"It gets better," Azrael said. "Look. It references a blog by the band she ditched, Ponywood Undead, claiming that she stole all of her lyrics from Jacky's notebook before leaving. And they called you... er..." Azrael rubbed the back of his head. "What'd they call me?" Raven demanded. "...a tick." Raven blinked. "You bucking serious?"
(@Lord Architect -since we're on a new page and all.) The Unicorn's eyes briefly flashed red under his glasses, but he quickly regained his composure. "Very well. I suppose we should start again. My name is Blackheart. My company, Black Forge, owns the mining rights to this land. I understand that you may not understand our laws, as you are clearly not from Equestria, and I am willing to overlook your... whatever it is you are doing... as this particular area seems to be free of any iron ore. However, I will ask that you show me the common courtesy of answering my questions - who are you, and why are you here?" ************************************************************************************************* Cricket walked over, reading over Raven's shoulder. "Oh dear. This isn't going to end well at all. What's the writer's name? There may be time to save him... if you actually want to." ************************************************************************************************* When Nightshade's first class of the day ended, she took the opportunity to read the morning paper. Her attention was drawn to a certain article about a certain concert. She read the article calmly, folded the paper, tossed it into the trash, and headed out. "This fool is going to die for this," she thought. "Slowly and painfully."
"Some guy going by... Musical Critique. Save him from what? Angry fans and letters? I might have some savage lyrics cooking, but they're mostly for Ponywood, trying to slande-" "Hon." Maya sighed. "Nightshade." Raven's ears flopped down. "Oh. Oh, buck. You don't think she'd... kill him, right?"
Greetings Blackheart. I am Xion Technos. I was conducting an experiment into a cleaner energy source, when something went screwy and I remember falling into the event horizon of a wormhole, and ended up here. I'm just trying to get some materials to survive the trek to the nearest town. Then I can begin working on getting home.
"What did you think happened to Idle Gossip? She broke both his wings and kicked him off a cloud! I don't think she realizes I know. She was drunk when she told me about it." Cricket sighed. "Look, Shady is my best friend in the world, but quite frankly, she scares the hell out of me. I saw her smile as she cut my Captain in half. The same smile she had when she shattered my spine. It was joy. Pure joy. Raven... Nightshade loves violence." ************************************************************ Blackheart nodded as a flare rose in the distance northwest of them. "It would appear you were telling the truth, so I suppose I owe you. We have a camp nearby. You are welcome to resupply there, and you may even be able to catch a ride into town with the supply wagon."
Words began to flow through Black's mind as he reflected on the article he had just read. You are a virus spreading disease Your life is so sad - spreading lies of me I know... He thought to himself, pulling out a small bit of paper and writing them down.
"Fine. Look him up, find his office. Maya, I hate to ask this, but I need you to watch Hope for me. Raven and I will go find her... hopefully before she does something stupid." *************************************************************** Blackheart nodded. "I've worked with a lot of other companies. As long as your interests don't interfere with mine, I'm not overly concerned with where you're from. Perhaps we may even be able to make a deal? What is your business, exactly?"
Maya nodded. "Happy to watch the little one. Dusty can go find him. Please, try to be safe." (Would @Blackened Blue be willing to play this dick, by chance?)
(Ever see Reservoir Dogs?) Nightshade, not being a complete idiot, dropped the illusion that hid her scars before entering the newspaper office. A few ponies stared openly at her as she headed down the hall to Critique's office. She could hear shocked murmuring behind her, but she ignored it. After a few minutes of searching, she found the office she was looking for and knocked on the door.
(Uhh... no?) "Screw that." Asmo stood up. "I'm going to get him. I know right where the office is." "You certain?" Dusty asked. "Hey, sometimes it takes crazy to stop crazy from acting crazy. Or something. I'm going.
(Damn. I was gonna reference a scene from the movie, but it'd be lost on someone who's never seen it. Also, watch it.) Cricket shrugged. "Be ready for anything. She's a sadist. There's no telling what she'll do to him."
"My brand new truck, that's how. Let's go!" Asmo dashed out the door and hopped in the truck that Saber had built him.
Maya sat and held Hope behind the bar, cradling the foal like a mama mare. Raven hopped into the back of the truck as Asmo started it, tentacles all over the drivey bits, soon speeding off towards the office.
A few ponies at the newspaper office had begun to complain about the loud music coming from Critique's office. The publisher assured them that Critique was simply listening at the "recommended volume level," an answer which seemed to satisfy them. Had they been able to hear the muffled screams being drowned out by the blaring heavy metal, they might have been less willing to ignore the noise.
