Meetup At Ponyville (Private)

[IceStorm]

 

The tone of Gray's response was solid and non fluctuating as Ice Storm listened to the answer. She was looking for any sort of hiccup or hesitations. She did pick up on some slight hesitation. However, given the situation at hoof, she wasn't really surprised. Wording was key, and it appeared that the stallion was taking the time to make sure that the wording that he chose was appropriate for the situation. She had made it very obvious that the conversation had just become a very serious matter and the jovial tones from their discussion before were gone. She was now thinking in agent mode, and it looked like he knew that as well. When he told her that he was loyal to Equestria as a whole and that he would with all of his strength do whatever was needed to secure the safety of anypony living within Equestria's borders. That was precisely the answer that she wanted to hear, and the lack of any stutters, hiccups, or tells of any kind that she could notice told her that Gray was being honest.

 

"The name I gave you before is my name. My name is Ice Storm. Commander of the Severe Threat and Action Response Force, or STAR Force, and the secret right hoof of Princess Luna herself, and a member of her royal guard. I train with her, I answer directly to her, and only to her in regards to Equestrian Safety. If she gives me a lead that can potentially be a threat to Equestrian Society, I follow it. So far we're still in the starting stages of getting everything formed. However, STAR Force is meant to be just that. A secret. Princess Luna is the only princess that knows of it's existence. If word ever got out of STAR's existence, the princess and I both would deny it's existence entirely," she responded to Gray waiting to see how he'd handle this information before delving further.

[TheOne]

Gray noted everything she told him in his thoughts. The information he now possesed was quite... controvertial. And now it felt a bit weird. Agency under the direct command of one of The princesses was quite... impprtant and if Gray was to join it, he knew his former, careless life would come to an end. But, he was ready for it. It was about time for that this old stallion to finally find a purpouse in his life. Gray slowly nodded, showing that he understood

 

"I have kept my mouth shut about Many things before. No one will know anything" he promised with Conference in nie Voice as a blank stare in his Green eyes. He have been doing do military Services before so he knew The drill. Answer questions precisly and with no hesitaton. 

[IceStorm]

 

"That's good to hear," Ice Storm spoke as she took a seat. The spheres still orbited around her like planets around a star. He had kept quiet about things before meant that at some point he had been in some interesting situations. It was something that she was looking for, but at the same time she was looking for a lot more. "So, moving along to the next order of business. You said before that you used to guard at some points. What were you guarding, if you are at liberty to discuss, and how often during these unsanctioned guard shifts did you have to engage an enemy? What is the extent of your combat experience, and your knowledge to tactical defenses?" she asked him. He didn't seem the type that had much experience, but as she was a walking example of, looks can be very deceiving. Nopony would ever guess that a business mare millionaire was the leader of an organization Tartartus bent on protecting Equestria no matter the cost. She awaited patiently for his answer.

[TheOne]

When the mare took a seat Gray slowly sat down as well, looking at the spinning orbs. It was interesting... Why were they spinning? Gray shook his head a bit to focus on The conversation he was taking right now. Ha can think about these orbs later.

Hearing the question about his Experirnce Gray leaned a bit forward "Yes. I have been on guard duties before..." he started "Mostly as a sort of a private military. I used to mostly play the role of a bodyguard more than guarding one place. But it did happen too. Mostly some houses, mancions and things like that." he answered and though for a second about the second part of her question "It did happen. Spmetimes multiple times. Nothing too srious. Usually attempts of assasination." this ansered semmed The most True in Gray eyes. He did take part in larger combat but it was not what he usually did.  "I would say I am quite experienced. 20 years as a part-time guard and an hoof-for-hire." he said nodding a bit. He rerly kept track of time but when it came to this, he knew exactly how long it took

[IceStorm]

The distraction on Gray's face as the spheres orbited around her didn't go unnoticed by Ice Storm. She couldn't blame him. The fact that he was acknowledging them was important. It meant that he was aware of his surroundings. A trait than any tactician and somepony that she was going to be having on base and outpost protection once they were operational. She then listened to the answers that he gave her once he began to. A hoof for hire and a part time guard for twenty years? That was a long time. That was good information to have.

“All of this is good information, and your combat experience would be most appreciated. Both in tactical decisions and helping Tempest train new recruits. Of course, Tempest will probably want to soak with you herself, and I will warn you, she is a lot more intimidating than I am. She will be very upfront about everything and she may have other assignments for you when there's no active emergency. I know she's planning an expedition to one of the old armories of the Storm King. She could probably use as many hooves that are willing to help for that. For now, if you agree, and wish to join it force, you will be stationed in Las Pegasus. The primary headquarters for STAR is three levels under the casino. Out will be the headquarters until our flagship is finished,” she told him planning back and awaiting for his decision.

[TheOne]

Gray listened to the mare talking about what would happen next if he chooses to accept the job. It didn't seem to pleasant to him, but probably nothing he couldn't handle.. Probably. The part about being stationed in Las Pegasus made him more worried. After all he enjoyed venturing as much as protecting so this made him squint a bit "How long would I have to stay in Las Pegasus if I choose to accept?" He asked with a bit of hesitance in his voice. The fact that he would have to stay in one place wasn't the happiest though in Gray's mind. And living underground wasn't a bonus either. This stallion preffered to stay on the ground level. But if he had to, there wasn't a HUGE problem with him staying on the bottom floors. He just wasn't a fan.
"And if I choose to join. What are my duties?" Gray continued to ask questions. The mare may have been the one hiring him, but Gray defenietly needed to know at least something before jumping into a job. Especially since he was about to join some sort of an agency. He could at least know SOMETHING about it. 

[IceStorm]

 

Ice listened as Gray start6ed asking some questions. It was only natural for a pony to have questions abut the current situations of things and wanted to know just what exactly they would be doing if they said yes. They were questions that she was already somewhat expecting. "Initially, you will have to stay long enough for you to familiarize yourself with the base and it's layout. Whether that takes you a week, month, two months, depends on your on recognition and surveillance of the area. Out side of that, if you choose to not remain at the base, such you have quarters outside of the area or other establishments like I myself have, you will be expected to return to the base at least twice a year for about a week to refamiliarize yourself with anything new that might have been added to the base, or any new regulations that may be presented. In the event of a large scale mission, all personnel will be required to be at headquarters or at an out post for tactical defenses if you are not a primary member of the strike mission," she started

 

"If you join, your duties will initially be determined after Tempest has had her interview with you and has been able to determine the full extent of your abilities. However, my initial impressions are that you would be a tactition, and a defender of either the main base or one of the outpost. I could also put you in charge of defending the ship yard while our flagship is being assembled. Those are my intentions, however, I do not know if Tempest would call upon you herself to help her in some of her missions. There are a few things that she wants to do that in the long run would greatly benefit Equestria. And that is the ultimate goal," she told him.

[TheOne]

Long enough to familirize himself. He was used to changing places and looking around do it shouldn't take long before he would be allowed to leave. And two times a year wasn't that bad either. After all it is only 2 weeks. Gray could managed that.

When Ice mentioned possible jobs Gray raised his eyebrow a bit "A recruit would get such a position?" The stallion asked quite suprised. Defending the building of the flag ship. This was... Quite interesting but probably it was a job that would require at least a bit of responsibility. 

 

The stallion sighed slightly and looked at his bags which were  laying down next to the table. Gray though for a second, dwelling into his memories of his travels which were goong to end if he choose to join. After a short while Gray raised his head to look at the mare and smiled "I think it is finally Time for me to Seattle down a bit. Count me in" he said after a second and took a spoonfull out of the Ice cream 

[IceStorm]

 

Ice watched and waited as the stallion thought about what the decision was going to be that he was going to make. It wasn't an easy decision nor was it one that should be made lightly. Had he asked, she would have been willing to give him a couple of days to think on the issue. So as king as he swore an oath of secrecy. It wouldn't do her no good if he started going around telling everypony and their mother about what her plans were. She didn't think he would do that, but procedure was procedure. When he asked about the position, she smiled. "Just because someone is new to an organization doesn't mean that they are lacking intelligence or skill. Unfamiliarity yes, but that can be addressed easily enough. Based on the information you have given me, I believe your talents would be best suited for the defense of our assets and locations versus being on a front line mission. Our most valuable asset right now, is a prototype air warship that is in production. That is what you will be guarding provided you pass Tempest's tests," she informed him.

 

He still seemed to be in thought about things and she saw him keep glancing back at his belongings. Just as she was about to say something, he spoke up. He was going to join. That was a good thing. It would be less things that she had to worry about now while she was here. She extended a hoof to Gray in an offer to shake it and smiled. "Welcome to the service. Your rank in the service will also be determined by Tempest once she assesses your skill level. That being said," she started with her orbs returning back to her necklace and the aura around them dissipating into it. "I think we can move back out into the shop now that the serious business is out of the way," she smiled heading back into the other room.

[TheOne]

Woah, Woah. Hold your horses. Did someone just say air ship? Gray's eyes lit up a bit as he nodded "Well... I think I can do that" He said hiding his excitment a bit. So they were going to have a flying ship. This stallion is finally going to fly! Well... Maybe. As long as he passes the test. This though cooled Gray's excitment a bit. He couldn't pump himself up before he actually knew he will be able to fly it. "So... When will I meet Tempest?" Gray asked moving his hoof on the table a bit "Not to rush or anything, but the sooner the better" He added with a smile. The old stallion let out his younger side when the possibility of making one of his dreams come true turned up.

 

But there were more important things right now. When Ice officially weclomed him to the agency Gray nodded and smiled "Pleasure to be here, cap" He said, jokingly a bit with this kind of a motivated rookie tone that almost everypony had on their first day of service in military jobs. "I still haven't finished my ice cream, so why not" He said, raising his cup a bit up before slowly heading back to the room "So... One more question. How should I adress you now? Both in public and in private..." He asked after a while

[IceStorm]

His eyes seemed to light up a bit when Ice Storm mentioned that she had an airship in hiding. Of course, once it was finished there would be no way for her or anypony else in the agency to hide it. Hiding something that large was next to impossible. Although tempest had mentioned before that she had some ideas. She was able to shroud an entire fleet at one point. That would be something that could be done possibly. When Gray asked about when he would meet Tempest, she was honest. “That will be for her to decide sadly. I will send her the information that you have been recruited and then when she is ready she will send you a summons. She's got a lot on her plate right now,” she answered.

As they moved back into the shop, Ice flipped the sign back around and smiles when he asked what he should address her as.  “Outside of the base, my name is fine. In fact, it's preferred. If ponies start calling me commander outside of bases and outposts then it will make it harder to keep up the business pony look. Inside STAR facilities though, commander or ma'am both work,” she told him sitting back down at one of the tables.

[TheOne]

Gray nodded slightly hearing that it is not known when the talk will be held. Well, he could only wait. "Sure. I understand that. I assume managing an undercover agency is not easy" The stallion said with a slight smirk. Now, when he though about it. If they were building a flag ship. Just how many ponies were in on that? How many were in the agency itself. It can't be that much or it would be a miracle that the agency is still hidden. Gray slightly opened his mouth to ask those questions but he quickly closed it, deciding there will be time for that later. He already asked way too many questions. 

When Gray went back to the main area of the shop he placed the ice cream on the table and got back to eating those delicious treats "Sure. I guess that is the most safe way, Ice. Although I might need some time to get used to it. I usually only used the official way of speaking to the higher-ups" Gray said and nodded a bit. He served his time in the military and it was quite hard to get rid of habits that were being inbeded in you for 20 years

[IceStorm]

 

"Indeed it's not. Especially when the agency is as big as we are, or at least as big as we are getting. That's one of the reasons I chose the location that I did. A Casino? Tourists go in and out all the time so it's easy to cover up an influx of ponies going in and out. And many of the base officers also serve as hotel staff. No pony would be any the wiser," Ice started. She nodded when he agreed that just simply using her name would be the best way to  keep everything in check, but he would need some time to get used to everything. That he was used to only speaking the official way to higher ups.

 

"I can understand that. I haven't been too much into the military experience myself aside from a few recon missions and a rescue mission I was on after events of the Crystal Empire. Everything else was intelligence gathering and sitting around as we waited for our problems to come to us instead of just dealing with them when we got the information that there was a problem. That said, Do you have any questions? I'd rather not go into too much detail about the base itself at the moment. In fact, I can't even if I wanted to. The base itself won't be operational for another week yet," she told him.

[TheOne]

Gray nodded. It did seem that the casino was a nice place for this sort of hiding, but when a lot of ponies are in in one place there is always a chance one of them might spot something weird going on. Maybe some sort of an experiment that went wrong underground coused some changes and exposed something, etc. etc... But, from what he though, it was probably the best place they could have, since it is near civilisation, has a lot of space and is still more then decently comouflaged. "I guess Casino is quite a good place. Although there needs to be a lot of ccountermeasures ready...." Gray said, thinking. Maybe he could help in that. I guess he will need to find out.

"Any questions..." The stallion echoed, thinking on which one should he chose to ask first "Should I know someone? Like a very important higher-up or something like this" He asked tilting his head to the side a bit. Knowing his way around the base was crutial but getting to know the staff was just as important. 

[IceStorm]

Ice Storm thought for a moment when he asked if there was anypony in the higher ups that he should know about. She nodded. "There is my Vice Admiral, That is Tempest Shadow. The very same mare that put all of Canterlot under her hoof in less than an hour. Her tactical knowledge is paramount. That and she's very efficient in combat. It's the reason that she's my number two. She's also one-hundred percent in charge of the airship base. She knows a lot more about them than I do and how to make them outright deadly. The one that's in production... is I actually can't comment much on it right now. All I can say is that it's big, and has plenty of firepower," she told him. "However, we should really branch away from the organization itself just in case other customers walk in," she told him thinking back to a previous conversation.

 

"So, tell me. You said that you were a sword for hire. That means you've probably traveled a lot. What are some of the more interesting places that you've been to? Myself, the most interesting place I've been to was a Changeling paradice not too far from here that was crated from the changlings that had reformed themselves. I personally never thought changlings needed reforming to begin with. I've met plenty in my life and all of them were okay, if not a bit shy in public because naturally their reputation preceded them, and the land of Equestria is anything but accepting when it comes to other races. I know a good few that are still racist between just ponies in general. One bad apple spoils the bunch so they say," she started.

[TheOne]

Gray nodded a bit, hearing about that. Now the named  ringed the bell. He heard of this name before, but never actually saw anything or speaked about it. Well. It wasn't anything Gray didn't expect. If there was someone that leads a secret organisation underneath the Princess Celestia's nose, it better be someone competent pony or the whole thing will be a blow out. "So I will be working underneath her.... Better remember the name" Gray noted, with a slight smile. He always had this positive outlook towards the higher-ups and treated them with a grain of salt. As much as he respected them, everypony can make a mistake. "Sure! Sorry for that" Gray said as soon as Ice told him to stop the talk about the organization

"Oh... I have visited plenty of places outside of my job as well. But when it comes to my mercenery work, the most interesting place would have to be Gryffon Empire. Met a great friend back there." Gray started with a slight smile "At the time, I was tasked with protecting some sort of a CEO, I think. He needed to be escorted to the Gryffon empire and protected for a couple of days. During my stay there I met this young Gryffon. I sadly forgot his name, but... Well. It was a long time ago." The stallion shrugged a bit. Indeed, his memory was not the best, but it was still holding its own "It turns out he was a traveler, just like me. We spend some time togheter before I had to pack my things. Pity I couldn't talk with him more. I wander what is he doing right now" Gray smirked a bit at the memory itself

When Ice mentioned Changelings the expression on Gray's face changed to a bit more serious "If I have to be honest, I don't really like them. I am sorry if I sound racist, but... I have terrible memories with them. Many scams, robberies, assaults and things like that...." He sighed "I mean, what better way to kill someone then to pose as their friend/family." Gray shrugged "Of course, I don't mean any ill to all of them. I am just... weary around them"

[IceStorm]

Ice nodded when Gray said that he should remember Tempest's name. "Indeed it would. Although it would be hard to forget who she was. The one thing I will warn you with her though. Under absolutely no circumstances are you to bring any attention to her horn. You'll know why as soon as you meet her the first time. She is very temperamental about it and for good reason. This is your only warning and I will not hold her accountable for anything that happens to a pony that fails to heed it," she told him bluntly. She didn't think that Tempest would kill anypony over it, but she would most definitely cause some damage, both emotionally and possibly physically.

 

Then Gray started to answer her other question. About where he had been and the most interesting place he found so far. The Gryffon Empire huh? she thought to herself. That was definitely an interesting place. One that she herself hadn't personally been to. She'd never had a reason to. He told her that he had met a great friend there, and that at the time he was tasked with protecting a very important CEO that needed to be escorted to the empire. It turned out that he was a traveler just like himself. They had spent some time together but he ultimately had to leave. He wished that he had gotten to talk with him more and wondered what he was up to right now. If she had a name, she could probably find out for him, but as it stood, there wasn't much she could do to help him.

 

When he started talking about changlings Ice Storm nodded. She knew the spiel many times from ponies that just didn't like them. He apologized for sounding racists, but that he had some terrible memories with them. Scams, robberies, assaults, things of that nature. He added that what better way to be able to kill somepony as to post as their friend or loved one. She actually noted that for future use. She would need to get some changlings in STAR for the missions that required finesse... Something that could be dealt with easily and turn a kingdom on itself rather than putting Equestria in the cross-hairs at all. On the topic at hoof though, Ice nodded to Gray when he said that he didn't wish all of them ill, that he was just weary of them was all. "A pony that is weary is a pony that survives. A pony that is overly trusting is a pony that is asking for trouble," she told him simply in response.

 

"Most of my experiences with them as I said had been positive, or neutrally negative for positive reasons. Like they've been cast out shunned, beaten, all of which would be quick ways to turn a good changling into an evil one. At some point, Ponies as a whole need to grow up and realize that we aren't the only things here, and other creatures have wants, needs, and feelings as well. The quickest way to make an enemy is to spite them for no other reason than they have a horn, they have wings, they have none of the above, they have holes... It doesn't matter. We're all here, and we all have to share Equestria. why make it harder than it has to be to do so?"

[TheOne]

"Not mencion her horn... Noted." Gray smiled a bit. It seemed easy enough even though this stallion was quite a curious pony. Well, he will have to get his knowlage somewhere else then. It didn't seem like he was moved by the last part of Ice's warning. Many times something like this happened before, so it wasn't anything suprising to him.
 

Hearing the mare agree to his waryness Gray nodded and smirked "Defenietly agreed. Sometimes it is not a good thing to trust someone..." He responded. His past with both changlings and other races was quite... not-stable. With its ups and downs, Gray had moments of fun as well as madness in almost every type of creature he met. But changlings were this weird exception that mostly got on his bad side. Maybe it was becouse Gray wasn't really trying to communicate with them, maybe he just wasn't in the right place... Who knows? 

"I understand your point, however it is hard to keep peace between all the races in Equestria. With so many different views and so many races this place is bound to have conflict. Smaller, bigger, doesn't matter, we probably can't do much about it" The stallion shrugged a bit "But we can try to minimize the damage and try to keep as many places happy as we can. And if we can't keep them joyful and uneger to fight with us, than there are organiziation for that, right?" Gray gave Ice a little smirk. He didn't think that war was needed or he enjoyed it. For him it only brought destruction and pain rather then any good. But.. sometimes war was just the best option

[IceStorm]

It didn't seem that the pony in front of her was too concerned about the warning that she had given him. She wasn't going to harp on it, but in the event that anything happened and he said something, she wasn't going to have any pity on him. The warning was given, and if he didn't heed it, that wasn't her problem. Him confirming that it wasn't always a good thing to trust someone. There were certain ones you just didn't trust. She had one of such ponies within the organization. She did this by design as it was easy to keep tabs on some pony that was within the ranks and she could have tracked and followed everywhere. One of those things where you keep your enemies closer.

 

When he mentioned that while he understood her point on the changlings, but countered with it was hard to keep peace between all the races in Equestria. With so many different views and races, conflicts were bound to arise. that the only thing they could do was minimize the damage. "Or be accepting of all. If anypony, or changling wants to help us, they would become an invaluable asset. It will make recon and intel missions that much better. Difference in views is something that ponies have between other ponies. It's nothing new, and many ponies have individuals that they don't like because of those differences. However, an entire race should not be condemned for the actions of a few. The phrase one bad apple spoils the bunch, works both ways and the more that we push them away, and give them negative experiences, the more negative experiences we are going to receive from the race as a whole. It is an endless cycle of hate and suffering that can ultimately be avoided by simply getting to know the individual rather than casting them aside because of what they are, versus who they are," she told him plainly.

[TheOne]

Gray kept on nodding a bit as he listened to the mare. It wasn't that he disagreed with her. But the fact that sometimes that the trust someone puts into a new pony they meet can be easily ruined and changelings were a... outstanding species. "The fact is, that we have already started the cycle. Maybe not you, maybe not me, maybe not anyone in Ponyville. But some ponies started to hate changelings. And they might have a good reason to. If someone robbed you, killed someone you love or hurt you, you wouldn't greet them as friends, and you would probably be wary of their family as well." Gray stated. He may have not had such bad memories with changelings, but they had some rough past. "So, now, since a lot of us have those bad memories in the back of our head..." Gray said, pointing with his hoof to his head "... and sometimes intentionally, sometimes not we move just a bit further away from any changeling that we pass" The stallion said and sight " Now if I am not proud of this, but I prefer to stay a bit further away from changelings. And I know this is a bit, not- okay since... Well." Gray chuckled a bit and looked at himself, all dirty and messy "Ponies tend to stay away from me as well. But it is just something that makes me feel more in control of the situation that is around me."

 

Gray exhaled his breath and shook his head "This talk turned quite... serious." He smiled slightly and looked up at the mare "I was wondering. Are there any good places to rent for sleep in ponyville?" He asked, trying to change the subject a bit with a small smile o his face.

[IceStorm]

(Apologies for the delays, if you didn't see my status I was in a car accident,)

 

Ice Storm listened as Gray started to speak. He stated that the cycle has already been started, and that perhaps it wasn't her, or anypony in Ponyville for that matter, but there are sume that absolutely hate changlings. Ice Storm nodded. She already knew that much, and was part of why she brought it up. As much tolerance as the princesses speak of, the ponies of Equestria as a whole are very intolerant of anything that can be considered different and on multiple occasions vilify anything that they don't understand and use it as an excuse to not have to understand it. If it's evil and they avoid it, then they don't have to deal with it, or they never feel in the wrong when they have to hurt them. When he commented if someone had killed, robbed or hurt you as a changling, then it would make sense for them to be wary of the family as well. She was going to make the comment of how they would be able to tell who was family and who wasn't but that would have only furthered his point rather than her own. Again though, being wary and being hostile are two different things.

 

When he added that he himself tended to stay away from changlings, and that it was mostly okay cause ponies tended to avoided him in general, she sigh. He said that it made him feel more in control of the situation around him when in reality he couldn't be further from the truth. If you live your life in avoidance, then you are not in control of your life at all. Whaever you're trying to avoid is controlling it. Cause if you choose to go somewhere and you were really looking forward to going there, and say for instance he found a changling there, he wouldn't be able to go unless he was willing to accept that there was a changling there. Even then he might not be able to enjoy the experience because he would be to worried about the changling 'attempting' something. She wasn't going to press any further on the matter, but she did have one thing that she did have to say. "Just so as long as you are aware, I will be employing changlings. My organization is open to all who seek to protect the crown. I expect any within the organization to be treated as equals until a reason is presented to do otherwise. Being a changling does not count as a reason for this instance," she told him.

 

When he asked about a good place to rent a room in Ponyville for the night. She actually had to pause. She hadn't been here in long enough that she actually wasn't sure what hotels were here. She could direct him to the Ponyville Inn, but she wasn't sure if it was still operating or not. She never heard that it wasn't, but she's only been in town but four times this year so something could have happened by now. "Well, the only place I can think off of the top of my head would be the Ponyville Inn. Unfortunately I don't actually live here in Ponyville anymore so I'm not familiar with any new places or if they are still in service though," she informed him honestly.

[TheOne]

(I though I send reply long ago. I am very sorry for making you wait for so long.)

 

When Ice mentioned Changeling getting their place in her organisation Gray  went silent for a second, thinking about it. He wasn't glad to work alongdise those shapeshifters, but it wasn't something that would make him leave without any other reason. The stallion nodded slightly "This should not be a problem..." He started and shrugged a bit "If they joined the organisation that means that they can't be as.... bad?" Gray stopped for a second, thinking of a better Word. Bad and Good was a bit too much of a Black and White word and no one can be only bad or only good "Well. As troublesome as those I met during my Road." 

 

Gray noteded the inn as a place he could go to "Thank you. I will give it a try!"  he said with a small smile. "So... How long are you planning on staying in Ponyville?" Gray asked, glad that The topic strayed away from Changelings and things like this. He wasn't a great thinker and was no expert in forgein races, So there wasn't much he could be sure about in this topic, other then trying to Sound smart enough.

[IceStorm]

Ice Storm nodded to his response on the changlings. "They aren't, and hopefully they can ease some of your concerns about others. Still I like the honesty." she replied. Truth be told she wasn't sure how many she could get to follow her. To make a point on her own comments, changlings don't have a lot of reasons to help protect Equestria with out disrespectful ponies have been to them. It really wasn't fair. Of course, his experiences spoke for themselves just as hers did, and she couldn't deny that individuals could both save or ruin an image of the whole.

 

"I'll be in Ponyville for a couple of weeks running the shop while the manager of this shop is on vacation," she smiled and replied as the conversations shifted from the changelings. "It is quite a fun little town. I lived here for a while until my other professions took me to Canterlot. I usually spend a lot of time in the observatory or on the training grounds. Something that even here I'll probably still do when I'm not working or catching up with the few friends that I have here," she smiled to him.

[TheOne]

Gray tilted his head slightly as she mentioned the manager "Oh. Who runs the shop when you are out? I don't think I ever have seen anyone who ran a place like this, here in Ponyville..." The stallion said, scratching the back of his head a bit, searching his memory for anything that would connect with this place "Well. To be fair, I haven't seen this place before either" He said with ever so slight chuckle. Ponyville was a place Gray visited not very often but had a special connection to, so he enjoyed his time here. "Definitely. Ponyville stands out quite a lot on the background of all those cities like Canterlot... To be honest, I prefer it over them." Gray said with a slight shrug. He preferred the silence to the crowd.

"It must be hard to manage all of these jobs..." Gray noticed as he stirred his spook in the empty bowl of ice-cream. He could only imagine how overworked she was. This was something that didn't matter to Gray as he lived a life of Nomad. Not caring to much about work or the problems of tomorrow anymore. But he still could think about the horrific stress he would be under in her place.