Quill had practically lived in the palace for most of his adult life, and found himself amazed at Eight Star's creation. "I'm impressed, Eight Star. Your memory is impeccable."
As everyfox (and pony) wonders down the hallway, there's a few minutes of this strange duality for Tyro to float through while piloting what was merely a small, plastic figure a minute ago. The palace was noticeably clean and luxurious. Perhaps it's more noticeable to the scruffy fox that things didn't have a layer dust in the areas where it would require work and effort to clean. Although, so would the floors which could have been used as a mirror. As with other hallways here, paintings of either ancestors or important events filled wall space while also giving an aristocratic atmosphere of wealth and power. Arc was just irritated with Canterlot as a whole. Apparently practice is "unlawful and reckless use of civic property". What? A pegasis can land on a roof and it's fine but he can't climb up a shop sign to warm up? It was a perfect hoof hold and he rarely ever causes any property damage. The guards were just being overly cautious. Some ponies like to procrastinate by seeing how high they can get. Pegasi have had that game for years! But he's gotten to see all this vaingloriousness on his first trip to Canterlot. The shiny, expensive and aged items on display all held next to no interest for the pony that was more interested in whether he could get down the corridor playing 'The Floor is Lava'. Ancient vase? Not taking any note when that pair of curtains looks strong enough to take his weight. But, to focus on matters at hand, small talk and new details would be needed. His last job taught him that. "Has there been any word on Princess Celestia? You'd think she'd try to get help by now." Tyro was horridly excited by how easily he was able to just pull details out like that. But not like words on a screen and he was merely reading through a data file about Arc, it was filtering through his own minds eye like he had an external mind in here. A connection to a secondary memory and he wasn't quite able to distinguish between what he was making up and what pre-existed. Although, it felt like an overwrite of identity here. Like his life before had no weight to it here, and was simply baggage he hadn't left at the door yet. He wondered if everypony (or dog) else was experiencing the same dwindling duplicity.
Dark Shine, or more, Rifter looked around in shock. This was amazing. He still had wings so it wasn't too odd but... No hooves... It felt... Odd but natural. "Very intiguing... I am impressed." His voice was deeper. Much deeper.
'No! Stop it' Jhera argued in his head, but it was to no avail. He couldn't grasp a hold on his new body, and Power kept trying to make him do potentially embariassing acts. 'You know what,' Jhera thought, 'this is just all a big game, isn't it? Nothing bad could happen to him! Besides, he was Power now, no longer the timid flower shop owner in the real world. He pulled out the metal rod and stuck it in his mouth, giving it a few test swings. It was a horrid thuling to do, but he couldn't help it. Leaving the rod sticking out of both sides of his mouth, he said "Pho, anyphony know iph anyphing haphenph to uph iph we get hut in thiph new body?"
That was just what Tex had been thinking. Or was he legion? He would just call himself Tex. After all, Eight Star had suggested that everyone act in character. From now on he would be Tex, and Tex would be him. "Eenope." He continued following the blue pony.
The guide pony paused for a moment and looked back to see who spoke first. Seeing it was one of the dogs she shook her head and continued on. Trotting towards the large double doors of the throne room she pleasently responded to Tyro. "No. There's been no word from her. Her sister, and all of her subjects are worried deeply about her, even as we grieve the loss of the Warriors of Harmony." She paused for a moment as her eyes, if only for a second, transfix on Rexar as she ends it with, "Along with Twilight." Turning back to the doors she pressed up against them, slowly opening the gates to the throne room. Quill, shame on you. Speaking to me while ponies are around to give you curious looks. Ah, but thank you for your compliment. Ah, but I don't want to spoil anything... but those of you with fingers or talons may need to take a bit of time to adjust when you start traveling. I've done my best to transfer your character background informations into a little bit of a make-shift set of memories. If you think hard enough, you may be able to recognize ponies from your new memories. Hah, but some of us have done that before. As the party enters the throne room, they hear Princess Luna stomp her hoof and shout. "We do not care how well morale is sustained, we order you to have guards posted around the statue at all times! We cannot have another incident so soon after the last!" Shining Armor, the captain of the guard, looking a bit older than the "real world" version of him, bows his head to Luna. "Yes Princess Luna, we'll make sure nopony lays a hoof in the statue garden!" Luna sighs wearily and nods. "We dismiss you, as we have company to attend to. Stay well." He bowed to her again. "I'll do my best, for Equestria." He turns and heads out of the doors past the party. His eyes are distant, holding sadness and loss within them. Those who know enough about him out of the game can only imagine what the captain of the guard would be thinking. He who has lost his sister, and who can hardly spend time with his own wife due to his duties in defending Canterlot from any possible threat. Luna stands at the top of the steps to the throne. Two bat-winged pegasai guards stood to either side of the throne, and two guardian unicorns stood on either side of the doors for the inside of the room, and two white pegasai guards stood on either side on the outside of the room. She raises her head tall and eyes the group as she commands; "Approach, adventurers. We wish you to introduce yourselves."
Power Surge stepped forward and spat his rod onto his hoof, where he replaced it back into it's leather strap. "My name is Jh-" he stopped. 'Stay in character...' he thought. "My name is Power Surge. I have no family, no real goals, and I'm told I'm very...interesting!" He giggled a high pitched, creepy laugh. Whoa, where did that come from? "I also enjoy electricity! Got any I can have!?"
We feel it, was what Quill wanted to say to Jhe- Power Surge before he was interrupted by Eight Star and the blue pony. "Along with Twilight." He felt a pit in his stomach for a split-second before rememebring that it was just a game...right? He approached the Princess, taking caution not to go too fast. Taking a knee, he spoke as articulately as he thought a Diamond Dog Adventurer/Diplomat should: "Name's Rexar Fire-Eye. My boss sent me here to help you."
Though he was standing next to Surge, Tex didn't step away from him. "I'm Tex." After a pause, he supposed he should elaborate. "I fight and protect ponies. For a price." He didn't really need to share much more than this, nor did the Princess need him to share more.
Rifter stretched his wings out, almost hitting the others. He folds them back in. "Names Rifter! 'Tis a honour to meet you." His voice was deep and withered in a way.
Aurora, or really Daress, tossed her golden mane from her eyes to bow elaborately in front of the Princess, her wings sweeping forward across her bent knees. Rising back up, she lowered her head respectfully. "My name is Lady Daress Dagnarez, Princess Luna of the Moon. I am the younger sister of the Swift Derek Dagnarek, Lord of the Dragonslayers, from the North. As always, I vow my humble service to you, my princess." Aurora was amazed; just as Eight Star had explained, fresh memories arose in her mind as her smooth speech flowed from her; the strong figure of Daress's brother and comrade-in-arms, the dusky gray walls of their fortress, the chill of the northern mountains. It was quite an experience, she thought, but it was slightly troubling to have another entity in her skull. Except that she was the second entity in Daress's skull, she reminded herself. The idea was dizzying, so the unicorn summoned some of her hosts' easy confidence and focused on the task at hand.
Arc bows low like everypony else while the fox inside feeling he was wrapped in a thick blanket. Movement was still numb and detatched but he was noticing actual muscle, and dare he say it, grace? "I'm Arc Gust." He said as he raises his head. "Blaim Mum and Dad." Ah, Tyro thought as he debates whether to deploy a reassuring smile. But Arc wouldn't do that... Anyway, that extra memory is explained. "Your Highness, what is it that you want us for?"
(Sorry I'm late, helped on cutting the ears of a Doberman Pincher.) J simply removed his hat to his chest and said while bowing, not getting out of character "Name is Norm, I am Apprentice. I use magic." then he thought 'This is so weird, but at the same time cool. Why haven't I been told of this before, this is actually amazing!!'
Luna stared down upon the group as they introduced one another, and it was Arc who asked her the all-important question... Why were they here? She sighed, obviously not at ease, as her visual appearance betrayed her attempts to hide how shaken recent events have had her. Her eyes drifted amongst the adventuring ones as she spoke rather clearly about the needs of Equestria. "First, let us thank you for answering the call to help. The situation threatens to become worse than it has been in a thousand years... and we believe the whole world is at risk. To avoid calamity, we have brought you before us to task you with gathering the New Elements of Harmony. The elements are made of-" Luna is cut short as the doors burst open. A beige unicorn with wild jester-like hair bursts through levitating a pile of books. Almost running right into the back of Arc Gust, he stops short, and books fall about to the side. "Princess!" "Raziel! You are quite late." She glared down at him sternly and huffed. He bowed quickly as he swiftly responded. "Princess, these are not easy books to find! I had no idea that the ancient archives area was not alphabatized!" She paused and stared him down for a few more moments, but her recognition of some of the books saved him, as she nodded. "We dismiss you..." Bowing again, he gaves a quick "Thank you, princess!" Then he dashed out the doors. Luna approached the group, and levitated the books back into a neat stack, setting them between her and the party. "These books were written very long ago, during the time of Discord, before we knew what the Elements of Harmony were. While not much use if you don't know royal alucornus, they contain important information on how the Elements of Harmony were acquired and crafted, and we shall have them studied while you are gone for the first one." Absently, she levitated one open before her and continued to talk. "Memory serves us well. We should wish you to collect the Element of Kindness first. On its own, it is a powerful enough element, and shall help you greatly in your quest to retrieve the remaining elements. We recall questing to the area around where Gallopmere is to find it. In our day, such cities did not exist." She paused for a moment of reflection before continuing. "The texts say that it lay beneath the Springs of Shyanna, which has dried up perhaps 400 years ago, but the area remains fertile. You should first venture to Gallopmere, and seek out a guide to the dried springs. From there, find a way down. We have doubts that the old cavern we took is still there, but we are sure you can find a way." Setting the book to the side, she takes an even more serious tone. "As the fate of Equestria depends on you all, we need updates by letter each night. We have a train to Gallopmere prepared already, and aboard... there is a baby dragon who is coming with you. He has some experience with the elements, and he will ensure that your letters are received by us. Now... do you have any questions for us?"
"You say a baby dragon?" Power said with a tinge of sadness. "I'm sure a huge dragon would be much more useful, what with breathing fire and being able to fly!" He made a rediculous gesture, almost as if he were trying to imitate a dragon flying with his appendages. "Oh, wait," he said with realization, "the point of the dragon is knowledge, not power. My mistake!" Power burst out laughing again. It was a shrill noise that was sure to send shivers up anyponys' spines. "Shall we..." he had another laughing fit. "Shall we get going then?"
Rexar cringed at the sound of Power Surge's laughter. Nails on a blackboard... Something in him wanted to tell the stupid pony to "shut his trap", and it took a great deal of effort to fight back that desire. Instead, he simply cringed and tightened his fist. Then he turned and grinned. "Dragons have gems. We find them pretty useful." "Maybe I'll swipe some. Lake taking gems from a baby dragon." He then let loose his own obnoxious guffaw.
Rifter reared onto his paws stretching out his back. Gallopmere sounded nice. However a question resounded in his head as soon as the mission was mentioned. "I have a question. How will we know what the Element as it were, looks like? And what will this dragon exactly do?" He coughed before flapping his wings a bit, ruffling his feathers. Well, Rifter certainly is interesting... Glad to see he is not just rash...
Luna grimaced and glared at first Power, then Rexar. Apparently any foolery about the dragon struck a chord. Or the painful screeching of the laughter... or both. The guards seemed more unhappy and defensive now, noticing her change of face. Careful now, she is royalty... and I can't hold all control over her. Her eyebrow twitches and she huffs, looking to the side for a moment. With a deep breath, she regains composeur and looks back at the group. "You will be nice, and respect this baby dragon! He has gone through a lot, and if not for his knowledge, I would choose anyone else for the job! Do not make this harder than it is for him! He shall help you in many manners along the way, but he will also be allowing you to communicate with us." Well now, calm royal outbust averted, she goes on to answering questions. "We do recall wondering the same thing. Would you believe that the elements were retrieved from a large talking rock? The elements themselves can also speak, but only to those who are touching or wearing them. At first, they will look like extrodinary gemstones... but they hold power and wisdom within them." She eyes the diamond dogs, holding a tinge of disgust for Rexar already. "You may, of course, keep any other stones you find on your journey. Just bring back the New Element of Harmony."
Daress's eyes narrowed at the word dragon, but she shrugged her shoulders as its purpose was explained. She understood strategics, and it would give her quite the chance to study the youth of her obsession more closely. She scraped at the ground gently with a hoof as Rifter asked the important questions. "From what tales I have read, Princess, the elements are carried within the soul of a pony rather then holding its power within a physical object. Is there somepony we are looking for, or an artifact?" Aurora stirred within, realizing that her character understood somethings better then she did herself.
Luna's eyes drifted to Daress. She nodded and corrected the partial truth. "The Elements are a physical object... but they must connect to the soul of a pony who represents them best in order to recognize their full power. We are pleased to see you have knowledge on the subject. We must obtain the physical aspect of the Element before we can find their Harmony."
