The Staff IC: Threat IV: Daybreaker and Nightmare Moon tea party!

[Emmerlaus]

Tea Agony sigh, shake her head. She first adress Sweet Echo: " You are reaping what you sow. I believe you when you says you tried but I believe this is OUR fault. We knew your own nature and yet I concentrated my energies to protect the group and not protect you from yourself. But take note: If you weren't my husband sister, I wouldn't have left a single hoof to help you. If you are truly sorry, find another vice to get into to purse you from touching what isn't yours. "

With the telepathy spell, she add in Sweet Echo mind: " Next time you feel the urge, just go find Bubbles and shake his apple tree to make some cider. You'll feel better and you wont make Bubbles be hearthbroken this way. Cant believe you havent though of this yourself already... Being drunk, of pleasure or otherwise, is better then being heartbroken and antsy. "

Ignoring the stunned and blushing Sweet Echo, she then turnr to Tailwind: " Tailwind, I being teaching you to the best of my capacity but think about it: if she did have such " magic charm ", she would not use it now as it would prove she is capable of doing such thing. No, you need to think differently: how can a bat pony, with no magic capacity, could enchant somepony? And how can we make sure the guards arent lying. That'S how you do a investigation... and that's all Im going to say while SHE is in the room. Please bring Miss Radiant to this... Hall of Void before we go further in this investigation. I dont want her to be able to blur the trails of the real culprits as she follow us or derail this investigation which, again, she isnt partial upon.

[DaOldeWolf]

BubbleGuard sighed. He needed a few minutes to digest the whole situation and decide how to handle it. Acting on a hothead wasnt BubbleGuard´s way of handling difficult situations but it was quite hard for him to be calm after having opened himself up to her and being betrayed in the process. BubbleGuard tried breathing in and breathing out slowly.

[Emperor Ing]

Tailwind cocked her head to the side and leaned up close to Tea Agony. The charge is beyond absurd! Appealing to wild superstition, at best. My asking for a demonstration is merely to prove the insanity of their claim! However, I do agree, we achieve nothing by standing here, pretending to entertain the wild accusations of this pretentious idiot! Referring to Radiant Honor.

[igordragonian]

Sweet Echo looked hurt and bowed her head.

"Very well. Escort The Minister Ceremony into the Hall of Void." River Soul commanded.
"Very well. But with representiation of the majority of the nobility, what ever you come up, will he highly suspected." Radiant Honor said, and let the guards leading her, with a muzzle stuck up in arrogance


Sweet Echo sharp pupils traveled between Tea Agony, Bubble Guard, Tailwind, Starswirl and..
Celestia.


"That fine. No need to help me." She forced a smile to Agong. "I turn myself in. Do to me, what ever you think I deserve." She said to Rivef Soul. "Just.. leave them out of this. It's not their fault. I never belonged to their world to begin with."

River Soul sighed. "It's not as simple."
"Why not?" Sweet Echo screeched.
"We need the ring for it's authority. Usually the Empresses don't have to use it- but with Sable Spirit's status among the nobility, they will nitpick every legal process. And by law, at sunrise a new Shugon need to be chosen. And without the ring- Shugon will he chosen by the majority of the nobles. Which means, Radiant Honor will be the Shugon." River Soul paused

"Do you have the ring?" He has asked.

'N-no." She covered her face, trying not to sob. "B-but maybe I did? I don't know anymore!" She starting to panic and squeak.

[Emmerlaus]

Tea Agony sigh: " Well that is suspiciously convenient to her, even if she was in her room all evening. She casted a spell though at the beginning of the night before starting meditating... I couldnt see what the spell was, it had no visual effect in the room. I suspect a communication spell though."

At the surprised look, she say: " What? I suspected she was up to something and I still think she was. So I arranged to keep a eye on her."

In her mind, via the telepathy spell, she ask Celestia: " Celestia, my dear... You seems to feel awfully guilty about something. Do you know anything? I promise you wont get in trouble over this, even if it was you who had it. "

[DaOldeWolf]

BubbleGard wondered what could have happened to the ring. BubbleGuard couldnt understand how could they let something so important be left so unprotected. "There arent any security measures to keep such an important ítem safe? I am surprised there isnt even a single tracking spell on the ring." BubbleGuard replies surprised about the whole situation and to even criticize them a little bit for how they have handled everything so far.

[Emperor Ing]

So far the only individual with motive and knowledge of the ring is Radiant! Tailwind pointed out. Fret not, my friends! Though the circumstances appear grim, the light of truth shall cleave apart her webs of lies! Count on it! As for you... Tailwind turned to Sweet Echo. You...shall do nothing, save return the quill and apologize! Tailwind so badly wanted to scream at her, and scream at Bubble Guard. What were they thinking, bringing a known kleptomaniac with them? They were begging for a diplomatic incident, do they not have any sense at all?!

If you stand uncertain, then reveal the contents of your bags at once! Beyond this, our first lead shall be to interrogate the guardsponies! So they may reveal what they beheld unto us!

[igordragonian]

Celestia shifted the weight between her hooves.
"...I was awake when Sweet Echo gotten out, and came back. And.. I said nothing. I thought she just taking a trot to clear her mind."

"..That what I have intended to." Sweet Echo meeped.
River Soul blinked. "This has never happened before! We have two guards guarding the gates of the Throne Hall, and this was always enough. The ring is a sacred national artifact, nopony here would steal it!" He paused.
"Well... beside me and Empress Sable Spirit it is.." he added with folded ears.
"The commitment to respect and social order have protected it... until me and Sable Spirit have passed through this defence. I guess.. I should have seen this coming one day." River Soul has hanged his head in shame.

Starswirl frowned, sharing the questions of Bubble Guard.

Sweet Echo has perked her ears up again. "Yes! Yes! I'll do anything!" She gave Tailwind a squeazing hug with a happy squeak, and rushed over, and spilled her saddlebags over the floor- it was mostly empty.
Few clothes, and a purse which she has hurried to open, and had few bits and few shiny buttons.
"I am sorry!" She bowed and gave the royal quill to Lord River Soul.
"...Alright. so... maybe you could tell your full version of the story?"
Sweet Echo has bitten her lips, and looked at Agony with a questioning expriession, seeking agreement.

The guards turned to Tailwind. "Fine, pigeon pony. Ask away."

[Emperor Ing]

Very good! Tailwind smiled to Sweet Echo, gently patting her on the shoulder. She then turned to the guards, and then towards Celestia, and back to the guards.

Search your recollections, and bring forth the knowledge of the time of day in which you encountered Sweet Echo in the night! State fully to the greatest capacity of your memory, exactly what had happened!

[DaOldeWolf]

"This is really important. Tr your best to recollect the information. I am counting on you." BubbleGuard replies with huge notice especially about his last point to hopefully get her to try her best to answer whatever was thrown at her.

[Emmerlaus]

Tea Agony nods to Sweet Echo: " Please say what happens from your point of view. "

[igordragonian]

"Very well" the guards have said arrogantly. Now, that the Staff are setting their attenion on them, they fully notice their features: one were small sized kirin pony, lemon green coated and male.
He had a cutie mark of a mantis. He bowed. "My name, is Tiny Hunter Of Endless Grasses. I am the most agile of the guard." Tiny Hunter smiled, but then sighed. "Though, I have ashamed myself with my weakness."

The other, were tall dark coated mare, and grimm expriession. She also bowed slightly. "I go by the name of Void Lilly Blossom in sea of hope." She presented herself. "I am one of the only sword ponies who wield the element of void. And yet.. the void didn't helped me to avoid this failure."

Starswirl:"Very well, now, I have names for my new ducks. Go on."
"Yesterday, we have won the contest." Tiny Hunter has began.
"It's considered a major honor to guard the throne hall at night.' River Soul has explained. "They have many types of contest."

Void Lilly has continued. "This shift was quite, yet we were excited- we knew that in the morning, Radiant Honor will become Shugon, and make the Empire great once again."
River Soul has narrowed his eyes but said nothing. If anything, the guard Samurais didn't bothered to hide their alignment.

"All of the sudden the Oni-" she pointed at Sweet Echo, who has cringed being called like this again.
"-has arrived at us. She *looked* confused and scared. And for a moment we fell for it." Void Lilly has greeted her teeth.
"Could you please, just take a walk for two minutes?" She said so sweetly, and we already have fund ourselves in the corridors. When we shook off the curse, we galloped back here, just to discover that both the ring and the quill are gone." She finished their story

"I have hurried and called Lady Radiant Honor and Lord River Soul." Added Tiny Hunter.


"...I am not denying any of it... but I didn't took the ring." Sweet Echo has stepped forward, looking insecure, unsure and anxiouse.


"It was a long day, and a lot has happened. And I couldn't fall asleep, both because my body is still used to sleep in the day, and because of the thoughts..." Sweet Echo has moved her mane, so it will hide her face a bit.
"... I always was so carefree, and has seen the world as my playground... only when I have confronted you and Deepwood.. I finally understood. Also.. Bubbly Doo... is.. a proof a pony *can* be perfect. And I have brought nothing but troubles.." her eyes started to tear. I was angry at my urge to steal, and then my hooves started to itch. And it made me angrier, and the angrier I became, the worse the itches became. I... I... had to get out." She bitten her lips not to sob again.
"I went out, intending to go and relax at the gardens, and medidate, like my friends around here, have taught me. But then... I have heard a voice inside my head-" she paused. "It crazy, I know, but I was freaking out. The voice said, that the way to end this one and for all, is in the throne hall. I didn't questioned it. I didn't even questioned, why the corridors were so empty and without any guard. I have seen it, as a sign, that I can trust this... inner voice. Only two guards were there, so I used my special ability and made them leave for few minutes. But... in the throne hall, there were nothing to help me. The itches became unbareable, so I found the secret door under the throne... the ring looked important, so I didn't touched it.... instead I took the quill, and promised myself to give it back first thing in the morning. And then.. I flew back here." She looked at her own hooves ashamed.

[Emmerlaus]

Tea Agony ponder... then ask: " Was there a change in the guard shifts since our arrival? Like a sudden change of schedule for the guards guarding the ring? And Sweet Echo, at what time EXACTLY did you felt this voice in your head? Do you know? "

[DaOldeWolf]

BubbleGuard is surprised by how positive her attitude is towards him. He wouldnt really consider himself perfect by any means but it meant a lot coming from her. "Umm… thanks." BubbleGuard hears the story and tries to make sense of everything. he deiceds to ask about something that might add more information based on what Miss Agony asked. "Also, if there was a shift, who was in charge of it previously?"

[Emperor Ing]

Indeed! Tailwind agreed. Now reveal unto us who is in charge of the shift schedule!

[igordragonian]

The guards are a bit confused. "Well, it's of course, the Captain Of The Empirial Guard, Calm Thunder. But we won it, in the daily tournamnet."


Sweet Echo. "Well... about... a hour ago?"

Spoiler: Agony

Show

It does fit the time, Radiant Honor has casted a spell

[Emperor Ing]

Most fascinating! Are the hallways, especially leading up to your posts, usually lined with guards? Tailwind inquired.

[igordragonian]

"Well.. yes..."Tiny Hunter said akwardly.
Void Lilly:"Maybe the Captain has decided, that they should get a good sleep before tommorow.."

[Emperor Ing]

Well THERE is a marvelous idea! Supreme Emperor Bubble Guard! Tailwind turns to the aforementioned guardspony. Seek out this guardscaptain and draw forth the facts as to the nature of this horrendous absence of security!

[DaOldeWolf]

"An outstanding suggestion. I will go and bring the guardscaptain. Its unconcievable to that somepony´s security could be this sloppy." BubbleGuard replies annoyed at the situation.

[Emmerlaus]

Tea Agony Ask RIver: " Mister River Soul, I happen to know that by the time Sweet Echo heard that voice in her head was also the time Radiant Honor casted a spell in her room. I am not making a accusation but I think we should have a magical expert check her room for identifying the spell she used last night. "

She turn to Starswirl: " DO you feel confident to enough to give it a try Master Starswirl? "

[igordragonian]

"Very well. I'll lead you to the Captain, how ever we will have to provide a very hard ecidence, that she did casted a spell, and which one. The nobles won't do us any favors here." River Soul say, as his horn glow, ans gust of wind start to saround you.
The wind wash over you, into you, you are becming the wind, the wind has became you for a moment. When the sensation is over you are in a new room.
Was it teleportation? Well, effectivly yes, but technicly, if it can make any sense.

It was a training hall, ("dojo" is some of you have caught the word). Weapons hanged from the walls, flowers have decorated the hall within porcelain pots marked with gentle sky blue dragons.
A single kirin pony sat in mediative stance infront of a katana. She wore a kimono.
"Captain Silent Thunder! On your hooves!" River Soul has commanded with an authorative tone. She turned back to you, and gave a bow. Her coat was yellow and mane cyan. Her orange eyes were sleepy with heavy bags under them. Fittinly, on the kimono there were emblem of cartoonish lightning bolt with sleepy expriession.
*yawn* "great honor to host the right hoof and the noble intruders." She say between yawns.
"How may this one Samurai may be of use?"

River Soul said with a frown. "Answer their questions with sincerity, as if they were the Empress herself."

Silent Thunder yawned again. "Such is karma... I did have failed at guarding the Emprial Ring. I deserve the shame of being questioned by intruders, I guess." And then yawned again.

[Emperor Ing]

Fascinating! Xenophobia rears itself yet again! Tailwind whispered to Tea Agony, somehow managing to both loud, but quiet enough that it counted as a whisper. I sincerely hope this is not a conspiracy!

My most humble apologies for disturbing your rest, Captain! Tailwind exclaimed. However we seek knowledge of the guard schedule of last night!

[DaOldeWolf]

"We need more details about the schedules. From what we have seen, it seems there were some pretty big holes in security regarding an important artifact under your care." BubbleGuard adds trying to add pressure to the Captain about this situation.

[igordragonian]

River Soul seemed to be out of his usual collectivness- now at moments passive, and at others agrresive.
He seemed to hear Tailwind's comment and now yelled at Silent Thunder. "Intruders? They were invited by the Empress!" He scolded.

The Captain yawned again. "Forgive me, oh-great lord ahd O-great guests. When my nightly mediation is disturbed, my honesty crawl it's ugly face out like a worm expose itself through the ahiny face of the apple. Not unlike some of us. Night... are the time for the darkests urges. Isn't it?' And she give a look at Sweet Echo, who sigh, and hang her head in shame. Silent Thunder yawn again.

Starswirl groaned:"Stop stalling time! Answer us!"

Silent Thunder give a long yawn. "Right right... here it goes." She levitate to Tailwind a scroll, which is a long and complicated chart of the guard sceduale.
Annoying even such boring docuemnt is written in a lyrical way.
"At three hoofsteps toward the witching hour, Respect Sphere and Star Cutter shall guard the hall of the plenty"

"Holes?" Silent Thunder blinked. "And what could this mean, O-Warrior Of Bubbles?"

Spoiler: Mind Check 10

Show

It's not a riddle, it's just written in a very confusing way, so after a throughfull research ("taking 10") anypony can understand. (Even if ending up with a headache)
Success, means you understand it fast enough to be relevant for the conversation.

The palace seemed to be heavily guarded- beside the floor where you are hosted at, and the corridors that lead to the throne room.
It implied, the guards who were suppsed to be there are "reserved for a greater porpuse"

[Emperor Ing]

Pray to Karma your talent for stalling exceeds your capacity for leadership! Tailwind remarked, as she attempted to decipher the scroll. Its meaning revealing it to herself before her eyes.

Most peculiar! She remarked. King-Baron Bubbles, behold! The guard schedule lay bare the cooridors upon this route, leading from our chambers! An anomaly of security, as all possible other passages, such as here, here, and here... She pointed with her hoof. Are filled to bursting with security! Surely such xenophobia displayed by the Guard Captain should have coerced her to INCREASE security, so us, foreigner chaos-agents cannot inflict our damage upon the Cherry Blossom Empire! Nay, the guards! They were withheld, for "Greater Purposes" with nary a substitute or shift-change in sight!

So, "Captain..." Tailwind said, circling the Captain. What was this "greater purpose?"

(2d6)[6][5](11) (pass)

[DaOldeWolf]

"I suppose we shall see what it means by ourselves." BubbleGuard replies ready to try his hand against this challenge. Hopefully, he could handle a mental situation such as this. At the very least, he had to try his best to assist in the proof of innocence.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Mind roll: (2d6+3)[6]

[Emmerlaus]

Tea Agony has being lost in tought since the teleportaton. She remembered a spell she readed in Starswirl restricted collection. It was called " True Story".

Althought it was a spell made for innvestigation purpose, it was restricted because of the feedback it bring on the user.

She wrote a few notes as everyone was talking and, finally, her horn glew as she was concentrating...

Casting spell

(2d6)[6][5](11) + 3

EDIT: Sucess! " sigh of relief "

A golden hue is in her eyes now. She ask: " Tell us what you being doing last night since dusk, please. "

[igordragonian]

Silent Thunder smiled lazily. "This is quite impressive of you, Tail Of Winds.' he say with genioune(?)
"It took me three years to master the guard's slang, and half of my guards still don't fully understand it all. Maybe... Maybe Lord River Soul was right. Maybe the fear of chaos narrow our mind, while your open hearts also open your minds.'
She pause.
"Well, one way or another, tomorrow somepony powerful won't be pleased, so I placed those guards at ready, to stop the civil war before it start.' Silent Thunder answer with a sigh.

Spoiler: Tea Agony

Show

She honest. Sort of.
she using wordplay to avoid a lie

[Emmerlaus]

Tea Agony say it: " She is avoiding to lie toward wordplays but she avoiding to answer me. She knows something. Lord River Soul, please, would you allow me ANY means necessarily to get the answers that we need? Otherwise, she is going to avoid my questions all day and we dont have the time..."

OCC: She didnt answer the question at all. She need to say, from the start, what happened. Thats what I asked. then once she does, any lies or anything she hide from what happen will revel itself. It count ommmissions, lies or anything in between. That's with I picked Reveal (Truth) in spell description. It really show what happened in the past.