[FwM] As Equestria Turns:MLP Without the Kiddy Thread 9

[Benson]

And the mare would lock the door before leaving. The two ponies would walk quietly home. The sun had not set as it was a scheduled long day for farmers. Sweet Victory stays on the roadside of the walk order. "So where do you live? And with whom?"

"I uh, live with an old family friend, who's kinda...on an extended 'vacation' so we watch her house, by we, I mean myself and servant," He answered as they walked. He glanced around taking in the town a bit.

[MCerberus]

The pony messenger stands still and speaks aloofly as if her words were not hers. "We, Fetlock nobles, can stall for a week easily."

"I will need to inform a few ponies of where I will be and collect my weapon," The griffon replies. There is a good chance that no matter how this plays off, he's going to have to give some of the slackers that would be training a short reprieve.

"If you arrive before me, tell the general to remind her guests that they are there at her leisure. And don't mention my imminent arrival." Although he was slightly embarrassed by not arriving to this little meeting with his bow, if those griffons knew he were alive... that wouldn't really be the best for easing tension.

[Kelvin360]

Taylor

[Ice Cream Bar]

Astra lets out a low whistle. Rigs must be a big pony.

"Eh, we could all do that. Just different methods. If you wanna get technical, Moonshine was the 'big' one in terms of how far she could kick you across the room. But knights can generally do that. As for me and Moonlight, getting hit with two heavy blunt objects, piledriven to the ground, and simultaneously life-sapped and lit on fire was...well we were a decent tag-team. And that's just if Starbeam didn't get involved.

The how was some kind of 'gravitic antimatter projection combined with dark energy fluxes on a stellar scale'. Personally, I think he just used the vocabulary to avoid the question. But then, even 'Beam couldn't really explain how you can turn somepony pitch black, then slowly disassemble them from a distance. Scary up close, but luckily for our eyes he threw down a darkness enchantment first. Mostly." Further ice-cream nomming as he takes a breath.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Ice Cream Bar]

Astra stares for a moment, not sure how to respond.

That's...um...wow...yeah...

[Orzel]

"I uh, live with an old family friend, who's kinda...on an extended 'vacation' so we watch her house, by we, I mean myself and servant," He answered as they walked. He glanced around taking in the town a bit.

Victory gasps again. "A servant. Really? Does he or she bake? Is he or she a bodyguard?"

"I will need to inform a few ponies of where I will be and collect my weapon," The griffon replies. There is a good chance that no matter how this plays off, he's going to have to give some of the slackers that would be training a short reprieve.

"If you arrive before me, tell the general to remind her guests that they are there at her leisure. And don't mention my imminent arrival." Although he was slightly embarrassed by not arriving to this little meeting with his bow, if those griffons knew he were alive... that wouldn't really be the best for easing tension.

"No need to rush. My mission is covered and screened. I am officially obtaining death reports of the resent battle here. Only myself, the General, and one other assisstant know of your existence here." states the soldier.

[MCerberus]

"No need to rush. My mission is covered and screened. I am officially obtaining death reports of the resent battle here. Only myself, the General, and one other assisstant know of your existence here." states the soldier.

He knows well enough that when logistics are in place, everything goes smoother. Still, he isn't one of stealth other than ambushing with overwhelming force. Although the griffon's sorely tempted to ask who this assistant is.

"Then I'll leave to do this consulting or what political term you want to call it then," he states before leaving. With the power of fast-forwarding time skips, he'll be at the fort soon.

[Benson]

Victory gasps again. "A servant. Really? Does he or she bake? Is he or she a bodyguard?"

He had forgotten some-most ponies aren't used to seemingly regular ponyfolk to having servants, but ah well. "Well, mostly domestic work, which includes cooking and by extension baking." He chuckled at the bodyguard thing as he tried to imagine Aubade as one of those combat maids.

[Kelvin360]

Taylor

[Ice Cream Bar]

Astra stares for a moment, not sure how to respond.

That's...um...wow...yeah...

"If you think that's something, you should hear about some of the other teams roaming the countryside. In the beginning, it's all about teamwork. But after a certain point...everypony's an army. Me, I'm a little past my army days, which is why I'm more a healing-of-rump kinda stallion than a kicking-of-rump kind. Still though, nice to relive the history sometimes."

[Grif]

The mare herself eats a bit more slowly, the fries first as they seem to get cold faster. A real shame about that previous restaurant ruining itself though. Although one important question right now is if Tyrol breathing air at all or just inhaling the food.

Tyrol would answer her silent question later with a dreadful choking sound. He coughed for a long while afterwards, his cheeks working to swallow what food he had in his mouth. After his coughing fit passed, he lay back, panting. "... maybe that wasn't such a good idea."

Dreamrunner
This causes her to cry some more.
"Somezing happened...und now you're going to leave me for it!"
She continues crying.
"I'm pregnant und ze foal's yours! Zere, now you can go ahead und leave me...who'd vant a pregnant mare vor a villyvriend..."

Lemongrass froze with shock for a long minute there, his ears drooping. "B-But... wha... what?! How... Oh Luna..." he stuttered, trying to reason this piece of news. He tightened his hug on his fillyfriend, taking a deep breath to steady his voice. "... how long have you known?"

[Orzel]

He knows well enough that when logistics are in place, everything goes smoother. Still, he isn't one of stealth other than ambushing with overwhelming force. Although the griffon's sorely tempted to ask who this assistant is.

"Mr. Griffon, you do know you do not need to go to Fetlock at the moment. Agreement to work for the Equestrian Military will cause a situation where these newcomers are handled." explain the assistant soldier.

"Then I'll leave to do this consulting or what political term you want to call it then," he states before leaving. With the power of fast-forwarding time skips, he'll be at the fort soon.

He had forgotten some-most ponies aren't used to seemingly regular ponyfolk to having servants, but ah well. "Well, mostly domestic work, which includes cooking and by extension baking." He chuckled at the bodyguard thing as he tried to imagine Aubade as one of those combat maids.

"Oh. I like food." The more Sweet Victory talks, the more ditzy she sounds and the more obvious it is why Big Bruce hired her.

[Benson]

"Oh. I like food." The more Sweet Victory talks, the more ditzy she sounds and the more obvious it is why Big Bruce hired her.

"Who doesn't? Haha. What's your favorite sort of food?" He asked conversationally as they by chance, walked passed a colorful pastry shop. Ember stopped and gawked at the delicious sweets past the glass window as he pressed his face against it. He then wondered what sort of pastry Lochbed might like, if she liked pastries that was, since, she had her weird...diet, and all.

[Mindfreak]

Dreamrunner
"I've known for ze past two days...zat vas vhy I left two days ago. I vas seeing a specialist for zis sort ov zing. I'm not exactly trained in ze art ov foal detection..."
She curls up in a ball against Lemongrass' hug.

[Orzel]

"Who doesn't? Haha. What's your favorite sort of food?" He asked conversationally as they by chance, walked passed a colorful pastry shop. Ember stopped and gawked at the delicious sweets past the glass window as he pressed his face against it. He then wondered what sort of pastry Lochbed might like, if she liked pastries that was, since, she had her weird...diet, and all.

Victory replies. "Oh I like peanut butter energy bars. And chocolate cupcakes!" The pair was halfway to the Marzipan house, even though Sweet Victory does not know.

[KerfuffleMach2]

Taylor

"If you think that's something, you should hear about some of the other teams roaming the countryside. In the beginning, it's all about teamwork. But after a certain point...everypony's an army. Me, I'm a little past my army days, which is why I'm more a healing-of-rump kinda stallion than a kicking-of-rump kind. Still though, nice to relive the history sometimes."

Astra nods a little. Yeah, history can be good at times. Kinda fun to make it, too.

[MCerberus]

Tyrol would answer her silent question later with a dreadful choking sound. He coughed for a long while afterwards, his cheeks working to swallow what food he had in his mouth. After his coughing fit passed, he lay back, panting. "... maybe that wasn't such a good idea."

"Well at least you figured that out soon enough," Staccata retorts before eating another fry. "Otherwise you'd have 'ate too fast' on your tombstone."

"Mr. Griffon, you do know you do not need to go to Fetlock at the moment. Agreement to work for the Equestrian Military will cause a situation where these newcomers are handled." explain the assistant soldier.

Vague enough to be suspicious, not to mention this would likely cause some interesting complications later on. "I do not fly into a storm," the griffon replies to this. Depending on how well the pegasus is familiar with griffon sayings, it either shows he wants more details or doesn't trust this situation at all any more.

[Grif]

Dreamrunner
"I've known for ze past two days...zat vas vhy I left two days ago. I vas seeing a specialist for zis sort ov zing. I'm not exactly trained in ze art ov foal detection..."
She curls up in a ball against Lemongrass' hug.

Lemongrass was at a loss. In all his life, he never expected to be a father this soon. Hell, he wasn't even sure if they would get married. Looks like nature just delivered its ultimatum. He struggled to find words. "Uh... I'm sure we could work something out... I mean, we can get through this together right?"

"Well at least you figured that out soon enough," Staccata retorts before eating another fry. "Otherwise you'd have 'ate too fast' on your tombstone."

Staccata would find some hay fries sailing towards her in response. "I think I'm more than justified after the soup we had today," Tyrol said, chuckling. He shifted his weight to inch slightly closer to Staccata.

[MCerberus]

Staccata would find some hay fries sailing towards her in response. "I think I'm more than justified after the soup we had today," Tyrol said, chuckling. He shifted his weight to inch slightly closer to Staccata.

After being hit by fries with exaggerated grace and poise, Staccata replies, "The only thing that soup justifies is revenge." Oh, and she's perfectly happy to let Tyrol think he's being sneaky.

[Benson]

Victory replies. "Oh I like peanut butter energy bars. And chocolate cupcakes!" The pair was halfway to the Marzipan house, even though Sweet Victory does not know.

"Ooh chocolate, good choice, good choice," He said while staring at the sweets. "Hey, up for a pit stop here in the bakery?"

[Orzel]

the pegasus

"Fine. Come. Trust must be earned afterall. If we have toshow our skill, so be it" says the messenger. "But we'd prefer to control bloodshed under our watch. If you harm them, you owe us. Cover ups are not cheap."

Sweet Victory

"Sure but I will only have low fat cupcakes. I have to watch my figure so others will as well." the secretary comments.

[Benson]

Sweet Victory

"Sure but I will only have low fat cupcakes. I have to watch my figure so others will as well." the secretary comments.

"Ah okay," He have her a look of 'ah', whatever that looks like. He then walked into the bakery, browsing, trying to figure out what to get Lochbed and Aubade, or if he should get dough nut holes for all, everyone loved dough nut holes.

[MCerberus]

the pegasus

"Fine. Come. Trust must be earned afterall. If we have toshow our skill, so be it" says the messenger. "But we'd prefer to control bloodshed under our watch. If you harm them, you owe us. Cover ups are not cheap."

Bloodshed. Lovely. Now he knows he's really not been told something. The griffon lifts off without saying anything preferring to let the messenger know his annoyance with a glare.

((off to the fort?))

[Kelvin360]

Taylor

Astra nods a little. Yeah, history can be good at times. Kinda fun to make it, too.

"Definitely. I sort of assume the others are off making more without me but...I figure the off-paths are where the real things happen. Plus I'd die of boredom in Canterlot's courts. Poor Rigs."

[Orzel]

Sweet Victory

Victory, being a minor named NPC, simply looks around and eventually decided on a diet muffin with blueberries. "Two please."


The messenger

The pegasus shivers for a moment. She is shaken be the stare an loses some of her hard beaten discipline for a second. Fire Flower's training is remarkable though and she snaps out of it quickly to lead the griffon to the fort.

[Benson]

Sweet Victory

Victory, being a minor named NPC, simply looks around and eventually decided on a diet muffin with blueberries. "Two please."

The baker who was busy adding the final touches to a small cake trotted over to the counter giving a smile and nod to Sweet Victory as he slid the display door and fetched a diet muffin with blueberries.


Ember settled on getting a box of a dozen dough nut holes, though, he did get a special little cupcake for Lochbed.

[MCerberus]

The messenger

The pegasus shivers for a moment. She is shaken be the stare an loses some of her hard beaten discipline for a second. Fire Flower's training is remarkable though and she snaps out of it quickly to lead the griffon to the fort.

When they arrive and land, the griffon takes a look around at the fort. He hasn't been in an actual equestian base since he was a cub, and that was just a little police-force border outpost. His slight curiosity is masked by the still stern, annoyed expression he keeps.

[Orzel]

The baker who was busy adding the final touches to a small cake trotted over to the counter giving a smile and nod to Sweet Victory as he slid the display door and fetched a diet muffin with blueberries.


Ember settled on getting a box of a dozen dough nut holes, though, he did get a special little cupcake for Lochbed.

"Umm.. Baker. I kinda want.. two muffins. I'm hungry... You know what. I'll just have one. Thank you." blabs Sweet Victory. She trots over to Ember and taps his shoulder. "Let's go."

When they arrive and land, the griffon takes a look around at the fort. He hasn't been in an actual equestian base since he was a cub, and that was just a little police-force border outpost. His slight curiosity is masked by the still stern, annoyed expression he keeps.

It is a long flight to Fetlock but it doesn't take forever. The griffon wold notice Fort Fetltock is usually quiet and cold. The nearby mountain chill the wind and coldly snap at the flier's wings.

Before reaching the fort, the pegasus would leave the griffon over the Fetlock county. They would fly over waves and waves of flowing bright lawns and gigantic mansion. Outrageous lavishness is on display by the Fetlock nobility.

Next is the industrial sector. Rows and rows of factories and apartment buildings. Clouds of ugly black smoke bellow out the stacks and startle the birds. The land is warm here. The factories radiate the heat of sorrowful sweat and forced progress.

History associates the fort with brutal endurance, enough to make some soldiers tremble at the thought. The military base itself is encircled by a massive wall. The interior is comprised of research labs, a prison, many gunnery positions, a soldiers' quarters, supply tunnels and a web of immense underground tunnels which run around the foundation the installation.

[Benson]

"Umm.. Baker. I kinda want.. two muffins. I'm hungry... You know what. I'll just have one. Thank you." blabs Sweet Victory. She trots over to Ember and taps his shoulder. "Let's go."

Well, it was a misreading error on Benson's part, somehow. They have no excuse. Sniffle.

And so after this little detour of purchasing sweets, the duo walked the rest of the distance to the Muse house with little trouble, and some casual talk. Ember walked up to the door grabbing his key for the house with his teeth and unlocked it. As soon as he opened the door, Aubade appeared out of nowhere to take his things and put them up for him.

She then looked at Sweet Victory. "I wonder if its going to be a habit of bringing mares to the house." She teased, as of course Ember blushed. As for Aubade, its assumed that Lochbed had already awoken from her nap and had lunch with Aubade a few hours earlier.

"A-Aubade...its not like t-that," Ember stammered, but Aubade had moved on from that subject. "Anyways, this is Sweet Victory, a uh, co worker."

"You got a job?" She asked curiously.

"Yes."

"Oh...ah..well, where are my manners, a pleasure to meet the young master's co worker, please, let me know if I can get you anything, like a drink," She said to Sweet Victory.

[Mindfreak]

Lemongrass was at a loss. In all his life, he never expected to be a father this soon. Hell, he wasn't even sure if they would get married. Looks like nature just delivered its ultimatum. He struggled to find words. "Uh... I'm sure we could work something out... I mean, we can get through this together right?"

Dreamrunner
"*Sniff*You're not gonna leave me?"
She couldn't believe her luck!

[MCerberus]

It is a long flight to Fetlock but it doesn't take forever. The griffon wold notice Fort Fetltock is usually quiet and cold. The nearby mountain chill the wind and coldly snap at the flier's wings.

Before reaching the fort, the pegasus would leave the griffon over the Fetlock county. They would fly over waves and waves of flowing bright lawns and gigantic mansion. Outrageous lavishness is on display by the Fetlock nobility.

Next is the industrial sector. Rows and rows of factories and apartment buildings. Clouds of ugly black smoke bellow out the stacks and startle the birds. The land is warm here. The factories radiate the heat of sorrowful sweat and forced progress.

History associates the fort with brutal endurance, enough to make some soldiers tremble at the thought. The military base itself is encircled by a massive wall. The interior is comprised of research labs, a prison, many gunnery positions, a soldiers' quarters, supply tunnels and a web of immense underground tunnels which run around the foundation the installation.

The mountain air and high cruising altitude of a griffon combine to bring a bit of nostalgia, reminding him of the highlands a bit. Well... except for the needlessly kept lawns with mostly grass in them. Seems rather unnecessary.

The griffon isn't really taken aback by the fort itself. Seems rather solid, if a bit heavy on siege equipment unless they're quite good at hiding when they're at war. He lands a bit away from the outer wall so he isn't tempting a skewering by ballista and makes for the gate.

[Orzel]

Well, it was a misreading error on Benson's part, somehow. They have no excuse. Sniffle.

And so after this little detour of purchasing sweets, the duo walked the rest of the distance to the Muse house with little trouble, and some casual talk. Ember walked up to the door grabbing his key for the house with his teeth and unlocked it. As soon as he opened the door, Aubade appeared out of nowhere to take his things and put them up for him.

She then looked at Sweet Victory. "I wonder if its going to be a habit of bringing mares to the house." She teased, as of course Ember blushed. As for Aubade, its assumed that Lochbed had already awoken from her nap and had lunch with Aubade a few hours earlier.

"A-Aubade...its not like t-that," Ember stammered, but Aubade had moved on from that subject. "Anyways, this is Sweet Victory, a uh, co worker."

"You got a job?" She asked curiously.

"Yes."

"Oh...ah..well, where are my manners, a pleasure to meet the young master's co worker, please, let me know if I can get you anything, like a drink," She said to Sweet Victory.

"Vodka Rocks. Please to meet you as well, Miss Aubade." The curvy mare outstretched a hoof for a shake. She groans again. "I gotta start working out or I'll lose the attention of stallions to younger mares like you, Aubade."

Sweet Victory turns to Ember after the shake. "You should get the goods."