ded boop

>>2574528
I'm ready.

LAST TIME
After arriving in Canterlot, you had the chance to meet Lyra's fabulously privileged parentage and enjoy the luxuries of a bath and an oddly erotic encounter with a masseuse. After gallantly evading those advances, you set out to explore the surrounding Castletown district and think of a way to get into the AEIOU while avoiding the Downtown mobs.

AND NOW
You're in a back alley of the Castletown Bazaar, inside a quaint little tent littered with mystical tchotchke. Meditating before you is a curvy redheaded woman, the first human you've personally contacted in weeks. This is ostensibly Guillemot, the local "witch" and a renowned point of human contact outside of Canterlot's Downtown.

Whether she really does look appealing or you're that hard up for human contact, you can't keep staring at her.

[PRESS START]

Make sure we're looking at her eyes instead of her breasts then greet her.

>>2574659
Fuck that shit.
Check out her breasts.
But remember to look with your eyes, not your hooves.

>>2574717
>hooves
So are the only people playing tonight me and a new guy?

Look alive, fellas. You're literally three threads from falling off the back of the board. Depending on how things go, you may end up running tandem.

>>2574659 >>2574717
You remind yourself to look with your eyes, not with your hoov—er, hands—as you clear your throat rather loudly and call to her. "Excuse me, is Guillemot here?"

"I sense a soul in search of answers." Now that her eyes are open you find it a smidge easier not to be so distracted by her other features. She smiles and nods, "Hello, fellow world-skipper! What can I do for you today? Potion? Fortune? Or just need help getting familiar with this new plane of existence?"

>>2574809
Also, fffuuu.

Let's get this out of the way. Do we run tandem with Treekicker's quest, or move to mlpg.co/q/ for tonight?

>>2574865
"I just wanted a chance to talk with another human. I've been here a few months and heard that the ones downtown weren't the best conversationalists."

You remind yourself to look with your eyes, not with your hoov—er, hands—as you clear your throat rather loudly and call to her. "Excuse me, is Guillemot here?"

"I sense a soul in search of answers." Now that her eyes are open you find it a smidge easier not to be so distracted by her other features. She smiles and nods, "Hello, fellow world-skipper! What can I do for you today? Potion? Fortune? Or just need help getting familiar with this new plane of existence?"

also sorry my litte escapade in moving a couch got me sidetracked from helping out here.

We didn't get it up the stairs.

>>2575123
Tell her we're just looking to talk; it's been a long time since we last had a chance to talk with another human.

>>2575163
This.


What was our intention here, again?

>>2575220
Pretty much that reason if I remember correctly.

>>2575220
She's a human "witch". That might be useful, might not, but the valet suggested it as a point of interest for one of your species.

>>2575287
Ask her about her work here, what it's like for her, how many other humans does she know about what does she know about the AEIOU

>>2575163
"Oh, you just wanted company? What kind of establishment do you think I run here?" She gives you disapproving look before laughing. "I'm kidding! I know what you're talking about, being one of few human businesses outside of Downtown."

"I didn't think it was that bad you had to come all the way out here." She looks you up and down, and you realize that you're not particularly dressed for the affluence of the neighborhood. "You don't live in Canterlot, do you? That's radical, man, where you from?"

>>2575314
"Ponyville, actually." Your answer makes Guillemot's eyes light up.
"Oh, wow! That's, like, out in the country and the Everfree Forest. I get a lot of ingredients shipped in from out there, that place is wild."
"Ingredients... You said you make potions?"
"Yeah! The real thing, man." She gets up and fetches an earthen bowl of cloves. "Equestria's rife with magic, real magic, and everything in it has a unique effect on humans. We don't have magic back home, so there's no telling! I've made it my business to learn how ponies use it and how humans can use it."
"That kind of thing see a lot of demand from the rich?"
"If you mean how I got to be in the Castletown bazaar, yeah, pretty much. That and the old zebra wanted an apprentice."

[cont'd]

>>2575509
"I think someone like you would've been valuable to the AEIOU. Aren't they into this cross-cultural stuff?"
"Oh, no." She gets a very displeased look. "The AEIOU is all suits and scholars. No respect for a homeopathic and mystic like myself. It's not 'proper science' they said. Didn't stop me from applying, though."
"I imagine you might have a lot of friends there, though, considering."
"You would not believe how easy it is to get joak poisoning even in the middle of Downtown." She rolls her eyes.

"Why do you ask? You thinking of joining the AEIOU? They could use a janitor to help clean up the mess Downtown."

>>2575604
"Just trying to find a safe way for me and a friend to get in."

>>2575604
DING.

>>2575630
No, no. Don't give her any ideas or things to start thinking about.

>>2575676
Why not?

>>2575705
She'll turn you into a newt.

You'll get better.

>>2575732
build a bridge out of her!

>>2575705
She'll start thinking there's a REASON we want to get us and 'a friend' in.

Oldest shit in the book. "uh, 'my friend' got this chick pregnant. Does she have to get parental permission so she can abort ou-their pregnancy?"

>>2575770
Why would she think that? We are in a romantic relationship with a pony and felt like visiting the AEIOU with her.

>>2575802
And my brain finally caught up with me. I think I see what you were worried about.

>>2575802
...
EX-FUCKING-ACTLY.

>>2575819
Alright then, let's ask her what kind of interesting potions she has been able to make.

>>2575867
Second this one.

You know, don't we have their return address or whatever? Can't we just write to them and ask for a discrete transport over that will pick us up at a particular destination?

>>2575972
We could always ask her if she could keep a secret.

I like how I can probably count the number of players on one hand but you still get up to these talks.

Taking >>2575867

>>2576106
I think you can count the number of players on two fingers.

>>2576119
Hehe.

>>2575867
You have chosen... wisely?

You deflect the witch's jab with a laugh and ask her what else she makes.
"Well, the, er, Intimate Stamina one is a big hit. And there's human-approved Cold Cure, Karma Jolt, Limited Invisibility but I'm legally required to add an aural component to that so no funny business and also to tell you up front about that, and there's also this new one but it's not ready yet because that idiot won't give me his formula because it's patented. How can the AEIOU patent anything? They're not a real company..."

As she goes off on her tirade, you notice the post-lunch traffic is picking up in the bazaar outside. You may want to get your shopping done before Lyra and company start worrying.

>>2576119
Hey!
Make that three fingers yo.

>>2576179
Ask her to tell us more about the patented thing and the karma jolt.

>>2576179
What's the new one? We might be able to find out what it is she needs, if she can help us get inside.

>>2576215
>Karma Jolt

Buy three and hang onto them. We'll need them when the confession time comes.

Also, I SMELL A SIDEQUEST.

>>2576162
that feel when

>>2576179
What does Karma Jolt do?

Also, what other shopping do we even have to do?

>>2576262
An invisibility potion could be useful, but we need to know more about that aural component.

ded?

>>2576215 >>2576222 >>2576242 >>2576289
"Karma Jolt sounds interesting. What's that do?"
"It's actually a memory supplement of sorts. A dose helps you recall past events, but it also has a nasty side effect of stirring up feelings tied to those memories. Totally radical, I do not guarantee that you will see your actual past reincarnations, but who knows?"

"And what did you mean by an aural component on the invisibility one?"
"Well, instead of just being invisible you'll have kind of a glow about you so folks will know you're there. It's meant for fun, and they can't have folks running around places they aren't supposed to; doesn't mean people haven't tried. I needed to go through a lot of paperwork to get the legal formula and I'm bound not to share it with anyone. Underground alchemists have been trying to reverse engineer it for ages, I hear."

"And what was the new one? What kind of potion would have the AEIOU's stamp on it?"
"Oh, I don't know if I should tell you about that."
"I might be able to help you." Your implicit offer earns you a funny look.
"If you really could, I would be honored. But first, tell me what you'd like. I'll grab some out of my stock and return with the info on the, er, job."

"Well, three Karma Jolts and..."
Do you still want the invisibility and/or others?

>>2576549
Invisibility should help. Somewhat.

>>2576549
GM's note: Karma Jolt lets you draw on the wisdom and courage of other Quest Anons. Maybe.

>>2576549
The invisibility thing could be useful.

>>2576589
Explain.

>>2576608
We might be able to know things from 'past lives' other quests

Might also be useful for an ass-pull or remembering important details.


Next, lets tell her there are still things we'd like to talk to her about, maybe when the two of us aren't so busy. Because we do need to get moving.

>>2576549
Intimate Stamina because why the fuck not

>>2576608 >>2576648
Basically, I'd be more forthright in throwing out hints, especially if they're details from earlier in this quest, or you can get bonuses to insight and actions inspired by other waifuquests.

You just writing up the next segment or we ded

You get:
[INTIMATE STAMINA]
[KARMA JOLT x3]
[TEMPORARY INVISIBLITY W/ AURA]

"And here's the guy with the patented formula." She hands you a photo of an earth pony stallion. "Name's Bromide. He works in the AEIOU as a... scientist something or other. Look, I don't know what you have planned, but don't hurt or threaten him. He's a friend of mine. Hey, if you're really going to do this for me, can I get your name?"

You can continue getting information from her, or return to the Travis estate, possibly buy a souvenir in the bazaar on your way out.

>>2576931
Ask her how we can make it in to the AEIOU, then head out and grab a souvenir.

>>2576931
Tell her we're just curious about what it does and why the AEIOU is keeping it so close to their chest.

>>2576930
How the
dude that's creepy

"Well, how would I get into the AEIOU? I imagine security is tight these days."
"If you had some kind of business, that'd work great. It's more lax on the inside frome what I remember, apart from lab safety. Apart from that, you could try hitching a ride in one of the carriages that go in." She shrugs. "Hey, it's not like I thought about it. A lot."

"Why're you and the AEIOU so concerned about this formula? What does it do?"
"It's a... controversial thing, but I think it's pretty radical. Apparently there's a way to magically induce a cutie mark, or something that looks like one, on non-ponies."
"Er, couldn't you just do a tattoo?"
"Well, a cutie mark has actual magic properties. This can simulate more than just the image, or so I'm told. Still, I've heard lots of talk, especially from humans wanting to... transition." She seems disturbed at this notion.

"Any other questions?"

>>2577161
Well, yeah, but more to do with how you've been fairing here yourself. I've got plenty of my own experiences here to share, if you're interested. Unfortunately I'm short on time and need to get moving along. Maybe we can talk over lunch some time?

>>2577161
No more questions. Thank her for her time and start looking for souvenirs.
If you pull any Conversion Bureau shit I'm gone.

>>2577208
I don't like TCB either and was hoping to lampoon it slightly in the current contexts, but that'd just be too distracting. I need to get us back on track, sorry.

"I'm just curious about what it's been like for other humans. We should talk over lunch some time, Miss Guillemot."
"Call me Shana. And yeah, I got all kinds of stories. Nice talking to you, Anon. You know where to find me!"

You thank her for the help and look around for the bazaar. Certainly you should have something more than an Intimate Stamina potion to show for it?

Examining the stalls and prices, you find a wide variety of exotic merchandise and craft pieces, but you'd have to settle for either a bunch of smaller trinkets (enough for Bonbon and the fam) or just one expensive piece.

Whichever you decide, write in your ideas.

>>2577462
Let's get some stuff for Lyra and Bonbon.

>>2577479
Lyra's probably been here a thousand times, though.

>>2577486
Lookin' around here, you'd think, "Sure, she's got everything."

>>2577462
Let's pick up something for ourselves then.
Maybe a musical instrument!
We can try and get Lyra to teach us how to play!

>>2577517
We already have that drawing for Lyra, so we should get something for Bonbon. We are a guest of her parents so the polite thing to do would be to get them something, but I have no idea what.

>>2577542
Probably this. Something small for Bonbon and maybe her people

>>2577652
>>2577542
What, though?
There's tons of little trinkets we can get.
Do we even have any idea what they like?

>>2577669
We have absolutely no idea what they like. It might be best to wait until the last day for us to get them something.

>>2577669
We should probably forget it and move along. Nobody buys gifts for people when they just go out on a stroll to interrogate the local witch.

>>2577678
That actually sounds like the best plan, yeah.
Maybe hit up Lyra for some info on her future folks and her future wife.
>>2577541
I kinda like this idea though.
Might be cute.

Just remember that we haven't even gotten our first paycheck yet. We likely don't have much cash.

>>2577695
Cute but doesn't seem very practical right now

You rack your brain for ideas. Maybe something musical for Lyra? A fancy fashion accessory for her mom? What about Bonbon? And there's no guessing what Lord Travis is into... Lyra's family is so loaded, would they even appreciate any of it?

You decide to wait to get to know them better, but as you stroll through the bazaar, you spot a stall of musical instruments. You know Lyra specializes in strings, so maybe you could get one for her here? Maybe she could teach you to play? Of course, you'd look like an idiot lugging one along with you up to the estate. Ah, the things we do for love.

Of strings, there's an Earth guitar here, and two items of Equestrian origin. One resembles Chinese guqin, though the vendor tells you it is of Griffon design. The other is a Zebra instrument, best likened to an autoharp.

>>2577786
You also spot a fourth curiousity: a pale green guitar pick carved from horn. This would certainly make a good complement to Lyra's strings collection.

>>2577806
It's like finding a 1918 Chatterleu Ex-Dragoon in the nugget pile at Big 5.

Inquire Within.

>>2577786
>autoharp
Oh shit we gotta get that.
Also check out the pale green guitar pick I guess.
Just out of curiosity, how does Lyra play her lyre? IIRC the lyre is traditionally played with a plectrum, and is usually strummed in chords. Or are you assuming she plucks the strings like a harp?

>>2576705
Hey Leth. You /are/ Lethallin in Tribes, right?

>>2577806
This for now. Maaaaybe make a mental note about the earth guitar later if we go back for stuff for bonbon.
There's no way Lyra wouldn't be all over a us smacking around a human instruments with our human hands.

>>2577854
Oh shit sorry guys didn't mean to crash your quest.

>Reddit wordfilters to le Reddit on Ponychan

we ded
new horse where?

>>2577876
... you kidding me me?

>>2577898

>>2576713

>>2577850
I've seen it done both ways, though I imagine a pony hoof would make a natural plectrum. Of course, Lyra being a unicorn, she can manipulate individual strings with her magic.

>>2577873
>>2577898
Stay a while and listen!

Writing response.

>>2577806 >>2577865
As interesting as the strange instruments are to you (not to mention the familiar panty-melting Earth guitar), you decide to settle for something more nuanced: the guitar pick.

The vendor seems surprised at first when you inquire about it, and he gladly hands it over to you for what seems a largely nominal price. He almost seems glad to be rid of it.

Back to the estate, finally?

>>2578023
Awww...
I was hoping we could get a bit more info on that autoharp.
I'm assuming it's scaled so that a pone or pone sized creature could play it?

>>2578023
>He almost seems glad to be rid of it.
Uh oh. Let's go back to the estate.

>>2578047
It is shaped to accommodate equine form, and isn't all that much smaller to the Earth equivalent, owning to the need for a more generous space for hoof-based manipulation, but it operates on the same principles.

Also, damned 503s.

we're back

>moot in charge of server stability

>>2578023
Yes go back

Heading back to the estate is fairly uneventful. You do peek into Pony Joe's to see if Rarity is still there—she isn't.

Inside, you can't even get your coat off entirely before you find Lyra hanging off of your shoulders by her hooves. "Where WERE you? Having fun without us?"

>>2578180
Tell her that we were exploring around this area of town. Give Lyra the drawing and the pick and explain how we got them, then tell Bonbon we would have gotten her stuff too if we knew what she liked. Lyra said us so I'm assuming Bonbon's around somewhere.

>>2578214
Seconded

>tfw two players and you're bad at decision making

"So where's Bonbon and your mom?"
"They're relaxing in the hot tub, actually. I thought I'd go check out the old music room while they did that, and then... well, I kinda sensed you were here. Weird, now that I think about it." Lyra ponders this for all of a second. "Join me in the music room? We'll have a bit of privacy, and maybe you can try that pick."

>>2578214
I'd suggest leaving out the bit about Bonbon unless we're asking, but for the most part that sounds like the best option.

>>2578430
"Sure."

>>2578430
Sounds like a plan.

Wow, what the hell? It cut off the first two thirds of the post.

>>2578214
You explain to Lyra that you were exploring town, and even show her the gifts you got for her. She's intrigued by the sketch of your hands and has you hold them up to compare.
"Wow, I can't believe you bumped into Rarity! Too bad she can't see what else those hands can do, huh?" Lyra gets a dirty grin on her face.

"I've never really used picks, but darn if this thing doesn't look rad awesome." She admires the guitar pick, examining its etched design closely. It looks like a skull with two spiral horns coming off of it. "That design, it must be minotaur. They hold this between their fingers to play a string, same as humans."

and then
>>2578430

>>2578461
>It looks like a skull with two spiral horns coming off of it
...Are we really going there?
Are we gonna have to have a guitar battle against Pony Satan and have him pay our rent?

>>2578442 >>2578454
The music room has a much warmer atmosphere to it, owing to the simpler architecture of flat planes hewn from dark wood. Most likely due to acoustics.
"Yeah, my parents spoiled me and built a big room. They support most of my interests." She pulls you to an opening in the center, getting a kind of look in her eyes. Her horn glows and you can hear the faint snap of the door locking. "Most of them, anyways."

Business, or pleasure?

>>2578536
Business. Her parents mansion is a horrible place for us to fuck. Tell her we figured out that it's possible to get a discrete taxi to where we need to go but aren't sure how to go about hiring one.

>>2578503
Hey, it's a good contingency if the job with Bonbon doesn't work out!

No, I'm joking. It's just a guitar pick.

>>2578536
Business.
The last thing we wanna do is get caught fucking her by her parents.
I mean, shit. That's like the worst possible option.
>>2578572
But we didn't buy the guitar!

also aww

>>2578614
>>2578565
But who knows when the next time you'll have a chance for sweet waifu lovin' will be!

>>2578637
It'll come.

>>2578565
"Here? Now? In your parent's mansion?" You question Lyra even as she pulls you towards the floor, but you stop her with a gentle grasp on her eager hooves.
"Well, where else we gonna do it? It's not like we can up and leave for a hotel."
"We have to talk about the AEIOU."
"Oh sunspots, yeah, about that." She slumps down and just lies on her back.
"It's a mess downtown. I think we can get a taxi, but I'm not sure. Will they send one out for you?"
"I called them to let them know I was in town. I'd just have to call them again to arrange a pickup."
"And you have a cover story?"
"Uh, yeah, like, um... transCendenZ guild meetup. Yeah. Parents and Bonbon don't care for the game at all."

"So, Anon... They said they wouldn't ask me to bring the father in, unless I wanted to... you're coming with me, right? I mean, I don't know what kinds of things they'll be doing." Lyra curls up a bit, shaken at some unspoken fear.

>>2578689
Of course we'll go. We can even use going to the convention as an excuse, maybe we can meet some other humans there.

>>2578689
Of course we'll go.
Also, how far is Lyra in her pregnancy?
We might not be able to hide it for much longer...

>>2578712
What convention?

>>2578689
Fuck yes we're going

>>2578730
Think he meant guild meetup

>>2578746
Preeeetty sure that that's just an excuse.

>>2578757
Of course it's an excuse.

>>2578730
I assume he means the guild meetup thing.
Though I was under the impression that that was mostly a humanophile thing though, and there wouldn't be that many actual humans.
That said, Lyra simply dragging us along to show us off still works as a cover story. I'd be a bit worried about BonBon trying to tag along with intent to try to keep us from being mobbed by her guildmates.

>>2578730
Your best guess is Lyra's been pregnant for over a month. Ponies have longer gestational periods, so it's not evident yet. However, you know that between your meeting, and her hiding it for a long while, not to mention the logistics of having to get her test results to the AEIOU, she's probably further along than you'd like to admit.

>>2578757
>cover story
>guild meetup
"We can even use going to the (guild meetup) as an excuse (to accompany Lyra)"

You recall that the popular MMO has a cross-world playerbase, not to mention both you and Lyra have player accounts on it. Yes, you're even in the same guild! The two of you meeting with fellow guildmates IRL is a totally sensible outing. There might even be other humans there, or at least anthrophiles who'd take an interest in you.

"Well, of course, I'm coming with you!" You reassure her and stroke her mane. "I'm not going to make you go through this alone."
"They'll know you're the father."
"I don't see what's wrong with that."
"Okay." She still seems pensive. "But you don't have to, you know? I mean, I don't deserve it. So if you don't want this responsibility, I won't force you to take it."

>>2578921
"I want to go."
There isn't actually a guild meetup, is there?

>>2578921
>cross-world playerbase
Eh?
Explain, please?

>>2578936
No there is not

>>2578936
There is no meetup. Lyra is lying to her parents and Bonbon.

AGAIN.

>>2578947
Earth and Equestria are separate worlds. You immigrated from Earth. That an MMO game transcends this boundary is motherfuckin' magic.

Are we close to wrapping up for the night?

Yeah, we should call it here. With the late start and the 503s and dead thread shenanigans, I am a bit worn out.

>>2578921
Reassure the hell out of that equine that we are going

>>2578980
>That an MMO game transcends this boundary is motherfuckin' magic.
ogod
How the hell does that work?
...What does that mean on Earth?
Do they know the existence of Equestria?
I mean, there evidently is a thriving human culture in Equestria, but...
i don't understand
help plz

>>2578936 >>2579005
You lean down and kiss her. Not one of those sloppy, no-idea-what-you're-doing, trying-eat-the-same-hot-dog, the-lights-are-off-I-hope-this-isn't-a-nostril kisses, but a simple liplock that transfers an inordinate warmth between yourselves. It almost hurts to pull away so you can tell her,
"I want to go."

It's the first real smile you've seen from her since arriving in Canterlot.

[end]

>>2579022
Yes.

>>2579002
Aw. It was a good go despite the technical difficulties

>>2579035
Same time next week?

>>2579022
I guess the simplest way to put it is: it's like Stargate.

>>2579056
Same horsefucker time
Same horsefucker channel

I need to focus my material, got all these unnecessary details worming in.

http://pastebin.com/cd1hAeip

I'd also like to hear feedback about the bonus scene.