/q/ - Quest

>>686550
>>686551
>>686552
>>686554
>"Slippy, bind this guy to the wall as sturdy as you can."

"No problem-o, m'lady," he says as he (still in the bathroom) drags mare-not-mare to the wall the mirror was on and binds him to it, while releasing himself from him.

"Yegh…" he says, sticking his tongue out and hanging his hoof in front of himself. He goes to a conveniently nearby sink to wash his hooves a little before heading out to see this tunnel.

He peers through the closet-not-closet door.

"Dude, that's sick with a capital S, I, Q, Q! Are we going down there?"

>>686553
"I know, right?! Is there anything this dude doesn't have? Also Slips, you spelled it wrong. It's C-i-k-e, dude."


>>686552
>>686554
Rushin nods, snickering at the host's misfortune. "YEah, I would probably make that same call. I mean, let's be honest, I don't know if I'd trust me with a chick's body. But thanks for coming along, I think that'll help us out a bunch."

He looks to the host, "Dude, you got to live the dream for as long as you did, but you have to admit this is kinda shady man. You can still look at yourself in the mirror but I think if she doesn't want you movin', you're not moving. Take care of 'im, Slippy, we'll bring his body back soon. And thanks for the intel man, we promise to keep this quiet."

[1d10] Perception

Roll #1 8 = 8

[1d10] Look look see see

Roll #1 6 = 6

>>686556
>>686555
"You guys are lame," the pony complains, but doesn't fight against the binding.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_bkFzz8j7I

As you start to proceed down the secret tunnel, the two of you spot a key made out of blue Aura, lodged between two pipes on the wall. Being made of Aura, it wouldn't be possible for a non-User to see this.

"Did Haietlik leave this behind?" Gaoxing asks. "I can't imagine anyone else would have, if this is his secret tunnel. Did he just drop it, or is he waiting for us, you think?"

>paused

The sun is shining today. It's unseasonably warm, actually, but the forecast is clear for the first time in weeks.

"Mom, look at this!" Aira calls to you – she's late, but it's not a rigid time schedule you're on. She's wearing a necklace that looks like a tuft of golden fur.

"You're late! Some of us have to keep to a schedule, you know!" Aria adds, angrily.

"Look! I got an actual necklace with actual fur from the Master of Witherloo!"

"It's probably fake."

"Nuh uh. Come on. I'll play a tune as we go."

Aria hurries around to the front of the cart – it's a familiar one. One that you never thought you'd see again. It's a little miracle that you could find it. With your newfound wealth, you shopped for a cart big enough for traveling, and it was there. The same cart you grew up in – your mom, Theia, traveled all over Equestria in this thing. A family bed, and enough room for her alchemy.

Jolly scrambles up the side, plugging Aira's new guitar into the side of a big safety box that contains the stone, and she starts picking out notes on her electric guitar after patting him on the head. "I bet I'll make a name for myself on the road! Better than Harp's. And next time, he'll come crawling to me."
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>>685975
Worrying about that is, fortunately, no longer your job. When it's time for you to get going, Root Fallow, your maid, brings you a dress - you don't even have to worry about putting it on yourself. Then it's onto your litter to be carried down to the private dining quarters. At least you can be sure no matter what company you have for brunch, the food will be delicious.

It's a small chamber - or as small as palace chambers come: a second floor room, with a single table by the window where you can look out and see the garden. All those fresh foods you've sampled yourself help whet your appetite, though the view does remind you that you've yet to visit the fishing pond. Soon, you'll have to resolve. Princess duties are so hard, though! They really eat up a lot of time. Besides the window, the room is circular and perhaps twenty feet across – well lit by the late morning sun. A red carpet stretches to the entrance door where a couple of the House Hatfield guards flank the threshold. Skylight won't be here to guide you through lunch since you're doing private audiences, but you can take these girls one at a time.

Your personal maid, Root Fallow, will remain here though - clearing dishes, wiping your face, and directing servers.

>>686492
I'll try not to make too much of a mess. Last thing I need is for these ponies to think Aquamarine mares are slobs. Gossip is a thing, after all, and… never mind, just don't mess up.
After taking a moment to steady myself mentally, I suppose it's time we get this luncheon started. And remember, me, you've got to smile.

>>686493
Root goes to direct in an eligible friend. She does seem like she's dressed pretty nicely, a real nose-in-the-air type, eyes closed as she strolls across the chamber! With practiced grace, she settles in opposite of you at the table.

… Is… someone supposed to say something?

The awkwardness is at least broken when the procession of trays begins – ah, your first platter, they've brought out grilled fish! It's been so long since you've had such a simple taste of home. The cooking is clearly Baldric's – how kind of him to remember you've been craving fish. Looks like there's a simple salad for your guest.

She opens one eye to squint at the grilled fish.

>>686494
I'll start us off, then.
"Thank you very much for coming on such short notice. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Ohh, that does look lovely! I can't wait to get into it. But, patience, socialization comes first. Do high-society mares do hoofshakes? I don't think they do. But we're already sitting, so curtsying is out. I suppose I'll just make eye contact and keep a cheerful demeanor.
"My name is Marina, of Aquamarine City."

>>686359
He nods thoughtfully.
"I will consult him on the matter and hope he has answers."

>>686360
"Alright. Let me know how it goes."
I take in the garden now that I'm not blinded by hunger.

>>686361
Pretty butterflies nest on exotic leaves, bees fly from one pretty flower to the next, birds chirp on the branches of these trees from distant lands…

It is so very peaceful!

>>686362
I will meditate for a bit here.

>>686363
You sit down and close your eyes… focusing on the scents, the breeze, the sounds…

You feel invigorated!

>>686620
"We were outta time, Redgrave already took Veta t'fix one o'their crew, we'd be next if i hadn't broken the lock."

>>686619

"Actually, given the byzanthine construction of their ship, we just might… assumming that rifle of yours was what tore through the ceiling. Was it?"

>>686622
"Hui blasted the armory apart with one o'their grenades, Pyrite blocked the blast but it nearly took me other hoof!"

"Glad t'see you two were outta blast range, I was half sure the rest o'the armory'd blow with it!"

>>686620
"To be honest, I think they're more likely to find a way to blow up their fuel tank than be able to torch us."

>>686621

"I see… yeah, seeing Veta out there was calling out, alright. Good work."

>>686623

"Yes, though we did still feel the effects. After it unbalanced me, that was actually the first time the minotaur got to touch since we first met… glad you came, nonetheless. Reckon it would take a while to take care of him without reinforcements. It was one tough guy, no wonder he got to be the first mate. Shame there was little time to examine him. Was looking forward to reprogramming him, in case the cyberware was extensive enough…" - the breezie trails off at that, seemingly thinking back. She comes back after a while, adding:

"Least they won't be making use of that armoury anymore."

>>686624

"Hmm… not sure if to feel glad or worried in regards to that. I reckon at the very least they wouldn't have been manning any flamers at the ready. Reckon whatever they had could've just gone with their armoury… assuming it was the only one."

>>685678
The remaining combatants (a wolf, the black jaguar, and the boa constrictor) all leap and miss the wolf as he charges past them to you, leading himself right into your trap as Triple M gives you first Tetra match the go out it deserves. You pick up the wolf in your hooves effortlessly now that you're angry, and break its back like the bat as it gives out a final, whimpered cry, the wolf knocking on death's door already as you put it on the ground, and then snap it the other way. The other animals all cringe loudly as you deliver the killing blow, looking at the shouting unicorn with confusion as their ears fold back from the noise.

The boa constrictor slithers over to the wolf's body, and once more you see the odd phenomena of the marble forming near its mouth after it passes on. The lead jaguar sighs. "It is done… they were dead long before they started this fight. May their fortune in the next life be far better."

>>685677
The grey wolf that helps you up takes another look at you, seemingly bewildered. He moves around you in a circle as you get up out of the car, ears flickering as he observes you. "You really are a pony… hahaha… hahahaha! I don't believe! Thank the Four, did you come here to help us? Do you know the Princess? Are you…" he eagerly gets in your face before you hear another snarl.

"Slider, that's enough." The lead jaguar calls back from the front where Pain Train finished off the last wolf. He turns to you. "Forgive him, he's… WE'RE not used to seeing so many of you at once."

>>685680
After Pain Train finishes off the last wolf, you are met with peculiar stares by the remaining number of the troupe. The wolf and boa closes to you turn their heads, both keeping their distance as the boa mentions, backing off slowly, "Is this one… a ghost? I don't think the Princess ever mentioned any of the Twelve were ghosts."
The wolf leers at you from the same distance as the snake, though his face seemingly more curious than his companion. "Well, I heard a story there IS a dead one but, I don't think this one is her. Definitely odd" The wolf stares to step a little closer, sniffing at you, Post too long. Click here to view the full text.

>>685683
"Boy you sure would get a kick out of coming to where we're from, I imagine. I don't know any princess, myself, just ponies with that for a name. I hardly know anyone else here, so I'll only be able to tell you what I know."

"My name's Fixer Heater, I'm a maintenance and repair expert who knows a fair bit of magic."

>>685683

>Margin leaves the vehicle and goes to Pain, nudging him in the side. Pain winces as Margin speaks to him in a hushed tone,
>"Hell of a first match, huh chief?"
"No one told me we were fighting wild animals."
>"No one told me either. Tough break. You pulled through though.
"Suppose so."
>"Now look at the folks around here. Certainly haven't pitched you to talking animals before."
"Of all the ponies, you're the one who can pull it off."
>"You're damn right about that, Pain. Go look intimidating for me."

Pain unwraps his bloodied hoofwraps and wraps it around his most apparent, bleeding injuries, hissing through his teeth.
>Meanwhile, Market Margin goes to confront the talking animals,

"You want to know who we are? Let me tell you about the greatest fighter ever to live, the SINGLE MOST adored combatant ever to grace EQUESTRIA. That's right, that donkey right there is no other than the infallible PAAAAAAAAIN TRAIN, World Championship ETF Fighter and holder of the Saddlemania Championship Belt for over a year."
Post too long. Click here to view the full text.

>>685683
Alexis continues trying to slow her breathing [more out of habit then actual need for air] after having her leg chewed up. She looks at the animals nervously as they talk about her being a ghost, backing up as the wolf sniffs at her.

"T-talking-"
"Talking animals." she says inbetween breaths.
>>685683
"There's a jaguar. *breathbreath* and he's talking to me." Alexis says, backing up against a tree, bare hoof sticking just slightly in the damp mud at its base.

>>685683
As Aether feels something prodding her muzzle, her head tilts a little, not resisting the external force. She's still breathing and hums out a quiet "Mmm…", but other than that she's motionless. It looks like she's still recovering from that eventful experience.

>>685753
>>685752
>>685750
"Hmm? Oh, oh, don't tell me!" Splitz pauses, tapping his head. "Yes, you're the ones from Circadia. You're a both bit more sober than the last time I saw you," he says to Pryce and Amy, in reference to the former's bloodmoon madness and Amy's partial demon transformation. "So, someone's after me. Wow, tell me something I don't know." Splitz reaches into a nearby chest and draws out a peculiar onyx padlock, like one from a dungeon. "So, who is it this time? A rival? A freedom fighter? A leader, perhaps? C'mon, I deserve to know. Otherwise my daughter here might be in danger, right?"

>>685751
>>685749
Observer notes that this creature is not a distinct monster, but rather a part of a deep network of a nameless, sleeping being that lives inside this whole area. This cobra can be likened to a nerve, or perhaps more accurately, a finger. The cobra circles around your group slowly, sticking out a tongue much like a real snake. Then, it lays back down on the tree, apparently uninterested in you.

>>685754
>>685752
"And HOW do you know ANY of that?" River says to Shei. Her voice is completely calm and even. Happy, even. "And why would you bring an angel onboard this ship if it's not dead? Why would you try to face it alone? So, first, you keep a sample of the world's most deadly biochemical weapon right under my nose, which I had been forced to brew after spending my ENTIRE LIFE trying to heal people. Second, you don't tell us that you kept it despite seeing firsthand all the evil that it's wrought and the horrible ways in which the afflicted die. Third, you decide it would be a good idea to SMOKE it, by yourself, in the bathroom, where it could have easily spread to any of us the moment the door opened? Are you sure you haven't been possessed by Orcus? And you have the gall to ePost too long. Click here to view the full text.

>>685756
"Please?" Shei-Sher asks with a look of desperation.

>>685758
KP rolls his head back in thought.
>"I don't knooow…"
His head drops back down to look at Shei.
>"Why don't you come with, you look like you need to eat anyways."

>>685759
Shei-Sher gets the message "I understand"
and follows Kid Pryce to the dinning table

>>684902
"Okay, so tell me about Robert's forces."

>>684903
"Robert has about 3,000 Infantry, 500 archers, and 500 light cavalry.

>>684904
"I see. If we were to defeat the brother himself, would those men join us?"

>>684906
>>684906
"Yes they would in fact, but I hope Allard, his brother will see reason."

>>684928
"You believe he can be reasoned with? He was laughing and calling Robert a fool just a few days ago."

>>685406
dig in myself.
"No, can't take credit for that. But, they are pretty much the best in the world."

>>685407
"Hmm! That they are!"
You both eat to get some energy for the road and she even has some fresh spring water to wash it down!

>>685408
Sip on the water with a clear 'aaah' sound.
"Ready to head out?"

>>685409
She nods.
"Just lead the way!"

>>685410
Into the skies we go!

>>684841
"Hmm, I made the current design with the applied mechanics, little dog. But the electromagnetics - that was all MacMeal. What did you think his specialty was, little dog? Bossing scientists around? You know I work on the ship and Gunny works on the rocket."

>>684842
In a moment of tremendous lack of concentration, you feel your standpoint on Horosha's hoof getting precarious. You look down, just in time to see you've accidentally shrunken Horosha down to your size! Unable to course correct you –

GULP

The world goes dark. You're huddled in the world's tiniest hug, tightly gripping your ninja companion, inside the terrible, stinking maw of a salmon. Gobbled up like a common river fly. At least you're going to get to ride up to the top of the waterfall.

P A U S E

>>684842
Your mother was right. It's the worst to acknowledge because it's true. You remember all those days you spent in that little cage when tutors came for "safety". And how your father had to talk her into letting you go see the world. And now you've been eaten by a common salmon. Reminded of your place at the very bottom of the food chain. The creature's thick, slimy tongue writhes on your back, but you don't slide deeper into its maw. Horosha has a tight grip on you, both arms around your body, and straddles the throat. You dragged her into this, shrinking her down to bug size, and now she's bailing you out.

The world shakes and suddenly everything turns ninety degrees. "I need some of your plant herbs. The foul ones. Hold your breath, too."

>>684841
"Space travel wouldn't even be imaginable without this kind of technology. We believe the reason we lost Toffee's Rocket was due to a failure in our measurement instruments. We were using gyroscopic balls, but there may be emergent properties up there in space we don't know about little dog. With electromagnetism, we can keep accurate readings."

>>684924
Whatever her plan is, its worth a try, fork over the smelliest herbs

>>684843
"That old Goat! I knew he had something more under that old fur he kept hiding from me. If he knows all that imagine what more he knows about electrical energy? We can change the world with this"
>>684924
"Gyroscopic balls?" my ears perk and my tail starts wagging

I look up "what are those properties? Have you guys found out anything about it yet? I guess you can't build a rocket if you don't know what you're dealing with and what goes on up there…"