Dunder

Dunder Blust slowly gliding along the cold morning air. The cool air from the flight to Ponyville from Cloudsdale reminded him of the pony he was about to see. His beloved Ice Storm. One of the most amazing ponies he ever met, and had the fortune of being her special somepony. And, even better, his other friend was coming so the three of them could hang out. Hence why he was coming over so early, to maximize their time to hang out. After a bit more flying, he reached Ponyville. He navigated over the buildings expertly, as he had visited so many times he knew where her store and home hybrid was by heart. The pegasus stallion landed in front of the frozen treat shop. The sign was switched to "closed" and the doors were locked as expected. He pulled out his key he mare sure twice not to forget and unlocked the doors. He wasn't sure if Ice was still asleep or if she was getting ready. He slowly opened the door and peeked his head in, scanning the room, "Ice Storm...?" He called in softly. It was early for him to visit, but today was special. And he needed to make sure he got there before Fire did anyway.

Dunder took a few steps back and sat on the floor briefly after him and Swift broke the hug. He was still too happy to have gotten to see two old friends today. Good, because otherwise he might have Taken Swift's comments about Candy's expedition as a little rude or being too concerned about it. He listened to Swift talk, some of the points were completely valid, but some of them were a little out of place. "We're just going to be transporting a manticore. Candy has done stuff like this before, just go, drop it off, come back. No pirates will attack... anyway, ships don't fight off pirates, ponies do." He said with a small grin. But, Swift was still significantly older than Dunder, so he should know what he was talking about. When Candy asked her concerns, Dunder wrapped a wing around her comfortingly and spoke confidently. "Well, we won't need to worry about pirates. I've flown over the everfree many times and I know I have't seen any pirates. Anyway, they would go for a fancier looking airboat." He unwrapped his wing around her, "And don't worry. We just need to load up the supplies for us who are going and the manticore. A pirate attack is too unlikely to stress over."

Dunder smiled and chuckled at Candy, "Yes, good thing we weren't the only ones making ourselves look like idiots." He chuckled. But her second comment was interesting. What was this stare that she was talking about? "So if you're stare is so scary, why don't you use it on me right now?" He said with an innocent shrug.

Dunder chuckled again at Muggo's comments "Eh, I know... I just wish he wouldn't have taken it so personally, though." he said before shifting his gaze to Fire who was now returning and resuming a seat on the table. While she spoke and addressed him, questioning his family, Dunder started t look the slightest bit uncomfortable. He looked down at the table for a moment before looking back up at her, "Nothing special, just two parents an older brother and two younger sisters..." He said and shrugged. "Earth dad, pegasus mom... you know." Dunder said before looking up and seeing Blueblood coming back. When Blueblood asked his question, Dunder just shook his head before going back to finishing off his meal. And then ordering two eclairs which he ate without a problem. Big ponies need lots of food, right? Anyway, those eclairs were too good. [Not sure really where to start the timeskip, so if you want me to start somewhere I can.]

Dunder chuckled at Blueblood's remark about the restaurant and Gustav. "Fancy food doesn't mean good food." He murmured before taking a bite of it. The food tasted just as Dunder would have expected. Not really food for the purpose that Dunder made, to fill, but to serve the purpose of being expensive and making sure the ponies tasted it. Dunder didn't hate the taste, but he was not at all fond with it either. Anyway, it's not like he was paying so he wasn't in a spot to criticize the food or not eat it. When Muggo' called Blueblood, "b'y" Dunder didn't even notice until the Prince got upset about it. It had been drilled into Dunder and probably Fire's and most definitely Muggo's brain that every male pony was "b'y." When Blueblood got upset, Dunder looked up from his food and gave the prince a cold stare. Had this been elsewhere, the stallion pegasus would have perhaps knocked the unicorn around a bit for snapping at Muggo' one of his dearest friends, but still. This was Canterlot and he wasn't going to mess it up for his companions. And he was most definitely not going to mess it up for his pay either. Imagining the bag of bits in all of its glory wasn't a sacrifice worth getting in Blueblood's face about. Anyway, listening to Blueblood's account of his father going missing and about how it impacted his mother and himself was strangely touching. After a story like that, it was hard to be any more angry or hostile at a pony. When the unicorn stallion left Dunder didn't comment. He knew that saying anything would be pretty out of place. When Fire left, he didn't comment either, knowing that it was probably for the best that she got check and make sure Blueblood wasn't having a meltdown or something. When Muggo' and Dunder were alone, the pegasus turned to the earth stallion, "Nice job, man, calling Blueblood a boy and getting him upset." He said with a chuckle.

Dunder Blust was listening to their bickering quickly escalate into angry yelling. The mention of a girlfriend made him feel the slightest bit lonely as he remembered his own. He reached into a saddlebag to pull out the picture of him and Ice Storm, them both smiling. He couldn't help but smile, feeling almost disconnected to all the hostility around him. At least hooves weren't flying or metal clashing, or else he would have to calm some ponies down whether they liked it or not. Anyway, this was an airship and nothing bad ever seemed to happen on those. When the turbulence picked up and some things began to get bucked around. He didn't say anything, he only looked at the walls. Was there something crashing into them? Or were they crashing into something? The thought got him sick to his stomach. But the feeling didn't last too long as the turbulence picked up with a familiar feeling along with his stomach churning. Hedidn't look at the other ponies. He got down and laid across the two seats, holding the picture tight in his fetlock and close to his chest. With his other hoof and wings he kept himself on the chair. To be honest, he forgot what to do in this sort of situation. He couldn't even remember if they had gone over it. The blood pumping heavy through his veins and the adrenaline rush of it all wasn't allowing him to remember very well.

Give her a hug and invite her to dinner.

Dunder glanced at the other stallion. This Germane pony seemed to be bent on using as many of his words as possible to win a second battle. Dunder was fine with knowing that he had already won the first one, but he was going to put up at least some bait for Martel. "Heh... big words for a pony who just got beat." Dunder said and stuck a tongue out at the Germane pony before turning back to Argenta. "And my name is Dunder Blust. Yes Dunder Blust." He said before nodding his head and tipping his hat. "And I didn't know, honestly, that I needed a permit. That is usually only advertised to mercenaries, which I am not. If I had known, I would have bought one." Dunder said honestly to Argenta. He suddely was getting hit by some anxiety. The weight of the situation was settling in. He didn't really know what would happen if he was punished for this. He'd rather just pay for one right now than get thrown in the slammer or getting heavily fined.

Dunder chuckled and nuzzled Fire, "You're cute when you're embarrassed." He said before turning back to see this ghost apparition right in front of them. It was in the shape of a pony, it didn't look like a pony, but was shaped like one. At least until it formed its eyes, horn, and other pony face features. He just stared at it, he didn't really feel scared, more surprised. After all, he was with one of the relatives of the Ghost, or at least he believed. Why would the ghost hurt family? Especially a Canterlot pony. He listened to them both give their speeches on who they were, Dunder cleared his throat as the thought on what to say. But He looked over at Fire in surprise when she spoke. He blushed while she spoke, pretty much saying what he was going to say.He never thought about becoming an officer or a trainer or even trying to join the R.E.A. again. He kept blushing as she praised him, and when she was done, he gave her a quick nuzzle and a kiss on the cheek. He knew she thought of him as a close friend, but he didn't know she thought of him that much. He blushed even harder at the thought. Either way, he cleared his throat to get ready to speak. He looked at the floor, then up at the ghost, "Well... I'm pretty much everything she said. But I'm also a chef who was born in Solstice Heights. Yes, I am a swordpony and I did try to join the R.E.A., but they were more concentrated on peacekeeping and the likes instead of fighting." He cleared his throat, "that about covers it..."

Dunder Blust was sitting quietly across the walkway from this lavender mare. Everything seemed to be so dreary on the airship. Everypony was so quiet and the skies outside even seemed gloomy. At first, he thought he was going to enjoy the thought of flying with all these other races of ponies and he'd just relax on the flight to Stalliongrad. He'd usually just take a train, but something went wrong with the train to Stalliongrad. He knew there was no way he was going to fly there, the air was too cold for him, his wings would freeze over and fall off. He already scheduled vacation time from his work, so he just decided to take the airship. Anyway, he planned on everything being more exciting. He was sitting there, looking bored when the lavender mare across the walkway started to yell about something. Demanding something happen that was exciting. He didn't care too much about what the mare had to say, after all, she was just voicing probably most of their opinions. He hoped something interesting would happen, something attention grabbing, maybe some griffon raiders try to attack. Anyway, he had his usual gear. His rapier and two saddlebags filled with some money, flint and steel, a knife, a cup, and various other miscellaneous items like soap and shampoo and a toothbrush.

I'm in on this!

Dunder landed close behind Candy. He was breathing heavily when he caught up with the mare, he tapped her on the shoulder, "Hah! You're it now." He said with a chuckle and bumper her with his own before taking a seat on his rump. He glanced around, the other ponies who were there were now leaving, why were they leaving? He looked around at the other faces surprised, but then one unicorn caught his eye. The familiar unicorn stallion with his orange coat trotted up. He jumped up on all fours happily, "Swift!" He almost cried out happily before galloping over and hugging the pony. "It's been a while since I've seen you too!" He said happily. He kept a hoof around swift as he faced Candy, "Candy, this is Swift Squall, one of my friends and fellow swordstallion. Even though I am better" He teased and then turned to Swift, "Swift, this is Candy Catch-em. Another one of my friends, a critter wrangler."

Dunder sighed, accepting defeat as he watched his favorite sword getting puled off. No way was he going to stand up needlessly against the law enforcement, he just hung his head and followed orders. Anyway, he helped out the patrolmare and neutralized the Germaney pony's hammer. If he just played along, didn't put up too much of a fuss, and got on the patrol mare's good side, then he would be home free. Or, at least have a better chance of getting set free or not too harsh of a punishment. As they all trotted to the station, he couldn't help but realize that some of the mares seemed to be watching him with wide grins. A few times, he would glance up at the mares and lift up his head to give them a smile, chuckling when they smiled back or acted surprised and turned to their friends to say how the stallion pegasus smiled at her. They soon entered the gates to the station. The building looked dreary with little color and luster to it. He sat down next to the Germane pony, across from Argenta at her desk. As she introduced herself, Dunder watched her. "Argenta?" He asked, "That's a pretty name..." He chuckled.

Dunder took off, in the back, a little behind Midnight and to her left. He kept his wings tight on his body, the last thing he needed was to agitate his broken wing more or possibly break the other on a stalagmite. After all, even if he got into a fight, he'd still need his wings for better balance. With one or both out, he might not be able to compensate. No way he'd tell Midnight, though, he knew that she would react very deeply knowing if Dunder was in some pretty exceptional danger in a fight. Not that he planned on getting in one anyway. As Muggo' started to get behind, Dunder stopped. He looked back at Midnight, "Keep up with Winter and Dusty!" He said waiting for the pony, getting impatient as the earth stallion was setting up this trap. Dunder couldn't argue, not now at least. He was just standing there, himself turned and impatient, ready to leave. He knew the diamond dogs were coming. The earth stallion was back to running, "Are you sure you're okay running on that sprained ankle?" He asked before glancing back. The growls and snarls of the dogs were just around the dark corner of the cave, he kept watching to see the dogs fall over in a pile on Muggo's trap. "And that was worth it, good thinking." He said to Muggo' giving him a quick pat on the back with a wing. Dunder and Muggo' caught back up, "Alright, they'll be occupied from Muggo's trap for a bit, we need to collect ourselves and think about where we are going. Dusty! Slow down!" He called to the front.

Dunder listened to the other ponies around the table. Muggo' had the tight idea. If this Unicorn was going to be a dunderhead about fighting with a blade, he could make himself useful as a support role. Anyway, if worst came to worst, Dunder could still give the unicorn training. Anyway, he had mastery with the longsword and wasn't one much to teach martial arts badly. He would keep this in his saddle bag and only bring it up if needed. He didn't think there was too much to worry about with Blueblood, this pony seemed like he would at least know a little bit about something useful. To be honest, Dunder was surprised with the set of skills Blueblood supposedly had. Though, he just nodded with a hoof on his chin at the pony as he spoke. He was actually thinking this pony wouldn't be too bad of a dead weight, as long as everything he said was true. But there wasn't much going agianst him, the stallion's father was an adventurer where these kinds of skills were required. Also, if Blueblood cared about his father this much, then it would be likely he wanted to take after him. When the trey arrived, Dunder looked at the ponies and the platters, thinking this would be an excellent time to have some fun teasing Blueblood, "As a chef, this food seems like it would be good!" He said happily as his plate was served to him. He wasn't one to be critical of such things as food, but he was just going to do it once just to tease.

Calm down, man, I'm pretty busy at the moment...

Dunder Blust smiled and coughed nervously as she said he was good at smoochies. He never thought he'd be good at it. He didn't think he had as much experience as other stallions, but maybe it was enough. He hung in the back, not really having much to say and just listening to Swift and Oak just talk. He watched the walls and the floor, looking and examining everything. He was waiting for something scary to happen, and when the books and the armor suit incidents happened, he just galloped after Swift and Oak and Fire. He tried to remain calm, knowing that if any of them started to lose their composure, others would start too. Anyway, they all had been in some dangerous situations and thy all could most likely keep themselves in check. As they trotted into the dining hall, he couldn't help but eye all the food. He hadn't realized how hungry he was until now, but he knew that ghost food was probably untrustworthy. As Fire talked, Dunder grabbed some fruits off the table. Each one looked freshly washed and picked, but still he needed to resist the temptation. Maybe unless Swift and Oak gave the all clear. When Fire squeaked, Dunder chuckled at her. "Hah! You made that squeak again." Seeming to almost forget that he was inside of a haunted house with two strangers and his friend.

The brown stallion pegasus nuzzled his friend back. "No Problem." He missed Candy so much, he couldn't contain himself. Ever since the Hoedown, he had missed her slightly. And he happened to stumble upon her when he just happened to be in Canterlot. The coincidence of it all made him too happy to just calm down, especially when she thanked him and called him sweet. For a second he thought that maybe he should tell her that he had a special somepony now. Maybe later, when they were more alone and had nothing to talk about while catching up. When the new stallion arrived, Dunder smiled at him. "Hey, Wild Gambit. I'm Dunder Blust, it's a pleasure to meet yu!" He said happily. Sizing up the stallion, he looked like he could hold his own. That would be good since dead weights on a trip like this would probably be the most harmful. Or maybe not, since the manticore was just going to go in the air boat, then into the Everfree. He listened to Candy talk about their meeting point at the docking bay of the air boat. When he felt and saw her tap him as a tag, he grinned wide. As she flew off, he flew off after her, "I'm going to get you!" He said while chuckling and flying hot on her tail.

Dunder nuzzled her a little more before finally getting up. Hugging so hard in public, and in the middle of a conversation was a little rude but way worth it. Especially seeing Candy again made him feel too happy not to. He sat down, after flying for so long he needed a break. Anyway, Candy had something to say about a manticore escort mission. It sounded relaxing... being on a yacht with one of his friends and possibly some new friends. He would insist on paying for himself, though. "Alright!" He said happily after she was done talking. "I'll tag along, make sure you don't get yourself hurt." He said to her happily. "And I will pay for myself...so." He said before looking at the stranger. "Nice to meet you, Willow Wing!" He greeted, "My name is Dunder Blust." He said.

Dunder smiled as she accepted the proposal. He expected no less, but he still needed to act at least a little surprised. Either way, he was going to dance with a mare, and he hadn't danced with a female like this since one of his flight school dances. "Then, come follow me." He said as he trotted to one of the forming squares that still needed a stallion and a mare. He was beginning to get nervous, before he could dance like an idiot and nopony would care, here if he messed up he would get some ponies annoyed. And he knew he would, he had no idea what he was doing. After a bit of getting used to the singer's accent, and remembering from when he was required to take that dance class in primary school, he was getting the hang of it. After messing up a few times, of course. Turning one way when he was supposed to turn the other which led to some awkward corrections and some odd looks. Also following the other ponies more than the singer made him follow the mare's instructions a few times. Onece he even accidentally tripped over Candy's hoof, making him almost fall to the ground. When it was done with the first square dance, he was done with that for a while. When he trotted back over to Candy, he was sweating and looked nervous, "Hey, Candy." He told her. "Sorry about all that... I'm not one for square dancing...." He admitted and smiled nervously.

Dunder had to hold back a smile when Blueblood was going off on his obvious opposition to the idea of fighting. As well as the bogus reasons for doing so. Plenty of Canterlot nobles were used to the idea and styles of fighting. Obviously Blueblood had better things to do with his time. But, what Blueblood said next to justify it made Dunder need to agree. It'd be best if Blueblood didn't do anything to get hmself hurt and leave it to the trained and strong and brave ponies to do the fighting for him. But, as Muggo' and Blueblod said, it'd be for the best to just avoid any violence. It's what he hoped, the last trip was fairly peaceful...fairly. When Fire started talking, he listened intently until he heard her praise. He ducked his head and smiled a bit while blushing and looking away. "Oh, please, Fire!" He said before lifting his head back up and smiling at her, "you are too kind. And think too highly of my abilities, I'm pretty good, but some of the classical masters who made my style would probably destroy me. But thanks." He said before giving her a small, friendly nuzzle. He listened to what else she had to say. Indeed, Blueblood needed to be useful. Dunder would make him useful if the noble planned on being a dead weight, like he planned to do to society.

Leave me alone! DX

When Fire came up, telling Dunder that they could continue it later, he only nodded. Maybe it was for the best not to have their hooves all over each other, especially in front of Dunder's new friend. But when she began to rub his mane, he smiled again at Fire and rubbed her mane back, "And you're so fuzzy too!" He replied, her mane now looking like she had just gotten out of bed. He turned back to Swift and as they walked up, he listened to the two of them talking. He really didn't have anything to say, Fire and Swift were both Canterlot ponies. Being surrounded by the nobles for that long is something that showed itself in conversations like this. Conversations where Dunder couldn't add too much. Fire seemed to have a lot of stories of ponies fighting over silly things, and Swift seemed to be prepared to take on the responsibility of the large mansion, so this whole ordeal with getting everything situated couldn't be that bad. But when he saw the inside, looking like it was brand new and had been kept up this entire time, he got worried. "I don't think it's much to worry about.." He said and rethought that, "Maybe it is... master mage ghost, not really sure what this could lead up to. I'm not worried about him being a ghost, more about what he could do as a magician..." He said as he trotted inside.