Somber's game Session VII Log

[18:32:08] <%Somber> Tiller, Mad Modd, and Red Line had taken issue with the rotund brown stallion's habit of shitting in barrels for collecting rain water. Their attempts to issue physical persuasion failed when the stallion thumped all three quite handily before using Tiller as a rainbarrel. Then he trotted to were the others were keeping their distance. "Sorry bout that.
[18:33:09] <%Somber> Didn't mean t'be crude," the huge fat stallion said with a touch of embaressment. "Anywho, if you lot got supplies, I'd recommend gettin out o here. Even the Everfree's better than this place.
[18:34:32] Star_Chaser looks towards Skyshine, then back to the rotund pony. "I don't think getting out of here is likely to be possible any time soon. Bridge is out. Can't fly. Can't teleport. Might be able to walk into the forest. But that place is dangerous. Ponies don't even fly over Everfree if they've got a choice."
[18:36:17] Skyshine nods in agreement. "I'm pretty sure that we'd lose a patrol or two a year just doing routine patrols over the forest."
[18:36:32] Aria sticks close to Skyshine, her attention dartings from the fat pony and back to the much more aesthetically pleasing pony.
[18:36:33] Tiller whimpers gently.
[18:36:37] <%Somber> "Never said it'd be easy. Just better than trottin round this place." He looked back at the three stallions and then lowered his voice. "Not sure ya noticed, but somethin here is making folks nuttier than a rad roasted squrriel."
[18:37:02] Mad_Modd huffs "I'm insane not nutty"
[18:38:06] <%Somber> His guts rumbled and he looked at Mad Modd with a huff.
[18:38:19] <Red_Line> "We have noticed the canisters purple crazy gas,"
[18:38:25] Mad_Modd hides behind Skyshine
[18:39:31] Skyshine pats Mad Modd with a wing. "And the uh, purple dust. That covers everything and makes things go all wonky. And makes you see things that ponies really... shouldn't see... or feel..." She adds, looking down at her hooves.
[18:39:41] <%Somber> "Yeah. Lots o purple gas down below. Took a peek down there myself. Luckily, didn't fect me much." He grimaced again and groaned, letting out a burst of flatulence.
[18:40:03] <Red_Line> "And you may have not noticed your fat assis make'n it worse."
[18:40:39] Aria comforting tries to put a foreleg around Skyshine.
[18:40:45] <%Somber> "Whut are you talkin bout?" he glowered at Redline.
[18:40:46] Star_Chaser frowns and taps her chin. "Down below where? Someone warned us about not going into the basement. But what basement?"
[18:41:36] <%Somber> "Dunno. Found some kind o basement in every buildin here. Lots o tunnels too. Pipes also."
[18:41:59] Red_Line looks at Star_Chaser "Maybe the one that Aria was about to down?"
[18:42:07] <Red_Line> Go*
[18:42:43] Skyshine looks confused. "When did she nearly go down a tunnel? What was I doing?"
[18:43:04] Aria shudders. "Yeah. There was a basement that looked like Stable Two when I was under that gas' influence for a few minutes.
[18:43:10] Star_Chaser furrows her eyebrows. "No. That makes sense. If this place really is a city-sized insane asylumn there'd need to be some way for ponies to get around unobserved." She tilts her head to one side. "Somehow to get supplies from place to place without risking the locals figuring out and escaping."
[18:44:01] Mad_Modd goes over to Tiller and gives them a little kick "Hey.... you awake?"
[18:44:22] Tiller "...I really wish I wasn't..."
[18:44:27] <%Somber> "Dunno nothin bout that. Jus came fer salvage." He grimaced again. "If ya'll don't mind, my guts is twistin somethin ferce. Gonna go find me a toilet what ain't so busy."
[18:45:13] Mad_Modd kicks Tiller again "That's not an answer."
[18:46:13] Tiller "...You're right, this is a pile of shit. On my face."
[18:46:38] Mad_Modd blinks "Didn't it get in your mouth when you spoke?"
[18:46:40] Star_Chaser steps aside from the large pony. She didn't want to start another fight right now.
[18:47:16] <%Somber> The heavy pony trotted away, groaning and muttering about how good it is somepony put all those toilets outside.
[18:47:18] Tiller groans and spits violently. "...just help me clean this off, okay?"
[18:47:42] Tiller gradually sits up.
[18:49:30] Aria starts trying to levitate the poop off of Tiller and away from him.
[18:50:04] <Mad_Modd> "You gunna make it Shithead?"
[18:50:16] Tiller "Does anypony have a marginally clean rag that you don't care about ever getting back?"
[18:50:55] Star_Chaser trots over towards Tiller. "Sorry Bucky. Not got anything to help you right now. Guess we could spend something on a little water to help wash off. But I don't think it's a good idea."
[18:51:32] Mad_Modd looks horrified "Water!? Like... from the toilet?"
[18:51:40] Skyshine nuzzles Aria surrepetitiously. "I'm glad you're here..."
[18:51:58] Aria smiles nervously. "Back at'cha."
[18:52:23] Skyshine pulls a rather oily rag from her toolbag. "I'm sorry, I've got this. I won't um, miss it."
[18:52:39] Tiller "Water from a toilet is probably cleaner from a water barrel..."
[18:53:26] Tiller wipes his face off roughly. "Thanks. I'll make it up to you later. Let's get to the hospital already, I wanna stick my head in antiseptic."
[18:53:34] Star_Chaser rolls her eyes. "No. Like from the vending machines. The ones that sell food also dispense water, remember?"
[18:54:06] <Mad_Modd> "Oh.... we shouldn't waste the water..."
[18:54:22] Red_Line quickly turns around "Who there?"
[18:55:01] Mad_Modd runs up to Red_Line "Umm.... you alright?"
[18:55:34] Star_Chaser looks towards Red Line curiously. "Hearing things?"
[18:55:35] Red_Line shakes his head "I don't know."
[18:55:47] <Mad_Modd> "You..... don't hear the voices to? Do you?"
[18:56:05] Aria looks around. "I didn't hear anything."
[18:56:58] Skyshine shrugs. "I think Modd has a 6th sense of... something." She trails off. "It's... like... a thing? That he does. But that helps him know stuff?"
[18:57:02] Red_Line slowly moves done a nearby alleyway
[18:57:18] Star_Chaser moves after Red Line, keeping an eye on the surroundings.
[18:57:36] Aria smiles. "Wait... Modd knows stuff?"
[18:57:52] Mad_Modd follows after "Of coarse I don't!"
[18:58:15] <%Somber> The area around them was empty. The Alley was mostly empty save for some crates, a dumpster, and a stairwell leading down to. Steam hissed softly through a crack in the pavement, the fog obscuring the far side.
[18:58:32] Red_Line stops by a stairwell going down "Is ther some one ther?"
[18:58:35] Skyshine looks awkward. "Well, I usually listen when ponies say things. And he's said things before like he knows things that none of us know. But it seems like he doesn't know why he knows them. And if you asked, the answer would probably be..."
[19:00:29] Star_Chaser frowns, looking down the alley. "It probably leads into the service tunnels. If the purple gas is down there we should avoid them unless absolutely necessary or someone has a gas mask."
[19:00:56] Mad_Modd gasp and begins to sing! "La, la, la, la, Weaponry! /It's the way to get it done, Weaponry!/ It's effective and it's fun./ If you want to make them fall on a bended knee at your command/ Bow their heads and swear that you're the leader of the land/ State your wishes in a language they all understand, with, weaponry!/ That's the plan!
[19:02:03] Red_Line slowly opens a door at the bottom of the stairs with his TK
[19:02:09] Skyshine sings along. "If power's on your shopping list, use the elbow and the fist. Pummel them till they get the gist/ just make an example of/ a representative sample of! And most of them will not be missed!"
[19:02:15] Tiller "Humph. 'Mad' is a fitting name for you. You're fucking psychotic. And maybe so am I, 'cause I'm startin' to agree witcha."
[19:02:19] <Red_Line> "Is ther someone there?"
[19:02:29] Aria blinks. "What's a fist?"
[19:03:15] Skyshine shrugs "I don't know, it just came to me."
[19:03:27] Star_Chaser reaches out to put a forehoof on Red Line's shoulder. "What're you doing!? Those tunnels are probably full of crazy-making gas." She looks down the stairs. "I don't hear anyone or anything."
[19:03:53] Mad_Modd continues the song! "You can beat 'em up by any means/ To blow them all to smithereens/ The favorite of this mad pony/ Never mind the fatalities/ Where there's municipalities/To crush a set of with the threat of."
[19:03:58] Aria hugs Skyshine tight. "No! He's rubbing off on you! Get out of her brain, Modd! You don't need one!"
[19:04:41] Tiller "It's just an alley with steam incontinence. What's the big deal?"
[19:04:52] Red_Line lights up his horn, and moves to the doorway "No one here is going to hurt you."
[19:05:10] Skyshine sings along with Mad Modd "Weaponry will inspire Dr. D/ Weaponry, to have confidence in me! If I'm gonna be a conqueror and win my father's love, I'll take it to the people with the eagle not the dove! If there's one thing that obedience is symptomatic of it's W-E-A-P-O-N-R-Y, weaponry! From up above!"
[19:05:46] Mad_Modd sings the last bit with Skyshine
[19:05:49] Red_Line looks to the others "Do yall hear that, or is just me?"
[19:06:52] Tiller "I think it's just you. All I can hear is a bunch of steam hissing. Or maybe a big pile of invisible, angry snakes. What do I look like, a paranormal investigator?"
[19:06:53] Mad_Modd giggles madly
[19:06:55] <%Somber> Well... there were a pair singing a duet...
[19:07:15] Skyshine smiles at Mad Modd. "I thought only my crazy granny knew that song." She frowns. "Speaking of that... somehow a wrench makes bad weapon, don't you think?"
[19:07:17] Star_Chaser groans. "All I hear is some crazy people singing and doors being opened into possibly-lethally-maddening tunnels." She facehoofs. "This place is going to drive us all nuts."
[19:07:49] Aria pouts at Skyshine. "I don't know. If I swing it with TK it can hit pretty hard."
[19:08:07] <Red_Line> "Aria do you have anything on your Pipbuck?"
[19:08:10] Mad_Modd "I has a gun!" and he digs through his pack and gives Skyshine a 9mm pistol "No extra ammo so aim good..... do we need to sing the song again?"
[19:10:03] Aria looks down at her Pipbuck. "All yellow ahead."
[19:10:35] Skyshine smiles as she takes the 9mm. "I'll just aim carefully." She noses Aria's cheek gently. "Now I can protect you a little." she whispers.
[19:11:16] <Red_Line> "Well I hear a filly, I think."
[19:11:24] Aria grins. "We'll watch each other's backs then."
[19:11:36] Mad_Modd ponders "Soooo.... we're in danger.... in that" Pointing towards the direction of the hospital "General direction... ?"
[19:12:13] Star_Chaser groans and rubs her face. Then looks down towards the tunnel. "You're sure you hear a filly? It's not just some echo or crazy recording or something?" She looks to Red Line seriously.
[19:13:07] <Red_Line> "Well if someone can go with me, we can check this out."
[19:13:49] Red_Line moves down the service tunnel
[19:14:08] Skyshine swallows, then tries to put on a brave face. "Maybe um, well, maybe I could go with you. I'm talky, and maybe I can coax her out..."
[19:15:06] Mad_Modd starts to shake a little, fighting a massive shit eating grin "So we're heading...!"
[19:15:19] Red_Line nods to Skyshine "I don't know if its me going nuts or if there is someone down here?"
[19:15:48] Star_Chaser frowns and looks towards Skyshine and the others. "You lot stay here. I'll go with Red Line. If we're not back in half an hour, go on without us." She turns to head down the stairs after Red Line.
[19:16:50] <%Somber> The tunnel was only wide enough for one pony at a time, the leaking steam making it all but inpossible to see more than a few feet. Then Redline bumps into something...
[19:17:04] Aria looks at Skyshine. "You're not going without me."
[19:17:13] Tiller calls out cheerfully, "Don't die! That would be bad."
[19:17:28] DancingOnTheAshes [[email protected]] joined the channel.
[19:17:42] Skyshine sits down. "Well, looks like I'm not going. Though I'm not sure it's the best idea to put our healer down there..."
[19:18:36] Mad_Modd throws his hooves up into the air "Luna damn it! Just shoot that darkness and get it over with!"
[19:18:44] Aria shakes her head. "We shouldn't split the party."
[19:18:47] Star_Chaser sticks close to Red Line, keeping an eye out behind them as best she could.
[19:20:06] Red_Line with a start his horn goes out "Oh fuck me, help." as he trys and get under the filly
[19:21:00] <%Somber> The tunnel is plunged into darkness as he struggles and fumbles, the steam closing in and hissing higher and higher as the tunnel starts to heat up.
[19:21:58] Red_Line get at his sword with his TK and trys and cut down the filly
[19:22:55] Star_Chaser winces and shifts in place. "What's going on up there?" She can barely see past Red Line ahead, with the small tunnel. "Who designed this place?"
[19:25:30] Aria looks down at where the others disappeared. "How you guys doing in there?"
[19:25:33] Skyshine looks at sees the steam billowing out of the tunnel. "Luna fuck me with her horn. I knew this was a bad idea. Aria, Modd, you uh, might wanna go down there."
[19:26:03] <%Somber> The steam grows even hotter, blinding them as the pipes shriek and rattle.
[19:26:15] Aria nods. "Right. Shield time!" she says before wrapping herself, Modd, and Skyshine inside her shield. "Let's roll."
[19:27:31] <%Somber> They get as far as Star and there's not enough room to go past her. It's impossible to see what redline is up to.
[19:28:02] Skyshine flaps her wings as hard as she can, trying to push the steam cloud out of the way.
[19:28:19] <%Somber> Not a chance. This is steam hot enough to cook.
[19:28:26] Star_Chaser coughs a few moments from the searing heat. "What's going on up there!?" She beat her wings to keep the steam back as much as possible. "This place is going to cook us alive. There's no way a filly would be able to survive down here!"
[19:28:49] Red_Line yells out "Get back, all of you."
[19:28:52] Mad_Modd is dragged along, he throws Star_Chaser on his back and keeps moving up to Red_Line "Just shoot it! Do I need to sing the weaponry song again!?"
[19:29:10] <%Somber> It's impossible to move up to Red_Line.
[19:29:24] Mad_Modd still yells at them
[19:29:25] Aria growls, reforming her shield to let Star_Chaser in before kicking on the Light spell on her Pipbuck. "Red_Line! Can you hear me!?"
[19:29:39] Red_Line moves back as fast as he can
[19:29:59] <%Somber> A butt slams into Aria's shield.
[19:30:41] Aria pulls the butt through the shield and starts motioning for everypony to back away to safety. "Let's go. Beep Beep! Back up!"
[19:31:07] Skyshine backs out of the tunnel, still trying to push the steam out of the way. She tries to gather some of the cooled steam around the edges into a cloud.
[19:31:12] Mad_Modd grabs the butt and pulls it along
[19:31:32] <%Somber> Everyone staggers out before they take more damage. Star and Red eye have blisters forming from the scalding steam on every bit of exposed ponyhide. A still lump lays across Redline's shoulders.
[19:31:57] Red_Line moves into the shield and looks back "Is she still alive?"
[19:32:37] Mad_Modd "Is it some kind of monster?"
[19:32:45] Star_Chaser moves back as quick as she can manage, coughing a few more moments and shifting as best as she could. "What in Luna's crater-marked flank was going on down there!?" She looks to Red Line in confusion.
[19:33:11] Tiller sighs. "I see we have yet more reasons to go to the hospital. Is she still alive?"
[19:33:31] <%Somber> No. The filly sized poniquin is most definitely not alive. A rotten rope around its neck is tied in a hangsman's noose.
[19:34:32] <%Somber> As Skyshine gather's the steam, the hissing abruptly stops... the jets disappearing completely and the mist settling down in the dark opening of the tunnel.
[19:34:39] Aria sees the poniquin and her jaw drops. "Celestia buck me with a banana..."
[19:35:03] Red_Line as he gets out of the tunnel he lays down the filly and checks to see if she is still alive
[19:35:15] Mad_Modd slowly stamps a hoof on the ground with a blank expression "Way to go hero. Can we get going now?"
[19:35:27] Skyshine flutters over to the party with her cloud. "Well... I have a cloud." She looks at Aria. "I tried that, isn't as fun as you'd think."
[19:35:47] Skyshine turns bright red, realising she said that aloud.
[19:35:53] Aria blushes furiously as she stares at Skyshine, wide eyed.
[19:35:53] Star_Chaser coughs a few more moments and groans. "Yes. Let's get going, before these scald marks get any worse." She looks up to the cloud and tilts her head. "Yes, you do. Unusual in this place, for sure."
[19:36:23] Skyshine looks at Star Chaser. "Think we can get it to rain? It'd be a source of water. Probably not a lot, but..."
[19:36:33] Mad_Modd giggles at Skyshine "Heatshine the Porno Filly."
[19:37:01] Star_Chaser taps her chin. "Probably. But we won't be able to wring too much water out of it if it was from that steam. Still might be able to get a canteen or two's worth."
[19:37:08] Tiller groans. "I'm shocked, shocked I tell you to discover a trap in this fine city." He rolls his eyes. "Positively gobsmacked."
[19:37:11] Aria looks away too. "It's a good idea, Skyshine."
[19:37:34] Star_Chaser furrows her brows. "I'm more concerned about where the steam came from. And why it stopped. I've seen a few pre-war steam pipes break before. They don't just -stop- like that. This was a trap. But from who, and how, and why?"
[19:37:51] Tiller "I could use a canteen refill. I finished mine off before I got to the bridge, and I'm gettin' real thirsty."
[19:38:39] Skyshine doesn't make eyecontact with the party as the fills Tillers canteen.
[19:38:42] Mad_Modd shrugs "Put it in one can and pass it around."
[19:39:07] Red_Line look on with some confusion at the poniquin for some time
[19:39:32] Skyshine also fills Modd's Canteen
[19:40:00] Tiller gulps thirstily. "Hahhh... Thanks. Yer a lifesaver."
[19:40:01] Mad_Modd takes a big sip and passes the canteen to Aria
[19:40:54] Aria shakes her head. "Is there any cloud left for my canteen, Skyshine?" she asks, thankful that her reddish brown coat tended to hide her blushing.
[19:42:02] Skyshine tries to wring water out of the cloud for Aria, but isn't able to get any. "I'm sorry... there was less in there than I thought..."
[19:42:15] Skyshine lays her ears back and sighs
[19:42:33] <%Somber> The steam was now gone completely. Someone screams madly in the mist. "No! No! You're not my sister! You're not!" Followed by several gunshots. "No! Stay away from me!" Several more. Then one more gunshot, and then silence.
[19:42:39] Aria smiles at her and gives her a quick nuzzl.e "It's alright, Sky."
[19:43:07] Star_Chaser looks to Skyshine. "We can spend a few blue chips to buy some water if we need it." She frowns at the screaming. "We need to keep moving, before someone finds us again." She turns to head back up the alley.
[19:43:08] Mad_Modd stows his canteen and readies his weapon "I think it's time for grenades!"
[19:43:27] Tiller looks blankly into the mist. "Another? Really, Mad? After how well it went last time?"
[19:44:06] Mad_Modd starts trotting towards the gunfire "Yup!"
[19:44:20] Red_Line with a sudden outburst of anger he smashs the poniquin to splinters
[19:44:39] Skyshine jumps at the show of rage
[19:44:49] <Red_Line> "Fuck, fuck, fuck!"
[19:45:16] Aria jumps between Skyshine and Red_Line. "What the hell was that for?"
[19:45:35] <Mad_Modd> "The rest of you going to ignore the gunfire?"
[19:45:59] Tiller "I'm beginning to think that this place shoulda been turned into glass with the rest of the civilized world."
[19:46:15] Tiller sighs heavily. "No, I'm not. Alright, let's go check it out..."
[19:46:21] Star_Chaser looks to the gunfire and growls. She pauses and looks back, then towards the gunfire, then back, then finally turns towards the gunfire. "No. Let's go." She begins heading in that direction.
[19:46:31] Aria blinks. "Wait... Gunfire?"
[19:47:04] <%Somber> The trip to the north west corner of the community passed by a number of kitchy looking shops selling the strangest things. Like candles. Aromatherapy. Massage parlors. Shops selling wicker baskets, little cow carvings, and salt and pepper shakers. In the street is a fresh corpse. His mouth is curled around the barrel of a heavier pistol. His body
[19:47:11] Red_Line stops and flops down "I fucking swear I heard some filly."
[19:47:18] Tiller gingerly draws his weapon and crouches, sticking to the shadows and the spots where the mist is thickest in an attempt to not be seen.
[19:47:42] <%Somber> appeared as if it had been cut several times on his forelimbs and legs.
[19:47:54] Aria feels sick at the sight of the body. "Goddesses."
[19:48:03] Mad_Modd pats Red_Line "And the lady behind the counter in the explosions store was talking to me to."
[19:48:20] Red_Line nods slowly
[19:48:20] Skyshine trots forward hesitantly and puts a hoof on Red Line. "You were trying to do the right thing. Keep trying that. Don't let this place beat you."
[19:48:50] Star_Chaser frowns, moving to check the vitals on the dead pony, or at least apparently dead pony. There weren't any obviously lethal wounds, so maybe they weren't completely dead yet...
[19:49:15] <%Somber> Oh the hoof sized hole in the back of his head said otherwise.
[19:49:29] Red_Line under his breath "Fuck the wasteland."
[19:51:13] Star_Chaser looks up and around for any sign of the one who would have shot him.
[19:51:15] Mad_Modd "Well this is fun... " trying to keep watch for the source of the gunfire
[19:52:08] Tiller sneaky-sneaks down the street, looking for the assailants. They've got to be nearby.
[19:52:10] Skyshine gently pets Red Line's mane. "We're all living in a world on fire, sweetheart. Hang in there."
[19:53:25] Aria simply nods. "We all gotta keep hanging in there. Once Littlepip finds the other element bearers, things'll get better.
[19:53:48] <%Somber> Timeless mist, vagueness, elusiveness... surrounding them on all sides, picking them apart one by one.
[19:54:21] Mad_Modd blink blinks "Well this just got even more fun... Marco!"
[19:55:23] Tiller remains sneaky.
[19:55:32] Star_Chaser stands back upright. "Whomever did this has run off. We should keep moving, before someone else comes to check out the gunshot and mistakes us for murderers."
[19:57:06] Aria sticks as close to Skyshine as possible. "Everypony stick together. Come closer to me so I can tag something you're carrying so I can find anyone with my Pipbuck."
[19:57:43] Skyshine holds out her wrench, looking sheepish. "If I don't have this, you'll know something's up."
[19:58:20] Mad_Modd yells louder as he can't see anyone "MARCO!!"
[19:58:22] Star_Chaser moves in closer with Aria to stick close with her companions.
[20:00:04] Aria tags Skyshine's wrench in her Pipbuck.
[20:01:24] Skyshine looks over the stallion and sighs. "I think we're safe. This... this looks self inflicted."
[20:01:26] Red_Line moves up to Aria "Just tag my armour."
[20:01:39] Aria nods. "Done."
[20:01:57] Mad_Modd moves up to Aria too because everyone else is doing it "Marc.... oh there you are...."
[20:02:17] Tiller stops being sneaky and returns to the center of the street. "Well if you folks don't want that gun, I do." He snags it and starts patting down the body for bullets.
[20:02:59] <Red_Line> "Well can someone get his gun then."
[20:05:00] Skyshine whispers a quiet prayer over the stallion as Tiller loots him.
[20:06:26] <%Somber> The mists seems to thin a little bit, and they could see the hospital in the distance where the street turned. It was easily the largest building they'd seen thus far, four stories tall with a sky wagon landing pad on top.
[20:06:58] Star_Chaser looks up towards the building. "Let's just keep moving. I don't want to hang around in the open longer than we have to. This place does things to the mind, not just that purple stuff."
[20:07:20] Red_Line rubs his horn "I'm a long night rest soon."
[20:07:24] Aria whistles. "That's a tall building."
[20:07:32] Mad_Modd ponders "Sooo.... we're heading right to..... the..... danger zone?"
[20:07:46] Skyshine bops Mad Modd with her wing
[20:08:14] Mad_Modd rubs the back of his head "Owww! What was that for?"
[20:08:14] Aria nods. "Yes. It will probably be dangerous like everything else here."
[20:08:33] Skyshine shakes her head and looks to Star Chaser
[20:09:25] Star_Chaser smirks a little to Mad Modd. "Well, you never know what you can do until you take it as high as you can go, right?" She turns and begins heading towards the hospital.
[20:10:14] Mad_Modd points at Star_Chaser "Where's there bop? Hers was way worse than mine!"
[20:10:39] Red_Line heads off to the hospital with the rest of the group
[20:11:03] <%Somber> The building looked shockingly intact. No broken windows. No boards. Nothing barricaded. While the lawn was overgrown and yellow and the landscaping had long since died, the building was otherwise pristine. It had a main entrance, and then one beneath the helipad marked 'emergency.'
[20:11:04] Aria stays close to Skyshine, snickering slightly after she bopped Mad_Modd.
[20:11:05] Mad_Modd "It's not like the time I tried to catch fog, I mist."
[20:11:37] Skyshine groans, trying to Gibbs slap Mad Modd with her wing. Again.
[20:11:41] Tiller unloads the large pistol before he stuffs it in his pack. He also puts some chits in his pack too. "Huh. Maybe I can pay it back by scavving after all..."
[20:13:10] <Mad_Modd> "Owww! A backwards poet writes inverse! BWUAHAHAHA!!! I have no idea what's going on!"
[20:13:15] Aria laughs at the slap and gives Skyshine a slight bump on the flank with her own."
[20:14:06] Star_Chaser looks up at the building. "Well that's strange." She furrows her brow then looks back down to the entrance. "Why hasn't this place been wrecked like everywhere else?" She begins moving towards the main entrance cautiously.
[20:15:06] Skyshine smiles at the flank bump, then immediately looks down, looking ashamed. "Maybe because it's a hospital?"
[20:15:10] Tiller goes sneaky-sneaky again. No point in being seen until the situation is assessed.
[20:15:32] <%Somber> As she approaches, the doors slide silently open. The lobby was dusty... but the magazines were still on their tables and the reception desk looked like the secretary had stepped away for two centuries. The terminal still glowed under a layer of dust.
[20:15:38] Aria looks concerned. "I'm sorry. I thought..."
[20:16:05] Mad_Modd looks about the lobby "Stay alert! Loosing your head in an emergency is a nobrainer!"
[20:17:25] <%Somber> Soft muzac begins to play, the melody fading in and out over the antiquated speakers.
[20:18:18] Star_Chaser frowns. "No. I don't think it's that simple. No way anyone here would care it's a hospital. There must be some kind of defenses in this place." She moved in slowly, carefully. Keeping an eye out for any signs of local problems. "This place was an insane asylum, remember? Maybe the locals were more peaceful than some crazy folks now, but they'd still probably have something
[20:18:18] Star_Chaser to deal with violent locals..."
[20:18:51] Aria whispers softly. "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I was just trying to show some affection. If you don't like PDA, then I'll stop."
[20:19:20] <Mad_Modd> "I'm guessing it's got hellish security.... or ghost."
[20:20:55] Skyshine looks pained. "I... I do want... I just..." She sighs, shaking her head sadly.
[20:21:21] Skyshine points to the terminal. "Tiller, you're good with those, right?"
[20:21:49] Star_Chaser raises a forehoof to her lips to shush the others, ear twitching and moving slowly inside, she looks around, moving in a particular direction though why isn't immediately clear.
[20:22:25] Tiller "Eh, I'm okay at them. Sure, I'll give it a whirl."
[20:22:35] Tiller taps at the terminal.
[20:23:51] Star_Chaser looks around again with a frown. "Does anyone else hear voices? There's someone here..."
[20:24:45] Red_Line moves into the lobby "Well someone needs to fire the cleaning service."
[20:24:52] Skyshine perks up. "I don't hear anything, but don't go anywhere, Star. Remember what happened last time?"
[20:25:30] Red_Line nods "Don't go doing what I just did."
[20:25:31] Mad_Modd grabs Star_Chaser and drags her back to the group "REmember what happens when you go chasing after voices that no one else can hear?"
[20:26:16] Star_Chaser blinks and gets dragged back. "I'm not going to go running off alone. But there's someone here. It's worrying. Or maybe there isn't." She frowns.
[20:26:19] <Aria> "Yeah. You haven't given me something to tag either so we can't find you with my Pipbuck if you get lost."
[20:27:09] Mad_Modd blink blinks "Tag? I already have three TAGs..."
[20:27:49] Tiller taps, taps. Frowns. Backs out. Taps. Bing!
[20:28:20] Star_Chaser frowns. "Then tag my armor or something. Whatever you feel like. Doesn't matter much to me." She glances around again. "This place is worrying."
[20:28:34] <Red_Line> "But who makes sure you don't get lost Aria?"
[20:28:39] Tiller mumbles, "I am one leet hack-sore..."
[20:29:07] Mad_Modd groans and Gibbs smacks Tiller "No."
[20:29:20] Aria frowns at Mad_Modd. "No, a Pipbuck tag." Then she looks at Red_Line. "Um, I don't know. But if I get lost, I can find you guyst faster than you would be able to find me."
[20:29:45] <%Somber> Second time is the charm in this case. The terminal flickers a few times and then comes to life. It shows 200 years of no appointments, bookings, or alerts. It does have previous ones, but each one requires a unique PW and it would take weeks, if not months, to access them all. There was ONE voice recording to be forwarded to a Dr. Incognito, from
[20:29:51] <%Somber> Canterlot.
[20:30:58] <%Somber> There was also a map and he found several door controls and 'internal security defenses' active.
[20:33:21] Star_Chaser looks around again with a frown, keeping close to the reception desk.
[20:33:30] Tiller waves over Aria. "Hay, pipbuck lady. There's a map of the premises here, you want it?"
[20:33:56] Aria perks up. "Oh! Sure. I'll download it!"
[20:34:21] Skyshine grumbles under her breath. "Her name's Aria, Tiller..."
[20:37:49] Red_Line smerks at Skyshine's comment "He's been called shithead all this time, I think he can come up with a nickname or two."
[20:37:54] Aria plugs her Pipbuck into the terminal and hums to herself a Velvet Remedy song as she downloads.
[20:39:06] Tiller keys up the voice recording and transfers a copy to Aria's pipbuck.. "And this too. Can't hurt, anyways."
[20:39:35] <%Somber> Emergency, Admin, and Cafeteria are on level 1. Consultation and doctor's offices on 2. OR and ICU on 3. Patients on 4.
[20:39:36] Tiller grimaces. "Er. Um. Actually, maybe it can... Ah, nevermind. Probably won't."
[20:39:39] Aria cues up the recording. "Let's give it a listen."
[20:40:02] Tiller stands up and searches for a public restroom sign.
[20:40:37] Mad_Modd ponders "We need to hurry up. I don't like this place and those NCR types need medical supplies."
[20:40:39] Star_Chaser looks towards the others. "Where would someone being treated be?" She glances around again. "The voices I heard said something about getting through to her. I assume a patient. If they'd be on another floor, it's probably just a halucination. But it's still worrying."
[20:41:18] Aria looks at the map. "Probably either Emergency, OR, and ICU, Star_Chaser."
[20:42:16] <%Somber> For a moment it's silent. "Um... h... hello? Doctor? This is... um... this is Fluttershy... I was just calling... in case you're not too busy... if you could get back to me on some of these reports I've been getting... well... they're very concerning. I know that you care deeply for all your patients and I'd like to... um... to schedual a meeting... if...
[20:42:22] Red_Line wounders "A place like this may have it's own water talisman?"
[20:42:44] Skyshine frowns. "They could be upstairs as well. If this was an asylum, and the pony was really bad off, they may be on level 4."
[20:42:47] <%Somber> um... if you're not too busy?"
[20:43:07] Aria gasps. "It's Fluttershy!"
[20:43:29] Star_Chaser tilts her head to one side, eartwitching at the message. "That's bad. Very bad." She looks around again. "Have its own water talisman? Maybe. I doubt it, though. Maybe the city might, on the whole. But one building? Probably not."
[20:43:38] Mad_Modd facehoofs at the recording "Yay. Mad scientist pony. Bet we find some insane experiments and they try to eat our heads."
[20:43:56] Tiller "It's a hospital. I'd be shocked if it didn't have a water talisman."
[20:44:25] Star_Chaser looks back to Mad Modd, "Have found. We have found some insane experiments. Gas that drives ponies mad. Security cameras everywhere. This whole place is an experiment."
[20:45:37] Skyshine stomps a hoof in frustration. "Why would ponies do that? I'm not a heartmender, but if ponies were hurting, shouldn't they have done everything to help them? Not experiment on them like they were some kind of lab animal?"
[20:46:16] <%Somber> "I know that there's nopony more dedicated than you to helping ponies. So please... I would really like a face to face..." it falls to static for a moment."... know you're working so hard. Um... but if not... um... well... I suppose I can ask A..." the recording fades to static. "Please get back to me as soon as you can. I'm counting on you to find the
[20:46:19] <%Somber> answer..."
[20:46:29] <%Somber> The recording ends.
[20:46:33] <Red_Line> "Ok we look for a big healing talisman and all else is just icing on the cake."
[20:46:47] Tiller looks around for a bathroom. It would really be awfully nice to clean his face.
[20:46:57] <%Somber> There was one off the waiting room.
[20:47:13] <Mad_Modd> "Bet you five caps this place is the source of the purple gas."
[20:47:17] Aria looked down at her Pipbuck sadly. "The world wouldn't be this screwed up if there weren't a lot of pretty screwed up ponies back in the day messing everything up and undoing good ponies' work."
[20:47:35] Tiller bangs into the gentlecolt's bathroom and tries the sink.
[20:48:15] <%Somber> The pipes gurgle, wheeze, and then begin to flow.
[20:48:57] Tiller stares at the water. Sniffs the water. Lets it run for a minute.
[20:49:26] Tiller gratefully washes his face.
[20:49:55] Star_Chaser nods her head. "Probably, Modd. Probably. We'll have to keep an eye out for any sign of it. Though given we found it out and about, and supposedly the basements are full of it, it might have been down below ground. Somewhere hidden. But I don't doubt it was used here."
[20:50:06] <%Somber> Ah... water... wonderful water...
[20:50:18] Skyshine stands outside the colt's room and calls in. "Is the water clean?"
[20:50:44] Tiller splutters. "I wouldn't drink it, but yeah. Seems to be."
[20:51:07] Red_Line looks around the lobby for what ever may catch his eye
[20:51:51] Mad_Modd gets an idea "I can make a still! I need a few pots, a long length of copper pipe.... fire.... and I can make clean...ish water out of what we find."
[20:53:30] Tiller turns off the sink and speaks aloud. "...Sweet Breeze?"
[20:53:51] Aria looks in. "We can boil it."
[20:54:01] Skyshine pales. "Uh, Tiller, sweetie? Who are you talking to?"
[20:54:17] Tiller ignores them. "S-Sweet Breeze? Is that you?"
[20:54:21] Star_Chaser moves towards the bathroom and keeps an eye on the surroundings. "We'll want to head upstairs. The ICU will probably have the kind of medicine we need. That or Emergency. Both should have some magical healing."
[20:54:52] Skyshine pushes the door open. "Tiller?"
[20:56:31] Tiller waves a dismissal at Skyshine. "G'way, I'm talking to my daughter..."
[20:57:04] Skyshine sighs. "Tiller, nopony's there."
[20:57:22] Mad_Modd rushes past Skyshine and tries to tackle Tiller and pin them "He's loosing it."
[20:57:40] Tiller crouches and embraces thin air. "No... no... please no... I'm sorry... I'm so so so sorry... I won't let the bad guys hurt you no more. I mean it."
[20:58:26] Mad_Modd goes flying over the colt as he crouches
[20:58:30] Scorch_Mechanic[A] [[email protected]] has quit (Connection closed).
[20:58:41] Tiller turns a tear streaked face at Skyshine. "Shuddup! Shuddup!" he sniffles.
[20:59:05] Skyshine hugs Tiller. "Honey, hang in there. It'll be ok." She starts to sing softly. "It's everything you wanted, it's everything you don't. It's one door swinging open, it's one door swining closed. Some prayers find an answer, some prayers never know. It's holding on, and letting go."
[20:59:47] Aria watches Tiller's breakdown nervously, ready to try to throw him away from Skyshine at a moments notice."
[21:00:35] Tiller shudders. "N-n-no! No! Not that! How could they do that! No! No! You're too young! No! I'm sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry..."
[21:01:22] Star_Chaser frowns, looking into the bathroom. "Water must be laced with that purple stuff. Probably got into him when he washed his face. No drinking the water here." She sighs quietly. "Probably all the water in this entire Celestia-forsaken place is contaminated with it. No wonder only the rainbarrels and machines give clean water!"
[21:02:07] Skyshine holds onto Tiller. "Shh... Shh..."
[21:02:47] Tiller keels over and curls up, like he's being disemboweled. "No no no no no no!" Tears stream down his face as he sobs loudly and wetly.
[21:03:24] Aria grumbles. "Goddesses I hate this place."
[21:04:46] <%Somber> Tiller's eyes roll back in his head as he begins to shutter and shake as if in the grips of a epileptic fit before finally, mercifully, he passes out.
[21:05:00] Tiller "..."
[21:06:15] Red_Line trots slowly over to Tiller and nuzzles him softly "It not real, shes not here."
[21:06:24] Skyshine holds onto Tiller even after he's passed out. She starts crying quietly. "I'm sorry I couldn't help you."
[21:07:06] <Skyshine> fuck
[21:07:09] Star_Chaser frowns, moving to check Tiller's vitals. To make sure he hadn't actually had a heart attack or something from the stress.
[21:07:17] Aria goes over to him and tries to get her Pipbuck to give a reading on him. "Crap! Crap! He's not dead, is he?"
[21:07:20] Mad_Modd waits in the hall, watching for anything moving "Well isn't this just grand..."
[21:07:30] Skyshine notices he isn't breathing as he holds him. "Fuck. Star, help me!"
[21:07:32] Tiller "..."
[21:08:03] Star_Chaser gives a 'tch' and begins trying to resucitate Tiller. "We need something to start his heart, now!" She looks to the others. "Don't just stand there. Find something to help!"
[21:08:04] Skyshine pulls his head back, opening his airway and puts her mouth on his, breathing into him.
[21:10:15] Skyshine looks up as Star Chaser starts giving compressions. "Aria, I need you to run into the ER and find an Epi Pen. It's a small needle that may say 'Epinephrine' or 'Adrenaline' on it."
[21:10:44] Aria nods, rushing off towards the ER and following the map on her Pipbuck.
[21:10:59] Red_Line runs off after Aria
[21:11:24] Skyshine shouts after the stallions. "If you find a Cardiostimulator, bring it here, too! We may need it to stabilize his heartbeat."
[21:11:30] Star_Chaser continues her attentions. "Come on Tiller. No dieing. No dieing! Too many people still need help for you to go away like this!"
[21:11:45] <%Somber> She runs around the corner towards the ER, when suddenly from the ceiling drops a turret and it tries to shoot her with a purple beam.
[21:12:01] Tiller ".... *hic* ..."
[21:13:09] Tiller 's eyes flutter open. He pushes Skyshine away. "Hey! I already have a wife!"
[21:13:41] Star_Chaser breathes a sigh of relief when Tiller awakens. "Thank Luna you're still alive." She sits back upright. "Are you feeling alright? No more hallucinations?"
[21:13:50] Tiller groans. "I... have the mother, father, and daughter of all headaches."
[21:13:54] Red_Line yells "Oh fuck duck." as he trys to roll Aria out of the why
[21:14:05] Tiller shivers. "You do /not/ wanna fucking know what I saw."
[21:14:11] Skyshine was about to give another two breaths as she's pushed away. "I was trying to... ARgh. I AM NOT A WHORE!" She storms out of the bathroom, leaving tiller to Star Chaser.
[21:15:08] Star_Chaser frowns and looks towards the exit. "That... Was odd." She stands and follows after Skyshine. "Are you alright? What was the outburst about?" She moves towards the other pegasus worriedly.
[21:15:53] Aria runs through the pain, the bullets hitting hard, but she grits her teeth, summons her shield and keeps running. Rushing into the ER, Aria marvels at all the medical supplies. "Epi pin. Epi pin. Damn it, where are you?"
[21:16:55] Skyshine whirls around. "Nothing. DOn't worry about it. Where is Aria? Tiller still doesn't look good. What was that word they used in first aid? Shock?"
[21:17:21] Tiller lies back down suddenly and starts breathing faster. He grows cooler. "I *huff huff* don't *huff huff* feel too good..."
[21:17:40] <%Somber> Tiller manages to batter at the turret, but it doesn't do much as it orients on him.
[21:17:40] Red_Line takes some frutless swings at the turret
[21:18:03] <Aria> "Son of a... Buck it!" Aria then decides to leviate all the medicine, needles, and syringes into her saddlebags as carefully as she can.
[21:18:35] <%Somber> Or does it? Something inside the turret goes FZWEEM! and it shutters then goes still, purple smoke drifting from it.
[21:19:12] Skyshine pulls her saddle bag off of her back. "Breathe into this, Tiller. Hang in there. We're getting help."
[21:19:16] Star_Chaser looks back towards the bathroom, moving back in to check on Tiller again. "This isn't good. We need something to stabilize him." She began digging through her bags. "Ugh. I don't have anything except basic first aid supplies."
[21:19:40] Red_Line holds his breath at the purple smoke drifting from turret
[21:20:07] <Red_Line> the*
[21:20:46] Aria turns around, seeing the turret still shooting at Red_Line, and fires a lightning bolt at it.
[21:21:37] <%Somber> Turret was not dead and exploded, letting out a cloud of purple gas. But she gets past it and gets back to the reception area.
[21:22:26] Red_Line fallows after Aria
[21:22:35] <Red_Line> follows*
[21:22:52] Tiller "My... *huff* chest feels weird...*
[21:23:05] Star_Chaser continues to do her best to stabilize Tiller. "This is not good." She looks towards Skyshine. "We need something to help stabilize his heart. Fast."
[21:23:21] Aria rushes back to Skyshine. "I couldn't figure out which one was which so I just grabbed everything!" She shouts before giving the medical ponies the bag full of medical supplies.
[21:23:38] Skyshine gets behind tiller and lifts his legs. She looks into the bag for an Epi Pen.
[21:25:43] Red_Line taps Mad_Modd on the shoulder "There turrets on line here, if you whant to say blow shit up it looks like the time."
[21:25:57] Skyshine grabs the epi pen and rips off the cap before stabbing it into Tiller's leg. "Don't die, don't die please..."
[21:25:58] <Red_Line> want*
[21:26:21] Tiller protests weakly. "Ow..."
[21:27:26] <%Somber> With the drugs and Sky Chaser's help... the blue tinge fades and his heart settles back into a more steady rythem. After a few minutes, he's stabilized... and probably feeling worse than when fat bastard was over him.
[21:27:29] Aria holds her breath until Tiller says 'Ow.' "Is ow a good thing?"
[21:29:42] Skyshine lets out a breath "Ow is good."
[21:30:38] Tiller "...'ow' is an ow-thing. At least I don't feel like my chest is going to implode anymore..."
[21:30:56] Aria collapses onto her haunches. "Then ow," she says, finally feeling the pain of the rubber bullets and wincing. There was already a nasty bruise forming on her collar.
[21:31:02] Tiller 's pupils suddenly shrink "Oh! Oh no!"
[21:32:02] Star_Chaser frowns and looks around. "That purple stuff. The gas. It's not just some simple hallucinogen. It's toxic. Something that could stress you out so badly you'd die. or maybe just kill you by stopping your heart if you're exposed to a large enough dose." She frowns. "It must have affected everyone here in small amounts."
[21:32:45] Aria looks at Tiller, worried. "Oh goddesses. What's going on now?
[21:33:22] Tiller "How am I gonna tell my wife I let some mare kiss me!?"
[21:33:32] Tiller suddenly guffaws.
[21:34:16] Skyshine check's Tiller's pulse, worried. When she hears what he says, she growls and steps away from him. "If you can hold off dying, that'd be nice." She says, stalking back into the lobby.
[21:34:52] Tiller grins stupidly. "Sorry! Sorry... heh..."
[21:35:33] Aria growls. "Dumb buck." She then gets up, limping slightly, as she follows Skyshine back into the lobby. "Hey... You did really good back there."
[21:35:34] Tiller rolls over and gets up. "Oooohhh... don't think I wanna do that again... Good thing we're in a hospital, eh...?"
[21:36:38] Star_Chaser offers a hoof to help Tiller up. "There's probably security here. We'll have to be careful."
[21:37:08] Tiller "Oh yeah, cause we're just the Kings and Queens of careful, aren't we?"
[21:39:44] Red_Line flops down in the lobby "We just need some rest."
[21:39:50] Skyshine takes a deep breath and lets it out. "Let's... let's not do that again. I'm a mechanic, not a doctor. Not a heartmender." She whispers something else to herself.
[21:41:17] Red_Line comments to Skyshine "Well I'm a killer not a healer."
[21:41:29] Tiller "I'm a lover, not a fighter..."
[21:42:14] Red_Line wenches at his comment a little
[21:42:15] Mad_Modd falls through the bathroom door flailing "I'm awake!"
[21:42:17] Skyshine raises an eyebrow at Red Line. "You've been healing this whole time, though..." she also smiles tiredly to Aria
[21:43:12] Aria gets closer to her, cocking an eyebrow. "What was that? You... you seem a little more shaken... Does it have something to do with what you saw through the purple stuff. Do you want to talk about it?"
[21:43:19] Tiller "Love and peace... Humph. Let's get going."
[21:46:09] Skyshine looks pained again. "I just..." She looks up to see if Star Chaser is watching her.
[21:46:59] Aria looks back at the group. "Can we get some privacy, guys?"
[21:47:11] Star_Chaser was infact in the room, but was mostly just watching the walls and ceilings, lookig for something it seemed.
[21:47:45] Skyshine pales. "Why do we need privacy? It's fine. I'm fine. It'll be ok."
[21:48:13] Aria blinks. "Oh, well, I thought you just didn't want to say it in front of a crowd. Um, sorry."
[21:50:37] Skyshine looks down at the ground. "I... I just don't want everyone to think bad of me..."
[21:51:27] Aria gives Skyshine a nuzzle. "I could never think bad of you."
[21:53:25] Skyshine shudders. "It's just that... what I saw hurt. A lot. Everypony at home used to tell me that I was their 'little ray of sunshine.' I thought it was a nice joke about my cutie mark. Turns out it was just their way of saying they wanted under my tail."
[21:54:24] Aria pales. "Oh... I... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so forward. I'll ease off a little. I'll..." Aria turns her head away, trailing off.
[21:54:37] Skyshine sighs. "That's all anypony's ever wanted me for. Not because I can fix things. Not because I can sweet talk the wings off a butterfly. Just want a mare that's quiet and will do what she's told."
[21:55:18] Aria looks back at her from the side of her eye. "I want you for that..."
[21:56:08] Aria then blinks and smacks herself with her hoof. "I mean, the talking and fixing and you stuff. Not tail stuff!"
[21:56:26] Aria frowns. "I'm not so good at the talking..."
[21:57:16] Skyshine flinches as Aria smacks herself. "It's fine. I just..." She looks down and away. "That's... why I keep doing what I'm doing. I don't want that again. Don't want to hear 'that's nice Skyshine, now turn around and lift your tail like a good filly.'"
[21:57:57] Aria growls. "If we ever run into a pony who ever told you that, tell me. I'll hit them with a lightning bolt."
[21:58:31] Skyshine nods quietly.
[22:18:43] Star_Chaser is now known as Ilushia.
[22:36:36] Somber [[email protected]] has left the channel.