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

[Orzel]

"What?....No, no hot sauce, and uh, newt's eyes are uh....they don't mix well with chocolate brownies, so ah hey, if you get me the brownie pan from the cabinet, that would be great Miss Lochbed," She forced a smile on her face, really the only reason she 'convinced' Lochbed to make brownies with ehr was to keep her from regrettable shenanigans.

"Ochkay. Brownie pan." Little did Aubade know was that Lochbed was recording the entire baking process for later rownie making. Magical or Mundane, she was going to do it.

"Pan for Best Friend Awbade." said the kelpie with the pan on her head.

[Luka]

"Yeah, it reforms to the regular stuff when you hit it with a laser beam and everything."

"That seems like a critical design flaw."

"'S also why I'm overconfident."

"Either a desing flaw or.... Their wards suck"

"Because you're obviously underestimating them, like if victory was already assured because we could beat 2 of them, later they could become stronger, and then there's an entire army of them, possibly stronger than each of us"

[Kelvin360]

"Either a desing flaw or.... Their wards suck"

"Because you're obviously underestimating them, like if victory was already assured because we could beat 2 of them, later they could become stronger, and then there's an entire army of them, possibly stronger than each of us"

"Well we're big on faith here in holy-ville."

"Or maybe you're just giddy because of the vampires."

"Oh hey that reminds me, do you still have bucketloads of magic knives?"

"I had to use them all against that living dungeon, remember?"

"Oh, right..."

---

Daniel

"Just a moment guys, nature calls." He gets up and heads down the stairs...and then ducks into a shadow and sneaks into Sandy and Rainbow's hookah, taking a seat where he'd be (at the very very least) partially obscured from the posse club.

"So, I know you guys are enjoying your interpersonal crisis, but I think the most obvious vampire in the world is about to maul a poor sop out there. Who calls dibs on the track?"

[MCerberus]

Gearstride looked around her surroundings trying to find that civilian that she ran into, maybe she did go home...somehow despite the dead end direction she was headed. Gear shook her head and brought her communicator to her face. "I uh, hoof prints you say? Well, a better lead than what I got, which was nothing. Hold on, I'll be right there...where are you exactly?"

Staccata didn't answer or move away, partially because someone happened to be asleep for a while instead of posting ponies. Instead she keeps watch from an elevated position. Just a bit too far out of earshot to listen in, the rogue simply waits until Gearstride goes somewhere. Hopefully she'll lead Staccata to some information or at least the mentioned attacked pony so she can ask some questions.

[Luka]

"Well we're big on faith here in holy-ville."

"Or maybe you're just giddy because of the vampires."

"Oh hey that reminds me, do you still have bucketloads of magic knives?"

"I had to use them all against that living dungeon, remember?"

"Oh, right..."

"....vampires?"
"remember that feral pony you found at the valley's marsh? like that.... But may not as feral"
"...That would just make it more annoying"

[Kelvin360]

"....vampires?"
"remember that feral pony you found at the valley's marsh? like that.... But may not as feral"
"...That would just make it more annoying"

"Not that annoying. They're poster colts for 'ridiculous weaknesses'. I can think of like, three things on you right now that would kill one of 'em."

"But naturally it must remain a secret so they have easy prey."

"No, it must remain a secret so ponies don't start killing each other."

[Luka]

"Not that annoying. They're poster colts for 'ridiculous weaknesses'. I can think of like, three things on you right now that would kill one of 'em."

"But naturally it must remain a secret so they have easy prey."

"No, it must remain a secret so ponies don't start killing each other."

"3 things?"
"but why would it have to remain a secret for us?"

[Orzel]

(Gotta do something with my main)

Grills in Crossfire's Alley.

The shifty noble had sneaked out the hospital and found himself in a the middle of a dark alley. The brick walls were dirty as expected. The stench of the full dumpster only stank the edge of the sidewalk to the street.

Around the Mexicolt takeout shop sat a table. Under than was a dark duffle bag. As Grills shuffled in the figre of the young gray pony came into view. "Got my stuff? Crossfire?"

"YEAH! CROSSFIYAAAA!! WANT SOME CLOPPERS!" screamed the stallion. His leather gloves stood out in the grayness of his coat.

The noble stomped a hoof and tossed some bits at the table. "I don't want none of that manure. Give me my pink sugar."

"That stuff isn't even illegal." The big colt ducked down and unzipped the bag. The shine of a large weapon poked out the opening as his mouth took out the clear bag of fine pink powder. "Heard what happened at the casino. Madness."


"Not into that." Grills floated the bag over to his pocket. No eye contact was made as he lied about his involvement. "I am more into licking powder off the fat of a mare model's rum while being whipped by of a leather clad clown."

"Your past-times consist of strange activities."

"I'm also twisted and deranged. I kick over full wine glasses and pay the pizza colt in pennies."

"You are as sick as my father." Crossfire said as he cleaned up is table.

Grills smirked and walked away. His transaction was done. "Not sick. It's madness."

[Grif]

Gearstride looked around her surroundings trying to find that civilian that she ran into, maybe she did go home...somehow despite the dead end direction she was headed. Gear shook her head and brought her communicator to her face. "I uh, hoof prints you say? Well, a better lead than what I got, which was nothing. Hold on, I'll be right there...where are you exactly?"

"I'm at the cemetery earlier. Seems fitting our... vampire friends live out here. Though I would have thought they would be more subtle." He glanced around the graveyard. "I'll take a look around first, if you don't mind."

He poked his head up and frown-pouted, and he so close to getting some tail too. "I..no..of course not...I...I'm sorry babe....sweetie...please...forgive a fool?" He put on an earnest smile and tilted his head for extra effect. "If it means anything to you...its a 15K Bits necklace." He put back on his earnest smile for back up.

"Fox. It's fifteen thousand bits from a heist which you just pulled off not one day ago." Icy's eyes radiated disappointment. "I thought you regretted the entire thing."

[Benson]

"Ochkay. Brownie pan." Little did Aubade know was that Lochbed was recording the entire baking process for later rownie making. Magical or Mundane, she was going to do it.

"Pan for Best Friend Awbade." said the kelpie with the pan on her head.

Aubade made sure to check of it was the baking pan and not some stove top pan and what not.

Staccata didn't answer or move away, partially because someone happened to be asleep for a while instead of posting ponies. Instead she keeps watch from an elevated position. Just a bit too far out of earshot to listen in, the rogue simply waits until Gearstride goes somewhere. Hopefully she'll lead Staccata to some information or at least the mentioned attacked pony so she can ask some questions.

"I'm at the cemetery earlier. Seems fitting our... vampire friends live out here. Though I would have thought they would be more subtle." He glanced around the graveyard. "I'll take a look around first, if you don't mind."

"Well alright, but I'm still going to be on my way lieutenant," She said before having the communicator go silent as she made her way to the cemetery taking the route to the woods, it was a nice short cut after all.

"Fox. It's fifteen thousand bits from a heist which you just pulled off not one day ago." Icy's eyes radiated disappointment. "I thought you regretted the entire thing."

"What? Noooo....this....I bought over there before the heist even started, I bought it with my own Bits not from blood Bits," He frowned and felt his chest heavy, that look of disappointed made him feel damned and all kinds of bad things and deserving of it all too.

[MCerberus]

"Well alright, but I'm still going to be on my way lieutenant," She said before having the communicator go silent as she made her way to the cemetery taking the route to the woods, it was a nice short cut after all.

This mare appears to be a confusing mess. Suspicious and warning off 'civilians' constantly about creepy dangers, then takes a dusk-time walk in the woods. So of course Staccata would follow her, keeping off to the side and behind the captain. Hopefully there won't be any snapped twigs or anything.

[HalfTangible]

Balboa's Canterlot Estate

The guards at the tall double oak doors regarded Hay Bale, one regarding her too much. Benson just doesn't want to think or care right now that much how she got through the front gates authorized as most unauthorized flyers and teleporters get shot down/gunned, so we'll assume she got through the front gate via normal channels, saves on thinking.

The door opened to show an old stallion, a butler who had a name but Benson forgot it. "Mmmm, yes, Miss Hay Bale is it? Usually the master of the house does not do 'walk ins' but..." He glanced her up and down. "I'm sure he wouldn't mind." His voice seemed permanently in dull monotone. He spoke into his ear piece. "Inform Master Balboa he has a lady guest."

He then looked at her again ignoring that she looked like she' just jumped in a pool. "Follow me."

She followed the butler. So why did I have to jump in a river before I came here?

[Benson]

She followed the butler. So why did I have to jump in a river before I came here?

"I am not sure madam. Perhaps you wanted to go for a swim first," He replied in his droll monotone voice. They would pass into the foyer and up one of the sides of the double grand staircase with a classic crystal chandelier hanging. Marble floor, a large painting of Balboa himself in the center at the top of the staircases. It was busy-ish with servants going about their business, cleaning mostly in here. They took for a right as she was lead towards Balboa's office. The guards posted outside his office nodded at the butler as he knocked on the door with a hoof.

The doors opened showing Balboa sitting behind his desk going over some files and eating some grapes. To the corner was Astrid at her little desk doing assistant work and helping him go through all his never ending paper work. He looked at lopsidedly grinned seeing Hay Bale. 'Oh my, ahem, good afternoon, Miss Hay Bale is it? Ahem, yes, how can I help you?" He asked as he gestured for his head butler to leave the office.

[Kelvin360]

"3 things?"
"but why would it have to remain a secret for us?"

"It doesn't. 'S why I'm telling you."

[Orzel]

Aubade made sure to check of it was the baking pan and not some stove top pan and what not.

Just for lulz sake, it's not even a regalar stove pan. It's a wok. "Got the pan, Awbade."

[TheAmishPirate]

Daniel

"Just a moment guys, nature calls." He gets up and heads down the stairs...and then ducks into a shadow and sneaks into Sandy and Rainbow's hookah, taking a seat where he'd be (at the very very least) partially obscured from the posse club.

"So, I know you guys are enjoying your interpersonal crisis, but I think the most obvious vampire in the world is about to maul a poor sop out there. Who calls dibs on the track?"

Sandy couldn't thank Luna enough for the distraction; maybe some time on the mission would calm Rainbow's nerves some. He patted his fillyfriend on the back. "Well, let's go get 'em then."

[Orzel]

Sandy couldn't thank Luna enough for the distraction; maybe some time on the mission would calm Rainbow's nerves some. He patted his fillyfriend on the back. "Well, let's go get 'em then."

Rainbow appreciated the break in the mood but secretly wished their was none. "Okay. Don't expect much from me though. I am unarmed."

[TheAmishPirate]

Rainbow appreciated the break in the mood but secretly wished their was none. "Okay. Don't expect much from me though. I am unarmed."

"We'll figure somethin' out; at least they can't take this away," he tapped his horn once. "First thing's first, we should try t'see if anypony spotted 'em leavin'." Sandy got up from his booth, offering Rainbow his foreleg to help her up too.

(Going to be deadtiming for 5-6 hours in about half an hour, when that happens, just assume Sandy follows along as they track)

[Orzel]

"We'll figure somethin' out; at least they can't take this away," he tapped his horn once. "First thing's first, we should try t'see if anypony spotted 'em leavin'." Sandy got up from his booth, offering Rainbow his foreleg to help her up too.

(Going to be deadtiming for 5-6 hours in about half an hour, when that happens, just assume Sandy follows along as they track)

Rainbow took the hoof to get up. "That sounds like a good plan. I'm counting on you two to keep me safe here. Without my bolts, I am no challenge for a bloodsucker." she says with all smiles as she walks with the rest. All fake smiles.

[Kelvin360]

"The archer is on melee lead. Awesome." Oddly, he doesn't sound sarcastic, like he actually thinks this is gonna be great. And he does take the lead, too. He's just so darn confident it's contagious. Which of course just leaves the question as to whether he's got a great plan, or he's a vampire.

Anyways! He checks the dance floor first, to make sure his suspicions are correct.

[Grif]

"Well alright, but I'm still going to be on my way lieutenant," She said before having the communicator go silent as she made her way to the cemetery taking the route to the woods, it was a nice short cut after all.

"Aye, Captain," Silverpine said, before putting down his own radio. He glanced around the obviously creepy cemetery and decided to first follow the hoofsteps to its conclusion, then take a look around the area where it ended.

"What? Noooo....this....I bought over there before the heist even started, I bought it with my own Bits not from blood Bits," He frowned and felt his chest heavy, that look of disappointed made him feel damned and all kinds of bad things and deserving of it all too.

Icy sighed heavilly, another clear sign of her disappointment. Her expression softened a little, if only in pity. "Fox... don't you think... somepony else would make better use of that bits...? Even if they were your own."

[Benson]

Just for lulz sake, it's not even a regalar stove pan. It's a wok. "Got the pan, Awbade."

"A wok? I don't ever remembering there being a wok," She said exasperatedly. Prior she had made a check of what this kitchen had in terms of tools and supplies weeks back. "Nevermind. For future reference Miss Lochbed, this is a pan for brownies." She poked around in the cupboard and pulled out a brownie pan.

"The archer is on melee lead. Awesome." Oddly, he doesn't sound sarcastic, like he actually thinks this is gonna be great. And he does take the lead, too. He's just so darn confident it's contagious. Which of course just leaves the question as to whether he's got a great plan, or he's a vampire.

Anyways! He checks the dance floor first, to make sure his suspicions are correct.

Indeed his suspicions are correct, there are no signs of the two on the dance floor.

[Dark Elf Bard]

"Yes, I do. I have friends there, and if something's happened, I want...I need to know what."

"Nice to meet ya! The name's Blades! Interestin' name ya've got there."

"Aw, that's gotta be nasty if ya're sayin' that. Awful lot of weird things happenin' lately, aren't there?" Blades shook her head. "If it's that bad, ya'll probly need to help it calm down at some point, but for now, we'll keep ya safe."

Yohanna blinks a few times.
Welltheanimalssometimesgetpossessedandtrytokillpon iesandtheyscaremeandsomeonesetaforestfireandmyhous eisburneddownsoIcamehere.

[Benson]

"Aye, Captain," Silverpine said, before putting down his own radio. He glanced around the obviously creepy cemetery and decided to first follow the hoofsteps to its conclusion, then take a look around the area where it ended.

The hoofsteps began where he was at near the cemetery, just outside the wrought iron fence, and went into the woods as mentioned. So he'd be heading back the way he had followed from. Not too far off he would hear a far off shuffling through the woods, it creepy quiet enough to hear it.

Icy sighed heavilly, another clear sign of her disappointment. Her expression softened a little, if only in pity. "Fox... don't you think... somepony else would make better use of that bits...? Even if they were your own."

"It was bought before the unplanned total destruction of the casino, its not like I bought it thinking about the Bits would be put to better use for the unplanned deaths of hundreds....I was only thinking about you in the time before that....but....I could probably still return it......give those Bits of mine to the likely charity that's going to spring up now," He sighed harshly to himself and faced away from her.

[Orzel]

"A wok? I don't ever remembering there being a wok," She said exasperatedly. Prior she had made a check of what this kitchen had in terms of tools and supplies weeks back. "Nevermind. For future reference Miss Lochbed, this is a pan for brownies." She poked around in the cupboard and pulled out a brownie pan.

"Ochkay." Lochbed watched Aubade plan the pan in the oven. "So what is this.. 'wuk' for, Awbade?"

"The archer is on melee lead. Awesome." Oddly, he doesn't sound sarcastic, like he actually thinks this is gonna be great. And he does take the lead, too. He's just so darn confident it's contagious. Which of course just leaves the question as to whether he's got a great plan, or he's a vampire.

Anyways! He checks the dance floor first, to make sure his suspicions are correct.

Indeed his suspicions are correct, there are no signs of the two on the dance floor.

"Correction. An archer lead. A bowless sniper and a knifeless caster" Rainbow corrects. She scans around for tracks. Her gut says the enemy is outside. "Let's go outside."

[HalfTangible]

"I am not sure madam. Perhaps you wanted to go for a swim first," He replied in his droll monotone voice. They would pass into the foyer and up one of the sides of the double grand staircase with a classic crystal chandelier hanging. Marble floor, a large painting of Balboa himself in the center at the top of the staircases. It was busy-ish with servants going about their business, cleaning mostly in here. They took for a right as she was lead towards Balboa's office. The guards posted outside his office nodded at the butler as he knocked on the door with a hoof.

The doors opened showing Balboa sitting behind his desk going over some files and eating some grapes. To the corner was Astrid at her little desk doing assistant work and helping him go through all his never ending paper work. He looked at lopsidedly grinned seeing Hay Bale. 'Oh my, ahem, good afternoon, Miss Hay Bale is it? Ahem, yes, how can I help you?" He asked as he gestured for his head butler to leave the office.

I need a job. She replied as the Butler walked out. She lifted up a hoof and glared at the water dripping on the floor. Sorry about the mess.

Let's see... Skills... I can fight, mutate, seduce and sing songs that warp reality itself to my whims. Anything specific you want to ask?

[Benson]

"Ochkay." Lochbed watched Aubade plan the pan in the oven. "So what is this.. 'wuk' for, Awbade?"

After putting the batter in the brownie pan she put it in the oven and glanced at Lochbed. 'For stir fry foods or some such." She casually shrugged and leaned against the counter. "Mmm, have you had brownie batter? Its pretty good." She gestured to the bowl with leftover brownie batter. "You can have some if you'd like."

I need a job. She replied as the Butler walked out. She lifted up a hoof and glared at the water dripping on the floor. Sorry about the mess.

Let's see... Skills... I can fight, mutate, seduce and sing songs that warp reality itself to my whims. Anything specific you want to ask?

Balboa just hoof waved the water mess, that's what servants were for, and the occasional flirting with. He first looked her up and down, distracted by the attractive and water addled mare in front of him. It took Astrid discretely coughing aloud to snap him out of it. "Mmm, yes.....those are some very interesting skills.....mutate you say? Show me please, if you will."

[MCerberus]

The hoofsteps began where he was at near the cemetery, just outside the wrought iron fence, and went into the woods as mentioned. So he'd be heading back the way he had followed from. Not too far off he would hear a far off shuffling through the woods, it creepy quiet enough to hear it.

Unaware that the creepiness of the cemetery's ability to stand ponies on edge could betray her, Staccata continues following a ways back. In the waning daylight, the long shadows of the tombstones and monuments provide a lot of visible cover.

The concerned pony actually going into the cemetery. Curiouser and curiouser.

[HalfTangible]

Balboa just hoof waved the water mess, that's what servants were for, and the occasional flirting with. He first looked her up and down, distracted by the attractive and water addled mare in front of him. It took Astrid discretely coughing aloud to snap him out of it. "Mmm, yes.....those are some very interesting skills.....mutate you say? Show me please, if you will."

There were now TWO Astrids in the room: one sopping wet, the other doing paperwork. She then shifted into a female version of Balboa, then into a perfect copy of him. For a few moments she shifted into Mystic, giving Astrid a flirtatious wink as she did so.

...Hay Bale had intended that to be for Balboa. Guess she couldn't even make a FAKE Mystic like a guy... or that guy, specifically.

She then shifted into Hay Bale again, except as a pegasus pony instead of a unicorn. This time she succeeded in giving Balboa a flirty wink.

I could go for more outlandish transformations than that, if you'd like. Say, a raccoon? Cthulu? Or if you'd prefer I can alter my body to whatever fitness i like.

Hay Bale's muscle structure switched between a track runner, to a soccer player, to the world's strongest mare, to a couch potato, then back to her 8/10 form. She then adjusted her sunglasses.

In brief, I can make any part of my body into anything I want, from aphrodisiacs to xylophones. If there is a limit to it besides my imagination- Her wings shot back into her body and a horn popped out her head -I haven't found it yet.

[Orzel]

After putting the batter in the brownie pan she put it in the oven and glanced at Lochbed. 'For stir fry foods or some such." She casually shrugged and leaned against the counter. "Mmm, have you had brownie batter? Its pretty good." She gestured to the bowl with leftover brownie batter. "You can have some if you'd like."

"Really?" Lochbed did not wait for confirmation of her permission. A hoof dug into the bowl and scapped up some batter and into her mouth. "Funneh. Auntie said brownies taste like mossy rocks. This be not mossy rocks."