Our heroes have a bit of down time before the big monster hunt tonight. They all have a decent amount a sand-dollars obtained from the reward for bringing down the troublesome Mobster Lobster Crime Ring. What will they do with their time? Lets find out.
>>488529 yep >>488527 >>483834 The keep eyed shop keeper looks you over and nods "Well, I'd hardly have believed it if I hadn't heard the rumors about last night. The queen herself going mad like that?" with a slight shake of his head he adds "You've made some powerful friends Alecrus." >>488530 you head off to their stand and see the pair smiling widely. Spot speaks first "Hello." Speckles chimes in "Welcome Back." "Did those paints work out okay?" >>488532 Fish armor? the smith has a few things on display.
they will all be fluff unless you choose protection from one specific thing or element. such as Lightning protection: lightning attacks don't hurt you unless you roll 4 or less
>>488537 You find a lovely pink sundress that seems like its made of material that would actually be fine on the surface as well, some kind of light cloth, there are shells decorating it, and it comes with a matching necklace.
>>488542 I nod. "And I'll be leaving with them once they swim out of town. But first we've got that squid hunt to do." I'll float back and forth a moment. ""I'm… kinda worried. We're going to be hunting alongside sharks, and even though we're working on making peace, I'm still a little uneasy. They're nice enough, but… well, habit's a hard thing to shake."
>>488542 "Actually, I've still been to busy to try them out properly. If you don't mind, I'd like to join you today and just observe and point the going-ons."
"I did have one question, though. What did your mother say about that little accessory off hers?"
>>488544 "Oh, that's [extremely affordable for your money status]. A real bargain actually, I'm thinking of moving soon." The sales pony smiles at you. "It will look really adorable on a gray sea pony like yourself. You have a wonderful eye." >>488547 He pulls up a seat for you, "My best customer is leaving? And hunting with Sharks?" He looks concerned "Alecrus, you're sure about all this?"
>>488551 "She was thrilled!", "Ecstatic." "We can't thank you enough for your advice." they both seem happy and then Speckles nudges his cousin who nods. "But it seems we were wrong about why she liked it. She just was happy to have something from us at all, and didn't even mind about the color."
>>488552 "It's the adventure I always wanted, you know? And they even have a way to safely explore the surface. Can you imagine? Being able to breathe up there for an extended length of time! Just think of what I could find!" I'll deflate a little. "Not that I'm not nervous, because I am. Really nervous. But the group seems to care for its own. I should be fine."
"Well, even before I got here, you two seemed to have put in quite a bit of thought into it. She should be happy to have two children who worry about her so."
>>488557 the shop keeper leans back closing his eyes a moment. "Well, you've go to follow your dreams then. Be sure to bring back some good stories when you make your way here again." "I will have plenty of new stock by then too." He adds with a smile >>488558 They laugh a bit as well. "We shouldn't have been so short sighted, but she really does look lovely now. You should see her.. the red-orange color really does accent her perfectly. "
"And we'll be doing the same as always, selling art supplies and such, we have some line art books today, great for coloring practice." >>488559 "Thank you, come back if you need to adjust it or anything!" you obtained a nice sea-dress.
>>488570 The stripy sea-pony smiles at the suggestion "That would be something to look forward to. Maybe you could even retire off the profits from selling the books? I'd cut you a fair deal after all." He passes you over a small tome, the cover is like a runic symbol of water, the pages are smooth and thin, made from woven seaweed. Attached to the side is a pen full of squid ink. "This.. Is deserving of being filled with an adventure, If you're serious about recording it, this is the best I have for you." His expression and demeanor seem youthful for the first time since you've met him. He sounds almost hopeful. and he adds with a cheery voice. "Promise to fill that for me, and I'll give it to you for a steep discount, only 12 sand dollars." >>488572 They show you several books full of line work, they depict various sites under the sea, sea monsters, caverns, the crystal city, the soldiers, one or two very.. in-accurate representations of the surface are mixed in as well. "Well, I suppose Speckles can introduce you, only takes one of us to watch the shop." >>488587 >>488589 I'm not sure how you both managed it, but neither of you can figure out how to put the dress on properly and fumble awkwardly.
>>488588 You wing up standing in line at the armor smith, looks like a few shark ponies and sea ponies are here to gear up for the squid-hunt! When you finally arrive up front the smith's display has been picked over and he is fumbling about somewhere in his stocks "Just a moment lads and lasses."
>>488592 I'll chuckle a little. "At that price, it's practically a steal. I'll write in it often, and record all I can. I might even need to get more while out and about."
>>488592 >>488597 "H- here! I have an idea!" I duck outside to see how the dresses sit on the mannequins outside, then duck back in to try and fix Odette's dress! '1d2' 1-Right 2-Wrong
>>488593 >>488606 you are at the right shop. the burly looking sea-pony smith hauls out a new rack of weapons and armor to display. "Its been a busy day Lad, but I've still got plenty of energy left, what can I do ya for?" >>488597 >>488603 You hardly have time to be upset as Arioso takes some cues from the mannequins and fixes your outfit, looking at yourself in the mirror.. you look adorable, the dress sets just right on you! >>488598 Speckles comes around from behind the counter to stand next to you.
You know that Anya keeps a decent library, but not the exact contents of it. and the ship is about an hour's swim away. >>488599 he nods a bit. "Just be careful out there, its much harder to sell a tragedy.."
>>488611 I'll nod seriously. "It'll be harder to bring back, too. Don't know how long I'll be gone, but here's hoping you're still open for business when I get back."
>>488611 "Me and my young friend here are looking for some armor. Something not too heavy, please. And uh… maybe something to protect this?" I wave my tail fin at him
>>488613 He chuckles a bit "I'll be here, I was born for this work after all. And as you know I'm plenty patient, so just worry about keeping yourself safe." >>488614 >>488618 You look around and see that nearly every stand sells such hair shells, all sizes, colors and shapes. You find the choices a bit over whelming and can't really tell what a good deal it as the prices all vary widely, in a pattern you can't really understand at first glance. You manage to locate one that's the same pink as her dress after a bit of looking, its got a single pearl on the end as decoration and uses a comb to set in your mane. >>488615 You both head to the residential district, the atmosphere here is different, calmer and more relaxed than the market area, She leads you to a house with yellow spots on it, a garden full of sea plants, and goes to open the door. "Well.. here we go." >>488617 >>488619 "Alright, a fin size is rather personal, let me measure you lads." he pulls out a bit of sting and measures your tail fin. "Anything specific you are looking for or just a basic set?"
>>488628 I'll nod, exchange the coins for the book, and bid goodbye to the book seller. "Until we meet again, then!" And then it's off to my study, to prepare for the Hunt.
>>488628 Pull back my tail fin as soon as he lets go of it and give it an embarrassed stare. "U-Uh… do you have something padded? Or maybe made of a lightweight scale? I don't imagine metal floats well down here and I have no idea what else would be used for armor…"
>>488632 he looks impressed and nods "That's more than enough to cover an enchanted piece, can lessen the effects of a particular kind of magic, you just gotta decide which one you want protection from. Electricity is a popular choice, but there is also heat, cold, dark or light magic." >>488635 "Certainly we have fine scale mail I'll just fix up one that is your size.." he turns around and gets to work. >>488634 "Oh its 5 sand dollars, and I do have a few other colors." she shows you some blue, silver, white and green ones that are very similar. "Anything you like?" >>488633 Speckles swims inside "Hey mom, I've got someone that wants to meet you.." You finally get a good look at the mother, she is mostly white, with large green spots, blue eyes, and a blue mane. she is wearing a puffy yellow dress and holding a orange red fan. She smiles at you from behind it. "Oh hello dear, Please come inside! are you one of those brave sharks that's going to help us out with the Squid?"
the inside of their home is very sweet, the smell of food in the air, paintings on the walls, a comfy looking couch, and a shell stairs going down. Nearly every inch of the home is decorated in some way.. you also see a few family paintings.
>>488640 Put my fin down and look at him "Scale sounds fine. Though magic protection sounds nice… How about some light magic protection? Never seen it used before so I imagine it's quite a powerful thing."
>>488643 The smith holds his dark blue sides and lets out a hardy laugh "Alright, one hero's set of armor coming right up." he hammers a bit to adjust it to your size and then presents you with a set of armor that has a bit of a white and blue scale pattern to it. "This'll do ya lad." he claims about 5/8 of your sand dollars Dark Magic Resistance: you take one less damage from necromatic attacks. >>488644 >>488645 The sales pony looks a little over whelmed and bags up the hair pieces chosen "Are you preparing for a big event?" >>488647 "Aye, light magic can be a terrible thing to face, but actually that's a bit less popular of a protection, its mostly useful if you are worried about an enemy with powerful believes. Well, since the sharks are on our side, we don't have much use for that now." >>488646 Good thinking. would you like to read or go find the others?
>>488650 you read the discliamer: [Sea-Publishers is not responsible for any injuries incurred while facing giant squids..] and look at a very scary drawing of a giant squid. >>488651 "Oh, yes, that's a bit of an old picture." she points to the large painting, there are over a dozen ponies in the painting all spotted. "That one was 6 years ago, why my Soeckles was just a little sea-foal at the time, and there is Sentinel, his wife Spency and their son Spot.. " she looks a little distant when she mentions them. "Oh, you know Spency was such a good mother really did everything to protect my brother Sentinel.. " she smiles again as if nothing had been said "Would you like some cake dear?" >>488652 he brings you a set with what look like sea dragon scales on it, they are a dark yellow-orange instead of the usual blue. "Here ya go." you pay for it with 5/8 of your earnings from the lobster job. heat protection: take one less damage from heat based attacked >>488654 you feel heroic. >>488653 "Oh.. you moving away because of the sharks? I don't blame you, some of the others are too."
>>488656 Well… that's less than encouraging, but maybe there's something useful! Don't judge a book by its preface! '1d10' to find tactics or weaknesses.
>>488658 She brings over some tiny little cakes, they are the color of shrimp. "Please, make yourself at home… Mr. Shark? You may call me Mrs. Sands." >>488659 Among all the usual common knowledge facts, you discover that they can only squirt ink at regular intervals, so if you all dodged this ink blast you would have a much easier time fighting it.
Spirit swims over to you, looking a little worried "Hello Alecrus." >>488649 you are now wearing a blue shell, decorated with a pearl and stuck into your mane with a comb. >>488662 " First time in a full suit eh', you'll get used to it." the smithy laughs a bit
indeed you manage to get used to it, its padded enough to not scrape against your skin.
>>488673 "Just a little worried, the area that squid is camped up in.." >>488672 you find a flowing dress, its colors vary from white to purple, and its pattern is similar to a dolphin. The material is soft and silky. You notice a couple of the same style in different colors. It seems like this shape would be nice, if a bit poofy on the flank. >>488674 there is only one good book shop. With a sharp eyed store keeper. with clown fish like patterns tending it. "Welcome Welcome, how can I help you?"
>>488676 Poofy is lovely! I find one in a nice shade of… purple! Purple would go lovely as a compliment to my mane and coat! I immediately try it on. "How do I look Odette?" '1d10'
>>488670 spot was a male "Oh, you mean Spot and Speckles? They are such dears, take after their grandma Specter for certain. They way they can paint like they do. They made a lot of these other works you see hanging up. I am just so proud of them." "Tell me have you met a Lady Catherine? She's a close friend of my niece."
>>488676 "Ah, hello! We're looking for some educational books. Now let's see… math sounds good. Oh, and language, world history, geology, as well as any science you can think of. That sounds like a good start."
>>488678 you put it on upside down. >>488677 "Alecrus, you know.. years ago there was a split between the shark pony clans, some wanted to change form the old ways.. Lex and Leon were still young leaders, and couldn't stop them from leaving, but they did work out a territory arrangement.. and this squid is where that territory used to be.. Now. I'm not worried about them still being there, no, they have long since been added back to our clan or moved on.. but.." he sighs. "There was a sea-speaker who left, and she was even an egg-born like me. I never heard what happened to her."
>>488683 "You think she might still be there? I mean, if you can talk to crabs, maybe she could speak with squids? Depending on how long it's been there, it might have been a lot smaller years ago."
>>488682 She nods approvingly "Yes, that's right. Its just horrible what happened to that poor child, having her mother turn like that.. and Daniel has yet to declare a choice from among the princesses, its quite the trouble really.. " >>488680 >>488681 he picks out a few school books showing them to Allegro "would these be about the right level?" laughs when Cloudcaller mentions Gryphons. "Well, I do have a fairy tale book about gryphons."
>>488689 "Well everyone has heard about it by now. The queen tried to kill Daniel! The rumors are that she went mad off of shark blood." >>488685 "I don't know if she'd be there with it, such a wild beast, doesn't sound like its actually being controlled.. but its not completely unheard of for a sea-speaker to become trapped by a beast, particularly if the monster is lonely.." >>488688 There much better.
>>488691 I'll tap my book. "Well, if she is there, and the squid's keeping her because it's lonely… well, you might be able to work out a deal with it to leave. And arrange visits so it doesn't get lonely? Maybe convince it to not eat seaponies or sharks, and have it live under the city?" I'll pause for a second. "Wait, no, that last bit's stupid. The living under the city part."
Our heroes having taken care of their remaining business have gathered at the meeting place, a large flat rock outside of the city. Spirit Fang, the druidic shark pony is hoovering here near the twin leaders, large white sharks Lex and Leon, Ebony the darling bat-pony given fins is holding the map, three sea pony guards wielding their electric spears and wearing the finest scale armor it has a crystal shell on the front, and Blood Fin, the massive shark pony, is here holding an even more massive hammer, the hammer is decorated with a serpent on the side. They seem to be trying to get to know each other with little success.
Spirit waves at your group. "I believe you wanted to go in first?" Lex and Leon seem equally happy to see you, and Blood Fin pats one of the sea pony guards on the back in response to some joke he was telling. Ebony smiles up scanning your group quickly.
>>509314 "After the squid, its somewhere in those long tunnels by the trade route, that's where all the attacks are." >>509313 >>509312 >>509318 "Depends on how hungry the fellow is." Blood fin says with a laugh. "He's right about that, its been about a week since anyone has gone this way, it should be fairly eager to come after you." Spirit comments. >>509316 >>509318 "In the caves just south of here, next to the trade road.." >>509319 Ebony seems to smile more and meets your eyes. "That depends on who you want with you." Lex says. "A few more sharks and sea ponies will come behind as back up if we are gone more than two hours." Leon says. "Blood Fin does not want to miss out on the action, but you asked were granted first run at the beast. Blood Fin will stay close by in case Heroes change their mind." He says with a toothy grin. >>509317 You look very heroic, this seems to inspire confidence in the sea ponies. "Surely they will succeed." One of them comments.
>>509322 "A few months, but before the peace treaty we were too busy fighting each other to go after it and just told every-fin to swim clear." Leon replies.
>>509320 "Our priority is to pacify the squid. We have much to thank you for anyway in being willing to cooperate with the sea ponies. It isn't ours, nor yours alone. Let's work together, shall we? "
Hold out a hoof. T-they like being friendly, right?
>>509320 "Well, we could always hit it from both ends. Only so many tentacles a squid can have, right? But I'll thank Blood Fin for his consideration." Ooops, looks like they're leaving without me. "Well, here we go! Off to hunt a giant squid, or tame it. Or just talk to it. Not necessarily in that order!" And I'll swim after the others.
>>509331 "Oh, no. If it hasn't eaten in a week, it'll be starving! That'll make it fight even harder, and not even wait until we're dead to start eating us! Isn't this exciting?"
>>509332 "There's a technique some of the greatest monster slayers use like that! They let the monster eat them, then attack from inside! I heard some of the best meat can be found by carving from inside, too! "
>>509327 >>509330 They are your allies now. Lex and Leon each shake your hoof in turn. "Good luck out there. We will come in after a couple hours to check on you." Blood Fin shake a lot harder in his eagerness. "Bring back a leg for me!" >>509329 "You'll have the first stab at the beast, and we'll be behind you soon." >>509328 >>509324 >>509323 >>509325 >>509330 >>509331 You all head towards the cave systems, its large openings are ominous, and filled with small fish, you can feel a slight current from inside, and there are some bones and broken objects on the ground here.
>>509335 I nod. "I think they can even break through turtle shells." >>509336 "If we're lucky, we won't be! Maybe Spirit can talk to it, and his ladyfriend can convince it to swim somewhere else."
>>509341 >>509344 It just looks like a lot of random objects to you, some shells, a few scraps of cloth, a part of a wheel, hard to make anything out of this. >>509348 >>509346 >>509340 Spirit nods "I can try to talk to it.." >>509347 You have a bit of trouble focusing. Must be this current.
You all hear a low rumble from inside the caves. A few rocks fall and you spot something wiggling toward your group. It appears to be a long tentacle with section cups on the bottom, the diamond shape of the limb seems about the right size to grab a seapony.
>>509353 You summon your doppel and he seems excited as you paw him over the blades. "Just tell me who to attack!" Doppel: 5/2 >>509354 You energetically shout and move the water around, but it doesn't seem to work like it did in your formula.. this is a lot harder in practice. >>509352 >>509355 You vanish into the shadows and swim further into the cave, getting a full look at the beast. It has one large eye on each side of its ..face? The area behind the beak and tentacles anyway, there are ten tentacles, two large long ones, and eight smaller ones which are still comparatively large to you. You see a ribbon tied to one its tentacles near the top. Suddenly it wriggles and roars as if in pain, and then it darts out into the direction of the group. >>509356 >>509357 Together you flatten the tentacle against a wall. A roar of pain echos from the caves and there is a rush of current. >>509358 >>509359 You are too taken off guard by the sudden change in current to do anything.
>>509351 >>509361 You helped tackle the tentacle with a cheap shot then. Roll to see if the current bangs you against a wall making that tentacle helpless was the trigger for it coming out like this.
>>509367 >>509366 >>509364 You three are swept away by the current as the Giant squid rushes past you. Taking a few hits as your bump against rocks and rubble. >>509362 You fire a bolt of magic into the water and it hoovers above waiting for your command. >>509363 You aim for what you believe is the head, and land a sleep shot near its eyes. The beast seems sluggish now, and its tentacles, droop slightly. >>509366 Your Doppel runs in and starts to slash attempting to keep the tentacles away from you. >>509369 You swim clear of any hazards while keeping up with the group. >>509371 Your words are a little standard, they seem to notice the thought but aren't inspired.
>>509376 I swim over towards the squid and try Transfix again to calm it [1d10] And the eel goes on the defensive to block any of its tentacles if it tries to attack me [1d10]
>>509373 Drawing your knife again you swim back and forth stabbing one of its smaller tentacles. >>509374 Doppel smiles running in and cutting at the smaller tentacles. "Yes I can feel it! The strength." But you can not feel it as strongly, you slice along side your minion but one of the tentacles smacks you, you feel kind of weak. >>509375 >>509377 The squid does not seem to take kindly to your taunt and one of the smaller tentacles smacks you sluggishly. >>509378 You swim around to where Nox is near they eyes and cast a heal spell on her. >>509379 You find a nice spot to camp out at the cave entrance. >>509380 Your encouragement makes an apparent difference, every-pony seems to be moving faster now. >>509382 You try to stab its eye and, unsurprisingly it sees your blade coming and rolls away before you and hit it. Its tentacles are too sluggish to reach up and hit you right now. >>509381 >>509383 Your eel defends you ramming into a tentacles as it reaches for you. Together with Spirit's call your transfix seems to be making a difference. Its less rampaging and more defensive now. 16/30 to tame
The squid seems to be wearing down, some of its tentacles have stopped moving. half health
>>509385 You swim circles around the squid and make the job seem easy by showing how slow he is. Everyone feels incredibly inspired. +2 to rolls >>509387 You swim up to the top of the cave where cloudcaller is camping out. >>509388 You shoot it directly in the eye, its eyes close and it thrashes about in pain. >>509389 You tackle the beast nearly taking off one of the longer tentacles and helping to pin it against the wall. >>509392 You don't waste any time and slice off one of the longer tentacles. >>509390 You cast your spell to move the currents around you but.. something goes wrong, you feel them swirl around you faster and faster until you can't move.. its as if you created a whirl pool around yourself.. >>509393 The remaining long tentacle reaches out to strike you but your eel takes the hit for you, part of its body shattering. However with your efforts combined with spirit's continued support.. The beast seems calm, perhaps being near death is also helping this effect, but you are certain it won't attack now. >>509391 Doppel attacks the Squid with all he's got the beast writhling in pain as it is held down by allegro.
The beast seems to have calmed completely, as well as being quite beaten up. One of its eyes seriously wounded, one of the long tentacles sliced off, and a few of the smaller ones also hacked away. The creature is on its last limb of life, but its anger is gone. It glances down at the ribbon tied to its remaining long tentacle and gives a soft moan of pain.
>>509394 I dismiss the crystal eel, having helped enough for now. I look over at the ribbon. "Wonder how that got on there." Anything noticeable about it? [1d10]
>>509397 the swirling waters should release you soon.. you hope. >>509398 You attempt to get close the very shiny sea pony but are pushed back by the water swirling around him. >>509402 >>509400 >>509401 >>509404 You swim up to the ribbon tied to the tentacle and examine it, it appears to be quite old and tattered as if its something it has had its whole life, its tied in a bow. "I think I might know.. " Spirit says with a frown as he pets the creature. >>509405 he appears to have caused a whirl pool around himself.
>>509408 "Of course, No knives for master's friend, only paws." He puts the weapons away and stands near Alecrus. >>509409 You can feel the spell ending itself. The water starting to calm around you. soon you think to yourself. and then you are freed from its grasp as the whirling waters completely stop. >>509410 >>509411 >>509412 "I knew a seaspeaker many years ago, who would tie a ribbon like this on monsters she knew personally, I.. If its acting like this.. I have to go look in the caves.." He starts to swim off into the caves.
>>509413 I'll shake my head. "Stupid thing… gonna have to- wait where's he going? Hey wait up!" Start swimming after Spirit. >>509415 "Thanks for the concern, but it looks like the effect only lasted as long as it normally would! Thank goodness for that!"
>>509414 >>509416 >>509417 >>509419 "Yes. and Yes. Probably.. It must have gotten too big for her to keep controlled alone.. I just hope she is okay.." The cave gets darker here you but is sufficently wide. Spirit looks around nervously at the tunnels the road splits here. >>509415 Doppel nods to you with a smile as he swims away "I will make you proud master." >>509420 You let go of the squid and it just lies there a moment seemingly too wounded too do much besides keep breathing or perhaps it could swim away with some effort, but with so many of its tentacles wounded it certainly wouldn't be very fast.
>>511717 its just left or right, your shark friend swims to the right. Her name is Naomi Current. I don't remember if I said it before. >>511718 He nods back toward you. >>511719 You follow the group that is moving inside. >>511720 Well, it did kind of eat ponies, it deserved it.
>>511723 You hear a voice reply to you in a thick accent. "Hallo?" >>511726 >>511725 you two catch up to each other quickly and swim very closely together. >>511724 You travel behind the others, the doppel keeps pace with Spirit. >>511727 You stay with the group.
>>511730 >>511731 >>511732 >>511734 >>511736 >>511735 The she-shark pony smiles. "Ah, then I'll go to her.. And Spirit.. I have to introduce you to someone." With a little effort and help from Spirit, Naomi gets back up. She seems a little bruised. >>511733 Its like the inside of a cave, a bit of it has been made more homely, there are a few sea cushions, a painting of Naomi with a small shark pony, and a few scattered personal items like combs and mirrors.
>>511741 It does have a certain something about it that reminds you of Spirit.. >>511742 >>511739 "Its not bad." She winches a bit "The important thing is that you managed to stop her from hurting anyshark else." >>511740 She shakes her head "Not as horrible as you'd imagine."
Naomi makes her way back to the squid which seems happy to see her, she starts to tend to its wounds wrapping seaweed.
>>511747 You heal up the worst of the wounds on the creature, It floats up a bit. "A healing spell. Nagyon Jo!" >>511747 "No.. That one is too young." Spirit says a bit concerned. Naomi blushes, and whispers something to him, and then he blushes as well. "Oh!" >>511748 "You have your journey to continue right? You said you weren't from here."
>>511748 "Well… do we have anything else that needs doing? We took care of the bandits, took care of the squid that was harming the seaponies…" I furrow my brow in concentration.
>>511750 >>511753 "Probably closer to a guppy, though depending on how long ago… might be a decent-sized shark by now." I'll grin at Spirit and nudge him a little. "Just a friend, huh? You seadog, you."
>>511751 "I will take her farther away, I'm sorry things go out of fin." >>511752 >>511753 Spirit seems a little dazed by the news "A pup of my own.. But why didn't you ever come to me.." "I left the clan, I couldn't come back.." "You can come back now, Naomi.. Once you find a good place for your friend.. and what's his name? What does he like to do?" "Feny Note. He's just as talented as you. And I'll introduce you tonight" >>511755 Spirit blushes even harder "Ha, I had not Idea really."
>>511764 He grins at you. "Today has been a good day." >>511772 "Oh. I see." >>511765 >>511769 "hehe, I think we can handle relocation of the Squid," Spirit says smiling and swimming close to Naomi. "You have other things to do I'm sure."
>>511775 I'll nod. "Like telling the rest of the party about your ladyfriend!" I'll snap to attention. "Oh, horseshoe crabs, we should probably give them the all-clear, before they get impatient and come swimming in here!" I'll swim out towards them. "Come on, hurry up!"
>>511780 You swim back to the group on the rocks. The seem generally happy with the result, well, Blood Fin is a bit disappointed that he couldn't use his hammer. "All the fun is over." he comments. "Thank you for taking care of this menace." Leon and Lex say together. "We are glad you are all unharmed." The sea guards seem relieved that they didn't have to get hurt. "Well done heroes."
>>511778 They both swim away with the squid into the distance.
>>511782 >>511784 "Thanks for all your help. And don't worry, we'll come to see you off at your boat." Spirit calls back. >>511785 Ebony shakes back to life and twitches her fuzzy bat ears. "Yes, we can't forget about our mission. If we're done here we should go back."
>>511786 >>511787 "Mission? Well, I guess I'll have to skip out on the parties, then… Ah, I haven't even packed any surface clothing! What does a seapony wear on land?"
>>511794 I take that completely seriously. "What's a fishbowl? A bowl made of fish? But how would they survive outside of the sea?" I'll rub my chin. "Maybe with the right spell… but that still wouldn't help me breathe up there…"
>>511794 >>511791 "We've got plenty of material for that, don't worry. But, I was wondering, how would we store any food we bought here and took with us?"
>>511797 She snickers "No, don't worry. You will be able to breath just fine." >>511798 "I might be easier to help them once we have our land hooves back."
>>511803 I'll smile a little. "If you say so. I should still pack a few things, though." >>511804 "No I wasn't! I don't know anything about any dragons… aside from what's in books. Most of what we have around here would be classified as 'serpents' anyway."
>>511807 "Eh, it was a while ago. I'm sure the serpents have overthrown the despotic regime under which they toiled for so long and gone back to being happy fish-lizards and stuff."
>>511815 >>511814 >>511813 >>511812 >>511811 >>511818 >>511817 >>511816 You all prepare yourselves, and swim toward the surface. the wooden sphere looks like home to most of you.. You see a Unicorn with a Purple mane staring down at you "Oh, you're all here, early even! This is great now just swim up here one at a time." "I'll go first.." Ebony says eagerly The light of magic surrounds Ebony, slowly lifting her and transforming her in a bright light, her tail fin back into hooves, her longer thin grey fins being changed back to wings. She stands on the deck of the boat, a Bat pony once more. Nearby you see many of your sea friends here to wish you a final farewell. Prince Daniel, Lex and Leon the white shark ponies, twin leaders of the sharks, A couple of the pony guards, a few sea mares, among them the three princesses you met at first, Spirit is here with Naomi, and there is a shark-pony about half size running about them.
>>511820 "Good bye!" "Good luck!" >>511822 man, leaping is like hard. You get a few feet out of the water before the magical light catches you as well, you can feel yourself changing and by the time you land on deck you have hooves and your wings again. >>511824 You both pose for everyone and they clap a bit "I won't die will I?" he says worriedly as his form begins to fade. You are lifted up by gentle magic and your transformation while a bit more in depth, changing your head back to a dog's head and your feet reemerging while your fins vanish, is not any slower and you seem to be finished about the same time as the others. >>511821 You do a decent sommersault and then feel magic surround you as well, you see the pretty colors glowing and changing and find yourself with hooves and wings again by the time the light fades, must be because you're so awesome. >>511825 Your leap was fine, but there was not need to catch her, since she was not in danger. >>511823 >>511826 They wave back. "Good luck up there, and beware of nets I hear they are abundant on the surface." >>511827 "Yes I can fly!"
>>511828 "Oh yay I can't even wait to see this." Practically vibrating in the water as I wait for my turn to go up, I'll try to contain my excitement. Fairly badly.
>>511829 You don't have to wait to long. You feel yourself being lifted up Ebony smiles encouragingly at you, the brightness of the light soon blocks her out, you find yourself on the ship, the light is bright and the air is dry.. do you even know what its like to be dry? You horn seem to be the same as ever, multiple hues of blue, and you see a rainbow colored bit of hair fall into your eyes.
>>511830 >>511833 You can be automatically back to normal yes. It was just your last time to do fishy stuff.
>>511837 >>511836 You are both disoriented as you fly straight up into a cloud and then clonk your heads against each other. >>511838 You causally do a few laps around the pair.
>>511839 "Oh, wow, what is this? It feels kinda stringy! It's all fibrous and stuff!" I'll look down, between my front legs. "And look! I've got four legs! How cool is that? And… wait, is that?" I'll swish my tail back and forth a bit. "It is! How weird that my tail looks like that now! This is awesome!" Try to walk forward while looking between my front legs. '1d10-5'
>>511843 You can't walk forward with your head between your legs. That's not how legs work at all. You feel yourself falling forward and then tumble forward landing on your back.
>>511846 "This is so cool!" Kick the legs a bit in the air, get a figure on how they work. >>511845 "The surface is so neat! And is that all the sky? It's huge! And so blue!" >>511848 "Are you kidding? I can't even… wait, no, you're right, need to learn to walk before I can, uh… what's the word for it?" I'll puzzle a bit. >>511849 "To be honest? Dry. It's so weird not being surrounded by water. There's no pressure at all! Or buoyancy, for that matter."
>>511850 You kick them around a bit Ebony steps close to you cautiously. "Need a hoof up?"
"I am not sure I met you before. I'm Anya, I'm the official magical researcher." The purple maned unicorn says sweetly while resting a moment and gazing at the scene.
>>511851 "You lived there? How? There's nothing up there!" >>511852 Snicker a little. "I think I got that trick down already, though." >>511853 >>511854 >>511855 "I've just got so much to learn!" >>511856 Smiling, I'll accept her hoof up. "This is going to be so much fun. And it's nice to meet you, Anya. You're a magical researcher?"
>>511861 "Uh…. I didn't pay enough attention in science class to tell you. Something about the sun making the water so hot it leaps up into the air or something."
>>511862 >>511863 "Fascinating. I need to write this down." And I'll whip out my water notebook, and start jotting this down. "Clowds: made of heated water and float in the sky."