Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[jaxler]

"I stole those wood carvings from somepony about 18 years ago. I kept them, because when I was getting them appraised I learned that they were created by somepony I once knew." 

[L1wW]

"Ah, I think that's everything in the chest, well thanks for all the stories, I guess I'll be off!"

[jaxler]

"Don't forget the dagger."

[L1wW]

"Don't worry, I won't!" Granite picks up the dagger and exits the building.

((End scene?))

[Psalms01]

Aftermath of this:

As Amor leaves, Virtue settles back into her work, more than a bit concerned.  If what she'd just been told was true, then the future of Dawnpick was uncertain.  Would the lands be contested?  Would there be fighting?  How much of this would she see and how much would she be tasked with dealing with?

Not for the first time since she'd come to Dawnpick, she wished there was somepony else leading the ponies here.  She'd managed so far, but how long would it be until she made a horrible mistake that cost ponies their lives?  She'd give up her title in an instant if it meant preventing something like that.  Was this going to turn into a decision like that?

She mentally sighs and sets back to work.  She was going to need some time to think about this and what it meant.  Perhaps the politics would all be above her head and she'd never hear another word of it.  But somehow, she doubted that.

((Scene ended))

The metallic painted mare gradually fled from the marble Pele tower; akin to a target of some intangible stalker’s craving within the slums of Coupledye’s capital. Most mares would give her potential evildoer the gratification of her panic as the fiend was in near cover distance. Amor was different, she would spin around and confront the villain and come out the victor. The Little Pony held the magical knowledge that could only be imparted by a Tower Unicorn and the physique ascribed to most Earth ponies. Sadly this scoundrel was only a thing of her imagination so she could only retreat. No matter what abilities she claims, the world seemed to increase in difficultly with every gain; some struggles were still nigh impossible.

   Before attracting any unwarranted attention I decelerate to a gait much as any pony on leisure would. One thing I respect about Earth Ponies, despite all the qualities they lack, a special magic surrounds them that the other castes do not have. Earth ponies’ magic not only supports animals or plants but any living form. Habitually, the magically unaware and wingless ponies were grounded firmly in the reality of our world; when Pegasi had their heads in the clouds; or Unicorns who have theirs in the umbra heavens and even Alicorns that only thought the strange way they did. Earth ponies stood out in their own way.

The Unicorn broke from her espionage instruction and progressed directly to the tenements in the center of Dawnpick. The public housing consisted of two buildings constructed from near equal combination conjured and mundane woods; adjoined by slate blocks as pathways between rooms and wooden staircases at each entrance. Her hooves clop against the slate road that is used for the ground level of the apartments and no fears gripes her heart in the narrow open-ended corridor. Most ponies were having luncheon within the legendary dining room or retuning to labor.

   I am a pony stuck in limbo of having very little to accomplish considering that there is only two mason workshops and too numerous masons; unbeknown to Virtue, she made spying unproblematic for me. …How could she exclaim that deception had anyplace in our society but declare it with such honesty, it was akin to a paradox. Before I know it my room replaces the tenement’s hall and I buck the saddlebags off; in arc they slam into the wall beside the bed. I have a shortage of patience especially to myself and the mendacity of others. I could find fault in the Baroness’s statements but all concepts maintain criticism; not in their nature but how the ponies practice them. Worse yet how I abandoned no respect for Virtue.

Amor paces the room disgusted with herself in still maintaining secrets. The nature that everypony here are unwilling and ignorant pawns in the Crown’s social experiment, that even the spy has but limited clue to, she only reports. The infiltrator of a pony looks towards her bed where the remaining contents of her bags are spilled out onto. Laid about, four posters sized cloths that display information about migration to Dawnpick and many smaller ones used by heralds who would recite the information in their native tongues. Only two posters contain Mid-Pony script; one in High-Pony and another one in Low-Pony.

   The courier from Gecekondu, a Rainbow Pony ghetto city where it was tricky to persuade her into parting with the original; but where there is a will, a way presents itself. Those Hoheitsvoll… from Deuchmeiner are a bizarre batch who cover their cutie marks but turn around and commission half a dozen nude pony sculptures in porcelain for their Frieden Kunstmuseum. And those lands beyond the great seas where I retain no autonomy in, was the hardest place to talk the… Cæ̂ng k̄h̀āw into giving me his copy. My surprise when the dark-colored Pegasus Stallion began to converse in Mid-pony and spirited me away from there.

The Unicorn shifts to the bed and transfers the evidence of her foreign exports to her hiding spot. The thought of why advertisement for immigration to Dawnpick was in such locations would have befuddled the mare if she was not occupied in the whole machinate herself. She is still skeptical to the full extent of the scheme’s reality itself, not to include that Dawnpick was months travel away from the true conflict experienced at the capital and should never touch the mare’s beloved village.

   Now the only ones that could do Dawnpick harm is its Crown, residents and traders. If I inform everypony to the nature of Dawnpick, would they still keep the will to live here? It may very well be me that endangers the only spot of light that ends the night. Maybe… I will divulge this reality with Virtue sometime next season. This is my home and my will stands, I rather fall before it does to this plot… My Dawnpick has no shadows. “After all is said and done, when nothing more can be achieve with your own hooves, then let it be and love fate.” I declare into the green-glass window with no anxiety as to who witness me spying; ironic how a fighting fire takes alight in my heart.

[Maklak]

This happens two evenings after Indigo woke after his rough night.



After that memorable night life almost went back to normal for Indigo. He was working as usual and the guards didn't shadow him anymore. With enough rest his body stopped aching. The only thing that didn't heal were his feelings. After being betrayed twice in one night, both by ponies he considered friends, he decided not to trust anypony, and was still burning with silent rage. The work offered him some relief, but it wasn't enough. By now he figured it out. It must have been Stiletto who sent that zebra after him.

He just finished his chores for the day and ate his dinner. He is headed to his room, hoping for a good night's rest. When he climbs the stairs, and turns towards his room, he sees Kat standing there. His spirit sinks. Perfect, just what I need right now. She comes to bother me again. He sighs and approaches her, seeing no hope getting into his room without confronting her. At least she isn't wearing her guard uniform, which means she is not going to lock me in my room or something. I might as well get this over with.

Kat sees Indigo approaching and gives him a worried look. "Indigo, we need to talk." She begins.

Indigo sighs and gives her a stern look. "Talk about what?"

"Everything." says Kat.

Indigo stops and thinks for a short while. "Very well." He opens the door and enters, then stops in the middle of his room and waits for her to enter and close the door.

Kat nods as she follows him into his room. "You're upset, aren't you Indigo? Very upset."

"Yes." Indigo sits on the floor, and glares at Kat, waiting for her to talk. He could tell her a lot more, but decides to restrain himself, and wait for her to begin.

Kat sits as well. Looking back at Indigo she says "Then I'm here to set things straight. I'm here to get our friendship back. We've been friends for a long time Indigo and I'm not letting that go."

Indigo sneers. "Oh really? You already made that choice." He laughs darkly. So, Stiletto sent you to gain my trust? This isn't going to work.

"I've made that choice a long time ago Indigo, the first day we met, and that choice is to be your friend. I'm not backing down from that choice now." says Kat with determination.

Indigo looks at her and after a pause says "I was pretty fond of you, when I thought you were my friend, which is why I'm even talking to you now. But three nights ago you've shown both your true colours and where your true loyalty lies. You opened my eyes, Kat. You are not my friend. You never were."

Kat sighs "Indigo, I've always been your friend. I Still am, and always will be, no matter what you think. This is probably about Stiletto right? I know you don't like her and what she does, but don't let that destroy our friendship! Because I'm not her."

Indigo's anger begins to show. "Not her? You accept her ‘morals’ and 'values' as your own, without even seeing any problem with that, speak her language, call her 'your love', tell me she is your best friend and is always there for you, kiss her and who knows what else, yell at me for 'insulting' her, and still tell me this is not about her? You wouldn't even leave me alone when I ask for it, and still dare call yourself my friend? I will not associate myself with Stiletto or the likes of her. Friendship requires loyalty, and you are loyal to her." Indigo stops ranting, and just glares.

Kat bites her lower lips as she bites down her tears. "I accepted her morality, but not all of it. As much as you might think otherwise Indigo, I can still think for myself. And I'm loyal to you as much as I'm loyal to her. I would've just stopped bothering you and leave you to your misery, if I didn't care. But don't you see that it's tearing me apart inside to see you walk home looking like a corpse, and knowing that it's because of me?"

Indigo softens a bit at that. How much of this is acting and how much is sincere? "Part of it is because of you, but not all of it. I know the main culprit is her. But you can't be friends with two enemies. At some point that always puts you in a position where you have to choose between them. You made that choice." I'm not good enough of a manipulator to try and keeps her close and learn from her about Stiletto. Much safer to just be sincere with her. A few conflicting emotions show on Indigo's face.

Kat sighs softly again, with a look of guilt on her face "I know, that part of it came from me as well Indigo... I won't lie and say that I'm not wrong one bit, but we all make mistakes. I just want us to be friends again. I know that we probably won't be able to get back to where were were again, at least not in a long while, but you're a good friend to me Indigo, and I don't want to lose that... There's always a neutral ground. We can be there together, instead of fighting each other." She says as her face softens up slightly into a sad smile. "I miss having Lunch breaks with you Indigo... and when we chill out after work in the evening... and when we share stories together..." Recalling the memories was enough to make her tears begin to form, but she's struggling to not break down and be a pathetic crying foal in front of him. "I miss having you as my friend Indigo." She finishes, not wanting to sob out words.

Ah, so this is about her loosing something and wanting it back, not about something she has to offer or share. After a long silence Indigo says. "I do not want to be your enemy, but friendship requires trust." He frowns "I do not find it within me to trust you." Why is her pain both satisfying to me and hurting me, shouldn't it be one or the other?

Kat nods sadly at that. It could've gone a lot worse, but it's still not good enough for her. "I'm sorry." she whispers and sobs softly, trying to bite away the sadness, so she can continue talking. "It's my fault, but I want to fix it... I want you to trust me again. Our friendship is a treasure to me Indigo. I don't want it gone..."

Indigo gives her a long look, remembering all the things she said about not crossing the ocean to be restricted, and the things she said to Stiletto, and her yelling at him. It was a stark contrast to her looking broken on the floor. I'm not sure what to think anymore. "Trust can be earned and spent. As to you not wanting it gone, there are choices in life. Sometimes you have to choose between two things, and can't have them both, even when it is difficult for you to accept. Especially when it is difficult to accept." Indigo sighs.

"There's always a neutral ground, where two things can co-exist Indigo. There's always a way. Maybe it will cost a bit of both sides in order to be neutral, but there's always a way..."

“You are far from neutral in this.” Indigo adds, looking a bit confused. "At least tell me, why do you find her so appealing. I just don't understand it. She is causing trouble, and talking nonsense. There is only one true way of marriage and sex: one mare and one stallion. Married. Any deviations from this rule cause problems, like divorce, unwanted foals and worse. Friesden incident is a glaring example that only bad things can come out of debauchery. So why do you still cling to Stiletto?"

"Because... Indigo, I love her. She was raised that way, what is she supposed to do about that? I admit that her way contrasts against some of my ideology as well, but every method has it's own pros and cons. No method is perfect, and I just want to act on my heart. If I love somepony, then I love that pony. And if having other ponies to love her will make her happy, then I'm happy that she's happy as well. I understand if you're disgusted by that thought, but not everypony is raised the same. For example, where I'm from, I'd be shunned and probably stoned to death just for wanting to join the guards!"

Indigo listens barely understanding the meaning behind Kat's words. He understands "I love her" though. Love makes ponies do and accept some things blindly. "And why can't she just marry Flux or Glyph or whoever, and be done with it?"

"Same reason why I couldn't just join the militia back in my homeland and be done with it. Things like that doesn't exist where she's from."

"What do you mean by that? Marriage is universal. Are you seriously suggesting, she doesn't understand even obvious things like that? Because she doesn't strike me as feeble-minded."

"It's just how she was raised. Monogamy just contrasts what's been taught to her. It'll be like telling you to marry more than one mare."

"WHAT? None of this makes any sense. Marrying more than one mare... absolutely not. They would fight, and I couldn't make up my mind. Even if there was a war and almost all bucks died... just no. Some things are simply wrong, and that's it. Besides she came to us. Even if you honestly believe this, which I don't, it is her who should adjust or leave. Not cause problems." Indigo frowns, and looks angry again.

Kat sighs "Sometimes, you need to learn to accept new things Indigo. Both you and her..."

"The only thing I'm willing to accept about her is the water purifier, which as it happens I helped to build. As for you... no, this is too much. Just leave." Indigo opens the door behind Kat with telekinesis.

After leaving, Kat feel down... very down. To her, it feels like it was so close... and yet so far. She failed to repair what's left of their friendship, not even to it's neutral spot. Kat, you're such a failure. she thinks as she walks away with her head hung low. There once was a Kat whose smile would lift a pony's day, whose dance would bring smiles, whose voice would bring joy... That Kat is not this one.




Indigo watches Kat leaving broken and without another word. He closes the door behind her, and remains motionless for a long while. Their conversation was upsetting, but gave him a lot to think about.

She speaks to me of neutral ground, but there isn't any, or rather the predominant freedom of this place is as neutral as it gets. This 'neutral ground' Kat speaks about must mean that she wants me to turn a blind eye to Stiletto’s excesses, but how could I? If I won't oppose wrongness, I'll be guilty of letting is spread, and not even trying to set things right.

Should I attribute Stiletto's behaviour to malice or stupidity? She isn't stupid, that's for sure... Kat would have me believe, there is a whole nation of sluts, who don't even know what marriage is. Impossible, it would collapse quickly. Just... impossible. And even if this absurd were true, marriage doesn't exist where Stiletto is from, and ponies have sex like animals, with whomever they want, marriage does exist here. Can't Stiletto be made to understand it? Can't Kat explain this to her, if she calls herself Stiletto’s friend? After all, telling each other of their mistakes, is part of what friends are for.

Even I were to believe that Stiletto is just misguided and not evil, why would I adjust to her? It is Stiletto, who is a stranger among us, not me. I'm already pretty lenient about other ponies giving in to lust, but her level of debauchery simply can't be tolerated. Sooner or later it will lead to a disaster. It always does.

There are good reasons for keeping mares out of the military. Mares... mean foals. Fighting or even training can cause miscarriage and besides foals often follow their mothers, even when they are on guard duty. There hasn't been any tragedies in Dawnpick yet, but Rondel got caught up in a fight at least twice, when following Naginata. A dead foal always upsets ponies more than a dead adult soldier. The reason for keeping mares out of the military is to avoid such tragedies. Indigo remembers the foal in New Saddle, who was impaled on a spear, because she wanted to follow mummy into that special training room, which killed some animals earlier. He feels sadness of that day again. On the other hoof, being shunned for wanting to join the military I can understand. A soldier is an unpleasant occupation and meant for taking lives, while mares give life. But being stoned to death for even just questioning this is simply wrong. Of course assuming she told the truth, and didn't exaggerate. On yet another hoof Kat isn't married, so foal accidents aren't an issue for her now, but they can be in the future. Though I wouldn't put it past Kat to get pregnant even without a husband...

In any case, Kat said something about being freedom-less in her homeland, but she has freedom here. Why is this not enough for her without doing outrageous and stupid things? Does she have so much freedom, compared to what she is used to, that she just doesn't know where to stop? It is rather unsettling, that Kat has so many explanations for Stiletto’s perversion and craziness. Some of it might even sound reasonable to a more gullible pony. Sadly, Kat seems fully converted to Stiletto’s ideology. I tried to warn her. If Kat wants to be Stiletto’s lap pony, there is no stopping her, but why would she want to be my friend at the same time? She seemed sincere about it, but what can I do? I tried to explain to her, that she has to choose, because I certainly don't want any of their corruption. I even made that choice for her, but to no avail.

Marrying more than one mare... what nonsense. Did she seriously think, I'd find that tempting? A young and stupid buck maybe, but me? That would be just... too many complications, even if it wasn't amoral. Indigo looks at the floor with watery eyes. Besides, I have trouble finding even one. I'm just unlucky with mares. Those suitable for marriage, always choose another pony. This line of thought is rather depressing, so Indigo moves on, rather than scratch an old wound.

I don't do evil, but don't do much good either, apart from working. Stiletto’s group is either very smart, or there really is some good in them. Even Glaive said, Flux is alright, and his traps greatly contribute to our safety. Even though traps are meant to take life, those bandits are so ferocious, that the militia would have to kill them anyway. Glyph adopted an orphan. Kat is... nice. Even Stiletto herself has good manners, and all things considered seems rather reserved. Should I remain diligent, or give them all the benefit of the doubt? Spending time with Kat was nice and I'll miss it, but how could I pretend that nothing happened, and associate myself with the likes of Stiletto? Should I give Kat a chance? Talk with her some more? Inquire further about this 'neutral ground' she has in mind? I just don't know anymore. I... I need to know more.

Eventually tiredness from a full day of work overwhelms Indigo, and he goes to sleep. That night he has no dreams.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

 
Are you guys going to publish the big party scene? It hasn’t been edited in a week.

[Telgin]

Virtue hums quietly to herself as she sorts through the latest stack of mail that arrived with the last caravan.  Most of it was mundane or routine, but one particular letter catches her eye: a notice of a wanted criminal.  She reluctantly opened the note and read the contents, and her heart sinks.  In particular, mention is made of a pony with black fur, a red mane, red eyes, a violent disposition, a dagger and a cog for his cutie mark, huge burn scar on his side, and who always carries around an old crossbow.  He is considered very dangerous.

There was only one pony in Dawnpick that matched that description, and he matched it too well to ignore: Jaxler.  He was wanted for major theft... at least it wasn't for something like murder.  But what would she do?  Should she bring Jaxler in for questioning or ignore the new letter?  Jaxler had his problems in the past, but he'd mostly come to terms with everything in Dawnpick and hadn't caused any violent upsets in a long time.

She lets out a long sigh and stares at the letter for some time.  It... was probably best to talk to him about it.  She wasn't convinced she was going to arrest him or anything like that... but she needed to talk to him.  And if he became violent... she didn't want to be alone.  She could go find Partisan or somepony else in the guard to find him, but maybe somepony in the militia would be better.  He might not suspect anything if one of them asked him to come see her.

She stands and makes for the door, hoping she could find somepony in the militia mostly covertly.  Jaxler was probably sleeping off a drinking binge right now anyway.

[Kryptid]

A copper-furred unicorn paced down the dark, stone-floored hallway, the only light being the greenish glow cast from her telekinetic magic. The energetic aura she emitted from her spiral horn was being used to carry her weapon of choice; a mildy-worn axe with a noticeable chip in one of its dull, silvery blades. She planned on having it sharpened after all of the use she put it through. Though it was composed of tough metal, hacking through bones year after year had taken its toll on the edge.

"Don't worry, I'll get you back into blood-spilling shape soon enough," Sarissa hummed to herself with a smirk.

[Telgin]

As Sarissa makes her way along to the weaponsmiths to have her weapon tended to, she bumps into Virtue, who is just leaving the empty barracks.  Virtue flags her down with a  worried wave of her hoof and trots over to her.  "Sarissa, I'm glad to see you.  I... need your help.  Have you seen Jaxler lately?"

[Kryptid]

Having accidentally walked into Virtue, Sarissa's eyes widened as she knelt slightly.

"Lady Virtue! Forgive me for my clumsiness, I'm afraid that I was stuck in a day dream for a moment there..."

She returned to her upright stance.

"Jaxler...I'm afraid that I've haven't seen him since yesterday."

Sarissa's expression then grows into a smile, waiting attentively as though she were a puppy looking into the eyes of her master.

"I would be more than happy to help you with anything you may have need of, my Lady! Just say the word!"

[Telgin]

Virtue cringes mentally at the small bow, but decides not to say anything.  Telling ponies to stop doing it hadn't gotten her anywhere, so she was just going to have to get used to it.  She gives Sarissa a nervous glance before looking over her shoulder.

"Um, thank you Sarissa.  Could you go find Jaxler for me and bring him to my office?  And... if you could... try not to make it a scene.  Just tell him I want to see him, okay?"

[Kryptid]

She raised one of her eyebrows, "Make a scene? What'd he do, exactly?"

Her interest grows.

[Telgin]

"I... I'm not sure.  He's just... been known to be excitable is all." Virtue flounders over her words for a moment.  "It's nothing, sorry, just ask him to come see me.  And... come with him, please."

[Kryptid]

She was hoping for something a little more interesting than a simple retrieval task, but Sarissa would do anything for her Lady.

"As you wish, Lady Virtue."

She gives a final bow before making off to the first logical place to search; Jaxler's room.

"Looks like that sharpening will have to wait for a few minutes. Be patient, my dear," Sarissa tells her levitating axe before kissing it softly.

[jaxler]

Jaxler woke up, he was on the floor next to his bed. He got up and realized that he had a nasty head ache and didn't remember list night. he then took in his surroundings, there was an empty barrel of booze of in the corner, and his crossbow was under it. He also noticed that there was a large dent in the wall and his cabinet was knocked over. Jaxler went over and inspected his crossbow and sighed when he found it was unharmed. Then Jaxler heard a loud knock on his door.

"WHO'S THERE?"