[FWM] As Equestria Turns:MLP Without the Kiddy Thread X

[Luka]

With things going at least decently their way by now, the griffon just has to keep the pressure despite... the whatever is going on. He shifts his weight to keep Whitestone down despite increasing purple-flame presence. Of course he also continues the squeeze.

"You going to drop the weapon like a good hatchling or die?"

Whitestone tries to struggle, but then there's a heavy griffon squeezing him and his armor plates get stuck inside each other, squeezing him even more, only answer he can give is to wheeze.
Meanwhile Ironblade gets stomped into the ground by Luka after he tries to stand up, he rolls, but then the pegasus jumps into the air and stomps him harder on the head, bypassing the helmet and knocking him out

[MCerberus]

Whitestone tries to struggle, but then there's a heavy griffon squeezing him and his armor plates get stuck inside each other, squeezing him even more, only answer he can give is to wheeze.
Meanwhile Ironblade gets stomped into the ground by Luka after he tries to stand up, he rolls, but then the pegasus jumps into the air and stomps him harder on the head, bypassing the helmet and knocking him out

With the threat of the attackers seeming less and less threatening, the griffon eases off digging his talons into Whitestone. Still riding the usual adrenaline, he doesn't back off of the pony yet.

"Somepony want to collect his sword before we begin asking questions?"

[Grif]

((this is not at ALL how i planned this convo to go at the start... xD))

The mare's scowl grew deeper. Of course he didn't! Because he's a good guy!

If you choke a smurf, what color does it turn? Lone Star thought.

He wouldn't tell you how much of a depraved witch you are.

Lone Star's own frown deepened as he extricated himself from Es' legs. Excuse me, miss?

Yes? She asked, more politely.

Get out, you f***ing nitwit.

Her scowl faltered. Lone Star, I-

-know absolutely nothing about Esmeralda and as such have no right to call her anything. He said coldly. Get out or I will THROW you out.

(They never go as planned. )

Esmeralda flashed the mare a vicious smile behind Lone Star's back; she is after all, still somewhat callous, even if reformed from the worst of her evil ways. "You heard the stallion," she added gleefully.

(And now this will end in violence.)

Staccata stands up and rambles over to where she kept the books and begins to collect it. After a moment, she replies in a joking tone, "Well if you aren't still afraid to be seen with me."

"Well... not so much... it's an open secret by now," Tyrol answered ruefully. He helped Staccata to collect the books, and followed her out when she's done.

[HalfTangible]

(They never go as planned. )

Esmeralda flashed the mare a vicious smile behind Lone Star's back; she is after all, still somewhat callous, even if reformed from the worst of her evil ways. "You heard the stallion," she added gleefully.

(And now this will end in violence.)

Lone Star glared at her. Seriously?! You thought THAT was a good idea?!

A cruel smirk crossed the mare's face. Told you she was a bitch.

Summer, shut up, you're wrong. Also, witch.

'Summer' blinked. What?

You said 'witch', not 'bitch'.

Oh.

Now both of you will GET A GRIP or so help me I will go on trial for something. UNDERSTAND?!

[TheAmishPirate]

She wound up heading to the bridge, reading old reports, when she came across the crew's dossiers, curiously, she began to read them.

(Meh. A last few posts before I head out. )

Sandy dossier was among the bunch, though it was unknown if she'd ever read it. With his shanghai-style hire, his had come more as an afterthought, a box to be checked. If she did check it, she'd find a few things. For one, his per-military background was almost blank, but they'd already found the reasons for that. His record in basic training was stellar. Despite his size, he'd shown considerable drive and determination, and his skill with those knives wasn't too shabby. Everything after that...was a cavalcade of almost comical failure. Divisions decimated in freak boating accidents. Camps destroyed due to catastrophic potato peeler failure. A town razed when a circus of manticores got loose. That sort of thing.

The final bullet point listed him as "Dishonorably Discharged, when we can actually get him back here to be court-martialed, but seriously, don't put too much effort into tracking him down, good riddance I say, hey, they haven't actually cut me off-"

[Grif]

Lone Star glared at her. Seriously?! You thought THAT was a good idea?!

A cruel smirk crossed the mare's face. Told you she was a bitch.

Summer, shut up, you're wrong. Also, witch.

'Summer' blinked. What?

You said 'witch', not 'bitch'.

Oh.

Now both of you will GET A GRIP or so help me I will go on trial for something. UNDERSTAND?!

Esmeralda recoiled a little. She had thought Lone Star was squarely on her side on this. "B-but... she started it..." she protested.

[Benson]

Balboa Shag- Canterlot Estate

Balboa returned to his estate some moments ago, he went through a regular routine, he relaxed in his office with a nice cigar, helped himself to his girls, he did briefly consider a uniform for them. Hit his exercise room, had to stay in shape and all, it also helped in making him a bit hungry since he did have a dinner date with a Canterlot councilmare later that night.

After he had his fun he returned to his office, had Astrid collect the mission files in regards to that thing with Mystic. As was said, this was basically a sort of entrance exam for the mutant mare, though it did have real world consequences. So it was a test that was for realsies and not fakesies :P

Naturally, he had a contingency plan, being one who hobbies in contingency plans, in the case that Mystic was not able to carry out the mission to his satisfactory levels. With the files compiled, they were sent off via secure channels, which meant that Astrid was sent off with bodyguard escorts. In the meanwhile, he still had some time before heading off to his dinner date.

He decided to look over the recent reports of one of his significant investments when it came to his weapons R&D and the experimental testing. The Cirrus Project.
-------------------------------

Meanwhile, on the Cirrus



As Gearstride read Sandy's dossier, she didn't know how to feel about many of the incidents. She didn't know whether to laugh or feel really really sorry for the little guy when it came to the more absurd accidents.

[Luka]

With the threat of the attackers seeming less and less threatening, the griffon eases off digging his talons into Whitestone. Still riding the usual adrenaline, he doesn't back off of the pony yet.

"Somepony want to collect his sword before we begin asking questions?"

Whitestone drops to the ground on his back, heavily breathing and still trying to struggle against the griffon, his wound's bleeding too, like enough for the blood to reach the ground, and almost all his armor plates broke off, leaving only the chainmail and some few plates around; he raises his head and sees his wound, then Ironblade, then tries to raise his sword again to stab the griffon and passes out.
The flames dissapear from the griffon's talons and Whitestone's armor locks disengage and drop the weapons

Luka responds to the griffon "I do", approaches and picks up both whitestone's sword and shield, then decides to pick up some armor plates too

Aisis and Mile were still beside Aero, making sure he was alright.

[HalfTangible]

Esmeralda recoiled a little. She had thought Lone Star was squarely on her side on this. "B-but... she started it..." she protested.

Maybe, but I don't care who started it!

But... Starry, SHE started it, not m-

Lone Star grabbed Summer and lifted her above his head. This is why I don't care who started it. He then tossed her out the door, opening the doors with the force of her own mass.

Why do stallions LIKE to see mares fight?! It's not sexy, it's just as stupid as any other fight!

[Grif]

Maybe, but I don't care who started it!

But... Starry, SHE started it, not m-

Lone Star grabbed Summer and lifted her above his head. This is why I don't care who started it. He then tossed her out the door, opening the doors with the force of her own mass.

Why do stallions LIKE to see mares fight?! It's not sexy, it's just as stupid as any other fight!

Esmeralda huffed and folded her forelegs. "Whatever. Just glad that she is gone. Wow, she really must have fallen for you to react like that." She wasn't quite aware of the fact that Lone Star probably didn't realise Summer (whoo named NPC) had a crush on him.

[HalfTangible]

Esmeralda huffed and folded her forelegs. "Whatever. Just glad that she is gone. Wow, she really must have fallen for you to react like that." She wasn't quite aware of the fact that Lone Star probably didn't realise Summer (whoo named NPC) had a crush on him.

Lone Star tilted his head. Fell where?

[Grif]

Lone Star tilted his head. Fell where?

Esmeralda sighed. "Sometimes I forget how literal you can take words. The mare—" Her eyes strayed to the open door. "—likes you. As in romantically."

[MCerberus]

"Well... not so much... it's an open secret by now," Tyrol answered ruefully. He helped Staccata to collect the books, and followed her out when she's done.

With all the books collected and some spending bits just in case, Staccata heads for the door. Before exiting to begin on the way to the library, she comments, "Well they'll just be happy we're the only couple that seems to avoid fines for lewd conduct around here."

Luka responds to the griffon "I do", approaches and picks up both whitestone's sword and shield, then decides to pick up some armor plates too

Aisis and Mile were still beside Aero, making sure he was alright.

With the hostilities over, the griffon walks off a few steps. That was much more draining than a fight of that length should have been. Of course, he nearly loses his balance due to the sliced claw. That's always awkward for the first few days.

After a few moments, he collects a shield and some metal fragments from one of the bested assassins. Unfortunately he's going to have to visit a certain mare in the position of general with this. And of course she's not going to like the idea of armed bands in her territory producing arms.

"Any injuries?"

[HalfTangible]

Esmeralda sighed. "Sometimes I forget how literal you can take words. The mare—" Her eyes strayed to the open door. "—likes you. As in romantically."

He blinked. What makes you... His eyes strayed to her books. Say... tha oh dear Luna i'm an idiot! He facehoofed. The invitations to dinner, to that party, the offer to learn Ponyhammer, the questions about home... I thought she was just being nice!

[Luka]

With the hostilities over, the griffon walks off a few steps. That was much more draining than a fight of that length should have been. Of course, he nearly loses his balance due to the sliced claw. That's always awkward for the first few days.

After a few moments, he collects a shield and some metal fragments from one of the bested assassins. Unfortunately he's going to have to visit a certain mare in the position of general with this. And of course she's not going to like the idea of armed bands in her territory producing arms.

"Any injuries?"

Luka approaches a plate, but he stops his hoof by a few inches and winces: those plates are full of dark energy. He just grabs a nearby large dry leaf and collects the plates and puts them in it. then responds to the griffon.

"I think I'm alright over here"
then points if hoof at Whitestone
"but that wound could make him not talk"

Aisis and Mile turn when they notice the fight stopped, then notice Luka, both eyes go wide

"LUKA!"
"hey why are your voices so familiar and how do you kn- AISIS! MILE!"
And somewhere in space: "Shepard" "Wrex"

both unicorn and earth pony glomp the pegasus, making him almost fall and stagger back while catching both in a hug. Suddenly the unicorn's jerkass behavior went off.....At least for a while

[Mindfreak]

Mile is still with a foreleg on him, pretty worried, Aisis is casting a minor heal on him just in case.

Ambush!
The heal does nothing and once Mile glomped Luka, he wobbled, then fell to the ground.
He was out cold, again.
But this time his angry chi is released.
Unfortunately it wasn't before it did a number on his insides.

[Grif]

With all the books collected and some spending bits just in case, Staccata heads for the door. Before exiting to begin on the way to the library, she comments, "Well they'll just be happy we're the only couple that seems to avoid fines for lewd conduct around here."

"Lewd conduct?" Tyrol said, blinking. Being one not to poke into the affairs of others, he was patently unaware of the other couples in this RP. "Never mind, maybe you can explain to me on the way."

He blinked. What makes you... His eyes strayed to her books. Say... tha oh dear Luna i'm an idiot! He facehoofed. The invitations to dinner, to that party, the offer to learn Ponyhammer, the questions about home... I thought she was just being nice!

Esmeralda snorted. "Classic. Even the densest stallion would have gotten the hint after any dinner. Hint: a mare never takes you to dinner unless she likes you." She tilted her head at Lone Star. "Now that you know, what are you going to do about it?"

[MCerberus]

"Lewd conduct?" Tyrol said, blinking. Being one not to poke into the affairs of others, he was patently unaware of the other couples in this RP. "Never mind, maybe you can explain to me on the way."

After locking the door and getting underway to the book shop, Staccata starts elaborating. "Reputations darling, are things that you have to keep close track of. There are some ponies around that simply cannot hide the fact that they can't keep their hooves off each other all the time."

Ambush!
The heal does nothing and once Mile glomped Luka, he wobbled, then fell to the ground.
He was out cold, again.
But this time his angry chi is released.
Unfortunately it wasn't before it did a number on his insides.

Despite some general unease in dealing with the dark metal, the griffon isn't afflicted by the same sort of repulsion. He's 100% martial, with no connections to channeling light energy and all that. The collapsed pony, however, now presents a problem.

"I don't think we can manage the weight of bringing those two," the griffon motions to the assailants, "in with their gear. We can travel light get in faster with a couple of pieces of gear that we can get to the right places. Leave the two likely to die, or drag them in after stripping the armor."

[HalfTangible]

Esmeralda snorted. "Classic. Even the densest stallion would have gotten the hint after any dinner.

Apparently not

Hint: a mare never takes you to dinner unless she likes you." She tilted her head at Lone Star. "Now that you know, what are you going to do about it?"

Well, I'm going to apologize for throwing her bodily out of the store, and explain that even if I was interested (which I'm not, stop looking at me like that, my dear), I'm in a relationship with you, and after that...I have a few ideas. One, i could proposition her for a threesome with you... though something tells me that would be a bad idea. Two, I could offer a game of Ponyhammer. Also sits wrong with me. Three, I could try and matchmake her to somepony else... now that would be the funniest but also the most likely to blow up in my face... Or I could just do apologize and move on. He tilted his head. What do you think?

[Mystic Muse]

Mystic's Manor



"Ooh, I like movies," She wanly smiled and let go of Mystic's leg, blushing a bit from feeling a little embarrassed about it. She then realized she sort of just switched the focus from Hay Bale's outfit, to her inadequacies about feeling sexy. She felt a bit bad, it was like a selfish move on her part.

"We'll discuss what we want to do a bit later. Right now, I believe Hay Bale wanted our attention." Mystic says.

Gwynfillion's Garden


"Oh....that, well, you were in it, and trying to steal my cookies for whatever reason, that made me upset, but I oddly let you get away with it with nothing but a scowl on face," She harrumphed to herself and sat down on her haunches. "You wouldn't steal my cookies would you?"

"Of course not. I'm a Dumb Paladin, Remember?" Soft says playfully. It was a rhetorical question really. "But no, I would not steal your cookies. It wouldn't get me anything, other than you scowling at me." she says.

[Benson]

"We'll discuss what we want to do a bit later. Right now, I believe Hay Bale wanted our attention." Mystic says.

Amber nodded and stood there quietly, so that Hay bale could have the spotlight.
----------------

"Of course not. I'm a Dumb Paladin, Remember?" Soft says playfully. It was a rhetorical question really. "But no, I would not steal your cookies. It wouldn't get me anything, other than you scowling at me." she says.

She wanly smiled before returning to furrowing her brows. "That's right...just a scowl." She ruefully waved a hoof at the skies. She then harrumphed just because and looked back at Soft.

"So, what do you want to do....since you're here and stuff....?"

[HalfTangible]

"We'll discuss what we want to do a bit later. Right now, I believe Hay Bale wanted our attention." Mystic says.

Amber nodded and stood there quietly, so that Hay bale could have the spotlight.

Nah, I just wanted an opinion on the outfit. She replied. And from your reactions I'd say it's a success.

[Grif]

After locking the door and getting underway to the book shop, Staccata starts elaborating. "Reputations darling, are things that you have to keep close track of. There are some ponies around that simply cannot hide the fact that they can't keep their hooves off each other all the time."

"Oh? I wouldn't know of such ponies..." Tyrol replied, with a slight air of puzzlement. Poor Tyrol could be a little naive at times.

Apparently not



Well, I'm going to apologize for throwing her bodily out of the store, and explain that even if I was interested (which I'm not, stop looking at me like that, my dear), I'm in a relationship with you, and after that...I have a few ideas. One, i could proposition her for a threesome with you... though something tells me that would be a bad idea. Two, I could offer a game of Ponyhammer. Also sits wrong with me. Three, I could try and matchmake her to somepony else... now that would be the funniest but also the most likely to blow up in my face... Or I could just do apologize and move on. He tilted his head. What do you think?

Esmeralda tapped her chin thoughtfully. "One sounds very delightful, but I doubt she would share our enthusiasm. I don't think she's inclined to share either. Same for two." Her eyes glinted with amusement. "Three sounds just right up my alley." Her expressions sobered a little. "But Icy here is telling me to tell you to do the prudent thing. Just apologise and let her go. Hopefully she'll understand."

(Surely nothing would happen, right? )

[HalfTangible]

Esmeralda tapped her chin thoughtfully. "One sounds very delightful, but I doubt she would share our enthusiasm. I don't think she's inclined to share either. Same for two." Her eyes glinted with amusement. "Three sounds just right up my alley." Her expressions sobered a little. "But Icy here is telling me to tell you to do the prudent thing. Just apologise and let her go. Hopefully she'll understand."

(Surely nothing would happen, right? )

((Of course not. And Summer will most certainly not be important at any future point, no, of course not ^^ That would be dumb. Heh heh heh...))

Lone Star nodded. Sure... friendly stuff can come later... Just... He trotted out of the store. What cou- aw crap... He poked his head back in. I just had the urge to say 'what could possibly go wrong'. You might wanna put the hospital on speed-dial or something. He poked his head back out.

[Grif]

((Of course not. And Summer will most certainly not be important at any future point, no, of course not ^^ That would be dumb. Heh heh heh...))

Lone Star nodded. Sure... friendly stuff can come later... Just... He trotted out of the store. What cou- aw crap... He poked his head back in. I just had the urge to say 'what could possibly go wrong'. You might wanna put the hospital on speed-dial or something. He poked his head back out.

Esmeralda duly does so, being somewhat more genre-savvy than her twin.

[Luka]

Ambush!
The heal does nothing and once Mile glomped Luka, he wobbled, then fell to the ground.
He was out cold, again.
But this time his angry chi is released.
Unfortunately it wasn't before it did a number on his insides.

"....oh"
Luka points at Aero with his hoof, both Aisis and Mile turn, they instantly panic and rush to try to help him up, after trying for a while (and noticing something wrong on his skin that show something wrong with his insides) Aisis decides to try a stronger healing spell on him to make sure he can be stable while Mile loads him on her back.

Despite some general unease in dealing with the dark metal, the griffon isn't afflicted by the same sort of repulsion. He's 100% martial, with no connections to channeling light energy and all that. The collapsed pony, however, now presents a problem.

"I don't think we can manage the weight of bringing those two," the griffon motions to the assailants, "in with their gear. We can travel light get in faster with a couple of pieces of gear that we can get to the right places. Leave the two likely to die, or drag them in after stripping the armor."

Luka turns to Ironblade, puts a foreleg below him and lifts once to test, doesn't show much problem

"Weight's not a problem, their armor is made of a lighter than normal material"

Then approaches Whitestone.

"I'm not thinking about leaving them to die, even if they're the bad guys, it's just not right, and you could interrogate them for info stuff. You're gonna pick him up or me?"

[HalfTangible]

Esmeralda duly does so, being somewhat more genre-savvy than her twin.

*One awkward conversation that I'm too lazy to type out entirely (the sunburn isn't helping either) later*
-and you seem like a nice mare, but I've got a fillyfriend.

Yeah, I get it. Sorry I called her a whore... and a witch, and a whole bunch of other stuff. That was uncalled for.

I'll pass the message along. Ya know, you could try talking to Es, you two might get along just fine.

[MCerberus]

"Oh? I wouldn't know of such ponies..." Tyrol replied, with a slight air of puzzlement. Poor Tyrol could be a little naive at times.

And of course the two of them would make their way over to Lone Star's to subject the pegasus to more weirdness. Along the way they'd likely have more odd discussions about the rumor mill.

Of course, whether to put the pair in temporal lock so they aren't involved in the ambulance incident going on is another question.

"....oh"
Luka points at Aero with his hoof, both Aisis and Mile turn, they instantly panic and rush to try to help him up, after trying for a while (and noticing something wrong on his skin that show something wrong with his insides) Aisis decides to try a stronger healing spell on him to make sure he can be stable while Mile loads him on her back.



Luka turns to Ironblade, puts a foreleg below him and lifts once to test, doesn't show much problem

"Weight's not a problem, their armor is made of a lighter than normal material"

Then approaches Whitestone.

"I'm not thinking about leaving them to die, even if they're the bad guys, it's just not right, and you could interrogate them for info stuff. You're gonna pick him up or me?"

Respecting the young colt's view of the right thing to do the griffon shrugs before lifting Whitestone. Luka is bold and sticks to his principles, so at least somepony in Equestria proper knows how to teach their children.

"Let's just hope our new friend doesn't require speedy attention then," he comments before beginning to move forward. It's a bit awkward carrying the weight while walking with a clipped talon. It would be more awkward trying to fly with the assassin on him though.

[Luka]

Respecting the young colt's view of the right thing to do the griffon shrugs before lifting Whitestone. Luka is bold and sticks to his principles, so at least somepony in Equestria proper knows how to teach their children.

"Let's just hope our new friend doesn't require speedy attention then," he comments before beginning to move forward. It's a bit awkward carrying the weight while walking with a clipped talon. It would be more awkward trying to fly with the assassin on him though.

He would notice that his wound is still bleeding, already has a line that reaches to his left side, and when he lifts him there's already a small pool of blood on the ground, though not much happens when he lifts him. Luka notices them just as he loads Ironblade.

"Uh.... I don't really know, but if he keeps bleeding out like that then I think he may do, we may need to fly again, I could carry him and you carry the metal plates" He points a roll he made with the large dry leaf that he's holding on his left side.

Though yeah, carrying both assasin's was going to be pretty heavy for him, already carrying the other one

He then looks back at Aisis and Mile, noticing both's bandaged wounds
"Are you sure you can go by yourselves?"
Both of them nod while they start walking again
"Ok..... just cast a flare if something happens on the way ok?"

[Kelvin360]

He would notice that his wound is still bleeding, already has a line that reaches to his left side, and when he lifts him there's already a small pool of blood on the ground, though not much happens when he lifts him. Luka notices them just as he loads Ironblade.

"Uh.... I don't really know, but if he keeps bleeding out like that then I think he may do, we may need to fly again, I could carry him and you carry the metal plates" He points a roll he made with the large dry leaf that he's holding on his left side.

Though yeah, carrying both assasin's was going to be pretty heavy for him, already carrying the other one

He then looks back at Aisis and Mile, noticing both's bandaged wounds
"Are you sure you can go by yourselves?"
Both of them nod while they start walking again
"Ok..... just cast a flare if something happens on the way ok?"

On the road to Bridle Shores, quite near the group, a brown-coated earth pony with a lute and bow strapped to his back is either looking interestedly at the Griffon and Luka (if they fly off) or something in the dirt (if not). Either way, whether Aisis and Mile decide to avoid him or not will probably determine whether they have some extra hooves to help.

//Also, as a matter of curiousity - Are the angry squads of evil army ponies still in pursuit of the trio, or have they fallen back?