There are Poe fans here?? just when I thought this place couldn't get anymore awesome! =D Also MY NAME IS PINKIE PIE AND I PINK OFF. Whatever that means!
(Sign-Up and OOC Discussion Thread) The land is Equestria, and it's about a year following the "Discord Incident" that swept across the equine kingdom. Ponies were getting comfortable again, getting used to their happy ways of life. This, of course, meant that the Order which you had all joined, would soon have an agenda once again. Agent Doo has come by to Zephyr, and Emerald Swirl in order to deliver paper summons. Eleven has received the order in a more mental capacity, feeling drawn and compelled to carry out the request. Perfect Melody, currently taking residence in the Ever-Free Chaos Sanctum, would be seen by Eight Star personally. "Agent Zephyrus, I hope the day finds you well, and I hope you've put the 200 bits I sent you last week to good use. The time has come for you to earn your keep. Your presence is requested at the Shaded Stall in Gallopmere, where you shall meet with three other agents; a quiet unicorn colt, a pony mare performer, and a pegasus mare. Once you've all met there, agent Marshmallow Cream will arrive and deliver further instructions. Looking forward to your success, Eight Star Zephyr, who has until now been "on payroll" to find and acquire certain objects to sent back to the Sanctum, wouldn't have too long of a flight to the grand yet grim city of Gallopmere. "Agent Emerald Swirl, I know I requested that you go and find the Ghost Tulip, but I need you to abort and head to the Shaded Stall in Gallopmere. A task of utmost importance requires multiple agents. You will meet three agents who you will be working with in a task I need taken care of; a quiet unicorn colt, a pony mare performer, and a pegasus colt. Once you've all met there, agent Marshmallow Cream will arrive and deliver further instructions. Looking forward to your success, Eight Star Emerald Whirl, since the "incident" which brought her to the Order, hasn't really wanted for much since then. She's been able to make a number of potions while using the alchemical tables set in the lower levels of the sanctum. While currently off to find the Ghost Tulip in the Forest of Woe part of the Ever-Free, she didn't seem any harder to find for Agent Doo than normal. It wouldn't be too long of a flight to Gallopmere, at least. Eleven got a much more wordless message, more strewn with the images of the other agents in his head, and the meeting place. He could clearly see the inside of the Shaded Stall, and the streets of Gallopmere. His relationship with Eight Star had more understanding than his friendships with others, since the crimson master of the arts could clearly understand the telepathic communication, and Eight Star was to this point the only pony Eleven's been able to communicate with on a long range scale. While not able to quite send messages so far yet, he does receive helpful quotes from ES now and then. To Gallopmere he went. Perfect Melody would probably be practicing on the Sanctum's piano when Eight Star approached her. "Melody! Sounding lovely as usual. However, I need you to do something for me. I've been letting you and Grey Mane stay here for the past who-knows-when, and I've noticed that you have some talents that I could really use in Gallopmere. I have three other agents meeting there at the Shaded Stall, so I need you to meet them there." After a quick description of the other agents, he gives Melody a pouch of 200 bits and sends her on her way. After a heart-felt goodbye with Grey Mane, it'd be off to Gallopmere. ------------ Gallopmere; Just in Time Gallopmere was a large, old-style castle city, much like Canterlot. However, while Canterlot was made of much brighter and beautiful stone working, Gallopmere had a lot of old stone work in it, and carried with it a dark grey color. As with the color difference, the society here was much different. There were hardly any colorfully-dressed ponies in funny hats and suits, and many more of the plain nude that most ponies in other places had. The Shaded Stall was a wooden structure that seemed like it wasn't in the most prime location for business. However, the door was open... and the staff was there. It was as if the summons arrived to each pony in perfect timing. Even Zephyr, who had an unexpected air chase to shake off on the way, arrived just in the same timing as the others. In the center of the small bar was a rounded table set for four, with a reservation card in the center. The card was black, with the silver 8-pointed star insignia; the sign of the order. The meeting was called, and the four of you were there, just as planned.
Eleven approached the table and threw a knowing nod at each of the other agents. He didn't speak but smiled warmly, indicating they join him with an outstretched hoof. Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2
Perfect Melody walked towards the table. Looking at her surrounding she thought to herself. Grey Mane would fit right in here... And smiled.
Emerald Whirl trotted into the Shaded Stall with a huff. Eight Star could never seem to get her name right, and this time was no exception. She sighed as she made her way to the table where there were already two other ponies present, a unicorn and an earth pony. I guess these are the “quiet one” and “the performer”, she thought to herself. At least they both seemed friendly enough, as the unicorn in particular seemed to be smiling. As she drew closer to the table, she felt a tickle in her brain and felt more at ease. She didn’t recognize the other ponies as friends, but that was understandable as she was usually in the forest examining the various flora that could be found there and spent very little time in the dorms of the Sanctuary. Remembering that she was one of two pegasi that were supposed to be there, she spoke up. “Hi. I’m Emerald Whirl.”
A hoof shake. A deep green gem. A number. Eleven. The images drifted to the fore of Emerald Swirl's mind. 'Greetings Emerald', they said. 'I am Eleven'.
Melody smiled a bit more, then gained a serious face. "Greetings! Perfect Melody at your service!" She bowed a bit then went back to normal.
Emerald Whirl unfortunately doesn't have the required Willpower to understand telepathic communication outright. Spoiler: Willpower Check Dice Roll = 15, Result = 17 Thoughts that weren't her's were entering her mind. Images, memories? She got the number Eleven, but other than that it just became confusing. It probably shook her concentration for a moment to miss what Melody was saying. Eleven would be so used to communicating with Eight Star and the other telepaths that it would be a surprise to realize that Emerald Whirl about got none of that. Perhaps the suggested method of putting his horn to the target's forehead may work. Creating the direct bond would assure communication with literally anypony.
Emerald shook her head. She had suddenly been distracted by green gems and numbers. "Uh, I'm sorry... The weirdest thing just happened... Um what were your names again?"
"My name is Perfect Melody! Pleasure to be of your aquaintance!" She smiled a gentle smile before thinking out loud. "So then. What is this 'Mission'?"
The cobalt colt approached the table set forth in the center of the room. Four seats were placed around the table; one on each side, and three of the four seats seemed to have a pony standing adjacent to it. Among the group were two mares, and a stallion. Counting himself, there were an equal number of males and females among the newly born bunch. Zephyrus, regarding this information as useless at the current point in time, cast it aside and approached one of the mares who stood by the table. Standing in place, yet wobbling ever so slightly, she seemed rather dazed from some unseen phenomenon. Quickly shaking her head and regaining her composure, she went on to ask the rest of the group a question; being the second to vocalize her thoughts. Zephyrus looked around at the group, one of which remained silent despite the question, and began to answer. "Th' name's Zephyr, pleased to meet y'all." He said with a friendly smile before turning to look at Eleven. "Er, I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch your name though."
Suddenly, and much without warning, the Tavern doors burst open. A pastel blue pegasus with a creamy yellow mane and tail pounds her hooves into the wooden floor as she skids to a halt. Her poofy mane bounces back as she lifts her head up, drawing a parchment from her breast-pouch and slaps it on the floor with brazen vigor. She looks down and up a few times and smiles, speaking excitedly. "It appears I am in the right place!" Her cutie mark shows as three marshmallows bunched up, and she wears an over-eccentric grin. "I hope you weren't waiting for me for too long!"
Perfect Melody turned to the Pony. Was this Pegasus thier business in Gallopmere? "Um... Who are you?" She had never been so confused. She was given a description of the 'Other agents' but that was it. She heard not of this Pony.
Perfect Melody tapped her chin with her right fore-hoof. "Any more details you can give us with this task?"
Zephyr looked on as the pastel blue pegasus tore through the door of the tavern and slid across the ground. She seemed to be rather flamboyant and full of energy. She conversed lightly with Perfect Melody as Zephyr drifted through his thoughts for a moment completely oblivious to their discussion. The messenger smiled and tucked the note into her pocket. "Wait, what're we doing?" Zephyr snapped back to reality and rushed towards the messenger. He grabbed the note out of her pocket and peered at it for a moment. (A description of the writing please)
OOC: Sorry forgot about this, busy, busy, busy... ;l IC: Eleven sighed inwardly at Emerald's confusion and took little solace in the dramatic appearance of the delivery girl. He did however look up at the mention of a crypt and a white tome. How interesting. Magical.
She seemed shocked that one would just take the note from her pouch! "Hey there! Hand-written message from Eight Star, here! Get your hooves off it!" Though her yelling did her little good as she tried to snatch it back, and failed. Spoiler: To Hit Vs Dodge 14 Vs 84 "Dear Marshmallow Cream, I need you to take a short trip to Trottenheim for me and pick up some flour and some cupcakes. Chocolate, preferably, and hopefully some jellybeans if they have them. On your way back, make a stop in Gallopmere and meet four agents there, please. There should be two pegasi, a male and a female, one quiet unicorn, and Perfect Melody. I think you've seen her, but I don't think she's met you. Anyway, please send them to the Blackwash Family Crypt for the White Tome. Last time I sent someone in there they left, crying about how confusing the place was to traverse. I believe my selected agents will have the skills and the knowledge to succeed where others have failed. Please make sure you let them know that this is a top priority, and incredibly important. I've heard information that somepony else wants the White Tome, but I truly need it more. If they ask, tell them that their intelligence, musical talent, and yes... even the ability to slip in will come in handy. Additionally, the White Tome, if they need a description, is a large book bound in Ivory. P.S. Don't cause a scene this time. P.P.S. Don't forget... chocolate. Looking forward to those cupcakes, Eight Star" "He'd kill me if he found out you got a hold of MY letter." She narrows her eyes at the expert pickpocket, who barely had to use his skill. ---------- Meanwhile... Spoiler: Group 2 Agent Firebolt returns to the Ever-Free Sanctum after scouting the cold mountains to the West. It was just as Eight Star had suspected, the normal herds of mountain goats were nowhere to be found. It was after that discovery that Eight Star summoned some of his newer agents back to the sanctum. He met with Throw Down, Arc Gust, Silver Shield, and Firebolt, (again,) to tell them the news. "Welcome back, agents. It's a pleasure to see you all responded so quickly. Something I have feared coming to be has occurred... and aside from disrupting my usual meals of goat milk and cheese, it also seeks to threaten all of the wild-life in the region, as well as the habitability of any pony villages in that vicinity. I've chosen you all as a semi-balanced engagement group, because I suspect there may be a bit of trouble in your task." He taps his chin with his hoof and thinks, then chuckles out-loud. "I suppose I should tell you what you're doing first, shouldn't I? Well, the four of you are to go to Andalusian Heights, which is a village nestled in the mountains off to the West by South-West." He points a hoof, like that would do anything. "You can use that city as your base of operations. Just hand the Innkeeper at the Headless Goat one of our cards and she'll give you rooms 4 and 5. Yes, two rooms. Looks like three of you will be sharing a room, though." He casts a knowing glance over the colts. "After you're all set up and comfy, you will head to Andalusian Spire, which is a big curvy mountain. There's a cavern at the top of it, and you'll have to go in, and work your way down. You're literally invading a nest of nasty critters, so stick together, and use as much caution and stealth as possible. Try not to take any confrontation head on. You can all talk to each other on the way about your own strengths and weaknesses and you'll understand why I chose the four of you for this task. You need to work your way down to the heart of the spire and plant this crystal by a black mirror. You'll know the mirror when you see it." Eight Star produces a strange red crystal that swirls with energy, levitating it over to Silver Shield for him to put in his pouch. "Take your time with this task. You don't need to stay in the spire if you're hurt or hungry and need supplies. I trust that given the time, the four of you can accomplish this task. Also, if you find any of the Andalusian Sapphires, I would love to have them." With that, the second group of four would set out from the Ever-Free Forest, and head West by South-West, in the direction of the Andalusian Heights...
Silver Shield took the red crystal, scrutinizing it for a few seconds before he put it in his pack. "Andalusian Sapphires, hm? I'll keep my eyes open." He gave Eight Star a quick smile. His employer, while a bit eccentric, valued his agents, and treated them all with respect, giving them whatever they needed -- sometimes more. He felt more like a friend than a master to Silver. Silver did his best to return the favor, always determined to accomplish more than was required. "So, can you give us more information on these creatures we'll be exterminating? I don't believe I've heard of anything similar to what you're describing." Silver turned his curious gaze to Eight Star, hungry for this new information. One of his favorite sayings was 'Know thine enemy', because it was the most important thing about a battle, mission, war, or any other kind of conflict. You can have all the strength and power in the world, but one pony who knows your weakness can take you down. Silver always made sure he had the upper hand in that respect, as often as possible. (Wait, should I change this? Can Silver talk to Eight Star still, or have we already departed?)
Zephyr folded the note up neatly in his hooves and smiled sheepishly at the pastel blue messenger that stood in front of him. Chuckling awkwardly, he placed the folded note gingerly into Marshmallow's pocket. "Eh hehe, sorry about that. I didn't realize it was private" he said as he scratched his head slowly before settling his hooves down onto the polished wooden floor. "So erm, do you want to explain the rest to everybody else or should I? No wait, this is stupid, you do it, it's your note."
Marshmallow Cream rolls her eyes. "What, the part about the White Tome being a Large Book Bound in Ivory? I figured it was a given that it'd be a white book." Then she giggles and gives Zephyr "the eye," as she lowers her tone. "Or maybe you just like to hear me talk, huh?" Suddenly she huffs and shakes her head, mumbling to herself about not making a scene. "Right, well, the last ponies who tried that place were baffled. Things were either above their smarts, or they didn't have the door-opening skills needed. Eight Star sent the group because of information gathered... and four of you stand a better chance than just one of you, right? I on the other hand, have to deliver some cupcakes and jellybeans." ------ Spoiler: Silver Shield "Ah, well, it's a bit of a wild card in that department. So many different stories of what the creatures are have circulated that they may as well be yetis..." Eight Star smirks and winks. "Don't worry. Oh, don't forget, 200 bits for each of you before you depart, and I'm counting on you, Shield, to make sure everyone stays alive."
