as now even as a surprise, his dagger was out of reach and even then, his hooves are strapped to the bed. “Wh-What now?” He drew a breath. “Y-You... going ta... kill me? M-Mother will destroy you... Duskfields will p-perish...” He rambled, hoping it would save him.
Prodd raised an eyebrow at this. He got his gear out of the injured pegasus and quietly bandaged him up. The next problem was getting his friend back to normal. Prodd sighed once more, this whole fiasco has been nothing but worrying. “Lightning... tell me what happened...” He should have about two hours before anypony comes down here to investigate.
“I-I found... I h-have a place in the w-world...” Quarrel began. “Mother cares for me... N-None of you do...”
Prodd smacked him upside the head. “Lightning... listen to me.” He paused, making sure his friend was paying attention. “You were a good friend Lightning, albeit a bit dim, but that’s not what’s important. You have a family Lightning. Sweet Potato. Mist. Yam. They love you, and care about you.” He sighed. “But most importantly... they goddamn need you Lightning! Your family needs you!” Prodd calmed himself. “And working with the enemy won’t help them... the discordians want us all dead for whatever we did... that includes mares and foals.”
“My family is.... Th...They are....” Quarrel took a breath. “My f-family is... out there.... waiting.....” Prodd was getting through, however Quarrel was trying his best to not fall for Prodd’s trickery.
“DAMNIT LIGHTNING!!!” Prodd uncharacteristically shouted. “Think about your foals. They need their father! Especially considering Sweet Potato’s condition! And what about Sweet Potato?! Are you just going to abandon her for some mind-possessing bitch?!” He wasn’t sure about the last part, but Lightning kept rambling on about some mother, and he doubted it was his true parent.
“I...I...They...” Quarrel began to see the fault in his ways. “Sweet P-Potato...” His eyes began to tear up. “Oh Amug what have I done...” He said to himself.
“Lightning we all need you. Please stop this madness... come back to us...” Prodd sighed. He sensed the bad magic waning off of his friend, the color to his coat and mane began to come back, albeit barely considering it was still faded. “I’m sorry Lightning...”
“I-I’m sorry... I...I’m sorry” Lightning looked at the wall. “I don’t want them to see... I... They won’t trust me...”
“...They will Lightning, they’ll trust you.” Prodd said, “After all... you haven’t betrayed us yet... and you can still help too...” He paused, “If you want to help us...”
“Y-Yes I... I will... help... anything to make up for... what I did” His vision was still blurred by tears, however he could see well enough to notice his restraints still being tied. “P-Prodd... c-can you undo these?”
Prodd was wary about releasing him. Even though he was his friend, Prodd still sensed some evil magic lingering inside Lightning. “...Not yet.” He sighed. “I’ll... I’ll need to alert Flamberge... you’re technically an enemy.” He got up to leave and tell his superior what transpired. “I’ll make sure he doesn’t hurt you... friend.” Prodd’s heart said Lightning was his friend again, his brain was suspicious as always. It’d be in the best interest of Duskfields to alert the acting leader about this.
Flamberge finishes writing the general guidelines for the civilian militia at his desk when he receives a knock on his office door. “Come in.” he said casually.
Prodd opened the door and saluted. “Sir... Lightning Runner came back, he is- er was... corrupted by the Discordant magic. He’s being held in the prison, I felt I should alert you of this...”
Flamberge smiled. “See? And you all thought all the extra security was obstructive. Excellent. Let us poke around his brain, see what this corruption does.” Flamberge trots to the front of his desk.
“Sir!” Prodd interrupted. “We... we don’t have to do that... it’s the work of dark magic... a lobotomy wouldn’t solve anything.” He sighed. “I thought that he could give us information about the Discordants, maybe he knew a few weaknesses from when he was getting possessed...”
“Sure, that works too.” Max laughs at Prodd implying he was going to lobotomize the pony. “Lead on, Prodd.”
“Yes sir...” Prodd responded to the order and led the way to the prison. “Lightning should be stable- emotionally... and I did restrain him earlier...” He sighed again. “He wants to help... but I’m still wary of him, I... can still sense some dark magic off of him...”
Flamberge keeps pace and inquires further. “So, where was he when he was contaminated by the red mist?”
“I... I don’t know, you should ask him yourself...” Prodd opened the door to the prison and went over to his restrained friend. “Lightning, Flamberge’s here... if there’s anything you need to tell us, now would be the best time...”
Lightning looks up to see Flamberge and Prodd enter the room. “H-Hello... Flamberge.” He said, his voice shaky. “Y-Yes... b-but can I can g-get out of these restraints... that would be nice”
“Well,” Flam struts up to the cell bars. “That depends, how nice you want to be is directly proportional to how nice I want to be. Were you going to be nice? Or is Prodd going to have to use his crossbow?”
“I promise not to hurt you... even if I wanted to... It’d be two on one. Now please can I get out of these restraints”
“Flamberge... it’s your call. I still sense a dark presence within Lightning...” Prodd stepped back from his friend. “I’d recommend restraining him and locking the cell door... just in case this feeling is right...” He looked to his captain for the final decision.
“Eeh, sure.” He looks down to his sword. “I’ll take that risk. Stand guard by the door, Prodd. In case.” Flamberge takes out his master set of prison keys and moves to unchain Lighting Runner.
Prodd nodded and took up position outside the cell door, poking his crossbow between the bars. Just in case.
Lightning softly mutters. “Thank you” as Flamberge undoes his chains
Flamberge kneels and gets on Lightning’s level. “Tell me, what happened to you?” He asked in a stern but concerned tone.
Thoughts went through Lightning’s head. Thoughts telling him to kill Flamberge. Others telling him to tell the truth. He tried to mentally shrug off the thoughts to kill Flamberge, but they remained. “I....I went into... my- their homeland”
“Whose homeland? The Discordants? What did you see? Can you give me their numbers? Even just a rough count?”
“Y-yes... Discordants... ponies. I saw... a big clearing. Tents as far as I could see... there were” He paused for a moment and took a moment to remember that day. “I saw.... hundreds...”
Prodd listened to the conversation, he’d intervene when he saw a reason to.
“Alright. Why? Why did they want you? Why did they not just kill you immediately? Like everypony else?” Flam questions further.
“Th-Their leader... M-mothe- I mean... erm...” He stopped. He never got this... thing’s name. “I’m s-sorry... but I never g-got her name... If it helps... she looked like a serpant with h-hooves and h-hands. L-Like a monkey... but different... maybe claws... I don’t know... she looked like she had been dead for weeks and decided to g-go for a walk”
Flam grimaces “Did it start with an ‘E’ ?”
“I didn’t get a name... I’m sorry...”
“Her name was Entropy. Princess of decay. Go on.”
“A-Alright... Sh-She did something and this red shroud.... it surrounded her claws and she put it on my forehead... and... I became that bastard of a pony.”
Flam looks around the room, emphasizing to Lightning he didn’t know the bastard pony referenced. “Is this bastard of a pony still in this room?” Flam asks, slowly reaching to his sword.
“N-no” Lightning said, not noticing Flamberge reaching for his sword. “I-Is there anything else F-Flamberge?”
“Flamberge?” Prodd asked from behind the bars. His crossbow was loaded, and anyone in that cell could be a target.
Flamberge’s eyes turned to slits.”She sent you to kill me. Clever Girl.”
Lightning’s eyes widened in panic. “W-What are you going to d-do?”
Prodd’s crossbow was swapping between Lightning and Flamberge. He needed to pick a target, and soon. Or... maybe he could solve this nonviolently... with magic?
Flam smiles and unsheathes his sword. “It’s simple.” He raises his sword and cuts off a piece of his own mane. “You are going to go back to her, and tell her you have succeeded. Or we will put a bolt through you.”
“Wh-What if she doesn’t call off the attack? What i-if she w-wants proof?” Lightning asks, eyes fixated on the sword.
“Here’s your proof.” He lifts the long gold and grey dreadlock. “If she expected you leaving here with my head, past the gate, well I’m afraid she sent you on a suicide mission anyway.” He hoofs the Lightning imitator the strand. “I don’t expect her to call off the attack even on my death. The stories .... I was a fool!”
Lightning still stood in place, afraid to move, for Flamberge might just call of his peacefulness in no time. “Wh-What if she senses I-I’m not the s-same...” He said, hoping to stall his leave as much as possible.
“That, my good pony is not my problem. Prodd. Re-cuff him. Then lead him to the gate. Then shoot him in the wing. Make it look like there was a struggle getting to me. Let him walk back home and send a pony to follow him. I want numbers!” He shouts.
Something Lightning screamed for him to speak up and he was thinking of doing just that. “No. I’m not letting you hurt them. True they are ‘enemies’, but that doesn’t mean they can change. Their minds are just clouded by this thing’s magic! C-Can’t you see that!” Lightning shouted, his fear suddenly melting away.
Flam quirks a brow. “That is some interesting information. So you suddenly care about the ponies overtaken by the dark magic. Then why didn't you slit the throat of the source of the magic when you had the chance, assassin?” Flamberge inquired. “Who am I even talking to?”
Prodd had lowered his crossbow and just stared blankly at what was transpiring.
“You are talking to somepony who thinks that once we take care of this thing, these ponies who will, inevitably, collapse can instead reintegrate” Lightning realized what he had just done and took his tone back to normal levels. “I apologize for my outburst... but I have heard the lies this thing says... I want to stop this war... this ‘army’ I saw was nothing more than a simple militia scaled up ten times and there were foals in this place I saw. Foals that will lose parents or parental figures if this war continues” He forcibly stops himself, as it seemed Flamberge was fed up with his ranting.
Flamberge shrugs. “And what am I supposed to do? Against brainwashed masses vying to kill me, ready to assault us at a moments notice? Sorry, Mister Lightning. My foals take priority over theirs. Prodd you have your orders.”
Prodd spoke up. “Flamberge what the hell? If we have the chance to end this war with minimal bloodshed, we should take it in a second!” He sighed. “This is just like Carnith... you impulsively and recklessly charged into the fray without thought, just because your opponent isn’t like you. Imagine if Carnith was here now, imagine if he decided to fight with us...”
Flamberge took that in for a long while. “Prodd. Find me a peaceful solution and I will follow it to the letter. In the meantime. I believe I gave you orders, and you are talking up to a superior. And Carnith? I will make sure to not make the same mistake twice. I guarantee you that.”
“Sorry sir, but it needed to be said...” Prodd saluted. “And if what Lightning said is true... we might have a shot at this.” He turned to face his friend. “Is there anything else you can tell us?”
“No... I’m sorry Prodd. I have told you all I know” Lightning said, looking towards the ground.
“It’s alright friend... I’m glad to have you back.” Prodd smiled slightly and looked back to Flamberge. “So... how can we win this Commander?”
“If I may interrupt...” Lightning came up with an idea, mainly one that could help. “If we are lucky, Moth- Entropy won’t detect my change with her magic. I could in theory have a chance to convince her to call off her troops... and maybe our peaceful solution can be commenced.”
“Is there even a chance that could work? Can we convince Entropy?” Prodd asked. He was willingly to try, regardless of how low the odds of success were.
“There will never be any chance if we don’t try. From what she used to attack my former way of thinking, it was mainly ‘They don’t love you, however I love you’ and if I can somehow twist that...” He stopped, and began to think the plan out.
“This is all hinging on the fact she does not just kill you the second you get back. Or worse, just flip back to the “other’ pony.” Flamberge scoffed. “Listen, Lightning. If you wish to go back to that dark place, I commend you for bravery; but don’t waste such an opportunity on diplomacy -” Flamberge brandishes a knife. “Try it your way if you wish. Or, take this, and plunge it deep into her heart while you still have the element of surprise. The thing about a suicide mission is you can’t buck it up. She will kill you when she realizes i’m alive. End this for Duskfields once and for all, and your family name will be legend. I don’t see many good outcomes for you now, so why not go out with a bang?”
“I know she’ll kill me if I buck up... but... even if I attempt to do as you say, she’ll see it coming a mile away.” He reached into his cloak and pulled a dagger out. “And Flamberge my good sir, I have my own.”
Flam looks terribly surprised. “Prodd. Whatever happened to checking prisoners for weapons?”
“Oh I knew it was there... And besides,” Prodd tapped on the bars. “The potential threat’s contained.”
“You still do not trust me?” Lightning said in confusion. “I just gave you vital information. And you do not trust me. If I was a spy, I’d have given little to no information, and even then it’d be stuff that didn’t matter”
“...No offense Lightning, but for an ex-thief you are the most uncoordinated pony with a melee weapon I have ever seen.” Prodd chuckled, trying to raise the mood slightly and cheer up his friend.
“Ha.Ha. Now please Prodd, can I get out of this cell?” Lightning said, annoyance prominent in his voice.
Flamberge nods at Prodd. “Let him go. Let him walk there. If he flies? shoot him out of the air.”
“Oh yeah... sorry about the bolt Lightning... and the trap...” Prodd winced as he apologized. He then opened the cell and released the veteran criminal of Duskfields.
“Thank you... and I forgive you” He held up a hoof towards Prodd.
Prodd lightly pounded his hoof against his friend’s. “Take care of yourself out there...” He paused . “...hypothetically speaking, if you didn’t make it back... I’ll help take care of your family... I mean, if there was even a chance of you dying...”
He kept himself from tearing up. “Thanks. I’ll stay safe. I expect you to stay safe as well” He smiled for the first time that day
Flamberge quirks a smile. “And Prodd goes in for the rebound. Bow Chicka Bow wow.”
Prodd rolled his eye and left the two for the archery range. It’d make sense he’d use the targets one last time before their darkest hour.
“I guess this is time for me to go?” Lightning asks rhetorically.
Flamberge gives him a solid hoof shake. “Let the hope of Duskfields be at the wings of your back, Lightning. Godspeed.”
Lightning nods. “And don’t take it too hard, but” He cloak falls and his armor clad body is seen. “This stuff was on me the whole time.” Lightning chuckles before getting a more serious tone. “Seriously though, If I fail, I pray you will be able to defend Duskfields.”
“I will have my revenge Lightning. Nothing, pony or god, Draconequus will stand in it’s way. I. AM. NOT. BUDGING. TO HER.” Flamberge storms away to prepare.
“Yes.” He trotted into the empty cell and picked up the lock of hair and his dagger. “I now take my leave. May Nirmek shine his Mercy on us today.” He said to nopony in particular.
Post by: Telgin on July 31, 2013, 11:22:35 pm
Lightning Runner stood infront of the gate. The red clouds that had surrounded the town grew thicker, as if beckoning him to return to his former ways. He bit down on the grip of his dagger and made sure he hadn’t lost the lock of hair Flamberge had given to him. “I have to do this... I can’t stop” He said to himself. He began to trot towards the clouds. Many would of called him an idiot before, but knowing what he knew, he could possibly resist their mental suggestions.
He trotted out of the walls and over the moat, and as soon as his back legs were on the grass on the other side, the cranks on the bridge began to make noise, signalling that it was being lifted, probably to deter any non pegasi from entering. He took a deep breath before beginning his trot towards the foreboding clouds. Thoughts of whether he made the right decision came to him. Was he going to even have a chance at dissuading the one who will most certainly wipe out Duskfields?
He shook his head. He couldn’t think of that now. He was committed, and backing out now would be a cowardly move. He entered the cloud. Voices began to fill his hearing. “With me you shall be loved as no one else has.” “These ponies never cared for you. They wouldn’t take a bolt for you. However, I would.”
From the corner of one eye, he saw a sickly coated stallion start toward him. “Weren’t you happier as my brother, Lightning?” Temperance asked longingly. Another stallion, this time a green unicorn, crawled from a pit ahead, trailing decaying flesh in his wake. “Do you remember me, Lightning? I’m Hauberk. They sent me to my death, just like they’re sending you.” Both ponies vanished in a flash as he tried to focus on them.
“H-Have to focus...” Lightning said to himself. “Can’t... fall to her tricks” He continued, his pace quickening. He wanted to spend the least amount of time here as possible, hopefully his target, Entropy, wouldn’t be nesting inside one of these. As he got further and further, the clouds got thicker and thicker. “How... thick is this?” His vision was reduced to a few feet in front of him, The voices continued, getting louder than they were before. “Weren’t you happy when you were one of us? Part of the family?” one asked, as if it expected a response.
“Yes...” He shook his head. “But... it was mental suggestion. True loving mothers wouldn’t send their children to die” He responded as if the voice would reply.
A crack of displaced air rolled past Lightning Runner from behind, and a distorted female voice asked, “Do you think I just sent you to die?”
“This mission that I was sent on was suicide! You’re lucky I wasn’t killed trying to do this” He responded. “Before today. Hell many years you sent your ‘children’ to die, and for what? Some land we would gladly share if you didn’t try to kill us. Mother. You mean well... but is killing the answer?” He asked, turning around hoping to talk to Her face to face
Entropy stood silently in the clearing behind him, studying him for a moment. “You’ve returned to normal. How... interesting.” She strolled toward him, keeping an air of curiosity about her.
He stood his ground, biting the grip of his dagger once more. “Yes. I... I still wish to serve you... but... the ponies of Duskfields... Punishing them for something they had no idea about.” He kept his eyes locked with hers. “They had no knowledge this was your land. Is punishing them for it something that is right? Killing them for it... is it right?” He asks.
She cocked her head. “Killing them all? No, that wouldn’t be right.” She started circling Lightning Runner slowly. “After what I’ve shown you, you think that’s what I really had planned here?”
Lightning shook his head. “No not at all Mother”
“Then what do you see? What do you believe my intentions were here? Are here?”
“Remove Duskfeilds. Get rid of it. Take back what you believe is your’s and nopony elses.” LIghtning said rather bluntly. “Is that what they are? Or am I wrong once more”
She stopped and looked him square on. “Partly, but more than that. Duskfields is a threat to me and all of us, so, yes, I am removing it as a threat. But not by killing its inhabitants, or even the army of ponies coming to its rescue.” She narrowed her eyes. “Not even the griffon army.” With that, she flapped her wings once and went back to circling him. “You know what I had in store for them.”
His vision was clouded by dust for a moment after Entropy flapped her wings, but he continued despite this. “A militia. An army sized Militia. That is what you have as a front for their removal, but pray tell, how do you plan on defeating whoever comes to reclaim this place? Toss more of our brothers and sisters at it? Or will you try to solve it, while keeping your children and my brothers and sisters alive?” Lightning questioned, putting an accusing tone to his words.
She stopped and raised her arms wide. “Look around you. You’ve seen the magic I’ve wrought here. When the armies arrive they’ll be powerless. Not a single drop of blood will have to be shed. They will all put down their weapons and bow to me, then live with their brothers and sisters in perpetual harmony.” She sneered. “That’s not something that will ever happen any other way.”
Lightning rolled his eyes. “I could go on for hours on the flaws in your ‘Bring more ponies into a space’ thing, but I won’t.” He took a breath. “Enough blood has been shed in this war. I have seen the dead. I saw Temperance, Hauberk and the others killed by you, regardless if you were there or not. Ponies on both side have died, and will most likely never see a day when both ‘Discordant’ and ‘Regular’ pony can live together, without the use of those terms, but continuing this war will just lead to more pointless death.” he took one final breath. “And these armies being powerless? Not all of them will happily march towards a red cloud or somepony like you, like you think they will” He said, his tone becoming angrier than normal. “Think of the ponies you hate. They are not all the same. Hell I’m sure most of them would gladly share their land with you. This.... generalization blurs your vision. The futility of this is like the conquest of the Draconquuses. Neither side will be wiped out, and the ones who do survive will be filled with hate.” He turned away from her, and faced the direction he came. “I’m sorry I wasted your time. I will take my leave. I pray you will see the light and try to be peaceful” His voice took on a disappointed tone as he slowly trotted away from Entropy.
Lightning’s hooves are instantly anchored to the ground as he trotted off. “Peace? I gave peace a chance,” she said. “Ponies and griffons don’t want peace. Neither do the zebras, nor any other creature on this world.” She walked in front of Lightning. “When I gave peace a chance, the griffons tried to kill me. Many times. When I gave peace a chance, the griffons killed my family. When I gave peace a chance, the ponies killed me!” she exclaimed at him, lowering herself closer to his face. “Four hundred years haven’t changed a thing about griffons and ponies. But I can change them.”
“Forcibly changing somepony isn’t going to solve anything! They are just following mental suggestion! You should know this more than anypony else!” He shouted.
She chuckled. “You’re wrong, Lightning. When every pony listens to me, they’ll never hurt anyone again. And the armies don’t have to blindly run into my magic. I can always take it to them.”
“Mother...” Lightning sighed. “I-I’m just trying to stop unneeded bloodshed... their commanding officer is willing to listen for a peaceful solution, and everypony in town will listen to him. It just seems you are too stubborn to listen... I’m sorry... I-I’ve been a bad child...”
Entropy raises an eyebrow. “Flamberge is willing to listen to a peaceful solution? I suppose next the gods will descend and strike me dead?” She stood erect again. “You’re not a bad son, Lightning. Nor are you even a particularly bad pony. But Flamberge? He is the essence of what I seek to remove from this world. A pony who is willing to murder innocents because they offend him.”
“Y-Yes... b-but... I have seen Fl-Flamberge recently... his actions have... ch-changed...” He says, his voice trailing off. “A-and he said it himself. ‘Prodd find me a peaceful solution’ if I remember correctly”
She grinned. “He is afraid of me then. Finally he realizes even he can’t stand up to me. Good. I may be able to spare his life yet.”
The magical forces binding Lightning to the ground held firmly as she half turned to leave. “If only you were right, Lightning, then more heartache and pain than you can begin to comprehend could have been and yet be avoided. As it is, I know what I have to do. When all of this is said and done, I look forward to speaking with you again. It is rare that I have opportunities to have open, honest conversations anymore. Much less with a pony who isn’t bent on my destruction.”
She turned away fully and swiped her hand through the air, releasing Lightning.
Lightning saw his chance. She is unaware... unseeing of his actions. He said a short prayer to Amug before going through with Flamberge’s former wish.
He propelled himself upward with his wings and dashed towards Entropy, dagger in mouth, ready to burrow itself into her. An explosion of green magic crackled from the impact of the dagger, and Lightning was tossed backward to the ground. Entropy slowly turned to face him, scowling. The flickering green persists for a moment across her entire body before fading. “You came to me, speaking of peace. I spared your life, and trusted your word enough to leave you unchanged.” She stepped heavily toward him, and a faint red aura began to surround her. “And that is how you act?”
His ears still ringing he is just barely able to make out her words. He began to panic. “I’m so sorry... don’t kill me please” He spat out, hoping it would save his life.
Her hair began to float gently, caught up in the growing magic. “Don’t worry,” she said in a mocking tone. “I won’t kill you, because I understand more than you realize. It’s your nature.” She thrust a hand downward and Lightning was crushed beneath an impossibly heavy force. He felt all four of his legs buckle and the bones snap. “You’ll live,” she sneered. “And perhaps while I finish my business with Duskfields, you’ll have time to think and come to understand.” She turned and walked off, letting the magical glow die off.
“I-I-” He coughed up a bit of blood. “S-Sorry...” Was all he could think of saying
There was no reply. From the woods a discordant zebra and earth pony walked past him, cast him a disapproving glance and carried on without a further word. He was alone.
Post by: Pokon on July 31, 2013, 11:53:59 pm
It was mid-morning, even if the state of the sun outside meant little to most of the ponies who lived deeper inside Duskfields, who’s days were dictated by when they woke up and when they went back down to bed, but Wood Chip tried to keep his timescale right. It wasn’t especially cold underground, especially when one had another pony beside them, like he did, but neverless he felt cold.
The next few minutes were very important, after all.
It was three months since the night Smoothblock moved in with him, and the last three had been very kind to the both of them, but now it was time to face the music of what this meant to the both of them, especially because of a little thing that he hoped she would have brought up before him.
Mainly, she was starting to swell a little.
“Smoothblock, honey, we need to talk.” he said, trying to sound as chipper as possible to the little mare at his side.
“About me being preggers right?” SmoothBlock took a drink of water and patted WoodChips gently on the back of the neck.
Wood Chip blinked. This just made things a lot simpler “When did you figure it out?”
“The same time I stopped smoking. The day that “Who can go without booze the longest” bet started.” She leaned on him “Thanks for caring enough to try and be quiet about it.”
Wood Chip simply blinked at his wonderful, wonderful mare, and leaned his head closer to her’s. “Smoothie, I almost yelled it across town when I knew, but I know you want that to be quiet. But don’t tell me that you are happy for me for doing that, please. I did it because I love you.”
“I’m happy because you love me. This, is hard though, I don’t want to be in DuskFields to have a family. Those crazy ponies are going to get everypony killed, and then it will be just us.” SmoothBlock sighed and hugged Woodchips warmly.
Wood Chip felt a little bold, so he pulled on SmoothBlock as he leaned backwards, giving her a big carefree grin. “ I have to agree, we do need to leave, but let’s stay here for just a few more days so we can get ready.”
“We can do that, we would want to leave with the caravan anyway. I want you in the bunker the second anything bad happens, you understand? We can get out of here and my mom can get me a job someplace else.” SmoothBlock snuggled close to WoodChips, laying on his chest.
Wood Chip’s grasp on the mare didn’t relent, and pulled her in as snuggly as he could. “Somewhere with tree’s, though. I need to support us too, and I don’t want you to mine as much with...a foal.”
“There are underground trees... I’ll ask for us to go someplace with trees and hills. And I’ll go easy on the mining, I won’t stress myself.” SmoothBlock nodded her head and nuzzled WoodChips “Promis.”
Wood Chip thought that over for a few moments, and then suddenly decided to take the moment to nuzzle her belly, or at least how one could go along doing so. “Oh, you better not. I have bits saved up, and I hope you enjoy being treated like a princess, because for the next few month’s you are going to be mine.”
SmoothBlock giggled and grinned ear to ear “You’re so good to me Woody. I’m happy to be yours.” She coo’d softly as WoodChips rubbed her belly.
Wood Chip tisked playfully. “Oh, hush. If anything, I am yours. Actually, I have a question, and I hope you don’t take it the wrong way.” he said slowly, easing up on the tummy rubbing.
“Go ahead and ask.” Smoothblock pouted a little as the belly rubs slowed, but she gave Woodchips nosies and lay her head on him.
“Would you find it so wrong if I found you a even more attractive than you normally were this way?” he said lowly, giving her a unsure look.
“Nah, there is like, a weird glow around me or something. Even my voice sounds less... gravilly?” SmoothBlock pointed her hoof in the air, as if trying to test the feel of the word.
Woodchip nodded. “You do have a cute little belly too, now.”
SmoothBlock giggled and blushed “Oh gosh Woody, nopony ever said that to me before.” She hugged WoodChips tight.
Woodchip blushed madly, glad that he got that over so easily. “Oh, most stallions find them attractive, you know. Really, I am surprised you didn’t know, Smoothie. But, really, it’s cute.”
SmoothBlock kissed Woodchips all over his chin, ears, and neck “Thank you~”
Woodchip chuckled at all the affection he was getting from the mare on top of him. “Smoothblock, thank you. Now, I guess you must be sensitive, perhaps...” not bothering to finish his sentence, he takes his chances and nibbles extremely gently on the mare’s exposed upper tummy.
“Eeeeeeemmmm~” SmoothBlock squeeked and then looked shocked that she was even capable of such a noise. “Woody, what are you doing to me?” She nommed on Woodchips ear gently.
Woodchip knew he had discovered a wonderful thing, and continued his belly-attack. “Playing you like a instrument, dear. Do you like it?”
She made another cute squeak and blushed hard “yes, I like it, I like being cute, for once. Instead on just acting ‘cute’.” SmootheBlock petted WoodChips mane.
Woodchip didn’t like the sound of that. “I am talking about the nibbling, dear. You focus on how much ponies think about you rather than how you think of yourself.”
“The nibbling is making me cute.” SmoothBlock kissed Woodchips on the cheek.
Woodchip stopped the nibbling and looked directly into her eyes. “Dear, stop that. You know what I mean.”
“Yes, I like it when you nibble me, and rub my belly, and snuggle me.” SmoothBlock nuzzled cheek to cheek with WoodChips.
“Sweetie, you need to understand, you can’t let other pony’s thought’s tell you who you are.”
“Thank you WoodChips” SmoothBlock sighed softly “I’ll be my own pony, just like I always have. I’m just glad you’re here to do it with me.”
Woodchip cracked a smile. “Yes, I guess I will. Now, I guess your stomach is starting to get sensitive?”
“Just a little” SmoothBlock slid her hoof around her bulk.
Woodchip looked at her, a little concern leaking into his voice. “Are you...perfectly okay with this, Smooth? This...this is a big step. I love you and you love me, there’s proof of that right between us.” he let himself slide a hoof up her midsection all the way to her shoulders,”But if you have any concerns or questions for me, please, tell me now while you are on top of me.”
“I tell you my concerns as they come, and you answered all my questions. I love you WoodChips, we can build a life and a family, together.” SmoothBlock leaned in and kissed WoodChips on the nose.
Woodchip blinks, but smiles and returns the kiss. “Well, now that we have talked about that,” he said with a big grin on his face, turning to the side slowly and bringing her with him, “should I continue with the compliments or should I just stop?”
“Shower them on me baby” SmoothBlock rubbed Woodchips’s chin.
Smiling, the stallion started to say a very long, very honest list, but thought against it and pulled the little mare in for a full-body snuggling.
Post by: Telgin on August 01, 2013, 11:27:58 pm
Woodchip stood on the outskirts of town, a good hour away from his home, and waited. He knew something would come. Eventually, anyway.
“Hello! I am one of those ponies who is surrendering! But I wish to talk!” he say’s halfheartedly into the fog before him.
Some time passes, but soon he sees shadows moving in the clouds. A mass of ponies of every color and variety slowly emerge, all wearing glares or scowls on their faces. The front four, three unicorn stallions and a unicorn mare, raise weapons toward him telekinetically, but hold their ground.
The stallion nearly stumbles at the sight of the armed unicorns, but stands firm. “ I bring nothing with me. Please, I have no ill will against any of you.” he said quietly, hoping to not startle the ponies. He didn’t like the looks in there eyes. It reminded him of a few other ponies he once knew.
“Ill will is all your kind know,” a grimy looking earth pony mare says from the rear of the pack before drawing a spear into her mouth.
“That’s enough,” a raspy, yet commanding voice calls from their side. A completely skeletal earth pony wearing heavy armor emerges from the clouds. “He wishes to speak, and he will be allowed to.” The pony looks at him. “What do you wish to say?”
Woodchip’s mouth begins to quiver slightly, almost as if he was going to begin to cry. “I...I wish to ask if there is a blue mare with light green hair named Sea Breeze in this...gathering here, kind...sir?” he said the last part quietly, unsure how to properly greet the undead pony before him.
It shakes its head. “There are many among us who match that description, but I do not know any of that name. Yet there are many I do not know personally.” It steps toward him, and he can see faint flickering blue flames in its eye sockets. “Of what significance is she to you?”
Woodchip wasn’t sure if the undead creature acting so civil to him was a true surprise, but he quickly responded just to make sure that he kept on the living ponies good side. “We grew up together, and our village was...visited by a draconequus, and became part of a group like yourself. I fled it, but she was a friend of mine.” He paused, taking a quick look at the gathered ponies near him giving him hard looks. “She used magic to visit me in the past, in my dreams, and wanted me to leave here.”
The skeletal pony stares motionlessly at him. “What you saw was a warning from mother, which you, like every other pony in this town, did not heed. The imagery is taken from you.” Its voice lowers as it says, “Your greatest fears were used against you.” It turns away. “Nevertheless, it does not preclude her presence among us. Stay here. You will not be harmed.”
Woodchip let out a meek “Thank you” as soon as the undead pony finished.
More time passes, and after several minutes the crisp crackle of something teleporting nearby meets his ears. As one the discordant ponies look up behind him, then put their weapons away and lower themselves. “So, you’re the one Serrated Blade said has come looking for somepony?” a distorted female voice asks.
Woodchip was afraid to turn around, but he did so anyway, albet with his eyes half-shut. “Yes, yes I did. I...” for a moment, he felt something foul rise up in his mouth, “are you Entropy, miss?”
She nods. “Yes. And you are...” She squints at him briefly. “Woodchip, I believe.”
Woodchip eased his eyes open, and he managed to only have to force himself to keep himself from taking deeper breaths. “Yes, you are correct mame. Was it really you who tried to contact me two years ago?”
“In a sense,” she says, grinning and showing her teeth. “The magic I used was indiscriminate, so you and everypony else in this town were shown many things. I tried to frighten you all away, but none of you would listen.” Her grin fades. “And here you stand before me, as if you have no fear at all.” She stoops down to look him in the eyes. “What is it you’re looking for, truly?”
Woodchip had no choice but to look at the horrible gaze of the half-rotted fiend before him, eye’s locked with it’s own, but he still did his best to keep his voice steady. “I am...” he blinked, and when he opened his eyes again he saw what he was really seeing, a entity of pure horror. “I am looking for asylum, like I have done my whole life. The village I was born into became like the living ponies here today, consuming meat other acts after a red cloud passed through it, and I fled it as soon as I could. I went to the closest city I could find, which was far too long of a travel for me, and I had to travel within it to even find a place that my inborn talents could be used. Then I fled here to leave my dreary life in the city. Now...now I am hear to ask for mercy regarding the mare carrying my child.”
“Asylum?” Entropy stands tall and studies him briefly. “Perhaps you are the wisest pony in this town, since you are first to give yourself freely.” She nods slowly. “If that is what you truly want, all you have to do is step through,” she says, pointing at the red clouds. “You will become one of us. The same offer applies to everypony in Duskfields, including your wife and child.”
Woodchip looked at the cloud with unabashed fear. “Forgive me for possibly seeming hesitant, but I have a few questions to ask, and as it seems that you are some sort of being of cosmic power, I thought it would be wise to make sure that I am clear about what being within this group implies.” he quickly takes a look at the prostraighting ponies nearby.
She chuckles. “How could I resist such a desire? What do you want to know?”
Woodchip winces a little at the sound of Entropy’s laugh, and hoped that she didn’t notice it. “Well, it seems that there are no truly young ponies gathered here. Where are the foals raised, and how?”
She cocks an eyebrow. “Would you bring children to a fight? They are all safe, far from here and being looked after by their family.”
Woodchip sighed. “That is...a great relief. I suppose there are cities of a sort that you control where occupations of non-marshal sorts have uses? Smoothblock is a miner and is quite stout, and while I have no doubt she can fight I do not personally see swinging pick-axes in her future.” he remembers what he is talking to and backtracks, realizing how dumb he sounds “Unless that is mandatory, of course, then I suppose she will be able to do just fine.”
Entropy lets out another chuckle. “Cities in a sense, yes. And I think you’ll find that life isn’t so different. Everypony is good at different things, and gravitate in that direction in their work. I only ask those who can and are willing to fight for me.” She looks back at Duskfields. “Today marks a change however. Today we are setting into motion the final battles that will ever be seen. Once we’re done, nopony, or griffon, or zebra or anything else will ever have to fight again.” She returns to looking down at Woodchip. “Do you understand?”
He nods, taking a breath as he did so that he didn’t have to do it while looking at the creature before him. “I do. But there inlays another question.” he takes a moment to look back at the crowd of ponies. “Earlier, I asked if a pony named Sea Breeze was here, as my village was...converted into a group much like yours long ago. I wasn’t sure if you had anything to do with it because I was told, by her, that she served an entity named Carnage. However, a year ago, a pony I once knew named Stoneback arrived in Duskfields in one of the...parties you sent from time to time, and he was killed. He was in the same village that I grew up in, and in fact did not look older than he did when the red cloud came on my village. Perhaps I am missing a key detail about draconequui of sorts?”
Entropy is silent for a moment. “I don’t know of any draconequuses named Carnage. I would say it was my brother Mayhem, but he would have just slain them all.” She takes a deep breath, the first breath Woodchip has seen her take the entire time, and sighs. “No, that town was taken by my sister Anarchy. She twisted them like that and left them to suffer until their end.” She flashes a glower into the distance. “Fortunately, I found them and helped them. Your Sea Breeze is among my children. Would you like to see her?” Entropy smirks.
Woodchip looks at the towering serpentine near-corpse, and let’s himself shudder. “I have a question to ask regarding her, actually, about the consuming of meat. If what you say is true, than your influence is not to blame, but...” Woodchip lets out a little pointless sigh, “I have several different conflicting images of Sea Breeze. One is a wonderful young mare who I dearly adored. The other one is that exact same mare, but with a piece of my younger sister on a stick. She ate her, you understand. But if she is here, yes, I wish to see her.”
“The damage wrought by my sister was undone,” Entropy says simply. She steps toward the red cloud and beckons for him to follow her. “If you wish to see her, then first you must become one of us.”
Woodchip takes in a deep breath. “I have but one final question.” he takes a moment to analyze the many ponies around him, still bowing to Entropy. “I understand that stepping into the cloud will alter me, yes, but will...I suppose I will be bound to you, in a way? I see that many of the ponies here have loyalty to you in a way that I have never seen ponies have before to anything[i/]. Will Smoothblock and I be under a compelled to do as they do? I understand that you expect loyalty, but I must ask if it is a effect of stepping into the cloud and realizing what has happened to you, or if the ponies here are all truly as devout to you as they seem.” he pauses. “I am sorry if I sound rude or distrusting, miss Entropy.”
She stops at the edge of the clouds. “Don’t think of it as being bound. I rescued most of these ponies from the deepest moments of blackness and despair. To them, I am their mother, and to each other they are all siblings. Together, we are family. More strongly tied to one another than any natural familial bond. Once you join us, you will understand.”
Woodchip takes a long look at the gathered ponies, and then finally looks back at Entropy. “I suppose I understand. If I choose to enter into the cloud now, will Smoothblock be able to notice that I have changed if I go back to Duskfield and rouse her up? She is...I want her to be happy, but she might not be able see the reason in joining you within a reasonable timespan. Duskfield is doomed, and we both know this, but...she wished to go and leave to the city her family dwells in, as did I before you arrived. I want to make sure she accepts this route willingly. I don’t wish to scare her.”
“If you join us, you will be changed, and to return to Duskfields would probably mean your death.” Entropy faces him. “Your reluctance, as well as hers, is understandable, but you’ve already said it yourself: it’s inevitable that we will take Duskfields.”
Woodchip looks directly at Entropy, as much as he dislikes the general action. “Considering what we have discussed, would you be willing for me to rouse Smoothblock and bring her here? I would think it would work best for the both of us if we walked into the cloud together.”
Entropy nods slowly. “You are free to go. Tell whoever is willing to listen what I told you. I would prefer we could end this without bloodshed.”
Woodchip nods, but his look became a little darker. “I am not a social pony, but from what I know of the ponies of Duskfield, the only one who would truly take my advice was Temperance.” he stopped himself, breathed in deeply, and straightened his spine. “Thank you, miss Entropy. Also, please tell the armored,” he said that word very delicatly, “pony, Serrated Blade I believe you called him, that I appreciate him rearing in the ponies who greeted[i/] me first.”
She nods silently, and disappears into the mist.
Woodchip stares at the mist for a very long time, but slowly, ever so slowly, begins to make his way back to Duskfield, where he knew the second most dreadful conversation he would be having today awaited.
Post by: Relus on August 02, 2013, 01:52:23 am
Vambrace could hear ominous speaking from his inner voice.
What was up with him now?
“Now, my friends, it’s my turn to reveal my history.”
Vambrace silently listened. This could be helpful information.
“It all started in a small town, nearby some mountains.”
“The town was frequently attacked by crews of ponies who wished to wipe us other ponies out. The reason for this was because we were murderers, who travelled the world to kill targets. But not for others. For ourselves. We killed for the thrill. The thrill of the kill. Nothing is better than cutting into a target, and watching their life drain from them. It was a lovely sight to some, but others find it disgusting, for whatever reason. Anyway, this town was populated by a clan of murderers I was part of. Only murderers lived here, and to a visitor, we seemed like a loving, nice little town.”
“They would sleep in the Inn, where we would all gather to end his life. All it took was a quick stab to the head, and they would be out. But what fun is that? Torture is fun. We cut off a ponies limbs one day, and fed them to him. Why would we do this? It’s fun. Fun to watch suffering. And he even ate them, and choked…”
“But anyway, back to the point. Eventually we were discovered for what we were. Monsters. They hunted us down to the farthest reaches. I fled to the northern tundras, and made myself a small, icy den through hours of hard work. Few ponies ever knew me, and all of them were found dead, in the cave. All except two.”
“The first was known as Fusillade, a pony who used the crossbow to absolutely outrageous skill. He owned some sort of modified crossbow, made by a mechanic. It could fire multiple bolts at once.”
Vambrace recognized the name ‘Fusillade.’
“He refused to stay in my icy home. I tried to attract him inside, but it never worked. He got so tired of this, that he shot me in the neck.”
“Think I would have died, huh? I came close, but I was saved by a pony known as Blazing Icon. An orange unicorn. He helped me get back to health, and we both lived in the tundras. We never thought of killing each other.”
“Months later, we headed to a small mining town. Here, the foals worked for the stallions and mares, digging up ore.”
“Having foals was mandatory. Every year, you were forced. I still remember two of the foals. One was a unicorn, as white as snow. The other was an earth pony, colored green and yellow.”
“We decided to help out with the mining. I made friends with many of the foals, doing tiring work.”
“But one day, we came across an ancient ruin. There was a book on a pedestal, and we wanted it.”
“I grabbed it, only to burst into flames. I tossed the book aside, and casted some water magic to extinguish myself.”
“What had lit the fire? Blazing Icon.”
“I shot a burst of electricity at him, with extreme power. He screamed, and crumpled into a heap, dead.”
“The foals from earlier rushed into these ruins, and found me, having killed Blazing Icon. But they didn’t know the truth. The traitor. They fled, and told the guards.”
“But while they left, I grabbed that book, and rushed outside, only to be shot in the head by a certain markspony. Fusillade.”
“Somehow, the book absorbed my spirit. The next one to open it would fuse with me, creating two personalities in one. And that’s my story.”
“What?”
“You were listening? I’ll kill you!”
“Who were you even talking to?”
“My friends!”
“You have none.”
Post by: DVNO on August 03, 2013, 10:14:15 pm
Flamberge had heard the yelling from topside, he knew that the time had come. What he had been trying to prepare for for over four years. The army of darkness was to descend on the city of Dusk. He sat, patiently waiting in his cell, waiting for the screaming, and the death, and the battle cries of his foes. They would, surely overwhelm the defences that he knew they had when he was imprisoned, and he doubted Max’s ability to pull them all through. The discordians would win, then they would come to this cell, they would find him stuck in an unfamiliar body. Though what they would do then he could only guess.
Would they take him to Entropy to be converted? Would she recognize him in this shell? Why did he hope she would, but equally fear it, why should he care? Maybe, they’d open the door, and let him fight one last time, but how many could he take down on his own, with this body? A couple? A half a dozen? Certainly not a whole army, this body was stronger, yes, especially since he’d had no ability to do anything but exercise for weeks since being put in here, but his pony mind found adapting to controlling it difficult. He knew he couldn’t fight as well like this.
It didn’t matter though. The most likely scenario he thought was they would use spears to kill him through the bars, or worse yet, leave him to die of dehydration in this pit. A disappointing end, for a disappointing son, said Flam’s father in his mind.
Flamberge suppresses the flash of anger, and holds it, he would need his rage for the coming enemies, for now he needed to rest and wait.
Max walks over to Flamberge’s cell with a deep sigh. As much as it tore him apart, Flamberge was right.
Flamberge’s face reveals only the mildest of surprises. He knew were the roles still reversed, he would have offered the griffon a chance to fight for his freedom today. He knew Duskfields would need every body it could get, if it was to have a chance, but he would never have expected Max to come to him like this, not after stealing away his entire life like he had.
“Hello Max? How are things?” Flamberge asks sarcastically.
“Not bad, not bad . . .” Max says with an equal amount of sarcasm. “Debating whether I can handle this onslaught on my own or not.”
"Admittedly, I haven't seen the enemy host, but from the voices I can hear from above, it sounds like you are quite outmatched. Since you are here now, and not above, I can only assume you believe the same, and also that I can help, so what is it you want from me Max?" Flamberge asks in a bored tone.
“Possibly outmatched. I don’t know that, you certainly don’t. All I want to know is; If I let you free, what would kill me first? You or Entropy.” Max said with a smallest crack of fear breaking his calm facade.
Flamberge begins speaking plainly, devoid of the mock boredom or sarcasm he had been using, "That depends on how you answer this question. When you tricked me into here, you said you had four of those magic stones. The one you used to switch us broke when you worked your spell. Are the other three stones real, and is it within their power to switch us back to our proper bodies?"
“I have two. The other stone, I gave to Redhat to vanguard. So even if you found a way to incapacitate me behind those bars and it all backfired on me; You couldn't find it.”
"Then I shall make an agreement with you. Switch us back, and I swear on my life, that I will not kill you as long as Entropy is a threat to my town, but as long as I am stuck in this body, I will not raise a single talon to help you.” states Flamberge.
“That’s if I even need your help.” He threatened.
"If you didn't need help, you wouldn't come asking for it from the pony, er griffon, with more reason to kill you than any other. You know you need my skills, my expertise, if we are to have the foggiest hope of survival. If you leave me here, you die. If you let me out, I might kill you, but I might not. We may all yet die, anyway, but trusting me is your only hope for survival. Maybe, assuring my death is worth that to you. I can not say, but that is the only deal I will make. I will fight for my life if, and only if, you give it back to me." Flamberge explains.
Max looked away at the ground distantly, for a moment. “Entropy, she played me like the pawn that I am, you know. She gave me a vision, a vision of revenge. And I was such a foal, I wanted to believe it was genuine, I threw my head into the sand at every sign of her. We’re both the fool now, I guess.” He reaches into his satchel for another crystal, the one he had given Redhat months ago.
Flamberge approaches the bars and reaches out his claw, to allow Max to touch the crystal to it, to switch them back, “Let us hurry, time is of the essence.”
Max is about to, then pauses, with a frown. He grabs the dungeon key ring with his mouth, opens the prison door first, and throws the keys in the far corner of the room. “You’re not leaving me in a cell, I have as much a reason fight in this as you do.” He then outstretches the gem and and they are blasted feet apart by a white magic aurora.
Flamberge stands up, and recovers from the disorientation of the switch, he was back in his own body, he stretches, and moves about, feeling free again at last, “Never intended to leave you locked up, Max,” he said, “I need everything that can hold a weapon fighting if we are to see tomorrow. Come on, I have to find Crosshair,” he says, heading out the door without a backwards glance.
After getting back on his fours, Max closes his eyes, sighs with a with deep reservation, swallows his pride, and takes Flamberge’s lead, flying up the steps.
Post by: Amorack on August 05, 2013, 02:52:58 am
Convalescence slumped over the desk in her small, square office. The papers and ledgers that had been her constant and unwelcome companions since she became mayor had grown to a veritable mountain, yet now she made no attempt to diminish it. Sitting with her head on the desk, depressed and unmoving, she had given up. Temperance is dead, Max is a murderer, and those just followed years of attacks and living surrounded by dark magic. Paperwork and meetings didn't stop any of that, and I felt like I helped a hell of a lot more as a doctor, not to mention as a soldier. Her preoccupied thoughts were interrupted by the sound of clopping hooves outside, followed by a sharp and hurried knock at her office door. Some new problem, she thought. Slowly pushing herself up from the surface of the desk, she called to the door, "Come in," The door practically burst open as one of the members of the guard rushed into her office and began, "Ma'am, the entire town is surrounded by red clouds!"
"What?!" she exclaimed, caught off guard. "We're under siege by the Discordants," he replied quickly as she rose from her chair. Suddenly, as if in response to his statement, a monstrous voice boomed, "Ponies of Duskfields... you have slain my children and trespassed on our lands for too long. You have sent for your armies to come and destroy us, but today the world will learn that we will be pushed around no longer. Today marks the beginning of the end. Cower and despair inside your walls, because they will not save you. Surrender yourselves to me now, or suffer. Resist... and I will show you why you should fear me..."
So, this is it, she thought, they've finally come to finish us off. The guard tried to keep his composure, but she knew he was terrified, nopony could blame him for that. "You're not going to..." he began uncertainly. The question shook her out of her thoughts, and as he looked to her expectantly she noticed that a frightened crowd had gathered outside. No, I can't do this now, they need me to put on a brave face. This is how I make a difference.
"Surrender? No," the mayor said definitively. "We'd be fools to trust her."
Thanking him for relaying the message, the mare walked out of her office to face the fearful citizens, as the guard galloped off. After clearing her throat and taking a deep breath to steady herself she began to address the crowd. "I'm sure all of you know by now what we're up against. Until now we've fought off occasional raids and small ambushes, but this is something else entirely. I can't tell all of you that this is going to work out fine, or that I know for sure we'll prevail. But that doesn't mean I have no hope for us," she nearly shouted the last part, inwardly trying to convince herself as much as the others. "We aren't going to roll over and hope she's feeling merciful! We're going to fight. Everypony who's willing and able, take your crossbow and report to Crosshair. For rest of you, take shelter in the dining hall, that's where you'll be safest." As she finished there were only a few isolated shouts of approval, the mood was someber and there were no cheers or stomping of hooves in applause.
With the crowd dispersing, whether to fight or to hide, Convalescence was finally free to do what she'd had to restrain herself from doing as soon as she heard Entropy's ultimatum: find her children and husband, and make sure they were safe...or at least as safe as she could make them. It took all the self-control she could muster not to gallop as fast as she could, but seeing their leaders running around in a panic wouldn't help things any. Even so, she set off at a brisk canter towards her home above the hospital.
Opening the door to the small building that had served as both the town's hospital and her home for the last few years, Convalescence slowed down for a minute as memories of her life here drifted into her mind. It felt like another life before her and Patches came here, since then she'd changed careers, made friends like she never had before, and started a family of her own. And now all of that is being threatened. The thought snapped her out of her reverie and she bolted up the stairs and open the door to her home.
"Mom!" was the first thing she heard as she opened the door and was immediately tackled by two small and terrified colts. Across the room Patches jumped up and trotted over to her. "Conny, what's going on out there?" he asked in a shaking voice that told her that he wasn't sure he wanted to know. "Mommy, we heard the scary voice!" her older son, Elixir, said while still clinging to her legs. "I know, sweetie, you don't have to worry about that, we're going to take care of it," she tried to reassure him. Then turning to her husband she said, "Patches, it's the Discordants, there's an army outside town."
"What are we going to do?" he asked. She put a hoof on each of his shoulders and said, "Listen, I need you to take Elixir and Mittens to the dining hall, and keep them safe."
He knew why she wouldn't be going with them, and by this point he knew there was nothing he could do to stop her from leaving. He sighed, "Be safe out there. I love you," he said as she embraced him. "I love you too," was all she could say in return.
Fresh tears welled up in the childrens' eyes when they realized that she wouldn't be coming with them. "No, Mommy, please don't go," Elixir whimpered . She pulled him and his brother into her arms and whispered, "Shh...I have to go, and I need you both to be brave." Pulling them closer she said, "I love you both very much. I'll see you as soon as this is over." It was too much to look them in the eyes when she said it, or they might have only believed it as much as she did. With that she stood and walked back to the door.
Forget combat, surgery, or any of the stresses of being mayor, the simple act of closing the door behind her and leaving the hospital was the hardest thing she had ever had to do. She'd been in this position before, when she went to help confront Carnith, but this time it was different. That was dangerous, but this battle was one she wasn't sure she would survive, despite the bravado she showed for others' sake. Still, we're going to fight to the bitter end. If Entropy wants Duskfields, she can come and try to take it from us.
Post by: KingStrongbeard on August 07, 2013, 10:14:19 pm
Things are going to shit. And everypony knows that. With the impending doom just waiting outside their gate, Crosshair deemed that it was the time she break out all the steel bolts and handed them to everypony that had crossbows. Her foals safely tucked away where other civilians and foals are at. She didn’t have much else to worry about. But she was far from ready, everything feels like they’re coming from a distantce for her. It have been so long with stress and she’s just at her breaking point. Her mind nothing but blank. Her body just going on autopilot.
Looking up for a moment, she sees Flamberge heading straight for her, and behind him... Max the griffin. The mare was confused, Why’s the Griffin free? is it still her stallion Flamberge in the bird? or have they switched back already? so many questions..
Flamberge walks right up to Crosshair, and grabs her into a tight hug, dipping her and kissing her mouth, as if he had been away for months.
“I missed you,” he said at last, when he broke the kiss several seconds later. The waiting militia ponies, standing awkwardly and confusedly around, waiting for their bolts as the scene played out before them.
The captain of the Guards was stunned for a brief moment, but when his words registers into her, she kissed him back with force. Holding tightly onto him, holding back her whimpers and tears of how much she missed him so. Already feeling more alive than she ever was even with Death waiting for them at the gate. “I missed you too..”
Max leers at them both in resigned defeat, and through haste, perhaps through a mix of guilt, allows the scene to go on while he grabs his gear from Crosshair's pile.
Flamberge allows himself to indulge in her hug and kiss for several moments but then, separates saying, “There will be time for that later, for now we have a draconequus to rekill.”
Crosshair nods in agreement. Letting go of her stallion and giving him space.
“Crosshair, I have a very important task for you in that respect... Quiver! You take over here, I need to borrow the Captain,” Flamberge commands, and the other guard does so, as Flamberge leads Crosshair off to the side.
Flamberge locks eyes with Crosshair, placing his forehooves on her shoulders, and says slowly and deliberately to her, "Crosshair, I must control my anger, or lose my ability to plan. I must direct the fight from here, not charging in the van. I need you by my side. I need you to keep me from throwing away all that that we have sought. Understand?"
Crosshair nodded understandingly. “I Understand.. What are we going to do? There’s so many of them..”
“I don’t know yet,” admits Flamberge, “But we must force them to come to us. Taking the fight to them, just gets us surrounded and slaughtered. No, we need to make them come to us... Either that or find a way to get at Entropy herself. I’ll think of something, as soon as I know more.”
The small mare gives Flamberge one more hug. Worried about what’s going to happen. “Traps?” She suggested.
“If they give us time to set some, yes, perhaps we should set traps and rally our forces by one of the gates, and then open it. Lure them to committing their forces to that one breach and hitting them with everything we have... But I don’t know, if that doesn’t work, it’s all over, if we hole up and wait, reinforcements might be able to reach us... If they are still sending any,” Flamberge sighs, even Max had decided to trust his judgement on this, but it still seemed a hopeless effort.
Crosshair thinks for a moment. “What about we bottleneck them? Line the gate with traps and Marksponies. They run in, they get shot. Whoever survives gets stabbed. They try to fly in, I’ll shoot them right out of the sky.”
“Mmhmm, just what I was thinking, and I pity the discordian that would try and fly through your line of sight,” he says with a grin, before turning more serious again, “Still, Entropy concerns me, we need a plan to neutralize her... I believe she can be destroyed but engaging her directly will be costly,and with an army behind her...”
Flamberge suddenly has an idea, and he turns to the griffin, “Max, do you have another body swap stone? And do you think it would work on Entropy?”
Max gives him points for cleverness, but shakes his head. "Redhat has exactly one. It would be a one way trip for anypony foolhardy enough to try it."
Flamberge raises an eyebrow, “Well, a one way trip is all we would want. What would be the point in giving Entropy her body back? We trap her in a pony body, then she should be easy to deal with, especially if they aren’t a unicorn... We should ask for volunteers. It’s a suicide mission, even if it works, but if it does, then at least Entropy is no longer a threat.”
“I think I can find a pony with the least to lose that could do this.. Somepony without a family, somepony that’s brave..” Crosshair mused.
“They’d need to be skilled too, in order to touch her with the stone. When I charged her in the forest, I couldn’t even get close... Captain Redhat, he could do it. I hate to admit it, but he’s nearly as skilled as I am, and he’s not married, last I knew he didn’t have a fillyfriend, and he never mentioned any family to me... I doubt he’d leap at the chance for a suicide mission, and I won’t order him to, but if he’s willing to do it...” Flamberge states.
Max shakes his head over and over. “It’s too risky .. too risky ...”
“And he already has the Crystal. I’m sure that, for the sake of everypony, he’ll find the courage to do it.” Crosshair added with a nods.
Flamberge nods slowly, then turns to Max, “If you think there is even a chance the stones will work on her, we should try.”
“If she wants to try I would applaud her. It’s, however, not my decision to make. It’s hers. We are asking her to swap into a decaying Draconequus for possibly a very, very long time. We might not find another stone that can swap a body.She may be in there forever. We just don’t know. Only she can make the decision.” Max sighed. He just got over almost sending one pony off to his death, he didn’t feel like sending off another on a long shot plan.
“Her? Who are you talking about?” Flamberge asks.
Max quirks a brow. “Oh don’t tell me you didn’t know; Redhat’s red hat changes her gender. She’s in debt, hiding herself from loan sharks. Keep up, Flamberge, I noticed that day one.”
Flamberge looks confused, “Uh... okay, well, that’s irrelevant, if Redhat isn’t willing to do it then... I’ll take the stone, and,” he looks to Crosshair again, “If things look bad, I’ll do it, but only if we need to. We’ll just have to hope swords and spears are effective enough to take her out...”
“So do I.. But, hey. On the bright side, If you had to swap bodies with her, the Discordians will listen to you, right? You can tell them to go away or something.. maybe.. use them even?” Crosshair suggested. “I’m sure there’s more magical crystal somewhere that we can find.. if that ever happens. But here’s hoping it won’t.”
Flamberge smiles and shakes his head negatively, “Maybe, but... we’ll have to wait and see. Come on Crosshair, I need to survey the situation more fully,” Flamberge says, taking off to get a better look.
Crosshair followed, pointing out the various interesting points as they flies “I don’t recommend us being on the air for long, they might try to shoot us down. Although I doubt they would have anypony who’s as much as a good shot as I am.”
Upon reaching a height higher than the walls, giving an unobstructed view, Flamberge looked out at the gathered army. He stops flying, hovering in place, staring at the amassed Discordians, “There... are more than I expected... And she has the area surrounded with the Red Cloud. With that in the way, Crosshair, there will be no help coming. They have no path in, without being turned themselves. We are in this alone.” It made the small mare gulps and frowns. Before chuckling softly. “‘Til death do us part?”
Flamberge looks to her, confused at first, then dawning with understanding, “...Yes, until death. But that won’t be today, not if I have anything to say about it. The enemy are numerous, but we know from experience that they are not skilled, nor well equipped, any one of our soldiers is worth a squad of Discordians, or more, Duskfields won’t fall.”
The captain of the guard looked at him, with a slight hopeful smile. “I hope you’re right..” she said softly.
Post by: Telgin on August 11, 2013, 05:09:01 am
Time passes for the ponies of Duskfields, and for what feels like an eternity there is no sign of any movement from the red mist that hangs around the town. The order had long gone out for the civilians to hide in the tavern, which was the most defensible place in the town. They huddle there, whimpering in fear or comforting one another as much as they can. The tension grows with each passing moment
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/261.png)
Finally, the tension is replaced with renewed fear when movement is spotted to the west.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/258.png)
On the hills, shrouded partially by the dense forest that covers the lands, a giant serpentine figure emerges. Smaller, pony sized creatures flank her, and a skeletal pony in heavy armor leads. They pause at the height of the hill to survey the town.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/259.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/260.png)
The order to form up goes out, and what soldiers and armed civilians there are mount the walls. The west is unprotected by fortifications, but driven by desperation and determination the armed ponies gallop to firing positions. They halt when more attackers are spotted down south. A massive wave of discordants approaches, and the order to protect the south is sounded.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/262.png)
As the battle begins, Flamgerge and Crosshair stand at the ready, on the top of the dining hall. Crosshair, has her weapon readied, and keeps her tail wrapped lightly on Flamberge’s leg, to keep him relaxed. Flamberge has given his orders, and knew to trust in his captain’s to see that they were carried out.
The attack begins lightly. A squad of mace armed zebras and ponies charge for the entrance wildly, taking hits from crossbows but not faltering.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/263.png)
The spearponies meet them at the bridge and true combat is joined. The invading discordants are cut down in seconds, with one being hurled into the moat as the blood drains from his broken body. Flamberge continues watching, letting his troops deal with this wave on their own, Crosshair providing covering fire from here. When the wave is slain, Flamberge shouts the order, and the defenders back into the entrance again, bracing for the next round of attackers.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/264.png)
Ponies of all colors and types brandishing crude armor and swords gallop for the gate. “Rejoice in the coming oblivion!” they cry as one, descending on the spearponies amidst another punishing hail of crossbow bolts.
A discordant goes down with a curse, taking a bolt to his foreleg then another to his neck. His brothers and sisters are undaunted and lock blades with spears. Once again they are crushed by the skilled defenders, sending two more dying ponies tumbling into the moat. Yet, for every discordant that is killed, another appears on the hills, galloping and screaming for the end of Duskfields.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/265.png)
Flamberge continues waiting, and watching. He knew the real enemy was Entropy, if they were to have any chance of victory, he needed to be ready for her.
A mass of ponies and a griffon wielding maces surge down the southeastern hills. Their numbers are almost too great for the combined might of the spearponies and swordsponies, and they fall into a chaotic knot of weapons and warriors at the bridge.
Bolts tear through the air and discordant ponies. Spears and swords deflect mace strikes. An attacker screams as his leg is torn away by a sword. Another drops, coughing blood and gagging as Scimitar draws his blade back from her chest. Yet another collapses silently as Bascinet’s spear rams through her skull.
The battle begins to turn.
That is, until a black earth pony of staggering proportions and a wicked, mindless sneer on his face catches Redhat from behind.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/266.png)
His mace crashes down on her back, twisting the steel of her peytral and crushing the bones in her spine. She collapses with a truncated gasp, and watches silently as he readies another swing. The pony gives pause when his guts are removed by Epaulette’s spear, and he keels over when Pila thrusts hers through his lung.
Redhat lies motionless, aside from the pleading looks from her eyes and feeble, silent motions of her mouth.
“Get him up!” Phalanx shouts, but there is no time. Without a moment to breathe, they are set upon by more ponies swinging axes. The able bodied defenders form up and meet the charge admirably. The discordant charge buckles and falters, and enraged by their loss, the defenders charge and give chase.
Scimitar lashes out with his sword at a fleeing griffon. His blade easily slides through the thin leather armor on her underside, and she twists and screams in the air. He sneers and thrusts again, spearing her chest and finally bringing her down. On top of him.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/267.png)
The attackers began to flee before the ferocity of the defenders’ onslaught, and Gorget just has time to grab the broken soldier when a thunderous crack of something massive teleporting rings out.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/268.png)
In the center of the defending line inside the gate, Entropy appears, wreathed in the afterglow of her teleportation spell and flanked by her personal defenders. An undead earth pony with heavy blackened armor, a deep gray pegasus stallion in lighter steel, an off white unicorn mare in golden armor, a zebra mare in bronze scale armor and a female griffon in heavy, brightly gleaming steel surround the draconequus, rallying in an instant from the sudden translocation.
The invaders fan out and angle their weapons at the Duskfields soldiers as Entropy raises both hands into the air. An intense violet glow shrouds her as she shouts, “Hear me, my children and return to the woods! We will finish this!” She thrusts a glowing skeletal talon at the startled and confused defenders and shouts, “Cower before my might!” Her followers charge, choosing targets and lashing out with their weapons.
Flamberge sees Entropy and shouts an order to his soldiers throughout the town, “The Draconiquus is at the gate! Destroy her and this battle will be ours!” He draws his sword and takes flight.
Some of the defenders hear the new orders and turn to face their attackers. Many gasp or mutter silent prayers instead of attacking immediately, but a few draw aim and fire or charge the monstrosity with their weapons. Every strike that lands is met with a spray of green magic, and Entropy grins as a bolt explodes into splinters harmlessly in her face.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/269.png)
“Arise, and join me,” she chants, waving her hand across the corpses of the watch dogs killed in the initial attack. Their bodies moan and shudder before rising again and turning on their previous masters. She chuckles as the chaos spreads.
As she works, the skeletal pony and unicorn mare crash into the swordspony line. The sounds of blades clashing together echoes through the town, and neither side seems to be gaining an edge. Crossbow bolts fly from the trade depot where the pony caravan is still held up, and with a gesture Entropy commands for the zebra mare at her side to charge them.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/270.png)
Flamberge takes a step off the roof of the dining hall, allowing himself to fall to build speed, he spreads his wings pulling up at the last possible instant, the grass being blown aside as he flies. He charges the zebra mare, whom tries to brace to meet the charging pegasus with her sword. At the end of the flying charge Flamberge goes into a roll, flying over her weapon and beheading her with a single swipe as he blows past her.
“Silaha!” a raspy, ethereal voice cries out.
Entropy steps past the stunned undead pony and glares at Flamberge. “There you are!” She opens her mouth and thick, sickly green fumes spray forth, engulfing him.
Flamberge is immediately racked with terrible sickening nausea, which causes him to lose his balance and crash into the ground. His armor protecting him from serious injury. He begins to stand and retches, tossing his breakfast upon the blood slicked ground. With his stomach empty, he forces himself to stand, still feeling more sick than he had at any point in his life before this. He takes up his blade once more, and turns to face his foes.
Meanwhile, Crosshair had unload the 14th bolt into the skeletal pony who refuses to go down. The mare finds out that bolts are a lot more effective to things that actually have organs to hurt. But finally, with the 15th steel bolt of hers, the force snaps the skeletal pony’s head clean off, making the body crashes onto the floor in a heap. The captain of the guards signalled for the Markspony to fire another volley from the fortification at the Eldritch abomination again.
Entropy raises her hand, bathing both of them in a blue haze before another volley of crossbow bolts explode against green flares of her magical shield. She abandons the spell, snorts at Flamberge and looks at her new attackers. With a gesture at each, the marksponies cry out, clutching and their heads and slumping to the wooden fortifications.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/271.png)
She grins wickedly and returns her attention to the spear and sword ponies around her. Blows collide against her magically shielded body on all sides until she sweeps her arms out, blowing her attackers back in a flash of magic.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/272.png)
Epaulette lands in a heap next to Flamberge. She rises to her hooves with a groan and snatches up her spear just as an off white unicorn mare brandishing a sword wreathed in golden flames charges for them. “Colonel!” she shouts in warning, bracing herself.
Flamberge looks up at the charging mare with the magic blade, and raises his own to meet hers. She brings her blade down on Flamberge who parries, taking a step backwards, then following with an attack of his own. Unable to get a clean hit, the unicorn mare pushed the sickly colonel back, until, she stopped. Flamberge looked and saw Epaulette’s spear withdrawing from the space between the unicorn mare’s crupper and flanchard, soaked in blood. The discordant mare, stunned by the sudden backstab, finds her neck gashed open by Flamberge’s sword as he takes advantage of her opening. She falls and the two ponies of Dusk leap onto her, to finish her with a strike each to her vital organs, Flamberge punching through her breastplate with his sword and Epaulette going through her eye..
Cleansing Light shudders on the ground for a few moments before the glow of her sword dies out. At that instant, a twisted and shrill cry booms through Duskfields, heard all the way to the woods. When Flamberge and Epaulette look up, they see Pila withdrawing her spear from Entropy’s side. Putrid black fluid oozes from the wound.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/273.png)
With a shout of rage, Entropy again throws the ponies back with a blast of magic. She raises both hands into the air again and a wave of unsettling magic rolls through the town. Dead ponies moan and shamble to their hooves, clutching their weapons again and searching for lives to end.
Even the dogs, who were once again laid low, rise again to terrorize the ponies.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/274.png)
Entropy turns away from Flamberge and snatches up three spear ponies in her magic. They writhe in the air and drop their spears, smearing foul undead blood on the ground. She growls and clenches her fist, prompting screams from all three. They begin to ooze blood from their mouths and ears, kicking feebly at the air and whimpering.
Flamberge feels the sword mare under him begin to stir again, he smashes her helmet onto her with another slam of his hoof and bolts up after Entropy. With sliding movements he makes quick work of a few former merchants made undead by her magic, leaving them in several pieces, he then leaps upwards, taking wing and lands on Entropy’s back, he thrusts his sword into her neck with a bloodlust filled battlecry, but the blade only barely penetrates, as the last bit of her protective magic falters under the continuing assault. Entropy’s blood, black and congealed oozes onto the blade from the new wound.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/275.png)
Another unnatural, twisted roar of pain surges past the defenders. Entropy spins to face Flamberge, and a momentary flash of shock on her face is replaced by rage. She claws at him, missing the comparatively small pegasus by a league, then takes a step back. The air shifts strangely around them and with a blinding flash and ear-splitting boom she vanishes for an instant, followed by her reappearing atop the top of the tavern to their side.
Around him, Flamberge can hear the spear ponies moan as they stir and try to right themselves. Pila and Bascinet cough and wheeze blood while Phalanx vomits an alarming amount of red before slumping to the ground. From atop the tavern, Entropy sneers at Flamberge and clenches her fist. “Die, maggot (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Entropy_Taunt1.wav),” she taunts.
Flamberge is racked with even more terrible pain than before, as her magic envelops him. When her spell is complete. Flamberge barely manages to stand, as he coughs up blood onto the ground. Looking up, at her, his left ear bleeding profusely, the scar on his face, a gift from Carnath, long since healed is reopened, as are the other injuries under his armor. Every bruise and cut he’s had since birth seems to reappear at once. As his lifeforce pools to the ground, draining from him, he looks up at Entropy, defiance in his eyes, “I... won’t be beaten by you.”
A shimmer of green flickers across Entropy, and in that instant Flamberge feels her spell on him falter before returning. “You already are beaten!” she shouts. She points a skeletal talon at him and sweeps it across the town. Almost every armed pony, discordant or otherwise, is incapacitated. Weak cries and whimpers come from every corner of the town, and she takes a step toward him. “You never stood a chance.”
"No Entropy. You, never stood a chance," Flamberge coughs up a bit more blood, "You think because I'm the strongest here, and that you are stronger than me, that you have nothing to fear. That you can not possibly lose to us. Your magic is powerful Entropy, but we have a magic of our own." As Flamberge speaks, he sees Crosshair and one of his sword ponies, Gorget, approaching Entropy in the air, from behind.
Entropy chuckles. “And what magic is that? I’ve seen every spell every pony has ever devised...”
"We ponies have not survived by our strength, or our magic, or our intellect, though we do possess all those things, we survive, against things like you, like the dragons, like every gods damned beast from the pits of hell that this world has to offer, because we work together. Because we care about each other, and will fight for each other. And because of that magic, we never need to fight alone."
With that Entropy feels the stinging pain of Gorget’s immense sword smashing into her tail, and the sting of Crosshair's last bolt in the back of her head. She turns with a roar to face them, with her back turned, Flamberge flies up and lands on her once again, this time atop her head and drives his sword into her eye.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/276.png)
Entropy’s prior screams of pain pale compared to what she unleashes. Flamberge, Gorget and Crosshair are hurled away yet again as her magic blows past them, but this time Flamberge can feel that it has weakened. Entropy collapses to her knees, covering her right eye with her hand. Growls are interspersed with tormented screams as thick, blackened and clotted blood pours between the exposed bones of her hand.
She staggers to her hooves and hisses, “You... have earned... a special personal place Flamberge... I’ll enjoy torturing you...”
A glowing red trail follows her left index finger as she aims at him, and another crackle of green lightning plays across her for an instant.
Flamberge unwilling to be hit with a third curse from the lich today, takes flight, flying evasively he gets into melee range and swings his sword at the bony wrist with all the strength he could still muster. His blade is met by the same magical force, but this time it crumples easily with a spray of green embers. The bones crack and shatter as if left to bleach in the sun for decades, sending her severed hand clattering to the roof and ending the spell.
Entropy reels backward with another startled shout. She covers the stump with her remaining hand, uncovering the destroyed remains of her eye and blood soaked face. Green magic swirls unevenly around her and crackles against the rooftop. For an instant, fear shows on her face, but it’s replaced with a hateful scowl moments later.
The ponies around her feel the air shift oddly again, but the teleport never goes off. A faint pop sounds out and the air gusts past them, but nobody moves. Entropy looks around, stunned. She takes a step back, nearly losing her balance and blowing off more wisps of green magic. “Wh...at?”
Flamberge gives her no time to recover, continuing his assault. He flies up to her face, and turns to buck out her teeth. His hooves meet the weakened force field, which collapses without much fight to let him connect.
Yellowed and rotten teeth spray across the roof to their side, and Entropy is driven back with a truncated yelp. She uncovers her face and spreads her bony wings, staring daggers at her attackers. With a mighty flap she lifts unsteadily from the roof and says, “You... think you’ve beaten me?” She backs over the edge of the roof while airborne and takes a deep breath.
A confused grunt passes her decayed lips as a sword erupts from her chest. Vile, thick green fumes seep from around the blade and from her mouth and nostrils. The blade retracts and Gorget rolls out from behind her, flapping his wings and looking for another angle to strike from. Entropy coughs and stares at the ponies as the green magic bleeding from her begins to splutter and fade.
With Entropy once more distracted, Flamberge flies around behind her. He grapples her neck with his rear legs and takes hold of his curving longsword with both forehooves before driving the blade into the back of her neck, just below her skull, he twists the blade, and cuts from one side to the other, severing her spine.
Even with her neck shattered and broken, she twists in his grasp and tries to dislodge him. She claws ineffectually at him twice, and when that fails, Flamberge sees a burst of white light and feels his entire body go numb.
The two combatants spiral listlessly to the ground, where Entropy lands with a crash between the buildings. Somehow, damaged and ruined as her body was, Flamberge sees her force herself upright. Faint green lightning arcs between her limbs and the structures around her as she stumbles and slumps against a building. She turns to him, nearly collapsing as she makes the motion and begins, “You... you...” She slumps against a building again, and Flamberge feels the magical numbness vanish.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/277.png)
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/278.png)
Flamberge somehow finds the strength to stand again. One forehoof gripping his badly bleeding injuries though his armor. He takes up his sword in his mouth again, and forces himself onward, charging at Entropy again, striking at her head with his sword and hooves and everything he can throw at her.
His sword rings against the final resistance her shield can put up, sliding through the energy to nearly remove an ear. She makes no sound at the injury and weakly tries to back away, but that doesn’t get her out of range. He strikes out with a hoof and when it connects with her forehead, the world explodes.
Flamberge is tossed back against the side of the tavern amidst an almighty blast of magic. Swirls, bolts and plumes of purple and green magic surge through the entire town, buffeting him and making all of his senses swim. His head feels for a moment as if it could explode from an unexplained pressure and he can’t draw breath, but as suddenly as the sensations come on they vanish.
When he opens his eyes to look back where Entropy was standing, for an instant it appears as if she has disappeared. However, as his blurry vision sharpens again, he sees a much smaller serpentine figure standing where Entropy just was.
It quickly becomes apparent that the new creature was almost identical to Entropy. All four limbs were skeletal, and one arm was missing a hand. One eye is destroyed and still running with blood. A ragged hole in its chest drips with the same undead blood, and all of its scales were pale and blotchy. The only difference was that this creature was no taller than a pony.
She raises her only remaining hand with slow, jerky motions. “H-huh?” she squeaks, examining the bony extremity. She locks eyes with Flamberge for a moment, and mortal dread washes over her expression. “No...” Desperately, she tries to take a step, but collapses to her knees.
Flamberge gets to his hooves again, takes up his sword, and slowly approaches the new smaller creature, “Entropy?” he asks. Of all the things he could have expected, after that explosion, her shrinking was not among them.
The look of terror intensifies and she tries to stand, but merely succeeds in falling backward. Splayed out on the ground, she feebly raises her remaining hand to shield her face and says, “Fl-flamberge... w-wait...”
Flamberge raises his sword, “No Entropy, it’s over. Rejoice in the coming oblivion.”
And with that he lets the blade fall. She manages half of a whimper before the strike hits her skull. The decrepit bones and flesh give no resistance. Her body twitches and convulses for several seconds before she grows still, and a faint fog of light green and violet magic wisps from her mouth and nostrils.
For the first time since the battle began, all of Duskfields falls into deathly silence.
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/279.png)
Yet, in the distance, from all directions, a cry of all consuming despair reaches the town...
The chorus of cries grows stronger with each passing moment, thousands of voices drowning one another out so that nothing but the sounds of ponies, griffons and zebras wailing can be heard. From the woods they come, charging toward the open gate and ignoring the few remaining bolts flying at them. Some are cut down by the exhausted defenders, but do not fight back.
In the skies, pegasi and griffons soar toward the town. As Flamberge stands near Entropy’s body, four sickly colored pegasi crash to the ground. They spin around frantically in search of something, and when their eyes settle on the draconequus sprawled out on the ground they gasp. As one they gallop to her side, ignoring Flamberge.
Flamberge confused takes a few steps backwards. His weapon at the ready.
“She... she’s dead...” a stallion utters.
A mare prods her lifeless body with a hoof. “No... no!”
Another mare crouches next to her and places a hoof on her shoulder. “Mommy? N-no... mommy!”
The fourth, a small pegasus barely old enough to be a stallion, turns to look at Flamberge. Tears stream down his cheeks as he asks, “Y-you killed her?” He draws a sword, clearly trembling.
Without enough time for Flamberge to reply, a steel bolt tore through the skull of the young trembling stallion right between his eyes, deep enough to have the head sticking out from the other side. Sending the poor thing down to the ground in a heap. The small captain of the guards have already halfway finished reloading her crossbow by the time the body hits the bloody floor. Having scavenged some bolts from the battle earlier.
Flamberge watches the colt drop, and knows that while his ponies may still be willing to fight, they could not take the rest of the army, battered as they are. He forces himself to hover, towering over the discordians, "Yes, I Flamberge! Lord of these lands, slew your mother! Entropy is dead! Flee now, or I shall do the same to you!" It was a bluff if Flamberge had ever used one, barely being able to stand, let alone fight anymore, but he knew it was his best shot.
The three remaining pegasi glance up as their sibling is killed, then turn their gaze to Flamberge. The stallion looks back down, sniffling and resting a hoof on Entropy’s body. “Pl-please... wake up....” Tears begin to form in his eyes now.
One of the mares sits back on her haunches and buries her face in her hooves before weeping openly. The second mare begins crying too, while drawing a dagger from a sheath on her foreleg.
Flamberge slowly lands, not surprised that his bluff didn’t send them running, but confused as to why they sat there and didn’t kill him.
Crosshair quickly rushes to his side, crossbow aimed and ready to put down the next Discordian mare who just drew a dagger. But what came afterwards shocked her.
The mare places the dagger awkwardly in her trembling hooves.. She looks down at the broken body and mutters, “I-I’ll be with you soon, mom.” She wipes her nose. “I still remember that story (http://www.fimfiction.net/story/121601/becoming-a-monster) you told me. I... I know you said there are no gods and goddesses.” She wipes her eyes. “I know you said that this was the only life there was... but I don’t believe that.” She shakes her head and starts crying softly again. “I know we’ll be together again. And then... then you can tell me all of the stories you know...” She takes the dagger and slices across her neck. Her eyes go wide and she gags for a second before collapsing atop Entropy’s body.
The remaining two continue to cry bitterly before taking one another in each other’s hooves and hugging tightly. “She’s dead...” the stallion whimpers.
Flamberge holds onto Crosshair for stabilization. She feels his blood leaking from his chest wounds through his armor onto her fur, “Cross, what...should we do?”
Crosshair blinked for a moment, trying to make out what just happened. In a very bold, very foolish move, she cautiously approaches the weeping discordants and bring them into a hug. Patting their backs. “There... there?”
The two seem to ignore her attempts to console them. The stallion sniffles and wipes his eyes, then reaches for the dropped dagger. Which Crosshair instinctively kick it away from reach. Unable to make sense of any of this but wouldn’t let them die even though they were fighting earlier. Seeing as how little will they have left to fight, if at all. “Please... let me be with her...” he pleads, reaching for the dagger again. “I-I don’t want to be without her!”
Flamberge slinks to the ground, coughing up more blood. Seeing that, Crosshair quickly abandons the two crying discordians, picking up the dagger on her way and get to Flamberge’s side to help him lay on his side on the ground, unstrapping his armor to check on his wounds while trying to remember what firstaid experiences she have. A hoof holding his as she says fractically. “We-we’ve won, Flamberge! It’s over.. please, please be okay. Y-you were going to be a baron! remember? a-and our foals.. They’d be so happy, I’ll be so happy..”
Flamberge take a tight grip on Crosshair's hoof, the sound of thundering stampeding hooves can be heard, Flamberge turns his head and sees soldiers heading this way. A bright dawning sun and a pick emblazoned on their armor. He hears the sound of Crosshair calling for a medic though it sounds far away and muffed, and Flamberge lays his head back upon the hard stone, and drifts to sleep.
Duskfields has ended and peace has been restored...
...but those who raged and quit will never return.
Exhausted, Telgin looks back upon the disaster he helped cause and wonders,
'Why? Was this doomed from the start?'
Staring at the thread, the answers seem to escape him.
He only knows that Duskfields won't be the last of its kind.
How long will he keep dwelling on it? How long will his pain last?
Maybe nobody knows.
But... one thing he knows for sure...
...there will be no Dawnpick 3...
Post by: Splint on August 11, 2013, 11:15:07 am
Post by: Iceblaster on August 11, 2013, 11:37:22 am
... Wait, we won? And I got knocked out by a dead guy? Oh come on. But seriously, we won?
:D
In other news Lightning will be having a bit of a scene in a few hours possibly by five so expect that.
Post by: Telgin on August 11, 2013, 12:36:09 pm
... Wait, we won? And I got knocked out by a dead guy? Oh come on. But seriously, we won?
Yep, that's pretty much the size of it. DF is pretty binary with fights, and even though I tried pretty hard to make the fight a bit more costly for the defenders we won pretty decisively.
The broken hip from a griffon landing on you is pretty annoying, I agree, and it's not the first time I've seen it. Once I saw a soldier kill someone riding a mount, at which point they fell on them and broke their spine. So count yourself lucky that Scimitar will make a full recovery. :)
There were surprisingly few deaths. Redhat was the only soldier who was out and out killed, but five or six civilian militia were killed. A few other soldiers were pretty badly wounded but should recover.
Post by: Splint on August 11, 2013, 01:21:02 pm
Stupid griffons...
Post by: Iceblaster on August 11, 2013, 01:48:54 pm
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Lightning%20Runner%20Avatar.png)
Lightning tried to just sleep and hope he wakes up in Amug’s embrace. Of course Mother wouldn’t let him if he did die. She’d probably use her magic and twist him more than he already is. A bastard mix of ‘Discordant’ and ‘Regular’ pony. The faded coat of a Discordant and the free will of a pony.
He looked towards the sky, noting the sun’s position. A little past noon. He let out a small chuckle. ~At least when I greet her I won’t be late for-~ His thoughts were interrupted when a vibrant purple and green explosion erupted in the general area of Duskfields. Lightning realized he wasn’t as close to home as he thought, but that didn’t matter now. He was out here, not there.
The sound of hooves hitting the ground around him along with cries of... despair. Some of them were undecipherable, but after piecing together pieces he heard, he understood what had happened. Mother had been killed and while he didn’t know who did it, he had a few good guesses on whom the dagger will go into.
Flamberge was his first guess as he was the most obvious in his hatred for Her, as evidenced by his short reunion with him in that dark and lonely jail he had grown used to.
Prodd was an unlikely choice as, judging from how quick Mother had blocked his dagger, bolts wouldn’t be as effective, but never say never as they say.
All his other guesses were pretty much the same. Bolts are ineffective, and or Melee won’t be effective unless certain strategies are used.
He closed his eyes and as he did that an image of Mother and a sword. The sword was cutting off her hand, the all too familiar red fog surrounding the hand as it was severed. He quickly opened his eyes, breathing in and out rapidly. This was getting a bit... odd. First the magic... then the hooves and the pony’s talking about Mother being dead, this empty feeling inside of him. He knew he couldn’t make his way back to see what was going on, even with his high pain tolerance that many of the militia ponies commended him for, he was sure trying to get back with four broken legs probably isn't a good idea.
So he was left there, the only thing to keep him busy until somepony came to find him, was to ponder what thoughts he had.
Post by: Kryptid on August 13, 2013, 11:01:51 pm
The mace came down. Quick. Decisive. Prodd could only watch in horror. He was out of bolts, and about to cave in a discordants skull with the butt of his crossbow. He heard the crack of a spine. The unicorn’s mind raced as the crossbow came down and cracked the foe’s skull. He promised her that he’d protect her, but he could save her. He didn’t bring enough bolts, he didn’t pay attention to what was happening on that side of the keep, he didn’t save her! Prodd collapsed on the spot, trying to take in what happened. The discordants attacked full force, he promised Redhat they’d come out of this alive, and Lightning Runner went out there to fight. Lightning! He snapped out of his thoughts just in time to dodge underneath a strike from another damn discordant. In Prodd’s rage he slammed the crossbow into the new opponents ribs, creating a satisfying crunch. This would be a long, painful night.
There were no goddamn bolts. The marksponies were reduced to bashing things with their crossbows on the walls. If only Prodd had fifteen more bolts. There’d be fifteen more dead guys. He thought to himself. He threw himself into a state of denial, it was the only way he could function. Once the enemy was defeated, he’d go save the wounded souls, and Red would still be there... smiling at him. He and some of his squad mates remained on the walls striking, bucking, bashing, or smashing anything that wasn’t them. Good thing Red taught him how to fight in close quarters, and good thing he was creative with his magic. A discordant charged him and dived for a tackle, it hit its mark. But its mark wasn’t there. The discordant flew over the fortifications and plummeted into the moat and it didn’t no how to swim.
The next foe had to fight a pissed off Prodd that was peaking at full potential with his magic. In the blink of an eye he dove in and brought the butt of the crossbow into the foe’s chin with enough force to rear up his opponent onto its hind legs. Then Prodd flashed into a bright light and teleported right above the standing discordant. His hind legs slammed hard onto the back of its head and forced it into the floor, the discordant stopped moving entirely. He hit the ground just in time to watch the last of the enemies retreat into the woods.
A few hours later and somewhere deep in the forest...
The sun had disappeared behind the tree line. Usually things like this wouldn’t bother Lightning, but due to his predicament he had nothing to do except observe his area and try to decipher what had happened a while ago. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, hoping that he could sleep.
Lightning perked his ears as the sound of a snapped twig alerted him of the presence of somepony. Somepony that could kill him, and he wouldn’t be able to refuse, and only be able to watch as that somepony plunged a dagger into his throat. If he was lucky though, it’d be somepony who could save him, but even with the suggestion that Mother is dead, there was this feeling that she was alive, and he’d be her next kill.
Prodd stumbled his way through the brush. He could magically sense his long time friend nearby. Then he saw him. After the fighting, Prodd knew Red was dead, he couldn’t change that, no matter how hard he tried. When the battle was over, he helped find the wounded. He knew Lightning was out there somewhere, he knew he didn’t die yet. And he found him. Limbs broken perhaps beyond repair. Prodd’s magic couldn’t help the situation, he exhausted himself in the fighting and sensing the presence of the wounded. He overworked his horn, it fizzled when he tried to do anything. So all Prodd did was collapse again at his friend’s side a cried silently, as if to conceal his sadness.
“Prodd? A-Are you here to save me? O-Or did Mother- Entropy win and now I’m being killed?” Lightning asked nervously, not noticing his friend’s sorrow.
“...” Prodd said nothing. He wiped his tears away and stood above his broken friend.
Lightning looks up at him. “Prodd? A-Are you okay?”
Prodd kneels down to the injured pegasus. He stuttered out in a broken tone, “r-Red... r-Red... d-died...” His voice trailed off and began weeping.
Lightning faintly heard the last part, it sounded like died, but she couldn’t have died... she couldn’t. “Red d-died? She couldn’t have...”
Prodd only nodded. He pulled out a ring, it had a small diamond on it, bought from the last caravan before the fight. “I... c-couldn’t... s-save... h-her...”
Lightning stayed silent, his shock preventing him from making an answer that he himself would appreciate. “I-I’m sorry...” He finally said breaking the silence.
“C-couldn’t... s-save... her...” Prodd whimpered, he picked up Lighting onto his back. “C-can... s-save... you...” His tears flowed.
“Prodd? Are you okay? This isn’t you...” Lightning said in minor protest, however he wasn’t going to refuse being rescued.
“I... d-don’t think... I’ll... e-ever... be... m-me...” Prodd cried. He was going to carry Lightning to Duskfields, to his family, to safety.
“Prodd... I’m sorry for your loss... J-Just... please...” Is all Lightning could say to avoid hurting him more
Prodd nodded slowly and sniffled a little. He soon stopped crying as they approached the gates.
Lightning took in the surroundings as Prodd brought him in. Grieving ponies, a crew of ponies removing the ‘discordant’ corpses from the area, and a strange sense of despair, however it was less of a feeling that the town was in despair, but it was as if that empty feeling inside of him had amplified itself just by moving into Duskfields.
After Prodd pulled himself together he felt the need to say one thing before taking Lightning to the hospital. “...Your family’s okay... none of them got injured in the fighting.”
“Thanks... I appreciate it.” Lightning said. “I know we just got back... but why were...” He paused, thinking of a better term, “Ponies fleeing from the town?”
“...I don’t know.” Prodd sighed. “Come on... we should get you to a doctor...”
He nodded. There was a long silence, lasting until they reached their destination, the hospital. “Th-Thanks... when I get better... if I get better... come to me if you need help... I won’t mind helping a friend out...” Lightning offered
Prodd nodded vaguely and carefully lowered Lightning onto one of the hospital beds. He then slowly left, his head held low and looking dejected.
Lightning got a look of worry on his face. “Prodd... would talking help?” He offered, most likely in vain, but the thought counts as many say.
Prodd weakly shrugged his shoulders in response and left the building, he probably needed some time alone.
It was amazing just how busy Case Study had been. There were so many injured ponies on the waiting list that one, Galena, had even died before Case could get around to treating her. The hospital was simply not built to deal with such an influx. The blue stallion wasn’t built for it either. As calm and reserved as he normally was, the stress that this day had brought upon him was visibly wearing on his nerves.
The doctor eventually got around to seeing that broken heap of a pegasus, “A-alright Mr. Runner...let’s get you...f-fixed up.” The earth pony stuttered from fatigue and anxiety, having seen far more violence than he was used to for one day. He had run out of healing potion long ago and so was forced to used more standard methods of treatment. Case was practically running on autopilot now, using his instincts in place of any empathy. “Bite,” he said in a monotone voice as he shoved a rag into Lightning’s mouth. He wasted no time cracking the broken limbs back into place, preparing to splint them as needed.
Lightning was surprised at the normally happy doctor becoming this monotone instructing voice, but dismissed it and bit down on the rag as he had been instructed, and was glad he did so as the pain from bonework was less,but still painful considering it being bonework.
Anaesthesia was a luxury that could not be afforded considering the time scale in place. Case had heard so many screams and moans of pain that he had practically tuned them out by now. After setting Lightning’s broken bones and wrapping his flesh-wounds with cloth, the zombified doctor prepared to move onto the next victim of war. There were many ponies volunteering to help Case, Convalescence and Bonesetter, but their lack of medical experience left them to do little more than keep patients stable until the doctors could get around to them.
“Case... C-Can I ask you a question real quick?” Lightning asked as Case was finishing up.
He paused for a moment and gazed upon his patient with weary eyes, “Yes, w-what is it Lightning?”
“If Prodd stops by... can you see if he’ll sit down to talk? From what I’ve heard from him... he just needs” He paused to consider a better word than the blunt therapy “A talk... I know losing Redhat will be hard for him... but I just want Prodd to continue being Prodd, even if he lost her”
“If...I can remember. I’ve got a lot of work to do and there’s no telling...telling if I’ll even be in my right mind when I’m done,” the physician scanned the stuffed hospital, drawing in a deep breath, “Yes...we’ll all miss her.”
“Thanks... I appreciate it” Lightning smiled briefly. “I... I just... Some of this may very well be my fault” He said voice trailing off. “Thanks for patching me up...” He looked into the weary eyes of Case Study. Even those had lost their normal vibrancy.
“I apologize for not having time for a longer...” he struggled to find the word in his frazzled brain, “chat...but Wooden Shaft needs my undivided attention right now. I’ll talk with you later, whenever that may be.”
“Alright. Thanks anyway.”
Post by: thoushaltcallmelars on August 15, 2013, 05:18:42 pm
Post by: DVNO on August 19, 2013, 08:04:32 pm
Flamberge’s eyes begin to open. It takes him a moment to realize where he is. He finds himself in one of the beds of the hospital, now crammed with the injured. Dr. Case Study and Mayor/Doctor Convalence running about, taking care of the many patients. Flamberge looks over and sees Crosshair by his bedside, his foals asleep around him in the bed. “Crosshair, what happened?” he asks her softly when his faculties begin to function again.
Crosshair give him a loving smile before nuzzling him gently. “We won.” She replied. “We’ve killed Entropy, The Army arrived and captured a lot of Discordians that didn’t kill themselves. Even a few ponies of ours came back.”
“Thats... good,” he says nuzzling her in return, though not getting up, “How bad were my injuries? I feel terrible all over.”
“They say you’ll be fine.” she replied. “You’ll just be feeling sick for a while.
Flamberge thinks back and recalls the gas Entropy sprayed at him, and how sick he had felt at the time, he then looks to his family all around him, “That stuff Entropy used to make me sick, I’m not contagious am I?”
“Apparently not, I’m still fine. Don’t worry, I made sure of that before I brought the foals over. They missed you.”
Flamberge brushes his foals’ manes with his forehooves, as they sleep. “I missed them too... Do they know about what Max did?” he asks.
“They don’t need to.” Crosshair said with a smile. “Speaking of Max, he’s up and about if you want to see him?”
Flamberge sits himself upright, with a bit of effort, “Yeah, I have some... business to take care of with that bird.”
Crosshair carefully helps him up and off of the bed with some effort, waking their foals up and telling them to go wait for them at home.
Flamberge and Crosshair make their way out of the hospital, in search of Max. It was time they finished things.
Max was overwatching the foals play in the courtyard of Duskfields. He was acting as Pinfeather’s de facto guardian now, with him being orphaned after the battle. He was simply laying in the grass, his fours tucked under him in a roosting posture, contemplating things as well.
Flamberge approaches Max, with Crosshair right behind him, when he gets close he speaks, “Max, I promised only that I would not kill you as long as Entropy was a threat, she’s gone now, and I can’t let you stay here, not after what you did to me.”
Max keeps his stare trained on pinfeather and states with a neutral tone. “At this point; I can't argue with what you are about to do. I killed one of my own, I impersonated you, I almost threw away everything I am and everything I built to avenge what I loved. I jus' ask this: Can’t you just shut up and let me enjoy the bask of victory for a little longer, Flamberge? The Griffon caravan will take care of me for you anyway . . . ” The griffon’s big blue eye looks over Flamberge’s bandaged body up and down. “You look terrible.” He said with an inflection of almost camaraderie in his voice. Max knew his story was over. He had made his bed of nails and now nothing was left but the curtain call. But at least the ponies of Duskfields did not go down with him just as Entropy wanted. In letting Flam go, he made the first right decision in a very, very long time.
Flamberge stands directly in front of Max and says, "I can not let you bask in our victory, for that very reason. Max, you are banished from the Barony of Duskfields, for now and for all time. Leave now, and never return."
Crosshair looked at him, blinking in surprise that he didn’t order the bird to be shot on the spot after all that he’ve done.
Max looks at him with incredulity. “Well, I didn’t see that coming.”
Flamberge sighs and says, "Do not think I have forgiven you Max. You tore me from my family and left me to die. However... This one chance, is all the kindness you will get from me, if I ever see you again, I will kill you. I will tell the griffins that you must have escaped in the confusion following the battle. You will be a fugitive among your kind, and you'll always be an outsider among anypony else. That is sufficient to me."
Max closes his eyes and smiles. “When have I ever not been?” He looks back over to Pinfeather. ”The kid, I will take him with me. He lost his parents in the battle. He’s now an orphan, like I was.” Max winces. “I see alot of myself in Pinfeather.” Max gets up out of the grass. “I’m taking what I can carry from the cave. The rest, make Duskfields something grand with it. And let them know who donated it. A statue, or plaque bearing my name. Something nice. Understand?”
Flamberge nods, “Understood. Now, you should leave before I change my mind.”
Max sighs heavily and takes one good long last look at the town he built. The palisades were shattered, the apartments were scorched ash black. The tavern was being nailed back together. Tuckered out Pinfeather crawled over to Max’s leg and curled into a tight ball. “ ... I don’t wanna be here anymore.” the griffon hatchling sighed into his paw. With a large affirming nod, Max said. “Yes, I agree. It’s time to leave, little Pinfeather. Too many ghosts here in these woods.” Max looks over and gives Crosshair a quick and bursk “Sorry.” Max gently picked up Pinfeather and extended his wings and hovered upward slowly. Giving Duskfields a tentative last glance before flying away.
Crosshair watches as Max begin to take off, she raises her crossbow up and takes an aim at him silently, looking down her sights and predicting her bolt. “I can shoot him right out of the sky from here..” she said.
Flamberge pushes her weapon down, so that it points at the ground, “No Crosshair, let him go.”
“But he stole your life! and almost killed everypony else’s for it! He stole you from me!” Crosshair objected.
Flamberge nods, “He did, but if I had been in his place. If he’d taken you from me, as I killed the dragon, then, I would have done far worse than what he did. He could have killed you. He could have killed our foals. But he didn’t. He still is a villain. He still nearly led us all to our death, but, when he saw what we were really up against, he let me go. He came to me, and let me take command again. He was willing to face the hangpony’s noose, in his real body, just to give the rest of us a fighting chance. I don’t like him, and I can’t forgive what he has done, but I do respect him. And because I respect him, I’m going to let him run, and I trust he won’t return.”
Crosshair listened, and nodded quietly at that. “I suppose he earned this.”
Post by: KingStrongbeard on August 19, 2013, 08:12:27 pm
Crosshair trots over to one of the benches, where Flamberge have been set back to rest some more. Having a very important message to tell him “Flamberge! The King is here! he’s waiting in the Tavern!”
“The King is here?! Take me to him,” Flamberge commands, and the two ponies, head for the tavern.
Once there, they find six guards outside and everypony else making a wide berth. Two powerful looking griffons with halberds in hand circle over the tavern, constantly keeping an eye on the entrance. Four ponies stand at the door itself. To the left a dark colored pegasus stallion with a crossbow and a strongly built earth pony mare with an axe, both wearing heavy black armor emblazoned with the rising sun behind a pick on their flanks. To the right are two large unicorn stallions in ornate steel armor brandishing the royal seal, the one on the left has a similarly gilded and ornate sword and shield floating at their sides. The other, a brown unicorn with a long beard, has an unmarked ornate shield of leather and wood, a symbol of a tree emblazoned on it and a large heavily used, battleaxe. As they draw close, the bearded unicorn closest to the door steps forward and crosses his axe in front of the door. “Halt, unless you have business with the king, you are to leave.”
Flamberge locks eyes with the unicorn, “I am Colonel Flamberge, Commander of Duskfields, and Regent of this Barony, I have need to speak with his majesty.”
The two royal guards size him up for a moment, then the weapon retracts. “Yes, he spoke of you. I am to bring you to him, follow me.” His horn glows a faint white for an instant and the door creaks open.
The unicorn leads the way inside, and inside Flamberge finds a small mass of ponies standing around one of the tables that has been pulled away from the wall. One particularly old stallion is fussing with another unicorn in royal armor, saying, “It is quite safe in here, I don’t think I need to wear this armor any longer.” He sets his chanfron on a table, letting his long snowy mane spill onto his withers.
Behind him, a slate gray earth pony mare with a taupe mane and hints of steel armor atop a blue dress sits sullenly at a table. To her side, a jet black male griffon in steel armor with black and purple sashes adorned with medals stands silently, watching the king argue with his aide. On the other side of the king, an elderly brown unicorn, with a greying, braided beard, looking similar to the guard leading Flamberge, wearing a style of military armor from some three of four decades ago, with a massive axe across his back, and numerous medals on his peytral. He, the griffon, and the mare look up at Flamberge and the guard as they enter.
The bearded unicorn guard speaks up, “Your majesty, Colonel Flamberge has awoken. He is here to speak with you.”
The king turns about, surprisingly fluidly for a pony his age. “Thank you, Glaive, you are dismissed.”
Glaive bows and takes his leave.
A wide grin forms in the middle of the King’s short and neatly trimmed beard, and he steps forward. “Ah, Colonel Flamberge, it’s good to see you up and so well. After what I heard from the after action report, I was afraid you’d be down for a while.”
Flamberge grins, "Well, your majesty, if Captain Crosshair had her way, I would still be, but I'm not one to stay in bed while there is work to be done."
“So I’m learning,” the king replies in a light tone. “I regret we couldn’t reach you in time to assist in the defense itself. The spells developed to penetrate the clouds worked, but not as well as we’d hoped. You performed admirably nonetheless.” His eyes widen slightly as something dawns on him. “Oh, but I am getting senile in my old age.” He turns away to give the mare and griffon a better view of Flamberge, and gestures toward them. “I don’t think everypony here is acquainted. Flamberge, this is Major Alexie Rykov from Canyontalon, and Duchess Virtue Cookales from Dawnpick. They both provided troops to help with the rounding up of the discordant ponies.”
Flamberge lowers his head to them each in turn, “A pleasure to meet you both.”
The griffon strides forward, letting the tiniest of smiles show on his beak. He extends a claw to shake and says, “Indeed it is a pleasure to finally meet you, colonel. When I learned that we could not reach you in time to help fell the beast, I thought all would be lost. I am thoroughly impressed by the skill you and your soldiers showed in the defense of this town.”
Flamberge shakes the griffon's claw with his hoof, while trying not to look off balance despite his injuries, and says, “Thank you Major, I owe it all to my stallions and the militia.”
“Absolutely,” the griffon replies without a pause. “If there is anything to be learned from combat in the position of a leader, it is that the soldiers under you are your most valuable resource, in every sense.” His smile turns to a smirk. “And I can appreciate a commander who fights beside his soldiers.”
The griffon sees Virtue step up, and makes space for her. She looks Flamberge in the eyes for a moment, where it becomes obvious to him that she had been crying recently. “Hello, colonel. It... it’s good to meet you. I’ve heard of you, and... your reputation precedes you.”
"It is good to meet you Lady Virtue, you were sister to Lord Temperance were you not? I regret that I was unable to protect him, I am deeply sorry for your loss," Flamberge explains.
The elder brown unicorn, with the braided beard, raises an eyebrow as Flamberge says that, and moves closer to his king.
Virtue nods slowly and wipes an eye with a forehoof. “Yes... yes, that’s right.” She takes a deep breath and does a bad job of recomposing herself. “Sorry. I... I didn’t get the news until very recently.” She closes her eyes and says in a weak voice, “I understand.”
The king casts a curious glance to Fauchard, but stays silent.
“My king,” says Flamberge turning back to face him, “I must admit some ignorance, what exactly happened after Entropy was destroyed? I saw some Discordians committing suicide, but... then I blacked out, Captain Crosshair told me that we captured some of the survivors?”
The king clears his throat and nods. “Ah, yes, perhaps we should get on with the business at hoof. That’s correct, but things are a bit complicated overall. I’ll allow the major to fill you in on the details I didn’t see, but after you killed the draconequus the entire discordant army just... well, they just quit.
“We were circling around the discordants within the woods, slowly tightening our noose so they couldn’t escape. The griffons had their griffons and pegasi pinned down, and victory was really a question of when, not if. The antimagic spells were allowing us to fight them safely, and they were beginning to panic already. There was an unbelievable explosion of magic from within the town, which I was later to learn was you destroying the abomination, and every last discordant just... broke. They cried out and turned to run toward the town.”
When he points toward Major Rykov, the griffon nods. “Yes, at that point the warping clouds of magic began to disperse, so we were able to move in to attack directly and get a better look. The discordants swarmed toward the town, falling to our weapons effortlessly. They cared for nothing but to see for themselves that you had destroyed their vile leader. Of those that did, many slew themselves. I am told it was out of outright sorrow and grief rather than fear of what we would do to them.”
He rustles his wings and continues. “Confusing as that is, we were able to apprehend those that simply succumbed to their despair. Increasingly we were rounding up survivors outside who were unable to get within the walls, but only after we hefted the thing’s corpse outside to set it alight and burn it before them did they finally stop trying to claw their way inside. All told, we have over a thousand captive.”
“I... see,” replies Flamberge, “And so what happens now?”
The king cocks a frown. “A good question. I don’t think I need to express how much of a logistical problem it would be to march a thousand potentially insane ponies to Coupledye to be processed as prisoners, much less the... side issues... it would involve.”
“We have offered to accept the griffon prisoners,” Major Rykov adds.
The king nods. “Yes, that helps, but still leaves over nine hundred, including the zebras. I’m a bit reluctant to put them all to the sword, but at this point I’m short on options.” He shakes his head slowly. “Some of the citizens here have been attempting to communicate with them, despite our attempts to keep them separate. Most of the discordants are so lost and confused now it is fruitless, but a few are responsive. In fact, I am told a filly named Saffron was bizarrely found among their number, and has been returned to her family here.” He looks around to everyone present, then back to the floor. “Puts me in a very difficult situation.”
Flamberge smiles faintly at the news of Saffron’s safe return, “Well, whatever you decide will be for the best I am sure. I would be willing to accept a few of the earthponies among them as workers, as we will need the extra hooves to rebuild Duskfields, but that would only be a drop in the bucket from so many.”
“We’ll take some,” Virtue mutters. “As many as we can.”
The king blows out his breath and looks between them all again. “Thank you. Yes... yes, we’ll sort that out, one way or another. There is an equally pressing issue at hoof however.” His expression turns hard. “With the tragic and untimely passing of Lord Temperance, Duskfields itself is in a precarious position. The next heir, his daughter Mountain Dew, is far too young to administrate the town and take his position as baroness. Thus, the duty fell to you as regent, Flamberge. That needs to be corrected.”
Flamberge looks nervous for a moment, and swallows, “Uh, corrected?”
He nods, keeping a deadly serious face. “This is a complicated matter. I would be sorely tempted to relieve you of the burden of administering day-to-day affairs by delegating it to Morning Dew, since she is Temperance’s wife. However, I am led to believe she has no experience or talent for such things, and it would serve nopony.
“In her place, I could also ask Duchess Virtue to possibly have one of her children fill the vacancy.” A look of mild terror washes over her, and the king continues with, “But that introduces a lot of additional complications. It could cause issues with potential claims to the lands, and I would not want to introduce that into a delicate situation.
“So, that leaves me with a third option, which I believe may be the best in the long run.” He pauses for effect. “Duchess Virtue has spoken with Morning Dew and her foals, and it seems that she has no interest in maintaining any hold or claim to the lands. Her daughter Mountain Dew seems to agree with her, and the other foals are young enough that their mother has the say. So... there is a possibility that they will be leaving Duskfields to return either with us to Coupledye, or with Virtue to Dawnpick. That, however, leaves me with a vacancy that absolutely must be filled.” He looks at Flamberge, visually appraising him.
The nervousness Flamberge had originally shown at this direction of conversation passes and he attempts to make himself look as capable as possible, through the bandages.
“Colonel Flamberge, I am prepared to grant you the title of baron over the barony of Duskfields. You have proven yourself in my eyes on many occasions, the last and most impressive of which is the destruction of a powerful creature that was poised to cause untold damage to not only our lands but potentially vast areas of griffon and zebra lands as well. Though you’ve only been in position to administrate the town directly for a brief time, you have shown yourself capable enough and I am sure you will in time learn all of the intricacies.” The stoic expression he wore fades a bit as he notes the hurt look on Virtue, but he locks eyes with Flamberge. “Are you willing to accept this charge? If you wish to remain in a purely military position as the commander of Duskfields’ armed forces, I will hold nothing against you.”
"Your majesty, I would be honored take up the title and responsibilities of Baron. It is all I could have ever hoped for," states Flamberge happily.
Fauchard's eyes go wide when Flamberge is offered the title, he leans to the King and whispers something into his ear.
The king snorts and cuts his eyes to Fauchard briefly before looking back to Flamberge. “Excellent, I’m glad you’re willing to step up to the challenge. I hereby grant you the title of baron over Duskfields, including all of the benefits and responsibilities that it entails. I regret that we are not equipped to provide the customary paperwork, but my word is binding.”
“Thank you your majesty,” replies Flamberge beaming with pride.
“Then it is done,” he says simply. “You are dismissed, Lord Flamberge. I know you are still recovering, and you should rest now.” He looks to the griffon and says, “We still have a bit of business to discuss, if you would remain.” Finally, he turns to Virtue and says in a low voice, “And Virtue... if you would go speak with Morning Dew again, I would appreciate it.”
Flamberge makes his way back outside to Crosshair, who was still waiting for him. “How was it? What did the King want?” Crosshair asked excitedly.
Flamberge had a wide smiles across his face, like a foal on their birthday. “Captain Crosshair,” he says as he comes up to her, “is that how you address your new Baron?”
Crosshair went wide-eyed as she gasps and glomps onto her stallion, squeezing happily “You’re a Baron now!” She squeaked, overjoyed.
He hugs her in return, “I am, Morning and Mountain Dew are leaving with Duchess Virtue and giving up the claim, the King offered the title to me, and of course I accepted it.”
“Finally a Nobility! And you wouldn’t need to marry any other mares to do so too, right?” Crosshair asked again hopefully.
Flamberge sighs, “Marrying some noble’s filly, would still help us climb the ranks, but...” Flamberge looks around the damaged town, his town, “I don’t care about that anymore... . Crosshair, will you marry me?”
That have caught the small mare completely off guard, she blinked, gasped and stared at him dumbly for a moment, tearing up a little before nodding eagerly “Yes!”
“I’m sorry I made you wait so long Crosshair,” Flamberge begins apologetically, “but you are all that is important to me. You, and our foals. Go, now. Go find your best dress, and I’ll go get the foals, and our friends, the King is here, and we’ll ask him to perform the ceremony right away.”
Still being so happy that she’s in tears, Crosshair nods and trots away happily to their home. She went through hell and now she thinks she’s going to heaven.
Post by: Iceblaster on August 19, 2013, 09:12:34 pm
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Lightning%20Runner%20Avatar.png)
Journal Entry whatever.
I’ve been thinking. Being in a hospital bed, having only one usable leg at the moment, and most of all the feeling that part of me died yesterday, does a lot to the soul, and while I have come to know the sterile... ish smell of Case Study’s hospital, I will never get used to sitting in here, nothing to do for weeks upon weeks of lying around with nothing to do, other than talking to friends... overhearing the latest gossip from Bone Setter and Sweetie, but... it has changed.
This... war has done things to them. None of them are as vibrant as normal, Tartarus even Mist is down for once in her life. I... I don’t want her to see what they did... I know she’s seen it by now... the stench of death is something nobody gets used to, and when you first smell it, is something you wish you never smelled.
I had a dream last night. It... It was just that clearing. Weeping ponies were all there. I watched as they... they were killed. Killed by armor clad ponies. Some bearing the Coupledye insignia. Some bearing... Fruitholds insignia. I’m sure it was just a dream... What is it trying to tell me? I know Amug says that dreams have meanings, no matter how small, but... I don’t know... I just don’t know.
I’m worried about Prodd. I know he’s having to deal with his Marefriend’s death... but after he is done with that... what will he do? Will he go back to being a... hermit to put it bluntly, or will he try to move on... I-I don’t know... I know Redhat was very special to him... and that He was very special to Redhat...
Case Study has been less... how do I put it... Case Study ish lately. He’s been less outgoing... less organized... less poetic in his speech. I know the latter is an odd thing to say, but from the few times I actually was under his care, he spoke more poetically that what he is doing now. I know many can say that it’s the stress from having so many ponies to care for, but if the story that Crosshair told me one of those long days I was stuck in that cell, then he must have had some experience before coming to Duskfields...
I’m probably rambling on at this point... but something compels me to continue writing. As if somepony was standing over my shoulder as I was writing a masterpiece of a story, telling me to continue writing because they wanted to know more, and I listened as it was my work and I hadn’t exhausted my idea pool.
Fruitholds... I feel I have to talk about them. They were corrupt money hounding bastard ponies. Sorry... Describing the government. Not the city and its... things... There were many classes or castes or whatever you wanted to call them divided into three groups. The outers, the middle citizens, and the Inners.
I of course came from the outer group, residing in the outer city that, while usually kept clean when a diplomat or visiting royalty from some other city state came by, was a fucking mess most of the time, and while many ponies had to come through that hellhole the government had a... project made for direct entry to the Middle citizens and the inner living areas after a widespread plague of a disease akin to the ‘Flu’ as doctors called it, but it’s mortality rate was ten percent higher than the ‘Flu’.
The reason the project began is because many of the cases came from the Outers, and therefore they assumed that it was able to be prevented by doing this. It didn’t stop it, and hell many of the workers became sick due to being in proximity of the main offender. The rats.
I guess drawing would help pass the time... I guess...
[Below is a crudely drawn picture of Entropy and Lightning of Runner Clan in black ink. Entropy is making a plaintive gesture. Lightning of Runner Clan is holding his hoof out. The image has details of excellent quality in black ink. The image relates to Lightning of Runner Clan’s love of Mother]
[Below is a crudely drawn picture of discordants and ponies in black ink. The discordants are embracing the ponies. The ponies are returning the gesture hesitantly. The image relates to the dreams of Lightning of Runner Clan.]
[Below is a crudely drawn picture of Amug, Entropy, and Lightning of Runner Clan in black ink. Amug is making an angry gesture. Lightning of Runner Clan is facing away from Amug. Entropy is beckoning Lightning of Runner Clan. The image relates to Lightning of Runner Clan’s induction into the Discordant race]
[Below is a crudely drawn picture of a blue pegasus mare and Lightning of Runner Clan in black ink. The mare is making a loving gesture. Lightning of Runner Clan is returning the gesture. The image radiates with sadness, yet love at the same time. The image relates to Lightning of Runner Clan’s love of his late mother.]
-sidenote-
I apologize to those reading this if I ever release this as a book or whatever
Post by: Iceblaster on August 20, 2013, 12:00:58 am
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Lightning%20Runner%20Avatar.png)and (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/41621737/Fort/Duskfields/Flamberge%20Avatar.png)
Flamberge enters the hospital again. It had been several weeks since the battle with Entropy, and while most of the wounded had been able to return home, if not to work, some still remained here, and Flamberge as the new lord of these lands, thought it his duty to keep tabs on them all. Seeing Lightning Runner in one of the beds, with his wife absent for once, Flamberge decides now is a good time to speak with him directly, and moves to take a seat by his bedside.
“Hey Flamberge…” He greeted as he walked in. “I heard about your… promotion. Congratulation.” Lightning said hesitantly, his opinion of Flamberge wasn’t going to take hold of his tone today.
“Thank you Lightning. Tell me, how are you doing?” Flamberge asks looking over the broken stallion before him.
“I’m doing fine… I know that the attack… the attack and what it’s done… but… do you think we’ll recover? I know it’s only been a few weeks at most -i’ve lost track of time- but with barely anything to do, that starts to go through my head” he responded as he examined Flamberge’s scarred body, some of the wounds appeared to have reopened recently. “A-Are you okay Flamberge? You look a bit… hurt”
“I’m okay, Entropy used some spell on me, reopened all my old injuries, but Dr. Case Study, says they are healing fine. Still sore though. And don’t you worry about the town, the repairs are coming along well, and the half-dozen discordant prisoners, the King left with us, have given us no trouble, and have in fact been a real help. Everything is looking up,” Flamberge explains.
“Prisoners? And… And they are being used as workers? W-Why? I’m probably being rhetorical… but… why can’t you just send them h-home…” Lightning questioned his tone shifting from nuetral to a questioning one.
"You know why we can't send them home, Lightning," Flamberge said, "and it was the Army that took them prisoner after the battle. Over a thousand discorants surrendered. We didn't know what to do with them all. The griffins took about a hundred discordant griffins, but that still left us about nine hundred insane, depressed ponies, it was either kill them, or put them to work across the country, the King did what he thought was best. Don't worry, they will be treated well enough, no point in working them to death. And those that weren’t combatants, some of them have been reunited with their families. Little Saffron is home, and with her parents again."
Lightning slowly nodded. “I-I’m glad they weren’t killed… I’m also glad that they won’t be treated like slaves…” He took a breath. “I didn’t see much of the battle… probably a good thing… but I only know what I heard and saw recently. A purple and green explosion, very vibrant, and s.ome ponies getting rid of bodies… Would it be to much to ask for you to tell me? Oh… and I know that Redhat… was killed in the battle.” He said, voice trailing off.
“I can tell you what I saw of the battle, if you like, Lightning. What do you want to know?” asks Flamberge.
“Just general information… I’m not interested in the gory details persay, but I just want to know what you saw… and if Mothe- Entropy is… dead”
Flamberge raised an eyebrow, but then says, “Well, I saw the first two waves of discordant troops break against our soldiers at the gate. That’s where Redhat was killed. I was watching over from above, when Entropy and a group of six well equipped discordians teleported behind our walls. I gave the order to attack, and started battling her guards. She raised the dead from the battlefield to fight with her. Undead dogs, and soldiers were everywhere, fortunately, they were slower and easily dispatched, but things were looking grim. I managed to get several good strikes on Entropy, and with the help of Gorget and Crosshair, we severely weakened her, when I bashed her skull with my hoof, there was a huge explosion of magical energy, and she turned into a tiny pony sized version of herself… And that’s when I killed her. I saw some discordants kill themselves and give into grief after that, then I blacked out. What happened after I only know from what others have told me.”
Lightning’s face went pale. “She’s...dead…” He said quietly. “She turned into a pony sized version of herself? That… that doesn’t sound like Her… D-Did she say anything b-before you…” He didn’t finish the sentence.
“Well, she tried to, but she only managed to say, “Flamberge, wait” before I raised my sword and killed her… How do you know what she would be like? You spoke to her before?” he questions.
His eyes widened in fear. “N-No I never spoke to her… I just.. er… read a lot of… books when I was a foal. Y-Yes…” He sighed. “W-Why didn’t you wait? M-Maybe she was… surrendering…”
“I didn’t want to risk giving her time to recover her magic. She left three marksponies crumpled and bleeding with a wave of her had. She could spew poison gas from her mouth. Reopen all my old injuries with a gesture, and paralyse a pony with a glare. We only barely managed to beat her down the first time, at great cost, we couldn’t have afforded another round,” Flamberge states unapologetically.
“You said she had become… a pony sized version of herself. Normally a size disadvantage like that compared to her… larger size, so what sense would it make for her to choose a form of that, over her original, much larger form while she recovered her magic?”
“I don’t think she chose to shrink. I believe her larger size was a function of her magic. The smaller size is what her race used to be like, before they were driven to near extinction hundreds of years ago, or at least that’s what she told me when we first met. I think when I broke her shield and the explosion happened, that she was out of magical power, and reverted to her true form, but I can’t be certain, I didn’t really have time to think about it, and she was too powerful to let go regardless,” Flamberge responds.
“Alright… T-Thanks for telling me… I… I… I hope everything is sorted out n-now… I-I think I need some time a-alone…”
Flamberge stands up, “Of course Lightning Runner, and I wish you a speedy recovery. My door is always open, when you are well enough to walk through it again. Good day.”
“Good day to you to.” Lightning says, a hint of grief in his tone, but it was barely noticeable unless you were deliberately paying attention to him.
Post by: Telgin on August 20, 2013, 02:02:25 am
I had some fun with it, but a wide variety of circumstances meant that Duskfields had to end a lot sooner than Dawnpick. While the ending itself has more finality and direction to it than Dawnpick's I still feel unsatisfied with it. I feel pretty unsatisfied with just about every facet of Duskfields. I don't really know how I was expecting it to turn out, but the results definitely weren't it. As a result, for anyone who hasn't stumbled across the unused Flash ending I threw up on my deviantART account, I'll reiterate here: I won't be making a successor to Duskfields or Dawnpick. As of right now, I don't intend to run any more community forts.
I hope some of the players who stuck with this through to the end actually managed to enjoy it. To those of you, I'm glad I could provide something you found worthwhile and thank you for bearing with me through everything. For those of you who didn't enjoy Duskfields, I'm truly sorry.
And with this, I'll stop rambling: I naturally forgot to make a backup save before I began the final fight, but I will be uploading the save for the aftermath soon. Check the first post under the yearly save snapshots. The fort is in bad shape and on the cusp of a tantrum spiral, but it might be interesting to poke around in at least.
The following takes place an hour or so after Flamberge speaks with King Golud:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Dawnpick/Virtue%20Avatar.jpg), (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Morning%20Dew%20Avatar.png), (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Mountain%20Dew%20Filly%20Avatar.png), Honor and Daybreak.
'Here lies Temperance Scribebakes, Baron of Duskfields. Loving father of three and dedicated leader. Born Galena 23, 230. Died Obsidian 17, 273.'
Virtue reread the inscription on the small headstone over and over again, as if staring at the words would make them change. This was it. This was all he got. Her baby brother poured his life into this town, sacrificing all of his spare time and his safety, helped forge it from nothing... and this was all he got. A little stone with token words crudely carved into it that you could step over without noticing it was there... that was all he got.
She lowered her head and bit back more tears. They didn't even tell her he was dead until they were on the way here. It had happened weeks ago, but news traveled slowly. The king knew long before she did. He could have told her while she was still in Dawnpick. But, he didn't. He waited until she had gathered as many of her soldiers as she could to march to her brother's rescue only to tell her halfway there that he was dead. There was never any saving him. Coming here only meant that she could save what was left of his family. That... was something, right?
Her legs felt weak, and she slumped to the ground. Just a few feet down were the mortal remains of her little brother. Crushed. Shattered. Broken. All in the defense of the town he helped build. She began gasping and heaving as the sorrow surged forward again to the point she couldn't contain it. Why should she? Because it wasn't lady like or noble for her to cry in public? Who bucking cared? Temperance was dead! She'd cry all the buck she wanted to, and dared anypony to tell her to stop. Even the king! She buried her face in her hooves and let the tears come again, soaking her coat and dribbling onto the ground. Maybe some would seep down to him... and maybe, wherever he was right now, he'd feel them and know she was here. That she never forgot him, and that she did everything she could to get here and help him. She... she just couldn't do it.
Why? Why couldn't he have just listened to her!? If he'd have just stayed in Coupledye, he'd still be alive and unhurt. She could go see him now! She could go see him and her parents, and they'd laugh and be happy, and everything would be alright! But, no, he didn't listen, and she had been right all along! Was it worth it!? Becoming baron for a week!? Was it worth his life!?
She whimpered and sobbed more. Here she was, getting angry at him over this. He was dead, and she was getting angry at him! This wasn't his fault... he did everything right. Why did it have to turn out this way?
The monster. The draconequus. Entropy. It was her fault. Virtue wiped her eyes and nose and stood before turning to face the still smoldering pile of corpses in the distance. Off to itself, the thing's corpse still fumed a ghastly green and purple smoke from its blackened bones. She glared at it, feeling an intense scowl form on her face. Both front hooves stamped the ground as she screamed, "Why!? Why did you do this to him!? What did he ever do to anypony!?" She snarled and stamped again, ignoring the new tears streaming down her cheeks. "That stallion never hurt anypony! He was the last of us to deserve this! Was this some sort of petty revenge!? From something none of us ever did to you? From something that happened hundreds of years ago!? Why!?"
She dropped back to the ground, whimpering and crying to herself again. Entropy couldn't answer her. The royal magicians made certain she was dead for good. All Virtue could do was scream and shout at her body in search of answers that would never come. She even cursed the gods under her breath, for which she asked forgiveness a moment later.
How long she wallowed in her sorrow, she didn't know, but finally she felt a gentle hoof on her withers. After a quick attempt to make her face look more presentable, she glanced up to see the heavily pregnant Morning Dew and her three foals standing there, looking at her with similar sorrow and questioning looks on their faces. "Morning Dew... I-I'm sorry... I just..." She wiped her face again.
"I know," Morning Dew replied. "It's okay... I... we went through this not long ago," she said, her voice on the verge of breaking.
Virtue whimpered again and took the mare into a weak hug. Mountain Dew and her two little brothers joined in, and the five descended into a mass of sniffling, weeping ponies.
"Daddy... I-I miss you..."
"I'll never forget you, Temperance..."
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."
Time once again blurred as emotions poured forth. For a moment, Virtue thought she could even hear Temperance's voice tell her how sorry he was and that everything really was okay, and that he was with Amug and Shin Paleduty now, but she knew that was just something in her head. Panacea told her she wouldn't be able to take much more of this kind of stress...
"Aunt Virtue? Are... are we moving away?" Mountain Dew asked, releasing her foreleg.
Virtue looked back at Morning Dew, who simply nodded. She gently stroked Mountain Dew's mane, then her brothers Honor and Daybreak. "Yes, sweetie. You're going to come home with me, where it's safe and there and lots of nice ponies you'll want to meet." She made a sad smile. "You'll get to meet your cousins. I know they'll love you."
Mountain Dew tried to smile, but slumped against her mother's side and bit at her trembling lip. Honor and Daybreak huddled up with her, remaining silent. Morning Dew scooped them into her forelegs and nuzzled each. "It's okay... we'll all love Dawnpick."
The sight tugged at Virtue's heart again, and she raised a forehoof to her aching chest. She was too late to save her baby brother, but there was something left to save here. Four innocent, wonderful ponies who were hurting more than even she was. She hugged them all again, but there were no words really to say. They would return with her to Dawnpick, where they would never, on her life, be hurt again. She wasn't going to let any of her family stay in this gods cursed place a moment more. That the king had the audacity to think she'd let one of her children set hoof here...
She shut the anger out, to let the love return. These ponies were safe now. Nothing could hurt them now, or ever again.
And wherever Temperance was... he was safe too. Never to hurt or be sad and cry like this ever again.
"I love you, little brother..." she mouthed, unable to find the strength to put it to words.
I love you too, big sis...
Post by: Kryptid on August 21, 2013, 12:05:01 am
(https://dl.dropbox.com/u/74348879/Duskfields/Case%20Study%20Avatar.png)
It was the calm after the storm. The dead had been buried and the wounded had been treated. Having worked much of last night, Case Study had finally managed to catch enough of a break to sleep earlier in the day. When he had awakened, most the day had already vanished under the veil of a pink-orange sunset.
At this moment, Case was sitting under his favorite tree near the center of the fort. Whenever he got the urge to go outside, he would spend his time here under its numerous, healthy branches and listen to it rustle in the wind. He was more than a little surprised that the tree appeared completely untouched by the carnage that had transpired less than forty-eight hours ago. Not even a single leaf was stained with blood.
The doctor leaned back and stared up at the scattered, purple-gray clouds that contrasted against the tangerine sky, slowly allowing his eyes to be drawn towards the red disk of the setting Sun. He let his mind wander. How do you do it? How do you find the strength to rise and fall every day? No matter what happens, no matter what evil befalls the land, you stay faithful to your daily cycle. The stallion knew his inquiry would go unanswered by that crimson disk straddled on the horizon, but he didn’t care right now.
The physician lowered his face and closed his eyes. He wanted to be like the Sun. Like the tree. Both were impervious and enduring. For a while, Case had fooled himself into thinking that he was among their kind. Nothing could touch him or leave an indelible impression upon him. His character was steadfast and resilient. That’s what made him a good doctor.
Or so he thought. Duskfields had steadily strained his resolve over the years. The last two blows, however, were particularly piercing ones. The death of Temperance. The bloody battle that ensued soon after. He remembered how he couldn’t press his hooves against his ears tightly enough to muffle the screams he heard. No, scream wasn’t the right word. He didn’t know what term was appropriate for the grotesque vocalizations he heard coming from the battlefield yesterday.
He had seen strips of bloodied skin and snapped bone hanging in ways that made him question how such arrangements were physiologically possible. He had seen walking heaps of undead flesh that had no right to still be alive. More than that, he knew fear. Fear that he could become one of them if the army failed. The violence was safely in the past, but the images and sounds were burned into his brain.
It’s one thing to hear about such matters and an entirely different one to live through it firsthand. Case felt guilty that he had remained safely behind locked doors while others were battered and killed in the name of the same fort he called home. His mind dwelt on Redhat. She had come here specifically looking for safety and found death instead. And what of Galena? She had died simply because Case was unable to get to her quickly enough. Because he wasn’t good enough. Not fast enough. Then there was Temperance’s family, grieved with the untimely loss of a great stallion.
Once the last hint of light fell below the horizon, the blue pony admitted defeat. Being in his cherished spot had done nothing to console him. The beauty of an amber sky had also failed to calm his spirit. He wanted to quit and leave all of this behind. Things would be better back in Coupledye. Rising to his hooves, he accidentally knocked his head on a low-lying branch. Case rubbed the bump for a moment and sized up the undisturbed, wooden obstacle. Lucky you. You can’t be hurt.
At that moment, the smallest hint of a smile grew on his face. He had been tested and tried, but not broken. He could still be like the tree and the Sun. He could continue with his work. Duskfields has supported him this long, and he certainly wasn’t giving up on it. Case couldn’t quit. He wouldn’t quit. If not for anypony’s sake but the others. They still needed him.
It was small, but it was there. A tiny bit of hope and courage welled up within him. As he trotted back to his room under the darkening sky, he sighed and knew the road to recovery would be long and hard for all of them. He then realized aloud, “Hey, if I was the kind to shy away from hardship, I wouldn’t have become a doctor in the first place.”
Post by: Pokon on August 21, 2013, 08:03:14 pm
Woodchip looked around Duskfields, knowing that he could not stay there any longer. He couldn't. It would be only a matter of time before his absence from the battle would be noted.
He was safe. SmoothBlock was safe. They both survived the battle, and Entropy was dead. She was happy.
They had no plans for staying, because that would doom them both. He was going to be a father, anyway.
Even if he had live as a coward, he would live as one with his accepting, wonderful, mare. And his child. They would all live, far away from anything evil or rotten or foul.
Woodchip sighs. Isn't this a good end to this, anyway? Why was he tempted to try and find a few ponies in that mass of former Discordians?
Post by: Iceblaster on August 29, 2013, 10:36:06 am
While I would like many people to talk about it here, I would prefer to keep major discussion there to avoid major questions being missed.
Post by: Iceblaster on September 05, 2013, 10:17:30 pm
One month after Lightning Runner’s second hospitalization
I was being checked on for the… twentieth time? Maybe.. I don’t know. anyway, I was being checked on once more by my second favorite doctor, -Bone Setter- next to Case himself, for any inconsistencies or whatever in my other three legs, and while we were taking the rather small trot from my room to the lobby type area, I noticed, and I’m sure he noticed, there was a rather large limp. Not enough to guarantee that I was going to be lame in a leg for the rest of my life, but just enough to make a doctor notice something is wrong.
I was given a crutch to try to bring pressure off of my legs, but considering I had to hold it under my wing in the… spot. Pegasi know what I’m talking, or writing if this ever gets published as part of some autobiography -Heh, chances of that happening are slim to none- and due to that, It was rather uncomfortable and wish it was less painful, but as I was not a unicorn or earth pony -Amug knows how they can ‘crutch walk’ easily- it was how I was to do this. As I moved through the town… ponies I had once worked to protect looked at me…. as if I was a… criminal. An outlaw. Like I shouldn’t be here.
I know my mane is a bit dirty… and my fur is a bit faded, but… is this the only greeting I get? The
first… ‘discordant’ to be reconverted, and I’m looked at as if I shouldn’t be here. I… I had enough time to think about Mother and my Brothers and Sisters here… I don’t need more time to think about them. I’ll talk to them when I get away from my family… surely they won’t feel the same about me. Mist has spent time with some foals and while they might have said something, I don’t expect the foals to be spreading rumors that would turn my family against me…. right?
I-I know Sweetie gossips… but she doesn’t believe everything she hears right? GAH I’m worrying too much about this fucking ‘What if’ game I’m playing in my head. Time to get the buck home and spend time with Sweetie and Mist….
At the Runner Clan home
“Honey? OH my goodness you’re home. I’ve been so worried… how’re your legs?” She nearly tackled me when I walked in the door, I seemed to have caught her in the middle of her mashing a few of the potatoes she had bought from the recent caravan for Yam later that day. Luckily she hadn’t dropped anything, or that would’ve been a hell of a mess to clean up. Mist and Yam were luckily out playing as Sweetie informed me, but I kinda… ignored that she was going to be coming in soon due to the darkness.
“Lightning? You alright?”
I shook my head. “Y-Yes. Sorry, I got a bit lost in my thoughts. I-I’ve had a lot to think about recently”
“Ah… well I didn’t expect you to be home so soon. I can see if I can get some sandwiches from the tavern… I don’t think we have enou-” I interrupted her with a short ‘I’m fine’ and she nodded.
“Well.. I should let you know that I moved the chest a few days ago after Yam got into it, I caught her before she got into your lockpick kit. Your knife was missing though… any idea where it went?” She asked, motioning to the chest, now next to the bed, farther away from the place where Mist and Yam slept.
“Thanks… I don’t know what I’d do without you” I nuzzled her and went in for a kiss and she gladly went in for the catch so to say. The moment of bliss and… pleasure for the first time in a while lasted only a moment as I pulled away and muttered. “I’m glad you are okay… I’m glad you were able to keep the children alive…”
“Y-You shouldn’t be thanking me… thank Flamberge,” While she kept speaking the only word my mind stuck on was having to thank… Flamberge for… protecting them. Of course if he didn’t kill Mothe- Entropy, then his family would be gone… but if he was killed like Entr- Mother wanted… GAH why can’t I just keep a clear head today!
“-also somepony wanted you to go and talk to the Discordants we have housed here… probably to raise morale? I don’t know… I just was told to let you know when you got home.” I nodded and sat down on the table, balanced the crutches on the table and kept them upright so I wouldn’t have to worry about hurting myself picking them up.
Time to just relax for a bit before heading out…
Vrooom to Third Person
After the battle, most of the town’s livestock had been killed which left most of the western side of town empty. It was there that small, temporary, wooden shacks were thrown together for the Discordant ponies left in Duskfields. A small campfire crackled in the center of the makeshift settlement, but no ponies were immediately visible there.
Lightning made his way towards the center and while he moved a bit slower with the crutches Bonesetter had given him, he was able to move at a decent speed. He reached the campfire and looked around before calling out. “Hello?”
He heard a shuffling of hooves within one of the shacks, then a middle aged pegasus mare poked her head out. She turned tired eyes toward him and asked, “What is it?” She squinted and stepped just outside. “Quarrel?”
He flinched as he heard the name that represented everything he hoped never to become. “N-No… it’s Lightning Runner now…” He said looking in the general direction the voice came from.
The mare squinted at him for a moment more before her expression fades to something between exhaustion and sadness. “Oh, yes. Forgive me, it… it has been so long that I forgot that some had other names.” She brushed her mane from her face. “Is something wrong? Are we needed?”
“No. I was told somepony just wanted me to… talk to you ponies. If they had anything specific, I certainly didn’t get the message…” He trotted closer to the shack. “Mind if I come in?”
She shook her head and made room for him to enter. “No, come in.” Inside, Lightning found two younger stallions, an earth pony and a unicorn both with unhealthy looking yellowing coats and manes, sleeping unsoundly on mattresses on the ground. The scattered remains of cooking utensils and other bare necessities were stacked in one corner, and the mare gestured for Lightning to make himself comfortable in the vacant spot at the far side of the shack. “They wanted you to speak with us? I’m… not sure what there is to say.”
He looked around at the shack. Surely this was just one of the many. Flamberge surely wouldn’t lie about something like this. “Sweetie mentioned a thought about just getting the morale up… I’m sure you are in need of some… talking. Talking soothes the mind…” He said, voice trailing off. “Is this the living standards for the other shacks as well?”
She hesitated for a moment before nodding. “Yes. Time and supplies were short, I am thankful to have this much. As are my sons.” She pointed at the sleeping ponies as one twitched an ear. “At least… we… we think I am their mother.” She looked back at Lightning. “It has been so long since I last thought clearly. Have you coped better?”
“I d-don’t think… how do I put it… Mother’s grasp on me was as… tight.. Not to be rude at all. Anyway… I’ve been coping fine with what grasp there was…” He took in a breath. “I think it was overexpectation… but Fl-Flamberge’s words led me to believe more…” He said, chuckling slightly, hoping to lighten the mood.
She nodded and sighed. “We were told that things would improve soon. When there was time and materials. We have been helping to mend the damage we dealt to this town, and after that new homes would be built.”
“Ah… Apologies if any of it sounded rude.” Was all he could say before she began to speak again.
“Be not troubled,” she said with a sad smile. “We have had much more to think about than just this. As… perhaps only you can truly appreciate… acclimating has been quite difficult.”
“I can understand… while I am not I in the same situation as you… I can understand how it can work on the spirit.”
She nodded again. “After… she… passed, it was as if half of my memories and thoughts were torn from my mind. I have been working to remember. To remember who I was, and who my family were.” She brushed another silver hair from her face. “It has been difficult, but we are adjusting. The work gives us purpose in the meantime.”
Lightning stayed silent. This was more serious than he thought. “I-I didn’t realize it was like this…”
Her tired expression changed to another weak smile. “As I said, be not troubled. I have my sons, and for now that is all I need. The ponies here have been slow to accept us, but I think in time everything will be alright.”
He smiled a bit as well. “Yes… that is what I hope as well… I just hope not every town where our brothers and sisters went will treat them like prisoners and nothing more”
“As do I,” she replied, looking around the room. “This is far from a prison, however. And the work we’ve been asked to do… in a sense it is the least we can do to make up for what we’ve all done.”
Lightning nodded, finding it better than anything he could come up with. “Are any others awake? Or is it just you…”
She looked at the sleeping ponies and squinted again. “Coal Dust and… and… Lodestone just went to sleep. I think perhaps some of the others are awake if you would like to speak with them?”
“Yes… I would like to get to know those I can now…”
“Alright. I think… Wool Blanket? Yes, I think he is here. Come.” She led him back outside and across from her shack to another smaller one. She tapped against the wall and called, “Wool? Are you there?”
A young unicorn stallion with a sky blue coat flanked by a unicorn filly of a similar but lighter shade poked their heads out. “Glitter? Is something wrong?”
She smiled and shook her head. “No, there is somepony here who wants to speak with you.” She pointed at Lightning Runner.
“Hello you two” Lightning said, smiling. “You aren’t in trouble, I just… wanted to know if you wanted to talk about anything right now?”
The filly stepped outside and sat, looking Lightning over. The stallion followed, letting a nervous smile form on his face. “Oh, that’s good. Talk… you… you’re Quarrel, right? No, wait… what was your real name?”
Lightning nodded. “Lightning Runner. You?” He said looking towards the Stallion.
“Wool Blanket,” he answered simply, tapping a similar image on his flank. “And this is my daughter, Spindle,” he said, pointing at the filly. She smiled and nodded at him. Wool took a deep breath. “So, what was it you wanted to talk about exactly?”
“As I told your friend, Miss…” He stopped. He had never asked for her name. He shook his head. “Names aside, as I told your friend, I was just here to talk about general things, to… lighten the mood persay”
“Ah, I see,” he said, relaxing just visibly. “I’m glad you’ve come then, we haven’t had a lot of opportunity to speak with the ponies in town. I suppose it should be expected that they would be, ah, leery of us. That will probably not stop entirely, but knowing that there is a hint of care here is most reassuring.”
Lightning nods once more. “Yes… I’m more surprised they didn’t execute you. Knowing that not every one of our brothers and sisters weren’t killed because of a grudge so to say, is a good thing no?”
“That it is,” he agreed, placing a hoof across his daughter’s withers. “Very surprising too, if I’m honest. As you’re probably aware, Entropy has caused an enormous amount of sorrow and grief in her life through us. Perhaps knowing that we were allowed to live and help rebuild things was the most important thing to take away from this. To prove that she was truly wrong, and that ponies are better than she thought.”
Lightning looked to the ground. “Yes. Probably the thing I’m glad of most is that you are allowed to stay inside the walls. I’m sure elsewhere, you’d have to stay outside the walls due to your past, but the amount of trust this town puts into you all might mean reintegration is not far off.” He smiled before looking back up. “Now what’s your filly’s name?”
He nodded as he listened. “Spindle.” He stroked her mane and said, “Say hello to Mr. Runner.”
“Hello Mr. Runner,” she parroted.
“Hey Spindle. Did you do anything special today?” He asked in a more chipper tone, similar to the tone he used when talking to Mist.
She made a tiny smile and nodded. “Uh huh, I helped daddy sort some cloth. He said it’s really nice cloth.”
Wool chuckled. “Yeah, as you probably guessed by the name I used to be a weaver. It’s not much, but I’m helping out how I can.”
Lightning also chuckled. “Heh. Yeah. Funny how our names work. Some of use are named after our parent’s job and we work in their same line, others have a family ‘last’ name and are named differently in their ‘first’ name like me.” He stopped when he noticed he had gone off topic. “Sorry, I’m rambling on again. Anything else you do Spindle?”
“Mmhmm, I spent some time with Ms. Glitter Dust,” she said, looking at the pegasus mare beside them, who had gone silent by this point. “She let me help cook. She likes to put strawberries in stuff, and I really like the strawberries here.”
Glitter Dust chuckled herself. “I am too old to go digging around in the mine, so for now I mostly keep things tidy around here and look after the little ones.”
“Mmhmm… My wife is one of the farmers here, she might be able to get you some more things to cook with than what, I assume, they give you to ration out.” He offered
Glitter nodded. “Thank you. So far I have not been turned down when asking, but thank you. Perhaps I will come to know her soon. What was her name?”
“Sweet Potato, though she prefers Sweetie, and I’m not sure if I mentioned it, but if you do need anything, I can help”
“Thank you again, really,” Wool said. “We’ve been managing so far. Even Flamberge hasn’t bothered us aside from making sure we had something to do. I guess he’s got bigger things to worry about now.”
He nodded and said. “Yes, I can imagine. Being the new… baron would cause you to have more problems, but I don’t know, maybe it’s one of those jobs where it’s more of a name with benefits than anything else”
“To some, I’m sure that’s how it is,” Wool replied. “Either way, I suppose everypony has more problems now than they’re used to, but it’ll sort out in the end. Sooner than we might expect, if I had to guess.”
“Yes…” He paused for a moment to think. “I don’t know if it will be rude to ask… but would it be alright if I asked you what happened during… the siege. I was… out of the way so to say, and while Flamberge told me his side… it’d be nice to know your side…”
The former discordant ponies looked uneasy, and Wool prodded Spindle to get her to go back inside. When she was gone, he said, “I don’t know what all he told you, but it was about as bad as could be expected, I guess.
“I wasn’t part of the fighting inside. Entropy had most of us stay back. If I had to guess she was trying to keep more of us from getting hurt than she had to, but it probably was the thing that cost her in the end. I saw one of the soldiers die outside the gates and many more injured on its walls. Many, many of the attackers were killed.”
Lightning nodded and stayed silent for the most part.
Glitter Dust nodded. “I was also staying back, but in this case it was because I was not really able to fight. I was here to make our numbers look more impressive, I think.” She shook her head. “I saw less than Wool, I am afraid. About the only thing I saw… felt... was Entropy’s death.”
“Ah… well… if you don’t want to talk I understand.. I just wanted a clearer picture.” He saw the look of grief on their faces. “I didn’t mean to make either of you feel worse than you already were…”
“It’s fine,” Wool assured him. “Talking about it is better than just harboring it inside forever. I just wish I had more I could tell you.” He sighed. “It’s done now, one way or another.”
“That it is.” He said as the sun disappeared under the horizon. “It’s getting a bit dark… anything you wanted to say before I headed home?”
The two former discordants looked at each other briefly, then back to him. “Just… thank you,” Glitter Dust said.
Wool nodded. “Yes, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I hope you have a nice sleep tonight and a wonderful time until our next meeting.”
“Thank you again, and I wish the same to you,” Glitter Dust said, smiling a bit wider than before. Wool nodded again silently.
Post by: Telgin on January 12, 2015, 12:25:59 am
I'm posting this here since it should notify a lot of old players who might be interested in something. Since I don't learn my lessons easily and because I've been considering this for a while, have a new pony fort: Shadytrails (http://www.bay12forums.com/smf/index.php?topic=147476.0). I'll be posting the real game soonish, but for now you can get an idea of what I have in mind by reading that.