Dusty

Rongyu looked over at Yanhua as the other mare spoke up, giving her take on what a hebi is for Feng. “Well, not all muscles. At least from are point of view. Ever seen an onikuma or gyūki? Makes even me look like some court scribe. But for you mortals…” she looked back at Feng, smiling. “We are pretty strong. My dad can crush boulders between his coils like its glass. But that’s something for another day. All like me can… Well.” She trots closer to Feng, then holds out a hoof that passed into his chest without effort. She pulled it back, then pushed it at him again. This time it pushed Feng back softly. “I can be corporeal and incorporeal at will. In water I can pretty easily remove myself from view as well.” She thinks for a moment, wondering how much she should give away. “But it works both ways. Being corporeal or incorporeal. If you can’t touch me I can’t touch you. If I can touch you you can touch me. So I do have to be careful in combat.” With that done she backed away from Feng and watched Yanhua show her stuff. Not that she needed some reason to eye up the cute fox. “Ah, fox fire. Heard about it but never seen it in use. Didn't know it did not burn something. Not that it matters as the pain from thinking you are on fire may do some pony in.” she remarked. Then with a small look of shock watched her trade places with Feng in a clap. “Ohh!” Now that was a cool trick. “Nifty that can be useful.” she says, ginning at the fox that popped in next to her. “Pretty, skilled in magic AND a very good cook. How some stallion is not tripping over himself to win your heart I don’t know. Maybe I need too try.” She added with a wink.

Rongyu was genuinely shocked to see her blade ‘hit’ Feng. It really was good she kept it, and herself, untouchable. She failed to grasp why he didn't move until he spoke up. Illusions? The only illusions here was this pony body. But he did seem to think she her-self was some illusion and waved his hooves about to find the ‘real’ her. She just looked at him, blinking as his hooves hit at nothing for a few moments. “Illusion.” She was not asking about it, just saying it as if the word was confusing. The moment his attacks shifted away from herself she swung her sword again, side on like a big paddle, and this time it did not pass through him. The hunk of iron she called a sword slammed in to Feng like a ship oar being swung by some bull raider aiming for his flank. "No sir, that's not how this magic works. I'm a Hebi."

The big cat blinked, somewhat taken back by the act of some pony correcting him on the use of words. He honestly respected the bravery to do such a thing as if it was nothing. On the other paw, some pony believed they had the worth to be correcting him and that was just silly. But given the state of things pushing that well get him nowhere as he needed at least one useful source of help in this endeavor. So he’d let it pass without remark. The rest of the conversation was going over his head. He was gifted with magic and can wave spells that warp what one can see, feel or how they even act. It was a gift and it came as easily as speaking. But the downside of this born gift is the fact the more fine details of magic were unknown to him. And so, here he was. Hearing the words of some blasted insecest and a pony in his hunt to save his own race. Such was life. “Decades are nothing to me. You will live and die of old age in less time than it took me to grow out of being a kitten. But my lifespan sadly is not shared with my friends. As such we need to do what it takes to speed this along. At least no more than two decades. Longer than that and I fear such a change may kill Enbarr.” He says, shaking his head. “Do you think it will be achievable in such a time frame if I work to get you whatever you may need?” He asked. Enbarr huffed. “Two decades is not a big deal to you big guy…” She’d fuss more, but knew it was pointless. Fussing will not make it faster. She just had to hope it will happen before she’s gray in the fur!

And of course, somepony shifted it back on the topic of… Well, the bones in every ponies closet at this point. They all had some it seemed and that was not too shocking. Given how long it's been and how long they have at each other's necks for blame over… Event. It was no wonder every pony had some story about how other ponies were the evil ones at fault for whatever disaster befell them. Maybe they all were in some way as something did happen, the Skyfall was a very real event. So she did wonder what disasters befell the others. But in the moment, here and now, she really did not want to open the closet and pull out everypony's bones hidden away. She knew a lot of things, probably more than every pont here. Her rank gave her that. What she can and can’t talk about… Well, she needed too hash that out with mom. And soon. One cat out of the bag was a disaster, stars helped them if the rest fell out. She’d, no, all of them will be ha- Pipp rustled her wings as Sugar asked something of her. “Huh? Oh, my wings?” She was thankful that is what got asked of her. That was easy to talk about. Well, with some trimming. Bones in the closet… “They are odd but I’m not the only one with this gift. A few other nobles I’m related with have wings like this. But mine are the best I think. The softest and most pretty. It's like a blanket wherever I go. And let me tell you, that is a blessing in winter. The winter's up in Zephyr are cold and long affairs. But it seems they are less good for flying. That or my sister is just far more gifted at it than I am. Still, the fact they work at all for flying is wonderful as they normally did not let me even glide. Magic, its… magic is it not?” She giggled and opened one of her short fuzzy wings out, displaying its white fuzzy plumage. “More funny to you I’d think, is my feathers are worth a lot. Whenever I preen my wings I keep the old fathers that get pulled out and resell them. One fashion designer even used a dozen or so she got her hooves on to make a fuzzy neckpiece on her outfit. I’d offer to let some of you touch them but, uh, I'd rather you…” She searched for a word better than peasants. She can’t call them citizens as they were not part of the kingdom as well. Soo… “Ponies don’t. At least for now. Maybe if you wash your hooves well I will let you touch them for a moment.” Was that fair? Most never got to lay a hoof on her, so maybe they will see this as an act of goodwill for the common folk? She can hope. “Now what else do all of you wish to ask of these princesses? Once in a lifetime moment here.”

Rongyu just watched Feng take to the air with her eyes. Not moving at all she watched him dive down, rare legs first to some diving kick. She did not even try to leap out of his way, yet he slammed hooves first in to the ground. He did not miss, yet his blows passed her as if he was trying to land a blow on the mist of a waterfall. “Looks like you missed Captain!” She barked with a big fanged grin, then swung her head to the side, grabbed the shaft of her huge sword and pulled it free of the sheath. Well, that was not ture. It simply passed through its own sheath as she swung it up in the air, then swung around to bring the huge blade down on Feng in one flowing ark of movement. She betted on him moving before it hit but just to be safe… Did keep her blade incorporeal so if she did land a hit it was going to pass him harmlessly. She can’t risk cutting her captain in half. That’d ruin over a decade's work! And she was not about to replay bootcamp and reclaim the ranks.

Rongyu had to admit to herself that it may be hard to focus on the job at hoof with this foxes hunches stuck in her head. What can she say, she picked up her worst and best aspects in the Imperial army. Everyone picks up some vice. Drinking. Smoking. Or chasing every tail in the bar. She picked up on the latter. But this was no bar much as she wished it too be. Yet Yanhua was not the most distracting thing here. No, it was Feng and that had nothing too do with his looks. She had no clue what every mare saw in that thick headed colt. Yanhua was making her feelings felt and strongly at that! And yet… He did not even seem too notice. Was he really that blind to the feelings of others? Were all Watchers like this? He may have left that post for a new one but he was still colder than she ever was to the feelings of others. “Full disclosure?” She says, looking between the google booking vixen and the clueless colt. “Fine. first thing then.” She fixed her gaze on Feng. “Feng, try to land a hit on me. Hold nothing back. And I do mean nothing. Well, hold back the mint.” she grins as she speaks, the mist building up around her even more. Thick and heavy it flowed up her legs. She was nervous to do this. To even hint at her real self. But the cat was out of the bag. So best she opened up. Mostly. So why not start with her most useful trait? Unless something was packing some magic blades made to land hits on what can not be hit… Well, many a bandit and raider found out the hard way how much good it does to swing a sword in the mist.

The giant of a mare took a few steps back from the swelling storm of fire. Yet she did not look all too shocked about this, just fasanted. For she was just that. As soon as it began she knew what Yanhua was. She’s never gotten to meet a fox but knew of them. And this did explain so much! No wonder she kept feeling off about Yanhua. She was picking up on what the mare truly was. So she watched in wonderment… She was somewhat shocked how small Yanhua was in her real body. But all that fur! The tails! She looked so. Warm. And even ehr real body looked so well groomed, fur glittering in the sun as if it was silk. She wanted to reach out and embrace the tails but knew better. “Oh. Wow. You look even more gorgeous...” She mutters softly. It was no lie, this fox was incredible. Shame she was head over tails in love with the world's most blind stallion… Still, she smiled back at Yanhua. It gave her some heart to see that smile. For all the heartbreak she gave Yanhua something too smile about and well… What? What was she saying about shapeshifting? “Wha- no no, shapeshifting? Me? You are the shapeshifting one.” She fussed, looking somewhat nervous about that. She then looked over at Feng. Yanhua was… Well, like her. But still she can’t just drop the act! Can she? She’s known them for at most a month! And Yanhua was some cute fox, blind as Feng is, at least he’d see the same thing. But her? She knew well how the mortals reacted. Maybe some part of that is her own fault. Mortals are pretty yummy. But that made it all the more important she kept the act. “All I can do is normal mortal things. No shapeshifting or being incorporeal.” She added with a nod of her head, trying too ignore the growing amount of mist pooling up around her legs. She did her best to swoosh it away with her tail, everything going on was distracting and this blasted mist followed her like some lost puppy! "So! Feng, repeat on that breff?"

Nilaavin found most of this back and forth just annoying. He didn't understand most of what was being told but one word did hang on his mind. Homunculus. He can’t place a paw on what that was yet something about it made his fur stand on end. The term abomination came to mind for how it made him feel. “We will give no life to what has none, nore will we mock the gods by playing as such. If we are too do this it shall be a change of body but a soul untouched. She shall be herself and only herself. No movement of the soul, no playing with the flesh of the unliving.” He says with a snort of anger, well he did not fully grasp what it was he had the clues to piece together it was something he’d not like. So he’d put an end too that plot here and now. With that done he moved on. “All I ask is for a pony to be made into a sphinx in continuity.” Much to her shock Enbarr found herself being asked something. To be changed permanently or temporary. “Wha?” She blinked, then shook her head. “Permanently! Why’d I ever want to go back? I’d be something more than… this!” She barked, then snak back from her outburst. That was not how she was trained to act, maids don’t yell like that. “Sorry. Yes, I wish to be as such forever more if it can be done.”

“What the…” Rongyu spoke underneath her breath as she took in the view. It looked like… A picnic? But that was hardly what she focused on the most. The cook, Yanhua, was here as well and she looked… Well, gorgeous. She was never bad on the eyes but this was something new. She was just stunning today and it left Rongyu somewhat breathless. But the real knock-out came when she understood what just happened. The confused look, the food put out for just two… The blush was lost in shock. Oh no… This poor mare. Can her Captain really be this clueless? Yes, Yes he can be. He did not even stop step as he launched in to his pre-op briefing. By the gods how can he not see what was going on? This poor mare… She moved to take her seat next to Yanhua and noticed how nice the mare smelled as well. She really was going all out. Fur brushed so smooth it looked like silk and touched with perfume. Her main was spotless and her tails… Tails? When did she have two tails? And why did one look like a foxs? Whatever Feng was talking about hardly mattered at that moment. The briefing can be repeated. “Yanhua…” She spoke up, leaning over to the mare. “I have two things to say. First, you look gorgeous. Truly. I’m sorry he’s this blind… And… When did you grow a fox's tail?” She asked in a whisper, then looked at Feng. “Uh, sorry sir… Can you repeat that?" She asked him… As she honestly missed everything he was saying. She only got the end of something about sinking or swimming.

Rongyu kept her eyes on the coffee and filled it to the rim. One drop more and it may have spilled. No cream, no sweeter. She gently blew over it, letting it cool. It will take a few moments before she can drink it. She just can’t drink it as hot as others seem to. But it gave her time to reply too what Feng asked. “I was expecting the training I got in camp but even worse. Running in deep mud, pushups as you stand on my back. Pulling wagons with broken wheels as you toss insults at me. That is what I was expecting. Not some basic swordplay and coffee. I still feel like something is going to jump me and scream at me to do laps as they run after me with a lash.” She says, looking over at Feng. “I have been training my body, soul and mind for months to prepare myself for hardships that made my army training seem like a foal's first schooling. So the lack of it has left me rather dumbfounded.” She added with a lean of her head. With that spoken she looked back to the coffee and leaned down to sip at the rim of the drink. She jerked back and blew on it again. Still hot and still more time to talk. “Equestria Games?” She asked, she heard of this Equestria but honestly… She didn't know much about it. “Have you been to Equestria?” She asked, looking dumbstruck by such a thing. It seemed so far away after all. Past the vast sea in lands strange and weird to her understanding. And the cook did it too? “You as well?” She asked the cook with a look of utter shock. “What is it like? Is it true they build out of the sky? I heard the Empress is old as a dragon and holds the sun in her claws? Is she a dragon?” She had a dozen more things to ask, all stories and things she’s heard from others. She did wonder how much was ture.

How thing’s change and how they stay the same. She spent years doing long patrols in the vast countryside of the Empire. And here she was doing it again but in a new outfit. She’d fuss but honestly leaving the city was welcomed in many ways. The stillness and peace of the open lands outside its walls will let her decompress. For a moment at least. So she was happy to be taken out on this ‘extended training patrol’ as Feng called it. She can’t think of what training she’d need. It was clear in the paperwork she was used to spending weeks out on patrols. It did not take long for things to clear up. This was not just some patrol, something was going on. They were to meet up with some contact out in the forest. “Interesting?” Rongyu says back as she looks down at Feng. She was outfitted in a uniform befitting her new post that matched Fengs in colors. Yet hers had much more lamellar armor outfitted on it. She was not as fast as Feng so she took the path of being the anvil to his hammer. The armor was key to such doctrine. She had the size and strength to hold a line as he flanked and hammered the back. But the outfit and size only added to the humorous contrast between them. “You mean she’s nice on the eyes?” Rongyu added with a vipers grin. She found it odd how Fang did not seem to care about or notice all the mares that… Tossed themselves at him. It was honestly eye rolling. At least her fellow soldiers in the army knew a good time when they saw it. Oh well. It made for fun teasing with how clueless he seemed to be. Still she did wonder about just what they were getting in to.

Tempest took her eyes off the window to look down at Bloom. As ever her face betrayed almost nothing of her feelings, yet something was going on in her eyes. A look of worry as she studied the young mare. She trusted Bloom, yes. But this request was far more than just working on some engines or pulling sails. Dive work on wrecks was very risky and at times deadly. All it takes is one mistake to be trapped without air. It was too risky to send Bloom in on such a thing… How much swim time did this mare even have? Whatever it was it was far short of the trained divers she was sending in. Hell, they even had a hippogriff leading that team. He can stay down as long as needed without the need of air tanks. But Bloom? “No.” It was flat, unwavering. “You will not join the salvage teams. But I will let you dive and look at the wreck but only from the outside. If you so much as poke a head inside one hole I will ban you for life from ever even getting a hoof wet. Do you understand?” She added as she leaned down to get more eye level with the young mare. Grown as Bloom was, she still looked like a filly next to Tempest. And in Tempest's eyes she’d see no room for argument or pleading. They were standfast and unwavering. Even AJ may have a hard time laying down a glare this unfluching in its totality.

Pipp rather suddenly found herself at the center of attention. Now normally that is where she loved to be! How can she not? But at the moment she was rather on the back hoof. No plans, no script and a rather messy past couple of days she was still pulling together in her head. It didn't help that she had half a cupcake shoved down her muzzle. She really was not ready for this. But well, here it was. Firing off a glare at Sunny she swallowed the cupcake down and wiped her muzzle clean with a napkin. “I'll be more than happy too!” She says with a warm smile. It was a lie, she was not happy at all but such was life. This was far from the first time she had to take stage in such a short order. Trotting away from the food table she took her place in the heart of the room. “Oh how wonderful, majestic and powerful Zephyr Heights.” She began, holding a golden hoof to her chest to add impact to the phrase. “I hardly know where to begin on such a thing. Never in my life did I think I'd be put in a spot to speak about my home to outsiders. Something you all must feel about your own homes I’d think. But I shall try my best.” She did wonder where to even start. Maybe some history? They knew nothing of her home, only one here that saw it was Sunny after all. “Long ago a champion led us after the skyfall. A hero of ages past he was brave, just and fearless and blessed with fl-” She stopped herself and blinked. She knew the story she was about to tell. It was the founding of the kingdom and with it how her family alone can fly. Thing is… that was a lie. A pointless lie now. She felt a rush of fear creeping down her spine as she was faced with the growing worry that came with such a fact. “Ah…” Her mind was racing to piece together something. A story. An act. She wished her mother was here. She’d know what to do. What to say. “His name was Zephyr. He was a beacon of hope in a time when none was to be found. We were in a sorry state after the skyfall. The sky was ripped away from our wings from the treachery of the uni…” Once again she found herself slamming head first in to a stone wall of context. Oh this was bad. She was making a huge mess of this. She felt… Terrified. Never has she felt fear about being in the spotlight until a few days ago… And she was feeling the same fear welling up inside of her. “I'llberightbacksorry!” She darted away from the onlookers and up the stairs to reach the ship's top deck. She was tempted to take wing and fly away. Run even more. This was a disaster and it's her fault. She needed help. Pulling her phone out she looked at the screen for a moment and the one tiny bar of reception. She didn't know if the call would even contect out here. But what more can she do? She felt far too alone. All it took was a few swipes of her hoof too have the speed dial underway. “Please pick up…” She whispered to herself, glancing back at the door leading down. She hoped none of them followed her. Ring… Ring… And blessed be it, mom did pick up. Pipp did her best to explain what was happening as fast as she could, it took a few moments for Haven to have a moment's break too speak up in Pipps rant. H- "Stay away from history. They're not interested in that, they're interested in you, your life. What is a typical day like?" P- “Busy? I'm busy I guess? Sorry. I just feel off my game. Everything is going so fast I still haven't had time to come to terms with things. Slept horrible and now my head is… Just lost in this fog. I wish you were here. I feel like every step I take is walking me into another wall. What if it happens again? What if they drag me away…” H- "Oh, Honey, they won't. Believe me, I know how to spot loyalty, it's an essential skill for royals. Your new friends will be loyal to you." P- “But only Sunny is here! She… She’s a good mare, that much is easy to tell. Foolish to a fault but… no, you're right. She’d toss herself in to danger for me without thinking about it. She has that air about her. I’m not worried about her, I'm worried about the rest. I’m their first contact with our kingdom and I feel like I'm making a mess of that. How can I trot back down and act like nothing happened? Just pick up talking about myself and brush off that mess I ran from?” H- "... I hate to say it, but a simple apology, that you don't quite know how things work now in this new world, will have to be made. I don't think anypony else knows either, so they will understand. I hope." P- “An apology? That’s… Not much more we can do is it? I feel so powerless. I wish you were here. I… I need a hug. All of this is so new and scary. I’m scared of being in the spotlight! Me of all ponies! That… I hate all of this. I just wish it can all go back but it can’t.” H- “I know honey, if I were there, I would. You can ask Sunny for one." P- “I’d make a joke about such a thing but I honestly think she’d do it if I asked… Thanks mom. I better get going before they come up looking for me… Oh! Can we have the evening together? I think… I think Ice-cream and TV with mom is in order.” H- "Sure thing Honey, love you.” P- “Love you to mom. Byebye.” ((A thanks to Blue! All of Havens lines were of his makeing, thanks again for makeing Canterlot history with me for the first ever phone call in a rp post.)) With that she ended the call with a tap of her hoof and a sigh. She did feel better from that. Still nervous as all get out but she has a game plan. A basic one but it was better than nothing. Looking back at the door she shakes her head. “Well, here we go. Round two.” With that she made her way over to the door and pushed it open and made her way down the steps. She can do this. “Sorry everypony! Just had to take that call. I hope it was not too much of a bother?” She says, speaking up so all of them can hear her return. “I’d like to apologize about that dead start. Like I told you I never have been put in the post to talk to others outside the city and given the recent… Upheaval I hope you can all understand the difficulty I’m faced with. But if all of you are interested I’d be very happy to talk about my life. Trust me, plenty to cover on that topic. A lot happens in the life of a princess.” She offered the apology and followed it with a new topic if they so wished. If there is one thing she can ramble on about endlessly, it's herself… Was that egotistical? Probably. But she didn't really care.

He can’t understand this odd… Trust every pony kept putting in the hide changers. They were things of mistrust, lies and parasitism. Yet time and time again he was marked as being in the wrong, have they not seen what they can do? Empires have rotted from the inside out by such things. Yet there was hardly anything he could do. Not with this spell on him. And so he just just glared his hatred and spoke gently in a tongue only he and Blue knew. [“I will stay my paw, but I will say again. Do not trust her or the ‘students’ you so happily speak about. I will trust nothing she has to say.”] With his feelings made clear again, no matter how pointless, he relented but made no apologies for he has none to give. With nothing more to do he fixed his gaze on Windwright. “So tell me, what vain hope leads you to think this can even be done? Such a change… Well told in old stories are nothing more than that. As far as I know. We may be half a pony in many ways but the differences we do hold are vast. Such a change is… Flirting with the power of the gods. So I’d like to hear your reasoning to have the faith to go down this road at all. What do you see that makes it worth the venture?” He asked. He felt keen too do so. Well the bug seemed fit to just… run off in some rant about how she’d do it he’s heard nothing about the why or how. So he’d hope the alchemist can give some backing to it. He’d trust their word far more than the insects. Enbarr held her place for a moment, only when Nil seemed distracted again she removed her hoof from his paw and backed up to her post at his side. It is hard to not speak her own mind, but it's not her place… But she’d choke Spoiled out if that old mare dared to try and push in on her spot. She was going to win, she was going to be a queen some day! And have all the power she needed to smite her family. Hopefully. No telling if this was going to work or how long it will take. Nil had countless lifetimes to see it work, she had one. So she deeply hoped something will come of this.

“You know no pony will take you.” Nilaavin says glancing at the mare taking cover behind his mass. He was a beast of his word and she submitted to him. As such he’d keep her safe. No pesky apples or whatever they were, if they even had ties to her, will lay one harmful hoof on what was his. Yet she’s yet to put that trust in him that Enbarr has. A shame, but it wes telling she used him for cover now. That did tell him she put some trust in him. But he knew she’d not buge, most of all with strangers. Mare was more shy than… of what was her name? Butter Shy was it? No no… Falter? The yellow mare that was somehow a hero. Whatever, it was just amusing to see Gritstream so shy for a mare of her strength and girt. His ears flicked with a jerk of his head, looking up he watched the pegasus come down to land and pushed down the urge to leap on it. Something about them flyers really kicked his hunting instincts in to overdrive. But he was a behaved cat, Blue can vouch for that. “Windwright is it? I do think I heard of him in passing, nice to put a face to this name.” He spoke, looking down at the pegasus with judging eyes. He looked the part… books, papers and such. Given he has heard of this pony before and he looked the part… A pop of magic almost made nil leap in the air. He didn't, but the jolt of shock ran down his spine. Gathering his wits he focuses on the mare and… Oh it was that thing. The insect was back. This is what he gets for not smashing it at the wedding the first moment he got. You let the bug scamper off and next thing you know it's in the backyard! What was that THING even doing here? To suck on what hope he had like some blasted tick? Too grow fat off the fruits of others? No he’d not sta- “NIL!” Enbarr’s voice grabbed his focus, looking down at the mare he saw her japing a hoof at his paw, pushing at the claws as if it would shove them back in… And they did after he relaxed. The hoof stayed on his paw. A hopeless act as even if she sat on his paw it will not keep it down. But he relented underneath her glare and shot a look over at Blue. “What is this thing doing here?” He asked, aiming his free paw at the bug. “Is it somehow part of this? If so, this meeting is over already. My hopes were low but this dashed them worse than I may have ever feared. A hide changer is of no help, they never can be. No good ever came from a parasite.” He muttered, teeth glaring in the sun to stress how displeased he was.

Nilaavin was deeply shocked in a number of ways by the news. Did some pony rarely think they could do it? More so, so soon? He had his reservations about it and in truth did ponder if it was just some scam too win favour and bits. Such an outcome was very much possible after all. For all of this was based on nothing more than an old sphinx story his mother told him about how the first sphinx was made. They were once a pony but were changed by power and ambition to keep order too this land. Blessed by the gods! Not the silly story told now where they got changed by the gods as a punishment for being greedy. Sphinxes were not greedy after all, they only asked for what they deserved by birthright. How can that be greedy? Well that did not matter. It was just a story and had slim hopes in seeing some truth in it. A sphinx is a sphinx, a pony a pony. Yet… if a pony can become a sphinx… Well it can make saving his race all the more easy. Far more easy than tracking down old and far rumors of more of his kind in far off places. But he must keep his hopes low. This was too easy, too soon. Odds are nothing will come of this meeting or the two gusts coming here. “I can’t say I’m too hopeful about this.” He spoke up, looking down at Blue. Nil towered over the ponies around him, sitting down he was still much taller than even an alicorn. The fact he was young and still growing came as a shock to most. “But yet… I hope. Just maybe I will no longer be so alone.” He remarked, then felt a hoof tapping at his side. He chuckled, glancing to his other side at Embarr. A pegasus mare from a hard life, maybe as hard as Girtsteams just in other ways. “Well not completely, but you know what I mean.” He says in a soft tone hinting at the care he felt for the mare. She was part of his Pride in her own way. Seeing her begging eyes let out a huff then leans down, nuzzling her just a moment before sitting back up tall and prideful. If this did work… He knew Enbarr would be first in line. And maybe he can convince Spoiled? That was more hard to say, she had the fire and spunk too make for a fine sphinx… And had leadership skills. Useful for his plans. But all of this was buying a cart before you had a pony to pull it. Best he did not let his mind wander too far.

Tempest let out a soft chuckle, goodness. Bloom looked like she was about to explode from how hyper she was. It was nice too see, off-set how cold and unflinching she acted most of the time. “Very good and I got word not long ago that we are cleared to do so. legal operations are so much easier to undertake.” She says with a roll of her eyes, not bothering to touch on the fact they were going ahead with this before they got cleared to do so. Details. “And you been ‘studyin’? What are you reading that’s got you so worked up? You are wiggling like a puppy that needs too pee.” She says back, walking over to a small window. From it she looked down at the calm sea. Good weather, plenty of sun to go. With luck they will have it down and the first reports from dive teams before dusk. Maybe even some loot.

“You don’t have one?” Pipp asked as her mind pulled back something she was thinking about a day or so ago. She has yet to see one phone… Ok, she has seen phones but old landline phones. Nothing like hers… Or seen TV’s like what she was used to. The few she saw in a shop looked like something her mother grew up with. She hated to say something but were earth ponies just… that far behind? They were not dumb, nothing like she was told growing up. That was easy to see. But clearly they were lagging behind? She’d love to learn more but felt such a topic was not yet safe to touch on. “Well, if I can I will set you up with one later… If my title still matters. we will have to see. As for boats on water? No, I've only ever been on my sky-yacht and I don’t think that’s the same as being on water. But it's cool you have a boat!” She says looking over at the sailing ship and eyeing it up and down, on the small side compared to her airship but it did seem pretty big overall. She was about to ask more about it when some unicorn showed up. Not one she knew. Odd. What was… oh… Sunny was not playing around with she posted the letter as ‘open’ was she? This was not just open too friends but every pony willing to join. Oh no. She was not ready to talk with the peasants! Her hooves needed too be gilded again! Her mane and tail were only washed in some shower with whatever soap the hotel had on hoof. She was a mess! At least by her standards. What will she say? She had no script! No plans! And more of them were coming! She did not know a single one of them, all outsiders and she was the first pegasus they may have seen. She was going to be the face of her kingdom and grand city. What did she get herself in too? Maybe she can do a rain check and come back la- Oh they were departing. She can’t bail now can she? That’d look bad. Well she had to step up didn't she? So be it… But Sunny was going to get an earful later. “Hello hello, all of you! Thank you all for coming! It's so heartwarming to see so many new faces and tribes here so soon. It’s honestly amazing.” She says with a beaming smile and wave of her wings before she leaps onboard. The earth pony… Sugar was it? She was rather dazzling. She’d never think earth ponies can be so… Well, pretty. Not that Sunny was ugly! Oh by the stars this was going to be a lot of walking around on the tips of her hooves. What if she says something bad? Sunny you are a mad mare, utterly mad. But that seemed to be wh- Oh look at that. Food! She wasted no time trotting past the rest of them and down in to the lower deck for some free food. Just what the doctor ordered, stress eating! “Not bad, sunny, not bad.” She says with a wave of a wing before partaking in whatever grabbed her eyes… mostly the sweets.

To say the past few days were interesting puts things very, very mildly. Pipp was having a hard time making head or tail of just what in the heck she got roped along in. Sleeping on dirt? Yep. Not sleeping as you got too cold and spent most of the time by a small fire trying to stay warm? Yep. Being so hungry she had to eat random plants? Ya. Ran out of home and you don’t know if you will be back? She did not want to think about that can of worms. Hopefully mom was going to smooth that disaster over and they can all get home and she can sleep in her bed again. But for now Maretime Bay has been ok and the hotel they all got put in had… liveable rooms. Mostly. The phone reception was terrible out here and it made even texting a pain in her flank. Yet the most odd thing was just… Walking about. No pony got that but Zipp and her mother. They never, ever just walked around. Everything was a show when outside, planned and plotted out in detail so no pony had the time to ask too many things. And for her it helped keep her safe. Much as she loved her fans they can be somewhat too keen on touching her at times. Not here, she only got two looks. Fearful but trying to hide it, or openly interested in just seeing a pegasus. She felt a mix of both honestly. But she was still trying to come to terms with a lot of things. To many in truth and she knew it was going to put her in a tailspin if her mind was left alone for too long. Lucky for her Sunny offered up a perfect getaway from all this stress. A boat! She’s never been on a boat! --- She ended up walking to the docks. Flying was fun and uh, scary. After the joy of flying got out of her sistem she found landing to be hard… Along with just not crashing. She’d put in more training when she had less buildings to crash into. Walking was something she was just more used to and knew how to look good at. Hard to look good when you land face first. Trotting down the wooden planks she stopped just short of the boat after spotting Sunny. Without her honor guards to do it for her… She pulled out her phone and played the ‘Royal trumpets’ sound clip. With that done she walked the rest of the distance to the boat and eyed it up along with Sunny, did she really make it here first? “Sunny~!” She spoke her voice not betraying a hint of the… vast sea of worries still plaguing her mind. With luck this trip will put them down. She needed the R and R. “Thanks for having me, normally I’d bring along plenty of gifts but we are somewhat stripped of cash at the moment… hehe. Oh, hold up.” Before Sunny can speak she turns about to get the boat and Sunny behind her and pulls out the phone. “Smile!” Click… No, too much glare. Click! That one will do. She needed to gather as many pictures and videos as possible for the PR stunts she was working on. She and mom had a lot, and she did mean a lot, of PR to do.

As she placed her hoof on his out reached paw Niilavin leans in and gives it a small kiss. Well, small in manners less so in physical size. “I’d be most charmed to help with the design, do not hesitate to ask me to swing by again too discuss such things. And thank you for keeping some ears and eyes out for one that may be of use to me as well.” He purred, releasing her hoof he spoke some more. “And I will be most pleased to visit your manor Ms’ Rich, you made this day all the better with your smile and charm. Until we meet again, be well nefer-hemet.” With that he bowed his head to her, a gesture he did not pass out often before turning away and departing… After wiggling his way out of the doorway. This meeting was far better than he hoped it was going too be and he left it with far more plans than he had going in! Maybe he’d make some proper friends in this town after all. [Niilavin is out!]

Roleplay Type: A New Generation Name: Princess Zephyrina ‘Pipp’ Petals Gender: Female ♀ Age: Young mare Species: Pegasus Eye colour: green Coat: pink that fades in to white down her legs and wings Mane/Tail: A long violet mane is wavy and pinned to one side with the help of her crown, her tail is of average length and well groomed just like her mane. Physique: She stands shorter than average with a somewhat more plush overall body shape. Her most notable physical feature are her short but fluffy thanks to the large soft feathers that make up her wings. Well soft, warm and seen as cute they made even short moments of gliding physically impossible. At least, without the help of magic. But even with the help of magic her spoiled life has not made her the most physically fit of ponies. Well far from lazy and willing to do what she must, she is hopelessly outmatched by her older sister. Residence: The royal palace of Zephyr Heights. Occupation: Second in line to the crown, Princess of Zephyr, singer, songwriter, dancer, and over all media Idol of Zephyr Heights. Cutie Mark: A spiky purple music note that fades to white towards the bottom containing a gold crown. Unique Traits: Pipp is a phenomenal singer, that no pony can deney. Easily enthroning the masses with her voice she climbed the ranks from the ‘sister of the heir’ to the face everypony associated with royalty and class. This too is helped by her ability to win the hearts of others, be it in song or her witty remarks online she’s won a cult following in the city and knows how to use them to get her way. History: Princess Zephyrina Petals, better known as Pipp, was born in second place. With an older sister already set for the crown her birth had far less impact on the kingdome. She was the spare to the heir and her older sister was already up and kicking with all eyes on her. Well she was far from neglected, Pipp was never the top priority. From admiration down to education Zipp came first. Even her mothers free time favored Zipp and the growing filly was faced with a growing fear of being second forever. Nothing more than the ‘other one’ like the other siblings of past kings and queens. Try as her mother did to favor both her foals, the haunting fear of being forgotten creeped its way in to the young mind of Pipp and refused to ever let go. As the years passed she grew in the shadow of her older sister, craving the attention and fame as her older sibling was groomed for leadership. Trying her best to keep peace she found herself slipping behind as her sister just seemed to be smarter, faster and just better at everything. Almost everything. Pipp found her voice around the same time she found out how much she loved socializing. Where Zipp hated being paraded about, Pipp loved every moment of it and soon found ways to keep all eyes and ears on her. Something Zipp seemed fine with. This love for being in the spotlight is what got her to sing after seeing how much attention a singer had at one of mom's many social events. Her first attempt at singing was mildly embarrassing; it did convince her mother to hire the best vocalist trainer and singer in the city to teach her properly. Something she took to with a powerful eagerness as she finly had something she was good at and better yet, it was getting her the attention she so craved. As her singing talent grew her grades in other fields slipped. Losing interest in the more boring studies that had her playing second fiddle to her older sister's book smarts or athletic dominance she picked up more trainers in other fields. Music, dancing and whatever instrument grabbed her eye was studied with the same passion her sister had for athletics and dusty old books. With each passing year she learned how to master her voice, body and emotions to be the center of attention at every party. And it paid off as more and more eyes stayed on her. This finly reached its crescendo when she was old enough, and convinced mother enough, to put on a grand show for the city. She may have just been a filly at the time but her talent was already nothing to joke at. And when she walked out onto that stage and saw a city with all eyes on her she knew then and there this was it. Her destiny was going to be decided on that stage. Some may have been scared, many feared she’d panic with so many onlookers. She had none of that. This was everything she wanted and more and all she had to do was keep it. Pouring her heart in to the act she put all her training, fears and desires in to her performance. She’d not be forgotten, she’d not be overlooked or written in to some book margins as the ‘sister of the queen to be’. No, she was going to burn brightly as the Sun! And burn brightly she did for when the show ended with city shaking cheering she had done more than poreved what she can do, she earned her mark! That day set her down the path of stardome like no other. And as the years passed and the filly became a young mare she grew to become something truly extraordinary. Fame was easy, she was after all she was the daughter of the queen. But was nothing compared to the stardome she achieved in the passing years. Her face was more widely seen than the queens and plastered on more screens, posters, books, toys and even food than all the old kings and queens combined! She was on top of the world and her older sister seemed fine with this. And so was Pipp. She didn't hate her sister but the two definitely did not see eye too eye. They clashed often over widely different things. From the ‘Noble Lie’ down too takeout there was always something Zipp did not like. It was a consent reminder of how different they truly were. But for mothers sake she swallowed her pride… most of the time and just let things slide. What was there to worry about after all? Did it matter if they didn't fully get along? Pipp had her life, Zipp had her own and they both made peace with it for the sake of mother. What can go wrong? It's not like the city was going too fall out underneath them. And then it did. It was a show like many others and honestly it was nothing extraordinary. The more noteworthy event was two strangers getting in to the city. An earth pony and unicorn of all things! Well so very strange and making for some fantastic pics for her fans the two strangers were locked up in jail for later. And so she did not worry about them. That seemed to have been a grave mistake as next she saw them everything was upside down. Literally! Worse, her own sister was helping them! Everything she knew came crashing down in a moment as she watched her mother get swarmed by her own guards. And soon she was going to be next… Or was she? Luck had it that the scarcity forces still loyal to the family reached her first. Playing their part they dragged her off until they got some time alone with her. All of the city seemed to be turning against her, mom and even her sister! Speaking of… They knew where she was. With the help of loyalists she slipped down back roads and even had to travel by the sewer for a short moment! All of it just to track down her sister and ask her why she did this. Why did she destroy everything? The answer was honestly… Short of what was needed. Too short. But with a city out for her neck and nothing better but the insanely daft plan of her sister she picked the latter. It was better than being dragged out in chains and called a traitor for… for what? Doing what was best? No she’d have to ‘help’ in this endeavor. If it did work she’d fix all of this and save her mother. And so she joined the quest and got to meet Sunny, Izzy and Hitch. It was a whirlwind of events and days passed in a blur. Campfires made for easy talking and to her shock, understanding. Well she still felt distant from her sister, she did feel as if something new had happened. She was talking to others that knew nothing of her fame, her stardome. She was just… Pipp and they reached out to her as such. No screaming fan, no creepy comment about her hooves. She was just a pony and it felt oddly nice to be seen that way. And when the rainboom shattered the sky with colors she still felt oddly out of place. So much has changed. Every pegasus can fly, for real. The unicorns had magic and the earth ponies had… uh… Well, the world was opening up again. Places so long lost were now easily in reach. She just hoped it was worth the price paid and wondered what it meant for her, mom and her sister. Character Personality: Pipp has been called narcissistic, egotastic and dozen other words ending in ‘stic’. And well it's not entirely wrong it's far from correct to label her personality with such large brushstrokes! Much like her mother she does genuinely love her subjects and wishes the best for them. But sometimes this manifests in ways some may object to such as her belief the ‘Noble Lie’ was completely justified. In her eyes lying and half-truths are morality correct if it's done for reasons that keep others safe. Not everything needs to be known and sometimes the moral thing to do is lie to help another. And that view defines how she acts and views the world. She’s a good pony but sometimes a good pony needs to do unsavory things for the good of everpony. And underneath this all lies her deepest secret. Her fear of being forgotten. No matter how often her mother says she loves both her foals, no matter how many times she’s heard her name chanted by a sea of fans nothing can strip away the fear. She was born in second place and there is nothing she can do about it. And when was the last time you ever heard about a ruler's sibling? This fear makes her desperate for attention and encouragement almost constantly and makes it easy for her to slip in to episodes of melancholy. Character Summary: Pipp is the second in line for the crown of Zephyr, singer, pop-star, dancer and crown jewel of the public's eye. Ever happy to be the center of attention and heart of the party she knows how to stand out and get her way. Most of the time.

Time for this old bull to toss his horns in on this ring. First let's talk about something we all saw coming. Well, if you knew what was going on at all with films like this. The run time was fine to me as I just don’t have the time for 2hr+ films nowadays. But you can tell they wanted to fit in too much in too short a time. Lots of cool plot points just had to be rushed along to make ends meet or just hinted at. BUT what was hinted at was very cool and oh boy I want to dig in to this and overanalyze it to death. But the pacing is very bad in a lot of places. Even a montage can do good here as they hint at so much. It looks like days pass as they travel giving them all time to talk, get to know each other and become friends. Something we just don’t get to see and that hurts the film a lot. Show, don’t tell. But this leads us in to the other part. The huge backpedaling they did in tone. You feel it fast, from a huge fan of the last film the “think of the kids!” is strong here. Danger is pulled back big time and glossed over and well… I knew that was going to happen. The last film got some nasty clapback from parents, so I heard even back then, and it shows. A shame if you ask me as kids can handle more heavy danger and tones. Now saying it needs to be grimdark but risk and the real fear of losing is things kids can handle. But it is what it is, angry moms make the world spin and if you don’t think so you never got the wooden spoon. Now let's move on to good things. The songs foremost stick out to me. Even as I'm pulling this text together I have the sound track blasting on my speakers with no regrets. The music is so, so good. Oddly the one I like most is ‘Glowin' Up’. I did not see that coming but I was grooving to it, still am. Dam Pipp can sing. Next up, looks. This film looks so damn pretty. Like I do not like 3D and I can’t hate on this, everything looked so good and moves just… so nice. Most of all the faces. I just can’t hate how this film looks and its background. I had to stop it many times to just drink in the background and let my mind wander. They sold me on this new look and all I can do is hope the show is at least half as good looking. The setting. Post Equestria is a very cool topic to me, I know it gets a tone of flack but I think this huge time jump is good. It makes all we know of the far off past, gives the ponies in this age much more room to do their own things. And gives a tone of plot for uncovering the past, why Equestria fell and how they can unite it again. So much good things can be pulled from this for stories, plot and ideas. I’m going to be doing a tone of reading far too deep into things and filling in the missing pages and enjoy every moment of it. All in all, it has a lot of problems and most of it is pacing. Did I love it? Yes. I can’t think of the last time after seeing a film I had too look up the sound track just so I could groove too it again. I see so much that can be done with the seating, so much with the mane five. Well our time with them was short. I loved them all. Even Izzy and Pipp won my heart. But most of all are himbo cop Hitch. Bless him. I give this film: One soul pact, the ride will never be over and it shall never end. Did you not read the fine print? The horses own your soul forever.

“How I wish it was so easy.” Nil says as she asked if there was some way to help him with the kittin matter. How he wished it was so easy as to ask some mayor for help. “Best you can do is pass on whatever rummers you may hear or books that speak of the past regarding us. I’m still trying to understand what befell us. I have found some rummers speaking of others in far off places. But that is not much to work with… Well…” He did think for a moment. “Have been reading in other ways. If you know some pony skilled in transmogrification they may be of some help, maye.” With that he shaked his head. He found it easy to speak with her, just the way she spoke and acted… It made him relax and open up in ways he was not used to. It was a perplexing feeling and one he may have to follow later. For now, they had work too do. “Favorite sport? Hard to say in this age but in the past it was chariot racing. The best of this was the races at Magna Tizca. Two pullers, one driver that was a combatant as well. They all had long spears to harass each other when they got close. It was a fine line one must walke, focus on driving his pullers or focus on aiming his spear and pushing back the other teams on his flank. If I had the coin, and will some day, I shall bring it back. Some changes will have to be made but I know in my heart the races can live on. As for this day and age…” He taps a claw on his chin thinking. “I know buck ball is all the rage but it never clicked with me. The one I found the most joy in is the pegasus ring ball. Watching the airborne teams battling it out too give a teammate the clear shot for the ball is well worth the fuss of buying the six or more seats needed for one of my size.” He says with a nod. “As for the use of sphinxes in marketing… As long as they look regal, strong and not used in a jokeing way. We are leaders, not jesters." He looked back at the windows, thinking for a moment. He did enjoy speaking with this mare a lot. More so than just some leader to be in good contact with. Maybe the sparks of friendship were here... Looking back at her he spoke up again. “I hope this is not taken the wrong way, but you are a charming mare and the stallion that claimed you must be blessed by the clan mother to have such a mare in his life. I know this town is in good hooves now, that is a fact. Well I leave from wasting more of your day, busy as it must be, I hope we can partake in more relaxed talks later this week? I have enjoyed chatting deeply and wish to engage in parlay once again when you are not burdened with work.” With that he held out a paw well he looked at her with a charmed smile, ready for her hoof to be presented.

Glancing out the window Niilavin eyed up the construction down the road, almost out of view. “A stadium?” He remarked, thinking of the one his old master had for a moment. He knew it was not the same yet it came to him before some sporty around a ball did. Not that the ball sport lacked skill, or so he’s been told. Can make good bits with a well trained team even he’s been told… Something too think about now they have a stadium for such dules. Well, they will have one. “Hrm, yes I think I can. Have seen some of the work they have done. I can help move some of the larger beams for them, my strength will see such work go smoothly.” He says back, looking back down at the mare. Her remarks on appearance just got him to do a purring chuckle. “Forgive if what I say sounds out of place, the cultural deference and way of speaking makes it… hard to judge if my words are out of line. But you…” He waved a paw, searching for the words. “Your appearance, if you were one of us, will have made others like me duele just to convince you to move to my land.” He says with a smile at her. He knew better to bluntly call on her looks as desirable, even in a pony herd that can invite conflict with the head of it. But he’d not go without at least hinting at such things. Moving on he shaked his head gently, trying to not think too deeply on the sad state of his race. “By the clan mother of us all, I hope to see kittens of my own blood someday. That is the truth. I’d trade countless miles of land to just see one litter added to this world.”

“All things can, in time, be pulled too order as order is the truth of life. Just sometimes that truth is lost underneath the draw of chaos. But in time even this town will grow sick and seek true harmary in order.” Niilavin says looking out a window, he trusted this mare to side with his words here so he did not try to hide his feelings. “I trust you can set them on that path sooner than later, even if they cry and fuss they will see the peace in ture order. Much as I have heard the cries of some, I have heard the whispers of hope from others. It's… much like us. Some cities wanted one like us. A sphinx. Some called us tyrants others praised the order and safety we delivered…” He trailed off, eyes moving from the window back to the mare as a soft smile pulled his lips up. “Yes, it is praise. In another life you must have been one of us, if you believe in such things.” He added with a purring tone before siping down the last of the tea in the kettle. He felt guilty to drink it all in three sips but it was just not made for a sphinx. Putting it down he let her words play in his head, her remark of praise and more… Calling him fit to be a future king. That sent a shiver down his spine. She knew the truth! She saw past the golden bands marking him as slave, saw past his lot in life and knew he was so much more. It made his ego flair up as a purr left his lips as he let her praise sink in. He liked this mare more and more. The way she talked and the way she acted… “If we are sharing secrets… You'd look every part a sphinxess.” He said back to her as he folded his front paws on top of each other, then rested his head on them as he watched her. “Thank you for your kind words, they do my heart such favors. Being bound as I am, alone and… Maybe the last. It fills me with hope to know at least one pony can see past my golden bounds and see the king underneath. You have my thanks Ms Rich, I stand by my word. Even if the work is menial I will happily offer my paws in such a task to help you, help this town. For it rewards us both as we dream the same.”