TRP Posted November 5, 2015 Report Share Posted November 5, 2015 Xarame sat alone in Sugarcube Corner, idly prodding at a half-eaten hay and daisy sandwich. The little yellow bird on her shoulder fluttered down quickly to peck a crumb or two, then returned to it's perch. She had been sent there by the Princess Luna, and told her help would be required to handle a delicate situation. She hadn't been given many details, other than it involved her... specialist knowledge, and that she should be met by a Royal Guard. That alone was enough to make her uneasy. She looked curiously at the ponies and the town around her as she waited, and felt as though she were a shell in a box of pebbles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcus Posted November 5, 2015 Report Share Posted November 5, 2015 Arcus attracted plenty of attention as he landed in Ponyville, and walked to Sugarcube Corner. But that was to be expected, considering that the tall stallion was dressed in full officer barding, complete with a sleek black recurve bow slung onto his back, and a supply of arrows. He had been told to come here, by the orders of Princess Luna, to assist with the resolving of a certain... situation. Thankfully, he was told to expect company and assistance, but he didn't know who, nor how many. Although, he didn't expect many...After all, he was pretty sure you couldn't fit a whole platoon into Sugarcube Corner.Trotting curiously into the establishment, he looked around, not minding the hushed whispers of surprise, for any sign of his expected companion... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRP Posted November 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2015 Noticing the commotion, Xarame looked up, and saw the pony all the others were looking at. He certainly seemed to fit the bill. She didn't want to draw any more attention to herself (being a zebra, she'd been somewhat conspicuous on her own arrival), so she rummaged in her bags, and pulled out the Royal seal she'd been given by Luna; a small metal disc with the Princess' Cutie Marks engraved upon it, and held it for the stallion to hopefully spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcus Posted November 5, 2015 Report Share Posted November 5, 2015 The stallion's orange eyes scanned the crowd, and they stopped on a peculiarly familiar object...Luna's Royal seal. Huh, well, that was better than any signal, I guess...Nodding and brightening up quickly, Arcus trotted over to the apparently, zebra mare, standing near her seat."Well, is it safe to assume that you'll be my company for this journey?" He chuckled, offering his hoof in greeting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRP Posted November 5, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2015 Xarame smiled a little and nodded. "Indeed. My name is Xarame." She replied, shaking his hoof politely. "Would you like something to eat, or would you like to get going immediately?" She asked, looking back at her table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcus Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 Arcus shook her hoof in return, silently taking a seat at the table afterwards."Well, while I usually would not decline such an offer, this was a special order by the Princess... Duty calls, after all. But it wouldn't hurt to rest for a bit, this armor's quite heavy..." he chuckled, returning her smile with a smile of his own."Lt. Col. Arcus, by the way, but you probably should just call me Arcus." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRP Posted November 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 "As you wish, Arcus," Xarame replied, sitting opposite him. "If I may ask... What do you know about our mission?" She asked, once they were seated. She went quiet again, and looked away as a waiter pony came over to the table, smiling at Arcus. "Good day sir! An honour to have you here! What can I get you today?" He asked, brightly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcus Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 "It's... very, very dangerous." Arcus replied, keeping his voice low."There was even a debate among officers, to argue who would be sent. Nopony wanted to go. But I can understand them..." he chuckled, but there was seriousness present in his voice."After all, nopony really wants to hunt a creature of darkness in the Everfree." he sighed, quickly sitting back up as another pony approached."Just water for me, I'm not really that hungry." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRP Posted November 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 The waiter pony looked a little dismayed for a moment, but then smiled again. "Certainly sir! Right away!" He said, happily, before turning and leaving them to head back to the counter. Xarame waited until the pony had left, then looked at Arcus again. "I have only been in this town a short while, but already I have heard rumours and whisperings..." She said, quietly, "A beast made of pure shadow, black as the night, some say; a manticore with power and ferocity unheard of, say others..." She shook her head. "I cannot say for certain what it is these tales refer to, but..." She paused a moment, looking a bit uncomfortable, "I believe we should start our search in the castle of the Princess of the stars." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcus Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 "Well, whatever it is, we've been sent to stop it. I'm not really sure if I can sleep easy, knowing that ponies are in danger of it..." Arcus smiled, but looked a bit uncomfortable himself. "Oh, the castle? Mhm, well, better to start somewhere sort-of familiar, I guess... Although, that waiter would probably be confused if we left now." he chuckled, leaning back in his chair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRP Posted November 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 "The... waiter?" Xarame repeated, looking confused for a moment, before looking at the pony bringing Arcus' water. "Oh," She said, blushing a little, as a look of understanding crossed her face. "Here you go sir!" The waited pony said, placing the water in front of Arcus. "Anything else I can get for you two?" He asked, smiling. Xarame didn't say anything, but shook her head slightly at Arcus. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcus Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Arcus nodded back, turning to the waiter with a small smile on his face."No, but thank you. We're good." He replied, turning back to Xarame."Yes, that waiter." Arcus laughed, sipping his water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRP Posted November 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 "I..." Xarame began, before stopping herself. It was better if he thought that was what had confused her... She sat back too, looking out the window, and the little yellow bird fluttered down again, to salvage more crumbs from her plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcus Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Arcus quickly finished thirstily drinking his water, unknowing to the true cause of Xarame's confusion."Whew, water always tastes better when you're thirsty..." He sighed cheerfully, before looking back up."So? Should we get going now?" He chuckled, adjusting the bow perched on his back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRP Posted November 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Xarame nodded, and prodded the bird gently with her hoof, prompting it to return to her shoulder. "I think that would be wise; we do not want to be travelling in the dark, if we can help it," She said, standing up. She pulled a small bag of bits out of her bags, and looked at them uncertainly, then placed the whole bag on the table, to pay for the water and the sandwich. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcus Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 "... That would'nt be great..." Arcus muttered, thinking about the darkness alone gave him the creeps... Staring quizically at the bag of bits, Arcus shrugged and gave it no mind; maybe she was just a really, really good tipper? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRP Posted November 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Not hearing any objections, Xarame assumed her judgement about the bits must have been right, and she headed out of the cafe. "Ah... um... Do you know the way to the castle?" She asked Arcus, turning around as they stepped outside, "It has been... a while, since I was here last." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcus Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Arcus had followed her out, stopping abruptly as she turned to face him."Oh, the castle? It isn't that far from here, actually..." He chuckled, watching the ponies milling about around them. "But of course, it'll take a little longer than usual, because I'm used to flying there. Follow me!" He laughed, walking off in the direction of the dark castle, and into the heart of the Everfree... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRP Posted November 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 "It's in a forest?" Xarame asked in surprise, trotting quickly to catch up to Arcus. "I mean... I knew that, obviously..." She coughed, and looked away. "So... how long have you served the Princess?" She asked, after a moment, as they were leaving the outskirts of Ponyville. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcus Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 "Not very long, actually." Arcus chuckled, glancing over at Xarame."I'd say about... 8 years?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRP Posted November 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 "Oh?" Xarame looked at him, a little surprised. "And what did you do before that?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcus Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 "Absolutely nothing." Arcus laughed, shaking his head."I've been in the Royal Guard since I was able, actually. Never had any jobs before this, and never want to. Plus, it's not like I can just quit..." He shrugged, smiling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRP Posted November 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Xarame nodded with a faint smile. "Serving the Princess Luna is indeed a noble cause," She said, looking slightly wistful. "Have you been sent on missions of this nature many times before?" She asked, quickly. She wanted to know if she was in capable hooves; if they were going to face what she feared they were going to face, she would need to be... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcus Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 "Indeed, it is. My father's bloodline sure thought so." Arcus smiled, before tilting his head curiously, and laughing at her next question. "Yes, actually. I'm an officer of the 'Guardians', a special force that was created to protect our citizens from major threats. I literally hunt things like Ursa Majors down for a living, Xarame." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRP Posted November 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Xarame looked quite relieved to hear that. "That is good," She said, looking at the dark forest stretching out before them, "We may stand a chance, if it has not grown too strong already..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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