-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Powerline chuckles. "Of course we have stimpacks. And a few other medical supplies, if you're interested. Mostly bandages, but I think I have a Rad-Safe or two somewhere."
At the question of firearms, she chuckles. "Well, step right into my parlor!" she says and sweeps her hoof towards a small room sealed off by iron bars from the rest of the store. A burly stallion stands guard, looking both bored and menacing in the same turn. "Lots of pipe weapons, but some refurbished stuff as well. We're a bit low on ammunition for anything but the pipe at the moment, though. Some mare in power armor came and cleaned us out two days ago. Er, she paid for it. Wasn't a robbery. She bartered pretty well, though."
She winks at Oddy. "Sorry, pal, that costs extra! And you have to buy me dinner first." She gestures towards an area at the front of the store. "Knickknacks, toys, and assorted stuff I didn't have any other place to put are over there."
====
"Printing Press," he says, offering her a hoof to shake, "Reporter, editor, and publisher of the Neighagara Evening Reader." A magazine Rime has heard of, which features all sorts of stories, including gossip, satire, hearsay, and rumor. Of the three in Neighagara, it is the most focused on entertaining its readers. It also tends to feature interviews with and pictures of pretty mares.
"Er, hold up a moment!" he says, "I can walk with you. Just want to ask a few questions. A friend of mine mentioned that something interesting happened on the train?"
His mind is no match for Rime's magic. She knows that he has already heard from one of the crew of the train about the events that happened last night. They used their radio to call ahead, it seems. And, it seems he spotted her striking out on her own, which made he seem the most approachable.
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Doc leans towards Golden. "I recommend grabbing what we can on medical supplies. Anything specific you're looking for? I think you mentioned food or something like that earlier," he whispers to her.
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Oddy laughed with a delight. "I think we k'have a deal then! Who said you can't mix buisness and fun?"
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Golden whispers back. "Like I said to her, we're getting the standard package. Food, fuel, heat, and things like that." She gives Doc a smile. "Tell you what: I'll give you a budget of 500 caps. You see what medical supplies we can get with that."
Powerline's cheeks heat up. "Oh! You were being serious. I, uh..." She looks Oddy over, searching her for any sign of deception. A look of suspicion crosses her face. "You're not making fun of me, are you?"
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
"Rime Verse." She stops to shake his hoof. "Freelancer. Writer. Rainbow Falls School of Arcane Sciences alumni. You do well. Your magazine ranks in the top three choices." A pony that is somepony. "You have a habit of entertaining your readers with stories and interviews." A well intended compliment.
She provides room for him to walk by her side. Her staff switches hoofs as to not be between them. "I have not forbidden you from walking with me. Before I answer any questions, I will only speak to you as a confidential informant. I do not desire to become entertainment. I do not want paid, but I want a tour of the Neighagara Evening Reader. I want to see a fellow professional workplace. Not this moment; however, I am busy."
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Oddy shook her head. "Why would I? You seems nice, I am nice. Mean ponies and reindeers should be ridiculed.' she is getting closer.
'You aren't mean. Are you?'
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Pepper ignores the brutish Stallion-- if Powerline's smart she'll keep the ammo locked up behind the counter and moves straight to examine the refurbished guns, mouthing something like "I said NO Saturday night specials" under her breath. Pipe guns are a last resort and typically shoddy, unreliable ones at that. Sure, some of the ones she saw Raiders tote around (before being gunned down) technically had an almost impressive level of desperate ingenuity to them but she has yet to see a truly impressive gun made out of plumbing parts and prayers.
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Miltonian
Golden whispers back. "Like I said to her, we're getting the standard package. Food, fuel, heat, and things like that." She gives Doc a smile. "Tell you what: I'll give you a budget of 500 caps. You see what medical supplies we can get with that."
"Eeyup, I can do," Doc affirms on the budget with a whisper. He then adds. "Camping stuff is all good, but consider if we'll need stuff for the destination. You know; bolt cutters, blow torch, crowbar. I got lockpicks for the old fashion doors at least. ...don't ask why. Long story, needs alcohol to tell it."
Maybe he let on too much. Doc cleared his throat. "Anyway, later tangent. Let's check on the medical supplies." And off he moves to the shelves with the medical gear to see about topping off supplies to keep the party in one piece.
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Roxy rocks silently with giggles, oh that had been totally worth it. And it gave Quoth a heads up that the pony he was talking to had backup which would put the pressure on him. "Damn, that parasprite must have gotten you good." Roxy is just casually leans on a nearby bit of wall while still keeping half an eye on Quoth and stallion. Not center of attention at all, wasn't why the mare jumped straight up in the air, no siree. She was just casually hanging around before the mare spooked herself.
Lip Reading [roll0] vs 12
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Printing Press blinks and raises a hoof. "There are only three choices, but point taken."
"Confidential. Right. We do that sometimes." He chuckles. "Well, if you're busy, perhaps you'd care to talk more over dinner? We can give you that tour at the same time."
=====
Powerline's cheeks heat up more as Oddy gets closer. "Uhhhh, I try not to be? I mean, it's no fun to be mean. Um, alright, it's a date?"
Golden raises an eyebrow. "Are you stealing my employees now, Powerline?"
"Of course not!" Powerline says with a cheeky grin, "Borrowing."
Meanwhile, Pepper heads into the back and, among the piles of Pipe, finds three gems. The first is a shotgun that is...identical to her own, but less well cared for. It does have a laser sight attached, though. Next is a Colt M16A1, which has a scope attached to it. And last is a very, very well-tended Brawning M2HB, which has no special attachments but is a full machine gun.
Golden smirks at Doc. "What do you think is in the trunk I'm carrying? One of you've got the tents and cooking supplies too."
======
Quoth is pushing the stallion a bit harder now. If Roxy has her guess, he is saying, "Well maybe I'll go tell Security what you've been up to then."
The stallion colors and snaps at Quoth. With a shrug, Quoth says, "Well, if that's all you've got, fine. I'll take the caps." The stallion blinks in surprise, but then readily hands over the caps. Quoth begins to turn away. "Nice doing business with you," he says loudly.
That's Roxy's cue.
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Miltonian
Golden smirks at Doc. "What do you think is in the trunk I'm carrying? One of you've got the tents and cooking supplies too."
"Wasn't sure if I were being paid to think. Not something appreciated in the last job I had," Doc says as he browses the medical stuff and picks up some things. "I offered my skills as a doctor and educated pony of the sciences. They saw fit that I just keep my mouth shut and pull a wagon. Through the snow. Course when that got stuck I fashioned a pair of sleds that we could pull through the snow much better. Not one appreciated that idea."
"I guess it was just bad company. They see earth pony, they assume dumb muscle. I'd like to think I'm more like smart muscle. Like... Jennifer Trotters or Bruce Bannered."
Spoiler: Medical Supplies picked
Show
Stimpack x3 ($300)
Bandages x4 ($40)
Do they have splints? Just in case our mission goes pear-shaped and someone breaks a leg.
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
"Ms. Golden, there is enough of Oddy for everydeer, no need to get jealuse." Oddy gave another wink.
"Lovely, Powerline! I already enjoy your company! You k'have the spirit of a true reindeer!" she wrapped her forelg around Powerline's shoulders.
'This date will be gloriouse! Unforgetable! Is it even legal for two lively beauties like us to be at the same place? Ponies might get blind! Also, white and black coats together- very photogenic! I k'hope you k'have a camera!"
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Pepper is not one to romanticize her guns.
However, she is still a pony of no small skill and can take the time to appreciate and analyze these tools. The shotgun she ignores; she has her own with a scope and its condition makes her scoff. The Machine gun, while quite impressive, isn't practical for a pegasus in her position so no matter how potent a punch, it's definitely not the gun for her.
The Colt, on the other hand... She gingerly lifts the carbine off the hooks with her wings, and sits, turning the gun over and around a couple times with her hooves. She doesn't spare the guard stallion a glance; she can tell it's not loaded and Colt carbines aren't really good clubs so the store isn't in danger of being rolled by an unloaded gun.
She's fired better guns. And worse ones too. But this carbine feels reliable. And it should fit in her saddle arm. Assuming the store sells any ammo, but regardless, a military rifle is a far better start for her cache now that she's on her own.
"Hrmph. I can see why that armored mare left these behind, but the carbine rifle's got some life in it, Pepper puts the gun on its hooks rather than waltz around with it, floating back over to the front of the store.
"You got the .223's to go along with the Colt? I could probably take it off your hooves, seeing as how you were nice enough to stock something other than a pipe lunkheads blow bullets through, but that 800 caps tag was clearly meant for some other real gun, wasn't it?"
Spoiler: OOC/Rolls
Show
[roll0]
[roll1]
[roll2]
Trying to haggle the price a little...
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Rime covers her snout with her staff and genuinely laughs as they walk through the street. "You make creating a paper sound so easily like I could create the fourth paper tomorrow with a little effort. There are ponies out there that wish they had a name." She looks at him. "It is not easy for new authors out there. We have to do a lot for a little. It is difficult get ponies to read our works."
"Good. I want my name attached to my own deeds." She thinks over his offer. "Who is this we?" He made it sound like he ran the paper himself. She lively asks, "What are you having for dinner? It is not mushrooms is it?" The idea of mushrooms disgusts her. The meal choice seems important to her. Like the food matters more than the tour itself. She is definitely considering his invite.
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Golden looks askance at Doc. "Did it slip your notice that I am, in fact, an earth pony myself?" She does smirk slightly. "Well. I shall have to keep that in mind."
Spoiler
Show
They do, in fact, have splints.
Tapping a hoof on the ground, Golden looks Oddy right in the eyes and says, "Now, my good, loyal employee, you wouldn't happen to be forgetting that everyone is having dinner tonight together in order to discuss our plans and go over the details, would you? Do you really have time for a date?"
"I stay up late," Powerline counters. She wraps a foreleg around Oddy's shoulders and grins. "Jealous, cousin?"
"No..." Golden says with a little growl at the edge of her voice.
====
The stallion looks Pepper over and sighs. It's been a long day and he's not paid enough for this haggling business. "720 and you can have all the ammo we've got left in stock, along with the magazines. It's...ten or so rounds, I think."
====
His eyes narrow cannily. "Hmm," he says, "And, well, authors are hard to find around here to be honest. A lot of ponies think they can write, but you, you went to school." He chuckles. "Perhaps...you could submit something one of these days and we could print it? I've got the readers and need content for the pages. You have the content, but no readers. Send me something. See what happens, eh?"
He gives her a sly smile. "Well...I do have a photographer on staff, you see. And his, ahem, friend does wonders for promoting the magazine, though she's freelance and works with others as well. To prevent there being a conflict of interest."
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
"Aww, Powerline my deer, you think about everything!" she cooed.
She look at Golden with curiosity for a moment.
"So, I need to resupply my gifts and partying tools! So I shall buy some of your wonderful merchandise! After all today, is the "Sacrafice Eve" Of Saddle Arabia!'
Spoiler: Body Laungauge
Show
14
On Golden
[roll0]
And psychology if allowed (which is at 7)
[roll1]
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Miltonian
Golden looks askance at Doc. "Did it slip your notice that I am, in fact, an earth pony myself?" She does smirk slightly. "Well. I shall have to keep that in mind."
Doc picks up a couple splints. "We could pull the sled together and leave all the yahoos eating snow," he says with a wink.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Miltonian
"No..." Golden says with a little growl at the edge of her voice.
Doc collects what he wants and walks over to Golden. "Don't be "
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
"There are not enough schools nowadays. Not enough ponies reading. I do have written works out there." She smirks at him. "My school has my thesis if you could somehow pry that out of their hoofs." She looks up and considers his question. "Perhaps, I will submit a piece one day. Content is not an issue as I travel around looking for scoops. We will see what happens."
She suspiciously studies him after he mentions a photographer. Normally, she would ask herself if she was walking into a con with such a remark. She enigmatically comments, "I know what you mean. There are benefits to being freelance. That is a matter we will need to discuss when I submit my first piece."
"Now. Today is a chaotic day for me. Our dinner is an early or late one, but you seem like a pony that is quick on his hoofs." Isn't that most reporters? "I will mail you with my details as they fill out. Expect me to contact you. Whatever you plan for the meal. No mushrooms. We can split the cost, or I can pay for my own. Whatever leads to an enjoyable meal."
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Golden seems nervous to Oddy, especially the closer she gets to Powerline. In her expert opinion as a psychologist (and having failed the roll), it's probably jealousy. Ponies are just naturally jealous of those who are near a reindeer of her caliber.
"Sacrifice Eve?" Powerline says with a gasp, "What did they sacrifice? Ooh, ooh! Do they tie up captured mares and toss them into volcanoes? Like that one book I read, holdonasecI'llgetit." She untangles herself from Oddy and dives over the counter. When she emerges again, she has a book in her hooves, Daring Do and the Secret of Death Mountain, which shows a smirking pegasus swinging across a pit of lava while tribal zebras throw spears at her. The book is a bit worse for the wear, but the spine has been mended with scrap cloth and holds together pretty well. "Like this?" Powerline asks.
Golden relaxes as Powerline leaves Oddy's embrace. "I'm not," she insists, "I'm just..." She shakes her head and smiles at Doc. "We could, though Rime might object." She blinks. "Actually, she might insist on riding in the sled."
=====
He chuckles wryly. "No offense, but I prefer delving for treasure not guarded by living ponies."
He tilts his head slightly. "Mail? Mail is kinda a longer term arrangement than i was looking for. I mean, I can whip something together right now, have it ready in an hour if you wanted an early dinner and tour. Might not be much, but it would be early in the evening."
"Oh." He grins. "And I'll be cooking. No mushrooms, though."
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Miltonian
Golden relaxes as Powerline leaves Oddy's embrace. "I'm not," she insists, "I'm just..." She shakes her head and smiles at Doc. "We could, though Rime might object." She blinks. "Actually, she might insist on riding in the sled."
Doc let's that subject go for now. Could just be an Oddity or something... Heh heh. No, but serious, Oddy should stop hitting on everything with four legs and a pulse.
"Right, so we'll need rope to tie Rime down." Doc browses the aisles, serious about the rope, but probably not about tying Rime to the sled.
Probably.
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Her smirk sharpens. "Living ponies are not the only things protecting the school and my works. We do not treat trespassers and thieves kindly. I would suggest a more diplomatic approach when it comes to dealing with mages if you were to ever entertain magic." She doubts he would be interested in reading magical theory. A masterpiece can not be appreciated by everypony.
"No. We are having the interview, meal, and tour today. I am unable to commit to any long term arrangements while I travel. Luckily, my mail is not hoofled by ponies. My postage is delivered by magic." Rime's horn glows blue. A scroll pops into existence, floats near her as they walk, and unfurls. A quill writes a short message. Rime levitates a stamp and seals the wax with Printing Press' face. The conjured objects pop out of existence. Printing Press hears Rime speaking to him in his mind. "I will give you a lengthy notice before I show myself." She smiles at him.
"You cook?" Her eyes light up. She is impressed by such arcane arts. "Cooking is a uncommon and valuable skill. I am looking forward to what you can do in the kitchen." When he says no mushrooms she smiles. "Thank you. I do not want my meal soured." Her horn glows and she reaches into her bag. She pulls out a candy piece and offers it to him. "A special candy for you. You must eat it within the next twenty-four hours."
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
There is plenty of rope, most of it heavy duty. The Frozen North doesn't have time to spend on the weaker kinds of rope. Doc easily finds some that matches the required specifications.
"She might object to being tied up," Golden muses, "But we might find somepony that needs to be. All sorts of unsavory kinds out there."
=====
He blinks several times at the voice in his head. "Well that's useful," he says. The candy is accepted with a nod and smile. He tips his hat towards her. "I suppose everything is arranged, then. I shall see you tonight?"
He pops the candy in his mouth and looks surprised. "That is...very good."
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Miltonian
"She might object to being tied up," Golden muses, "But we might find somepony that needs to be. All sorts of unsavory kinds out there."
"Rope has a 101 uses, tying up ponies is two of them," Doc agrees. He has everything he can think of, so he's ready.
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Well it seemed like the mare was out of commission and the argument heating up was the sand dog's que to get back into position. Make it look like the stallion was going to attack Quoth's back. Roxy once more casually strolls back towards the two as Quoth walks off, palming her sap, and when she draws near popping him in the back of the head.
Spoiler
Show
So I assume I've had plenty of time for the evaluate action over three rounds for a cumulative +3, then -7 for aiming for skull, then +4 for all out determined attack (melee). As he should (hopefully) be unaware I don't think he gets a defense roll then whatever other bonuses I get for aiming for skull...
Stealth [roll0] vs 14
Brawling Sap [roll1] vs 15
Damage? [roll2]
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Rime's mouth wasn't moving while her voice was inside his head. There were no tricks at play. Rime chuckles in amusement as the magic takes him by surprise. "I can always give a pony a piece of my mind. Indeed." Rime straightens her energy magic staff. "I will contact you once I know my evening. We will see each other tonight. You stay quick on your hooves." She continues on her path.
She smiles as he tastes the candy. "Is it not? That candy is very special." Rime pleasantly waves. "Bye bye now." Oddy isn't wrong. A little mystery could serve her well.
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Golden tilts her head. "Two of...oh. I see." She smirks and turns away to examine another shelf, tail swishing behind her a bit. "Let's see...and this, and this, and that should be pretty much everything. Once Pepper gets back with her new toys and Oddy piles up her actual toys, we should be ready to head out."
=====
And he lets Rime leave, taking her air of mystery with her.
=====
Roxy waits just long enough for the stallion's face to contort with rage and for him to begins moving for his gun before her blow lands squarely on the back of his head. He gasps, staggered, before slumping forward and falling to the ground. He's still awake, but groggy and quite stunned by the blow. Quoth whirls around and shouts, "Trying to shoot a Regulator in the back, eh?" He rears onto his hind legs, wings extended. Cold mist swirls from under his cloak and part of it forms into a long, black scythe of iron that lands in the ghoul's foreclaws. He raises it high and brings it down on the stallion's neck, killing him instantly.
The mist fades and the ghoul returns to all fours, though leans on the scythe for support. He gestures to the body. "There's your bounty," he says to Roxy, "One member of the Hearts and Spades Gang." He leans in. "I suggest you take the body and go before a crowd forms. I'll handle the questions."
The mare that Roxy surprised has wisely disappeared. However, Rime sees her running with a panicked look in her eye, passing right by her as she flees. The star mage of Rainbow Resort enters the platform shortly thereafter to see a small crowd forming around Quoth, just as he predicted. Two Bit is eating ice cream, seemingly oblivious to what just transpired.
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Miltonian
Golden tilts her head. "Two of...oh. I see." She smirks and turns away to examine another shelf, tail swishing behind her a bit. "Let's see...and this, and this, and that should be pretty much everything. Once Pepper gets back with her new toys and Oddy piles up her actual toys, we should be ready to head out."
Doc sees the tail swish and looks at the other shelves to try and not be rude. "I reckon we'll have everything we need, gear wise. With the varied skills of the team we should be as ready as possible."
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Rime sees the running mare but ignores her not thinking much of it until she sees the crowd gathering in the train station. Did something happen? She has her Frozen North map on her person. The map is all ready to receive marks with locations. She heads towards the crowd while keeping an eye out for Quoth. Is Roxy still around? She asks a pony, "What happened?" She asks another, "Do you know what happened?"
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Pepper walks past Doc, Golden and the others with her considerable new haul and just sits on the floor with her open gun case, trying to economize space for all the empty rifle magazines that came with. Lousy less than a dozen bullets for a gun that needs many, many more, but she could't resist.
'Do you normally have somepony wander in and buy out your entire ammo cache or was the Armored Mare an exception?" she calls out to Powerline, examining the scope on the carbine, and then she pauses. An entire store's worth of ammo would be "fortress storming" levels of preparedness and that means...
...Oh crabapples...
Giving a knowing look to Golden, Pepper/Glint shoots a glance to the store owner. "Actually, wait. What WAS she gonna do with all that ammo? Start a war?"
-
Re: The Frozen North: All Aboard!
Roxy scratches her chin as she looks over the body Quoth had made. "Well, now I feel silly for letting the other one go but I suppose this was the only one that gave us an excuse to act." While not adverse to taking out someone in such a crowd as this wasn't her style normally. She starts to pick up the dead stallion though tilts her head in Quoth's direction. "And where's the office to turn this bugger in then?"