Stainless Steel Fox

Ah, there was the delightful young filly who had made his last vist to this shop so much less wearing than he expected. She was obviously trying to move gracefully and carefully. "I see you've taken my instructions to heart. However, the correct term is Highness for a Prince. Majesty is appropriate for a King or reigning head of state, so my Great Aunts would be called that on formal occasions. Still, I wouldn't expect someone so young to understand such niceties, especially..." He glanced around. "... when not raised in Canterlot." At her fashionable comment, he gave a small smile. She had an absolute talent for finding the right things to say. "A unicorn noble is fashionable in everything they do, or rather, if sufficiently noble they make something fashionable by the very act of doing it." He chuckled. "They also arrive precisely when they mean to, whether the rest of the world agrees is the world's problem." "Some more of that excellent tea might not go amiss, and I might even stretch to a biscuit." He sighed. "The last time I was in the presence of your sister and confectionary it did not end well." He added something before she turned away. "Oh, and on the matter of learning those niceties, I have something that may help." He levitated the book from his saddle-bag and brought it in front of her. "The copy I used when I was just a colt. Everything any-pony who is any-pony needs to know about etiquette and making their way in society."

Grr! I've been trying to connect to update for the last couple of days, but every time I tried, the thing timed out.

In the corridor, the female griffon sliced at Muggo Ale with the short sword held in one fore-claw as she plunged forward. Meanwhile, in the dining room, the six griffons were in a stand-off with Dunder, even as Firewalker took on the leader. The leader sneered at the pegasus mare as he puleld a spare cutlass from a shoulder holster, fending her off with a claw and then striking viciously. "We know exactly what's on this flying stable, and the only guards are the pair of you! The only reinforcements that are going to come in here are ourrs, once they've swept the upper deck." Two of the griffons flung away their captives, and came out to face the other pegasus, flanking him as the others maintained a defensive circle. One struck st him with as well aimed culass strike, while the other threw a knife, the other four egging them on. Blueblood was still recovering from his burst of magic, but was compos mentis enough to take in the scene. He noticed the remaining griffons were distracted by the fight, and the two cowering unicorn nobles, low level bureaucrats in the Ministry of Administrative Affairs, where he'd worked for a couple of weeks. It hadn't ended well, he'd been bored out of his skull, but they'd been assigned to help him and teach him. Pen Pusher and Quick Quill had probably never seen a sword in their lives, though they were expert and passionate about their jobs, filing permits and the masses of paperwork that ran Equestria. He had an idea on how he could help further, but he didn't have enough magical power to do it on his own. If only he could motivate them... He swept the table of anything remaining, and started to use a bottle of tomato sauce from one of the common tables to write on it. "You know, those griffons almost certainly don't have permits for those weapons. For that matter, I have no doubt they don't have the correct paperwork for using this air-route, not to mention the disruption of everyone's schedules..." As he'd hoped, the pair of them stopped shivering and started frowning. "Pen Pusher, I remember you telling me how important it was to have all your paperwork filed correctly, and that organisation and respect for proper procedure was what set ponies apart from the animals. And I know you were very insistent on punctuality..." The pair were glowering at the griffons now, and Pen Pusher exclaimed, "You're right, your Highness! I hadn't realised you'd taken my lessons to heart." "Those barbarians just stormed in here, without any sort of declaration of intent, not even a memo!" fumed Quick Quill. "How dare they ignore proper form! Ohh! I'd like to cancel their visas!" "They should be ashamed of themselves! I agree! They probably don't even have visas!" Blueblood had finished writing on the table, which was labelled 'Null and Void' in reverse lettering. "Then help me stamp them!" His horn glowed and the others' horns glowed in sympathy. The table shot into the air and arced over before the grouped griffons could react, distracted as they were by Dunder's fight. It slammed down, table first, shattering, but not before it flattened the four griffons who were underneath it. The ponies who'd been held scattered and were quickly drawn behind the protection of overturned tables.. (OOC: Blueblood's response was the sort of thing I meant by inventive. You have an entire deck of ponies to command, including a number of named NPCs. Have fun!)

Yesterday was my 40th birthday, which explains why I was a little busy. Loved the party blog entry they gave me.

By the way this is my 40th, which makes me officially old.

This is awesome! I never expected anything like it. Thank you so much!

The griffon leader's claws raked across her chest armour, but it defeated his best efforts, though it left deep creases in the metal. He pulled back from her hoof strike, but caught the edge of it on his beak and shrieked in anger. "Hold still so I can crush you!"

The nearest griffon sneered at the pegasus and pressed the sword close to the throat of his earth pony hostage. "Back off featherweight, or we'll give these ponies a haircut they'll never forget!" (OOC: Better be inventive, a direct attack will not work. You have other resources to work with.) The griffon lerader was happy to accept her unspoken challenge to a game of chicken, and powered forward, striking at her as she closed within range of his claws and snapping at her head. That, at least backfired as the plume of ther helmet got in his way. making his splutter.

There had been a tail-wind all the way from Canterlot, so Prince Blueblood's chariot had arrived here early. Said tailwind had also affected his tail, and mane, turning it into a ralative rats nest. As they came in for a landing, he conjoured up a mirror and gave both mane and tail a quick going over with a grooming spell. It would never do to look less than immaculate, especially when visiting someone like Rarity. He was not going to be shamed by being any less well turned out than her. As he disembarked, and told the Royal Guards when to pick him up, he noticed a colt exit the confectionary shaped shop that was his destination. His appearance tugged at a memory, and Blueblood's encyclopedic knowledge of the great and good of Equestria quickly pulled it free, to some puzzlement. What was a member of the Orange family doing in this backwater? (other than getting some clothes, obviously). Manehatten society wasn't really noble, not from most of Canterlot society's point of view, but they had enough wealth and power to at least take note of. Valen, that was it. Prince Blueblood gave himself one last look over, checked the 'Dressage and Ettiquette' book was securely in his designer saddlebag, and went to see if the dressmaker could actually live up to her press releases. He came in through the door and looked around, still slightly worried that stray cake might be incident..

Looking back up the corridor, Muggo Ale could see that his room wasn't the only one getting special attention, or that the griffon he'd just used as a rug was the only one there. Several griffons were working the rooms further up the corridor, and the nearest one had just spotted him. "Oh no you don't, pony-boy!" She screeched, and charged down the corridor at him.

The griffon leader growled as he saw the pegasus flying towards him over the crowd. "Grab some of the meat and hold it hostage against these bozos! I'll get this one!" He took to the air himself, charging at her with both fore-claws out to rake. Meanwhile, theother six griffons hauled random ponies from the group they were hearding, and held them at sword point, backed up inot a circle with the ponies in front acting as shields. (OOC:Sorry, but The main group of griffons is far enough away to react before any-pony can reach them.) A group of unicorn engineers and some of the cooking staff weilding various cooking inplements had appeared at the doorway to the lower deck corridor, lead by Lore Scroll, who'd vanished in the first few seconds of the fight. The corridor had only been a short distance from the Captain's table (cloe to the kitchens for fast service). However, they were frozen at the sight of the hostages.

I've wanted that Spaceballs homage for a long time. But just to make things fair, I think from now on, someone else4 should decide the NPC reactions to Blueblood's actiosn, the same way I'm doing it for everyone else. Offers?

(OOC: Sorry. Didn't even have time for an apology post yesterday.) The griffon smashing his way into the small stateroom came charging in, shrieking a war-cry. The upright chair didn't knock him back, like all the furniture on the air-ship it was made of light, laminated woods to save weight. However, the attacker insinctively kicked out at it with one taloned fore-claw and smashed through it, getting it properly tangled in the frame. He want down on his front, smashing the chair to kindling, but leaving a clear path to the door for some-pony willing to walk all over him. (OOC: Dunder, you did read that post about how you're not supposed to decide the outcome of your own attacks? Otherwise you might as well be writing fanfiction. I will be, but I'm GMing as well as playing my character.) The third griffon was sent tumbling smacking into the table and flipping it like a see-saw. Plates, food and dishes were sent flying in odd trajectories. The burner that had kept the fondue hot shot across the dining room like a firework, whistling past Blueblood's head and setting his mane on fire. Fortunately, the fire didn't last long as the tureen full of fondue followed, arcing over on top of his head andmaking a fetching hat. "Aaaaahhh! What!" Blueblood yelped as the semi-liquid cheese dripped down his face and shoulders. "My mane!" One hoof came up, and a silver serving tray was pressed telekinetically into servce as a mirror only to find the once immaculate mane coated with cheese, that part of it that wan't burned. "MY MANE!" The tureen flew off again, blasted straight up and embedding itself in the ceiling. The unicorn under had wild eyes and an incandescently golden glowing horn. "NOPONY TOUCHES THE MANE!" Blueblood lowered his head towards the griffon who was the cause of his bad mane day and a bolt of golden energy blasted from his horn, flinging the griffon across the dining room and out the picture window where they'd entered, leaving a neat griffon shaped hole. Still growling, he turned on the other two descending griffons and treated them each to a blast of pure magic. One went out through the window while the other smacked into the hull. His sudden burst of magical energy faded, and he swayed as the aftereffect of the biggest adrenaline rush he'd ever felt trampled him with it's hooves. "Ohh! The rest of them! Protect the civillians! Avenge my beautiful mane!" (OOC: Yes, channelling Spaceballs here.)

The griffon plunged in, but his sword was deflected off course by Firewalker's skillfully weilded punch dagger. He started to follow up with a claw swipe, but his own momentum drove him onto the fiercely driven hoof to the head. He stopped daed in the air, his weight pushing Firewalker back a few hooves, and slumped to the floor, twitching. The lead griffon shrieked in annoyance, causing the ponies nearest to him to cringe. He signaled to tow more of the griffons. "You two, get over there! I want those guys dead!"

Sorry, I don'rt quite get how Firewalker's acting. If her punch dagger is fixed to her fore-hoof, and currently engaging the griffon's sword, what is she striking back with? I'd assume her other hoof or a headbutt, as I don't see how she could do it with her dagger.

Blueblood was enjoying his dinner when the Captain's announcement came, quickly followed by the crash. He watched in shock as the griffon boarding party invaded the hall. He used his napkin to wipe his mouth, and stood up from the table. Part of him was freaking out, but he would sooner die than let any-pony see it. He'd had enough trouble sorting out the fall-out from that Grand Galloping Gala where he'd used his companion as an anti-cake shield. Besides, a dozen heavily armed griffons were nowhere near as scary as that unicorn mare. "Lieutenant Firewalker? We appear to have unexpected visitors." There was crashing and thumping from the roof and the deck above. "And more upstairs. I believe this is your area of expertise?" The griffons started forward, herding the ponies in the dining room with blows from the flats of their swords. The leader notced the two Royal Guards and called out. "Beaka, Clawed, Gyrus, find out who those polo ponies are hiding!" Three of the griffons peeled off and flew over the heads of the other ponies towards the captains table, arrowing down to take the Firewalker and Dunder from the air. Meanwhile, or a moment earlier, Muggo Ale's inventory search was being disturbed by a great bashing and thumping on the door. It was holding for the moment, but it wasn't exactly heavy, being on an airship and it was starting to splinter. (OOC: Apropos of nothing in particular, there is a straight run down the coridor from the cabin to the balcony overlooking the dining hall. Just thought I'd mention that.)

Sorry everypony, was out all evening. Have only just gotten to see the updates. Will reply tomorrow... later today when I've had some sleep!

Since you havn't actually initiatwed combat, I'll let everypony react rather than responding right away.

Since he's 'off duty', he has no reason not to go eat in the dining hall like everyone else, so he should be there to play.

Best to let me handle enemy reactions, though if it's acceptable, I'll do it on an individual basis, which means I'll post as soon as someone acts. Oh, and no lethal force, no matter that everyponies using sharp things. I'm probably pushing the mods as far as I can go with this encounter to start with. If it turns into a bloodbath, we're going to get canned. So be creative. This is a fancy dining hall, with all the things a fancy place has.

Blueblood was pleased to note that his close protection detail was waiting for him as he exited the cabin. Not that he really needed it on the air-ship, but their presence was a clear indicator of his status, and that Lieutenant Firewalker was organised. With just an approving nod (little gestures like that helped maintain their morale) he set off towards the dining room. Both corridors leading from the bow exited onto a balcony that overlooked the hall. Twin stairs descended backwards and curved round to join together before fanning out as a single stair underneath it. A triangular podium extended from the wall where they joined, with a statue of Princess Cadence upon it. A liveried steward ushered the prince to the Captain's table, though the Captain was not in evidence. The Second Officer, a white earth-pony stallion with a startlingly dark mane and amber eyes, who introduced himself as Lore Scroll, made apologies on his behalf, and stated that he was currently on duty, but would be hosting dinner. Blueblood wasn't displeased, as this made him the centre of attention. There were some lesser unicorn nobles from Canterlot, the Asstors, a wealthy merchant donkey and his wife from Manehatten and the well known pegasus mystery author, Jessica Fledger. A few basic conversational gambits had the table hanging on his every word as the lunch was served. A salad of sun-kissed vegetables, some imported from as far away as Itaily was followed by tappanyaki fried vegatables with a fondue that was kept soft by a small burrner under the tureen. It was delicious, if not quite to Le grand standards, very close. Meanwhile, forward in the control cabin, the periscope lookout was observing something that made him call up to the bridge via speaking tube. "Captain, sir, there's a cloud coming up on us from the port quarter, at an angle to the prevailing wind." Captain Shipshape levitated his binoculars and examined it through the bridge window. "It's nothing to worry about, probably a late delivery to Fetloch. Still, it is large and we don't want to get tangled up in it. Send semaphore to the weather pegasi to steer clear of us." "That's the thing, I can't see any of the pegasi team pushing it." "Ridiculous, they can't be flying blind..." The cloud was almost upon them when it started to disapate and from it emerged an airship very unlike the Cupid. Only half as long, it was lean and rakish, with a beak-like prow and wings that supported a pair of secondary hulls. Each hull had it's own gas-bag, connected together by cables, and the secondary hulls also had steam engines and stern facing multiple propellers on common shafts in front of tall rudders. "Sir, a griffon warbird just declouded!" Able air-pony Obvious (who would almost certainly never make Captain) stated. "I can see that!" Shipshape frowned. "What's an Aquelian... wait those flags aren't official!" Brave, brightly coloured banners flew from the rigging that held the gas-bags, and as it approached, the beak opened and globs of gluey stuff was vomited forth to strike the aft port wing-sails gumming them up. The griffons that lined the deck took to the air, swarming towards the striken air-liner. "Hard to starboard!" Captain Shipshape yelled, and then into the speaking tube., "All hands! We are being attacked by a rogue griffon warbird. Gwet the passengers to the main lounge and prepare to repel boarders!" So Low did her best to evade it, but the lean griffon air-ship was just too manoeuvrable and a second glob took out the forward port wing-sails. Harpoons fired from the secondary hulls, piercing and holding onto the hull of the Cupid, while one smashed through one of the large two-story windows that flanked the dining hall, smashing a pane totally and scattering shards of glass over the nearest ponies. It was quickly followed by a group of at least a dozen griffons who flew in through the gap, cutlasses held in their beaks and started to advance into the hall. "Mmm mm mmm..." The lead griffon spat out his cutlass and glared as another one who looked abashed. "So, 'Carrying our swords in our beaks will look cooler?' " He turned to face the assembled ponies. "This air-ship and everything on it is now the property of the Red Talons. Surrender and you won't be hurt... too much." He finished with a nasty sneer.

Should I let Dunder get into position, or just assume he is and move things along?

(OOC: Moving things along, as Dunder seems even more recitent than usual. Also, if someone's guarding Blueblood during his meals, won't that mean they'll be unable to eat their meal? Best make sure you arrange with the steward to have food served to you before or after the meal, though with the slightest bit of finesse, you can probably get you meal choices from the Captain's table menu rather than the regular passenger menu which your tickets entitle you to.) The hours passed swiftly as the air-ship swam southwards towards Baltimare. Blueblood remained in his cabin, working on his father's journal and transcribing notes to one of his own. He barely noticed the spectacular view of Garden Gait as they overflew it and the southern spur of the Solstice mountains off to port. When the steward knocked on his door to alert him to luncheon, he gave a start, his magic scratching the quill he'd been using across the page. He erased the blotch with a deft twitch of his horn, and replied, "Yes, yes! I understand." He checked himself in the bathroom mirror before he left, not wanting to have the slightest detail out of place. His current suit would do for luncheon, but he would have to have a steward lay out a proper evening dress for dinner. A rapid self inspection complete, and a few minor magical touch-ups, he was ready to face his public. He left the rooms and walked down the corridor towards the middleof the ship and the two story high dining hall in the centre. (OOC: Sorry this is so short, but I have to get things in place before I can kick things off.)

Blueblood steeled himself as the flying chariot flew away from the spires of Canterlot. Timne to face the cake-flinging harridan again. The things he did to maintain his status as the most elegant bachelor and more handsome noble in all of Canterlot. Still, it was necessary, even subjecting himself to the rigours of an open flying chariot rather than a more leisurely and infnitely more comfortable airship or ground bound coach. The chariot did have one thing to recommend it, speed (Travelling by train, like some common pony wasn't even worth considering. Still, maybe it wouldn't be a total loss. His further enquiries had confirmed that whatever her ofther failing were, this Rarity was most definitely a fashion designer of some renown. If she were truly as capable as her reputation, he could expect a suitably suitable suit. And there was her delightful assistant. So eager to please, and to learn. He had even brought a book with him, 'Dressage and Etiquette', the copy he'd used when he was a colt, and heavily annotated wuith his own observations. Her biggest problem seemed to be clumsiness, probably due to growth spurts. Even he'd been somewhat ham-hooved at that age, hard as it was to believe now. This not only provided excercises to help overcome that, but also tips on etiquette and the thousand and one things a young unicorn looking to make their way in polite society should know. While it might be far too late for her elder sister, the younger one could possibly be saved.

I would like to do some sort of adventure story where Princess Luna takes centre stage, as the leader of a group of adventurers, but the twist is, she's the only one from Equestria. I have various ideas of how to bring them together, and what the quest would be, possibly find a way back to their home dimensions, as in my fic Cutie Mark Adventurers. I have two ideas about the content of the group, one would be, someone's collecting magical Lunas, so you get Princess Luna, Usagi Tsukino and Luna Lovegood as an adventuring party. This would also have a B plot about a Rescue party from Equestira, probably including the mane six, going through the various home dimensions in search of Luna. The alternate would be an equine adventuring party. Luna would obviosuly be the arcane caster (Wizard/Sorceress). You'd have characters like Pegasus from Hercules (Ranger/Scout), Maximus from Tangled (Fighter), maybe Angus from Brave (Barbarian), maybe even Donkey from Shrek (Rogue/Bard). I'd like another female, prefereably a unicorn, but the only one I can think of is Almathea from The Last Unicorn (Druid). Can anyone think of any others, or have any ideas of their own about this?