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

[Benson]

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.

'Twas a mostly quiet venture into the cemetery, well, depending on what part of the cemetery really. The southern half was much well kept than the small northern half, an older part of the cemetery forgotten and not included as part of the newer south when land development began itself a few years back. In the south was the funeral offices and site for arranging purchase of a funeral plot and other amenities. The northern part as mentioned, where Staccata and Silverpine found themselves though in different part, the older area, where the crypt from a venture before was at. Weeds, and creepy above ground tombs, statues littered it like something from a gothic horror tale.

"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."

"Auntie? I was not aware you had relatives Miss Lochbed, hauh," Aubade commented, truly unaware, as in, she was never informed of it as opposed to Ember.

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.

He did indeed find his female self to be on the good looking side if a bit too old for him. Astrid rolled her eyes at the wink but seemed interested herself in these abilities.

...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.

He smirked and winked in return. "I see...how very all fascinating..."

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.

"Fascinating, most fascinating my dear. Is there an origin story on how you came upon such.....gifts?" He asked directing Astrid to write notes.

[HalfTangible]

He smirked and winked in return. "I see...how very all fascinating..."

Glad to hear you approve. She licked her lips. I was told cookies were only ONE of the benefits of working for you...

"Fascinating, most fascinating my dear. Is there an origin story on how you came upon such.....gifts?" He asked directing Astrid to write notes.

Yes but it is so utterly ridiculous that I probably made it up and forgot that I made it up. She tapped her chin thoughtfully. Especially since Sand Fisher and Red Field are fictional characters.

Far as I can tell I was born with them. She shrugged. My first memory that I can count on as the truth is being in a loony bin in the town of Texas - you might've heard of it - and I was being let out. I already had the power to change my form and had for some time.

If they had, being in a loony bin in the town of Texas generally meant you were eldritch-horror insane. As in, looking at one would not break your mind, looking at YOUR mind would break IT'S. The fact she was speaking english Equestrian was incredible. The fact she seemed relatively sane was a miracle.

There was a theory that the unimaginable heat of the place might have something to do with the fact that everyone was crazy.

[Orzel]

"Auntie? I was not aware you had relatives Miss Lochbed, hauh," Aubade commented, truly unaware, as in, she was never informed of it as opposed to Ember.

The kelpie explained the details of her genealogy somewhat. "Och. Ah gave a ma. an auntie, two sisters, a grandma, and many cousins. Ah'd introduce ye but all bu' my ma are ponyeaters."

[Grif]

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.

Silverpine pricked up his ears, straining to hear the sound again. If it sounded again, he would try to follow it. If not, he would head in the rough direction in where he heard it.

"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.

Fox would find a warm pair of forelegs wrapping around him from behind. "... Fox, that's sweet. But you know very well I don't need such extravagant jewellery."

[Benson]

Balboa, Hay Bale and the stalwart Astrid

Astrid took the liberty to just stop writing notes at this point, it was, pointless. Balboa however listened in amused interest and poured himself some scotch, better hearing this with a slight buzz. He offered Hay Bale a drink. "Yes.....there do come benefits aside from delicious cookies, which I may add, my personal chef is quite gifted with making bourbon cookies."

"Anyhoof, do you know who your parents were at all? If you don't mind my asking my dear," He pushed the offered drink toward her across his desk and drank his own.

The kelpie explained the details of her genealogy somewhat. "Och. Ah gave a ma. an auntie, two sisters, a grandma, and many cousins. Ah'd introduce ye but all bu' my ma are ponyeaters."

"Ah...well...we should probably keep it that way, I'd rather not find myself nor the young master eaten, that would be quite problematic," She coughed into her hoof and wanly smiled. 'Mmm, yeaa."

Fox would find a warm pair of forelegs wrapping around him from behind. "... Fox, that's sweet. But you know very well I don't need such extravagant jewellery."

"I just wanted to get you a nice present, a lovely necklace made only more lovely by its wearer....also....I'm sorry about the letter.....I...while I don't really remember it I apologize....though....its still a pleasant image....you painted.....hahah..I kid...I kid...please don't turn me into a popsicle," He briefly laughed lifting up a hoof to touch one hers around him on his chest.

[HalfTangible]

Balboa, Hay Bale and the stalwart Astrid

Astrid took the liberty to just stop writing notes at this point, it was, pointless. Balboa however listened in amused interest and poured himself some scotch, better hearing this with a slight buzz. He offered Hay Bale a drink. "Yes.....there do come benefits aside from delicious cookies, which I may add, my personal chef is quite gifted with making bourbon cookies."

"Anyhoof, do you know who your parents were at all? If you don't mind my asking my dear," He pushed the offered drink toward her across his desk and drank his own.

Well not really, they were dead. she tapped her chin. But I know my father was a soldier. He all sorts of war trinkets around the house. You'd think at least one of them would mention his name...

I mean sure, he had that one journal entry where someone called him by his nickname: Bloodhoof. But that's not very helpful in finding out who he is.

[Orzel]

"Ah...well...we should probably keep it that way, I'd rather not find myself nor the young master eaten, that would be quite problematic," She coughed into her hoof and wanly smiled. 'Mmm, yeaa."

"As Ember's pact states, I must be a good fillyfriend. And inviting my pony eating family would be not be being one. Except meh ma. Meh ma is pact bound to never eat pony flesh. Nor animal flesh. She is different now." stated Lochbed.

[Grif]

"I just wanted to get you a nice present, a lovely necklace made only more lovely by its wearer....also....I'm sorry about the letter.....I...while I don't really remember it I apologize....though....its still a pleasant image....you painted.....hahah..I kid...I kid...please don't turn me into a popsicle," He briefly laughed lifting up a hoof to touch one hers around him on his chest.

(Editted my missing response for Silverpine into the earlier post.)

"... Fox. Best you not bring up that letter again. As I said, I rather liked you warm." She rested her head on his left shoulder and sighed.

[Benson]

Well not really, they were dead. she tapped her chin. But I know my father was a soldier. He all sorts of war trinkets around the house. You'd think at least one of them would mention his name...

I mean sure, he had that one journal entry where someone called him by his nickname: Bloodhoof. But that's not very helpful in finding out who he is.

Since she did accept his offered drink, he happily helped himself to it. He let out a satisfied sound as the liquid ran down his throat. "Mmm, you'd be surprised how one, with the right resources could make something like that helpful." He stroked his chin for a moment and part leered and part studied Hay Bale. "I admit, your whole physiology interests me very much, I do fancy me exotic ponies. My last prospect failed me in several ways, a dead end in that research, an utter utter dead end." He furrowed his brows and rubbed his temples. "That said, I may have a position for you with conditions..

"As Ember's pact states, I must be a good fillyfriend. And inviting my pony eating family would be not be being one. Except meh ma. Meh ma is pact bound to never eat pony flesh. Nor animal flesh. She is different now." stated Lochbed.

"Oh? If you don't mind my asking, why is that?" She asked as she started a clean up.

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

Silverpine pricked up his ears, straining to hear the sound again. If it sounded again, he would try to follow it. If not, he would head in the rough direction in where he heard it.

It seemed to be moving in a direction toward him from the north, whatever it was, wasn't very stealthy.

(Editted my missing response for Silverpine into the earlier post.)

"... Fox. Best you not bring up that letter again. As I said, I rather liked you warm." She rested her head on his left shoulder and sighed.

"I like me warm too, and are you sure you don't want the necklace?" He asked wanting proper confirmation.

[TheAmishPirate]

"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."

Sandy pondered a moment, then lightly tapped the shoulder of one of the ponies on the side of the dance floor. He'd try to pick somepony who looked as though they were resting; they'd probably have been there long enough to notice something. "Beggin' your pardon, but y'didn't happen t'see my friend Blitz here, did you?" He described the pony who tried to hit on him earlier, because Amish went and forgot the description. "Last I heard, he was tryin' t'meet that Zephyr pony." If the pony he was questioning looked confused, he'd give a brief description of him too.

[Benson]

Sandy pondered a moment, then lightly tapped the shoulder of one of the ponies on the side of the dance floor. He'd try to pick somepony who looked as though they were resting; they'd probably have been there long enough to notice something. "Beggin' your pardon, but y'didn't happen t'see my friend Blitz here, did you?" He described the pony who tried to hit on him earlier, because Amish went and forgot the description. "Last I heard, he was tryin' t'meet that Zephyr pony." If the pony he was questioning looked confused, he'd give a brief description of him too.

"Oh....them....yea...them..feh, saw them headin' to the bar some time ago, didn't really care all too much," The pony shrugged and softly snorted.

[TheAmishPirate]

"Oh....them....yea...them..feh, saw them headin' to the bar some time ago, didn't really care all too much," The pony shrugged and softly snorted.

"Thanks fer that, sorry for troublin' you." Sandy trotted back over to Daniel and Rainbow, motioning for the back of the club. "Looks like they decided t'hit th' bar. They might still be inside."

[Orzel]

"Oh? If you don't mind my asking, why is that?" She asked as she started a clean up.

"She made a pact with me pa. Meh pa made meh ma give up meat buy making her act like a pony. So she is a pegasus now." clarified Lochbed.

Sandy pondered a moment, then lightly tapped the shoulder of one of the ponies on the side of the dance floor. He'd try to pick somepony who looked as though they were resting; they'd probably have been there long enough to notice something. "Beggin' your pardon, but y'didn't happen t'see my friend Blitz here, did you?" He described the pony who tried to hit on him earlier, because Amish went and forgot the description. "Last I heard, he was tryin' t'meet that Zephyr pony." If the pony he was questioning looked confused, he'd give a brief description of him too.

Rainbow just stood back and watched.

"Thanks fer that, sorry for troublin' you." Sandy trotted back over to Daniel and Rainbow, motioning for the back of the club. "Looks like they decided t'hit th' bar. They might still be inside."

"Great. I could use a drink."

[Benson]

"She made a pact with me pa. Meh pa made meh ma give up meat buy making her act like a pony. So she is a pegasus now." clarified Lochbed.

"Was your pa fey as well? Oh...a pony?" She asked.

[Orzel]

"Was your pa fey as well? Oh...a pony?" She asked.

A Fae. He is a dullahan. answered Lochbed. "A headless black horse with a magic whip."

[Benson]

A Fae. He is a dullahan. answered Lochbed. "A headless black horse with a magic whip."

"Ah...hauh...well that must have been an interesting...courtship," She awkwardly laughed seeming to take this in stride.

[PurityIcekiller]

Yohanna blinks a few times.
Welltheanimalssometimesgetpossessedandtrytokillpon iesandtheyscaremeandsomeonesetaforestfireandmyhous eisburneddownsoIcamehere.

"A what what what what? Something possessin' 'em 'n settin' things of fire? Smething must be doin' it, 'cause animals don't get possessed on their own! Well, unless they're possessin' 'emselves, but that doesn't even make sense."

Blades contemplated this for a bit. "Anyway, if something's doin' this, then ya can't just expect 'em to stop on their own, can ya? Ya'll have to figure it out somehow, 'n then make 'em stop. Probly in a way involvin' damage to major organs. But that can wait. For now, we'd best get other things figured out for ya."

[Kelvin360]

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

"Sweet!

...Er, I mean this is terrible, we should go save him! (And get some bloody action already...)"

Yohanna blinks a few times.
Welltheanimalssometimesgetpossessedandtrytokillpon iesandtheyscaremeandsomeonesetaforestfireandmyhous eisburneddownsoIcamehere.

"Wh- hang on." Arvadraa puts on an expression that makes it look like she's screaming at the top of her lungs...mentally.

"And she goes right for the conclusion. Who'd have guessed."

"A what what what what? Something possessin' 'em 'n settin' things of fire? Smething must be doin' it, 'cause animals don't get possessed on their own! Well, unless they're possessin' 'emselves, but that doesn't even make sense."

Blades contemplated this for a bit. "Anyway, if something's doin' this, then ya can't just expect 'em to stop on their own, can ya? Ya'll have to figure it out somehow, 'n then make 'em stop. Probly in a way involvin' damage to major organs. But that can wait. For now, we'd best get other things figured out for ya."

"Nn. I can help you with scouting or investigating when we have some free time." She glances at a nearby rodent. "Varr, go tell George and Timms to do a wide-area lookabout. Anything suspicious comes right back here."

"Thanks fer that, sorry for troublin' you." Sandy trotted back over to Daniel and Rainbow, motioning for the back of the club. "Looks like they decided t'hit th' bar. They might still be inside."

"Well what're we waiting for? Sandy, you've got our flanks for magical support." He motions at Rainbow. You're with me as a back-to-back in case melee gets tough. Both of you; your official cover is that Golden Meadows is taking you for a drink due to a recent investment in his (my) company. Try to act upper-class."

With contingency prep taken care of, he loosens his leather straps a bit and leads the way into the back.

[TheAmishPirate]

"Well what're we waiting for? Sandy, you've got our flanks for magical support." He motions at Rainbow. You're with me as a back-to-back in case melee gets tough. Both of you; your official cover is that Golden Meadows is taking you for a drink due to a recent investment in his (my) company. Try to act upper-class."

With contingency prep taken care of, he loosens his leather straps a bit and leads the way into the back.

Sandy gave a curt nod and fell in behind him. True, he didn't know the first thing about being upper-class, only that they they were usually rude and didn't have his accent. Small, silent type it was then.

[Orzel]

"Well what're we waiting for? Sandy, you've got our flanks for magical support." He motions at Rainbow. You're with me as a back-to-back in case melee gets tough. Both of you; your official cover is that Golden Meadows is taking you for a drink due to a recent investment in his (my) company. Try to act upper-class."

With contingency prep taken care of, he loosens his leather straps a bit and leads the way into the back.

"Upper class huh." Rainbow does not exactly know upperclass but as a military brat, she used stuffiness. Her posture stiffs and chin raises.

Sandy gave a curt nod and fell in behind him. True, he didn't know the first thing about being upper-class, only that they they were usually rude and didn't have his accent. Small, silent type it was then.

The sniper walked with Sandy toward the bar. "Darling, such an investment would look wonderful for our portfolio, would it not? Mister Meadows, would such a place have Grand Cru?"

"Ah...hauh...well that must have been an interesting...courtship," She awkwardly laughed seeming to take this in stride.

"Interesting is not the best word when it comes to the Unseelie. Meh pa is a headless pony with a whip made of pony spine."

[TheAmishPirate]

"Upper class huh." Rainbow does not exactly know upperclass but as a military brat, she used stuffiness. Her posture stiffs and chin raises.



The sniper walked with Sandy toward the bar. "Darling, such an investment would look wonderful if our portfolio, would it not? Mister Meadows, would such a place have Grand Cru?"

Sandy followed suit, stiffening up his own posture significantly. He gave a curt, silent nod to Rainbow, trying to look like an impassive, serious, but incredibly wealthy stallion. For once, seeming out of place worked in his favor.

[Grif]

It seemed to be moving in a direction toward him from the north, whatever it was, wasn't very stealthy.

Silverpine began cautiously walking forward in a northernly direction, trying his best not to be heard or seen. Leaves rustled underfoot as he continued though, so he probably wasn't as stealthy as he would have liked.

"I like me warm too, and are you sure you don't want the necklace?" He asked wanting proper confirmation.

Icy shook her head. "I rather not have a reminder of your... failed heist hanging around my neck, even if you did buy it before the incident. Besides, it's not like I need it when I have you." She nuzzled his neck, seemingly forgiving him.

[Benson]

"Interesting is not the best word when it comes to the Unseelie. Meh pa is a headless pony with a whip made of pony spine."

"I'm sure....I'm sure....ahem....anyways...Miss Lochbed, thank you for sharing that uh all with me," She said with a slight nod of her head.

Silverpine began cautiously walking forward in a northernly direction, trying his best not to be heard or seen. Leaves rustled underfoot as he continued though, so he probably wasn't as stealthy as he would have liked.

The rustling got louder until! Bah. It was only Gearstride. 'Waaaah!....Oh manure...hahah...its just you lieutenant," Gearstride laughed it off a bit after having had spooked herself. "Nerves...going on about here....got me edge hahah....but uh, hey, well its good to see you, really."

Icy shook her head. "I rather not have a reminder of your... failed heist hanging around my neck, even if you did buy it before the incident. Besides, it's not like I need it when I have you." She nuzzled his neck, seemingly forgiving him.

"Fair enough, again, I'm sorry my dear and also, I apologize in advance for whatever next future screw up I have,' He softly chuckled and sighed inside and nuzzled into her nuzzle. Phew, the ploy worked, the path of the unsubtle topic change made to softened his screw up with that letter business. The foolish stallion couldn't bear to find himself on Icy's bad side for too long.

[Dark Elf Bard]

"A what what what what? Something possessin' 'em 'n settin' things of fire? Smething must be doin' it, 'cause animals don't get possessed on their own! Well, unless they're possessin' 'emselves, but that doesn't even make sense."

Blades contemplated this for a bit. "Anyway, if something's doin' this, then ya can't just expect 'em to stop on their own, can ya? Ya'll have to figure it out somehow, 'n then make 'em stop. Probly in a way involvin' damage to major organs. But that can wait. For now, we'd best get other things figured out for ya."

No! They're innocent, we can't hurt them!

"Wh- hang on." Arvadraa puts on an expression that makes it look like she's screaming at the top of her lungs...mentally.

"And she goes right for the conclusion. Who'd have guessed."



"Nn. I can help you with scouting or investigating when we have some free time." She glances at a nearby rodent. "Varr, go tell George and Timms to do a wide-area lookabout. Anything suspicious comes right back here."

Are you sure they'll be okay? Yohanna paws the ground nervously.

[HalfTangible]

Since she did accept his offered drink, he happily helped himself to it. He let out a satisfied sound as the liquid ran down his throat. "Mmm, you'd be surprised how one, with the right resources could make something like that helpful." He stroked his chin for a moment and part leered and part studied Hay Bale. "I admit, your whole physiology interests me very much, I do fancy me exotic ponies. My last prospect failed me in several ways, a dead end in that research, an utter utter dead end." He furrowed his brows and rubbed his temples. "That said, I may have a position for you with conditions..

I'm listening. She replied, raising an eyebrow.

[MCerberus]

The rustling got louder until! Bah. It was only Gearstride. 'Waaaah!....Oh manure...hahah...its just you lieutenant," Gearstride laughed it off a bit after having had spooked herself. "Nerves...going on about here....got me edge hahah....but uh, hey, well its good to see you, really."

And in the background Staccata's still sneaking along. Her presence would only be betrayed by an easily dismissed flicker in the shadows. That and the feeling they're being watched might 'help' their investigation.

[Grif]

The rustling got louder until! Bah. It was only Gearstride. 'Waaaah!....Oh manure...hahah...its just you lieutenant," Gearstride laughed it off a bit after having had spooked herself. "Nerves...going on about here....got me edge hahah....but uh, hey, well its good to see you, really."

Silverpine jumped and nearly shouted himself when Gearstride suddenly appeared. Thankfully, he didn't quite buck her, as he was wont to do when surprised. "Good to see you too... you didn't happen on anything strange on the way, did you?"

"Fair enough, again, I'm sorry my dear and also, I apologize in advance for whatever next future screw up I have,' He softly chuckled and sighed inside and nuzzled into her nuzzle. Phew, the ploy worked, the path of the unsubtle topic change made to softened his screw up with that letter business. The foolish stallion couldn't bear to find himself on Icy's bad side for too long.

"Well, being sorry is one thing. You still have to make up for it..." Icy purred, nibbling on his neck.

[Benson]

I'm listening. She replied, raising an eyebrow.

"The major one of importance, is that you give me permission to research your condition and subject yourself to scientific inquiry when I ask of it. You have no idea how delicious I find your mutation, such a discovery, I feel like a giddy little school filly hahah." He chuckled in mirth and clopped his hooves together.

And in the background Staccata's still sneaking along. Her presence would only be betrayed by an easily dismissed flicker in the shadows. That and the feeling they're being watched might 'help' their investigation.

Silverpine jumped and nearly shouted himself when Gearstride suddenly appeared. Thankfully, he didn't quite buck her, as he was wont to do when surprised. "Good to see you too... you didn't happen on anything strange on the way, did you?"

"Well nothing out of the usual save for a somewhat persistent civilian, they somehow disappeared off," She glanced around and gave an involuntary shudder. "What about you? Did you find anything?"

"Well, being sorry is one thing. You still have to make up for it..." Icy purred, nibbling on his neck.

"Oh right the thing and the stuff...I will, I'll make it up to you tenfold," He smiled and turned around and carefully pushed her to the couch.

Spoiler

Show

[HalfTangible]

"The major one of importance, is that you give me permission to research your condition and subject yourself to scientific inquiry when I ask of it. You have no idea how delicious I find your mutation, such a discovery, I feel like a giddy little school filly hahah." He chuckled in mirth and clopped his hooves together.

She shrugged. Alrighty. She sounded bored. 's not like the research will go anywhere. Deal.

[Kelvin360]

"Upper class huh." Rainbow does not exactly know upperclass but as a military brat, she used stuffiness. Her posture stiffs and chin raises.



The sniper walked with Sandy toward the bar. "Darling, such an investment would look wonderful for our portfolio, would it not? Mister Meadows, would such a place have Grand Cru?"

"I'm not entirely certain yet. Outsourcing comes first, of course, as well as stock and savings, but I'll see what I can do."

No! They're innocent, we can't hurt them!

Are you sure they'll be okay? Yohanna paws the ground nervously.

"They'll be fine. Think of this area as a huge interconnected sanctuary of peace and friendship. Well. As far as the natural world goes."

"Hang on." Stellar looks at Yohanna suspiciously. "Who's innocent?"