[FwM] What has Magic Done? My Little Pony, Without The Kiddy 3

[HalfTangible]

My Little Pony: Friendship Was Magic

In Equestria, the monsters are kept in safe places, and can be beaten off with hugs and clothing and angry stares.
In Equestria, a benevolent goddess raises the sun and the moon, and keeps the world in harmony.
In Equestria, the concept of danger is barely understood.

This is not that Equestria.

The town of Bridle Shores lies near a lake, and is one of the cities that survived the revolution. The heroic Moon Goddess, and her student, overthrew the Burning Hate of the Iron Hoof, saving Equestria from the searing, unending summer that raged for years. Even now, she tries to hold against the monsters, the literal armies of feral species that attack.

This is not the Equestria you know. Friendship has power, love may yet triumph. But evil is not just a word. Go out into the woods today, and be sure to take an axe, or make sure you have that fireball spell on a hair-trigger. If you want to keep your life... you'd better work for it.

Rules?


Q: So, how dark are we talking?
A: As dark as Exalted or a darkish d&d game, no more. The idea should be that things ARE fixable.

Q: What kind of RP is this?
A: More active than the non-grimdark. The added darkness makes actual adventure-style plots more viable. We could have wars against [unspecified villains], Celestial cults, and dungeoncrawling!

Q: Anything else?
A: Yes. Dark or no dark, keep within the board rules.

Q: Hullaballoo.
A: Calloo callay!

Q: Is that all?
A: No. Whatever you do, do NOT forget about spell 87. Or else. Now have fun.

Links
Recruitment/OOC (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200322)
SoftLight Out of Character (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198923)
SoftLight Recruitment (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=192140)
Main Pony Thread (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?p=11050271#post11050271)
FwM - Thread 1 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=200312)
FwM - Thread 2 (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=204691)

[Mindfreak]

"Well, let's go train!"
Lemongrass and Eric will feel a hoof on their back gently pushing.

[Grif]

"Well, let's go train!"
Lemongrass and Eric will feel a hoof on their back gently pushing.

(I assume this is near evening or night when they met up. It has been a long day anyway and most ponies are going to sleep.)

Lemongrass yawned tiredly and glared at the sword with one eye. "By Luna, it's getting late. Can't we start tomorrow? Besides we still need to fit paddings and stuff to my spear." Then he remembered the captain was still standing there. "If you don't mind, sir." he added hastily, lowering his head.

[Crisis21]

(I assume this is near evening or night when they met up. It has been a long day anyway and most ponies are going to sleep.)

Lemongrass yawned tiredly and glared at the sword with one eye. "By Luna, it's getting late. Can't we start tomorrow? Besides we still need to fit paddings and stuff to my spear." Then he remembered the captain was still standing there. "If you don't mind, sir." he added hastily, lowering his head.

"Very well," The Captain admits. "Training while tired never did anypony any favors." "Be here bright and early tomorrow morning though."

--------------------------------------------


Staccata takes another bite and replies after swallowing. "I'll take that as a no then. Everypony is so superstitious about everything." Looking in the bag, she sees the 6 pack of blue and red cupcakes.

"Do you have any hot sauce? You haven't lived until you've had a Ponyville Firebomb."

"Not with me. I think Eric has some back at his place though."

"If you want, I'll tell you how we all met Shutter. It's rather interesting."

[Mindfreak]

"Very well," The Captain admits. "Training while tired never did anypony any favors." "Be here bright and early tomorrow morning though."
"Actually, I think it would be best for me to stay here, Soft might still be angry........and she killed two ponies easily today, she's scary."

[MCerberus]

"Not with me. I think Eric has some back at his place though."

"If you want, I'll tell you how we all met Shutter. It's rather interesting."

"Maybe tomorrow." Staccata places the bag with leftovers in her saddlebag. "Need to save something for being a 'guest' all day tomorrow it appears."

At some point during the walk through the streets, Staccata starts explaining the Ponyville Firebomb. "Keep in mind I know about a half-dozen ponies who will do this because they like the taste. First you have a cupcake. Completely cover it in hot sauce and eat it in one bite. Then you see how long you can last without scrambling for a drink."

[Grif]

"Very well," The Captain admits. "Training while tired never did anypony any favors." "Be here bright and early tomorrow morning though."



"Actually, I think it would be best for me to stay here, Soft might still be angry........and she killed two ponies easily today, she's scary."

"Thank you captain," Lemongrass saluted the captain the best he could... which actually was pretty sloppy even by guard's standard. Then again, Lemongrass wasn't exactly the model guardspony. He glanced at the sword again. "I guess we'll be seeing each other again."

***

"So... how did your day go?" Tyrol asked, as he lay on his bunk.

"... the usual I suppose." Lemongrass replied tiredly. He was too tired to think of a witty response.

"I heard you and that Germane mare..." A snore greeted him. Tyrol shook his head in resignation and tried to get some shuteye as well.

(/endpony day for both.)


[Shell Shock/The Usual]

The Scoltish stallion had passed out in his room, after happily consuming all the bourbon. Sometimes you just have to wonder whether he had alcohol in his veins.

(/endpony day for our lovable demopony)

[Zjoot]

[In a Forest Somewhere]

Nimbus lay on his side, staring into the bright, crackling flames of the campfire, letting its pleasant warmth wash over him. The winds changed and a cloud of smoke drifted lazily in his direction, but he let out a breath of air and gently blew it away. The next thing he heard was coughing and spluttering from across the fire. He looked up to see his friend fanning the smoke away with a hoof. "Oops, sorry 'bout that."

'S okay." Vermillion went back to rumaging through his pack. "Looks like we just ate the last of the food," he said with a sigh. He pulled out an old map. "Let's see, I think the nearest town is...Ooh, Bridle Shores. I've heard stories about that place."

"Oh yeah? What kinda stories?"

"Well the town's sort of known for attracting a lot of trouble. It might be worth sticking around for a while, don't you think?

"Mmhhm, sure" Came Nimbus' muffled reply. His eyelids were drooping; the popping of the fire along with the orchestra of night sounds was starting to lull him to sleep.

"Alright, well tomorrow you can fly up and scout out the area, ok?" But vermillion realized Nimbus was out cold. He put out the fire and gazed at the stars through a gap in the trees, and eventually nodded off as well.

(/endpony day for both of them)

[Mindfreak]

[Hotel Room]
Dreamrunner woke up in her hotel room. She wouldn't be on duty today except for later when Grills would come over. She threw on shorts and a a t-shirt and then left to go to the guardhouse.
[Guardhouse]
She arrived at the guardhouse and knocked on the door.
---
Reginald was sleeping still.

[MCerberus]

Shady Business - Mach

Mach looks around for anypony around him as he puts his package away in the saddlebag that had recently held a copy of some schematics. The... deliverypony... was a bit too loud for his taste. Openly questing why one of the magic-funneling plates was designed to hold a unicorn horn. A detached one. He heads back to the workshop and works quickly in the night to get them installed.

The final piece. Mach takes a silvery-blue horn out of a safebox. It hurts him deeply just to behold.
She would have wanted you to do this. Save endless lives.

Power starts to hum in the workshop as the power that once fed to the grid now stays in the collectors. The machine can take a steady feed, only needing to charge for emergencies. For a test he only needed and wanted a small bit.
You must be the one to test it. They will see your strength. They will not need to fear the wonder you will bring. This is the first step

A small gem kept in the shop starts floating nearer to Mach, but he doesn't notice. The machine is powered by blood. If he's right, it can imbue one's own if they're strong enough to survive the drain. Imbue it with electromagical power. A transfusion could, in theory, heal wounds, repair scars, bring a pony back from the brink with enough power.
Reverse death.

Mach starts trembling as he connects the needles for both donor and patient to his body. Something causes him to move forward. Change the world. The machine starts to hum loudly. His own blood moves past the filters and becomes charged. Mach hits the switch. The feeling was indescribable. Amazing.
Sleep now, your work is done

Mach passes out with the machine on. His blood starts circling through the device as if it were another organ. The gem floats close to him, an aura of yellow light passing into it. The thing is feeding on the excess power channeled into the unconscious Mach. At some point the machine is shut off.

Weak... but fast. My form will need more.

(end pony day for Mach)

[Crisis21]

"Actually, I think it would be best for me to stay here, Soft might still be angry........and she killed two ponies easily today, she's scary."

The Captain sighed as he walked Reginald back inside. "Mostly I was talking to those two slackers. Though now I need you to tell me what happened to cause Soft to kill two ponies. I know her, she doesn't just 'go off' like that."

The two talked for a while about the incident at the bar, before the Captain found a place for Reginald to sleep.

>>End Pony Day

------------------------------------------


"Maybe tomorrow." Staccata places the bag with leftovers in her saddlebag. "Need to save something for being a 'guest' all day tomorrow it appears."

At some point during the walk through the streets, Staccata starts explaining the Ponyville Firebomb. "Keep in mind I know about a half-dozen ponies who will do this because they like the taste. First you have a cupcake. Completely cover it in hot sauce and eat it in one bite. Then you see how long you can last without scrambling for a drink."

"Sounds like fun actually," Mike says. Mica just rolls her eyes and smiles to herself.

The three chat along as they head back to Eric's place. They happen to meet up with Eric outside his house, a fairly spacious two-story dwelling clearly meant to be inhabited by more than one pony. Why in the world a bachelor like Eric owns such a place is a mystery, but it contains plenty of room for his friends to crash if they need to. The group gets Staccata set up in one of the guest bedrooms before turning in. Roy has apparently decided to crash at the barracks again.

>>End Pony Day

[MCerberus]

"Sounds like fun actually," Mike says. Mica just rolls her eyes and smiles to herself.

The three chat along as they head back to Eric's place. They happen to meet up with Eric outside his house, a fairly spacious two-story dwelling clearly meant to be inhabited by more than one pony. Why in the world a bachelor like Eric owns such a place is a mystery, but it contains plenty of room for his friends to crash if they need to. The group gets Staccata set up in one of the guest bedrooms before turning in. Roy has apparently decided to crash at the barracks again.

>>End Pony Day

Keeping the hot sauce/cupcake combo ready for when everypony is more awake to 'appreciate' the sensation, Staccata retires to the guest room. For once the separate parts of her brain don't argue in her sleep. That might be something to worry about. Instead she snuggles with one of the pillows like it were a teddy bear and tries to sleep in.

(( /ponyday))

[Grif]

Not sure if this is against board rules, but it is highly suggestive, though nothing explicit. Spoilered anyway for safety.

Icy found herself back in the snowy roads of her home city. Valhalla. Cold, unforgiving, imposing. Graceful buildings made of ice and stone rose in the skyline.

She began trotting through the silent streets, the city seemingly deserted.

"Hello?" she called. Her voice echoed back. The icy mare bit her lips nervously, as she stared at the white hued buildings around her. This cannot be real. Valhalla was destroyed by Celestia. She witnessed it herself. She must be dreaming. Then another thought struck her. If this is Valhalla, then her home... she took off in a gallop.

Her ancestral home stood on a small hillock on the outskirts of Valhalla. Built in the style of ancient Georgian architeture, the huge mansion have served her family for generations. Icy peered through the big oaken doors that

was left ajar. "Father? Mom? Freezing? Aunt Nelly?" she called out. No response.

She cautiously entered the main living room. Odd, everything seemed to be just as she left the house. The fireplace was still burning. Father's books lay undisturbed on the table. Freezing's favourite pillow lay abandoned on the sofa.

"Ah... quite a nice home you have here, love," she heard a familiar voice speak behind her. Fox?! She whirled around to find the stallion standing at the door, his red eyes twinkling.

"How did you...?" Icy started, before finding her lips silenced with a hoof.

"Love, I'm a stallion with many talents. This is one of them," he said huskily. Unbidden, Icy found her eyes trailing over his toned body and handsome face. She felt heat rising to her face.

She detached herself from the close proximity of the strangely attractive stallion and forced herself to put some distance between herself and Fox. The fireplace seemed like a safe option. "Why... why are you here?" Icy asked, as she stared into the fire.

"For you of course," that husky voice whispered into her left ear. Icy eyes widened as she felt a loving nuzzle on her neck. She felt herself tensing at the pleasurable sensation. No... this isn't right... yet... she... wanted more...

"Icy! How could have started the party without me?!"

Lone Star? The hay?! Her head snapped to the black pegasus who just entered the room, her rising lust momentarily forgotten. Her eyes was drawn to the outstreched wings of the pegasus. Dear Luna... this is awkward. She felt her cheeks blushing deeply again.

"Icy... don't you think we should be doing something else?" the husky voice beside her whispered, as the stallion continued to kiss her on the neck, slowly working his way up her ears.

"I..." Icy closed her eyes as she savoured the kisses. Oh, the electric sensation of each and every one. She felt another set of hooves on touch her shoulders lightly.

"Yes, Icy... just relax," she heard Lone Star whisper as his hooves started to rub sensually on her shoulders. She shivered as the hooves sent jolts of unspeakable sensations running through her body. Icy felt her knees going weak, her mind clouded with lust... Yes... it would so nice to let these two...

Wait... this isn't... right...

This isn't her.

She opened her eyes and turned to look at Fox. "You... you're not real," she said shakily. The stallion gave her a maniacal grin, before dissolving before her very eyes. To reveal her twin standing just before her.

"My, my, Miss Icy Touch. Your fortitude is remarkable," her clone remarked in a sultry voice. Her lilac eyes glinted with amusement. "Pity. I was so close there. I'll be back next time." She blew a kiss to the surprised mare and disappeared.


Icy woke up with a start, sweat drenching her body. She lay in the darkness, waiting for her breathing to return to normal. Curses, why do I have to be afflicted with this now? Then she noticed her forehoof was on something soft... something warm... like... a pegasus wing.

Lone Star?! What's he doing here? For that matter, what was she doing lying next to him?!

She jumped back with a yelp, loud enough to wake the two stallions in the room.

[Benson]

Fox Trot-Next Morning

Fox stirred in his sleep, probably dreaming of something saucy....like maybe some rich tomato sauce with basil...on Icy's belly as he playfully licked it off over a plate of spaghetti. Suddenly a loud yelp woke him, his eyes darted opened as he jumped to his hooves on instinct.

He glanced seeing Miss Icy and Miss Icy only, he forgot about Lone Star for a second. He clumsily swooped over.

"Miss Icy Touch...what-what's the matter?"

[Mindfreak]

[Guardhouse]
Dreamrunner knocked on the guardhouse door.

[Grif]

Fox Trot-Next Morning

Fox stirred in his sleep, probably dreaming of something saucy....like maybe some rich tomato sauce with basil...on Icy's belly as he playfully licked it off over a plate of spaghetti. Suddenly a loud yelp woke him, his eyes darted opened as he jumped to his hooves on instinct.

He glanced seeing Miss Icy and Miss Icy only, he forgot about Lone Star for a second. He clumsily swooped over.

"Miss Icy Touch...what-what's the matter?"

"Fox?!" she exclaimed, her confusion doubling as the two stallions from her dream suddenly popping up in her room. "What are you... oh..." her voice trailed off as she remembered the reason they were here. To... prevent her from turning into... her other side.

The memory of her dream still vivid in her mind, she felt a deep flush rising to her cheeks as she remembered just what dream!Fox did. Icy quickly turned away in embarassment.

"I... err... nothing. Just... just a dream."

You just keep telling yourself that, Miss Icy Touch. *chuckle* We both know how you enjoyed that bit.
I swear, you are both persistently annoying and embarrassing at the same time.



[Guardhouse]
Dreamrunner knocked on the guardhouse door.

A sleepy-looking guard answered. "Yes?"

[Mindfreak]

"Fox?!" she exclaimed, her confusion doubling as the two stallions from her dream suddenly popping up in her room. "What are you... oh..." her voice trailed off as she remembered the reason they were here. To... prevent her from turning into... her other side.

The memory of her dream still vivid in her mind, she felt a deep flush rising to her cheeks as she remembered just what dream!Fox did. Icy quickly turned away in embarassment.

"I... err... nothing. Just... just a dream."

You just keep telling yourself that, Miss Icy Touch. *chuckle* We both know how you enjoyed that bit.
I swear, you are both persistently annoying and embarrassing at the same time.




A sleepy-looking guard answered. "Yes?"
"I need to talk to Lemongrass, and it's urgent."

[Benson]

"Fox?!" she exclaimed, her confusion doubling as the two stallions from her dream suddenly popping up in her room. "What are you... oh..." her voice trailed off as she remembered the reason they were here. To... prevent her from turning into... her other side.

The memory of her dream still vivid in her mind, she felt a deep flush rising to her cheeks as she remembered just what dream!Fox did. Icy quickly turned away in embarassment.

"I... err... nothing. Just... just a dream."

You just keep telling yourself that, Miss Icy Touch. *chuckle* We both know how you enjoyed that bit.
I swear, you are both persistently annoying and embarrassing at the same time.


"A bad dream....involving her?" Fox guessed taking into account of last night's...um, shenanigans. Her frowned giving her a comforting hoof squeeze. "I would like to say it was just a nightmare and that it wasn't real...but-" The stallion frowned and gave another comforting hoof squeeze.

He was tempted to go for a full on hug, but he didn't want take advantage of her current vulnerable state and scare her.

[Grif]

"I need to talk to Lemongrass, and it's urgent."

The guard sighed and said, "One moment please."

After one very long moment, Lemongrass appeared at the door, dishevelled and clearly just woken from sleep. "... Yes, Dreamrunner...?" he asked tiredly.


"A bad dream....involving her?" Fox guessed taking into account of last night's...um, shenanigans. Her frowned giving her a comforting hoof squeeze. "I would like to say it was just a nightmare and that it wasn't real...but-" The stallion frowned and gave another comforting hoof squeeze.

He was tempted to go for a full on hug, but he didn't want take advantage of her current vulnerable state and scare her.

Icy bit her lips nervously. She was so tempted to lie and brush it off, but... it was so real. And lying was never one of her strong suits anyway. After an awkward moment of silence, she finally sighed. "Not exactly. More like... you two. And me. In rather... intimate moments." she said, rather hesitantly. Good grief, had she really admitted to a stallion that she had a sensual dream?

[Mindfreak]

The guard sighed and said, "One moment please."

After one very long moment, Lemongrass appeared at the door, dishevelled and clearly just woken from sleep. "... Yes, Dreamrunner...?" he asked tiredly.
Dreamrunner blushed.
"Lemongrass.....I zink you vill like vhat I got you out ov bed vor."
She kissed him passionately against his lips, her tongue searching deep within his mouth. Her own mouth tasted like strawberries.

[Benson]

Icy bit her lips nervously. She was so tempted to lie and brush it off, but... it was so real. And lying was never one of her strong suits anyway. After an awkward moment of silence, she finally sighed. "Not exactly. More like... you two. And me. In rather... intimate moments." she said, rather hesitantly. Good grief, had she really admitted to a stallion that she had a sensual dream?


Fox flushed a furious shade of red as his imagination took him to places he did not want to go...especially since essentially it was a threesome dream from her wording. Being a guy, he wasn't so sure if he should be turned on or not. She had a sexy dream...involving him.....but it also involved Lone Star, which was squick for him.

"I uh...well, ahem, I um," Ignoring the Lone Star stuff, Fox was still blushing hard at her admittance of her sexy dream,,with him, his mind was still trying to wrap around that. "Miss Icy Touch...I have a request, an odd one. But can you encase my head in a block of ice?"

[Grif]

Fox flushed a furious shade of red as his imagination took him to places he did not want to go...especially since essentially it was a threesome dream from her wording. Being a guy, he wasn't so sure if he should be turned on or not. She had a sexy dream...involving him.....but it also involved Lone Star, which was squick for him.

"I uh...well, ahem, I um," Ignoring the Lone Star stuff, Fox was still blushing hard at her admittance of her sexy dream,,with him, his mind was still trying to wrap around that. "Miss Icy Touch...I have a request, an odd one. But can you encase my head in a block of ice?"

Icy glanced at Fox, just in time to see him blush furiously. Oh gods, now he'll be thinking that I'm some sort of pervert. Why did I even tell him? She felt her own cheek reddening as she knew she did enjoy that part, much as she hated to admit it. "I'm sure... that would not be healthy..." she said, coughing discreetly. Oh what an awkward situation she got herself into.


Dreamrunner blushed.
"Lemongrass.....I zink you vill like vhat I got you out ov bed vor."
She kissed him passionately against his lips, her tongue searching deep within his mouth. Her own mouth tasted like strawberries.

Lemongrass was instantly jolted awake by the move. His eyes widened as her strawberry scented lips hungrily hunted for his own. He wasn't one to miss an opportunity though, and quickly returned the gesture, his own hooves stroking her mane.

"Please, get a room!" he heard somepony yell dimly. He was far too busy care for the moment though.

[Mindfreak]

Lemongrass was instantly jolted awake by the move. His eyes widened as her strawberry scented lips hungrily hunted for his own. He wasn't one to miss an opportunity though, and quickly returned the gesture, his own hooves stroking her mane.

"Please, get a room!" he heard somepony yell dimly. He was far too busy care for the moment though.
She ignored the voice as well, she was intent on only kissing Lemongrass.
Her hooves reached down and just slightly rubbed where his wing met his body while her lips latched onto his like a leech on a pony's body. Her tongue briefly met his. She pulled her lips from his.
"So, vas it vorth being voken up vor?"

[Benson]

Icy glanced at Fox, just in time to see him blush furiously. Oh gods, now he'll be thinking that I'm some sort of pervert. Why did I even tell him? She felt her own cheek reddening as she knew she did enjoy that part, much as she hated to admit it. "I'm sure... that would not be healthy..." she said, coughing discreetly. Oh what an awkward situation she got herself into.

"I, well, still request it, trust me, I'll be fine with having my head frozen over," Fox awkwardly chuckled. He needed to get his pervy head cooled down, lest he jump this mare on the spot and start kissing her lustfully. And that particular action he was imagining would just scare her off as she was trying to battle her other self. Yea, stupid lustful thoughts weren't helping. He took a deep breath to try to compose himself.

[HalfTangible]

He and Icy had come up to this spot as the sun had begun to set - the most beautiful spot in his entire hometown. It was on a cliff overlooking a massive waterfall the flowed down into a sparkling lake below. He laid his head against her side, nuzzling into her neck. She was calm and quiet, ever the dignified ice queen, but she was smiling and was humming when he touched her. She was enjoying his nuzzling affection...

And he couldn't remember the last time he had been so happy... Her blue eyes gazed deeply into his, and she stroked his wings as he moved closer... his lips pressed against-

Lone Star had woken up and noticed Icy had been touching his wing right before she had yelped and jumped back. He had not stood up yet, however, as he was too busy trying to keep his wings on his sides, first from being touched by the mare who had captured his affection, and then from the apparent dream she had involving a threesome that both turned him on and horrified him at the same time. Satisfied that he could keep his wings down (though not limp) he slowly pulled himself up and turned to the two.

Don't kiss her don't kiss her don't kiss her don't kiss her don't kiss her...

"Don't kiss- Uh i mean, don't encase your head in ice, Fox, it'll suffocate you. Maybe an ice pack?"

[Grif]

"I, well, still request it, trust me, I'll be fine with having my head frozen over," Fox awkwardly chuckled. He needed to get his pervy head cooled down, lest he jump this mare on the spot and start kissing her lustfully. And that particular action he was imagining would just scare her off as she was trying to battle her other self. Yea, stupid lustful thoughts weren't helping. He took a deep breath to try to compose himself.


Lone Star had woken up and noticed Icy had been touching his wing right before she had yelped and jumped back. He had not stood up yet, however, as he was too busy trying to keep his wings on his sides, first from being touched by the mare who had captured his affection, and then from the apparent dream she had involving a threesome that both turned him on and horrified him at the same time. Satisfied that he could keep his wings down (though not limp) he slowly pulled himself up and turned to the two.

Don't kiss her don't kiss her don't kiss her don't kiss her don't kiss her...

"Don't kiss- Uh i mean, don't encase your head in ice, Fox, it'll suffocate you. Maybe an ice pack?"

Icy glanced at the two obviously turned on stallions and felt her conflicting desires surface again. Oh dear gods, this has the potential to end very badly for the three of them.

Keep it cool Icy, you're not that kind of mare.
Yes, you are Icy. Don't deny it. *chuckle*
*mental glare* Infernal split personality. Why aren't you trying to take over my mind again anyway?
Oh, I know I can never beat you on a straight fight now. So I'll settle at whittling away at your defenses instead. Getting you in a compromising position with these two was a good start. Also, I find it fun to see you getting embarrassed like that.

"I think I have icepacks downstairs if you really want them," Icy said quickly, not daring to look at the two. Her flushed cheeks were obvious for all to see. She hastily got off the bed and out of the room.


She ignored the voice as well, she was intent on only kissing Lemongrass.
Her hooves reached down and just slightly rubbed where his wing met his body while her lips latched onto his like a leech on a pony's body. Her tongue briefly met his. She pulled her lips from his.
"So, vas it vorth being voken up vor?"

That mare! She really knew how to titillate him in all the right places. Lemongrass closed his eyes for a few seconds, waiting for the pleasurable feeling to pass, for answering Dreamrunner. "Mmm... definitely," he said in a low voice, nuzzling the mare affectionately.

"For Celestia's sake, get a freaking room! This is a guardhouse, not a seedy motel." the voice yelled again, irritably.

[Benson]

After the mare left the room, Fox Trot stayed behind for a few seconds and glanced at Lone Star. He gave him one of those looks, that sort of quiet understanding that two stallions automatically shared with just a simple nod of the head.

Afterwards he left the room.

[HalfTangible]

Icy glanced at the two obviously turned on stallions and felt her conflicting desires surface again. Oh dear gods, this has the potential to end very badly for the three of them.

Keep it cool Icy, you're not that kind of mare.
Yes, you are Icy. Don't deny it. *chuckle*
*mental glare* Infernal split personality. Why aren't you trying to take over my mind again anyway?
Oh, I know I can never beat you on a straight fight now. So I'll settle at whittling away at your defenses instead. Getting you in a compromising position with these two was a good start. Also, I find it fun to see you getting embarrassed like that.

"I think I have icepacks downstairs if you really want them," Icy said quickly, not daring to look at the two. Her flushed cheeks were obvious for all to see. She hastily got off the bed and out of the room.

Lone Star sighed as she left the room. "Well. THAT could have gone better..." He also trotted out of the room after Fox Trot.

[Grif]

After the mare left the room, Fox Trot stayed behind for a few seconds and glanced at Lone Star. He gave him one of those looks, that sort of quiet understanding that two stallions automatically shared with just a simple nod of the head.

Afterwards he left the room.


Lone Star sighed as she left the room. "Well. THAT could have gone better..." He also trotted out of the room after Fox Trot.

Icy busied herself with the mundane matter of cleaning up her kitchen as the two stallions walked in. "Here, your icepack," she said, still not daring to look at both in the eye. Her cheeks were still most definitely flushed. Icy levitated the icepack over to Fox and left another one on the table for Lone Star. "So... sandwich for breakfast?" she offered.

[Benson]

Fox Trot-In Icy's home-Trotting down The Dulcinea Effect

Fox took another deep breath as he walked downstairs. Confound it, he was feeling like such a pervy pony, stupid hormones, stupid...something he couldn't quite identify at the moment. He was usually able to keep his cool around mares and keep himself mentally distant from their pony allures.

But not this darn mare, she triggered something in him, a strange desire to want to be there for her despite only having had met four-five days ago. And that encounter didn't go smoothly, in fact, she didn't even really like him then. Stupid Dulcinea Effect. Argh, sounded like horrible fan fiction.

He huffed, biting his inner cheek and glowered for a moment. This mare...this mare....all she had to do was tell him to jump and he would ask 'how high?'

Gah...oh confound it.

He found Icy downstairs and put on a smile for her. "Thanks," he said accepting the ice pack.

"Sure, a sandwich sounds nice love," He beamed.

[MCerberus]

Waking Up Funny - Mach

Mach gets up from slumping over his newly working creation and almost immediately collapses. Realizing he's been working until passing out, he glances up at the work. Considering what it does, the damn thing kept him from killing himself. It would be a great victory for science if it would just stop spinning. The prize gem he kept from the haul is still there... but it's yellow now. Mach shakes his head and tries to focus. The short passage of time seems to have done more wonders than it should. Feel like he wandered into some poison-

THAT'S IT. Need to tell that mare that they could try coming up with some chemicals known to block- ugh kinda hurts to think.

Mach ends up on the street, flying around slowly in a daze.

[HalfTangible]

"Sure Icy, thanks." Lone Star said cheerfully, trying to help her relax by showing he wasn't weirded out.

He probably wasn't succeeding.

[Crisis21]

[Eric's Place - The best part of waking up :smalltongue:]

Staccata would awaken to the dull roar of breakfast being made in the kitchen, apparently by at least two ponies getting in each other's way.

In the kitchen, Eric and Mike were both attempting to make breakfast without tripping over each other. Issun was making running commentary like a sports commentator while a bright eyed Mica was just enjoying the show.

---------------------------------------

[The Guardhouse Barracks]

Roy woke feeling like he'd be ecstatic when his current training didn't leave him too drained to do more than shower and crash in the guard barracks. He quietly got dressed in his super-heavy training armor and made to leave, only to do a double take at what appeared to be a.... snoring sword? in one of the beds.

"What the...?"

[Grif]

Fox Trot-In Icy's home-Trotting down The Dulcinea Effect

Fox took another deep breath as he walked downstairs. Confound it, he was feeling like such a pervy pony, stupid hormones, stupid...something he couldn't quite identify at the moment. He was usually able to keep his cool around mares and keep himself mentally distant from their pony allures.

But not this darn mare, she triggered something in him, a strange desire to want to be there for her despite only having had met four-five days ago. And that encounter didn't go smoothly, in fact, she didn't even really like him then. Stupid Dulcinea Effect. Argh, sounded like horrible fan fiction.

He huffed, biting his inner cheek and glowered for a moment. This mare...this mare....all she had to do was tell him to jump and he would ask 'how high?'

Gah...oh confound it.

He found Icy downstairs and put on a smile for her. "Thanks," he said accepting the ice pack.

"Sure, a sandwich sounds nice love," He beamed.


"Sure Icy, thanks." Lone Star said cheerfully, trying to help her relax by showing he wasn't weirded out.

He probably wasn't succeeding.

Icy gave them a small smile, and set off to make the sandwich. In between her preparing the ingredients she stole glances at the two stallions. Nope, they were still most definitely... excitable. By Luna, why can't she get the image of the intimate dream out of her head?

Because you enjoyed it Icy.
Shut. Up.
*chuckles*

Finishing the sandwiches she passed over two plates to the pair and munched slowly on her own. Again, her conflicting desires was not helping her appetite.

[HalfTangible]

Lone Star ate at the sandwich, trying to think of something, anything to do or say that would make the whole situation less awkward. He stole glances at her as he chewed the sandwich, occasionally catching her eye. Luna, she was beautiful.

Nononono... don't think about that... DAMMIT WINGS STAY DOWN!! He clapped them to his sides and kept his mind focused on nuns and dead puppies... nuns and live puppies.

[Benson]

Fox tried to hold in a bemused smirk as from the corner of the eye he caught Lone Star having a winger. Well, he couldn't blame Lone Star, Icy really was such a beautiful mare, of course she'd be making him excited.

He took small bites of his sandwich, eating like a quasi-gentlecolt. Naturally he stole glances at the mare as well, putting into memory the cute way this mare ate.

"So, what's on everypony's agenda today?" He casually asked, trying to kill the awkward silence.

[MCerberus]

[Eric's Place - The best part of waking up :smalltongue:]

Staccata would awaken to the dull roar of breakfast being made in the kitchen, apparently by at least two ponies getting in each other's way.

In the kitchen, Eric and Mike were both attempting to make breakfast without tripping over each other. Issun was making running commentary like a sports commentator while a bright eyed Mica was just enjoying the show.

Staccata stumbles into the room adjacent to the kitchen with bloodshot eyes. Too tired to really be in control of her facial expression, she yawns loudly before looking at the breakfast making shenanigans.

It takes a few moments before the scene registers. "Do you have any idea what time it is, and you're going to EAT then?"

[Grif]

Lone Star ate at the sandwich, trying to think of something, anything to do or say that would make the whole situation less awkward. He stole glances at her as he chewed the sandwich, occasionally catching her eye. Luna, she was beautiful.

Nononono... don't think about that... DAMMIT WINGS STAY DOWN!! He clapped them to his sides and kept his mind focused on nuns and dead puppies... nuns and live puppies.


Fox tried to hold in a bemused smirk as from the corner of the eye he caught Lone Star having a winger. Well, he couldn't blame Lone Star, Icy really was such a beautiful mare, of course she'd be making him excited.

He took small bites of his sandwich, eating like a quasi-gentlecolt. Naturally he stole glances at the mare as well, putting into memory the cute way this mare ate.

"So, what's on everypony's agenda today?" He casually asked, trying to kill the awkward silence.

"I... err... I don't think I have anything planned today," Icy said.

Maybe you could spend time with the two. They look so eager too. Especially that pegasus.

Icy glanced at the not-so-hidden winger Lone Star was desperately trying to hide. *Mental facehoof* The memory of the dream massage resurfaced with a vengence. She quickly buried her face in the sandwich, hoping that nopony else noticed she had just oogled a stallion.

Oh for Luna sake, why do I put up with this?
Because you have no other choice darlin'.

[Mystic Muse]

[All just a dream. For now.]


Warning. This has been changed from "Awkward" to "Nightmare" and I'm not very good at writing stuff like this.
Smoothie had finally decided that she had enough of this world and just decided to retreat into her plane and never come out. Well, that kind of sucked. Smoothie would have been a great asset in the fight against the dark forces. Ah well, Her loss.

Soft was still pissed from yesterday. She probably wasn't going to kill anybody today though. Gwyn was certainly a possibility, but she wasn't going to Gwyn's tower, so it was unlikely she would kill Gwyn anyway. Unless Reginald kept arguing with her, in which case she might.

It was then that the local mail pony gave her a letter. It was marked "Urgent" and from her family. This couldn't be good.

"Canterlot has fallen. Celestia and Luna have been killed. I'm sorry, but your daughter Hullabaloo and your sister Sunny are dead. Please, I know you're busy, but please help us. Help us get out of here to someplace safe."

Tears filled Soft's eyes. Sunny and Hullabaloo? Why? Hullabaloo was a freaking three year old and Sunny wasn't a threat to anybody. All Sunny wanted to do was have Equestria be at peace again so she could start hugging ponies again. After a good long cry, she vowed to go to Canterlot and save the rest of her family. Smoothie would at least allow them into her plane to protect them.

Sadly, riding a Pegasus there wasn't an option. She'd have to use her long range teleport spell. It wasn't a spell with fun results but it would have to do. She got to her home as quickly as possible, and somehow, somehow managed to get the rest of her family to safety in Smoothie's plane.

Soft wasn't sure what to do at this point.

Get revenge. Chrysamere communicated through telepathy. That was sounding awful good right now. She went back to Canterlot to track down the killers. She was going to get revenge for Luna, Hullabaloo, Sunny, and even Celestia. Luckily, it didn't take long to track down the one responsible for killing Luna. For one, it's kind of hard to remain inconspicuous when you keep boasting that you've just killed the ruler of Equestria. For another, as soon as he saw Soft, he ran and he wasn't very fast. She soon pinned him down and put Chrysamere at his throat.

"Please don't kill me. I was only doing my job." he said as Soft pressed Chrysamere closer to his throat, drawing blood and putting it into a vial with telekinesis. "What is that for?" He asked. The material component for a scrying spell. You've served your purpose now. Soft said sternly "Does that mean you'll let me go?" he asked hopefully Hell no. she said as she pressed Chrysamere through his throat, taking pleasure in his gaze as she watched the life slowly ebb out of him.

She soon found the particular spell she was looking for and tracked down the others. She slaughtered them all, and she made sure it was painful for each and every one of them. They killed Hullabaloo, Luna, Celestia, and Sunny. As far as Soft was concerned, they didn't deserve mercy and they wouldn't get it. However, this victory felt hollow. It wasn't complete. I'm not going to stop until every last one of these guys is dead. she vowed.

You know, as much as I like killing these ponies, there's a certain pony on the outskirts of Bridle Shores that would probably help you be much more effective at it.

Soft thought about this for a minute. She was investing a lot into redeeming Gwyn, hoping that one day, she could help reclaim Equestria and get it back to the way it was. However, Hullabaloo, Celestia, Luna, and Sunny were all dead. Equestria would never be back to the way it was, not for her anyway. However, she could still reclaim it.

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Let's go talk to Gwyn. Soft says to Chrysamere. She teleported to Gwyn's tower. She wasn't going to bother with the trek back, or even with going back to her bar. As far as she was concerned, the bar was closed and it was never re-opening. Ever. She started walking around the tower looking for Gwyn. After a little while she found her. Gwyn had her usual reaction to Soft Go to Hell you stupid Paladin. the plum mare said and turned her back to the stupid Paladin.

This just made Soft more pissed off. She didn't care about Gwyn's stupid problems with her, and she didn't care that Paladins weren't supposed to learn these stupid spells. All she wanted was revenge, and she wanted it to be horrible and painful, and Gwyn was going to help her whether she liked it or not. Soft tackled her and pinned her to the ground.

I know you don't like me. You think I'm a stick in the mud Paladin who just wants her happy little life back and wants everybody to be on her side and blah blah blah, Paladin oath this, blah blah blah, redeem you that. Well **** that. I'm done trying to redeem you, and I'm done trying to get my old life back. These bastards killed my daughter, my sister, and my god, and all I want now is revenge. You are going to help me.

Ho hum. I don't care about your family or your personal vendettas. What's in this for me? Gwyn asked.

If you help me, and teach me every single horrible painful spell you know, I'll break the stupid remote permanently giving you access to your level six spells and nobody would be able to control you again. Just leave Bridles Shores alone and give me the opportunity to eviscerate whoever did this and use their bloody skull as a mug. Preferably while they're still alive. Soft says.

Okay, first of all, ew that's gross. Second, fine. Just leave me alone afterward. Gwyn says getting steadily more irritated by the stupid Paladin. Done. Soft said, getting off of Gwyn and letting her get up.

After a while, she began a training Montage with Gwyn, learning the most horrible painful spells one could imagine, while "When You're Evil" played as montage music. Huh. I do believe I've just corrupted a Paladin. Ho hum. Now do what you promised. Gwyn said at the end.

Soft thought about this for a moment. She didn't have to keep her bargain, and it was unlikely Gwyn would keep hers. However, she did make a promise. She crushed the remote like an insect. There, You got what I promised you. Now, I'm going to get revenge. Goodbye.


Soft wakes up in a cold sweat gasping. That...that couldn't actually happen. Could it?


She thought back to the two she killed yesterday. Her detect evil ability can tell her why a pony is being detected as evil, but she didn't even take notice. She just looked at the "evil" label and snuffed them out without blinking. As far as she knew they were being mind controlled. She didn't even know why they were evil, and she snuffed their lives out like candle flames.

...What have I been doing? she asked herself.


You have been doing your job in keeping Equestria safe. Nothing more. It was a dream Soft, don't take it seriously.

But what about the two yesterday?

They poisoned your friend and gave her a split personality that lets out her evil side. They needed to die.

But we don't even know what they did! Reginald was right. They didn't deserve to die when I'm trying to keep alive and redeem a genocidal maniac.

Gwyn has extenuating circumstances. She could be useful in bringing the fight in Equestria to an end. They were mooks and useless.

*Sigh* you're right. I don't know why I try and argue with you when you always win. I'll go talk to Gwyn some more today. Maybe drop in unannounced with some nice cookies and Pina Coladas. It's not as if she'll let me in if I tell her I'm coming anyway. Soft says and gets up to make the aforementioned cookies and Pina Coladas

[Mindfreak]

That mare! She really knew how to titillate him in all the right places. Lemongrass closed his eyes for a few seconds, waiting for the pleasurable feeling to pass, for answering Dreamrunner. "Mmm... definitely," he said in a low voice, nuzzling the mare affectionately.

"For Celestia's sake, get a freaking room! This is a guardhouse, not a seedy motel." the voice yelled again, irritably.
Dreamrunner chuckled and nuzzled his neck.
"I zought you might like it. Vant to go back to my hotel room? Zere's a couple hours before you have to go on duty zat ve can spend togezer...doing you know vhat."
She trailed her hoof on his chest.

[Benson]

Fox Trot-Icy's House

Of course Fox saw as he was watching her, but he didn't comment. Instead he just put on a lop sided smile.

"Ah...perhaps we could-" He frowned as his com link in his saddle bag made a few 8-Bits sounds that vaguely resembled the music to 'Winter Wrap-Up'. His saddle bag was in the hallway where he had left last nice upon entering Icy's home.

"Um, please excuse me beautiful," He briefly nodded and trotted out of the kitchen.
--

A few moments later he returned with an irritated expression which he quickly dropped for a pleasant expression.

"Where was I...oh yea, perhaps we can learn more about eachother. I would like to know more about the mare..." He put on a charmer smirk. "...who ensnared my heart."

[Crisis21]

Staccata stumbles into the room adjacent to the kitchen with bloodshot eyes. Too tired to really be in control of her facial expression, she yawns loudly before looking at the breakfast making shenanigans.

It takes a few moments before the scene registers. "Do you have any idea what time it is, and you're going to EAT then?"

"....and it's a near collision with the pancakes for Eric! He's really going to have to get on the ball or he's going to lose the grilled fruit he's making. Oh dear, it looks like Mike is losing his grip on the pancakes. They're going to fall! GREAT save by Mike Jones there fillies and colts..."

"Good morning Staccata," Mica says cheerfully, managing to ignore Issun's commentary to focus on their guest. "Would you like some tea?"

Staccata can see that Mica is sipping calmly from a teacup and has a steaming kettle nearby, safely away from the potential breakfast carnage that is Eric and Mike.

[Benson]

Gwynfillion-The Tower in Deep Dark of the Northern Forest


"Wakey wakey master...mistress...or whichever you prefer," Ink Noir cheerfully awoke Gwynfillion with a nudge of of his muzzle. It was late in the afternoon in this timeline for Gwynfillion. Here in the gloomy dark, dank forest where the beasts roamed free ready to prey on ponies who foolishly entered unprepared.

"I ought to kill you for waking me up so early," Gwynfillion muttered as she slowly opened her eyes in a bad mood, which wasn't really much of a surprise. Last night the plum mare and Ink had gaily spent the night coming up with all sorts of ways of disposing of those dang ponies out there. It was fun in all honesty. Nothing like plotting the demise of those you hate with a lackey that shared a similar mindset. It was rather therapeutic in all honesty.

"You probably should, but at the moment I'm still in the safe zone, hahah. Also, its the afternoon, not morning," Ink chuckled as he stepped away from the irate mare.

"What do you want for breakfast, we got waffles by the way just so you know," The stallion casually asked making his way to the kitchen. The second floor, which also counted as the main floor, consisted of a kitchen and livingroom, the mare had fallen asleep on the old couch in there.

"There's actual food in here?" Gwynfillion asked as she peeked over the couch and watched the stallion go about making breakfast.

"Hmm...can you make cookies....with...dried fruit pieces?" She asked curiously resting her chin on the couch back with her hooves draped over now. It looked kinda cute.

"Huh? Um..Maybe, but I don't have the proper ingredients for cookies...I was just going to ignore any request of yours and make waffles anyway. We all ready have the box mix for it," Ink said with a wink and continued preparing the mix.

"Well darn...Soft would have made me cookies right now...if she didn't loathe me the way I loathe her," Gwynfillion muttered loud enough for Ink to hear.

"Ya mean that dumb paladin broad?" Ink asked as he poured the batter into the hot waffle iron.

"Hey...calling her a dumb paladin is reserved for me only," The plum mare growled causing the stallion to flinch a little. "You know what, I want cookies with dried fruit pieces now, not waffles. Go into town and get the ingredients."

"But..but paladin...detect evil," Ink protested.

"Undetectable Alignment," Her horn glowed and washed over him. 'There, no more stupid excuses. Now go."


And he was off to comply to his grouchy master's fickle wishes. This left Gwynfillion to her own doings as she levitated his mess in the kitchen and dropped the dishes and cookware in the sink.

She teleported into the garden down below and laid on that bench from yesterday. She laid on her back with her hooves towards her body, she looked kinda cute just laying there with her eyes closed. You almost forgot she was a sociopath.

[Grif]

Dreamrunner chuckled and nuzzled his neck.
"I zought you might like it. Vant to go back to my hotel room? Zere's a couple hours before you have to go on duty zat ve can spend togezer...doing you know vhat."
She trailed her hoof on his chest.

Lemongrass was tempted. So very tempted indeed. And that kiss already had him wanting more. His slightly flared wings didn't help either... Cripe. That training with the sword. He was supposed to prepare for it. And the captain don't take none too kindly to any who were late.

With an apolegetic look, she replied, "Sorry sweetie, but the captain assigned me to baby-sitting a... new recruit. I'm not sure if I have the time..." The look on his face was torn between desire and duty.


Fox Trot-Icy's House

Of course Fox saw as he was watching her, but he didn't comment. Instead he just put on a lop sided smile.

"Ah...perhaps we could-" He frowned as his com link in his saddle bag made a few 8-Bits sounds that vaguely resembled the music to 'Winter Wrap-Up'. His saddle bag was in the hallway where he had left last nice upon entering Icy's home.

"Um, please excuse me beautiful," He briefly nodded and trotted out of the kitchen.
--

A few moments later he returned with an irritated expression which he quickly dropped for a pleasant expression.

"Where was I...oh yea, perhaps we can learn more about eachother. I would like to know more about the mare..." He put on a charmer smirk. "...who ensnared my heart."

Icy was too distracted to notice his brief change in demanour. She did however catch his next words. "Bwuh?" Icy nearly spat out the morsel that she was chewing on. He... he what? Did he just profess his affection for her?

My, my. I think he just put the charm on you.

Coughing somewhat, she said, "What... what did you say?"

[Zjoot]

[Still in a Forest Somewhere]

Vermillion woke up with a terrible pain in his neck. Oh how he hated sleeping on the hard ground. He yawned as he stretched out and twisted his neck, relieving the ache with a cracking sound. He saw that Nimbus was already awake. He was sitting with his back against a tree and keeping a leaf in the air by blowing it upwards, letting it drift back down, then sending it up once again. "You're up early. How long you been awake?"

"Oh, for a while now," answered Nimbus casually, without looking away from the leaf. "Woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. Bad dreams, ya know?"

"Ah I see." Vermillion knew that his friend was often plagued by nightmares, and with a past like his, it would be wierd if he wasn't. He also knew his friend well enough to know that despite his casual tone, he really was bothered by the dreams, but there was no use pressing the subject.

"I took the liberty of flying up and scouting out the area. That town you mentioned is actually pretty close. If we leave now, we could probably get there by midday."

"The sooner the better," Vermillion said, as he slung his pack over his back and put on his fancy-looking hat. "Lead the way."

And with that, the two young stallions set off towards the town of Bridle Shores.

[Mindfreak]

Lemongrass was tempted. So very tempted indeed. And that kiss already had him wanting more. His slightly flared wings didn't help either... Cripe. That training with the sword. He was supposed to prepare for it. And the captain don't take none too kindly to any who were late.

With an apolegetic look, he replied, "Sorry sweetie, but the captain assigned me to baby-sitting a... new recruit. I'm not sure if I have the time..." The look on his face was torn between desire and duty.
"Zat's probably true, you did hold up vor a remarkable long time yesterday, longer zen any ozer pony before you. Zen you should come by vhen you get off vrom vork. Do I need to provide some.....incentive?"
She nuzzled his neck affectionately.

[HalfTangible]

Icy was too distracted to notice his brief change in demanour. She did however catch his next words. "Bwuh?" Icy nearly spat out the morsel that she was chewing on. He... he what? Did he just profess his affection for her?

My, my. I think he just put the charm on you.

Coughing somewhat, she said, "What... what did you say?"

"He wants to know more about the mare who has ensnared his heart..." Lone Star looked down, winger gone completely now. "...and mine."

[MCerberus]

"....and it's a near collision with the pancakes for Eric! He's really going to have to get on the ball or he's going to lose the grilled fruit he's making. Oh dear, it looks like Mike is losing his grip on the pancakes. They're going to fall! GREAT save by Mike Jones there fillies and colts..."

"Good morning Staccata," Mica says cheerfully, managing to ignore Issun's commentary to focus on their guest. "Would you like some tea?"

Staccata can see that Mica is sipping calmly from a teacup and has a steaming kettle nearby, safely away from the potential breakfast carnage that is Eric and Mike.

Staccata mumbles something that may or may not be a thank you before embracing the sweet magic of caffeine. The second cup she manages to remember to put honey in the cup to make it more acceptable. She thinks about a dream she had... and now it's gone.

"I suppose they will be plenty of time to sleep stuck at-" *yawn*. That's not going to be much fun. Maybe she'll use the floating sword thing to keep sharp. A full day... lounging... it'll drive her crazy. About then Staccata realizes she doesn't have her haunch armor or cloak covering her mark. An odd thing to worry about, but slightly uncomfortable. "Hopefully that 'permanent solution' appears."

[Benson]

Icy was too distracted to notice his brief change in demanour. She did however catch his next words. "Bwuh?" Icy nearly spat out the morsel that she was chewing on. He... he what? Did he just profess his affection for her?

My, my. I think he just put the charm on you.

Coughing somewhat, she said, "What... what did you say?"


"He wants to know more about the mare who has ensnared his heart..." Lone Star looked down, winger gone completely now. "...and mine."



"Exactly what he said. Despite the shenanigans with your other personality, my opinion of you as not changed nor apparently has Lone Star's. Beautiful...you've ensnared my heart," Fox leaned his head against a forehoof, tendrils of his black mane falling over his eyes, a lop sided smirk. "Please...be gentle."

Fox Trot knew he came off as cheese-ball and probably inappropriate in his timing considering her confession of her dream. But...but...he couldn't help it....he was just.......a smitten school colt stallion...who just happened to be forward and not shy.

[Mystic Muse]

A little while later, Soft finished the cookies and Pina coladas, and started trekking towards Gwyn's. She passed by the cookie shop on the way there, and noticed a cultist who had apparently tried to hide himself with an undetectable alignment spell. Silly cultist, you can't stop Soft Serve's detect evil with such a basic spell.

Meh, he wasn't worth the trouble of going out of her way. She still made sure he tripped and fell face first into a conveniently placed puddle for the lulz though.

She got to the tower a little while later, and began searching for Gwyn, finally finding her in the gardens. She dropped the cookies in front of Gwyn, and set down the pitcher of Pina Colada.

Sorry for being a grade-A bitch yesterday. she says.

[Benson]

She got to the tower a little while later, and began searching for Gwyn, finally finding her in the gardens. She dropped the cookies in front of Gwyn, and set down the pitcher of Pina Colada.

Sorry for being a grade-A bitch yesterday. she says.

"Bhuh?" Gwynfillion sputtered as she opened her eyes. She had been resting, not sleeping however, but just resting and enjoying the warmth from lounging in the sun. She was still laying on her back with her cute little soft furred belly exposed. Her blissful look immediately dropped into a scowl.

However the smell of warm cookies wafted into her nose brought back a small, small smile. How these things made her feel disgustingly warm, she'd never know.

"What do you want?" She asked neither pissy nor relaxed. More like indifferent. She also tried to pretend she didn't notice the cookies.

[Mystic Muse]

"Bhuh?" Gwynfillion sputtered as she opened her eyes. She had been resting, not sleeping however, but just resting and enjoying the warmth from lounging in the sun. She was still laying on her back with her cute little soft furred belly exposed. Her blissful look immediately dropped into a scowl.

However the smell of warm cookies wafted into her nose brought back a small, small smile. How these things made her feel disgusting warm, she'd never know.

"What do you want?" She asked neither pissy nor relaxed. More like indifferent. She also tried to pretend she didn't notice the cookies.

To apologize for overreacting and threatening to kill you yesterday. Soft says simply. Here. I brought cookies and an entire pitcher of Pina Colada. She says pushing the cookies closer.

[Benson]

To apologize for overreacting and threatening to kill you yesterday. Soft says simply. Here. I brought cookies and an entire pitcher of Pina Colada. She says pushing the cookies closer.

"Yea you did overreact on that particular instance, and I bet you even forgot the important thing I said before you decided to give me the boot. I remember of course, I remember everything that's told to me and what I say," Gwynfillion glanced down hungrily at the cookies but stayed laying on the bench, looking up at the sky.

"Thank-you, and unless there's anything else you want to bother me with or say, I want you to leave me alone. I was happily laying here by myself," Gwynfillion remained in an indifferent tone, she wasn't in the mood to start arguing. Right now she was just content to look up at the sky, even if it made her feel so small, an insignificant speck of her former self.

[Mystic Muse]

"Yea you did overreact on that particular instance, and I bet you even forgot the important thing I said before you decided to give me the boot. I remember of course, I remember everything that's told to me and what I say," Gwynfillion glanced down hungrily at the cookies but stayed laying on the bench, looking up at the sky.

If I recall correctly it was
"So what, you're going to kill me because I admitted to experiencing an influx of new feelings that aren't anger and hate possibly? Hmmph, I see how it is. I think I'll just take some cookies and go, get out of your mane. You don't want me around anyway hence why you told me I could have the tower. Not that I want to be around here anyway."




"Thank-you, and unless there's anything else you want to bother me with or say, I want you to leave me alone. I was happily laying here by myself," Gwynfillion remained in an indifferent tone, she wasn't in the mood to start arguing. Right now she was just content to look up at the sky, even if it made her feel so small, an insignificant speck of her former self.

I'm staying here for at least a bit. If I make an entire pitcher of Pina Colada, I'm drinking some too. Plus, if I want to give you a chance to be redeemed, you're going to need a friend. Not just Wrymple as a morality pet. Soft says, though she doesn't take any of the Pina colada yet.

[Benson]

If I recall correctly it was
"So what, you're going to kill me because I admitted to experiencing an influx of new feelings that aren't anger and hate possibly? Hmmph, I see how it is. I think I'll just take some cookies and go, get out of your mane. You don't want me around anyway hence why you told me I could have the tower. Not that I want to be around here anyway."


Gwynfillion just 'hmmphs' at Soft's copypasta of Benson's post.


I'm staying here for at least a bit. If I make an entire pitcher of Pina Colada, I'm drinking some too. Plus, if I want to give you a chance to be redeemed, you're going to need a friend. Not just Wrymple as a morality pet. Soft says, though she doesn't take any of the Pina colada yet.

"I...I don't need a friend, or whatever it is that you described before, never needed one in the epoch I've been around," Gwynfillion nickered keeping her eyes at the sky. "Wrymple's not my morality pet...it's my...fr-...um, gross little pest that hangs around. Actually...its a bit like me. Not right now, but when it grows up...its just going to destroy and devour, be hated, be targeted as something to kill. But it's just doing what it only knows what to do." Gwynfillion's voice was soft, placid, tired as her iris eyes continued looking at the sky.

Gwynfillion stepped down from the bench, her mane fluttering a little. She hadn't looked at Soft during this whole ordeal but instead kept her eyes averted. There was something about that this wretched garden that distracted her, ever since yesterday when she first stepped in here and actually just lazed around, she found herself thinking more than usual.

"Fine, you can stay, but only here in the garden. My tower's off limits, I want to keep a semblance of privacy," She snorted as she drifted off to go search for weeds to kill that were choking the flowers trying to blossom.

[Mystic Muse]

"I...I don't need a friend, or whatever it is that you described before, never needed one in the epoch I've been around," Gwynfillion nickered keeping her eyes at the sky. "Wrymple's not my morality pet...it's my...fr-...um, gross little pest that hangs around. Actually...its a bit like me. Not right now, but when it grows up...its just going to destroy and devour, be hated, be targeted as something to kill. But it's just doing what it only knows what to do." Gwynfillion's voice was soft, placid, tired as her iris eyes continued looking at the sky.

You're not a worm Gwyn. You're completely capable of doing something other than what you've been taught. Soft retorts.



Gwynfillion stepped down from the bench, her mane fluttering a little. She hadn't looked at Soft during this whole ordeal but instead kept her eyes averted. There was something about that this wretched garden that distracted her, ever since yesterday when she first stepped in here and actually just lazed around, she found herself thinking more than usual.

"Fine, you can stay, but only here in the garden. My tower's off limits, I want to keep a semblance of privacy," She snorted as she drifted off to go search for weeds to kill that were choking the flowers trying to blossom.
Fine. I'll stay out of your tower as long as you don't give me any reason to believe I need to go in there. Soft says now pouring a glass of Pina Colada.

[Benson]

You're not a worm Gwyn. You're completely capable of doing something other than what you've been taught. Soft retorts.

Gwynfillion doesn't say anything but continues to kill weeds nor does she look at her still.



Fine. I'll stay out of your tower as long as you don't give me any reason to believe I need to go in there. Soft says now pouring a glass of Pina Colada.

The plum mare silently muses the consequences of Soft ever finding out what she's been up to. Without a doubt she knew Soft would have her head...but...but-

The mare continued on killing weeds and then moved on to repairing the broken fountain with her magic. Her mind was somewhere else, drifting in between thoughts of wanting Soft gone and out of her life, and to thoughts about why she wasn't feeling so enraged right now. Normally Gwynfillion would be yelling at the mare, wishing her death and ill will. Screaming at her, insulting her, threatening her, hating her.

But right now Gwynfillion...was just not in the mood, not even in the mood to look at the miserable mare. Suddenly there was a loud rumbling roar from within the deep dark and dreary forest, as a loud thud followed causing the ground to shake.

The pina colada spilled over.

[Mystic Muse]

*sigh* try to be nice and be a friend, try to make amends for something stupid you did, and the universe rewards you by interrupting the moment with a dragon or something. Well you know what universe? Bigby's expressive single digit!

Yes, Soft is flipping off the universe.

*Sigh* feel like fighting this thing with me or am I going to do it myself? Soft asks Gwyn.

[Benson]

*sigh* try to be nice and be a friend, try to make amends for something stupid you did, and the universe rewards you by interrupting the moment with a dragon or something. Well you know what universe? Bigby's expressive single digit!

Yes, Soft is flipping off the universe.

*Sigh* feel like fighting this thing with me or am I going to do it myself? Soft asks Gwyn.

"Fighting with you? Don't be absurd. I'm only going to engage in combat for the challenge...and to protect my tower," Gwynfillion snorted as her body tensed up as she kept herself alerted for the whatever it was out there. She did however briefly chuckle at Soft's little expression against the universe, for indeed the universe sucked as it had screwed over the plum mare as well.

The rumbling became louder as from the tall evergreen trees a gigantic reddish winged dragon shot out towards the sky as it silhouetted in front of the sun casting its shadow on the two mares in the garden. It screeched and dove downward seeing an easy meal. A seemingly easy meal.

"Well Soft...it looks like I will be having my sofa upholstered with leather tonight," The mare confidently said as the dragon swooped down to grab at the mares with a claw.

[Mystic Muse]

"Well Soft...it looks like I will be having my sofa upholstered with leather tonight," The mare confidently said as the dragon swooped down to grab at the mares with a claw.

And it looks like I'll be attaining that dragon skin armor. You want to keep the head or should I? Soft asks as she draws Chrysamere. She dodges the claw but just barely and attempts to send a bolt of ice towards the dragon. The universe is probably being a jerk again and this is actually an ice dragon who decided to use a disguise self spell or something stupid like that.

[Benson]

Within the deep dark depths of The Blighted Weald



And it looks like I'll be attaining that dragon skin armor. You want to keep the head or should I? Soft asks as she draws Chrysamere. She dodges the claw but just barely and attempts to send a bolt of ice towards the dragon. The universe is probably being a jerk again and this is actually an ice dragon who decided to use a disguise self spell or something stupid like that.


"Ew,that's just gross and gawdy....you can keep the head," Says the plum mare who doesn't mind getting covered in the blood of her victims during combat.

The dragon seems to shrug off the feeble ice-element attack with a swipe of the wing and aims for grabbing the plum mare. It swoops down and attempts to snatch her. However, Gwynfillion jumps onto the claw and tries to ram her horn in between a scale to the fleshy part. But is shaken off as the dragon retreats to the high sky again. The mare plummets again, just like in her first appearance to the ground. A crater is formed from the impact, sigh.

The dragon seems to be making a hoarse smoky guffawing noise from its throat. This battle was not going to be easy. In it's large ruddy black eyes, it looked as if though the pupils were made of dark black swirls. Not that of course our ponies down here could see its eyes in detail at the moment.

[Grif]

"Zat's probably true, you did hold up vor a remarkable long time yesterday, longer zen any ozer pony before you. Zen you should come by vhen you get off vrom vork. Do I need to provide some.....incentive?"
She nuzzled his neck affectionately.

Lemongrass found himself blushing at the compliment. "Yea... perhaps after work. And I think I don't need an incentive after yesterday." He gave her a lick on the muzzle and winked.


"He wants to know more about the mare who has ensnared his heart..." Lone Star looked down, winger gone completely now. "...and mine."



"Exactly what he said. Despite the shenanigans with your other personality, my opinion of you as not changed nor apparently has Lone Star's. Beautiful...you've ensnared my heart," Fox leaned his head against a forehoof, tendrils of his black mane falling over his eyes, a lop sided smirk. "Please...be gentle."

Fox Trot knew he came off as cheese-ball and probably inappropriate in his timing considering her confession of her dream. But...but...he couldn't help it....he was just.......a smitten school colt stallion...who just happened to be forward and not shy.

Icy found herself blushing more than she had for the past decade of life.

By Luna, this is getting very awkward.
Well? Are you going to keep those two waiting?

"I... err... what do you want to know?" she managed to stammer out, as her eyes flitted between the two stallions. Her sandwich lay on the plate, totally forgotten.

[Benson]

Icy found herself blushing more than she had for the past decade of life.

By Luna, this is getting very awkward.
Well? Are you going to keep those two waiting?

"I... err... what do you want to know?" she managed to stammer out, as her eyes flitted between the two stallions. Her sandwich lay on the plate, totally forgotten.

"Well beautiful...first off I'll go for something easy, what's your favorite food?" He asked giving her a playful grin pushing tendrils of mane from his face, over his head with a hoof.

[Grif]

"Well beautiful...first off I'll go for something easy, what's your favorite food?" He asked giving her a playful grin pushing tendrils of mane from his face, over his head with a hoof.

Food, food. This should be easy enough.
Heh heh. Why don't you say you like your boys dark and handsome?
If I could strangle you for that answer, I will! I swear! Now shut up.

Icy took a deep breath again, before answering. "I like... Chinese. Literally grew up on those when I was in high school. My favourite dish was stir-fried noodles with sesame and soy sauce." Her dichromatic eyes shifted to the half-eaten sandwich on her plate, as if she felt guilty about the whole thing.

[Benson]

Food, food. This should be easy enough.
Heh heh. Why don't you say you like your boys dark and handsome?
If I could strangle you for that answer, I will! I swear! Now shut up.

Icy took a deep breath again, before answering. "I like... Chinese. Literally grew up on those when I was in high school. My favorite dish was stir-fried noodles with sesame and soy sauce." Her dichromatic eyes shifted to the half-eaten sandwich on her plate, as if she felt guilty about the whole thing.


"Stir-fry noodles eh?" He lay his chin on a forehoof and looked at the mare putting this little factoid to memory. "What about hobbies, love? And of course...you can ask me questions as well, tis only fair in this information exchange."

[Orzel]

Grills/ Room 403

Today would be a good day. No hangover. No nightmares. Grills' sleep was peaceful for once in his life.

He woke up an made coffee. There wasn't snout cream for his preferred style so he added sugar. Went down so good he ended up making another.

The chocolate stallion put on his uniform and started on the street. He searched for is addictions: mares, booze, violence, and mission completion.

There was only one sector of town he didn't comb yet but the travel would kill his schedule. The mare issue was handled unless he needed reassurance.. which he didn't. Butt whoop would ruin his good clothes. So that left booze. But it was soooo early.

Maybe today would not be a good day. He shot up a bright jet of flame out of frustration.

"No mares to hit on. No alcohol to sip on. No fools to beat on. How is a pony supposed to deal with his problems?"

[Mindfreak]

Lemongrass found himself blushing at the compliment. "Yea... perhaps after work. And I think I don't need an incentive after yesterday." He gave her a lick on the muzzle and winked.
She smiled.
"But I have to give you somezing to help you through ze vork day......."
She then got an idea and kissed him again, her lips were hungry. Her tongue pushed deep within, searching for his tongue. Her lips melded with his. She rubbed his wing joint slowly.

[Crisis21]

Staccata mumbles something that may or may not be a thank you before embracing the sweet magic of caffeine. The second cup she manages to remember to put honey in the cup to make it more acceptable. She thinks about a dream she had... and now it's gone.

"I suppose they will be plenty of time to sleep stuck at-" *yawn*. That's not going to be much fun. Maybe she'll use the floating sword thing to keep sharp. A full day... lounging... it'll drive her crazy. About then Staccata realizes she doesn't have her haunch armor or cloak covering her mark. An odd thing to worry about, but slightly uncomfortable. "Hopefully that 'permanent solution' appears."

"Don't worry," Mica says kindly as Eric and Mike start serving breakfast, "we'll help you figure something out."

[HalfTangible]

Food, food. This should be easy enough.
Heh heh. Why don't you say you like your boys dark and handsome?
If I could strangle you for that answer, I will! I swear! Now shut up.

Icy took a deep breath again, before answering. "I like... Chinese. Literally grew up on those when I was in high school. My favourite dish was stir-fried noodles with sesame and soy sauce." Her dichromatic eyes shifted to the half-eaten sandwich on her plate, as if she felt guilty about the whole thing.

"Where are you from?" Lone Star asked biting at his own sandwich.

[MCerberus]

"Don't worry," Mica says kindly as Eric and Mike start serving breakfast, "we'll help you figure something out."

Usually accustomed to skipping out on breakfast, Staccata only takes a small serving of fruit to be polite. Now slightly more awake, she's able to actually start thinking. This whole situation seemed almost normal compared to everything else. That makes it weird.

"This town is crazy enough to make me nostalgic for where I grew up. Bridle Shores just seems a few town-wide musical numbers away, discounting the invasions." That's about the closest Staccata can do for normal breakfast table conversation.

[Grif]

"Stir-fry noodles eh?" He lay his chin on a forehoof and looked at the mare putting this little factoid to memory. "What about hobbies, love? And of course...you can ask me questions as well, tis only fair in this information exchange."

"Hobbies... well, I do play Ponyhammer, which Lone Star probably already knows." She glanced at the pegasus and gave him a small smirk, before continuing. "I also do read novels and sometimes do ice sculpting. You won't see the results of the latter though. I often just melt them after carving some horrible abomination of art." Icy eyed Fox with a curious look. "And what do you do? You look the type to enjoy the night-life."

By Luna, this sappy romantic conversation is boring me. Wake me when we get to the good part. Preferably when we're already in intimate distance.
Do I even need to hear that?


"Where are you from?" Lone Star asked biting at his own sandwich.

"Valhalla, one of the great cities of the North." She frowned before correcting herself. "One of the former great cities of the North." Her tone left no doubt that Valhalla was probably no more at this point of time. (Was razed to the ground by Celestia's army during the wars.)


She smiled.
"But I have to give you somezing to help you through ze vork day......."
She then got an idea and kissed him again, her lips were hungry. Her tongue pushed deep within, searching for his tongue. Her lips melded with his. She rubbed his wing joint slowly.

Lemongrass closed his eyes again as he hungrily accepted her kiss. His tongue danced with hers. He had to stifle a moan when she reached back to massage his sensitive spot again. The pegasus involuntarily pulled her closer as she did so.

[Mindfreak]

Lemongrass closed his eyes again as he hungrily accepted her kiss. His tongue danced with hers. He had to stifle a moan when she reached back to massage his sensitive spot again. The pegasus involuntarily pulled her closer as she did so.

Dreamrunner was pulled willingly closer to Lemongrass, their chests were connecting. She pulled out of the kiss and gave him a quick lick on his wing joint. She looked up at him with innocent eyes.
"Just remember, if you don't come over, I vill be very sad."

[Grif]

Dreamrunner was pulled willingly closer to Lemongrass, their chests were connecting. She pulled out of the kiss and gave him a quick lick on his wing joint. She looked up at him with innocent eyes.
"Just remember, if you don't come over, I vill be very sad."

Lemongrass was mildly disappointed that the kiss was over so quickly, but one look at his irritated colleagues quickly convinced him that this was for the best. "Of course sweetheart. Wouldn't want to keep you waiting there," he said, nuzzling her one last time, before pulling away.

Lemongrass winked at the mare before nodding at the now-irate guard and trotting off.

[Mindfreak]

Lemongrass was mildly disappointed that the kiss was over so quickly, but one look at his irritated colleagues quickly convinced him that this was for the best. "Of course sweetheart. Wouldn't want to keep you waiting there," he said, nuzzling her one last time, before pulling away.

Lemongrass winked at the mare before nodding at the now-irate guard and trotting off.

She gave him a lick behind the ear before he left. She was sad to see him go, but loved to watch him leave because she got to ogle.
@.@
She then glared at the irritated guards and then went back to her hotel to wait for Grills.

[HalfTangible]

"Hobbies... well, I do play Ponyhammer, which Lone Star probably already knows." She glanced at the pegasus and gave him a small smirk, before continuing. "I also do read novels and sometimes do ice sculpting. You won't see the results of the latter though. I often just melt them after carving some horrible abomination of art." Icy eyed Fox with a curious look. "And what do you do? You look the type to enjoy the night-life."

By Luna, this sappy romantic conversation is boring me. Wake me when we get to the good part. Preferably when we're already in intimate distance.
Do I even need to hear that?



"Valhalla, one of the great cities of the North." She frowned before correcting herself. "One of the former great cities of the North." Her tone left no doubt that Valhalla was probably no more at this point of time. (Was razed to the ground by Celestia's army during the wars.)

Lone Star caught the hint and didn't press the issue. His wings were down (finally) and she was probably still dealing with Esmeralda... So instead of keeping her sad, he changed the subject. "What kind of music do you like?"

[Orzel]

Grills/ Facing a challenge on his stallionhood

Grills went over to his wrecked home. A huge gaping hole replaced his street facing bedroom wall. His front and bedroom doors were knocked in. Papers were littered everywhere. Fortunately he had enough sense to put his ninja on guard. The records of his battalion's names and abilities were not stolen.

He went back to the hotel, folders in mouth. The future still worried him. He certainly knew enough mares to think he knew what he was doing. Dreamrunner's lack of confidence in him rubbed him in ways his mild satyriasis could not hold down.

He knocked on her door. "Let's get this over with. You can do this, Grills" he said to himself.

[Mystic Muse]

Within the deep dark depths of The Blighted Weald





"Ew,that's just gross and gawdy....you can keep the head," Says the plum mare who doesn't mind getting covered in the blood of her victims during combat.

The dragon seems to shrug off the feeble ice-element attack with a swipe of the wing and aims for grabbing the plum mare. It swoops down and attempts to snatch her. However, Gwynfillion jumps onto the claw and tries to ram her horn in between a scale to the fleshy part. But is shaken off as the dragon retreats to the high sky again. The mare plummets again, just like in her first appearance to the ground. A crater is formed from the impact, sigh.

The dragon seems to be making a hoarse smoky guffawing noise from its throat. This battle was not going to be easy. In it's large ruddy black eyes, it looked as if though the pupils were made of dark black swirls. Not that of course our ponies down here could see its eyes in detail at the moment.

Soft summons her mundane short sword from the pocket dimension.

SMITE EVIL! she shouts and it's launched right towards the dragon's neck with telekinesis.

[Mindfreak]

Grills/ Facing a challenge on his stallionhood

Grills went over to his wrecked home. A huge gaping hole replaced his street facing bedroom wall. His front and bedroom doors were knocked in. Papers were littered everywhere. Fortunately he had enough sense to put his ninja on guard. The records of his battalion's names and abilities were not stolen.

He went back to the hotel, folders in mouth. The future still worried him. He certainly knew enough mares to think he knew what he was doing. Dreamrunner's lack of confidence in him rubbed him in ways his mild satyriasis could not hold down.

He knocked on her door. "Let's get this over with. You can do this, Grills" he said to himself.
She opened the door, a look of surprise was on her face.
"Vell vell vell, I didn't zink you vould show up. I thought you might be intimidated by me. You ready to rock?"

[Orzel]

She opened the door, a look of surprise was on her face.
"Vell vell vell, I didn't zink you vould show up. I thought you might be intimidated by me. You ready to rock?"

"It'll take more than a few words for a frau to scare me off." Grills put on a confident mug and walked calmly into the room.

He placed his jacket neatly on the back of a chair and the papers on the counter. "I brought you something to read for when you wake up."

((Black screen duty is yours))

[Mindfreak]

"It'll take more than a few words for a frau to scare me off." Grills put on a confident mug and walked calmly into the room.

He placed his jacket neatly on the back of a chair and the papers on the counter. "I brought you something to read for when you wake up."

((Black screen duty is yours))
"Vhat a coincedence, I have somezings zat I need you to read vhen you vake up."
She puts down a small stack of papers next to his and she took off her t-shirt and jeans.
"Ze safe vord ist vatermelon. Am I kidding? You'll soon find out...."
She pushes him onto the bed and a black screen fell down.
When it raised up she was still awake.

[Orzel]

"Vhat a coincedence, I have somezings zat I need you to read vhen you vake up."
She puts down a small stack of papers next to his and she took off her t-shirt and jeans.
"Ze safe vord ist vatermelon. Am I kidding? You'll soon find out...."
She pushes him onto the bed and a black screen fell down.
When it raised up she was still awake.

"Did you have to bite so hard? I like my shoulder." he jested. He managed to not pass out but only barely. Grills will definately need one of Soft Serve's drinks to avoid collapsing in the street. "You can have your harem. That was too much work for everytime you have a hankering."

The chocolate stallion stretched and walked up to the mini-fridge and downed a little bottle of rum. "I brought the names, specialties, and equipment of the ponies in my battalion. You should read it."

[Mindfreak]

"Did you have to bite so hard? I like my shoulder." he jested. He managed to not pass out but only barely. Grills will definately need one of Soft Serve's drinks to avoid collapsing in the street. "You can have your harem. That was too much work for everytime you have a hankering."

The chocolate stallion stretched and walked up to the mini-fridge and downed a little bottle of rum. "I brought the names, specialties, and equipment of the ponies in my battalion. You should read it."

"Awww, but I gave you back somezing zat made up vor it..." she jested back. She got up and stretched.
"Great, I get my harem! I vill look over ze list und I vill make sure no vun else looks at it. Now, I'm sure you need a shower as much as I do, so it only makes sense vor us to take vun togezer.....for efficiency reasons."

[Orzel]

"Awww, but I gave you back somezing zat made up vor it..." she jested back. She got up and stretched.
"Great, I get my harem! I vill look over ze list und I vill make sure no vun else looks at it. Now, I'm sure you need a shower as much as I do, so it only makes sense vor us to take vun togezer.....for efficiency reasons."

"Sure. I guess. Whatever you say, Doc." Grills shrugged his shoulders and walked into the bathroom.

[Mindfreak]

"Sure. I guess. Whatever you say, Doc." Grills shrugged his shoulders and walked into the bathroom.

She walked in with him and had a wonderful shower.
Black screen
Out of the shower, she dried off with a towel and handed him one.
"You're free to go."

[Benson]

"Hobbies... well, I do play Ponyhammer, which Lone Star probably already knows." She glanced at the pegasus and gave him a small smirk, before continuing. "I also do read novels and sometimes do ice sculpting. You won't see the results of the latter though. I often just melt them after carving some horrible abomination of art." Icy eyed Fox with a curious look. "And what do you do? You look the type to enjoy the night-life."


"Well, aside from becoming a total sappy stallion in front of a cute mare, I fancy the dance, getting nostalgic for the music of yesteryear, trying to charm you, and a host of other things," Fox answered in a collected manner as he finished off his sandwich.



"Valhalla, one of the great cities of the North." She frowned before correcting herself. "One of the former great cities of the North." Her tone left no doubt that Valhalla was probably no more at this point of time. (Was razed to the ground by Celestia's army during the wars.)

Fox found his expression dropped as he saw on her face that frown.


Soft summons her mundane short sword from the pocket dimension.

SMITE EVIL! she shouts and it's launched right towards the dragon's neck with telekinesis.

Smite evil, how utterly mundane. We all know this is one of those unfortunate marathon battles. The sword stuck against the neck as a mere fleshwound, the dragon flexed its neck popping the sword at sending it hurling back at the mare using just sheer momentum.

At that moment Gwynfillion staggered out of the crater shaking off the ring of dancing cookies and pina coladas around her head. Yay for high pain threshold, I guess. The plum mare was just pissed, her horn glowed as she then took to self propelled flight. She weaved its swipes and attempts to smash her down. She was distracting it for Soft, as the plum mare zipped around shooting at it with a variety of elemental based spells.

[Crisis21]

Usually accustomed to skipping out on breakfast, Staccata only takes a small serving of fruit to be polite. Now slightly more awake, she's able to actually start thinking. This whole situation seemed almost normal compared to everything else. That makes it weird.

"This town is crazy enough to make me nostalgic for where I grew up. Bridle Shores just seems a few town-wide musical numbers away, discounting the invasions." That's about the closest Staccata can do for normal breakfast table conversation.

"I could probably fix the lack of town-wide musical numbers," Eric grinned.

"I'm not sure whether that should scare me or excite me," Mike piped up from where he and Mica were sharing a stack of pancakes.

"If you're gonna do that, warn me so I can make popcorn," Issun said from where he was working on a slice of pineapple that dwarfed him.

[Orzel]

She walked in with him and had a wonderful shower.
Black screen
Out of the shower, she dried off with a towel and handed him one.
"You're free to go."

"Let's see if I can. Should have stretched more" Grills whispered to himself as he walked out the bathroom. He draped his jacket over his shoulder and levitated the papers Dreamrunner left into a pocket. "the Equestrian military is pleased with your services, Major." he announced cordially before leaving.

[Mindfreak]

"Let's see if I can. Should have stretched more" Grills whispered to himself as he walked out the bathroom. He draped his jacket over his shoulder and levitated the papers Dreamrunner left into a pocket. "the Equestrian military is pleased with your services, Major." he announced cordially before leaving.

"Ze Major ist please vith your performance."
She then put away the military papers he left in her most hidden place. She went ghost and put them in her mattress. She threw on a t-shirt and some jeans and then left to watch Lemongrass train.

[MCerberus]

"I could probably fix the lack of town-wide musical numbers," Eric grinned.

"I'm not sure whether that should scare me or excite me," Mike piped up from where he and Mica were sharing a stack of pancakes.

"If you're gonna do that, warn me so I can make popcorn," Issun said from where he was working on a slice of pineapple that dwarfed him.

"At this town's luck, it'll end in some kind of dance fight with an invading army of conga lines," Staccata comments before eating a strawberry. With the small bit of food on her plate gone, she excuses herself to grab her things. Staccata reappears wearing her cloak and holding some peanut butter and jelly that had very recently been stored away in Eric's kitchen.

"I doubt the guards are going to allow takeout today."

[Crisis21]

"At this town's luck, it'll end in some kind of dance fight with an invading army of conga lines," Staccata comments before eating a strawberry. With the small bit of food on her plate gone, she excuses herself to grab her things. Staccata reappears wearing her cloak and holding some peanut butter and jelly that had very recently been stored away in Eric's kitchen.

"I doubt the guards are going to allow takeout today."

"That's what the kitchen's for," Eric says absently, seemingly lost in thought. In all honesty, he's currently fantasizing about a dance fight with conga-line invaders.

[MCerberus]

"That's what the kitchen's for," Eric says absently, seemingly lost in thought. In all honesty, he's currently fantasizing about a dance fight with conga-line invaders.

"The bread's french, so it doesn't really lend to sandwiches, but I think it's better than nothing." Staccata elaborates while putting the pb&j in her pack. Waiting for the others she sits close but still a fair distance from the door. Maybe a good time to just rest... her... zzzzzz.

[Grif]

Lone Star caught the hint and didn't press the issue. His wings were down (finally) and she was probably still dealing with Esmeralda... So instead of keeping her sad, he changed the subject. "What kind of music do you like?"

Icy appreciated the change in the subject. The... destruction of her hometown was something... not very pleasant. "Believe it or not, I prefer Western music. Something about those guitars soothes my heart."




"Well, aside from becoming a total sappy stallion in front of a cute mare, I fancy the dance, getting nostalgic for the music of yesteryear, trying to charm you, and a host of other things," Fox answered in a collected manner as he finished off his sandwich.

Fox found his expression dropped as he saw on her face that frown.


"Huh," Icy said simply. She wasn't sure how to proceed. Icy, just admit you're not very good at making small talk.

Ask them how many mares they slept with.
...
Do you even know the concept of tact?
Nope. Twas a foreign word for me.

The two could probably see Icy staring in the distance, flushing a little as she had another internal monologue with her other self.

"So err... what brings you here to Bridle Shores?"

[Benson]

Fox Trot-Icy's House


Fox smiled at the small nuances in Icy's expression. It was very cute, though Fox still had that hankering to have her give him that cold frosty look he liked.

"Well...really to escape the drama of city life. Once upon a time this used to be a nice town...and not the center of attention to nederwels who want to cause trouble. To be honest, I didn't have a reason to stay anymore, at least not until recently," Fox laid his cheek against a forehoof again and flashed a grin at the mare.

[Crisis21]

"The bread's french, so it doesn't really lend to sandwiches, but I think it's better than nothing." Staccata elaborates while putting the pb&j in her pack. Waiting for the others she sits close but still a fair distance from the door. Maybe a good time to just rest... her... zzzzzz.

"No wonder she got arrested. It has got to be a crime to look that good."

"Give it a rest Issun," Mike said, rolling his eyes.

"You want a piece of me?!"

"I'm not sure I could take just a piece of you," Mike quipped with a grin.

"Oh, it's on now!" Issun declared, bouncing around in the air almost like a boxer.

"Gentlecolts, please do not fight at the breakfast table," Mica gently implored them both.

[Grif]

Fox Trot-Icy's House
Fox smiled at the small nuances in Icy's expression. It was very cute, though Fox still had that hankering to have her give him that cold frosty look he liked.

"Well...really to escape the drama of city life. Once upon a time this used to be a nice town...and not the center of attention to nederwels who want to cause trouble. To be honest, I didn't have a reason to stay anymore, at least not until recently," Fox laid his cheek against a forehoof again and flashed a grin at the mare.

Icy found herself smiling involuntarily at the grin the stallion he flashed. "I... see. Truth to be told, Bridle Shores had been quite quiet... until that infernal fool Zach showed up." She wasn't one to forgive and forget easily... unfortunately.

[MCerberus]

"No wonder she got arrested. It has got to be a crime to look that good."

"Give it a rest Issun," Mike said, rolling his eyes.

"You want a piece of me?!"

"I'm not sure I could take just a piece of you," Mike quipped with a grin.

"Oh, it's on now!" Issun declared, bouncing around in the air almost like a boxer.

"Gentlecolts, please do not fight at the breakfast table," Mica gently implored them both.

In a rather shallow sleep, Staccata is aware enough to be annoyed by the buzzing of Issun but not really aware of it. She sends a surprisingly forceful swat at the ponyfly before calming down again.

"Fix the window... *mumble*... bugs."

[HalfTangible]

Icy appreciated the change in the subject. The... destruction of her hometown was something... not very pleasant. "Believe it or not, I prefer Western music. Something about those guitars soothes my heart."



"Huh," Icy said simply. She wasn't sure how to proceed. Icy, just admit you're not very good at making small talk.

Ask them how many mares they slept with.
...
Do you even know the concept of tact?
Nope. Twas a foreign word for me.

The two could probably see Icy staring in the distance, flushing a little as she had another internal monologue with her other self.

"So err... what brings you here to Bridle Shores?"
"I like country and rock, personally." Lone Star replied cheerfully. "Just sings to me like nothing else can. I dunno why."

Lone Star looked down at his plate. "I left my home town after someone murdered my parents and many of my friends. Couldn't write anything happy there any more and my sad songs had the power to make babies cry. Which is odd because they shouldn't even be able to understand the song..."


Icy found herself smiling involuntarily at the grin the stallion he flashed. "I... see. Truth to be told, Bridle Shores had been quite quiet... until that infernal fool Zach showed up." She wasn't one to forgive and forget easily... unfortunately.

Lone Star rolled his eyes. "I hear he's courting the mare he tried to kill. Who'da thunk it?"

[Benson]

Icy found herself smiling involuntarily at the grin the stallion he flashed. "I... see. Truth to be told, Bridle Shores had been quite quiet... until that infernal fool Zach showed up." She wasn't one to forgive and forget easily... unfortunately.


"Gah...don't speak that infernal name..." Fox Trot muttered. He had wished he had done more than just reopen his wounds and made 'em go unconscious. Yes, Fox Trot at the moment was oblivious to the recent developments involving Zach. Fox's face grimaced for a second before putting on an indifferent expression. Alas in a bit he would have to leave and he didn't want to leave on a sour note.

Fox glanced at Lone Star and his reveal of his tragic backstory TM and raised a brow. Sounds like somepony here just lost to the roulette of life. Yikes.

[Crisis21]

In a rather shallow sleep, Staccata is aware enough to be annoyed by the buzzing of Issun but not really aware of it. She sends a surprisingly forceful swat at the ponyfly before calming down again.

"Fix the window... *mumble*... bugs."

Everypony at the table except Issun, who is quietly fuming, chuckles at that.

"I really don't want to wake her, but we've got to get her to the guard house," Eric sighs.

"I'll take care of that," Mica offers. Her corkscrew horn glows softly and Staccata levitates gently into the air, her sleep undisturbed. Mica quietly whispers a few enchantments to prevent noise and movement from disturbing Staccata, and the group leaves for the guardhouse, their sleeping charge floating serenely along with them.

[Grif]

"I like country and rock, personally." Lone Star replied cheerfully. "Just sings to me like nothing else can. I dunno why."

Lone Star looked down at his plate. "I left my home town after someone murdered my parents and many of my friends. Couldn't write anything happy there any more and my sad songs had the power to make babies cry. Which is odd because they shouldn't even be able to understand the song..."

Lone Star rolled his eyes. "I hear he's courting the mare he tried to kill. Who'da thunk it?"



"Gah...don't speak that infernal name..." Fox Trot muttered. He had wished he had done more than just reopen his wounds and made 'em go unconscious. Yes, Fox Trot at the moment was oblivious to the recent developments involving Zach. Fox's face grimaced for a second before putting on an indifferent expression. Alas in a bit he would have to leave and he didn't want to leave on a sour note.

Fox glanced at Lone Star and his reveal of his tragic backstory TM and raised a brow. Sounds like somepony here just lost to the roulette of life. Yikes.

"And I'm surprised he hasn't yet perished. Some ponies have all the luck," Icy said, rolling her eyes. Then in a quieter voice, she continued, "I'm sorry about your parents. I know how that feels." The icy mare had a distant look in her eyes as she spoke.

[MCerberus]

Everypony at the table except Issun, who is quietly fuming, chuckles at that.

"I really don't want to wake her, but we've got to get her to the guard house," Eric sighs.

"I'll take care of that," Mica offers. Her corkscrew horn glows softly and Staccata levitates gently into the air, her sleep undisturbed. Mica quietly whispers a few enchantments to prevent noise and movement from disturbing Staccata, and the group leaves for the guardhouse, their sleeping charge floating serenely along with them.

Staccata remains asleep for the entire trip to the guardhouse. Once there she either is levitated or zombie-walks or a combination of the two back to the training area where the mare catches up on the recent lost sleep curled up on the bench. She yawns and stretches on the bench eventually, then nearly jumps off when there's no memory of walking down there.

Downtime like this could be dangerous, especially if the what's-his-ugly-face is actually serious about anything. Staccata tries to think of something to keep her on her hoofs.

[Crisis21]

Staccata remains asleep for the entire trip to the guardhouse. Once there she either is levitated or zombie-walks or a combination of the two back to the training area where the mare catches up on the recent lost sleep curled up on the bench. She yawns and stretches on the bench eventually, then nearly jumps off when there's no memory of walking down there.

Downtime like this could be dangerous, especially if the what's-his-ugly-face is actually serious about anything. Staccata tries to think of something to keep her on her hoofs.

"Well, good morning," Eric says with a grin, seeing Staccata awake. He's now dressed in training gear and leans against the wall to wait for Reginald to arrive.

[Mindfreak]

"Well, good morning," Eric says with a grin, seeing Staccata awake. He's now dressed in training gear and leans against the wall to wait for Reginald to arrive.

"Sup?"
Reginald was already in the training padding.

[MCerberus]

"Well, good morning," Eric says with a grin, seeing Staccata awake. He's now dressed in training gear and leans against the wall to wait for Reginald to arrive.

"Whoever comes up with your schedule is a sadist." Staccata comments while stretching again and rises to sitting. Maybe the combat training is a good idea. It's been a while since she'd been in an actual fight while not dealing with mind-numbing pain from being slammed into a wall. For now though, she has to wake up more.

"But you already knew this."

[Grif]

[Tyrol and Lemongrass/Right on time]

"Jeez Lemongrass, you should tell your fillyfriend to keep her affections to herself," Tyrol said severely, as they walked towards the training grounds.

"Well... I can't help it if she wanted to give me a good morning kiss," Lemongrass said in a sing-song voice.

Tyrol just shook his head as they approached the training grounds. It seemed ponies were already up early and waiting in the field.

"Good morning ponies," Lemongrass sang cheerily. He was obviously in a very good mood today.

[MCerberus]

[Tyrol and Lemongrass/Right on time]

"Jeez Lemongrass, you should tell your fillyfriend to keep her affections to herself," Tyrol said severely, as they walked towards the training grounds.

"Well... I can't help it if she wanted to give me a good morning kiss," Lemongrass said in a sing-song voice.

Tyrol just shook his head as they approached the training grounds. It seemed ponies were already up early and waiting in the field.

"Good morning ponies," Lemongrass sang cheerily. He was obviously in a very good mood today.

Staccata steps down from the bench and drops the saddlebag, which she really should return to M at some point. "There's really no such thing." She throws her cloak on the bench and her dagger on top of that. As part of the ongoing onslaught of being nice, she has something that may improve Lemongrass' mood further.

"Well Lemongrass, as long as you're training, I'll offer you the opportunity to punch my in the face. If you can."

[Benson]

Fox Trot-Icy's House

Fox Trot glanced at his watch and frowned. He stood up and took his empty plate to the sink. "Breakfast was good, thank you gorgeous." Fox wanly smiled and trotted over to where she sat at the table. "Would you mind stepping out to the hallway with me for a bit? For a little private word I guess you can say."

[Crisis21]

"Sup?"
Reginald was already in the training padding.

Eric waved to the sword and waited for the rest.


"Whoever comes up with your schedule is a sadist." Staccata comments while stretching again and rises to sitting. Maybe the combat training is a good idea. It's been a while since she'd been in an actual fight while not dealing with mind-numbing pain from being slammed into a wall. For now though, she has to wake up more.

"But you already knew this."

"I'd agree with you except that he never smiles," Eric says with complete seriousness.


[Tyrol and Lemongrass/Right on time]

"Jeez Lemongrass, you should tell your fillyfriend to keep her affections to herself," Tyrol said severely, as they walked towards the training grounds.

"Well... I can't help it if she wanted to give me a good morning kiss," Lemongrass said in a sing-song voice.

Tyrol just shook his head as they approached the training grounds. It seemed ponies were already up early and waiting in the field.

"Good morning ponies," Lemongrass sang cheerily. He was obviously in a very good mood today.

"You look like you're in a good mood," Eric observes as Roy strolls in in his ultra-heavy training armor and starts his warm-ups before he has to go on duty.

Roy pauses and turns to Reginald and stares at the sword for a moment.

"Are you aware that you snore?" he asks the sword.


Staccata steps down from the bench and drops the saddlebag, which she really should return to M at some point. "There's really no such thing." She throws her cloak on the bench and her dagger on top of that. As part of the ongoing onslaught of being nice, she has something that may improve Lemongrass' mood further.

"Well Lemongrass, as long as you're training, I'll offer you the opportunity to punch my in the face. If you can."

Eric seems interested in this development.

[Mindfreak]

Eric waved to the sword and waited for the rest.



"I'd agree with you except that he never smiles," Eric says with complete seriousness.



"You look like you're in a good mood," Eric observes as Roy strolls in in his ultra-heavy training armor and starts his warm-ups before he has to go on duty.

Roy pauses and turns to Reginald and stares at the sword for a moment.

"Are you aware that you snore?" he asks the sword.

"in my culture it's called music."

[Grif]

Staccata steps down from the bench and drops the saddlebag, which she really should return to M at some point. "There's really no such thing." She throws her cloak on the bench and her dagger on top of that. As part of the ongoing onslaught of being nice, she has something that may improve Lemongrass' mood further.

"Well Lemongrass, as long as you're training, I'll offer you the opportunity to punch my in the face. If you can."

"You." Lemongrass good mood was slightly deflated. "I might take that opportunity you know." He felt a hoof on his shoulders. The pegasus glanced to see Tyrol shaking his head.

"She's just screwin' with ya. Ignore her."


Fox Trot-Icy's House

Fox Trot glanced at his watch and frowned. He stood up and took his empty plate to the sink. "Breakfast was good, thank you gorgeous." Fox wanly smiled and trotted over to where she sat at the table. "Would you mind stepping out to the hallway with me for a bit? For a little private word I guess you can say."

"Sure," Icy replied simply. She made to follow the stallion outside.

So... is this the part where he seduces you? How delicious.


Eric waved to the sword and waited for the rest.

"I'd agree with you except that he never smiles," Eric says with complete seriousness.

"You look like you're in a good mood," Eric observes as Roy strolls in in his ultra-heavy training armor and starts his warm-ups before he has to go on duty.

Roy pauses and turns to Reginald and stares at the sword for a moment.

"Are you aware that you snore?" he asks the sword.

"Sure am," Lemongrass replied, grinning.

Tyrol just stared at the training armour Roy wore. "That looks... awfully heavy."

[MCerberus]

"You." Lemongrass good mood was slightly deflated. "I might take that opportunity you know." He felt a hoof on his shoulders. The pegasus glanced to see Tyrol shaking his head.

"She's just screwin' with ya. Ignore her."

"I'm stuck here all day, the whole point of it to keep me from being productive." Staccata moves in a little closer to Lemongrass. "Since I don't believe anypony else is a knife fighter, some hoof-to-hoof will keep me from having to sit on my haunches all day."

She kicks the air behind her limbering up and takes another couple of steps forward. Back to the mind games for a moment. "Unless you're afraid to hit a filly."

[Orzel]

Flowier took a slow gait into the training grounds. The smells brought back memories to the mare. She was just turning fifty so it was not too fresh but not too far.

"Just observation." she says from the edges.

[Benson]

"Sure," Icy replied simply. She made to follow the stallion outside.

So... is this the part where he seduces you? How delicious.

"First off, I'm sorry about this. I'm not really helping with what my flirting, and lack of subtlety with my gestures. I can only guess on the sort of inner struggle you're having with that other personality of yours, and I'm sorry for making it worse and possibly confusing you. I see what I'm doing to you with your body language as you know," Fox paused and drank in those eyes of hers. "But I'm just selfish like that, I like you."

"I haven't quite figured it out myself, but you stir something in me I haven't felt in a while with a mare before. Maybe its the way you acted coldly to me at first," He cracked a small grin before dropping back to a serious expression.

"And here comes the part where I selfishly make things worse for you," Fox grabbed one of her fore hooves with one of his and brought it to his lips and gave it tender kiss. "And next comes the part where I abruptly leave and selfishly leave you filled with even more uncertainty."

Fox moved to put his saddle bags at his side and moved for the door.

[Grif]

"I'm stuck here all day, the whole point of it to keep me from being productive." Staccata moves in a little closer to Lemongrass. "Since I don't believe anypony else is a knife fighter, some hoof-to-hoof will keep me from having to sit on my haunches all day."

She kicks the air behind her limbering up and takes another couple of steps forward. Back to the mind games for a moment. "Unless you're afraid to hit a filly."

Lemongrass eyes narrowed at the perceived insult. "No, I'm not afraid." He hunched down, wings flaring in readiness. "Let's get it on then."

Behind him, Tyrol just shook his head in resignation.


"First off, I'm sorry about this. I'm not really helping with what my flirting, and lack of subtlety with my gestures. I can only guess on the sort of inner struggle you're having with that other personality of yours, and I'm sorry for making it worse and possibly confusing you. I see what I'm doing to you with your body language as you know," Fox paused and drank in those eyes of hers. "But I'm just selfish like that, I like you."

"I haven't quite figured it out myself, but you stir something in me I haven't felt in a while with a mare before. Maybe its the way you acted coldly to me at first," He cracked a small grin before dropping back to a serious expression.

"And here comes the part where I selfishly make things worse for you," Fox grabbed one of her fore hooves with one of his and brought it to his lips and gave it tender kiss. "And next comes the part where I abruptly leave and selfishly leave you filled with even more uncertainty."

Fox moved to put his saddle bags at his side and moved for the door.

Icy's eyes widened as the stallion kissed her on the hoof. Twas' an unnatural feeling for her alright. She felt herself being thrown into a cauldron full of boiling emotions, each conflicting the last.

Ohhhh... interesting.

The icy mare stood there stunned, watching Fox leave in silence. Her paralysis only wore off as the stallion exited the door. "Goodbye, Fox."

[Crisis21]

"in my culture it's called music."

"You could use a few music lessons," Roy shoots back.



"Sure am," Lemongrass replied, grinning.

Tyrol just stared at the training armour Roy wore. "That looks... awfully heavy."

"You don't know the half of it. Feels like I'm carrying half the town on my back."


Flowier took a slow gait into the training grounds. The smells brought back memories to the mare. She was just turning fifty so it was not too fresh but not too far.

"Just observation." she says from the edges.

Roy shrugs and starts his routine, not at all bothered by the older mare who had showed up to watch.

Eric turns from where Lemongrass and Staccata are apparently beginning a 'friendly' spar. "Of all the times for Mike and the rest to be elsewhere," he mutters.

"Well," he says to Reginald, drawing his training foil and getting into a fencing stance, "looks like it's one-on-one with me to start with."

[Mindfreak]

"You could use a few music lessons," Roy shoots back.



"You don't know the half of it. Feels like I'm carrying half the town on my back."



Roy shrugs and starts his routine, not at all bothered by the older mare who had showed up to watch.

Eric turns from where Lemongrass and Staccata are apparently beginning a 'friendly' spar. "Of all the times for Mike and the rest to be elsewhere," he mutters.

"Well," he says to Reginald, drawing his training foil and getting into a fencing stance, "looks like it's one-on-one with me to start with."
"Okay."
Reginald assumed a perfect duplicate of the position that the training foil was in. He then stabbed forward.

[MCerberus]

Lemongrass eyes narrowed at the perceived insult. "No, I'm not afraid." He hunched down, wings flaring in readiness. "Let's get it on then."

Behind him, Tyrol just shook his head in resignation.

"And I'm not drunk and drugged like last time you saw me unarmed."

Staccata begins weaving back and forth erratically while approaching Lemongrass. The fluid movement is meant to by hypnotizing while allowing her to dart in either direction should she need to. All part of the flashy fighting style Staccata has cultivated. She rushes forward on Lemongrass' right, ducks and is now on the left, and then throws a punch towards the guard's chest.

It's a feint.

[HalfTangible]

"And I'm surprised he hasn't yet perished. Some ponies have all the luck," Icy said, rolling her eyes. Then in a quieter voice, she continued, "I'm sorry about your parents. I know how that feels." The icy mare had a distant look in her eyes as she spoke.

Lone Star shrugged. "It was years ago." He doesn't say he's over it.

Fox and Icy leave the room, and he looks downcast at the plate. Great. Now he'd brought up the past again, like the moron he pretended he wasn't. The inevitable questions and pity would probably follow. Dear luna, he hoped he was wrong...

[Grif]

"And I'm not drunk and drugged like last time you saw me unarmed."

Staccata begins weaving back and forth erratically while approaching Lemongrass. The fluid movement is meant to by hypnotizing while allowing her to dart in either direction should she need to. All part of the flashy fighting style Staccata has cultivated. She rushes forward on Lemongrass' right, ducks and is now on the left, and then throws a punch towards the guard's chest.

It's a feint.

Lemongrass eyes followed her movement as she weaved and danced. From his years of experience he knew this was probably a feint, but with such a flashy move one could never be sure. Then he saw it. A punch. He raise his forehooves to cover himself, before attempting to throw a punch in return.


Lone Star shrugged. "It was years ago." He doesn't say he's over it.

Fox and Icy leave the room, and he looks downcast at the plate. Great. Now he'd brought up the past again, like the moron he pretended he wasn't. The inevitable questions and pity would probably follow. Dear luna, he hoped he was wrong...

Icy sighed, unable to reconcile her emotional turmoil and trotted back into the kitchen. She flopped on the chair she was sitting on before and glanced at Lone Star. He seemed to be absorbed in his own world. Icy decided not to disturb him for now, and stared at the half-eaten sandwich on her plate.

She had much to think about. Again uncharacteristically, her other side was quiet for once, leaving her to think in peace.

[HalfTangible]

Icy sighed, unable to reconcile her emotional turmoil and trotted back into the kitchen. She flopped on the chair she was sitting on before and glanced at Lone Star. He seemed to be absorbed in his own world. Icy decided not to disturb him for now, and stared at the half-eaten sandwich on her plate.

She had much to think about. Again uncharacteristically, her other side was quiet for once, leaving her to think in peace.

Lone Star looked up towards Icy. She looked just as full of thought as he was. After a few moments, he said slowly, "So... what did Fox want to say?"

[Benson]

Fox Trot-

Fox stood outside Icy's door and leaned against it taking a deep breath. Gah....he felt like he had overdone it. Fox, was such a theatrical sap and so loquacious with just a touch of arrogance.

He leaned there for a while until he was properly able to compose himself and go on his way. Godsdamnit, stupid Dulcinea Effect.

[MCerberus]

Lemongrass eyes followed her movement as she weaved and danced. From his years of experience he knew this was probably a feint, but with such a flashy move one could never be sure. Then he saw it. A punch. He raise his forehooves to cover himself, before attempting to throw a punch in return.

Lemongrass seems to have ceded momentum. Staccata continues on her last movement by going under the punch and to Lemongrass' left side. She may be fighting a pegasus but right now he's still putting weight down on his back hoofs on the ground. Instead of going for a hit to the torso, she tries to trip him by unbalancing the rear-left leg.

A risky move, since Staccata may have over-extended. But scoring a hit that can lead to embarrassment could be worth it.

[Grif]

Lone Star looked up towards Icy. She looked just as full of thought as he was. After a few moments, he said slowly, "So... what did Fox want to say?"

Icy was startled out of her thoughts by his questions. Her eyes slightly unfocused, she turned to look at Lone Star. "It... was nothing. Nothing important anyway."


Lemongrass seems to have ceded momentum. Staccata continues on her last movement by going under the punch and to Lemongrass' left side. She may be fighting a pegasus but right now he's still putting weight down on his back hoofs on the ground. Instead of going for a hit to the torso, she tries to trip him by unbalancing the rear-left leg.

A risky move, since Staccata may have over-extended. But scoring a hit that can lead to embarrassment could be worth it.

Lemongrass felt himself being overbalanced as his rear-left leg was struck. Then again, he was a pegasus and nopony said he couldn't use wings. He flapped once. Then twice. The extra lift was enough for him to stabilise himself and land with all four hooves on the ground.

"Slick move there. But not good enough." This time he charged, trying for her left side, using his wings for added speed.

[MCerberus]

Lemongrass felt himself being overbalanced as his rear-left leg was struck. Then again, he was a pegasus and nopony said he couldn't use wings. He flapped once. Then twice. The extra lift was enough for him to stabilise himself and land with all four hooves on the ground.

"Slick move there. But not good enough." This time he charged, trying for her left side, using his wings for added speed.

She had half-expected him to forget the fact he could fly. She had her own trick, though unknown if it is the 'earth pony magic' that may or may not exist. Completely focused on about the only gambit she could think of to counter a flying charge. At the very last moment possible, Staccata tries to lower her profile to avoid the blow. If that works, she can push up and gain the advantage.

Split-second timing. Risky. No guarantee of whether it's possible to begin with. That's what training's for isn't it?

((and if that trick doesn't pan out, Staccata's not blocking so the blow will connect))

Elsewhere - Mach

Mach eventually comes to more of his senses, but not all of them. His speed and ability to remain airborne improves. That's not consistent with blood loss, and the effects of his machine wouldn't cause it. Mach happens across Fox, one of the ponies that seemed to have gotten off easy from last night.

He approaches Fox outside of Icy's house. The pegasus looks off, drained. His coat seems less shiny and the orange of his eyes are pale, and his voice doesn't seem as loud as it should be.

"It could be poison joke, or a derivative. There's supposed to be a cure but I only know a few things that can mask the effects ah, temporarily."

[Crisis21]

"Okay."
Reginald assumed a perfect duplicate of the position that the training foil was in. He then stabbed forward.

As the two duel back and forth, it quickly becomes clear that while Eric is no expert with his weapon, he does indeed know what he's doing.

When Reginald attacks, he doesn't even attempt to block with the thinner and more fragile blade of his own sword, he deflects the blows with the more substantial hilt instead. He also displays a high degree of dexterity, dancing out of the way of each of Reginald's strikes as he deflects the floating sword away from him.

One of the things Reginald is finding is that, even with the magical ability to move in mid-air, he has far less mass to exert in their clashes than Eric himself does. The agile pony keeps knocking him off course when they push against each other.

The only thing in Reginald's favor is that Eric would eventually tire, and he has no way to actually injure a sword like Reginald with such a light and thin blade.

[Mindfreak]

As the two duel back and forth, it quickly becomes clear that while Eric is no expert with his weapon, he does indeed know what he's doing.

When Reginald attacks, he doesn't even attempt to block with the thinner and more fragile blade of his own sword, he deflects the blows with the more substantial hilt instead. He also displays a high degree of dexterity, dancing out of the way of each of Reginald's strikes as he deflects the floating sword away from him.

One of the things Reginald is finding is that, even with the magical ability to move in mid-air, he has far less mass to exert in their clashes than Eric himself does. The agile pony keeps knocking him off course when they push against each other.

The only thing in Reginald's favor is that Eric would eventually tire, and he has no way to actually injure a sword like Reginald with such a light and thin blade.

Eric would find that everytime his own weapon connected with Reginald in anyway, he would begin to feel more and more tired. Reginald constantly exuded sleep magic everytime he clashed with something. Reginald continued to try to tap Eric.

[HalfTangible]

Icy was startled out of her thoughts by his questions. Her eyes slightly unfocused, she turned to look at Lone Star. "It... was nothing. Nothing important anyway."

"...'Kay." He replied, looking back down at his now empty plate. He calmly picked it up in his jaw, then flapped over to the kitchen and started washing it off. Something to say... ANYTHING to say...

[Benson]

Elsewhere - Mach

He approaches Fox outside of Icy's house. The pegasus looks off, drained. His coat seems less shiny and the orange of his eyes are pale, and his voice doesn't seem as loud as it should be.

"It could be poison joke, or a derivative. There's supposed to be a cure but I only know a few things that can mask the effects ah, temporarily."

"I'm going to use last night's happenings to put into context on what you're talking about," Fox said dryly upon being encountered by Mach.

"Perhaps, perhaps not. Right now it seems to come off as something psychological, but I'm no expert as much as I can pretend to be." Fox took several steps forward and started to walk away but kept a slow pace if Mach wanted to continue to talk to him.

[Grif]

She had half-expected him to forget the fact he could fly. She had her own trick, though unknown if it is the 'earth pony magic' that may or may not exist. Completely focused on about the only gambit she could think of to counter a flying charge. At the very last moment possible, Staccata tries to lower her profile to avoid the blow. If that works, she can push up and gain the advantage.

Split-second timing. Risky. No guarantee of whether it's possible to begin with. That's what training's for isn't it?


Lemongrass expression turned to one of surprise as Staccata suddenly crouched, and his blow glanced at her flank. His momentum carried him past the earthpony rogue, now vulnerable to that split-second Staccata had been waiting for.


"...'Kay." He replied, looking back down at his now empty plate. He calmly picked it up in his jaw, then flapped over to the kitchen and started washing it off. Something to say... ANYTHING to say...

Icy thought the awkward silence had gone on long enough. There must be something they could talk about... other than Ponyhammer. She wasn't in the mood for that now.

She brushed the random strands of hair off her face and coughed discreetly. "Maybe you can tell me about how a pegasus like you came to love writing?"

[Orzel]

Grills/Forest

The colonel enlarged his scanning to the forest. It took long to make a square yard with.all the trees in the way. Plus he was never too comfortable around trees. They were much so flammable.

Upon reach a large oak, the sound of buffeting air called out from the distance. The sound became louder and louder until it roared from above. Grills' sky reaching eyes brought a smile to his face. The massive machine with all its whirligigs and propellers fluttered over his head with great noise.

"What are you doing in the forest, Colonel?" said a child-like high pitched voice through some sort of speaker system.

[Crisis21]

Eric would find that everytime his own weapon connected with Reginald in anyway, he would begin to feel more and more tired. Reginald constantly exuded sleep magic everytime he clashed with something. Reginald continued to try to tap Eric.

As Eric began to feel more tired, he started humming a tune. The slow hypnotic rhythm of a lullaby. Now Reginald started to feel tired.

[Mindfreak]

As Eric began to feel more tired, he started humming a tune. The slow hypnotic rhythm of a lullaby. Now Reginald started to feel tired.

Damn the day when Reginald'a player decided he could sleep!
But Reginald isn't fully effected by any type of magic made to make him tired, he did use to be a Nightmare and now he was in a sword that amplified his talent. It was going to take a lot of songs to make Reginald tired. Hecontinued swinging at Eric.
"You know, all this swinging and being blocked and swinging an missing is boring."

[HalfTangible]

Icy thought the awkward silence had gone on long enough. There must be something they could talk about... other than Ponyhammer. She wasn't in the mood for that now.

She brushed the random strands of hair off her face and coughed discreetly. "Maybe you can tell me about how a pegasus like you came to love writing?"

Lone Star brightened and set down the now clean plate. "Well, back when i was a really young colt - not even a lesson over cutie marks - I absolutely hated books. Hated 'em. Too long, too wordy, couldn't stand the sight of them, to the point where I refused to even touch one." He turned to her and raised an eyebrow. "You can probably guess how my education went with THAT attitude."

"After a while, my mother got fed up with it, sat me down, put a book in my face, and told me to read it or it would stay hot outside forever." Lone Star rolled his eyes. "Her timing couldn't have been better - that was the first day of Celestia's ten year summer, and summer in Texas was unbelievable. After about a week, i caved, grabbed it, and started reading."

"Two chapters in i couldn't take reading Rebecca anymore, so I went to my parents, told 'em i'd finished. They started grilling me with questions about the book."

"Now, after their first few questions they moved past the second chapter, so i started making stuff up. And the strange thing was, the more i made up about this book, the more enthusiastic about it i became, and after two or three made up answers, it became obvious to me that they hadn't actually read the book any farther than I had, so I stopped trying to guess what had gone on in Rebecca and instead tried thinking up whatever else I could about this mental vision of Rebecca i'd put together in my mind."

"At the end, my adventure with Rebecca the dark witch of the Mongol came to it's conclusion, and my parents seemed satisfied. But instead of asking if i could stop, i asked what the quickest way to learn how to write down what i wanted to myself would be. They told me to read as many books as i could get my hooves on."

"So I did. And for my first few books, i did the exact same thing i did with Rebecca - read the first and second chapters, then used what they introduced to write how i thought the rest of the book would turn out."

"So how did you get in to magic?" He asked, trotting over. "Didn't know many unicorns into it before i got here."

[Crisis21]

Damn the day when Reginald'a player decided he could sleep!
But Reginald isn't fully effected by any type of magic made to make him tired, he did use to be a Nightmare and now he was in a sword that amplified his talent. It was going to take a lot of songs to make Reginald tired. Hecontinued swinging at Eric.
"You know, all this swinging and being blocked and swinging an missing is boring."

"Says you," Eric returns with a grin, and takes a chance to perform a modified disarming stroke on Reginald.

It is modified in that Reginald isn't being held by anypony, so the goal is not to remove him from their grip, it is to set him at a bad angle so that Eric can pin him to the ground with his hoof.

((Deadtiming for a few hours, be back later))

[MCerberus]

Lemongrass expression turned to one of surprise as Staccata suddenly crouched, and his blow glanced at her flank. His momentum carried him past the earthpony rogue, now vulnerable to that split-second Staccata had been waiting for.
[/COLOR]

Staccata lets Lemongrass sail by, instead doing a swift 180 degree turn. Despite the fact that the move sort of worked, she can't ignore the fact that he hit her somewhere not on the limbs. The mare drops the tense stance of the fight, tilts her head for a second then nods.

"Would have been interesting had something real been going on."

Staccata calmly walks back to the bench and sits down.

"That would make us even if we were keeping score in the fights."


"I'm going to use last night's happenings to put into context on what you're talking about," Fox said dryly upon being encountered by Mach.

"Perhaps, perhaps not. Right now it seems to come off as something psychological, but I'm no expert as much as I can pretend to be." Fox took several steps forward and started to walk away but kept a slow pace if Mach wanted to continue to talk to him.

Mach just sort of hovers in place for a while. The expression on his face not quite lost in thought, not quite completely out of it.

[Mindfreak]

"Says you," Eric returns with a grin, and takes a chance to perform a modified disarming stroke on Reginald.

It is modified in that Reginald isn't being held by anypony, so the goal is not to remove him from their grip, it is to set him at a bad angle so that Eric can pin him to the ground with his hoof.

((Deadtiming for a few hours, be back later))

Reginald gives a cry of surprise when he's pinned. But when he's pinned it felt like he was being crushed between the shoulder blades if he had them.
"Alright you got me, now let me up!"
There was a bit of panic in his voice.

[Grif]

Lone Star brightened and set down the now clean plate. "Well, back when i was a really young colt - not even a lesson over cutie marks - I absolutely hated books. Hated 'em. Too long, too wordy, couldn't stand the sight of them, to the point where I refused to even touch one." He turned to her and raised an eyebrow. "You can probably guess how my education went with THAT attitude."

"After a while, my mother got fed up with it, sat me down, put a book in my face, and told me to read it or it would stay hot outside forever." Lone Star rolled his eyes. "Her timing couldn't have been better - that was the first day of Celestia's ten year summer, and summer in Texas was unbelievable. After about a week, i caved, grabbed it, and started reading."

"Two chapters in i couldn't take reading Rebecca anymore, so I went to my parents, told 'em i'd finished. They started grilling me with questions about the book."

"Now, after their first few questions they moved past the second chapter, so i started making stuff up. And the strange thing was, the more i made up about this book, the more enthusiastic about it i became, and after two or three made up answers, it became obvious to me that they hadn't actually read the book any farther than I had, so I stopped trying to guess what had gone on in Rebecca and instead tried thinking up whatever else I could about this mental vision of Rebecca i'd put together in my mind."

"At the end, my adventure with Rebecca the dark witch of the Mongol came to it's conclusion, and my parents seemed satisfied. But instead of asking if i could stop, i asked what the quickest way to learn how to write down what i wanted to myself would be. They told me to read as many books as i could get my hooves on."

"So I did. And for my first few books, i did the exact same thing i did with Rebecca - read the first and second chapters, then used what they introduced to write how i thought the rest of the book would turn out."

"So how did you get in to magic?" He asked, trotting over. "Didn't know many unicorns into it before i got here."

"Fascinating," Icy said, after listening in silence. "I have heard of writers loving books when they were foals, or those picked up writing after initial indifference, but never a pony who actively hated books before getting into writing."

On hearing his question, she blinked in surprise. "Magic is a part of us unicorns, whether we like it or not. Even those whose talents are distinctly non-magical, use magic to greatly improve or speed up their works. Although I do get what you mean. There are not many unicorns who are into the study of magic itself."

She let out a long sigh. "My family. We are a proud proponent of ice magic. I think we can trace back our line of ice mages back to the days when Celestia was still sane and Luna was still co-regent." Her dichromatic eyes trailed back to Lone Star. "By default, as the eldest foal of the family, I'm chosen to carry on the family legacy. My natural affinity of the elements of winter made that choice easy."

The icy mare then looked up onto the ceiling, a wistful look on her eyes. "But I hated every minute of it. As you can imagine, I was a much more... liberal mare in those days. Spending as much time dodging class as I could, chasing stallions... and eventually... well... bedding a fellow student." She closed her eyes in regret.

"The whole incident turned into a scandal. My family name was shamed. My father... was coldly furious. His last words to me was, 'Icy... you disappoint me.' Only by the grace of my family name that I wasn't immediately expelled. I was however, very much encouraged to move to Njord, where I could continue my studies in relative peace." She opened her eyes again.

"And those was the last words he ever said to me. Barely a week later, Valhalla was under siege by Celestia. And... well... you know the rest of the story. I was the one of the few survivor of the siege, by virtue of not being there when it happened." Icy glanced at the pegasus again, a sad look in her eyes. "That is why that pendant was so precious to me. It is the only thing from my past that survived the disaster."


Staccata lets Lemongrass sail by, instead doing a swift 180 degree turn. Despite the fact that the move sort of worked, she can't ignore the fact that he hit her somewhere not on the limbs. The mare drops the tense stance of the fight, tilts her head for a second then nods.

"Would have been interesting had something real been going on."

Staccata calmly walks back to the bench and sits down.

"That would make us even if we were keeping score in the fights."


Lemongrass landed unsteadily on the ground, giving Staccata a somewhat respectful look. "Okay, so you can fight hoof-to-hoof decently. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised." He noticed Reginald and Eric already started sparring. "I guess I shouldn't keep my partner waiting. Until next time."

[HalfTangible]

"Oh." He looked at the ground. "That would explain how you acted when you found out it was stolen...I'm sorry." He looked back up. "So... how do you feel about Fox Trot?"

Nice choice, dumbass.

[Grif]

"Oh." He looked at the ground. "That would explain how you acted when you found out it was stolen...I'm sorry." He looked back up. "So... how do you feel about Fox Trot?"

Nice choice, dumbass.

"Bwuh?" Icy froze as she heard his question. "Fox Trot?"

"I... I honestly do not know..." The icy mare then put her full attention on the pegasus. "And there's more to our relationship right now than either of us are letting on, correct?" she asked, rather bluntly.

[HalfTangible]

"Bwuh?" Icy froze as she heard his question. "Fox Trot?"

"I... I honestly do not know..." The icy mare then put her full attention on the pegasus. "And our there's more to our relationship right now than either of us are letting on, correct?" she asked, rather bluntly.

Lone Star blinked at her blunt response. Coming out about their relationship was something he honestly hadn't expected from the mare. "... Yes." he admitted.

(( i assumed by 'our' she meant her and Lone Star... but it could've also been her and Fox Trot... english grammar :smallyuk: ))

"But I... don't want this to move too quickly. You have Esmeralda in your head... and judging from the way she acted she's triggered by... uh... intimacy..."

"Eh, that came out wrong... I mean... things couples do... kissing, flirting, the like..."

[Grif]

Lone Star blinked at her blunt response. Coming out about their relationship was something he honestly hadn't expected from the mare. "... Yes." he admitted.

(( i assumed by 'our' she meant her and Lone Star... but it could've also been her and Fox Trot... english grammar :smallyuk: ))

"But I... don't want this to move too quickly. You have Esmeralda in your head... and judging from the way she acted she's triggered by... uh... intimacy..."

"Eh, that came out wrong... I mean... things couples do... kissing, flirting, the like..."

(Heh heh, she meant both. But misunderstanding can be both good and bad :P)

"Yes... I can sense her every desire you know," Icy said dryly. "From a theoretical viewpoint, I suppose she represents my repressed side." Just then an image of the two kissing passionately appeared vividly in her head. Icy groaned and planted her hooves in her face, flushing deeply again. "... like so."

Come now Icy, do not deny you did not feel the desire to take his lips to your own.
If looks could kill, you'll be dead a thousand times over.

[HalfTangible]

Lone Star shrugged. "Psychological theory always bored me." He replied. "Just always seemed to get in the way of psychology we already knew." As she blushed, Lone Star was barely keeping his wings in check. By Luna, he wanted to kiss this beautiful mare so much... No. Icy's got Esmeralda in her mind. You might as well put vodka straight into her veins.

"Your repressed side, huh..." He mused, hoof on his chin. "There's a good story there somewhere..." He looked up to her face. "A beautiful young mare fights her own desires... Even if it didn't make a full story it'd be a great character arch."

[Mystic Muse]

[COLOR="Sienna"]

Smite evil, how utterly mundane. We all know this is one of those unfortunate marathon battles. The sword stuck against the neck as a mere fleshwound, the dragon flexed its neck popping the sword at sending it hurling back at the mare using just sheer momentum.

At that moment Gwynfillion staggered out of the crater shaking off the ring of dancing cookies and pina coladas around her head. Yay for high pain threshold, I guess. The plum mare was just pissed, her horn glowed as she then took to self propelled flight. She weaved its swipes and attempts to smash her down. She was distracting it for Soft, as the plum mare zipped around shooting at it with a variety of elemental based spells.

The sword gets a nice hit on her front left hoof, but it doesn't seem to slow her down.

This may be the worst idea I've ever had. Jump! She says as her horn glows, and she attempts to jump onto the dragon to attack it from a better position.

[Benson]

The sword gets a nice hit on her front left hoof, but it doesn't seem to slow her down.

This may be the worst idea I've ever had. Jump! She says as her horn glows, and she attempts to jump onto the dragon to attack it from a better position.

The dragon swooped downward trying to swat at Gwynfillion like a fly who continued to attack at it with various elemental attacks. It's tail low enough that when Soft jumped she managed to land on it and take hold.

[Crisis21]

Reginald gives a cry of surprise when he's pinned. But when he's pinned it felt like he was being crushed between the shoulder blades if he had them.
"Alright you got me, now let me up!"
There was a bit of panic in his voice.

Eric let Reginald up readily and stood in an at ease position, not looking like he was preparing for another round.

"First order of business," he began, "is for you to tell me whether that sleep thing you do is voluntary or involuntary."

[Mindfreak]

Eric let Reginald up readily and stood in an at ease position, not looking like he was preparing for another round.

"First order of business," he began, "is for you to tell me whether that sleep thing you do is voluntary or involuntary."

Reginald floated.
"It's both. I can easily turn it off, but I don't during battle. I just make it so that it doesn't effect my allies."

[Crisis21]

Reginald floated.
"It's both. I can easily turn it off, but I don't during battle. I just make it so that it doesn't effect my allies."

"Excellent. I'd like you to keep it off during training. It's a great trick, but it won't work on everything, and you need to get better while not using it. This will make you that much better when you do use it."

[Mindfreak]

"Excellent. I'd like you to keep it off during training. It's a great trick, but it won't work on everything, and you need to get better while not using it. This will make you that much better when you do use it."

"Fine."
Eric will feel all exhaustion leave his body. Most of it was from the sleep effects of Reginald.

[MCerberus]

Lemongrass landed unsteadily on the ground, giving Staccata a somewhat respectful look. "Okay, so you can fight hoof-to-hoof decently. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised." He noticed Reginald and Eric already started sparring. "I guess I shouldn't keep my partner waiting. Until next time."

Staccata puts her cloak back on like nothing ever happened and puts the dagger someplace she wouldn't be tempted to use it. Practice was fine, but not putting ponies in the hospital when she's trying to get out of this stupid mess. Pulling out an Equestrian geographic gives cover for a quick scan of the ponies around. The old mare was an unknown. Better fix that.

"What's your story?" she asks the Flowier.

[Grif]

Lone Star shrugged. "Psychological theory always bored me." He replied. "Just always seemed to get in the way of psychology we already knew." As she blushed, Lone Star was barely keeping his wings in check. By Luna, he wanted to kiss this beautiful mare so much... No. Icy's got Esmeralda in her mind. You might as well put vodka straight into her veins.

"Your repressed side, huh..." He mused, hoof on his chin. "There's a good story there somewhere..." He looked up to her face. "A beautiful young mare fights her own desires... Even if it didn't make a full story it'd be a great character arch."

"Dear Luna, I hope not. Seems kind of cliche," Icy said, fighting off the image and the desire to kiss this stallion on the lips. Her tail twitched slightly with the effort. She took a deep breath and steadied herself.

This... is going to be trying...
Heh heh. I think I'll enjoy teasing your prudish mind more next time.

[Crisis21]

"Fine."
Eric will feel all exhaustion leave his body. Most of it was from the sleep effects of Reginald.

"Don't worry," Eric grins, "this is all part of the training."

"Yo, Lemongrass! Your turn!"

[Grif]

"Don't worry," Eric grins, "this is all part of the training."

"Yo, Lemongrass! Your turn!"

"Yeah, yeah," Lemongrass muttered as he unsheathed his spear. He held the weapon steady in front of him, and faced the sentient sword.

"Ready when you are."

(Will be deadtiming for several hours after this, so yeah, might be slow.)

[Mindfreak]

"Yeah, yeah," Lemongrass muttered as he unsheathed his spear. He held the weapon steady in front of him, and faced the sentient sword.

"Ready when you are."

(Will be deadtiming for several hours after this, so yeah, might be slow.)

Reginald went straight to cut through the spear's shaft.

[Grif]

Reginald went straight to cut through the spear's shaft.

(Didn't he have training pads installed? And the spear will have the same pads.)

Lemongrass whipped his spear back to block the blow with the flat of his spear. "Hey, now, let's not get too hasty."

[HalfTangible]

"Dear Luna, I hope not. Seems kind of cliche," Icy said, fighting off the image and the desire to kiss this stallion on the lips. Her tail twitched slightly with the effort. She took a deep breath and steadied herself.

This... is going to be trying...
Heh heh. I think I'll enjoy teasing your prudish mind more next time.

"There're opportunities to be had in cliches if you know what you're doin'." Lone Star winked. "Look at Romeo and Juliet. A cliched love-at-first-sight story with a different ending and it's one of the most popular stories of all time!"

[Mindfreak]

(Didn't he have training pads installed? And the spear will have the same pads.)

Lemongrass whipped his spear back to block the blow with the flat of his spear. "Hey, now, let's not get too hasty."

((Forgot about the training pads. He could still break it with enough force.))
Reginald zipped underneath Lemongrass and sliced back and forth between his legs.

[Grif]

"There're opportunities to be had in cliches if you know what you're doin'." Lone Star winked. "Look at Romeo and Juliet. A cliched love-at-first-sight story with a different ending and it's one of the most popular stories of all time!"

"Tsk, Romeo and Juliet. Personally, I find it overrated." Icy snorted. She had little love for sappy romance novels anyway. Again, the vivid image of them making out in the bed flashed in her head. Her tail twitched with desire as she fought down the impulse again. Her cheeks flushed bright red, she hastily said, "Excuse me for a moment... I think I need to take a breather outside..."

You're no fun, Miss Icy Touch.
*various unpony-like words*


((Forgot about the training pads. He could still break it with enough force.))
Reginald zipped underneath Lemongrass and sliced back and forth between his legs.

"Woah!" Lemongrass yelped, as the sword threatened to slice his legs off. He flew a few inches off the ground and smacked the back of the sword with the long reach of his spear.

(Okay! Real last post! Bye now!)

[Bunny Earz]

[In a small wreckage of a village]]

Fantasia stood in front of the small house. Almost all of it was gone, burned to the ground. She rarely visited due to the fact that it became a popular hang out for rebels of Celestia.

It seemed pretty quiet for the time being and Fantasia was feeling nostalgic. She walked around the back of the cottage and glanced across what used to be her father's prized lawn. She remembered cool evenings and the flower bed her mother had planted. She remembered how her older sister used to chase her around the yard. But now everypony was gone. Even her sister.

She couldn't wonder long. Her father's last request was that she make it to Bridle Shores. She didn't want to disappoint him, not now.

[Mindfreak]

"Woah!" Lemongrass yelped, as the sword threatened to slice his legs off. He flew a few inches off the ground and smacked the back of the sword with the long reach of his spear.

(Okay! Real last post! Bye now!)
Reginald was stunned for a moment, but then he continued to slice at Lemongrass' hooves.

[HalfTangible]

"Tsk, Romeo and Juliet. Personally, I find it overrated." Icy snorted. She had little love for sappy romance novels anyway. Again, the vivid image of them making out in the bed flashed in her head. Her tail twitched with desire as she fought down the impulse again.

"Well, I don't really like it until Romeo dies, but-" He began.

"Excuse me for a moment... I think I need to take a breather outside..."

Lone Star saw the blush creep into her cheeks as she said that, and he nodded in understanding. "Go ahead. I can wait."

[Orzel]

Staccata puts her cloak back on like nothing ever happened and puts the dagger someplace she wouldn't be tempted to use it. Practice was fine, but not putting ponies in the hospital when she's trying to get out of this stupid mess. Pulling out an Equestrian geographic gives cover for a quick scan of the ponies around. The old mare was an unknown. Better fix that.

"What's your story?" she asks the Flowier.

Flowier noticed the mare looking at her. Watching the training bored her. These ponies were decent fighters but nothing that she felt was worth attaching to a memory. "My story is a long one. Few get the time to hear it."

[Bunny Earz]

[Bridle Shore's main gates]

Fantasia approached the gates and wondered why she was here. Did her father think she needed protecting? Rubish, she could protect herself. She didn't need anypony's help, never had never would.

Fantasia began to turn away but thought better of it. She needed a place to crash for the night and was awfully hungry, and thirsty for that matter. She hoped they had a decent bar.
"Hello," she said cautiously, "Is anypony here?"

[Orzel]

[Bridle Shore's main gates]

Fantasia approached the gates and wondered why she was here. Did her father think she needed protecting? Rubish, she could protect herself. She didn't need anypony's help, never had never would.

Fantasia began to turn away but thought better of it. She needed a place to crash for the night and was awfully hungry, and thirsty for that matter. She hoped they had a decent bar.
"Hello," she said cautiously, "Is anypony here?"

"Do you need assistance?" inquired a random guardpony with no memorable characteristics at all. His ignorable voice was stern and stiff.

[MCerberus]

Flowier noticed the mare looking at her. Watching the training bored her. These ponies were decent fighters but nothing that she felt was worth attaching to a memory. "My story is a long one. Few get the time to hear it."

'Pleasant Conversation' - Staccata

Being bored might be a common bond for the moment, if they both knew it was mutual. Something in her mind made her suspicious of Flowier. The way she carried herself, the tone of voice, something. Paranoia does have its benefits if you know they ARE coming to get you. Maybe there's something this mare knew that could be useful.

"Try me."



((following spoiler is for Fantasia arriving, but Beyn appears to be late yet again))


[Bridle Shore's main gates]

Fantasia approached the gates and wondered why she was here. Did her father think she needed protecting? Rubish, she could protect herself. She didn't need anypony's help, never had never would.

Fantasia began to turn away but thought better of it. She needed a place to crash for the night and was awfully hungry, and thirsty for that matter. She hoped they had a decent bar.
"Hello," she said cautiously, "Is anypony here?"

Beyn

A red unicorn is standing on guard at the gate with a stack of papers floating beside him. He looks like he's squinting at the ones on top, but he can't very well be seen in glasses on duty like this. He seems surprised to see anypony here, but recovers eventually and speaks reading from another piece of paper.

"Welcome to Bridle Shores. Please state reason for visit and if you have anything to declare..."

The unicorn finally actually looks at Fantasia. "Uh, oh, um... do you require medical attention?"

[Orzel]

'Pleasant Conversation' - Staccata

Being bored might be a common bond for the moment, if they both knew it was mutual. Something in her mind made her suspicious of Flowier. The way she carried herself, the tone of voice, something. Paranoia does have its benefits if you know they ARE coming to get you. Maybe there's something this mare knew that could be useful.

"Try me."

Flowier

"Unless you have ambitions fo the military or want to visit a hospital, I wont waste time introducing myself." Flowier said coldly. She looked the other way away for the mare addressing her. The hilt of her blade glowed red like her magic horn. Paranoia was a class skill for the general as well. She was a target for assassination as while she was in this small town so her guard was always up.

[Bunny Earz]

((following spoiler is for Fantasia arriving, but Beyn appears to be late yet again))



Beyn

A red unicorn is standing on guard at the gate with a stack of papers floating beside him. He looks like he's squinting at the ones on top, but he can't very well be seen in glasses on duty like this. He seems surprised to see anypony here, but recovers eventually and speaks reading from another piece of paper.

"Welcome to Bridle Shores. Please state reason for visit and if you have anything to declare..."

The unicorn finally actually looks at Fantasia. "Uh, oh, um... do you require medical attention?"

Fantasia was used to these comments almost every time she met anypony.
"No I'm quite alright. Do you perhaps have a place to stay? An Inn or motel? Preferably close to food and perhaps a bar?"

[MCerberus]

Flowier

"Unless you have ambitions fo the military or want to visit a hospital, I wont waste time introducing myself." Flowier said coldly. She looked the other way away for the mare addressing her. The hilt of her blade glowed red like her magic horn. Paranoia was a class skill for the general as well. She was a target for assassination as while she was in this small town so her guard was always up.

Military. That would explain it. Staccata wonders if she had anything to do with Tyrol being dragged in barely moving. For the time being, she pretends to read the magazine while using her cloak as cover to move her dagger closer to being able to be wielded. Neither mares might not be stupid enough to try anything, but this one looks unstable. Two words and already reaching for a weapon.

"I was going to take you up on an offer to listen. It's rather impolite to threaten me for that. Unless you're here to expand the town's medical facilities, then I'm afraid I can't go with you there."


Fantasia was used to these comments almost every time she met anypony.
"No I'm quite alright. Do you perhaps have a place to stay? An Inn or motel? Preferably close to food and perhaps a bar?"

Forgetting to question any oddness or even follow up on what he asked earlier Beyn shuffles out a blank piece of paper and scribbles some quick directions.

"There's a hotel that hasn't suffered any damage recently. Soft runs a good place, but it may be a bit rowdy for your liking lately. Directions are on this."

The paper floats over to Fantasia.

[Orzel]

Military. That would explain it. Staccata wonders if she had anything to do with Tyrol being dragged in barely moving. For the time being, she pretends to read the magazine while using her cloak as cover to move her dagger closer to being able to be wielded. Neither mares might not be stupid enough to try anything, but this one looks unstable. Two words and already having a weapon drawn.

"I was going to take you up on an offer to listen. It's rather impolite to threaten me for that. Unless you're here to expand the town's medical facilities, then I'm afraid I can't go with you there."



Flowier gave the other mare an icy stare. She was still on the edge. "I am Major General Fire Flowier Flamestrong. I run the greatest military complex this.or any side of Equestria, Fort Fetlock. " She brushed her hair the the side. "I have to meet with my son. You are a mare who is not completely ugly. I am sure you have met him by now."

[Bunny Earz]

Forgetting to question any oddness or even follow up on what he asked earlier Beyn shuffles out a blank piece of paper and scribbles some quick directions.

"There's a hotel that hasn't suffered any damage recently. Soft runs a good place, but it may be a bit rowdy for your liking lately. Directions are on this."

The paper floats over to Fantasia.

Fantasia gratefully accepts the directions.
"Thanks. I think I can handle any 'rowdiness'. Anyhow, I won't be staying long."

Fantasia walks through the gates and starts out by finding Soft's place as the guard had said. She enters, a little wearily but loosens up when she sees that things seem to be normal.
"Ahem..." she looked around for the owner.

[MCerberus]

Flowier gave the other mare an icy stare. She was still on the edge. "I am Major General Fire Flowier Flamestrong. I run the greatest military complex this.or any side of Equestria, Fort Fetlock. " She brushed her hair the the side. "I have to meet with my son. You are a mare who is not completely ugly. I am sure you have met him by now."

Well yes. Definitely military. That's at least not a big concern for her personally. What it means for what's going on in the town as a whole is something rather unknown. Staccata flips the page on the Equestiran Geographic from unread page to unread page. Nothing really interesting to work with yet though.

"Unlike some, I try to keep in shape. That seems like an odd question to ask a random mare when you have the intelligence arm of the greatest military complex in Equestria available to answer."

[Grif]

Reginald was stunned for a moment, but then he continued to slice at Lemongrass' hooves.

"Yeech, some ponies just don't know how to play fair," Lemongrass muttered as he tried to dodge the attacks. One of them eventually connected with his right-rear hooves, making him yelp in pain. That shook him up alright.

Gritting his spear, he flapped his wings to gain altitude and and tried to strike the sword from the back, this time more forcefully.


"Well, I don't really like it until Romeo dies, but-" He began.

"Excuse me for a moment... I think I need to take a breather outside..."

Lone Star saw the blush creep into her cheeks as she said that, and he nodded in understanding. "Go ahead. I can wait."

Nodding, Icy hurried outside and stood by the main door, willing herself to slow her racing heart and surging hormones. She squeezed her eyes shut again, trying to banish the extremely vivid image from her mind. By Luna, I don't know if I can keep her at bay for long.

After a minute or so of silent struggle, she finally managed to calm her nerves. (and lust.) Taking a final deep breath of the fresh spring air, she calmly trotted into the kitchen, with only her eyes betraying any hint of a mental struggle. "Please continue," she said.

[Orzel]

Well yes. Definitely military. That's at least not a big concern for her personally. What it means for what's going on in the town as a whole is something rather unknown. Staccata flips the page on the Equestiran Geographic from unread page to unread page. Nothing really interesting to work with yet though.

"Unlike some, I try to keep in shape. That seems like an odd question to ask a random mare when you have the intelligence arm of the greatest military complex in Equestria available to answer."

Flowier dug her heels into the floor and does a mild stretch. "Asking such a question makes you come off as somepony who does not take advantage of the situation around you. Therefore pure force or speed of avoidance seems to be your style. Am I correct?"

---

Grills waved to the flying ship. The shadow of tue huge thing darkened his coat. Despite its size, he was not in awe.
"No time to talk Hover. I got alcohol to drink." he shouted on his way back to town.

The chocolate pony calmly bursted through the bar's door.
"Soft Serve. Smoothie. Can one of you beautiful blue mares pour me a Rainbow Dash with vodka?" he annouced with less volume than most would expect. Grills spotted the new mare in town. "And something for the lady here as a welcome.."

[MCerberus]

Flowier dug her heels into the floor and does a mild stretch. "Asking such a question makes you come off as somepony who does not take advantage of the situation around you. Therefore pure force or speed of avoidance seems to be your style. Am I correct?"

"Relying on one thing doesn't lend itself to a backup plan. One would think a commander such as you would know this."

Vague hints at passive-aggressive jabs. No information of use save for what she could make of the pony speaking. This is something Staccata can recognize in any conversation for obvious reasons. At this point the two seem to be going in verbal circles. Even though she can't trust the military, or like anypony in command of it, there's a certain respect for being able to play the information game.

"If we could both relax the grip on our weapons, we could have a more friendly discussion of your missing son."

[Mindfreak]

"Yeech, some ponies just don't know how to play fair," Lemongrass muttered as he tried to dodge the attacks. One of them eventually connected with his right-rear hooves, making him yelp in pain. That shook him up alright.

Gritting his spear, he flapped his wings to gain altitude and and tried to strike the sword from the back, this time more forcefully.

Reginald was in the air when Lemongrass attacked him. It hit his side, making him spin like a drill. While he continued to spin extremely fast, he floated towards Lemongrass at a high speed!

[Bunny Earz]

Flowier dug her heels into the floor and does a mild stretch. "Asking such a question makes you come off as somepony who does not take advantage of the situation around you. Therefore pure force or speed of avoidance seems to be your style. Am I correct?"

---

Grills waved to the flying ship. The shadow of tue huge thing darkened his coat. Despite its size, he was not in awe.
"No time to talk Hover. I got alcohol to drink." he shouted on his way back to town.

The chocolate pony calmly bursted through the bar's door.
"Soft Serve. Smoothie. Can one of you beautiful blue mares pour me a Rainbow Dash with vodka?" he annouced with less volume than most would expect. Grills spotted the new mare in town. "And something for the lady here as a welcome.."

Fantasia waited patiently at the bar absorbed in thought until a brown pony, no older than perhaps 30 strode in. He seemed to carry himself with confidence and demanded more than asked. He didn't seem like the patient type so Fantasia gratefully accepted his offer

"Thank you." she said as she drifted back into her thoughts.

[HalfTangible]

Nodding, Icy hurried outside and stood by the main door, willing herself to slow her racing heart and surging hormones. She squeezed her eyes shut again, trying to banish the extremely vivid image from her mind. By Luna, I don't know if I can keep her at bay for long.

After a minute or so of silent struggle, she finally managed to calm her nerves. (and lust.) Taking a final deep breath of the fresh spring air, she calmly trotted into the kitchen, with only her eyes betraying any hint of a mental struggle. "Please continue," she said.LOne Star used the period she was gone to calm himself down as well. He placed a hoof against his forehead and pressed down. "Git outta there..." He mumbled. After a while, she got back, and he was calm as well. Don't give in. Don't give in...

"Well," Lone Star continued, "I don't really like Romeo and Juliet until Romeo dies (and even then it's sort of iffy), but that's just personal taste. Can't stand pure romance. My point was you can still make a story many ponys like even if the concept is overdone and cliched, if you know what you're doin'."

[Orzel]

"Relying on one thing doesn't lend itself to a backup plan. One would think a commander such as you would know this."

Vague hints at passive-aggressive jabs. No information of use save for what she could make of the pony speaking. This is something Staccata can recognize in any conversation for obvious reasons. At this point the two seem to be going in verbal circles. Even though she can't trust the military, or like anypony in command of it, there's a certain respect for being able to play the information game.

"If we could both relax the grip on our weapons, we could have a more friendly discussion of your missing son."

Flowier loosened the grip on her sword by dimming her horns color. If she were the type to show facial cues, she would have smirked. This pony amused her. The ponies of this town, native or wanderer, were very confident of their skills. Had she respect for the quality of their skills, this town would be a favorite. "As you said, versatility is a virtue. I do not need my sword nor do I need your help keeping my son in one place. But such things make endeavors more efficient."


Fantasia waited patiently at the bar absorbed in thought until a brown pony, no older than perhaps 30 strode in. He seemed to carry himself with confidence and demanded more than asked. He didn't seem like the patient type so Fantasia gratefully accepted his offer

"Thank you." she said as she drifted back into her thoughts.

Grills' eyes traced the newcomer. He was too tired so his more passive side was displayed. The stallion turned to the filly and leaned on the counter.
"Pardon me if this is in any way offensivee. But I could not help seeing your horn and leg and not ask if you require any protection while in town. Bridle Shores can get rough and bit hungry knife-wielders love shadowy architecture." Grills said with a low dragging tone.

[MCerberus]

Flowier loosened the grip on her sword by dimming her horns color. If she were the type to show facial cues, she would have smirked. This pony amused her. The ponies of this town, native or wanderer, were very confident of their skills. Had she respect for the quality of their skills, this town would be a favorite. "As you said, versatility is a virtue. I do not need my sword nor do I need your help keeping my son in one place. But such things make endeavors more efficient."

Staccata, as a match for Flowier's grip loosening, places her dagger on the outside of her cloak so that it's showing. They both should know the weapons are still held close. The continued insistence on the calm word game meant that any discussion had to be again in the roundabout way. This makes it easier for her to continue the routine of looking like a disinterested reader.

"If he's running for you, he'd need to know a few things. This town seems like a tight-knit place. I've been asked what reason I'm here several times already. Maybe I could provide some directions."

Cryptic, maybe a bit confusing. Her son at least she may have some dirt on, which is useful. Also useful is pushing Flowier to a place where Staccata is acquainted with a mind-reader. Multiple angles, all that.

[Bunny Earz]

Grills' eyes traced the newcomer. He was too tired so his more passive side was displayed. The stallion turned to the filly and leaned on the counter.
"Pardon me if this is in any way offensivee. But I could not help seeing your horn and leg and not ask if you require any protection while in town. Bridle Shores can get rough and bit hungry knife-wielders love shadowy architecture." Grills said with a low dragging tone.

Fantasia was a little angered by this but she didn't let it show.
"I can handle it." she said coldly.

[Grif]

Reginald was in the air when Lemongrass attacked him. It hit his side, making him spin like a drill. While he continued to spin extremely fast, he floated towards Lemongrass at a high speed!

Lemongrass quickly tried to fly out of the way of the spinning blade he inadvertently created, his spear hanging loose at the moment.


LOne Star used the period she was gone to calm himself down as well. He placed a hoof against his forehead and pressed down. "Git outta there..." He mumbled. After a while, she got back, and he was calm as well. Don't give in. Don't give in...

"Well," Lone Star continued, "I don't really like Romeo and Juliet until Romeo dies (and even then it's sort of iffy), but that's just personal taste. Can't stand pure romance. My point was you can still make a story many ponys like even if the concept is overdone and cliched, if you know what you're doin'."

"I see. I suppose it all depends on the execution then. I have read way too many trashy romance novels to trust an author to do justice to the genre." Icy glanced at the pegasus with an amused look. "Perhaps you can be the one. Anyhow, what have you written recently? I haven't read any of your works."

[Mindfreak]

[On Hover's Ship]
Blaze was itching to be deployed. He was in the hold of the ship and was writing in his journal while waiting for some action to happen. He walked into the cockpit where Hover was.
"Hey Hover, will you go out with me?" he said, the words flowing easily off his tongue since he had said it so many times within the past 11 years.
---
Reginald zoomed past Lemongrass. His drill like momentum was lost. He turned around and thwacked at Lemongrass' back with the back of himself.

[Benson]

Onboard The Cirrus-In the bridge

Gearstride must have fallen asleep again in the captain's chair because she woke up and had no idea where they were. She was awoken to that Blaze's attempts to ask out her pilot, Hover on a date again, in which she'd likely decline, again.

"Oh in blue blazes...remind me not to snooze again like that," She glanced past Blaze and looked at Hover. "Where did you take us now?"

[HalfTangible]

"I see. I suppose it all depends on the execution then. I have read way too many trashy romance novels to trust an author to do justice to the genre." Icy glanced at the pegasus with an amused look. "Perhaps you can be the one. Anyhow, what have you written recently? I haven't read any of your works."He grinned at the compliment. "Eh, if I could keep myself interested in the character long enough."

"You probably never will read anything written by Lone Star - I use pen names for different genres." He tapped at his chin. "Let's see... Recently I've moved away from planning out stories beforehand and just writing what interests me. Of the ones that actually turned out good, there's... Sky Maverick; Farseer: Leading Madmen; Bloodfire; Zeal and Fury; Heart of Hearts; Chaos Rising; oh, and my personal favorite: Demon**."

**Actually about the life of a puppy

((If she recognizes them, she'll notice that they're mostly either scifi or fantasy. Only the first and last take place in a modern world.))

[Grif]

Onboard The Cirrus-In the bridge

Gearstride must have fallen asleep again in the captain's chair because she woke up and had no idea where they were. She was awoken to that Blaze's attempts to ask out her pilot, Hover on a date again, in which she'd likely decline, again.

"Oh in blue blazes...remind me not to snooze again like that," She glanced past Blaze and looked at Hover. "Where did you take us now?"

"Bridle Shores, apparently. Hover, why did you bring us to this remote town in the first place?" Silverpine said, not looking up from his console.

"At least it's something new, getting bored of the ship," Olympia piped up next to him. The AI-enabled shotgun lay on the table beside Silverpine.

"AIs get bored?" Silverpine asked, raising an eyebrow.

"You'll be surprised when you run out of sheeps to count."


[On Hover's Ship]
Reginald zoomed past Lemongrass. His drill like momentum was lost. He turned around and thwacked at Lemongrass' back with the back of himself.

Lemongrass yelped with pain as the blow connected. Feeling frustated, he swung his pike upwards to knock the sword by the flat of the blade and hopefully knock him down.


He grinned at the compliment. "Eh, if I could keep myself interested in the character long enough."

"You probably never will read anything written by Lone Star - I use pen names for different genres." He tapped at his chin. "Let's see... Recently I've moved away from planning out stories beforehand and just writing what interests me. Of the ones that actually turned out good, there's... Sky Maverick; Farseer: Leading Madmen; Bloodfire; Zeal and Fury; Heart of Hearts; Chaos Rising; oh, and my personal favorite: Demon**."

**Actually about the life of a puppy

((If she recognizes them, she'll notice that they're mostly either scifi or fantasy. Only the first and last take place in a modern world.))

"I read Farseer and Chaos Rising. Pretty good book for the subject matter. Huh, didn't peg you for a sci-fiction writer," Icy said with a note of respect. Funny, she didn't imagine herself sitting in her home chatting with a stallion a week ago. The past few days really turned her life upside down and then some.

I'm disappointed. I thought he would be a romantic writer. Those thrashy novels at least are good in describing the best parts of the relationship.
...

[HalfTangible]

"I read Farseer and Chaos Rising. Pretty good book for the subject matter. Huh, didn't peg you for a sci-fiction writer," Icy said with a note of respect. Funny, she didn't imagine herself sitting in her home chatting with a stallion a week ago. The past few days really turned her life upside down and then some.

I'm disappointed. I thought he would be a romantic writer. Those thrashy novels at least are good in describing the best parts of the relationship.
...

Lone Star shrugged. "Yeah, I get that a lot. I was already set for years, so now i just do what i want to. I can probably write romance again if I really need the cash, but i doubt i will any time soon... And i definitely don't want to. 'Rebbecca' was the worst thing i ever read, and 'Rose Flank'* was the most painful thing i've ever written." He visibly shuddered, leaving little doubt how much he'd hated THAT experience. "So what do you do for a living?" He looked around the house. "Dunno why, but you strike me as someone into sculpture work."

((*Essentially the kind of romance novel that Esemeralda was thinking of, mixed with a few actually very heartfelt scenes. Not bad, but not very good either. She might've read it.))

[Grif]

Lone Star shrugged. "Yeah, I get that a lot. I was already set for years, so now i just do what i want to. I can probably write romance again if I really need the cash, but i doubt i will any time soon... And i definitely don't want to. 'Rebbecca' was the worst thing i ever read, and 'Rose Flank'* was the most painful thing i've ever written." He visibly shuddered, leaving little doubt how much he'd hated THAT experience. "So what do you do for a living?" He looked around the house. "Dunno why, but you strike me as someone into sculpture work."

((*Essentially the kind of romance novel that Esemeralda was thinking of, mixed with a few actually very heartfelt scenes. Not bad, but not very good either. She might've read it.))

"Please, do not remind me of those..." Icy shuddered. She felt her tail again twitch involuntarily as well, probably the doing of her infernal split personality. Composing herself, she answered Lone Star's question.

"Me? You could say I'm a sort of a mercenary. Though I am very selective on what job I do take. I will never take a job that harms civilians, if I can help it. The guards here pay a decent sum of money to have... certain criminals removed when they cannot deal with it." she said matter-of-factly.

"I wish my ice sculpting skills were up to par, but unfortunately they tend to end up as perversion of art."

[Orzel]

Staccata, as a match for Flowier's grip loosening, places her dagger on the outside of her cloak so that it's showing. They both should know the weapons are still held close. The continued insistence on the calm word game meant that any discussion had to be again in the roundabout way. This makes it easier for her to continue the routine of looking like a disinterested reader.

"If he's running for you, he'd need to know a few things. This town seems like a tight-knit place. I've been asked what reason I'm here several times already. Maybe I could provide some directions."

Cryptic, maybe a bit confusing. Her son at least she may have some dirt on, which is useful. Also useful is pushing Flowier to a place where Staccata is acquainted with a mind-reader. Multiple angles, all that.

"Any suggestions of where he is. I am sure he revealing his 'issue', where is the most popular saloon?" asked the older mare, whose stare would have froze a lesser pony.


Fantasia was a little angered by this but she didn't let it show.
"I can handle it." she said coldly.

Grills winced at the mare's icy tone. "Sorry. I did not mean to insult. I am Grills. Is there any way I can make up for my words?"


[On Hover's Ship]
Blaze was itching to be deployed. He was in the hold of the ship and was writing in his journal while waiting for some action to happen. He walked into the cockpit where Hover was.
"Hey Hover, will you go out with me?" he said, the words flowing easily off his tongue since he had said it so many times within the past 11 years.


Dating is pointless when the future is so filled with neverending despair and screaming agony said Hover to the side.


Onboard The Cirrus-In the bridge

Gearstride must have fallen asleep again in the captain's chair because she woke up and had no idea where they were. She was awoken to that Blaze's attempts to ask out her pilot, Hover on a date again, in which she'd likely decline, again.

"Oh in blue blazes...remind me not to snooze again like that," She glanced past Blaze and looked at Hover. "Where did you take us now?"

Hover slowed the ship to stillness and plopped her chin under her hooves. "The flowers are pretty here... and the town is a magnet for danger and destruction."

[Mindfreak]

Dating is pointless when the future is so filled with neverending despair and screaming agony said Hover to the side.

Blaze wrote some things down in his journal.
"Come on Hover, in the 11 years that I've known you and asked you out repeatedly, you haven't said yes once. It'd be fun! We grab some dinner see a movie, maybe you'll even like it."
--
Reginald was hit again and fell to the ground. As he plummeted, the training padding came off and he stabbed into the ground, burying himself up to his hilt. He gave a small moaning sound.

[Bunny Earz]

Grills winced at the mare's icy tone. "Sorry. I did not mean to insult. I am Grills. Is there any way I can make up for my words?"


Fantasia felt a pinch of regret for her tone. She hated her soft side and rarely let it come out.
"It's fine."
she decided she should change the subject
"So what brings you here?"

[Benson]

Gearstride-The Cirrus



Gearstride strode over to the helmspony pilot and grinned. "Stop being such a raincloud...what we're here to do...is to prevent such a bleak future, but danger attractor, hmm."

She glances at Blaze. "We're not here *I presume* for shenanigans like that...except me..because life's unfair like that.

And she looked at Silverpine. "Bridle Shores eh? Well...." She clasps her hooves together. "We should probably investigate and question the shenanigans of this town."

[Orzel]

Blaze wrote some things down in his journal.
"Come on Hover, in the 11 years that I've known you and asked you out repeatedly, you haven't said yes once. It'd be fun! We grab some dinner see a movie, maybe you'll even like it."

The pink filly tugs on her black and white striped kneesocks. "I wil have to decline. I rather not collect any joy just to have it violently snatched from my hooves later." Hover says through her red pursed lips.

[MCerberus]

"Any suggestions of where he is. I am sure he revealing his 'issue', where is the most popular saloon?" asked the older mare, whose stare would have froze a lesser pony.

Going back to her magazine to avoid eye contact, Staccata points towards where the bar would be. "There's a unicorn there that prefers tea to the other things they're selling. Tell her I'm asking for her to do that thing."

She flips back a couple of pages to actually begin reading. At this point the rogue is trying to think about how and when to get to the bar to retrieve what Smoothie can get from the old mare's head.

[Orzel]

Fantasia felt a pinch of regret for her tone. She hated her soft side and rarely let it come out.
"It's fine."
she decided she should change the subject
"So what brings you here?"

The chocolate pony put on a large honest smile. "I've come to blow up the town and save thousands of lives. As crazy as that sounds, its the simpler version of the truth. The long version requires a drink to explain," Grills jested.

[HalfTangible]

"Please, do not remind me of those..." Icy shuddered. She felt her tail again twitch involuntarily as well, probably the doing of her infernal split personality. Composing herself, she answered Lone Star's question.

"Me? You could say I'm a sort of a mercenary. Though I am very selective on what job I do take. I will never take a job that harms civilians, if I can help it. The guards here pay a decent sum of money to have... certain criminals removed when they cannot deal with it." she said matter-of-factly.

"I wish my ice sculpting skills were up to par, but unfortunately they tend to end up as perversion of art."
"Eh, sorry... that you read them at all." Lone Star chuckled.

He then shrugged. "Sometimes i work for the guard if they need a position filled for a while but I don't think i ever saw you." He admitted, before falling silent.

[Grif]

Reginald was hit again and fell to the ground. As he plummeted, the training padding came off and he stabbed into the ground, burying himself up to his hilt. He gave a small moaning sound.

"Score!" Lemongrass exulted, as he watched the sword drop. He flew down to the sword. "Hey, you okay there?" he asked, as he tried to pull the sword gently out of the ground.


Gearstride-The Cirrus



Gearstride strode over to the helmspony pilot and grinned. "Stop being such a raincloud...what we're here to do...is to prevent such a bleak future, but danger attractor, hmm."

She glances at Blaze. "We're not here *I presume* for shenanigans like that...except me..because life's unfair like that.

And she looked at Silverpine. "Bridle Shores eh? Well...." She clasps her hooves together. "We should probably investigate and question the shenanigans of this town."

"Let's hope you don't blow up half the town like you did the last one," Silverpine said dryly.

"In her defense, the town also had zombies."

"Since when do you speak for her?"

"She's the captain, not you. I know who should I suck up to."

"That's it, you're getting a cleaning later."

"What! No!"


"Eh, sorry... that you read them at all." Lone Star chuckled.

He then shrugged. "Sometimes i work for the guard if they need a position filled for a while but I don't think i ever saw you." He admitted, before falling silent.

"I usually work... out of town. I prefer it that way. Less likely for collateral damage," Icy elaborated. She turned to look at the clock. "Still early. I suppose I should head to the library to see if I can reverse this vexing curse somehow."

[Mindfreak]

The pink filly tugs on her black and white striped kneesocks. "I wil have to decline. I rather not collect any joy just to have it violently snatched from my hooves later." Hover says through her red pursed lips.

"I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you. I promised you that years ago."
He sighed.
"One of these days I know you'll say yes, I just know it."
He finished writing in his journal and sat down in a chair in a human like fashion. He looked at Gearstride as she commented.
"Hey, if you get shenanigans, I get them too." he teased slightly.

[Benson]

"I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you. I promised you that years ago."
He sighed.
"One of these days I know you'll say yes, I just know it."
He finished writing in his journal and sat down in a chair in a human like fashion. He looked at Gearstride as she commented.
"Hey, if you get shenanigans, I get them too." he teased slightly.

"Nope, these are specifically the perks of being captain," She playfully winked and then trotted off to the side and gestured with a hoof that he come over for a second.

[Bunny Earz]

The chocolate pony put on a large honest smile. "I've come to blow up the town and save thousands of lives. As crazy as that sounds, its the simpler version of the truth. The long version requires a drink to explain," Grills jested.

Fantasia was skeptical.
"I have a feeling that you're hiding something..."

[Mindfreak]

"Nope, these are specifically the perks of being captain," She playfully winked and then trotted off to the side and gestured with a hoof that he come over for a second.

He followed her since she was the captain. He could get reprimanded if he didn't once over he talked in a lower voice so the others wouldn't hear him.
"Yes Captain?"

[HalfTangible]

"I usually work... out of town. I prefer it that way. Less likely for collateral damage," Icy elaborated. She turned to look at the clock. "Still early. I suppose I should head to the library to see if I can reverse this vexing curse somehow."

Lone Star nodded and stood up. "Alright. Let's go." Icy might recall that Lone Star lives in a library/bookstore.

[Benson]

He followed her since she was the captain. He could get reprimanded if he didn't once over he talked in a lower voice so the others wouldn't hear him.
"Yes Captain?"

"...If you're gonna to woo this one, considering her personality type, ya gonna have to be more subtle. Right now she says 'no' but that's because you seem to be pushing it. Not all mares can deal with your brand of bluntness. But there's always a way to win a mare's affections. Ya just got to learn the type," Gear winked giving him a hearty whack on the back with a hoof as she chuckled. "With this one...ya got to be able to make the right moves without being so obvious about it."

Gear strode back to the captain's seat and sat down. "But anyways, fraternization can wait...right now...Bridle Shores and its drama! That's our task at hoof!....or something to that nature."

[Mindfreak]

"...If you're gonna to woo this one, considering her personality type, ya gonna have to be more subtle. Right now she says 'no' but that's because you seem to be pushing it. Not all mares can deal with your brand of bluntness. But there's always a way to win a mare's affections. Ya just got to learn the type," Gear winked giving him a hearty whack on the back with a hoof as she chuckled. "With this one...ya got to be able to make the right moves without being so obvious about it."

Gear strode back to the captain's seat and sat down. "But anyways, fraternization can wait...right now...Bridle Shores and its drama! That's our task at hoof!....or something to that nature."
Blaze frowned a bit and whispered before she went back.
"It's not that, she thinks that something will go wrong if she says yes and will make her unhappy."

[Grif]

Lone Star nodded and stood up. "Alright. Let's go." Icy might recall that Lone Star lives in a library/bookstore.

Icy did indeed remember, though her thoughts were actually directed to the big abandoned library that lay outside of town. (Similar to pony-lite, though this one was abandoned due to constant attacks on the town.)

"Oh right. You do have a sort of mini-library at your home. Maybe we could stop by there first," Icy said, levitating her cloak and hood off the rack. She clasped her modest clothing in place and nodded at Lone Star to follow.

Oh how scandalous. You visiting another stallion's home. Do you think we could seduce him there?
Must. Ignore. Voice.

[HalfTangible]

"I even sell some of them." He laughed before flapping his wings and heading out the door.

[Benson]

Blaze frowned a bit and whispered before she went back.
"It's not that, she thinks that something will go wrong if she says yes and will make her unhappy."

"Alas you've fallen for an insecure filly, who's much younger than you, you cradle robber, hahah," Gear mostly jokes as it is technically true. Oh Blaze, you. "Anyways yes...insecure filly, pessimism, etc...etc...stuff I don't identify with. Well, just approach her as a friend first. Help her as a friend, not as a coltfriend. Gah...it makes me feel like an old maid dispensing love advice." She facehoofs.

[Grif]

"I even sell some of them." He laughed before flapping his wings and heading out the door.

So the pair made their way to his house without (much) trouble, with Icy only needing to stop to clear her head once. Still, it was proving to be rather mentally taxing for the pale blue mare, who was unused to such level of mental activity.

"I really need a cup of coffee after this. Or three," Icy said, a little grumpily. She was already feeling slightly worn from her constant struggle.


"Alas you've fallen for an insecure filly, who's much younger than you, you cradle robber, hahah," Gear mostly jokes as it is technically true. Oh Blaze, you. "Anyways yes...insecure filly, pessimism, etc...etc...stuff I don't identify with. Well, just approach her as a friend first. Help her as a friend, not as a coltfriend. Gah...it makes me feel like an old maid dispensing love advice." She facehoofs.

"Captain? We're approaching Bridle Shores now," Silverpine called. "You might want to choose a landing spot."

[TheAmishPirate]

[Sandy Shore - The Cirrus - The Best at Engines]

A pipe nearby the Captain's seat started to rattle. The Cirrus, like any airship worth it's air, was equipped with a series of hollow pipes that led to the various rooms and stations inside the ship. By talking into one, they made a crude, but effective, means of communicating across the ship.

This particular pipe led to the engine room. By the sounds of things, somepony was attempting to wrestle the engine into submission, and finding themselves completely outmatched.

[Mindfreak]

Blaze facehoofs since Gear forgot that they had known each other since they were 5. And that they were the same age. He sat back down in his chair(that was next to Hover) and began to look down at Bridle Shores.

[Benson]

"Captain? We're approaching Bridle Shores now," Silverpine called. "You might want to choose a landing spot."

"Very well, we'll land in the middle in town and make it a dramatic entrance, hahahah," Gear mostly joked as she dramatically pointed forward with an outstretched leg.

"Or we can be lame and go land a few canters outside of the main gate, because otherwise we might spook these civilians and they'll likely attack us considering well how paranoid they must be with this town being a danger magnet," She frowned, partially because she'd be denied a dramatic hammy entrance. On the upside, this town needed a hero and Gear wanted to deliver.

[HalfTangible]

So the pair made their way to his house without (much) trouble, with Icy only needing to stop to clear her head once. Still, it was proving to be rather mentally taxing for the pale blue mare, who was unused to such level of mental activity.

"I really need a cup of coffee after this. Or three," Icy said, a little grumpily. She was already feeling slightly worn from her constant struggle.

Lone Star looked to her as they entered the darkened place, worry clear on his face. "Look, if I'm making this tough on you, then I'll go do something else when we're done here. I want to spend time with you but not if it's difficult for you..." He flipped the lights on, revealing shelves upon shelves of books.

[Orzel]

Fantasia was skeptical.
"I have a feeling that you're hiding something..."

The stallion faked surprise and embarrassment. "Oh. You got me. I like bunnies."


Going back to her magazine to avoid eye contact, Staccata points towards where the bar would be. "There's a unicorn there that prefers tea to the other things they're selling. Tell her I'm asking for her to do that thing."

She flips back a couple of pages to actually begin reading. At this point the rogue is trying to think about how and when to get to the bar to retrieve what Smoothie can get from the old mare's head.

"I appreciate the tip. Seems someponies aren't as useless as they appear at first glance." That was her way of showing thanks. If the other mare had known her longer, the lack of assault would be recognized as another sign of gratitude.

[Bunny Earz]

The stallion faked surprise and embarrassment. "Oh. You got me. I like bunnies."


Fantasia was amused with his sarcasm. A short giggle escaped her mouth, but she quickly recovered.
"Erhm, well don't we all."

[Benson]

Fox Trot-Being Whisked Away Because the Plot Demands It!

Fox Trot glanced over at Mach and briefly shook his head. However, Fox was however intrigued by this prospect for a cure, if it was still a physical condition and not a psychological one that it was turning out to be.

Fox wrote a note, asking if he'd fancy assistance for a later time, that Mach could leave a reply in his mail box. At the moment, Fox Trot was being whisked away for important 'business' shenanigans. He sighed, he would have very much preferred to stay with the icy mare. Connect with her more. He was going to fall behind in this game at this rate.

He stopped by his house and collected his gear. Worse was that he'd be possibly gone for a few days. Yea, he was definitely going to fall behind, not that he wasn't going to try.

[TheAmishPirate]

The rattling and frantic banging coming from the pipe continued to get louder and louder, culminating in a dull *poomf* that shook the ship ever so slightly. A faint "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..." faded from the pipe..."...hhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" only to fade back in from outside the bridge.

[Ladder to the Engine Room]

Sandy cleared the main deck level before finally slowing to a stop, and then fell to the floor with a crash. His coat and mane were blackened by smoke, and his tail was smouldering slightly. He picked himself up, coughing to clear his throat. Nothing broken, engine no longer on fire, not a bad job by his reckoning.

[Orzel]

"Very well, we'll land in the middle in town and make it a dramatic entrance, hahahah," Gear mostly joked as she dramatically pointed forward with an outstretched leg.

"Or we can be lame and go land a few canters outside of the main gate, because otherwise we might spook these civilians and they'll likely attack us considering well how paranoid they must be with this town being a danger magnet," She frowned, partially because she'd be denied a dramatic hammy entrance. On the upside, this town needed a hero and Gear wanted to deliver.

Hover brings the Citrus to a slow controlled descent army the town's eastern gate.
"Sometimes I wish I was not such a good pilot. Boom. Up in flames."


Fantasia was amused with his sarcasm. A short giggle escaped her mouth, but she quickly recovered.
"Erhm, well don't we all."
"I saw a laugh." He pointed at the mare will a chuckle. He finally got his drink and took a swig. "Now what is your story, friend."

[Mindfreak]

Hover brings the Citrus to a slow controlled descent army the town's eastern gate.
"Sometimes I wish I was not such a good pilot. Boom. Up in flames."

"And if that did happen I would miss you. Now, are we going to check out Bridle Shores, or 'check it out'?"
By 'check it ou' he meant get drunk in the nearest bar.

[Bunny Earz]

Hover brings the Citrus to a slow controlled descent army the town's eastern gate.
"Sometimes I wish I was not such a good pilot. Boom. Up in flames."


"I saw a laugh." He pointed at the mare will a chuckle. He finally got his drink and took a swig. "Now what is your story, friend."

"Friend" caught her off guard. She had never been anyones friend, unless you count her sister.
"It's a long one." she said rather stiffly as she took a sip of her drink as well.

[Orzel]

"And if that did happen I would miss you. Now, are we going to check out Bridle Shores, or 'check it out'?"
By 'check it ou' he meant get drunk in the nearest bar.

"Alcohol to drown my sorrows, I trade my heavy purse." Hover fiddles with a few bits carelessly.


"Friend" caught her off guard. She had never been anyones friend, unless you count her sister.
"It's a long one." she said rather stiffly as she took a sip of her drink as well.

Grills puts his hoof under his chin and stared at the mare'sdrink and lips. "I have the time. I think I'm done for the day. Welll... nopony is getting anymore work out of me anyway."

[Zjoot]

Two young stallions emerged from the forest outside Bridle Shores. Their attention was immediately drawn to the massive airship hovering in the sky above the city.

"Wow." said an overwhelmed Vermillion. "That is one big ship."

"Big might be a bit of an understatement, don't you think?"* Nimbus replied.

"Heh, you got that right."

The two continued to speculate on how such a large airship came to such a small town as they entered Bridle Shores. The hungry travelers wandered around a bit until they Soft's Bar. Their conversation continued as they entered and took a seat by the counter. "...Well the town is famous for attracting trouble."

"So you think that thing's dangerous?"

"Could be. You never know." Vermillion turned to the pony behind the counter. "Can we get something to eat? We haven't had a good meal in days."

-------
*I'm assuming that The Cirrus is impressively huge, right?

[MCerberus]

"I appreciate the tip. Seems someponies aren't as useless as they appear at first glance." That was her way of showing thanks. If the other mare had known her longer, the lack of assault would be recognized as another sign of gratitude.

"Useful is really what you make of it," Staccata remarks trying to end the conversation. More would jeopardize the setup she think she's just organized. The plan's flimsy enough to fall apart on its own anyway.

With the soft morning light, the two days of early mornings, and the wilderness escapades earlier, Staccata is still having an issue keeping focus on anything that wasn't of real importance. She puts the magazine under the bench and yawns silently. Maybe some actually time 'off' is in order. Staccata lowers her head and closes her eyes. A small bit of observation will reveal she isn't asleep just kind of laying there.



Speaking of Zoning Out - Mach

Where'd this note come from? Mach reads it but can't really make anything of the words behind the letters. He floats up a little bit into the sky and spots an airship past the east gate. He's never seen a big one before. He knows a lot more about how they work than most other ponies, but never has had the experience. The pegasus just sits there staring for a minute before the realization comes to him as he wakes up just a bit more.

"Why is there an armed airship in town?"

[TheAmishPirate]

[Bridge of the Cirrus]

Sandy stumbled onto the bridge, throwing a salute to Gearstride before reporting in; "Engines are holding steady, Captain. Sorry for that bit of turbulence there."

He took a moment to gauge the distance to their chosen landing site. "I'd figure they'll hold alright until we land, but we'll need a bit more than patch jobs and prayers if you don't want them bursting into flames again on takeoff."

[Bunny Earz]

"Alcohol to drown my sorrows, I trade my heavy purse." Hover fiddles with a few bits carelessly.



Grills puts his hoof under his chin and stared at the mare'sdrink and lips. "I have the time. I think I'm done for the day. Welll... nopony is getting anymore work out of me anyway."

Fantasia decided he could be trustworthy and if not, she could probably take him.

She carefully watched the two ponies who had just entered the bar as she spoke.
"When I was young my village was burned down and there was an accident" she gestured to her horn. "My family died and we lost everything. Since then I've been traveling around, and trying to stay out of trouble." She recalled several encounters where she got a scratch or two but nothing she couldn't handle.

[Benson]

[Bridge of the Cirrus]

Sandy stumbled onto the bridge, throwing a salute to Gearstride before reporting in; "Engines are holding steady, Captain. Sorry for that bit of turbulence there."

He took a moment to gauge the distance to their chosen landing site. "I'd figure they'll hold alright until we land, but we'll need a bit more than patch jobs and prayers if you don't want them bursting into flames again on takeoff."

"Oh I don't mind a little turbulence....hur hur hur," The xanadu mare smirked for a second and raised a suggestive brow. She then immediately dropped it as if it didn't happen.

"I see, I see, we'll I suppose while we're down there in town we can drudge up some supplies, find some new parts, that sort of shebang," Gear responded in her 'authoritative voice'.

[Orzel]

Fantasia decided he could be trustworthy and if not, she could probably take him.

She carefully watched the two ponies who had just entered the bar as she spoke.
"When I was young my village was burned down and there was an accident" she gestured to her horn. "My family died and we lost everything. Since then I've been traveling around, and trying to stay out of trouble." She recalled several encounters where she got a scratch or two but nothing she couldn't handle.

"Wow. That's heavy. I am so sorry to hear that happened to you." said the staillion in his most sincere voice. He heard his share of sad stories being a military pony but this one was touching. The loss of family made him sniffle honestly.
"By the way, you never told me your name."

[Bunny Earz]

"Wow. That's heavy. I am so sorry to hear that happened to you." said the staillion in his most sincere voice. He heard his share of sad stories being a military pony but this one was touching. The loss of family made him sniffle honestly.
"By the way, you never told me your name."

Fantasia rarely gave her name but she felt a connection to this strange pony.

"Fantasia" she replied.


((i apologize, color is unavailable to me at the moment. I`ll change it when i can))

[Orzel]

"Oh I don't mind a little turbulence....hur hur hur," The xanadu mare smirked for a second and raised a suggestive brow. She then immediately dropped it as if it didn't happen.

"I see, I see, we'll I suppose while we're down there in town we can drudge up some supplies, find some new parts, that sort of shebang," Gear responded in her 'authoritative voice'.

"Yes. The ice cream supply is dreadfully low. Like our chances of surviving to New Years" the pink filly anounced gloomly. The engines of the Cirrus finally whirled to a halt.


Fantasia rarely gave her name but she felt a connection to this strange pony.

"Fantasia" she replied.

His eyes perked up. "Fantasia. What a beautiful name. Very fitting." Grills nodded in agreement with himself then frowned. "My name sadly doesn't convey the same sense of... handsomeness?"

[TheAmishPirate]

"Oh I don't mind a little turbulence....hur hur hur," The xanadu mare smirked for a second and raised a suggestive brow. She then immediately dropped it as if it didn't happen.

"I see, I see, we'll I suppose while we're down there in town we can drudge up some supplies, find some new parts, that sort of shebang," Gear responded in her 'authoritative voice'.

He fake-coughed to try and hide the awkward. It failed spectacularly. "Er, right. Good. Just-just make sure to do that. I'm...uh, going to go check the engines for...things. Again."

He hustled back to the engine room, his blackened face hiding the blush creeping into his cheeks. The Captain was one thing he doubted he'd ever get used to.

[Bunny Earz]

His eyes perked up. "Fantasia. What a beautiful name. Very fitting." Grills nodded in agreement with himself then frowned. "My name sadly doesn't convey the same sense of... handsomeness?"

"Of course it does, it`s quite a lov-" Fantasia stopped. She didn`t want to unravel just at the sight of a handsome colt.
"I mean, i`m not one to judge."
her arm slipped off the bar and she lost balance for a moment. A deep red rose to her cheeks.

[Benson]

"Yes. The ice cream supply is dreadfully low. Like our chances of surviving to New Years" the pink filly announced gloomily. The engines of the Cirrus finally whirled to a halt.

"Shush you Hover, stop being such a sourpuss, I'll lock you in my room again with me," The xanadu mare leered giving a pervy grin.

"Anywhom, Rainbow, you the cute quiet one who I want to glomp, are you going to stay here on board or join us down in town? Two nods for yes, one for no," Gear somehow managed a straight face as she asked this.


He fake-coughed to try and hide the awkward. It failed spectacularly. "Er, right. Good. Just-just make sure to do that. I'm...uh, going to go check the engines for...things. Again."

He hustled back to the engine room, his blackened face hiding the blush creeping into his cheeks. The Captain was one thing he doubted he'd ever get used to.

"Aw...what a shame to leave so soon...I wasn't done teasing, hahah."

[Mindfreak]

[The Ship]
"I'm actually going to stay inboard myself, Captain. You know I'm a lightweight when it comes to alcohol."
He didn't need to remind them of the last time he had a drink and tried to make out with Gearstride.

[Crisis21]

"Score!" Lemongrass exulted, as he watched the sword drop. He flew down to the sword. "Hey, you okay there?" he asked, as he tried to pull the sword gently out of the ground.


Eric picked up the padding as Lemongrass helped Reginald out of the ground.

[Mindfreak]

Reginald was silent in the ground. The purple glow that was always around his blade dimmed and then disappeared. This can't be good.

[Orzel]

"Of course it does, it`s quite a lov-" Fantasia stopped. She didn`t want to unravel just at the sight of a handsome colt.
"I mean, i`m not one to judge."
her arm slipped off the bar and she lost balance for a moment. A deep red rose to her cheeks.

There was something strange about this mare. Not once did he have one of his perverted daydreams of Fantasia. Neither was he just not interested naturally like one feels to a family member. It was different. Probably because he was sober.

"Planning to crash at the hotel?"


"Shush you Hover, stop being such a sourpuss, I'll lock you in my room again with me," The xanadu mare leered giving a pervy grin.

"Anywhom, Rainbow, you the cute quiet one who I want to glomp, are you going to stay here on board or join us down in town? Two nods for yes, one for no," Gear somehow managed a straight face as she asked this.


The sides of Hover's face dropped at her captain's remarks. She reminisced of the spree of teasing she had to endure. It wasn't too bad as she rarely blushed and was difficult to embarrass.
"All you will do is hint about who likes me. Waste of time if you asked me. Those who want a dead rose are also dead inside."

Rainbow, after slipping out her dreams of bullets and headshots, acknowledged Gearstride's question with a double nod. She was wearing her good ribbons afterall. Thems are her drinking ribbons.

[Grif]

Lone Star looked to her as they entered the darkened place, worry clear on his face. "Look, if I'm making this tough on you, then I'll go do something else when we're done here. I want to spend time with you but not if it's difficult for you..." He flipped the lights on, revealing shelves upon shelves of books.

Icy shook her head resignedly. "It'll be fine. I doubt my sudden upsurge of hormones is going to cease just by you walking away." Just then, yet another image of the two kissing popped in her head. She closed her eyes and sighed in irritation, flushing a little.

You seemed to be getting better at handling this... progress?
I suppose after the 100th time of you fantasising me kissing him, it does get a little old no?
Silly filly, they're your fantasies, not mine. I just dig them out from this conveniently active imagination of yours.

"Let's get this started. Maybe we can start by looking up spells that affect the mind and work our way from there," Icy said, opening her eyes again, her breathing a little ragged.


[The Ship]
"I'm actually going to stay inboard myself, Captain. You know I'm a lightweight when it comes to alcohol."
He didn't need to remind them of the last time he had a drink and tried to make out with Gearstride.

"Are you sure? I'm pretty sure they serve non-alcoholic drinks there as well," Silverpine said as he grabbed his saddle bags and attached Olympia to his right shoulder.


Eric picked up the padding as Lemongrass helped Reginald out of the ground.


Reginald was silent in the ground. The purple glow that was always around his blade dimmed and then disappeared. This can't be good.

"Uhh... this is his normal state right?" Lemongrass asked, a little worried.

[Mystic Muse]

The chocolate pony calmly bursted through the bar's door.
"Soft Serve. Smoothie. Can one of you beautiful blue mares pour me a Rainbow Dash with vodka?" he annouced with less volume than most would expect. Grills spotted the new mare in town. "And something for the lady here as a welcome.."

Smoothie pours him a Rainbow Dash, and pours the lady a Root Beer. If there were any other requests, she didn't hear them, because her player has been slacking off when it comes to this RP and had to skim through.


The dragon swooped downward trying to swat at Gwynfillion like a fly who continued to attack at it with various elemental attacks. It's tail low enough that when Soft jumped she managed to land on it and take hold.

Soft attempts to continue up the Dragon's back and start hacking at/attacking its wing. Hopefully, if she damages the wing enough, the dragon will be incapable of flying, and have to fight from the ground. If that's the case, Soft can serve as the distraction while Gwyn kites the thing to death.

[Mindfreak]

"Are you sure? I'm pretty sure they serve non-alcoholic drinks there as well," Silverpine said as he grabbed his saddle bags and attached Olympia to his right shoulder.

"Yeah, I'm sure. I'd be too tempted to get a drink, and I don't think I need to remind you what happened last time."
--
Reginald is still silent when he's out of the ground. No purple glowing, no talking, no floating.
Just silence.

[Bunny Earz]

There was something strange about this mare. Not once did he have one of his perverted daydreams of Fantasia. Neither was he just not interested naturally like one feels to a family member. It was different. Probably because he was sober.

"Planning to crash at the hotel?"

Fantasia nodded.
"What about you? Do you live here?"

[Benson]

[The Ship]
"I'm actually going to stay inboard myself, Captain. You know I'm a lightweight when it comes to alcohol."
He didn't need to remind them of the last time he had a drink and tried to make out with Gearstride.

"Yes, we know you're a pansy, hahah," She teased.



The sides of Hover's face dropped at her captain's remarks. She reminisced of the spree of teasing she had to endure. It wasn't too bad as she rarely blushed and was difficult to embarrass.
"All you will do is hint about who likes me. Waste of time if you asked me. Those who want a dead rose are also dead inside."

Rainbow, after slipping out her dreams of bullets and headshots, acknowledged Gearstride's question with a double nod. She was wearing her good ribbons afterall. Thems are her drinking ribbons.

"Hover, darling, stop wangsting. Anywhom, well it's okay if Blaze stays, he can keep Sandy company or some such," Gear glances at Silverpine. "Well we're off."




Soft attempts to continue up the Dragon's back and start hacking at/attacking its wing. Hopefully, if she damages the wing enough, the dragon will be incapable of flying, and have to fight from the ground. If that's the case, Soft can serve as the distraction while Gwyn kites the thing to death.

The wing although made of thick stuff begins to show signs of cuts. The dragon tries to get at Soft but finds itself distracted with the pest that is Gwynfillion. The plum mare then casted an illusionary double of herself and split to move to the sides. The real her dove towards the ear socket, sometimes attacking from the inside was super effective.

[Orzel]

Fantasia nodded.
"What about you? Do you live here?"

Grills downed the last of his drink and gestured to Smoothie for another. "Well yes and no. I own a house here and the mansion on my family's property in Fetlock. That tells you something about them if I prefer to stay here," he explained. He lightly chuckled at the mention of his biological burdens.

The only moment he took his eyes off the mare was when he had that thought and to check the status of his drink.

[Zjoot]

Smoothie pours him a Rainbow Dash, and pours the lady a Root Beer. If there were any other requests, she didn't hear them, because her player has been slacking off when it comes to this RP and had to skim through.


Noticing that the unicorn behind the bar seemed distracted, Vermilion politely restated their request. "Can we have something to eat please?"

"A couple rootbeers too." Nimbus added. He hadn't realised how thirsty he was until he saw the other ponies sipping their drinks. He turned to the other two. "Room for one more in your conversation?" he asked with a grin.

[Bunny Earz]

Grills downed the last of his drink and gestured to Smoothie for another. "Well yes and no. I own a house here and the mansion on my family's property in Fetlock. That tells you something about them if I prefer to stay here," he explained. He lightly chuckled at the mention of his biological burdens.

The only moment he took his eyes off the mare was when he had that thought and to check the status of his drink.

Fantasia felt sorry for him. But then again, he had family.
"Family trouble? I wouldn't know what that's like"
she sighed and remembered late nights, falling asleep to her mother's pony tales.

[Orzel]

Fantasia felt sorry for him. But then again, he had family.
"Family trouble? I wouldn't know what that's like"
she sighed and remembered late nights, falling asleep to her mother's pony tales.

Grills realized what he said and buried his face in his hooves. "Oh I'm sorry. I never meant to... I shouldn't have... It's just be pretty stressful lately."

Between his irregular sleeping hours, high consumption of alcohol, and energy draining activity; it's a surprise Grills can speak two sentences. And now he is embarassed.

[Bunny Earz]

Grills realized what he said and buried his face in his hooves. "Oh I'm sorry. I never meant to... I shouldn't have... It's just be pretty stressful lately."

Between his irregular sleeping hours, high consumption of alcohol, and energy draining activity; it's a surprise Grills can speak two sentences. And now he is embarassed.

Fantasia knew how he felt and didn't mean to make him feel uncomfortable.
"It's ok, I shouldn't have...ya. Things have been pretty stressful for me too." she sighed.

[Crisis21]

"Uhh... this is his normal state right?" Lemongrass asked, a little worried.



Reginald is still silent when he's out of the ground. No purple glowing, no talking, no floating.
Just silence.

"I.... don't know," Eric admits with uncertain worry. In all honesty, he knows precious little about sentient self-aware weapons. Reginald is the second one he's actually spoken with directly in his life. The first had been an enemy of him and his friends, and aside from a few overlapping skills there was nothing in common between the two.

[Mindfreak]

Small purple sparks begin to run down Reginald. More and more and more kept running down until Reginald was bathed in glowing purple light again. He floated into the air.
"I have to go."
And he zoomed off into the air.

[Mystic Muse]

Noticing that the unicorn behind the bar seemed distracted, Vermilion politely restated their request. "Can we have something to eat please?"

"A couple rootbeers too." Nimbus added. He hadn't realised how thirsty he was until he saw the other ponies sipping their drinks. He turned to the other two. "Room for one more in your conversation?" he asked with a grin.


I'm sorry. Yes, what would you like to eat? she asks as she gets them a couple of Root Beers.



The wing although made of thick stuff begins to show signs of cuts. The dragon tries to get at Soft but finds itself distracted with the pest that is Gwynfillion. The plum mare then casted an illusionary double of herself and split to move to the sides. The real her dove towards the ear socket, sometimes attacking from the inside was super effective.

DO. YOUR. JOB. CHRYSAMERE. Soft says angrily as she continues to attempt to slash through the dragon's wing, attacking with everything but ice while infusing it into her blade, even using her last two smite evil attempts.

[Orzel]

Fantasia knew how he felt and didn't mean to make him feel uncomfortable.
"It's ok, I shouldn't have...ya. Things have been pretty stressful for me too." she sighed.

"No no no. It is my fault. What brings you to town so I can aid you in some way to even this out?" pleaded Grills. He would gladly do anything to take his mind off his mission. The long search for and failure to find one of the Fire Elders was taking a toll on his drive.

[Mindfreak]

I'm sorry. Yes, what would you like to eat? she asks as she gets them a couple of Root Beers.


DO. YOUR. JOB. CHRYSAMERE. Soft says angrily as she continues to attempt to slash through the dragon's wing, attacking with everything but ice while infusing it into her blade, even using her last two smite evil attempts.

Reginald flew into the bar and floated towards Smoothie.
"Smoothie, I need to talk to you privately."

[Mystic Muse]

Reginald flew into the bar and floated towards Smoothie.
"Smoothie, I need to talk to you privately."

Alright. Just think your thoughts, I'll read your mind, and I'll communicate back with telepathy. I have a bar to tend while my sister gives cookies and Pina Coladas to a Genocidal maniac. she says.

[Mindfreak]

Alright. Just think your thoughts, I'll read your mind, and I'll communicate back with telepathy. I have a bar to tend while my sister gives cookies and Pina Coladas to a Genocidal maniac. she says.

Smoothie, I can't explain right now but I need you to put me in your plane and make it be for exactly 100 years on my end but a couple seconds on yours then let me out.
She will sense a great anger inside of him that's all directed towards Gwyn. Blind murderous rage. She would be able to tell that he's barely holding it in.