Fallout Equestria: Tarts and Tribulations

[Dalinale]

"It was until I saw that beard." Viridia smiled. "'Sup, Abbas? We've got Sari down there. She's agreed to have a chat with you about whether or not you're a jerk, so, I think we're all set."

"Ah." Abbas replied, raising his eyebrows slightly and sounding understanding, "I suppose we are. I intended to make a bit more of a dramatic entrance, but I suppose a more reserved approach to Oakville is in order. Excellent work, by the way."

Stellar silently nodded, looking at Abbas with general appreciation.

Abbas then paused, and seemed to spot Moonshadow after a few moments.

"I believe we haven't met; I am Abbas al-Hazard. If you have met my sister, I apologize; she has likely exaggerated my capacity for violence."

Choro looks to Doc, a little incredulously. How... how should she explain this? Where could she even begin to outline the reasons Abbas seems suspect and suspicious to her? Murder, betrayal, tyranny: he sounds like the most unpleasant horse imaginable, and Doc is still trying to find some shred of good in him to beat Sari over the head with. How can he think this way? Growing up in the wasteland, living here all his life...

Because he's Doctor Wagon. That's your answer right there. He's an optimist who believes in everypony until he's proven wrong. And he's not letting second hoof accounts bias his judgement, even when it's hard.

That realization hits Choro like a thunderbolt. When she looks at Doc again, it's with a touch of awe. And more than a little guilt. She'd been doing the exact thing she accused Ms. Viridia of: judging somepony without knowing them or giving them a chance. The mage is lost in reflection on this point briefly before remembering that Doc had asked her a question. She cougs, looking away. "Just... still annoyed about the caps thing."

It's not a lie. It hadn't been the main cause of her reaction, but it really wasn't helping. And now that she's taken a step back, Choro is starting to feel a bit guilty about the whole affair. She'd been annoyed with Viridia already, primed to disagree with her, but now looking at the whole thing again the little mare is a touch shocked at where that argument took her. She turns to Doc a little plaintively. "I'm not greedy, am I Doctor? You did pay me back in the hospital and I still have some of those caps." She waves a hoof nervously, starting to speak faster in an attempt to justify herself. "I spent some to buy clothes for Ms Strata, but I probably still have enough to get a meal, but probably not much more than that, but you're really nice about sharing food, but I don't know how much longer you want me to stay around and leaving with no caps is a really bad idea, but..."

She continues babbling as much to herself as to Doc, now completely distracted from the griffon situation. Guilt can do that to a pony.

Doc points to Sari and Tirkes. "I reckon they wouldn't get helped out if I didn't push for them neither. But I'm getting off topic. Point is, no you are not greedy. You argued for Thanatos and he was a little helpful at the factory. We all worked together and earned a share of the Olives gratitude."

Tirkes seemed to be very mildly irritated at being pointed at.

Doc consoled Sari a little. "If Abbaas is the parent-killing horse you say, you got someplace else to go?"

Sari stopped being a gross sobbing horse very quickly, as she seemed to become rather more worried than sad.

"As I am out of money, the only real place for me is in either of the Stables." Sari replied, sounding as if she was suddenly reminded of her situation, "I do not believe I could stay in the eighty forth stable for long, however, as their treaty with the greater Arabian community only goes as far as their ability to access the Stable's water talisman systems."

[Inspector Valin]

Choro doesn't have a response to Doc. The little mare sniffs slightly, dabbing her hat brim over her eyes; she'd been on the verge of tears once the issue of money really hit her, and needs a little time to right herself. When she can meet the doctor's gaze again, it's with grateful eyes. She's been all over the place mentally and emotionally in the few days she's known Doc, and the stallion's done nothing but be kind and supportive towards her. He's made mistakes, done things or thought things she disagreed with, but he really is a good pony. She doesn't deserve a friend this faithful, especially when he has every reason not to give her the time of day.

Mirror Armour is a very lucky mare.

The little unicorn remains silent for a bit. She's listening though, and at Sari's gloomy synopsis, Choro chimes in, "That still leaves you with the other Stable. And you have agreements with the Olives. I bet we could find you a caravan of theirs to hook back up with." She glances between Tirkes and Doc, looking for reassurance before in turn trying to smile positively at Sari. "If you want to go with your brother, that's fine. It'd be good if you two were able to patch things up and get along again, you might be able to help moderate his worse instincts. But it's your choice. We're here to keep you safe, not foalnap you, right Doctor?"

[DigoDragon]

"Apologies," Doc says to Tirkes, not meaning to point so profoundly.

He nods with Choro. "Basically yeah. We just wanted to see that y'all safe. If you rather go your own way after talking with your brother, I believe that is your choice."

[Forum Explorer]

The interior of the carriage was spacious and luxurious, but otherwise mundane. Given the wood engravings on the walls and ceiling, the distinct lack of electrical wiring, and the overall feel to the room, it was clear that this was some refurbished older piece that probably belonged to a museum. There was room for at least three more to sit down on the other side, which mostly consisted of small pile of pillows on top of wide leather couch; actually, there would have been room for four more, but Moonshadow noticed some faint shimmering near Abbas for a brief few seconds that indicated that, unmistakably, there was a invisible pony sitting next to him, as well.

This 'Abbas', looked like the sort of studious, introspective stallion who would've just needed to have a pair of wings slapped on him to fit in on a government meeting up in the clouds. While it was freezing outside, it wasn't that much warmer inside the carriage, and he wasn't wearing anything except for a scarf, although he was relatively thin and bare of any obvious scars. He was also bare of any obvious signs of wealth, except for the admittedly nice pair of glasses he was presumably using to help him read in the dark; given that the book he was reading was called 'The History of Tauronto, V', he was probably one of those sorts of ponies that got the same thing most ponies got out of mindless television out of learning something they didn't know before. This guy is a studious, introspective person, one who'd prefer to hear all sides of an issue before making a decision. Some would probably call him 'wise-seeming', although he had a academic air to him regardless of whatever actual wisdom he had, and it was pretty obvious that some would look to him for authority. He appeared cool and dispassionate, likely wasn't one prone to whimsies, and exuded patience and caution.

A studious, introspective stallion doesn't sound anything like the Ex and current military generals that served as the Enclave's government. Maybe those bureaucratic jerks that insisted on double checking all of Moonshadow's counts when she was doing inventory. Just because her name was Boring Checklist or something, they were always thinking she couldn't do her job right.

"Ah." Abbas replied, raising his eyebrows slightly and sounding understanding, "I suppose we are. I intended to make a bit more of a dramatic entrance, but I suppose a more reserved approach to Oakville is in order. Excellent work, by the way."

Stellar silently nodded, looking at Abbas with general appreciation.

Abbas then paused, and seemed to spot Moonshadow after a few moments.

"I believe we haven't met; I am Abbas al-Hazard. If you have met my sister, I apologize; she has likely exaggerated my capacity for violence."

Nice to meet you, I'm Moonshadow. And your friend is? Moonshadow asked, staring directly at the invisible pony.

[Dalinale]

The little unicorn remains silent for a bit. She's listening though, and at Sari's gloomy synopsis, Choro chimes in, "That still leaves you with the other Stable. And you have agreements with the Olives. I bet we could find you a caravan of theirs to hook back up with." She glances between Tirkes and Doc, looking for reassurance before in turn trying to smile positively at Sari. "If you want to go with your brother, that's fine. It'd be good if you two were able to patch things up and get along again, you might be able to help moderate his worse instincts. But it's your choice. We're here to keep you safe, not foalnap you, right Doctor?"

Sari seemed to find the concept strange and frighting, going by the profoundly odd look she then gave Choro, like she was a disturbing piece of art instead of a unicorn.

"Apologies," Doc says to Tirkes, not meaning to point so profoundly."

"I was about to die a few minutes ago, I'm still sore and I haven't slept in a day." Tirkes grumbled and rubbed her shoulder, as if Doc's hoof impossibly prodded her.

Nice to meet you, I'm Moonshadow. And your friend is? Moonshadow asked, staring directly at the invisible pony.

Abbas immediately seemed surprised, and turned his head slightly and nodded. A... amazingly bland looking unicorn mare materialized next to him, sitting on the couch and also looking surprised. Her coat was a light shade of grey, her straight mane was a solid shade of dark grey, that was shared by her eyes, and her cutie mark was a collection of grey metallic crystals framed on a grey plate; she had no real outstanding physical marks, blemishes, or interesting traits. The wool coat she was wearing was white with a grey diamond pattern, and her large glasses were a dark grey as well. She looked somewhere between fifteen and thirty, and her voice was youngish, but not really.

"Hello," she said, sounding very polite, as if she was talking to Moonshadow from behind a reception desk instead of a sky chariot with howling winds causing a good deal of noise pollution, "I'm Succession Powder, Abbas's new Guild Mage. I'm surprised that you saw me, but I suppose that what they say about the eyes in the sky are really true. I'm a scrying specialist, so I really should have seen this coming."

She then put her hooves in front of her chest and placed them together lightly, continuing to look at Moonshadow with her undivided attention as she did so. Surprise quickly melted into bland satisfaction, and the smile she gave her was one that could've been a composite image of a smile formed from a thousand stock images of happy ponies in business suits eager to help a customer.

[Hazuki]

She then put her hooves in front of her chest and placed them together lightly, continuing to look at Moonshadow with her undivided attention as she did so. Surprise quickly melted into bland satisfaction, and the smile she gave her was one that could've been a composite image of a smile formed from a thousand stock images of happy ponies in business suits eager to help a customer.

Viridia, who hadn't noticed the presence of anybody else, took in the scene with the air of a cool pony who wasn't bothered by it. Since the mare's attention was on Moonshadow, she looked to Abbas. "How can I get cute mares to materialize beside me?"

And why does Abbas and his associate sound so much like me?

[Forum Explorer]

Abbas immediately seemed surprised, and turned his head slightly and nodded. A... amazingly bland looking unicorn mare materialized next to him, sitting on the couch and also looking surprised. Her coat was a light shade of grey, her straight mane was a solid shade of dark grey, that was shared by her eyes, and her cutie mark was a collection of grey metallic crystals framed on a grey plate; she had no real outstanding physical marks, blemishes, or interesting traits. The wool coat she was wearing was white with a grey diamond pattern, and her large glasses were a dark grey as well. She looked somewhere between fifteen and thirty, and her voice was youngish, but not really.

"Hello," she said, sounding very polite, as if she was talking to Moonshadow from behind a reception desk instead of a sky chariot with howling winds causing a good deal of noise pollution, "I'm Succession Powder, Abbas's new Guild Mage. I'm surprised that you saw me, but I suppose that what they say about the eyes in the sky are really true. I'm a scrying specialist, so I really should have seen this coming."

She then put her hooves in front of her chest and placed them together lightly, continuing to look at Moonshadow with her undivided attention as she did so. Surprise quickly melted into bland satisfaction, and the smile she gave her was one that could've been a composite image of a smile formed from a thousand stock images of happy ponies in business suits eager to help a customer.

A scrying specialist huh? We may have some business for you, if you're available. Moonshadow said, smiling nicely at Succession Powder. Well, now that we've confirmed you are who we thought you were, we should likely land and give your griffons a break. she said, neutrally as she turned to look back at Abbas.

Viridia, who hadn't noticed the presence of anybody else, took in the scene with the air of a cool pony who wasn't bothered by it. Since the mare's attention was on Moonshadow, she looked to Abbas. "How can I get cute mares to materialize beside me?"

And why does Abbas and his associate sound so much like me?

By hiding the ones you've currently got? Moonshadow said with a wink.

[DigoDragon]

"I was about to die a few minutes ago, I'm still sore and I haven't slept in a day." Tirkes grumbled and rubbed her shoulder, as if Doc's hoof impossibly prodded her.

"Well, do you want to lie down Tirkes?" Doc asked. "While we wait for the Pegasi, you could go into the inn. Ask Mirror to use her bed for a nap?"

[Dalinale]

Viridia, who hadn't noticed the presence of anybody else, took in the scene with the air of a cool pony who wasn't bothered by it. Since the mare's attention was on Moonshadow, she looked to Abbas. "How can I get cute mares to materialize beside me?"

"The power of money." Abbas said, not sounding like he was joking, "I imagine you have enough, at this point."

Stellar, looking at the situation with dubious pleasure, sheathed her wingblades.

And why does Abbas and his associate sound so much like me?

You're thinking too hard about a horse who has his mother's beard and someone who looks like they laugh when they're eating salad.

A scrying specialist huh? We may have some business for you, if you're available. Moonshadow said, smiling nicely at Succession Powder. Well, now that we've confirmed you are who we thought you were, we should likely land and give your griffons a break. she said, neutrally as she turned to look back at Abbas.

Succession Powder nodded, sounding pleased.

"Well, do you want to lie down Tirkes?" Doc asked. "While we wait for the Pegasi, you could go into the inn. Ask Mirror to use her bed for a nap?"

"Nope, need to make sure it's Abbas." Tirkes replied, sounding dead tired, not looking away from the sky, "If it's not, we'll need to fight, probably. If it is, I'll go to bed and not get up for a day."

[DigoDragon]

"Nope, need to make sure it's Abbas." Tirkes replied, sounding dead tired, not looking away from the sky, "If it's not, we'll need to fight, probably. If it is, I'll go to bed and not get up for a day."

"Alright then. If it's Abbaas, you leaving with him, since he's your new boss? I wasn't expecting he'd come here, but if so, then I reckon we'll be skipping the leg of the trip over to his compound and head northward back to the hospital to pick up some passengers. I think we're making our way to Last Stop after that. Depends what the pegasi want to do, since they're driving the sky bus."

[Hazuki]

"The power of money." Abbas said, not sounding like he was joking, "I imagine you have enough, at this point."

"Mostly goods to barter. We've not had much of a chance to break, really." Viridia admitted. "But I did find this sweet armor? No offense to your boys in black, but...I make this look good."

[Forum Explorer]

"The power of money." Abbas said, not sounding like he was joking, "I imagine you have enough, at this point."

Stellar, looking at the situation with dubious pleasure, sheathed her wingblades.

Oh we'll never have enough money. Moonshadow said cheerfully. Anyways, I'm going to go let everypony know who's here. she added, flying back down to Doc and the others.


Yeah, it's Abbas. she said, as she landed.

[Dalinale]

"Alright then. If it's Abbaas, you leaving with him, since he's your new boss? I wasn't expecting he'd come here, but if so, then I reckon we'll be skipping the leg of the trip over to his compound and head northward back to the hospital to pick up some passengers. I think we're making our way to Last Stop after that. Depends what the pegasi want to do, since they're driving the sky bus."

"Yep." Tirkes curtly replied.

Sari, nervously glanced at the very large dog being entertained by Bertly, and then looked at Tirkes, who somehow managed to look strong after looking like she had just had the living crap beaten out of her. She then promptly trotted closer to Doc, until she was roughly between him and the motel.

"I suppose you enjoyed your stay in Tauronto General?" Sari said, smiling awkwardly, as if she wasn't sure if the question was appropriate, "Given that you are now a cyborg."

"Mostly goods to barter. We've not had much of a chance to break, really." Viridia admitted. "But I did find this sweet armor? No offense to your boys in black, but...I make this look good."

Oh we'll never have enough money. Moonshadow said cheerfully. Anyways, I'm going to go let everypony know who's here. she added, flying back down to Doc and the others.

Succession Powered nodded her head, apparently admiring the riot gear. Abbas seemed more reserved, but nodded at Viridia's words.

"Well, we are currently in late autumn, and now is no better time than to rest." Abbas replied, "If you are lacking spending money, that will change shortly. I have yet to express my gratitude to your group for saving my life, after all. I intend to express that gratitude in large sums of money and influence."

Stellar seemed visibly surprised, but seemed more or less pleased by Abbas's words.

Yeah, it's Abbas. she said, as she landed.

"Good." Tirkes said, voice dead and flat as she continued to watch the sky carriage, "If it wasn't, I'd still jump ship, but I'd feel worse about it. Hey, Sari, if you try and run I'll shoot fire arrows at you, okay?"

Sari didn't move at all, and instead seemed resigned to her fate of having to have a family reunion, and began fixing loose strands of her mane.

[DigoDragon]

Doc nodded to Sarim "Yeah, the hospital was a really interesting experience. Dr. Stitch heart has much knowledge I can learn from and we helped her out by dealing with some trouble makers. The cybernetics got paid by a horse we saved from getting robbed blind by a charlatan doctor passing through the hospital."

[Hazuki]

"Well, we are currently in late autumn, and now is no better time than to rest." Abbas replied, "If you are lacking spending money, that will change shortly. I have yet to express my gratitude to your group for saving my life, after all. I intend to express that gratitude in large sums of money and influence."

Stellar seemed visibly surprised, but seemed more or less pleased by Abbas's words.

"Aww, that's so sweet of you, Abbas. But the real reward is the friends we made along the way." Viridia said. "Anyway, can I sit in here with y'all to land? I've been hauling a sky chariot for a week and it'd be nice to experience a pro landing."

[Dalinale]

Doc nodded to Sarim "Yeah, the hospital was a really interesting experience. Dr. Stitch heart has much knowledge I can learn from and we helped her out by dealing with some trouble makers. The cybernetics got paid by a horse we saved from getting robbed blind by a charlatan doctor passing through the hospital."

"Your cybernetics were paid for by a horse? Can I have a name?" Sari asked, sounding sincerely interested, "It's a small city, after all. I knew Quhiar Al-Artouy, the Sahbahi twins, and Maroquin Pacyanzhra growing up, personally."

"Aww, that's so sweet of you, Abbas. But the real reward is the friends we made along the way." Viridia said.

Maybe the power to preform necromancy was inside you all along?

"Anyway, can I sit in here with y'all to land? I've been hauling a sky chariot for a week and it'd be nice to experience a pro landing."

"Of course, I would not force you to fly in this weather." Abbas replied, "Take a moment to rest."

Stellar seemed to take that as a invitation, and quickly went inside the chariot and seemed intent on finding a nice spot on the wide couch.

Succession Powder continued to exist.

[Inspector Valin]

Choro pipes in at that, turning away from looking at the skycarriage at Sari starting to sound a bit more positive. At least her last suggestion hadn't completely unnerved the horse. "I think he said his name was Baquir? He seemed like a friendly fellow: very grateful to Doc and Ms Stellar for what they did. He was nice to me too, and offered me a reward even though I was just... well, standing next to the ponies that actually helped him."

She chuckles nervously at that, fidgeting with her hindhoof. It's still kinda a little embarrassing.

[DigoDragon]

Doc confirms Choro's answer. "Yes, Baqir Hadiyya was his name. He's a cybernetic horse as I remember him; armor to fend off would-be attackers and such. Quite friendly as I recall. I think he said he lives over in Griffontown. Somewhere in the... Durnforth strip?"

He gives Choro a half hug. "Oh you helped a lot in that basement fighting off those mutant creatures and hacking the old terminals. Wouldn't have gotten that far without you."

[Dalinale]

After the pegasi entered the chariot and the thin metal door separating them and the frozen north closed and locked behind them, there was a pregnant pause. Abbas tucked his book under his leg calmly, and the dim lights flickered. Succession Powder continued to look at the pegasi with a wide, pleasant smile as if nothing of note was happening.

Then, after the sound of a small thundercrack that came from it lurched forward with a sudden tug, the dim lights flickered, and the chariot might as well have been hurtling relentlessly into some great abyss. The plunge was fierce and the crackle of electricity accompanied the groan of wood and metal and the struggles of the griffons outside that had to grope and paw their way through unfavorable skies with a great deal of weight behind them to stay steady in the unfavorable conditions. Abbas was calm, but the windowless vehicle did little to dissuade from the concept that they were going to spend what felt like eternity reeling through space and time until the cacophony of shrieking winds would drive them insane, or, at the very least, cause them to consider attempting to cover their heads with a nearby pillow to drive out the sound.

No one had to do that, though, because the griffons managed to get five minutes worth of decent in about under a minute. The landing was surprisingly smooth. Succession Powder had the same expression on her face the whole time. Abbas quickly headed out the door, and stepped into the snow immediately.

Choro pipes in at that, turning away from looking at the skycarriage at Sari starting to sound a bit more positive. At least her last suggestion hadn't completely unnerved the horse. "I think he said his name was Baquir? He seemed like a friendly fellow: very grateful to Doc and Ms Stellar for what they did. He was nice to me too, and offered me a reward even though I was just... well, standing next to the ponies that actually helped him."

She chuckles nervously at that, fidgeting with her hindhoof. It's still kinda a little embarrassing.

Doc confirms Choro's answer. "Yes, Baqir Hadiyya was his name. He's a cybernetic horse as I remember him; armor to fend off would-be attackers and such. Quite friendly as I recall. I think he said he lives over in Griffontown. Somewhere in the... Durnforth strip?"

He gives Choro a half hug. "Oh you helped a lot in that basement fighting off those mutant creatures and hacking the old terminals. Wouldn't have gotten that far without you."

Sari nodded and smiled slightly, and then her mouth became slack and her pupils became pinpricks, and a great rush of wind and snow suddenly rushed passed both Choro and Doc as a great black carriage pulled by four large angry griffons surrounded by dark clouds and crackles of lightning suddenly landed besides them; Sari's horror seemed mostly justified by the sudden lack of a good fifth of her tail, which was apparently close enough to the chariot's crackling heat to get singed off.

The blue and black body of the carriage, decorated with some faint gilt and looking both outstandingly old and luxurious, occupied most of Oakville's main street, and when it finally settled two great black metallic winged shapes descended from the sky and landed softly on top of the domed coach, the sound of talons clanking softly extremely audible in the near silence following the landing itself. The figures loomed over the ponies on the ground with outstretched metal wings like two particularly modern gargoyles, their heads smooth metal and glass domes that betrayed nothing about what was behind them. They were perched over opposite sides of the carriage's door and were still as statues, giving the sight a sort of ceremonial flare usually associated with depictions of hell.

What was likely Abbas immediately emerged from inside the carriage; the thin stallion had a onyx coat which, coupled with a small beard and pair of black glasses, had a appearance of a calm and assured pony who's presence would demand the ceasing of any conversations he happened near out of respect. He and stepped out in stately manner, wearing nothing of particular substance and apparently fine with standing in several inches of snow. Abbas first looked at Doc and Choro in a assessing manner, as if he was interested in assessing what wasn't accounted for. He first seemed to notice Tirkes, who looked at the stallion like how some might look at a sign indicating the end of a long hiking trail, and then towards Bertly and the large dog that was about twenty feet away, although the robot seemed to be corralling the dog in one of the small alleyways separating the Seahorse from the bar and didn't seem to be indicating any hostility. He then turned down towards Doc and Choro; he simply nodded towards Doc, and spent a few more moments looking at Choro, although he eventually simply nodded and turned away from her.

After a final few moments, he then turned his head towards Sari, who seemed stunned. Abbas seemed remarkably unimpressed at the sight of Sari, while she seemed to be developing some sort of courage and appeared to be close to saying something when the sound of a kazoo echoed through wintry night. This caused the two horses to briefly share the same look of total confusion.

Three figures than hastily rushed out of the mayors office; one was Fascine, the other was Linseed, while the last was a black stallion with a green mane with a suspicious-looking tattoo of a skull and crossbones on his chest that was barely concealed by the brown hide shirt he was wearing. Linseed launched her skinny brown body forward and landed on her knees, skating forward towards the assembled party like she was on a runway. There were two faint red lines left behind her in the snow and the mare's eyes were bulging out of her sockets, but she didn't cry out in pain; the look of false forced joy on her face was the sort that stayed with someone when they closed their eyes. The two unicorns behind her simply ran up beside her and began to sing acapella, both looking panicked but somehow managing not to express that in their scratchy, unpracticed voices; they simply did so in every other part of their body language.

"Want to silence your opponents? Well, you only need a reason." Fascine said, before motioning to the stallion, who answered quickly, although a few seconds too late to keep up the pace,

"They won't clap at your big speeches, and it's soon election season." he said, sounding like he was trying to keep some sense of dignity.

"When you know need a servient," Fascine continued with clenched teeth.

"Just scream "Servants!" the stallion barked out in a panic,

"And have us arrest your enemies for high treason!" Fascine finished, the two intact ponies doing a silly pose next to the nearly unconscious Linseed. A cloth banner materialized from between them, and was partially obscured by Linseed's still body; it said 'Welcome PrinSult Abbas', and appeared to have been just recently painted given that the words still appeared to be wet in the cold.

Tirkes looked on at the sight like she was considering if this was the last night she would recognize as what being warm felt like. The griffons attached to the chariot all had their heads cocked to the side and were looking at the ponies like they were the end result of a train crash. Sari simply seemed amazed. Abbas didn't event bother to turn towards the trio during, preferring to face Sari instead and look at them from the side, but he still looked rather like he was questioning if attempt to rescue her was a good idea and stared at the trio as if his entire life was flashing through his head in order to determine whether or not what just occurred was the strangest thing he had ever been forced to witness.

[DigoDragon]

Okay, well that was... overt.

Doc clears his throat. "Evening, Abbaas. Good to see your in good health. This is our newest traveling companion and friend, Choro. She assisted in recovery of your sister."

He glanced again at the banner. Nope, not an illusion. Weird welcome. Guess the servants really like this horse. Or maybe they're desperate to leave this town.

[Hazuki]

"That was super lame." Viridia informed Fascine. And didn't scoff at the claim that anyone other than her retrieved Sari.

[Inspector Valin]

Choro looks somewhat torn by the Servants' display. On one hoof, they were acting like sycophants and trying to appease the horse in the giant black carriage of ominous doom. Some significant part of the little wizard wants to be outraged at that. On the other hoof... they were trying so hard to sell the display. Having issues with properly presenting a celebration on short notice is all too familiar and tender ground for the little unicorn. So she stomps her hooves on the ground in appreciation, ignoring everypony else's reaction with a confidence born of practice, and smiles a rather embarrassed grin at the Servants. I've been there, friends. Good try.

At Doc shifting towards formal introductions, Choro turns to look at Abbaas again. He... sure does like the colour black a lot. Quite a sedate, serious looking fellow. She nods politely as the good doctor explained who she was, doffing her hat and viewing the slender horse curiously. Still, she manages a faint smile and offers her hoof "It's my pleasure. How did Briar Patch put it; a stranger is just a friend you haven't met before?"

[Forum Explorer]

Oooh, nice landing Moonshadow said, impressed with the griffon's show. She was not nearly as impressed with Fascine's show. He's just a horse she muttered to herself, frowning at them.

[Dalinale]

Doc clears his throat. "Evening, Abbaas. Good to see your in good health. This is our newest traveling companion and friend, Choro. She assisted in recovery of your sister."

Abbas turned towards Choro, apparently eager to forget the display that just occurred, and nodded.

"She's not a member of the Mage's Guild, she's from out of town." Stellar said after exiting the chariot, to Abbas's clear interest.

He glanced again at the banner. Nope, not an illusion. Weird welcome. Guess the servants really like this horse. Or maybe they're desperate to leave this town.

Tirkes, the local Servant who Doc didn't have a reason to not feel embarrassed for right now, seemed less thrilled at the display, but she also looked like she had recently been given a treatment most would do to a piece of steak before they cooked it, including the dry-aged process, given the smell, so she might not have been the best one to look towards for a answer.

"That was super lame." Viridia informed Fascine.

Fascine looked like she knew that, but she also looked like this wasn't nearly the most degrading thing she's done and was more or less satisfied that she met the new boss of Oakville without dying, which was probably something she learned from her tenure as Snowflake's minion. The stallion looked less comfortable with the situation, given that he dropped his side of the banner over Linseed's still body like a funeral shroud, but he doesn't even have a name, so who cared, really?

And didn't scoff at the claim that anyone other than her retrieved Sari.

'Retrieved' makes it sound like you found her in someones yard; you really fetched Sari, honestly.

Choro looks somewhat torn by the Servants' display. On one hoof, they were acting like sycophants and trying to appease the horse in the giant black carriage of ominous doom. Some significant part of the little wizard wants to be outraged at that. On the other hoof... they were trying so hard to sell the display. Having issues with properly presenting a celebration on short notice is all too familiar and tender ground for the little unicorn. So she stomps her hooves on the ground in appreciation, ignoring everypony else's reaction with a confidence born of practice, and smiles a rather embarrassed grin at the Servants. I've been there, friends. Good try.

Choro now knew what the sound of one hoof clapping sounded like.

At Doc shifting towards formal introductions, Choro turns to look at Abbaas again. He... sure does like the colour black a lot. Quite a sedate, serious looking fellow. She nods politely as the good doctor explained who she was, doffing her hat and viewing the slender horse curiously. Still, she manages a faint smile and offers her hoof "It's my pleasure. How did Briar Patch put it; a stranger is just a friend you haven't met before?"

Abbas seemed to find Choro's words interesting, and nodded his head and shook her hoof lightly.

"Given that you are traveling companions with these ponies, to say that you are a friend I have yet to meet until now is entirely correct." Abbas replied.

Oooh, nice landing Moonshadow said, impressed with the griffon's show.

Moonshadow got a puzzled look from the drivers, who seemed to be confused if she was being sarcastic or not, but she could spot a brief thumbs up from the armored griffon who wasn't Andries.

She was not nearly as impressed with Fascine's show. He's just a horse she muttered to herself, frowning at them.

Given that Abbas's ears twitched, it seemed like he noticed what she said, and turned towards her. He seemed mildly amused.

"I am just many things; among those things, I happen to be just. I don't know exactly who you are, but I suppose we can establish something of a rapport over your reward."

[DigoDragon]

"I am just many things; among those things, I happen to be just. I don't know exactly who you are, but I suppose we can establish something of a rapport over your reward."

Doc nods. "Neat. I would invite you inside, but I don't own any place in town. There's an inn here if that's your fancy, or we can just talk outside."

[Dalinale]

Doc nods. "Neat. I would invite you inside, but I don't own any place in town. There's an inn here if that's your fancy, or we can just talk outside."

Abbas seemed nonplussed at Doc's offer, and looked at the homely motel in front of him. He seemed dimly humored after looking around Oakville and finding that nowhere else appeared suitable for lodging.

"I do not intend to linger here," Abbas said, glancing at Sari, who gulped; "as I have some family matters to discuss. First, however, you're reward. Succession, if you would."

A large flat-topped wooden chest emerged from inside the carriage, taking up most of the doorway and surrounded by a magical glow. When it was gently dropped to the ground with a loud thnk, it was about as tall as Abbas's shoulders, or, rather, about as tall as Stellar.

"This was the amount I gathered suitable for the ransom of one of my kin." Abbas said.

A identical-looking chest was produced from the interior of the cabin and landed on top of the one that was already on the ground. It seemed less heavy, but it was accompanied by the sound of jangling that usually indicated large sums of money.

"This is the down payment for the next thing I wish to ask of you." the horse continued nonchalantly,"I hope you don't mind. I will get myself comfortable as you divide the spoils among yourselves."

With that, Abbas headed inside the Seahorse Cabins. Sari, after watching her sibling leave the area, nervously headed inside the carriage. Meanwhile, the two chests were unlocked.

[First chest contains 2000 caps, 1000 bits, sixteen bars of gold (30 WG each), and ten large rubies (3 WG each). The second chest contains 1200 caps and 800 gold bits, along with seven large diamonds (3 wg each).]

[DigoDragon]

[First chest contains 2000 caps, 1000 bits, sixteen bars of gold (10 WG each), and ten large rubies (3 WG each). The second chest contains 1200 caps and 800 gold bits, along with seven large diamonds (3 wg each).]

Doc tilts his head a little. Wow that was more money in one place than he can remember seeing. Like Ever.

He approaches the first chest and takes mental inventory, then looks at his friends. "Alrighty then. Quite the generous horse."

[Hazuki]

"Cool." Viridia said, but didn't make any move to actually get any of the money. "But we can't actually take any downpayment until we know what the job is. So I think all that was achieved just now is giving those enchantments a work out."

[Forum Explorer]

Moonshadow got a puzzled look from the drivers, who seemed to be confused if she was being sarcastic or not, but she could spot a brief thumbs up from the armored griffon who wasn't Andries.



Given that Abbas's ears twitched, it seemed like he noticed what she said, and turned towards her. He seemed mildly amused.

"I am just many things; among those things, I happen to be just. I don't know exactly who you are, but I suppose we can establish something of a rapport over your reward."

Moonshadow smiles at the thumbs up griffon, before paying attention to Abaas.

Rewards are nice.

Abbas seemed nonplussed at Doc's offer, and looked at the homely motel in front of him. He seemed dimly humored after looking around Oakville and finding that nowhere else appeared suitable for lodging.

"I do not intend to linger here," Abbas said, glancing at Sari, who gulped; "as I have some family matters to discuss. First, however, you're reward. Succession, if you would."

A large flat-topped wooden chest emerged from inside the carriage, taking up most of the doorway and surrounded by a magical glow. When it was gently dropped to the ground with a loud thnk, it was about as tall as Abbas's shoulders, or, rather, about as tall as Stellar.

"This was the amount I gathered suitable for the ransom of one of my kin." Abbas said.

A identical-looking chest was produced from the interior of the cabin and landed on top of the one that was already on the ground. It seemed less heavy, but it was accompanied by the sound of jangling that usually indicated large sums of money.

"This is the down payment for the next thing I wish to ask of you." the horse continued nonchalantly,"I hope you don't mind. I will get myself comfortable as you divide the spoils among yourselves."

With that, Abbas headed inside the Seahorse Cabins. Sari, after watching her sibling leave the area, nervously headed inside the carriage. Meanwhile, the two chests were unlocked.

[First chest contains 2000 caps, 1000 bits, sixteen bars of gold (30 WG each), and ten large rubies (3 WG each). The second chest contains 1200 caps and 800 gold bits, along with seven large diamonds (3 wg each).]

I don't like the word ransom, makes us sound like kidnappers. Moonshadow said, frowning. But whatever, lots of money. Spoils is easy, we each get an equal share. Now let's talk about what this next job would be. That's a lot of money for a down-payment.

[Dalinale]

Doc tilts his head a little. Wow that was more money in one place than he can remember seeing. Like Ever.

He approaches the first chest and takes mental inventory, then looks at his friends. "Alrighty then. Quite the generous horse."

Stellar, hovering over the open chest, seemed pleased at the bounty of gold and jewels, at the very least.

"Well, we did save his life." she noted, "Half of this is probably the reward for that, and the other half is just from saving Sari."

"Cool." Viridia said, but didn't make any move to actually get any of the money. "But we can't actually take any downpayment until we know what the job is. So I think all that was achieved just now is giving those enchantments a work out."

I don't like the word ransom, makes us sound like kidnappers. Moonshadow said, frowning. But whatever, lots of money. Spoils is easy, we each get an equal share. Now let's talk about what this next job would be. That's a lot of money for a down-payment.

A mostly nondescript grey equine head poked out from inside the carriage, appearing from behind a drawn black curtain that served as a thin barrier from the outside world; the unicorn glanced down at Doc and Choro with mild curiosity, and then slowly turned towards the two pegasi with all the languid, slinky movements of a hand puppet.

"Hmm." said Succession Powder, appearing to consider Viridia's question, "Abbas desires unbiased security for the next major meeting he wishes to take place, one that would bring together dangerous foreigners to the city for a purpose I have not been informed of, personally. Due to the nature of the meeting, the only reliable place to hold such a event is in the town of Last Stop; he knows you will be traveling there anyway. If you did not, there are several more bags of money in here he was willing to part with. The locale and the locals have much to be desired, but the meeting has to take place on neutral territory."

Tirkes blatantly stared at the odd unicorn with tired eyes, and gave Doc and Choro a 'are you seeing this ****' look.