DerpRavener

Naj shrugged, looking a little sad but not really pained by the conversation. “I don't really mind. Like I said, we're still on good terms, it's not like I'd feel the need to spit on his name or anything.” She reached for the book as AJ requested, but she also kept talking as she passed it over. “He's an earth pony, a stallion by the name of Red Cedar. I think...I think we first met one Hearthswarming, technically. But we didn't really meet until a little while later, after I'd had plans to more fully integrate. He seemed receptive to the idea of changelings in general, so I took a chance.” She laughs softly. “He's very sweet, his first reaction was to worry for my safety. Anyways. We hit it off, started a relationship, I moved in with him.” Naj was quiet for a moment, before continuing. “Eventually...I dunno. I can't point to anything specific, but we just didn't quite seem to connect somehow. It took a little while for me to realize that. After a while we sat down, and had a long, serious talk.” She had a faraway look for a few moments. “We both agreed that the relationship wasn't fully working out. He still offered for me to stay at his place, as long as I need. I decided I didn't want to do that to either of us, so I moved myself into the barracks. When I am staying in one place, at least.” She was quiet for a little longer, before adding. “I still keep in touch.”

Naj laughed despite herself, as AJ wiggled her daughter's hoof and “spoke for” the foal. She didn't feel like she'd normally react this way, but there was something unquestionably adorable about it. Maybe it was Applejack, seeing a mare she knew so much for toughness act so...so...she wasn't quite able to come up with the right word. She also still wasn't sure how to react, but only had to get as far as giving a small wave to Ambrosia before the problem was solved by the foal demanding feeding. She listened as AJ spoke about being a parent, quietly smiling at, though only abstractly understanding the feelings the farmpony was describing for her offspring. Or at least, she was until Applejack asked the question about the changeling's own loved ones. Her expression fell, changing to that of a carefully neutral one. “I've never had kids, if that's what you're asking.” She hesitates, before adding. “Had a special somepony at one point, but we drifted apart.”

“That's just the thing,” Naj replied after a nod, “that region's not very well organized, meaning anyone planning anything untoward won't necessarily get any kind of response. Someone could start building strength for years, maybe even decades, without anyone learning something's coming. That's what I'm most worried about, on that front at last.” The conversation is interrupted by by a cry from another room, followed by Applejack getting up and going to address the issue before Naj could do anything to stop her. She ended up sitting quietly, and maybe a little awkwardly, sipping her water and flipping through the book, until the farmpony returned carrying a foal with her. “Ahh, that's alright. That might be about enough work talk for now anyways.” Naj makes a mental note of the page she's on, and then closes the book and sets it aside. She leans closer, though a little hesitantly. She knew her natural appearance could be intimidating, and to be honest she wasn't sure how to interact with a young pony. “Erm, hello,” she says to the tiny pony, after a moment.

Naj took the book carefully, particularly wanting to avoid any damage to it after hearing just how rare and valuable the book was. As such, she took a little extra time making sure the book was safely settled and herself comfortably so, before she opened it up and started looking through it. Then she continued. “Maretonia, someone's riling up the locals. You might think that's not really our problem, and ordinarily I'd agree with you. But whoever it is, is organized, and their reach is growing. There've been small groups all across that region with no obvious connection, but who are nonetheless a little too coordinated with each other's actions. And there might even be a some ranging farther out.” “As for the yokai...” Naj sighed, and flipped through the pages. “Honestly, I'm not even really sure that's what I'm looking into, but it's the best lead I've got right now. There was a cache of stolen goods found and recovered from that general area. Ordinary stuff really, lots of little trinkets of some value or a little magical significance. Only problem was that up until then the records said they were all stolen in unrelated incidents. No one really has a clue, save for a few legends of spirits operating in all those areas. I'm trying to see if I can either rule it out, or find some truth to it.”

Naj was starting to settle in, and had at least sat down in another seat, when AJ asked the question. “Well, it's not really anything specific. I've been looking into a lot of different, scattered things. Been running all over Equestria looking into a lot of scattered things. I might just be tired from running around everywhere chasing leads down.” Then the changeling paused. “But, knowing you you probably won't buy that. 'Element of Honesty' and all that.” She sighed, and then leaned forward. “You ever heard of Yokai? Some kind of...” Naj waved a hoof in the air, as she searched for the best descriptive words, “Neighponese nature spirits. I think, I'm still learning about them myself, so that's probably an oversimplification, at least. Anyways. Supposedly, there's been some new, troubling activity from one of them. But our available intelligence of that whole region too limited to say for certain.” She paused for a moment, then scratched the back of her head and added, “and then there's that thing in Maretonia...”

Naj nodded happily and moved to the kitchen. Water was fairly straightforward, and so while she wasn't familiar with the Apple family kitchen she didn't feel the need to get additional instruction. Though she did start calling back a reply to what AJ was saying. “I hear that,” she said with a bit of amusement in her voice, “I don't know what I'd do if I was told I have to just drop guard duty.” As she brings a pair of mostly full cups back, passing one to the farmpony, Naj adds, “I can't help but imagine it's better for the foal though, so they're probably right, in the long run.” She shakes her head. “Can't say I've been eager to have a child myself, but maybe that's a motherhood thing.” She settles herself down into one of the seats, before continuing. “I've been...investigating. There are a lot of weird little things happening around the continent, things noted but that aren't obviously a sign of an issue. I've found myself with some free time, I've been following up on them. A lot of them are duds, but a few of them...” she falters a bit, before continuing, “a few of them have left a mark on me, you could say.”

Naj scratched the back of her head. “Yeah, that's about the short of it. My schedule lately has been...a bit of a mess. I got the letter, I wish I could have gotten here sooner, but...” She followed the farmpony inside, taking note, but making no immediate comment, on the state of it. For the most part she just listened to Applejack talk. She did start to move to catch the farmpony when the latter seemed suddenly tired, a look of concern on the changeling's face, but AJ was already seated by the time she could have done something. “You, erm, you look like you've seen better days. I guess that's motherhood for you. Though you seem happy, and that's probably most important. Drinks...maybe I should be getting those. Give you a moment to rest. Otherwise, I'm not picky. Anything you were thinking of having?”

Naj jumped a bit at the sudden voice to her side, having been expecting the door in front of her to open rather than having someone approach her from another angle. Whether from self-control or some sort of exhaustion, her reaction was fairly muted. “Ahh! Hello! Good to see you too, it's been a bit hasn't it?” The changeling grins at first, though her face falls a bit at the topic of the wedding invitation. She didn't really want to talk about it, but it was kind of the entire reason she was here. So, while there was some hesitation, it wasn't long before she pushed forward to a reply. “...No, I got it. I just...wasn't able to make it in time for the wedding itself. Sorry.” She reaches behind her for a moment, and retrieves the package she'd been carrying, and holds it out in front of her. “I, um, I heard it was customary to bring gifts. I wasn't sure what, so I played it safe and brought pasty. Pumpkin pie, I figured anything remotely apple related wouldn't remotely compare to what you already make here.” She falters a little, adding, “I hope it's acceptable.”

Naj arrived in Ponyville, feeling somewhat anxious. The place was an old home of hers, and it had never really lost those positive connotations. It was her situation, on the other hoof, that was weighing on her nerves. Simply put, she was late. Very late. Days late. Or so she believed. That was the other part of her anxiety: her recent schedule had left her a bit of a mess, and while she'd known there was an important event she was supposed to come down here for, she'd forgotten exactly when that was. As the train pulled into the station, she pushed down her anxiety and gathered her things. She knew Applejack didn't appreciate her being in disguise, even if other ponies often seemed to prefer it that way and even if she wasn't doing it so much to hide so much as to 'put on a friendly face'. And so, while it wasn't doing any good for her nerves she was going without, at least for this trip. Things were getting easier for changelings from what she could tell, but it would be a while before she could kick that particular habit. Naj's bag, now thrown over the changeling's back, was filled more than usual. She wasn't sure how long she'd be here, and there were a couple things she didn't quite want leave alone if she was going to be out for a few days, so she brought them with her. She was wearing fairly heavy clothing. She could handle the cold, but she wasn't particularly suited for it. Secretly though, she was also hoping it would add a bit of a barrier between anyone who sees her without outright hiding her appearance. Finally, she had a well wrapped package with her, mostly to prevent damage, which she picked up last. She took one last look around the room, making sure she'd left nothing behind, before making her way off the train. Naj was familiar with Ponyville, so she didn't spend any time sightseeing, or needing to spend any time finding her way through the town, so it didn't take her any particular length of time to get from the train station to her destination. Or at least, it didn't take any extra time until she reached the orchard itself. There she hesitated. She was a little nervous coming here, having missed an important opportunity before. But hesitation was unbecoming of a soldier, and in this case only delayed the inevitable. She stepped in, moving up to the farmhouse, before knocking on the door.

Naj's emotional reading was never one of her well developed skills. Her focus had been on other areas, and in her various roles focusing on her opponent's emotions would be as much a distraction as an asset. Despite that, even she could tell that AJ was uncomfortable being this close to a changeling, or at least a traditional one. Which is why, a moment after the kiss, Naj slowly broke out into a smile. Either the farmpony had become so comfortable with her that she could do this anyways, or AJ thought highly enough of her to be willing to push through that. It still took her a while to reply though. She nodded after a moment. “W-well, I was planning to be in town for a few days at least. My time off is, um, non-negotiable they told me. So you'll be seeing me around for at least a few days. Probably. So, er, yes. I'll see you around. Though I'm not sure when I'll get back to looking for a place. Thanks for the apples!” With a bit of effort Naj hefted the bushel, and started to walk away.

Naj stares at the bushel for a time, until Applejack's question snaps her attention back to the farmpony. The changeling blinks at the question, needing a moment to remember. When she finally does, she replies, “...Oh, yeah. Yeah I was looking for a place to stay. I, um, I guess that was interrupted. I couldn't exactly have worked on it while...while out in the field.” Her bits she was able to keep track of easily enough, and so five were deposited on the counter in short order. She also pulled the bushel a little closer, though that was more symbolic than anything, she wouldn't really be carrying them until she was ready to walk away. The kiss...that still made her hesitate. Applejack is, or at least used to be, one of the creatures she feared most. There might have been meaner creatures, or more imposing creatures, but none of them were so close, or so opposed to what she'd thought a changeling was or would need to survive. Eventually they grew a little more comfortable with each other, but Naj still had a lot of respect for the mare, and tended to keep a healthy distance. On the other hoof, by the same token she'd probably never get another chance like this. Even if it wasn't something Naj might have ever sought before, she would be loath to pass it up as an experience. She nods in reply. “Y-yes, let's do it.”

Honestly, it didn't really surprise Naj that lots of ponies would want to kiss Applejack. She was athletic, respected, successful, confident, honest...her positive qualities, particularly those relative to a prospective partner, made up a long list. Though, she wasn't sure if she should bring that up. Ponies often found that an awkward topic at the best of times, and while Naj was perhaps more comfortable around the farmpony than she used to be that still didn't seem wise. “Uhh, busy. I'm...I'm surviving,” the changeling replied, on the question of how she'd been, as she started to get out the bits. “A mission went long, and also went sideways.” A part of her wondered how much of this she should be talking about openly, but if nothing else she knew she could trust AJ, and then her at least working with the REA was probably common knowledge. “It was...it was...months?...before we were able to make it back. Got put on forced leave, came back here.” As she set the bits down, she blinked and her motions slowed as realization finally hit. “Uhh, a kiss?” Unsure what else to do, she waited to see what AJ would do next.

Naj took a few moments to realize that she was next in line. She stumbled upright, although once in motion it was easy enough to continue on until she arrived at the stall. Naj was silent in front of the stall, and the orange mare operating it. In retrospect it was obvious, and she'd be embarrassed embarrassed to have struggled with it for as long as she did. But at the time, she was still getting used to normal things. Of course it was apples, that would only make sense when everything was considered. "I'll take...one bushel?" she ventured after a moment. That seemed right. She hoped it was right. Apples were good, they had a nice flavor even if they wouldn't be fully nourishing for her.

Ponyville. Naj wasn't sure why, but she always seemed to gravitate toward coming here, ever since that fateful day all those...well, her sense of time was one of the things she was hoping to get back soon. That first time she knew exactly why she'd ended up here, it was just the right mix of dangerous and unimportant to someone in her position at the time that it was a place she could stay where no one who might recognize her would find her. Or so she'd thought, at least. The other visits though, she couldn't fully account for. There had been an individual reason for each, but the general trend remained unexplained. As she waited in line, she idly wondered if it was just another manifestation of Ponyville's oddness. The town seemed to be a magnet for odd things, maybe she was just another example of that. The line. It wasn't a very big line, and truth be told Naj wasn't entirely sure what she was in line for, though she was conscious enough to pick up that it had something to do with apples, and therefor naturally the mare who sold them. The changeling knew that apples wouldn't really be something she needed right now, but they could make for a nice treat all the same. And the line, the line made for a sort of order and social interaction. She'd been told it would be good for her to mingle, to help the readjustment process. She'd...struggled with that suggestion though. The line had presented her a sort of compromise that she wouldn't pass up. She was there, she was participating, even if she wasn't really interacting yet. And so Naj waited, smiling contentedly, if a little vacantly. Though as a unicorn came back the other way, she noted with what wasn't quite a frown that there were only two other ponies left between the changeling and front end of the line.

Let me take a shot at it. And I'll note I'm open to discussion on any of these ratings, as I'm still not entirely sure where the ends of the scale are. Detective Stalwart Tier 3 when going all out, due to some things they keep hidden, will typically behave as a tier 2. Intelligence: 5 Strength: 3 Speed: 3 Durability: 3 Energy Projection: 0 Fighting Skills: 5 Bulwark Tier 4, though limited enough in scope to function as tier 3 at times. Intelligence: 4 Strength: 6 Speed: 2 Durability: 6 Energy Projection: 4 Fighting Skills: 5 BROODMARE Tier 3 when she's limited to her pony-form chassis, tier 4 when she has access to systems or materials to work with. Intelligence: 6 Strength: 4 Speed: 3 Durability: 5 Energy Projection: 4 Fighting Skills: 5 Pursuer Tier 4 Intelligence: 7 Strength: 4 Speed: 3 Durability: 4 Energy Projection: 6 Fighting Skills: 5

I came up with a scale a while back, that worked roughly as follows. Note that the lists are not exhaustive, meant more to give examples than encompass the tier. Tier 1 is approximately civilian level, generally low level or improvised capabilities. This would include wild animals, militia, petty criminals and the like. Tier 2 is that of active combatants, including your average soldier, higher skilled or more specialist police, and would probably lump in people with (atypical) powers or magic who are otherwise untrained. Tier 3 is where you get into more specialized or empowered combatants. I would expect 'typical' superheroes and supervillains to fall into this tier. Specialized and particularly trained military or magic users would also fall into this tier. Tier 4 is the start of the extreme end, where you get low grade or localized reality warpers, or people whose abilities while smaller in scale are much wider in range. Examples are a little harder to come up with for this tier, though I think things like demons, AIs (say in control of a facility) or large mecha could probably fit into it. Tier 5 is the top, including the most extreme sorts of things like physical manifestations of gods, ancient wizards who can raise armies of constructs or level cities, or AIs in charge of an entire fleet or a country. I'd also be up for using Tacobob's chart, though it'd be a little more involved. I'd also like to either get or come up with a scale for that one, to get a sense of what a given number means for a character. It might almost be worth using both, Tacobob's to be extra description that could be applied to characters, and mine as a means of shorthand for what level a given thread is intended or expected to be.

I had a few more: Bulwark, Pursuer and BROODMARE. Strictly speaking they're all heroes, although Pursuer and maybe BROODMARE were intended to be a little morally ambiguous. (And in conflict with each other.) Also, I'll note I'm currently potentially open to threads, or at least open to having my characters in them. I'm not sure if that's enough to count as active though, so they could be either direction in that regard.

As they stepped into the bookstore, Naj started to get the uncomfortable sensation of being out of place. The truth was, this wasn't really her field of expertise. She did like books, more than the average changeling, but the sort she tended to enjoy tended to land squarely in the realms of fiction rather than anything of historical or magical significance. Much as she did like the idea of seeing Coltson in action, the truth was she was likely to be as much a liability as an asset in this situation. And, to tell the truth, it sounded like the supposed source of the troubles here was somepony they knew before and hadn't been so bad. That is to say, somepony who it might be best to talk down, rather than smack down. While Naj did prefer a peaceful resolution, and was as happy to talk as anyone else, her skill set was focused on the direct approach above all others. She'd been building up other skills, but a mare would always have her specialty. It turned out she had a perfect excuse to get out of the was as well, and thanks to what she'd established to be her cover, not only would it fit but she wouldn't even really have to lie about it. “I just remembered,” she said, when there was a lull in the conversation, “I actually have a few reports I have to make at the castle, while I'm in town. So, rather than getting underhoof,” she added, with a bit of a grin, “I'm going to get to it.” She turned and trotted out the door, calling “good luck!” back to the ponies inside as she left the shop for the streets outside, trotting away toward her destination.

It turned out that there was a method to Tongue Twister's madness, in that she'd left the room to give Naj and Coltson a chance to speak. “Oh...Oh!” Naj said after a moment. She waved a hoof, as if brushing away the issue. “I did get to speak to him a little, but it's nothing so urgent. Actually, if anything, I was hoping to get a chance to see him at work. Most of what I might want to talk about is, ah, kinda boring. And might take a while, so it can wait.” Strictly speaking, that was all true, although whether or not security plans were boring was a matter of opinion. Coltson caught Naj's attention as Twister mumbled to herself, indicating to the muttering mare. She wasn't quite as good at lip-reading as he was, her specialization was in more direct sorts of interaction, but there was enough there to be concerned. Her thinking though, rather than worrying about a civilian, was that maybe Twister wasn't as out of the loop as they might have thought. Though that too was a complication, and until they knew more about the mare it was something to keep any eye on. The complications didn't stop there. Coltson's idea for Naj's cover wasn't quite what the changeling would have used. And much as part of her was tempted to try to play along, she wasn't sure it was a ruse she could maintain if it came down to it. Fortunately, she had a way to play things off and resolve the issue, hopefully without rousing any suspicion. “Heh 'Purveyor',” Naj chuckled and shook her head. “I work with the REA, and lately I've been doing a lot of 'artifact recovery'. Sometimes dangerous items pop up which are best kept out of unknowing or unscrupulous hooves. To that end, it's helpful to know somepony who works with rare books.” She looking meaningfully toward Coltson. "Though I suppose,” she reflected after a moment, “I have been working with antiques a lot lately, so the confusion's understandable.” The train pulled to a stop just as Naj was finishing what she was saying. They had arrived in Canterlot. Equestria's capitol had a lot of personal history for the changeling, being both the site of one of her greatest regrets and her greatest triumph at different times. But today this wasn't her adventure, she was just along for the ride, which brought its own sort of interest. Naj stepped off the train and then turned to her companions. “Alright, where to?”

Naj had heard of a new changeling hive, one which vaguely sounded like the one belonging to this 'Thorax'. Beyond that though, she didn't know anything about it. Her job meant she didn't get information the way normal ponies did. In some cases this meant she knew more, while other subjects would fall by the wayside. This was one of the latter. However, she had not been expecting the question, and while she was thinking of a reply Tongue Twister had run off, leaving Naj and apparently Coltson watching her exiting form in confusion. “Me, if I had to guess,” Naj replied, with a sigh. “It would hardly be the first time I've caused this sort of reaction.” A changeling in the open was, she had to admit, a strange and potentially disturbing sight for many ponies. Those who got to know her were generally able to acclimatize easily enough, but she could hardly meet everypony in Equestria, and that meant there would always be some one new to disturb. Granted they'd come a ways so far, but Tongue Twister had hardly spoken to Naj during that time, and sometimes there was a delayed reaction. “I can say this though, she ran off, which means she doesn't need me kicked out. Or at least, she doesn't want a confrontation.” That was good, she could work with that. Some ponies just needed time. Naj was a little more subdued when Tongue Twister returned, but tried to finish her reply all the same. “To answer your question, I don't really know much about Thorax's hive. I cut ties with mine some time ago, and since then I've kept out of contact with other changelings. Well, with a few exceptions.” She smiled with what she hoped was a disarming smile.

Naj was caught off guard by Coltson's choice of cover, as it wasn't exactly what she'd been thinking of. Granted, she also hadn't expected to be following him on a little adventure, so she hadn't realized a cover would be necessary. Either way though, she stayed unfortunately quiet for a moment, before realizing this could fit with what she had in mind pretty well. Her plan was based on truth, and it was to claim she was working with the guard, and she was checking up on Coltson who as a purveyor of rare books was occasionally called on for research or came upon dangerous items. On reflection it made some sense that she might be checking up on the safe. Finally recovering from the surprise, and doing her best not to show it, she nodded. “Yeah, that'll work. I won't even have to interrupt your business then.” The pegasus with Coltson seemed to be recovering from her own shock as well, more so as time went on. She even seemed somewhat interested in Naj, if her occasional glances were anything to go by. It was yet another good sign, interest rather than a more unsavoury emotion, although apparently that positive attitude didn't extend far enough to for the mare to speak yet. Which meant perhaps it was up to Naj. Just as well maybe, as she had a realization. She looked to the pegasus. “Shoot, I just realized I never introduced myself. Hello! My name's Naj.” She offered a hoof for the pegasus to shake, if she felt so inclined.

The pegasus didn't know what to make of Naj, it seemed. It wasn't exactly a warm welcome, but she was used to such things, and it was hardly the worst reaction she'd gotten. She didn't get an answer to whether the pegasus was okay with her joining the group or not, but she didn't hear any particular objection either. The other pony seemed more confused than anything else. If the pegasus didn't want anypony else following, she'd have plenty of chances to say so. Coltson meanwhile, recognized Naj right away. He went to the opposite extreme, greeting Naj almost as if she knew him before. Which, it struck her, might have been half true if he'd been paying attention to the right things. She was making a point not to hide her activities, except where it was important for the job. He even might have said a code word of sorts, hinting at her current organization, although she couldn't be sure. She replied to his statement at face value, for appearances sake. “Well, hopefully not too much,” she said with a laugh, “there's only so much excitement we could safely have in Canterlot.” Not finding any objection, Naj sat down next to them, taking a seat next to Coltson. It seems she would be joining them for the trip after all. The pegasus picked up where the two of them had left off, hoping their task wouldn't have too many complications. The changeling realized she was still missing some critical information. “So what is it you're searching for, anyways?”

If Naj had to guess, she never would have thought she'd be in Ponyville on business. While there was a lot that happened there which might be worth keeping an eye on, the nature of the place meant that such things tended to be short lived. Anything starting here would have a tough, uphill battle ahead of it. And when the most strategically significant thing about the town were the very mares who made it so dangerous for threats, it leaves most of the problems that arise, 'self-solving' one could say. Though Naj admittedly also realized that meant it would be a good place to keep any eye on, or to have somepony nearby in case of emergencies. Which was the reason she was here right at the moment. She hadn't been given the full details of course, too much information would risk it getting to the wrong hooves, but the gist of it was that SMILE was setting up some sort of facility in town. Technically that wasn't the changeling's organization, but since they were all on the same side and technically in the same line of work, she volunteered to go. Naj arrived at the entrance to the bookstore just as a pair of ponies were leaving. She didn't see the significance of that until she looked at the door itself, particularly the 'closed' sign hung at it. The place was supposed to be open now, which meant that... the pony she was here to see was most likely one of the two who just left. After the moment needed to put this information together, Naj turned and galloped after them. --- Naj was just in time. She'd seen the two ponies get on the train, from a distance, and made it just as the train was leaving the station. It was a good thing much of her life had consisted of vigorous physical activity. Searching the train itself took a few moments, as she only knew who she was looking for by description, but she spotted the grey unicorn and his pegasus companion soon enough. She trotted over as the train began to leave the station. “Coltson, I presume?” Naj offered a perforated hoof to shake. “I was hoping to talk business with you but,” she looked over at the pegasus for a moment, “it looks like you're in the middle of something. Would either of you mind if I tagged along?” In addition to passing fascination, seeing how he conducted himself might give some hints to the general state of things, and a truer understanding than any report could give.