The Frozen North: All Aboard!

[tonberryking]

From the looks of things, Pepper probably needed a stiff drink. She takes a generous first sip but otherwise nurses it with some measure of discipline, not minding the smell apparently of a nearby ghoul. Based on the raiders she'd fought in the past, BO can be worse on an alive creature than a dead one--it just depends on how hard they try.

"Call me... Glint. Glint Eastwind." she says hastily, nudge-shaking the claw with her free hoof before pulling off the party hat stuck to her actual hat.

"I'm new the the bounty scene; kinda figured--hoped-- that it was mostly checking wanted posters and following leads..."

[Elbeyon]

Rime chuckles. Her smile a little fuller. She shifts her staff to her shoed hoof and reaches out to shake hoofs. Her book and pen floating at her side. "I am Rime Verse." She takes a proper seat with her walking stick in hoof. "You may have heard of me."

Her book floats down so she can see as she writes. "Oh? Do I look like a student?" She looks herself over and ends with her eyes on her staff. "I am no longer a Rainbow Falls School of Arcane Sciences student. I graduated. Top of my class. I am an alumni now." There is pride in her voice. "How about you? What brings you to traveling by train in the middle of the night?" Could it be opportunity? Rime is braced for the answer.

[userpay]

"Huh... Not even a minute into the trip and already prancing about? That's gotta be a record somewhere in there." The sand dog says with a bark like chuckle. Well at least this looked like it was going to be less messy than the last "party" that popped up around her. Roxy finally steps fully into the car and closes the door behind her, then leans against the side of Quoth's seat. The smell pricks at her snout a bit but hey, sometimes you did up worse smelling things.

"Ah bounty hunting... The time honored tradition of legally knocking some sense into, or out of, somebody."

[Miltonian]

Quoth's face brightens. "Glint Eastwood! Like the old movies. I like that. It's a good one." He chuckles. "Picked up the name 'Quoth' as some sorta marketing deal. Supposed to make me sound more intimidating and competent. Quoth the Griffon, something or the other. Reference to some Pre-War poem. Pony who thought of it for me was very impressed with himself, I'll tell you that." He sips his drink. "Told me I needed a dark cloak to go with it, but black sticks out too much in the snow."

"Yeah. Gotta be, what, an Academy Record at least." He slides over a bit so Roxy can sit down. "Well aren't I lucky tonight," he chuckles wryly, "Got actual female company. And you all aren't staring too much at my missing bits, which is almost polite of you.

He considers Pepper and Roxy's statements for a moment. "You can get by with bounty-boards," he says, "But the steady work's in bandit hunting. You can knock over a camp of them and prove it? You get paid decently well. And, if you had a bounty on somepony in the camp, you get paid twice for the same job." He taps the side of his skeletal beak. "And that's the key. Getting paid as often and as much as possible."

By the way Opportunity's eyes light up in recognition, she has indeed heard of Rime. "Oh ho!" she says, leaning in slightly, "No simple student, then. No indeed. Both graduated and, it appears, a pony of some skill! There seem to be quite a few of those around here tonight, between you, the doctor, the bounty hunters, and our gift-giving friend over there."

She chuckles. "Oh, you know, I go where opportunity takes me. And right now, it's leading me towards Neighagara Falls."

She leans in close and whispers. "Now tell me, have you ever tried chocolate before?"

[Elbeyon]

About time somepony recognizes her. Has everypony been living under a rock? Rime smiles at the cheer. She flatly boasts, "Rainbow Falls has no simple students. The school only accepts the best. Ordinary ponies wouldn't make it far. The competition is fierce and many fail to meet the school's standards. A lot of the students are royalty and from notable families. Families interested in continuing their success." She pauses. "Yes. Skilled..."

She looks over the people. "The group is very interesting. Very colorful. I'm not so sure about Doctor Doc, but medical skills are a sorely desired skill and much-needed. I am sure many ponies would appreciate having him around. The bounty hunters carry themselves well." She looks over to the three of them. "An odd bunch but they don't seem to know each other. There are a lot of them though." The mother and fillies don't interest her.

She looks over to the happy reindeer. She says in a disbelief, "Have you seen the reindeer?" She gives an approving look. "Pony. I've never seen anything like her."

The repeated joke has her smirk. "Do you have family there? Business?"

As the mare leans in closer yet again Rime matches her movements. She whispers, "Yes, I have had some before. It is very good. The way it melts in my mouth feels amazing."

[igordragonian]

Oddy laugh with pleasure.
"Now this is a pony who get it!" she take Doc's hoof and dance with grace and energy of a fairy with atomic reactor.
"What is your name, sweetie?' she spin in his forelegs, trusting him to catch her before she fall

[DigoDragon]

Doc catches her, noting she's going faster than the music calls for, but he'll just go with the flow for now.

"My family calls me Vardo, but i prefer Doc to my friends," he answers. "So what do I call you, other than an atomic powered beauty?"

[igordragonian]

Oddy giggle.
"Clever. You are only the second to come up with this.' she gotten up in a spin, and spinned Doc back.
"Doc is cathhy. Oddy Ire!' she said with a gasp

[Miltonian]

The music continues, shifting from the slower tune into a more energetic one that better matches the mood. Two Bit crouches down on one of the seats and begins to push his toy train along, making little 'choo-choo!' noises. Quoth's beak cracks into a smile, but he looks away and hides it behind a swig of his flask.

Opportunity nods in fervent agreement. "Oh yes. A fine establishment. Top quality. There is absolutely no competing with it." Of course, there aren't any other schools of magic around, so there literally is no competition. Lowering her voice, she says, "I've heard stories about reindeer before. I understand that they visit the Junction quite often for some reason. Never laid eyes on one myself before now." She chuckles and shakes her head. "If they all look like that, I should think they'd soon drive us pony mares out of the market."

She eyes Rime cannily. "Yes. Business," she says, "A unique opportunity has opened up down there. Tell me, have you heard of the rumors from Scav Town about the Crystal City?" While speaking, she reaches into her pocket and pulls out an unopened chocolate bar. "Oh, and I figure that a mare of your refinement would appreciate something like this. For the low price of, say, fifteen caps?"

[DigoDragon]

Oddy giggle. "Clever. You are only the second to come up with this.' she gotten up in a spin, and spinned Doc back.
"Doc is cathhy. Oddy Ire!' she said with a gasp

"Oh dear?" Doc repeats as he spins and back to her. "Oddyire... That's an interesting name, though I confess you're the first reindeer I've met. What brings you onto this train?"

[igordragonian]

The reindeer snickered when Doc said her name. It never gotten old! It proven that at least her mother had humor, even if not much many other positive qualities
"A very angry and jealuse wife.' she said with a smile. "Thankfully she doesn't shoot as good as her husnand.' adding jokingly(?)
"And it seems that I was destined to make Two Bit happy!" and just like that, collect Two Bit with one swipe in between her antlers.
"Come on ladies!' she waved to Rime and Opuurtonitty. "We are doing a train!" and waved Doc, to hold her back.

[DigoDragon]

Doc had to wonder if her answer was humor or if she was a homewrecker. With a pretty face like that, he imagined that she could get away with a lot. That made her a troublemaker and somepony he'd probably not want too close to his wallet.

Better safe than robbed.

He decided to join the train dance, but he put his hooves on her gently to be polite (and cautious). "I reckon you travel around a bit and hear a few rumors, then?" Doc asked Oddy. "Maybe you know some place looking for a trained physician?"

[igordragonian]

"Chooo! Chooo!" she say loudly
And she look back at Doc.
"Well, anywhere
If you are looking to be paid, it's a diffrent question.' she chuckled.

[DigoDragon]

"What wouldn't I want...?"

Oh. Is-Is she thinking he wants...? Tarnation, this isn't the conversation he needs right now. Doc breaks off from the dance. "Think I'm already worn out from the dancing. T'was a lovely time, miss." He returns to his seat and slumps down into it. He lifts up the gift Oddy gave him and raises an eyebrow. He then sets it down, face down, on his backpack.

[userpay]

Roxy nods along. "Yep yep, black might be intimidating but I find white on white works quite well for that. They think the snow is rising up to get them." Roxy raises the arm she isn't leaning on as if to pantomime leaping out at someone with a snarl on her face before returning to that half-smirk she had been wearing before. Indeed she aught to blend in well between her white fur and the light grey to white clothing she wore.

The sand dog was taking a little bit of a liking to this fellow, little to well spoken, but seemed to have good advice. Now if only he'd share some of that booze... Doc's hurried move for his seat catches Roxy's eye and she looks up. Was that the hint of a blush?

[tonberryking]

Pepper wishes suddenly she'd thought of a better pseudonym. Still nursing her drink, and trying hard not to cough when she takes too big of a sip, her tolerance for the atmosphere has improved with the train actually being in motion. She also takes mental notes on the advice this 'dark' bird gives, but her police training and general paranoia seems to be going off. it's probably not as easy as he's making it sound...

In fact, she calls him out on it:

"It all sounds easier said than done," she grunts, before nudging Quoth and trying to get him to offer a swig to the Sand dog, "I've worked with groups before and sometimes you only win if you have more guns than the other pony."

"Maybe it's this turpentine you're serving us talking, but do you do anything else aside from wipe out bandits? Doesn't seem like a beginner's task."

[Elbeyon]

Rime's book floats closer to Opportunity so that Rime can see and write. A large portion of Rime's view taken up by Golden Opportunity. The pen on paper softly scratches letters into the pages as they talk. "What reason would they have for visiting the Junction so often? How very interesting. I'll have to keep an ear out for anymore news. I've seen reindeer several times during my years at school. Their ability to fly is a very discussed topic. It is a curious ability under close inspection." Rime doesn't need to take another look at Oddy since the mare is practically burned into her mind but she does anyway. "Believe me, they don't all look as fine as her." She chuckles at Opportunity's joke. "A few stallions would be out of luck as well." Rime gives Opportunity a testing glance.

She nods along to Opportunity's traveling reasons for now but might want to revisit the topic latter. A weaker smirk shows this time for the name pun but an acknowledging smirk nonetheless. She answers her Scav town question, "I've never been there myself. The rumors are persistent." Rime eyes the bar. Is this were all that acknowledgement was leading? "There are many mares with a weakness for sweets." Rime gives her a business-like smile. "Fifteen is too much. It is a festival. Why not give me a festival discount? Those don't come up too often." Rime genuinely smiles at her. She digs into her pocket and holds up a single wrapped candy. A light magical aura shines off the candy "I'll even throw in one of my special candies since this is a festival." She looks towards Oddy when she calls the two of them then looks back. "How about it? Would you like to dance with me?"

[Miltonian]

When Oddy snatches up Two Bit, Quoth half-rises from his seat for a moment. However, the colt giggles and laughs, delighted. He sits back down, eyeing Oddy with a wary gaze, but sitting still for now. The young colt slides down the reindeer's neck and straddles the back of her neck with his hind legs while holding onto her horns with his forelegs. He points dramatically forward. "Choo-choo!" he repeats, giggling.

The ghoul returns his attention to his companions. He grins at Pepper. "Well see, that's why a lot of ponies end up dead. They charge in, guns blazing, and confront the problem head on. Me? I take a different approach. For one, I'm not so good with a gun. The one eye puts the kibosh on that. Gotta get close before I can shoot someone reliably. So what I do is hole up somewhere nearby, sneak up on 'em one at a time, and it's over before they look up. It can take a few days of stalking, but so long as I pick my spot well and have enough stuff to keep me awake, I can clear a small camp by myself." His grin turns a little vicious. "Towards the end, they get all paranoid and sometimes start shooting each other."

"Pfft. Course I do. Bandit hunting is good pay, but it's bad for the nerves. Gotta keep alert every moment so they don't get the jump on you." He nods towards Two-Bit. "Right now, I'm being very well-paid to escort that little tyke down to his parents in Neighagara Falls." He eyes Oddy once more, keen eyes searching for any sign of ill will. "Very well paid..."

Opportunity glances back over at Oddy as well, but for a different reason than Quoth. She chuckles wryly. "Rime, if that doe wanted, she could have every pony this side of paradise bowing down to her. Face that launched a thousand boats, or something like that." Her eyes linger for a moment, focusing here and there as she reviews what she noticed earlier. She takes a sharp breath and looks away, cheeks blushing slightly. "Yep! Not much more to add to that."

Her smile widens at Rime's response. "Ah, of course, of course." She chuckles and taps the side of her nose. "I see you are savvy as well as well-educated. Let's go with 9 caps, then. I am sure you'll find that price more than fair." She gladly accepts the candy and tucks it away for now with a wink.

"I don't want to spread too much misinformation," she continues, "But they say that the city is starting to 'wake up', whatever that means. Practically speaking, a lot of old, sealed up ruins have suddenly opened up. I heard of a report about some military depots appearing around Neighagara Falls, right near the border with Equestria. I'm headed down there to get in on that action. Aaaand I wouldn't mind picking up a small team to help do the heavy lifting. And, of course, the administration."

She laughs and rises. "Well, why not? Let's dance!"

[igordragonian]

She blow a kiss toward Doc.
"Of course, Dockie sweetie
" she said soothingly.
Oddy's mother blamed her for having thrill at poking hornet nests.
It wasn't the exact truth.
Ironicly, Oddy yearned for honesty. She wanted to see creatures and scenes for what they realpy are, for better and ill.
For example, she felt that in the essence, such excitment for a foal, should be a celebration. By her action she simpy peeled one layer of the honest reality.
Such behavior was also a test for the virtue of ponies, she didn't wanted to force ponies to celebrate, just to take out the silly restraints.
Sometimes, she helped villans to discover the good inside of them and sometimes...
Eh. She managed to turn a normal housewife, into a head huntress.
Her ears perked as she collected an intresting intel.
She noticed Oppuprtinity reaction to her and a little bit leaned back into her.
She led the train in circles, already seeing the potentiap benefits of her kindness.

[DigoDragon]

Doc blushed a bit at the blown kiss toward him. Maybe if it were a different day, one where he hadn't lost Lin and his dream. Sigh...

He knew he'd get over it with some time. He just needed a couple days to mourn and figure out a plan b. Doc pulled out his canteen from the pack pocket and sipped from it as he looked out the train car window. Suppose he could go back to the institute? Nah, there wasn't work to be had there. More likely, his prospect was to go to one of the small towns and peddle drugs n' band-aids for caps. Again.

[tonberryking]

Pepper arches an eyebrow, looking over at the little colt. "Kid's got some VIP parents, huh?" she rubs her chin with the underside of her hoof.

"Don't suppose you know of anypony at our destination who's always looking for work, do you?"

[Elbeyon]

Rime puts a hoof to her mouth and chuckles at Opportunity's praise of Oddy. "I think you are right about that. She would leave many mares speechless." She lightly laughs.

The ego stroking is doing wonders for Rime's coat. Charmed Rime happily says, "Like recognizes like." Her light blue magic surrounds nine caps in her pocket and retrieves it for Golden Opportunity. "Nine caps is very acceptable." Rime will give Golden the caps and tuck the bar away on one of her outer pockets so her body heat doesn't melt it. She smiles as the candy is taken. "You will want to eat that candy in the next twenty-four hours." She hints at an unknown but she looks like she doesn't want to go into details.

She hushes her voice and whispers, "A city waking up is a new rumor to me. Sealed ruins would be like stable treasure." Her eyes light up at the prospect. "Places that sound ripe for looting. I wouldn't be surprised when the news gets out it spreads like wildfire and there was a rush. Oh, the adventures ponies will have and tell for generations." She nods and hms along to the military deports around Neighagara Falls. "That sounds like opportunity." She smirks when she hears Golden Opportunity is scouting people. "You have my interest. The ponies you mentioned earlier." She comments, "They do seem like good candidates."

Rime raises alongside her. "Exactly. Let's dance!" She snaps her book closed and rests it on her chair. She uses two instances of telekinesis to quickly remove her winter clothes. She isn't going to dance bogged down in heavy warm clothing. At this point she only has her scarf and necklace hidden underneath. "Come on!" She trots to the train line while lightly laughing. Her puts her hoofs on the back of the last pony. She mimics Oddy without raising her voice, "Chooo! Chooo!"

[Miltonian]

Quoth chuckles. "On the grand scale? They're a cut above the average, yeah. But they're good parents and are willing to shell out a lotta caps to keep their son here safe." To the second question, he shrugs. "I've got some contacts," he says, "At this point, I've been at this for over fifty years. Ponies tend to come to me with contracts if I can afford to stick around long enough. Still have to do some searching, but that won't help you."

Opportunity pats her pocket where the candy now sits. "I'll be sure to do that." The seven caps go into a different pocket. "Indeed." She lowers her voice. "That rush you mentioned is what I'm afraid of. Need to get there fast before everypony else loots all the best stuff. But let's continue this conversation later, hmm?"

And so, the two of them join the train dance. The teenage mare half-rises to join as well, but her mother pulls her back into her seat and whispers some harsh words to her in a low, quiet voice. The young mare's face falls and she looks down. The older mare resumes looking around with a vaguely disapproving look at everyone and everything. At least Two Bit is having a lot of fun!

The train has been moving for a bit now. Between Oddy's antics and Quoth's long speeches, a good amount of time has passed. They are a good ways out from the Resort now, heading south and west towards Neighagara Falls. As Doc looks out, he catches glimpses of a massive city down below and in the distance through the falling curtains of snow. It is silent and dark, but still has the ragged remains of its grandeur and a hushed sense of awe. The Crystal City sleeps.

Yet as he watches, something else catches his eye. A bright light, descending from up above. Descending quite fast, actually. And headed this way. It's getting closer. Actually, 'plummeting at extreme speeds' is a more accurate description of what's going on. And is that a pony in the middle, tumbling over and over themselves? Oh Sun and Moon, they very well could hit the train!

[DigoDragon]

Yet as he watches, something else catches his eye. A bright light, descending from up above. Descending quite fast, actually. And headed this way. It's getting closer. Actually, 'plummeting at extreme speeds' is a more accurate description of what's going on. And is that a pony in the middle, tumbling over and over themselves? Oh Sun and Moon, they very well could hit the train!

Doc's brow furls as the object comes closer. Seriously, wut? He gets up and turns to all the passengers.

"Y'all will want to get down and hold onto your butts! Something fast is aiming to hit us!"

[igordragonian]

Oddy's eyes widen.
She grab Two Bit with one foreleg, jumping and covering him and with her second foreleg grab the pony behind her- (Opportunity? Rime?)
To fall on the floor as well.

[Elbeyon]

Rime agrees with a whisper, "Fine idea. We can continue this conversation when we are ready."

She joins Oddy's small dance party as the second pony in the conga line. A light pink blush coloring her cheeks as they dance.

Rime echoes Doc's call with a shout, "Incoming!" She adds which side Doc was watching.

(Rime was the one behind Oddy)

Rime is getting pulled to the floor one way or another by Oddy. She might as well try to shield Golden as well. She tries to protect her with her body from the unknown incoming danger.

[DigoDragon]

Doc grabbed his shield from under the chair and dove over the seats to protect the mother and daughter from possible shrapnel if the object smashes the windows.

[tonberryking]

Sadly, Pepper doesn't have the same altruistic impulses as some of the others. The two non-ponies are professionals; they can fend for themselves. She hits the deck and then, perhaps shockingly, pulls her heavy case down over her as a barrier.

On the other hoof, if either of both of her drinking buddies try to find shelter, she may well pull the closest down with her, once she's situated.

[userpay]

"You've got more patience than me." Roxy snorts. "Then again I usually just dig deep enough to let my buddies in quietlike for the rest for that sort of thing." Buddies that Roxy didn't have access to just this moment which puts a brief damper on her mood. Still hard to stay down with all the upbeat commotion in the cabin. Well off parents hiring a ghoul griffon... Well seemed like said parents had a good eye if Quoth's demeanor was anything to go by.

When the call goes out Roxy follows Pepper's example and leaves the two to fend for themselves. Diving for a spot along the wall most likely to be hit, hopefully avoiding soon to be broken glass, and far enough away to be free of danger. Curling into a ball as only a dog can do to present as small of a target.

[Elbeyon]

Rime's horn flares to life and brightly glows light blue. Magical energy radiates around her horn. Her iris grow larger with a creeping metallic color. The color quickly being replaced with a gray. The magic spreads away from her face and down her neck. Her mane and scarf transform to match her new coat. She shields Golden with her metal body.