Dunder

Dunnie grimaced as the Fancy pony climbed on the ladders and took off down the rails. "Bevel! We're guests here, don't break anything!" She called out, then grinned to Fire apologetically before taking off after Bevel. With a spread of her wings and a powerful flap, she zoomed off, only in the air for a few moments before landing back on her hooves, galloping along with the momentum she had built up before stopping next to Bevel. "C'mon. If you break something, Fire'll have to pay for it!" She didn't sound upset, just worried and she wasn't sure how true that was, but it sounded correct. "Also you don't have a device for that?" She lifted her hoof up, thinking about it, "A device that could scan the text from one book to make a copy?" Bevel loved books so much, Dunnie wondered how she just wasn't churning out inventions about them. Like a book made of a lot of tiny books to make them easier to read. Or a book that flipped its pages for you. She trotted back over to Fire, eyes still wide as she soaked in how huge this place seemed. "Protecting books seems like a good idea. If they were spell books, then the wizard that wrote them was useless for not having the foresight." Gotta know what could go wrong. It was step number 2 when making something. She chuckled at the compliments that Fire gave her, blushing some as she grinned wide. "Oh, still. I'm sure the princess isn't interested in what I can offer. She probably has dozens of ponies like me at her beck and call. I mean, she already has you. And I'm sure your cooking has gotten better." No ill intent behind her words, just Dunnie being a dunderhead. "Oh? The table will send us off to a crisis if needed?" She asked, immediately stepping toward the magiced table. Her eyes were locked on it, enthralled by its now legendary status in her mind. "So this could call any pony to answer a problem. Hoping that it'd light up. But it did nothing. "C'mon, not even a dramatic lighting up?" But still the table did nothing.

Dunnie could see that the new recruit was getting his harsh briefing as expected. Perhaps better than she could. Prince Blueblood was occupied with the large creature, and the Captain was busy roasting the recruit. She slipped away from the group and turned toward the door that she had entered through. With everyone doing their thing, she slipped back out the door so that she could maybe get to her other duties of the house.

Dunnie walked into the back garden, following close behind Blueblood as they passed the threshold with Tiger Blood. The sun's warmth was welcome on her wings, and her armored glowed softly with its polished sheen. She crouched down low, and stretched her wings out, "Those halls are too air conditioned." She muttered to herself as she finished her stretches. That's when she saw him: the sphynx. It was amazing to see a creature that large, especially one that was sapient and talking. If it weren't for the maids that were floating about the creature, Dunnie would have pulled Bluey to safety. However, nopony was alarmed and neither was Dunnie. Dunnie didn't even notice Star Crusader arrive until she had already landed and bowed. Dunnie quickly bowed back, "It's good to see you again, Star." She said and grinned behind her mask. When Blueblood left the side to talk to the spyhx, Dunnie stayed put. "I just got off vacation myself. So I'm trying to adjust back to everything around here. Seems that..." She trailed off, looking around the garden, "...some changes are more surprising."

Dunnie raised an eyebrow. She gave a sidelong glance to Blueblood. The stallion seemed committed to this, so she would have to be too. She stayed close to Blueblood. She looked back to Tiger, "Alright, alright." The sharpness in her tone dropped. "If you are serious about joining you will have to be serious about the rest of it. Ettiquette included." She stated, "And, of course, if you do not learn, we will have to give you the boot."

"You have spoken with the conviction and poise of a deflating balloon." She eyed the stallion, "Though, you have spoken with a modicum of decency on your third attempt, so I will nod disqualify you outright." She stepped back, moving to rejoin Blueblood at where he was standing, "As said, you will need to present yourself respectfully to the public. As well as foreign and domestic officials. You will be scrutinized for how you carry yourself and how you speak. Combat prowess and the appropriate behavior are equally as necessary. If this does not appeal to you, then you are dismissed."

She half turned away from the stallion, giving him less space to look over her at the prince. "So you are both blind and deaf." The pegasus reached up to take off her mask. After removing it and setting it on the floor, she looked back to the brown stallion. "I am Dunnie Blust, of Prince Blueblood's honor guard." She stated, "Everything you say and do will be taken into account for your entry into this retinue." She reached back up and put the mask back on with a metallic clink. "Now, state your name, where you are from, and why you are here whilst commanding dignity and respect. Else you will be disqualified from entry on the grounds of being blind, deaf, and dumb."

"Do not speak to the prince in such a manner." A mare's voice from above. There flew a pegasus, who was looking down at the brown stallion. She drifted down and landed gently between him and the prince. "You will speak in a respecful, formal tone while you are on guard duty. Especially to the prince." Her voice was muffled by her mask but still carried the sharpless of a blade. The mask of shiny metal construction, polished, but still scarred from heavy use. She wore a breastplate, a pink puffy shirt, blue and red breeches, and a hat with a puffy red feather. On her belt were a sword and blucker. "Now, state why you are here. This time with dignity." She commanded.

Oh, wow. That was a very, very large dog working the treadmill on that machine. Not only very large, but also enveloped in an aura of smoky clouds that blended in with illuminated markings across his body. As the creature responded to Blueblood's wisecrack, Dunnie could only watch in awe as the creature moved legs and jaw. Only after a familiar voice entered her ears, did she realize that she was staring. Her cheeks flushed red as she took a deep breath. Her reaction can't be that bad, can it? She smiled as she laid eyes on the black griffoness. "Hey." Dunnie said back, then paused a moment, "Hay is for horses." "I haven't seen you in a while. I think you've gotten a lot taller." Dunnie grinned at the black catbird. While Blueblood was distracted, she dropped a bit of her own cider into his mug to give him a little more. He had saved her a spot, afterall, and he was the one excited about all of this. On time with Zelda's cheer, she took a sip. After a gulp she was starting to realize why ponies lined up for this stuff. The flavor, apple, acidity, smooth. All with the zing of fermentation at the end.

Dunnie chuckled at Blueblood's late thoughtfulness with the kitchenette. It was the thought that counted, afterall. "Oh, Blueblood. Lack of a cooking space is no worry, I get to take a break and we get to try the local cuisine!" She pulled the fast-food bag free from under her wing and set it inside the tent. The brown bag's bottom was stained noticeably dark from the oils. Just as soon as the bag was set down, it seemed that the line was moving. Talk about good timing, "Right, lead the way!" She tried not to get swept up by the crowd and stick close to Blueblood. How this place managed to not turn into a full on riot was beyond the brown pony. So many bodies were lined up and eager to taste something of such a limited supply. The Apple family must be flattered. She was trotting alongside Bluey while glancing about the trees and landscape. She would have flown overhead, but, she also wanted to blend in as well as she could. When the unicorn pulled her attention toward someone she knew, she glanced over to see none other than...Zelda. "Ah! Zelda!" Her eyes lit up. Indeed, she was an old friend. They had been through a lot and shared a lot with each other. Though, the bird has not seen this form of Dunnie. "Oh, two cups?" She asked. Perhaps she could get another cup with some cunning. "Well, it seems most ponies already know you are as you are, so." She took one of the mugs, thanking Blueblood for the payment and smiling down and thanking Apple Bloom too. So cute! "Anyway, seems that the cider is going to run out before you can try." She eyed the cider stocks, already getting dangerously low.

Waking up at the crack of dawn was not something that Dunnie was used to. At least, not anymore. However, camping was an exception no matter how close to civilization the camping was. These were also unusual circumstances for the mare, it seemed that Blueblood's collection of expensive drink would not be complete without some of that famous Ponyville cider, made by none other than the Apple family. Dunnie knew well enough that this was a popular enough occasion for the locals and some out-of-towners to break out the tents, so this had better be some good cider! She was trotting back along the endless stream of tents. Ponies waking up, milling about, preparing food or drink to start the day of waiting in line. Fortunately for her, she had a spot saved for her closer to the front of the line. Surprisingly so, since she had just arrived yesterday to find that her quarry had been camping early enough for him to get a good spot. Fresher cider, or something like that. As she trotted back up, she noticed that Blueblood was already awake and talking to a neighbor. She smiled and trotted past the pale pink pony and took a spot up next to Blueblood, where she would plant a kiss on the side of his muzzle. "Good morning." She opened up her wing to reveal a paper bag. "Got us some breakfast! For some reason, though, the only place open was the fast food restaurant." Guess they couldn't ditch work to snatch up some limited time cider. "Is this your friend?" She certainly was pretty, and definitely did not look like a local. A Canterlot native would not be far fetched.

"This castle was built but in a few moments?" She asked, noting the jagged chunks of crystal jutting out of the arches and generally just posing a safety concern. "I guess, at least it has rooms actually built? Instead of just being a giant monolith of crystal." She asked while scraping a hoof gently across the point, seeing how sharp it was. While she hoofed mindlessly at the jutting out crystal, she listened in on them. She hoped that a magical force who is omnipotent would know how not to waste the time of these important ponies. Dunnie didn't mind traveling across Equestria, but it would be rather disheartening to see that the objective of her goal was to take out somepony's trash. As the group moved on she did too. When the door the the library was opened and she stepped in, she looked around the room at all the books, mouth wide in amazement, "Whoah. Are these all the books from the old library? Oh, that wouldn't make sense since the old library was blown up..." She thought for a moment on that, while walking forward, taking in the scenery more. "This place really seems bigger on the inside than the outside. It's amazing." She glanced back at fire, "Also why is this Princess Twilight's favorite room? I don't actually know much about her. Also I've never met her." She gasped, "Are we going to be able to meet her today?! That would be so cool!"

Heart of Equestria... What even could even be such a thing? The collective will of all ponies? An entity greater than both of the princesses combined? Would an entity of that power remain neutral for long? Thoughts raced through Dunnie's mind as the power of the magic table before her was revealed, even if the source of such power remained mysterious. At Fire's explanation, she nodded slowly while listening. Her eyes locked on the table throughout the explanation. A very knowledgeable pony indeed. "I suppose the princess is lucky, then, that her old residence was built atop this powerful magic?" She chuckled lightly, "Or maybe this castle would have followed her wherever she went?" Dunnie pushed herself onto her hindlegs and did the best shrug that she could. No protest came from Dunnie as Fire moved the tour along, she dropped back to her hooves and followed silently, getting close to Bevel.

Dunnie gave a sidelong smile to Bevel as she was embraced suddenly, "I think this form is much preferable too, personally. However, being tall is a little overrated when you have wings." She said, flexing her own and looking back to appreciate them. "Though, I suppose magic is useful to reach things on a high shelf too." She commented and gestured to her friend's horn. "Also if we went out for a drink, I'm sure they'd be more than happy to serve you something soft." She suggested, then shrugged, having already noted that she had never seen Bevel partake in alcohol before. However, as pair began to follow the red mare, Dunnie's head hung a bit lower. The rush of emotions that had just gone through her and Fire was enough to keep Dunnie feeling a bit ill. Though, she kept going on, perhaps by the end of the tour their hearts would calm down a bit and they could make some sensible plans. She still loved her crimson comrade and was unwilling to let something silly like changing into a mare get between them. As they entered the opening, her eyes went wide. Looking like a fantasy novel come to life, the table was surrounded by six chairs, the jagged edges of the crystalline furniture was fitting for a castle that had supposedly sprouted from the ground. She listened to Fire speak as ashe trotted around the table, examining the table and each chair with a curious gaze. At Fire's question, Dunnie spoke up, "What happens if you are asleep or something and you don't hear your cutie mark make the annoying sound?"

At this point, Dunnie knew to look away from the flashing light. She didn't know how strong it appeared to the spectators, but so close the magical light could leave a pony blind for a few minutes. When the flash from the spell had dissipated, all that was left standing were the figures of the two stallions where the mares used to be. As Gearbox got to explaining the magic using jargon that will fly over most pony's heads in his regular jovial demeanor, Dunder suddenly became apprehensive. His already melancholic behavior dropped further, along with his head which now hung low while his hoof kicked idly against the castle floor with soft clacking. Though, when Gearbox spoke up about his attractiveness, the stallion smiled and stifled a chuckle. "You are a rather attractive stallion. And as a mare. I guess you got pretty lucky." He said, his voice low, barely loud enough for Gearbox to hear. He lifted his head to look straight at the re mare before him, "Oh, and we can go to the microbrew if you wish. But there isn't really much to 'catch up' on." He said, leaving out his thought that he could really go for a drink right about now. For they had to continue with the reason they all gathered. "Let us begin the tour." He said, still speaking softly. He turned to face gearbox, "But first...." He held out his hoof with the bracelet around it while looking down at the slightly shorter stallion.

"We used to date." The words stung, but not as much as they used to. The words that really hurt, that realized Dunnie's worst fears, was Fire insisting that Dunnie needed "fixing." On top of Fire's refusal to return the hug. The tears welled up behind her eyes, as fears of losing one of her oldest and best friends surfaced. However, Dunnie held back the tears, as crying and causing a scene would only make things worse. As Fire showcased the golden cider and the brightly colored cupcakes, Dunnie could only look at them with an abject gaze. However, the cupcakes could offer some temporary comfort given the circumstances. Dunnie ripped the wrapper off one, eating the whole cupcake in one bite while listening to Fire explain her ideas for the castle. By the end of Fire's monologue, Dunnie had gotten through 3 cupcakes and was holding out a fourth to Bevel. "They are very good. The chocolate ones are better." She said while maintaining eye contact on Fire, who was now breathing into a paper bag. Dunnie approached her, "Fire, you're overreacting. There is nothing to be freaking out about, there is no part of me that you need to fix. The magic can be undone at a moment's notice, if we so wish." Dunnie said, motioning to the golden bracelet on her fore leg. While putting her hoof down, she resisted the urge to stop the ground. "You're just going to have to accept it." Her voice stayed strong, not revealing the burning fear in her gut. "Only if it would make you feel better," She spun around, and trotted back towards Bevel, "We could showcase this device?"

It all made sense now. Every last bit of luck left for Dunnie was used up with Bevel offering to turn her into a mare. After the vacation to the changeling isles and going back to work at the Blueblood manor, all that has followed the transformation have been encounters with ponies who have known her since before the transformation. Even though she knew that such encounters would eventually happen, she had hoped to enjoy life as a mare and suffer awkward reunions later. However, it seemed fate put Dunnie against one of the last ponies she wanted to see again. Her legs locked up, her teeth gritted, ever muscle in her body stiffened up. What will she say? What will she think? Will she keep being my friend? Will she never talk to me again? Thoughts of fear buzzed through her mind, but the jig was already up. There was nothing to do, except to prove how minimal the differences were. The look of shock slowly gave way to a wide smile. "Fire!" She zoomed to embrace the red pony, squeezing her tight and nuzzling her neck. "Long time no see!" Fire would get a whiff of Dunnie's perfume which carried a light fragrance of fresh strawberries. "How have you been? We need to make sure to keep in touch better!" Greeting her like this felt natural. She was still the same pony inside, even though her appearance changed. "Oh, yes." Dunnie released Fire to look at Bevel, "We have known eachother for a long time, actually. Went on quite a few expeditions, ey, friendo?" She beamed at the mare, giving a light nudge with a firehoof against the chest.

New beginnings: part of the reason why Dunnie had chosen to come to ponyville at all. With her new looks, it was almost like she had never stepped into the town before. Not that she was tunning away from her memories of the town, instead she wanted to create new, happier ones. And in what better company than that of her good friend Bevel. Such a sweet mare, helping out a friend in need in such an ingenious way. As they made their way to the castle, Dunnie looked at the bracelet around her left forehoof. It was currently gold, and giving off a brilliant shine in the summer sun. To imagine something so simple could cause such a change. Her mind was snapped back to reality when she heard a familliar accented voice. "Oh! Does it seem like it is not working? I only saw myself in the mirror for a moment this morning, but I saw a mare." In an instant she became a bit flustered, she brought a wing up to brush her mane, which was long and brought down, straight at the top but a bit wavy near the bottom. "Also you said your friend was the one who got us the tour." She said, a bit scatterbrained as usual, "Did you say who the friend was?" Clank A mechanism in the door sprung to life. "So they were expecting us." The door began to swing open, "I hope we aren't laa--" her eyes shot open when she saw the red mare inside the castle, "Fire?!"

"Is not my fault Equestrian is hard to read!" She protested, jumping to her own defense. Memories of her frustration staring at the same characters, trying to memorize the specific sounds they made based on where they were and how they were written. Drawing pictographs was much more efficient once one became familiar with what each picture meant. No more pesky letters and the same word meaning 5 different things. "Maybe later you can give me some books to read! Though I might need some help reading them." She admitted. When they reached the main warehouse, Cemmoyāhua got low to the ground to stay as hidden as possible. "This stallion is not like the 'baddies' you are used to encountering. He is a clever and ambitious pony who is pushing his luck, not a... 'muh-fee-yo-so'. This is probably as many guards he could hire without drawing too much attention. But tonight they would be stretched thin, that's why we are here. He has a lot of inventory moving around that still needs to be protected." After scanning along the walkways and the interior of the room from their poor vantage point for a moment. Wooden boxes stacked on top of each other bound in rope and rivets should provide sufficient cover. she spoke up again, "We need to get to a higher vantage point. If we are where I think we are, his main office should be on the other side of the warehouse." She looked up, "Do you think you will be able to fly me up? Or will I have to climb on some boxes to get high enough? It would be no trouble, I have climbed trees much more challenging than some boxes." Some of the boxes were stacked in a way that some acrobatic skills, one would be able to get to the second floor. Alternatively, there might be a ladder or staircase somewhere, but who could guess where and how well they would be watched.

Cemmoyāhua tried to rush in to help, but her attempt was thwarted quickly by the black spear-point of the guard. While being choked, he focused on the mare in front of him, and in his panic was unable to try to defend himself against the Pathfinder who would eventually make him see stars. On the ground, he was breathing and his heartbeat was steady. Useless now. "If you were a criminal as much as our quarry, then you would spare no expense trying to protect yourself." The mare said, thinking that Pathfinder didn't truly grasp the scale of her work and how that related to the rest of the life in the Tenochtitlan basin. Oh well, she thought, at least she will be able to help us, even if she doesn't understand the importance. Cemmoyāhua reassured herself, firm in the idea that Pathfinder would lead the Tenochtitlan basin and the crown to her goals. That is, after all, the goal of a hero to make sure that the good guys win. The Basiner decided to remind her Equestrian counterpart, "Remember that lives are at risk." She said, turning to head out the door where the guard came in. Since they were in the bowls of the facility, and the boss didn't bother putting much security down here, she gave her assessment. "So we are looking for a ceam-colored pony, who is older than the average stallion." She said, checking down the hallway to see nopony there. "It looks clear. I don't imagine there would be any more traps around here." She whispered, in case there were any more guards. But it all seemed clear. "Huh. It seems that the guards were all sent to the top, where the easiest place to enter would be." She said, beginning to trot down the darkened hallway, lit by the occasional candle set into the wall. "If the rest of the staff are up there, maybe we could sneak past them and get to the main office, which should be on the third floor, overlooking the warehouse itself." She said, "Where I would be if I were an evil mustardmine."

The goggle's band stretched as Cemmoyāhua pulled it over her face to cover her eyes. A couple blinks and a quick wipe with her fetlock and she smiled at Pathfinder, ready to dive. Despite her affinity for fire magic, she was an excellent swimmer as most were who grew up surrounded by canals and a lake. With only some light stone jewelry to weigh her down, she glided through the water currents with ease. At least, until they got to the point where they could both be pulled where she went limp and let the water pull them along. The plan of entry was still Pathfinder's. So she followed along with her friend's instinct. Even though while faced with the gate blocking them from air, she suppressed her panic and remained calm as Pathfinder kicked the metal apart. Once, twice, the metal strained against the pounding hooves. With a powerful kick of her hindlegs she shot forth, aiming for the gate to help breath through to precious air. As she braced for impact, instead she felt nothing except herself breaching the water "Aggghhh!" She groaned, coughing up some water. Her rapid breaths sucked in pretty rank air but still breathable nonetheless. After a pause she removed her goggles, "We're never doing that again." She looked up at Pathfinder pushed the tank open with relative ease. A common complaint of places owned by traders was that they cut corners on costs wherever they could. Cemmoyāhua never thought that this would come in her favor, however. Though her relief was quickly dashed when the lid swung open and crashed, the hinges that allowed it to open completely giving way and breaking under the weight of the lid. The loud crash sent a jolt of fear down Cemmoyāhua's spine, pushing her to action. She hopped out of the cauldron-like contraption. Instead of shaking herself off, Cemmoyāhua's horn lit up. In a flash she was consumed in flame that vaporized off the water in a puff of steam but left the rest of herself untouched. Mid air-however. Something else clanked, and a rope zipped along the stone floor, barely missing Cemmoyāhua's airborne hooves and wrapping tightly around Pathfinder's legs. Just when Pathfinder was about to get strung up and dangled, Cemmoyāhua summoned a whip-like stream of super hot flame. The spell quickly sliced through the rope, still wrapping around Pathfinder's legs but she remained on the ground about to topple but Cemmoyāhua jumped on her back to stabilize the pegasus. "We got to get out of here, we're gonna--" She was going to continue but a masculine voice cut her off. She kicked the bound pathfinder behind a series of pipes, concealing herself but barely. Just before somepony rounded a corner and entered the small room, lantern in one wing and an obsidian spear in the other. "What are you doing here?" He asked in the language of the empire. "I'm just checking the pipes. And this water tank exploded down here!" Cemmoyāhua responded casually. Despite Cemmoyāhua outranking the young warrior in both class and warrior-rank, the lines between each so often blurred, she couldn't just tell him to flap-off due to the sensitivity of her mission. He approached still, spear now held in his hoof, menacingly. "Nopony is supposed to be down here now! What are you doing here?!"