Snowshoe

Muggo' Ale here. Bar's always open, b'y. Grab a mug o' the ol' cider, sit down, talk. Personally, I'll bring in Rain Maker, and maybe Bowsprit, who's in his late teens. Muggo', of course, to set the stage and all that, though he's taken.

For a long few hours the group walked along, hooves clip-clopping along the rough path through the forest. The beginning of the journey was rather uneventful, filled with idle chatter, the occasional song, and a few shift changes on the cart as the day wore on. The sun was starting its trek down the western sky when they finally broke through the woods and the group found themselves at the foothills of a mountain. Curio, back on cart-duty (though he would be switching off soon), looked up at the winding trail and let out a low whistle. The stoney trail arced up a ways and eventually curved around the mountainside. The village they were seeking was on the other side of that mountain, though still a ways off. If they wanted to get to it, they'd have to get around this mountain. "We've got two choices," he announced, unhooking himself from the cart for a moment and turning to address his companions. "Well, a few more than that. Choice number one, we press on from here, up the trail," he pointed a hoof behind him. It would be the fastest way, but a little on the treacherous side, and he had no idea what awaited them around the far curve of the trail. "Or, we can find a way around the mountain." That way would be a little safer, but a lot slower than going on the trail, and Curio didn't even know if there was an easier way around it. "As for the other choices, we gotta decide if we're going over now, or set up camp here. There may be some better shelter up on the trail, but it's all up to you folks," he said, looking around with a grin. "So, what'll it be?" He was a fan of pressing on and gaining as much ground as possible in as short a time, but he didn't want to force anypony to join him on a trail hike over a mountain. They still had a few hours of daylight left, which may be enough to cross.

If there was one thing Timbre Swing enjoyed, it was playing with a group. He was used to going solo, so being able to play in a little band was quite the treat. He made sure to keep time with Riff Run, who seemed to be the leader of their little trio here. He didn't mind at all: you didn't lead with a bass, even if swing music did feature it prominently, and he wasn't as talented a singer as she was. He kept up his bass line, right hoof plucking furiously at the thick strings, his left hoof rolling along the neck of the contrebasse to hit the frets as he went along. He kept it energetic on his end, tapping his hind hooves and bobbing around behind his instrument, on occasion even spinning the contrebasse around on its wheel, and at one point dipping it low like he was dancing with a mare at a fancy ball. He popped the bass into an upright position afterwards, just as that attractive mare Riff Run made her way over to him, singing and dancing along with him. A grin on his face, he accompanied her with the scat singing, never missing an opportunity. She was good, but this was his specialty after all, though he made sure not to try and upstage her too badly. By the end of it, like everypony else, he was sweaty and a little sore, but incredibly happy. There was nothing like music to put the spring back in anypony's step. As he watched Riff Run make her way to the mic to close up their little jam session, he played a quick turnaround on the contrebasse, letting the final, deep note resonate before setting the instrument down gently and taking a bow to the audience. Exhausted, he trotted over to the piano and grinned at Dissy. "Merveilleux," he complimented. "You 'ave quite zee talent."

[i am so, so, so sorry, guys. I just got employed recently, and between a major writer's block, a lack of planning for this RP, and that new job, I've had difficulty getting any inspiration for anything and posting. If you guys are still interested (that goes for our lurkers, waiting to be called in) I promise I will try and post as soon as I can.]

[Just want to drop a note: I still remember this. However, I've never hosted an RP before so my posts from here on out are going to be a tad slow while I actually plan what's going to happen.]

"Well hey, there's nothing wrong with the simple pleasures, eh? Good friends, good drink, good food, good mares. All that. Guess I'm just of a different sort, though." Curio couldn't help but chuckle at Arcana's amusement of Piper's presence. "She's also got some adventuring knowledge we could use. First aid and the like. Good addition to the group." Curio looked over at Zelda and nodded with a little smile. "Of course, Miss Z," he said with a grin, looking at the group. "Not one to wait. I'll place some markers and notes for the others, should any others show up," he continued. "Zelda, mind killing the fire? The rest of you, get ready to head out. I'll take first shift on the cart, but everypony... and every griffon-" he looked at Zelda and winked. "Will need to take turns," he said. The stallion grabbed a sheaf of paper and quickly jotted down that they'd left and at least what road they would put on to find them. He pinned the note to a tree by spearing it on one of its branches, then trotted over to the cart and slipped into the harness. "And we're off!" he said brightly, trotting along.

Muggo' trotted back upstairs to join Abbot at the bar, taking his usual spot behind it. A new pony trotted in, but before he could even greet the stallion, he's off downstairs to find Fire Walker. At the request for a drink, he nodded. "Sure can, b'y. Here, glass o' me famous stout. On the house, everypony gets one," he said, pouring the dark drink for the pony and setting it down. He looked around the room and shrugged. "Broad question, b'y. Some o' it I bought meself over the years. Some donated from friends. Anythin' catch yer eye, ya just ask." Some highlights included a carved wooden oar over the bar, and a faded poster for the Itailian aerobatics team, the Red Arrows. He looked over as Fire Walker trotted over and shook his head. "New b'y? No, just an adventure from the moustached one there, ABbot," he said, indicating the Italian pony. "Can wait, if ya need to deal with somethin'."

[/colour] Timbre Swing grinned, nodding. "Pourquoi pas?" he asked, standing up from his barstool. He trotted over to the stage behind Riff Run, hopping onto stage and retrieving his contrebasse. He opened the case and wheeled it back out, taking up a position and idly plucking out a simple bass rhythm as Riff tapped her hoof. This was going to be quite fun! A pair of good looking mares (though he still had his eyes on one), both of which could play jazz with quite a bit of skill, and he was getting to play with them. It was quite fun, especially to Timbre, who was still trying to get a bit more fame in the musical circles. " 'ey, you there!" he pointed off to Harmonic, grinning. "Tu viens? We need to blow zee 'ooves off zee crowd!"

Curio blinked, still intrigued by this addition to the team. Sure, he'd chosen her himself as their magic expert, but still...she hadn't gone too much with this kind of talk during the interview. It was talk of a kind he'd never, ever heard before, in all his years of hanging out around old libraries and such. "Well then," he said with a chuckle. "Not sure what to say on that...never really understood the whole magic thing to the degree you unicorns do. Still, I'm not one for becoming too big for my horseshoes...just simple adventures, and the pursuit of happiness and bits," he said simply, smiling a little. Yup, that's all Curio would need to get by. "Ha! I uh...tend to avoid the taverns of Talonopolis," Curio admitted with a sheepish grin. "I may or may not have attempted to bribe a high-ranking griffon officer of the law to get an artifact on one of their airships to Canterlot. He was...offended. Certain words were exchanged...also certain blows. I don't know if they still carry a grudge, but it was only a few months ago. I figure it's best to...avoid any place where the authorities might be," he explained, sipping his water and nodding. "Half an hour. And while I'm flattered, Zelda, truly," he said with a little grin. "I'll pass, for now. You'd be surprised how hard that is to do with hooves and no magic, too." Before he could say more, a new pony approached. A pegasus, carrying a lyre...this must be Pyper Uscroll, the bard. She'd shown a taste for adventure to some degree, not to mention a knowledge of some aspects of adventuring that would come in handy. He waved to Pyper as she landed, smiling. "Ah, Miss Uscroll!" he called out. "Welcome aboard! This is Zelda-" he indicated the griffonness, "And Arcana-" the mare.

Ayup. Been meaning to post, just been delayed.

I ain't much of a writer at all...in fact I'm a terrible writer xD Though I did write an Fallout: Equestria sidefic, which was fun. If you're interested, check it out in my signature. Warning though, it does contain 18+ material. There is cursing, and violence. Let me know what you think about the story and characters if you read it, but don't get too enamoured with the setting: I plan to change it, due to my own failure at remembering the setting of the original fic. That being said, I have a second Fallout: Equestria sidefic in the works that's taking precedence over the one in my signature, and takes place in Neigh Orleans. I'll give the link to that one on request, because it's still a heavy work in progress. [As a note, if I'm not allowed to promote this, someone tell me and I'll get rid of the post.]

I actually have a barely-used character that I could bring out of mothballs for this. Quite interested, actually.

Muggo' nodded in understanding, tilting his hat back a little. "I dunno, b'y. Ya don't seem to be tied down much with the restaurant. Look at me, I run the busiest bar in Fillydelphia, an' got no problems goin' on all yer wacky adventures," he said with a laugh. "Just do what makes ya happy, eh, b'y? Which, given why we're all here today...yer well on yer way to doin'." He grinned and hugged Dunder again, laughing happily. He had never expected to be at his wedding, let alone before Muggo's own. "Ya done good, Dunder. All married an' mature an' stuff," he said with a warm smile. "Brings a tear to ol' Muggo's eye, it does."

Timbre laughed, sipping his drink. "Ah, but, I am not from Mane'attan, but Canterlot. I zimply travel, wherever zee wind blows..." he thought it over for a moment. "I s'ink zat is 'ow zat idiom goes, oui?" he was still learning the language, even after all these years, and sometimes got the little turns of phrases and idioms mixed up. He laughed again at her flirting, winking back. "It is true what zay say, zat we Fancy ponies 'ave an eye for beauty." He sipped his drink again and simply smiled. "Bien oui! Certainment! I only know zee contrebasse and zee scat singing, but per'aps one of zose are somes'ing you are good at? Of course...would 'ave to 'ave at least a small amount of bits involved...I 'ave to eat, after all," the green stallion said with a mischievous grin. He didn't mind teaching at all, if the other stallion was ready to learn, but as he'd said, he did have to pay for travel expenses, food, a roof over his head every now and again. All the usual things of a traveller such as himself. Timbre Swing listened in to the mare as she began to sing, raising an eyebrow as he watched. She was talented, very much so. He was quite the singer himself, but in a much different fashion than her. He was more for the upbeat, fast rhythms, with more pop to his vowels instead of a rich, warm tone like Riff's. That he got from his bass when he played, instead of his voice. When she finished, he drummed his hooves on the table in applause. "Magnifique! Absolument magnifique!" he said with a grin. "Madamme Riff, zat was quite incredible. Per'aps, before zee night is s'rough, you would 'onour me with a duet?" he asked. He looked down the bar at the mare who walked in. She seemed a little familiar, but then again, he'd visited enough clubs in his lifetime, and she just looked like the average club-goer. He looked back at Riff, then waited for her answer.

[sorry for not posting...nobody's gotten back to me yet on anything, aside from our villains (plural, because like an idiot I forgot to check who was actually playing who), and they're not set to come until later.]

I used to. IGN: PBE_Cmdr_Boreale. Problem is, I'm no good, and I dislike the balance for the game: every Russian plane is so much better than anything else. Also, apparently the latest patch really broke the flight models for the aircraft, too.

"I don't know. I haven't really had a chance to interact with a Changeling, really. They were trying to capture me, I was trying to avoid that," Curio said with a laugh. "Maybe if we make peace, proper peace, I'd go and visit. Sure could use some new artifacts." He couldn't help but laugh again at the grifonness' grin when she spoke of the Changelings. "Easy, tiger. Tigress. Anyways, you know what I mean. As for your hometown...with all due respect, I'm not exactly the best of fighters. I'd prefer to avoid trouble when I can...especially around Talonopolis...the uh...guards may or may not still dislike me." Curio blinked, listening to Arcana. He'd known her to be on the colder side, and a crack sorceress, but he'd never, in all his years of living in Canterlot, heard a pony speak of the princesses, and the current state of Equestria, in such a way. He didn't disagree, but he was taken aback by it. "Yes, I've watched the REA's occasional parades and such. While the Night's Guard looks good, your run of the mill pony usually just wants the golden armour and the status...mares swoon over it, after all. Still, there's a number of them I would hate to have to come to blows with, despite everything." He retrieved a canteen from his saddlebags and took a sip, before heading to the carriage. He grabbed two more and offered them to Arcana and Zelda before continuing. "It's kind of hard to see it both ways. On one hoof, I quite like peace, and would never seek out war. On the other hoof, you make a great point, Arcana. We're quite the coddled nation. Who knows? Maybe the Changeling attack will...well, change things around here. From what I hear, it was only through the Queen's stellar catch of the Idiot Ball that she was defeated." Curio slipped the canteen under his REA greatcoat, shrugging a little. "Still. Peace is good, after all. Nothing wrong with living the day to day life, and all that," he said, chuckling a little at her mention of the badlands. "Yeah, I know. Here's to hoping for a swift, easy journey...but don't worry. If it comes to a fight, I'll be at both your sides, figuratively of course. Not one for the whole rank and file type of brawls." "Not sure," Curio said, turning to look at Zelda and shrugging. "They should have been here by now."

Timbre Swing laughed softly, grinning at Riff Run. "Mad talent?" he chuckled, sipping his drink. "Merci, been a while since I 'ave preformed for a crowd," he said. He laughed when she ordered a round of drinks. " 'a! Usually, I'm zee one who buys zee beautiful mares drinks," he teased with a grin. It'd been a while since he'd come to a proper jazz club, and even longer since he saw any true talent up on stage. Though he hadn't seen Riff Run's performance, given what he overheard from Harmonic Dissonance and Riff Run's conversation, the coffee-coloured mare was a singer. Interesting. And a jam session, too? His ear twitched when he heard his native tongue from Oil Wells, but realized it was just a turn of the phrase, and he didn't suspect the pony spoke it. Pity, he'd only ever heard himself speak Fancy. Timbre Swing waved a hoof dismissively at what Oil Wells said, grinning. "Ah, don't be so 'ard. All I can do is play, zere is little else. You 'ave a talent, je suis sure." He finished off his Black Stallian. "It's very easy to learn, aussi. Could teach you, per'aps?" he offered, leaning against the bar. He looked over at Riff Run, smiling. "I count four ponies, so you must be zee ozz'er jazz pony. Mon nom est Timbre Swing," he introduced himself as, holding out a hoof toward her. "I believe I may 'ave missed your performance. You are...a singer?"

No worries. Have fun!

Mind doing one of either my crossover, Fallout Equestria character Snowshoe, or of Mane RP character Muggo' Ale? I'll let you chose, just because the first one has a number of difficult little details (a chunk missing from her left ear, for instance), but both are my favourite characters, and I would love to see art of them 'cause I can't draw

Curio watched the mare and the griffonness speak about somepony he'd never heard of, and past adventures that he hadn't been aware of either. Interesting. The fact they knew each other would help: he didn't want to have to keep warring groups in line and away from each others' throats. "Small world," he said with a chuckle. To think that, of all the random ponies and griffons that could have applied (And did), he would choose two with a history and a connection, without knowing it first. "Eh, I wouldn't put too much stock in the peace. I live in Canterlot, and was present during the royal wedding. That was...quite the event," he said with a chuckle, winking back at Zelda. Would be great to have somepony...or someone, in her case, with a sense of humour, and someone he actually knew. "I would never have expected to actually need to use that old Equestrian naval cutlass, but when there's three changelings knocking down your door..." he shrugged. "I also never knew a broom handle could be so effective versus a cutlass. I still have the bruise to prove it. Still, three on one, and I still held my own, until that magic blast sent them flying away." Curio nodded at what Zelda said. "I hope so. I don't expect there's going to be any trouble whatsoever. But between your sword skill, and Arcana's magic, we should be safe," he said. "Besides, it's an old town. What are we going to find? Ghosts? Can't exactly stop a ghost with a sword," he said with a chuckle.

Squeak. Squeak. Squeak. It was a sound familiar to a select few ponies. A constant, soft squeaking, like an un-oiled wheel. Likely because it was an un-oiled wheel. Squeak. Squeak. It was the wheel on the base of Timbre Swing's contrebasse, the little spindle and wheel sticking out from a slot in the case. The instrument was wrapped in the soft blue glow of his magic, and the muted green stallion was grinning. It was a great night in Manehattan, a city he loved. He could go out at night and find a club anywhere to play, if he so wanted to. And it just so happened that tonight, he wanted to. So he'd thrown on a clean white shirt, his black fedora, and hit the street with his contrebasse. He'd been wandering for a few minutes when he finally found a club, and stepped inside. Quiet, not many ponies, with a beautiful mare with a coat of purple at the piano. He respectfully lifted his instrument a bit to keep the squeaking of interfering, and set it near the door. Jazz. It would seem he'd found a jazz club. He watched with a smile, quite enjoying her playing style, but when she stepped down and nopony immediately went up, he had a plan. "Salut," he said casually, trotting past everypony and hanging his hat on a peg near the door, the massive case floating behind him. He wasn't trying intentionally to show off, but he would never let an opportunity to play go to waste. Not since he'd made it sort-of big, with a very public duet with THE Sapphire Shores, and a couple music festivals. He idly flicked open the latches on the case and lifted the contrebass out. The instrument was worn, but kept in great shape by its owner. Timbre Swing looked over the audience, and shrugged. Might as well give them something to liven up the evening. He plucked out a relatively simple bass line, bobbing his head a bit as he flicked down a hoof-stand at the back of the instrument. He placed a hind hoof on it, and once settled, the bass line got a little faster, and a little more complex. He soloed with it a bit, then grinned and opened his mouth to start singing...scat singing. No recognizable words, just sounds and syllables. Using only his voice, and the non-sense that was scat singing, he provided his own accompaniment to his bass line, and Timbre Swing played out an improvised, fast, swingy jazz number, ending it with a little flourish on his bass after a good few minutes of playing. He smiled widely and kicked off with his other hoof, literally riding the contrebasse on its little wheel to the other end of the stage, where he got down and set it back in his case. "Merci! Thank you," he said, always happy after playing, even if nopony else was. He trotted over to the bar and grinned at the bartender. "A Black Stallian, merci," he said, looking over at the others at the bar. He smiled, raising his dark drink to them. " 'aving a good evenin?" he asked, his Fancy accent thick, but understandable. [While he's a lot more traditional, I find makes for a good example of his energetic style.]

"I'd like that. Hard to believe I've never visited the capital of Equestria before," Wind Rider said with a laugh. He took the card with a nod of thanks and stowed it in a pocket on his uniform shirt. "Oh, no fear of that. I'm probably not waking until noon at least after all this," he said with a laugh. It was also nice to be able to see the non-touristy parts of Canterlot, what most wouldn't see. He chuckled at the stallion's amazement. "Well, when the storms get rogue like this, most weather patrols just call it a night and wait for it to run down naturally. Really makes you think, doesn't it? Never really see a storm like this, because of us pegasi," Wind explained. "One doesn't exactly understand just how powerful nature can get when it wants to be, and we're not around to wrangle it together." He sipped his cider, chuckling at Misty Morning. "Ah, don't let Pocket here ruin your chance at meeting a nice mare. Go ahead and smack him, if you have to," he teased. "And yeah, nothing beats doing something you like, rather than stuck in a boring job day in, day out."

Curio grinned at Arcana's enthusiasm. Yes, it was a little bit cliched, but it was easier to mark his map with an X than a large circle and the words 'SOMEWHERE HERE' in big, friendly letters. "Yes. My contact works for the Canterlot Museum, and he was the one that showed me the map. He's still a scholar at heart, and would hate to see me accidentally damage such a beautiful old map. This is an absolute perfect copy, that I can assure you," he said sincerely. "Worry not, Arcana. This'll be worth it," he assured her. The stallion grinned and looked over at Zelda, hoof-bumping with her. "Ah, actually had a Manechurian come into my shop. For them, I was Saddle Arabian. I'm an actor at heart, Zelda. I always need to think on my toes," Curio said with a warm smile. "And yes, the details will be given when we move. For the time being though, it's just a simple trek through the tundra." Curio couldn't help but smirk as he said it: nothing was ever that simple. He watched Zelda and Arcana speak, rather surprised that the griffonness knew the mare even just by name. Small world.

Curio heard the distinct sound of wings beating the air, and he looked toward the source of it. For a split second the sight of a griffon on the horizon spooked him...he wasn't entirely sure if they'd forgotten the bribing incident, and he still feared the authorities would harass him. However, as the figure got closer, he noticed it was wearing a green hoodie, which was decidedly not griffon military issue. No need to guess who this one was: this was Zelda. He'd been apprehensive about bringing her along...after all, she was a regular, one of the very few he had. But not only did Curio suspect she knew the truth about his little charade, he reasoned that she'd be of some use, with her skill at metalworking. He figured she'd be able to help identify and value the items they'd come across, not to mention fix up any weapons or other metal bits they brought with them. "Ah, Zelda!" he called out in his faux mystic accent. "It is good that you are here, yes, my favourite customer!" he laughed and held out a hoof. "But I figure you always knew that was an act. Surprised you wanted to come along, but glad to have you. As for who's coming? No idea. I have a long list of possibilities, but not sure who'll show up," he said, all in his normal voice again.