Fallout: Beyond Equestria 24: Northern Blues (part 9.2)

[2013-02-27 13:31:44] <Kkat> 3Fallout: Beyond Equestria, Session Twenty-Four: Northern Blues (Part Nine-point-Two)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KIsa8-aXpk
[2013-02-27 13:32:16] <Kkat> 3Kid gulps down hard. "... You know. If I end up like you one day, I wouldn't mind that much. And I wanna help you too. Because that's what friends do. They don't lash out on them. They don't actively try t' put 'em down fer somethin' petty. I wanna be your friend. And I promise that even if I'm hurtful, I wanna be your friend as much as you wanna be mine."
[2013-02-27 13:32:38] <Kkat> 3She nuzzles her begrudgingly, but then...
[2013-02-27 13:32:45] <Kkat> 3...there was a little light in her eye. A little piece of liberation that came with admitting the truth.
[2013-02-27 13:32:59] <Kkat> 3Noble_Heart smiles, raising a forehoof to ruffle Kid's mane again. "We would not tolerate your indignity so lightly if We did not care for you." She smirked. "Besides. We do think you'd look most excellent in a well made dress with your mane up and your tail in a proper Prench braid."
[2013-02-27 13:33:29] <Kkat> 3She contemplates that a few moments, tapping her chin. "Perhaps with a tiara just the right size."
[2013-02-27 13:33:43] <Kkat> 3Standing and stretching again with a happy sigh. "We are glad you came to Us to say this. We are sorry for Our words hurting you as well. It is difficult for Us to avoid saying such things at times. But We hope that you can forgive Us as well."
[2013-02-27 13:33:53] <Kkat> 3Kid frowns, the looks up at Noble with a hopeful look in her eyes. "Ya'll don't need t' apologize. But I appreciate ya'll doin' it." She smiles a little and blushes. "Ya'll really think I'd look good in a Prench braid an' a dress?"
[2013-02-27 13:34:06] <Kkat> 3Noble_Heart nods her head. "Oh, certainly. We imagine that you would look most pretty. Like the Wasteland's own Princess." She gave another smile then giggled a little. She began moving down the hall again slowly, contemplating that. "Though We must admit you'd be lacking the usual accessories, such are the darker times now."
[2013-02-27 13:34:25] <Kkat> 3She gave a rather amused smile, like she was making some kind of inside joke to Kid, before bowing her head to the younger pony. "No matter what else, We promise We will help you and be there for you when you need Us."
[2013-02-27 13:34:42] <Kkat> 3Kid smirks. "I'll be there, too." She pondered for a little bit. "Ya'll know? I never did see it as a wasteland. Not no more at least. Way things were down in Equestria, I mean. I kinda see it like a frontier, like th' way way old storybooks. I mean, wasteland, nothin's goin' right. In a frontier, there's a potential for things to go right or wrong.
[2013-02-27 13:34:48] <Kkat> 3Hoofbasket in motion. That sorta deal."
[2013-02-27 13:35:19] <Kkat> 3Noble_Heart contemplates this, tilting her head to one side, then the other, as they moved along. "It is an old and hard habit to break to call it a Wasteland. The world burned and suffered and died for so long. We do not expect ponies or zebras to call it anything else for many, many years. But as it is now, it is home and hope. Not death and sorrow.
[2013-02-27 13:35:29] <Kkat> 3And for that We are thankful."
[2013-02-27 13:35:41] <Kkat> 3Noble_Heart She lowers her head and whispers conspiratorially to Kid. "Also adventure. But don't tell those stick-in-the-muds back home I said that." Straightening up again with a happy hum as she returned to prancing down the hallway.
[2013-02-27 13:35:46] <Kkat> 3--- Session Begins ---
[2013-02-27 13:38:09] * Get_Lost decides to go to the intensive care room and check how could work adding the phoenix implant to her cybesuite, just to see how invasive it could get... not having to come back to the hospital when somepony was shot could help a lot...
[2013-02-27 13:38:52] * Kid smiles. Adventure. That's the root of why she's here. Well, maybe that's what she's here for as well. She could've worked the bureaucracy and found what she needed to that way. To be honest, though? Not her style, and she'd be more miserable that way. She frowned and ran from the thought when she came to the conclusion of what that means for herself. Eh. There'd be less odds of finding him...
[2013-02-27 13:38:54] * Kid ...that way, anyway. "Hey, ya'll. Wait up!" She said, cantering on beside her. "So. Uh. What are them stick-in-the-muds like?"
[2013-02-27 13:40:16] * Mitzi follows behind Kid and Noble_Heart, "So, we goeen to Crystal Ponee Medical part of buildeen, den to castle?"
[2013-02-27 13:40:28] * CopyCat smiles as she trots, happy that tentions in their group had simmered down.
[2013-02-27 13:42:09] * Kid nods at Mitzi. "Yup. I figure that's what th' vote means. Close one, though. Get_Lost over there was th' tiebreakin'..." She looked around. Where'd she go? "Uh. Yeah. Castle seems t' be th' idea."
[2013-02-27 13:43:01] * Noble_Heart nods her head to Mitzi. "We suspect it will be some time before Our griffin companion completes Bookwright's design. Until then, We would not recommend leaving the area." She looks back down towards kid, pondering that question a few moments. "Many of those in the New Canterlot Republic are more interested in security and self-service then liberation or help for others. We
[2013-02-27 13:43:02] * Noble_Heart do not believe it is malicious, merely practical. Nevertheless, We find it rather stiffling at times that so many would turn their backs upon those who need help under the words of cautiousness." She shook her head then smiled down to Kid. "But not all are so short sighted. The leader of Our order, Velvet Remedy, has never lost sight of the importance of helping ponies. It is for
[2013-02-27 13:43:02] * Noble_Heart that reason We still respect and admire her."
[2013-02-27 13:43:20] * Mitzi nods with a smile, "Eef old ponee Princess eez alive, den she cud du much fur morale uv ponies. Eef she ded, den she deserves proper burial, eef she's as nice as yu tink."
[2013-02-27 13:45:43] * Bookwright slurps more coffee. "
[2013-02-27 13:46:04] * Bookwright "Shatara, you want some of this stuff? It's awful good, and you likely won't have another chance in your lifetime."
[2013-02-27 13:46:47] * Shatara looks up from the workbench. "Yeah, sure, why not..."
[2013-02-27 13:49:26] * Bookwright glunk-unks some coffee into a mug and sets in on the workbench in grabbing distance for Shatara. "Hey, give me a yell if you have a question, okay?"
[2013-02-27 13:50:22] <Kkat> 3A directory on the wall of the northern wing lists modules for Gift Shop, Administrative Services, Community Outreach, Embassy Suite 1, Embassy Suite 2, Guest Suite, Community Studies and Archives.
[2013-02-27 13:51:19] * Noble_Heart taps her chin curiously as she looks at the directory, before setting off in the direction of the Archives. Who knew what treasures could await there? Well, probably not the material kind. But still!
[2013-02-27 13:52:18] * CopyCat walks alongside Mitzi. "Oh I do hope the Princess is still here. It would be wonderful to meet her."
[2013-02-27 13:53:33] * Mitzi nods, "Yus. Eef she lives, den Ponies wud welcome her. Und, eef Uh help her kingdom, maybe she can put een gud wurd fur Ur kind wit ponies aftur. Help make dere less fighteen between us."
[2013-02-27 13:53:53] * Kid has the hair on the back of her mane raise slightly when she mentions the NCR. "Yeah. Ya'll just gotta make sure that th' stuff you call liberation ain't actually somethin' else." Her voice went low, as if saying something a bit more personal than she's willing to argue. She observes the directory. "Community Studies n' Archives. Huh. Ya'll know, It's been a while since I read me my last...
[2013-02-27 13:53:55] * Kid ...book. I reckon that's a travesty." She said, heading to the Community Studies and Archives.
[2013-02-27 13:54:33] * Shatara nods a bit, taking a sip of the unfamiliar liquid.
[2013-02-27 13:57:31] * Mitzi looks to CopyCat, "Uh ever tell yu ponies Wut Uh'm planeen tu du? Uh tink Uh told Kid, but not sure about da rest uv yu."
[2013-02-27 14:01:52] * CopyCat blinks in surprise at the question. "I... don't think so. Umm..." She takes a moment to get the hint. "Oh, err, why are you travelling so far from home, Mitzi?"
[2013-02-27 14:03:25] * Mitzi chuckles, "Fur da future uv Ur kind. Old Alphas eez stubborn und stick tu old ways, but after loss of old home, we been on decline. Ur litter was saved frum sickness by Follower Ponies, so Uh saw frum yung age dat ponies eez not as bad as some Alphas say. Uh want to show Ur kind dis, und help lead to better future fur us all."
[2013-02-27 14:06:03] * Get_Lost works for a long time around the healing thing and mumbles a lot, then starts looking around for a terminal and a cable
[2013-02-27 14:06:34] <Kkat> 3The door to Archives is locked.  There is a terminal mounted on the wall nearby.
[2013-02-27 14:08:01] * Kid blinks. Uh. "Hey, miss voice! Can we go n' read stuff in here before we hit th' road?"
[2013-02-27 14:08:43] * Noble_Heart frowns, turning her attention towards the terminal. She tilted her head to one side as she took a look at it to ensure it was working. She waited a few moments for the computer to respond before she might try hacking it. After all, there was no reason to risk making the computer unhappy.
[2013-02-27 14:12:22] <Kkat> 3Noble_Heart hacks the terminal.  The password is "Radiation".
[2013-02-27 14:14:08] * CopyCat nods along with Mitzi, still a little panicked, and smiles nervously. "That sounds... nice. It's good that ponies and hellhounds can get along."
[2013-02-27 14:14:32] * Get_Lost not finding a propert connection tool for remote control of the autodoc, the mare decides to go and ask for help, and this leas to.... shatara! she finds the griffon and asks "hey, could you help me a couple of minutes with a terminal, please?"
[2013-02-27 14:14:45] * Mitzi nods, "Dat's Ur plan. But Furst Uh gotta lurn more about ponee life, und make Urself stronger so Uh can challenge current Alpha tu become new Alpha."
[2013-02-27 14:15:24] * Kid blinks. Huh. She guessed she was a computer pony. "Huh. G'job, Noble. Me n' them terminals never got along any."
[2013-02-27 14:16:05] * Noble_Heart smiles as she hits the final key to unlock the doorway into the archives. Taking a moment to move up and look inside before she crossed the threshold. "We have learned many things in Our time. Terminals are no mystery to Us." She held her head high and proud. Probably more than she really needed to.
[2013-02-27 14:16:08] * Shatara looks up with his work. "Terminal? Err, alright...I need to stretch anyway." He puts down his tools, stretching a bit before stepping towards Get_Lost.
[2013-02-27 14:17:03] <Kkat> 3The door to the Community Studies module, on the other hoof, is unlocked.
[2013-02-27 14:17:48] * Get_Lost while on the way to the medical pods, the mare explains rapidlt "i just need you to work as a bridge from a terminal and the autodoc, it should be short and quite easy, but if you double check what i do it would be nice..."
[2013-02-27 14:18:43] * CopyCat tilts her head. "Get stronger? But you seem to be so strong already. You nearly took on that wild bear all by yourself."
[2013-02-27 14:21:13] * Kid rolled her eyes at Noble. "Yeah, well. Keep yer' head down. We don't know what we got past this door. Daddy used t' say keepin' it up too much is an invitation fer' it t' get sniped off." She smirked. "Didn't stop me any, but it did get me t' duck quicker." She tried the door handle, and if loose, opened the door leading into the Community Studies module.
[2013-02-27 14:21:23] <Kkat> 3The archives is a large room with two maneframes flanking a desk with three terminals.  The floor is a mess of cables, many of which disappear into the back wall.
[2013-02-27 14:21:44] <Kkat> 3The maneframes hum quietly.
[2013-02-27 14:21:51] * Bookwright meanders into the hallway, reads the directions on the sign, and decides to visit the archives. Can't go wrong with archives. Slurp. Sticking his head in, he sees Noble_Heart has already entered. "Ooh, anything interesting?"
[2013-02-27 14:22:06] * Shatara smiles a little nervously. "Alright...you're sure messing with those autodocs is good idea?"
[2013-02-27 14:23:53] * Kid frowns.  "No books." Why the hell would you keep an archive without books? Are they /trying/ to keep her bored on long trips, or make her crash a computerbox? "Ya'll, uh. Ya'll ponies better get on that. I ain't, um. Good at this sorta shit." She mentioned, feeling squirmy and awkward.
[2013-02-27 14:24:47] * Noble_Heart took a moment to look over the massive computers on either side, slowly approaching the terminals. She frowned slightly at the state of the place. "We did not expect such a degree of arcanotechnology to be used for an archive system. But it is refreshing to see a place where these systems still live." She looked down at the terminals curiously to see if there was any way
[2013-02-27 14:24:47] * Noble_Heart she could use them.
[2013-02-27 14:24:54] * Get_Lost "no i'm not, but hey, i'm a solaris, first we use it, then we think about testing...." the mare smiles, but without her eyes, it's hard to tell how she is really feeling
[2013-02-27 14:25:13] * Kid backs off and tries the archive room. Oh. That was the communities studies. Wait, what? She looks back, then tries the door to the archive room.
[2013-02-27 14:25:40] * Mitzi shakes her head, "Yu've not met manee hounds Uh tink. Uh'm big, but un-der-de-vel-uped." She seems pleased at getting that big word right. "Sickness when Uh wuz pup made eet take longer fur me tu get stronger."
[2013-02-27 14:26:56] * Kid blinks. Ooooh. That was the archives. Then what's this?
[2013-02-27 14:28:22] <Kkat> 3The Community Studies module looks like a cross between a comfy library and miniature lecture hall.  There are shelves along the side walls holding a surprisingly small scattering of books.  Plush couches line semi-circular tiers as the floor steps downward towards a lecturn.  C
[2013-02-27 14:28:23] * Shatara forces a smile and a soft chuckle as he follows with the cybermare.
[2013-02-27 14:29:07] * Bookwright clippitty-clops up to the rightmost terminal, sets his mug down on the desk next to it, and taps the return key to waken it from its reverie.
[2013-02-27 14:29:28] <Kkat> 3Chalkboards line the wall behind, and a pull-down movie screen is mounted on the ceiling above.  Opposite it, behind the rows of couches, a slide projector sits on a desk.
[2013-02-27 14:29:33] * Get_Lost as soon as they are back to the autodoc, the mare uses shatara's pipbuck and his skill to wire the terminal with the autodoc, then starts working with the computer "i think i know what i am doing..."
[2013-02-27 14:31:35] * Kid enters the Community Studies module and appears to try to get cozy. Oh. Here are the books! Hey, there aren't many, but at least now she doesn't have to sell back the books she reads. She peruses her meager findings and attempts to pluck something interesting off the shelves.
[2013-02-27 14:31:50] * Noble_Heart moved up to sit at the center of the three screens, glancing from one to the next to get a feel for what was on them. Curious as to what kind of records were actually stored here. Medical records? Historical archives? Newspaper articles? All were possible, and all were interesting. This place had somehow survived the end of the war mostly intact, but something must have
[2013-02-27 14:31:50] * Noble_Heart happened since then.
[2013-02-27 14:32:36] <Kkat> 3The terminal warms up, words scrawling across the screen.
[2013-02-27 14:33:16] <Kkat> 3> Good Afternoon.
[2013-02-27 14:35:23] * Shatara observes Get_Lost, making sure she doesn't botch anything obvious. Most of the terminal-stuff is rather above him, however, and his eyes wander a bit over the mare.
[2013-02-27 14:36:19] <Kkat> 3> Caution: This terminal is reserved for administrative personnel assigned to the C.A.R.E. project.  Unauthorized access is not allowed.  If you are not assigned to the C.A.R.E. project and/or you are ranked below Chief Caretaker, please use one of the staff terminals located to your left.
[2013-02-27 14:37:34] <Kkat> 3> Please Enter your Name, Rank and Password.  Remember to separate each with a smile.
[2013-02-27 14:38:05] * Noble_Heart blinks, raising her eyebrows slightly in surprise. The machine was aware of her presence? Most interesting. She looks towards the left to see if there was a terminal still mounted there. While hacking the primary control terminal might not be out of the question, she would prefer a lower-likelihood of horrible backlash.
[2013-02-27 14:39:29] * Bookwright abandons the terminal and moves to the one in the middle, taking his coffee with him.
[2013-02-27 14:40:07] <Kkat> 3Bookwright decides to move to the middle terminal, but Noble_Heart is already there.
[2013-02-27 14:40:30] <Kkat> 3The terminal in front of Noble_Heart warms up, words scrawling across the screen.
[2013-02-27 14:40:46] * Bookwright doesn't look where he's going, and plows face first into Noble_Heart's butt! How embarrassing.
[2013-02-27 14:41:13] <Kkat> 3> Good Afternoon.  Welcome to the Equestrian Embassy Archive.  Please enter your name and password.  Remember, always end with a smile!
[2013-02-27 14:41:13] * Bookwright stumbles backward and over a mumbled, hasty apology.
[2013-02-27 14:41:31] * Noble_Heart oofs, shoved forwards just a bit by Bookwright's sudden impact. She settled back onto her hooves a moment later. "Are you alright? Do you require Our help?" She looked back up to the terminal curiously.
[2013-02-27 14:42:10] * CopyCat looks over Mitzi, her eyes struggling to take in the hound's massive form. "You can get even bigger? Oh my goodness... Um, how do you find clothes that fit?"
[2013-02-27 14:42:11] * Bookwright blushes furiously, "No, no... I'm good... ah-heh, just need to look were I'm going in the future... heh... sorry..."
[2013-02-27 14:42:47] * Mitzi shakes her head, "Not bigger, but stronger und more skilled. Uh'm about as big as we get, just need tu train muscles und stuff."
[2013-02-27 14:43:24] * Noble_Heart sat down and reached out a wing to gently wrap it around Bookwright, pulling him up towards the terminal. "Good. We assumed you would wish to see what was recorded here as well." She began to turn her attention to cracking the terminal.
[2013-02-27 14:46:15] <Kkat> 3Get_Lost gains access to the Automated Healing Booth.  Once hacked in, she is swiftly able to peruse the booth's medical procedures, including cyber-surgery.  The first thing she finds is inventory, which shows massive depletion of preferred supplies, and substitution subroutines.  It becomes swiftly apparent why the booth resorted to cybernetics to heal her.
[2013-02-27 14:48:12] * CopyCat nods at Mitzi, understanding a little better. "That's okay then. Otherwise it might be hard just getting through doorways."
[2013-02-27 14:48:34] <Kkat> 3Following that, Get_Lost is able to determine the routines for installing the Phoenix Implant.  The surgery is invasive, and requires the existing support structures of a cyberpony; but (barring the implant itself), the booth has all the necessary supplies to perform the task.
[2013-02-27 14:49:49] * Get_Lost thinks for a while, then declares "i'm doing it: doesn't seem really dangerous now that i modified a couple of things...."
[2013-02-27 14:51:55] <Kkat> 3Noble_Heart's attempt to hack the middle terminal produces alarms.  The terminal locks down completely, and the terminals to either side flash warnings indicating a state of heightened security.
[2013-02-27 14:52:55] * Noble_Heart groans and raises her forehoof to her head, rubbing her eyes a few moments. "We must have been affected worse than We thought by today's activities and stresses." She snorts and slowly pulls it away, staring in annoyance at the locked down terminal. "We are sorry."
[2013-02-27 14:52:58] * Bookwright gingerly walks to the leftmost terminal and taps the return key to bring it out of sleep mode.
[2013-02-27 14:54:28] * Shatara mumbles. "Hope you know what you're doing..."
[2013-02-27 14:55:49] <Kkat> 3It is easy enough to add the Phoenix Implant to the AHB's inventory though a specialized compartment and to program the booth to perform the operation.  After that, the only thing left is for Get_Lost to crawl into the medical "coffin".
[2013-02-27 14:56:18] <Kkat> 3The left terminal wakes up.
[2013-02-27 14:56:29] <Kkat> 3> Good Afternoon.  Welcome to the Equestrian Embassy Archive.
[2013-02-27 14:56:31] * Get_Lost "ah! i dont' need to know what i'm doing, but i know that this will help everyone in the group and at this point i'm already some sort of freak, am i?"the mare gets inside the metal coffin
[2013-02-27 14:57:02] <Kkat> 3> Caution, the Archives are in a state of heightened alertness. Please be extra careful when entering your name and password.
[2013-02-27 14:57:06] <Kkat> 3> Please enter your name and password.  Remember, always end with a smile!
[2013-02-27 14:58:44] * Noble_Heart turns her head towards the third terminal, leaving Bookwright to take the lead on hacking it. Not wanting to distract him after her own foolish mistake.
[2013-02-27 14:59:16] <Kkat> 3In Intensive Care, Shatara watches as the "coffin" door slides shut, entombing Get_Lost in complete and utter darkness that soon fills with the whirring and buzzing sounds of unseen the mechanical arms.   Dim, pulsing lights play across the inner surfaces.
[2013-02-27 15:00:43] * Mitzi chuckles at CopyCat, "As Yu've seen befur, Eef Uh can't get tru door, Uh just remove eet."
[2013-02-27 15:01:53] <Kkat> 3Get_Lost's night vision kicks on, allowing her to see the mechanical arms as they perform their alien dance over her body.  One, tipped with a spinning bonesaw, lowers into position over her breast.  She feels sharp pain as several needles jab into her body...
[2013-02-27 15:02:39] * Get_Lost bites her lips and tries enduring the pain
[2013-02-27 15:04:00] * Shatara squirms uncomfortably at the disturbing sound of the autodoc.
[2013-02-27 15:04:49] * Get_Lost to avoid the horro movie part, the mare excludes the video feed from her cybernetics
[2013-02-27 15:04:51] * Kid plucks a book off the shelf and gets all comfy cozy. She feels an electricity in the air. Weird, she thought as she tucked into the book.
[2013-02-27 15:06:05] <Kkat> 3Shatara sees the timer on the autodoc announce that surgery will take a little under an hour.
[2013-02-27 15:08:01] <Kkat> 3Bookwright is unsurprised to discover that the password is Happy.
[2013-02-27 15:08:45] <Kkat> 3Bookwright quickly finds himself with a plethoria of information at his hooftips.
[2013-02-27 15:13:42] <Kkat> 3Meanwhile, Kid has perused the shelves, finding books including "History of the Crystal Empire" and "Diplomatic Treatises of Princess Cadence".  She also notices that the desk which the projector sits on has a locked drawer.
[2013-02-27 15:14:05] * Mitzi watches Kid work, "Find anyteen gud?"
[2013-02-27 15:14:40] * Kid lifts the book and stares at the drawer after having tried to open it. "Might. C'mere an' give this drawer a tug."
[2013-02-27 15:15:05] * Mitzi nods and steps forward, "Yu not want to try pickeen eet furst?"
[2013-02-27 15:16:28] * Kid half-lids her eyes. "I don't mean t' insult, but ya'll see me ever bein' th' type t' pick locks? Th' way I do it would waste good ammo."
[2013-02-27 15:17:03] * Noble_Heart looks over Bookwright's shoulder curiously. "We would like to know more about what this facility did to those crystal ponies. This facility has advanced cybernetic surgery, the eye which Kid has acquired seems to be similar to those of the Crystal Ponies. Perhaps it was involved in why they now act the way they do?"
[2013-02-27 15:19:16] [ERROR] The command ``NODS,'' is not known to the server.
[2013-02-27 15:19:22] * Bookwright nods, typing a few keywords, attempting to retrieve information about the facility's projects concerning the Crystal Ponies.
[2013-02-27 15:19:42] * Mitzi shrugs, "Uhkay." She clasps the handle of the drawer firmly and pulls it
[2013-02-27 15:23:39] <Kkat> 3Bookwright begins sifting through the archived data.  He soon comes upon a series of studies: the Ministry of Peace was conducting research into Crystal Pony physiology.  Much of the more advanced research was performed in the  Autopsy and Anatomical Research module.
[2013-02-27 15:25:25] <Kkat> 3From the preface, it is clear that the research was prompted by a desire to "provide the best possible care" to the members of the empire.
[2013-02-27 15:26:21] <Kkat> 3Mitzi tugs at the desk drawer... and pulls it completely free of the desk, the lock shattering with a metallic >sprong<.
[2013-02-27 15:27:28] * Kid smirks. "'Atta girl! Now, let's see what we got." She says, climbing up on the hellhound's shoulders to see what was inside.
[2013-02-27 15:28:09] * Noble_Heart tilts her head to one side curiously at the information. "We are uncertain what to make of much of this." She sighs quietly. "Our lack of medical training is coming back to haunt Us."
[2013-02-27 15:29:09] <Kkat> 3Inside the drawer are several dish-shaped canisters with mouth-scrawled labels:  "Crystal Fair (25th Annual)", "Crystal Pony Studies" and "Equestria and You".
[2013-02-27 15:29:11] * Mitzi casually lifts up the liberated drawer and sets it on top of the desk for Kid to peruse
[2013-02-27 15:29:44] * Shatara paces nervously a bit, before deciding to settle down and read. He pulls Equestrian Army Today out of his pack and flips through it bit, and totally does not have his Wingboner magazine hidden between the pages.
[2013-02-27 15:31:03] <Kkat> 3The timer continues to count down.  Under half an hour now.
[2013-02-27 15:33:01] * Kid blinks. Moving pictures. "I'll be damned! It's one o' them movin' picture reels. I remember ol' mister Crazy Horse used t' collect these." She lifts one gingerly to test the weight, then looks around for anything that played them. "Hey. Let's get acquainted with these folks." She said, looking at the projector. Hmm. She looked at the dish-pan thing. Do these things come with instructions?
[2013-02-27 15:35:34] * Bookwright >Crystal Pony physiology
[2013-02-27 15:36:48] * CopyCat sits down beside Kid sharing her curiosity.
[2013-02-27 15:37:41] * Kid attempts to hook "Equestria and You" into the machine. Hopefully, this way, if she screws up, it won't be any big loss.
[2013-02-27 15:41:50] <Kkat> 3The canisters turn out to contain series of slides.  The slide wheels are easily hooked up to the machine.
[2013-02-27 15:44:13] * Kid blinks. Oh. Correction made. She guessed her eye wasn't quite up to it yet. "Well, ain't none of those dish-pans I thought they were, but maybe that's fer th' best." She clicks one in, and hopes for the best.
[2013-02-27 15:48:32] * CopyCat eagerly awaits the show with rapt attention.
[2013-02-27 15:48:46] <Kkat> 3The machine is almost completely automated.  It takes Kid little effort to connect the wheel of slides and find the on switch and start buttons.  Light pours out of the front of the projector, aimed at where the screen would be if it were lowered.  A square of light forms on the blackboard behind the lecturn.
[2013-02-27 15:49:28] <Kkat> 3The projector clacks rhythmically as the first slide is pushed into place, black bars and text sliding on the wall...
[2013-02-27 15:49:39] <Kkat> 3"Equestria and You"
[2013-02-27 15:49:48] * Kid blinks. Oh, screw you too, ponies of the past. "Hey, uh. CopyCat. Could ya'll pull down th' white sheet?"
[2013-02-27 15:50:56] <Kkat> 3"An Introduction to Equestria for Citizens of the Crystal Empire"
[2013-02-27 15:50:58] * CopyCat does as she's told and tried to pull the sheet down with magic.
[2013-02-27 15:52:11] <Kkat> 3"The visual part of this presentation is brought to you courtesy of the Ministry of Image."
[2013-02-27 15:52:37] <Kkat> 3"Photographs by Photo Finish"
[2013-02-27 15:53:22] * Kid smiles and tries to take a seat by CopyCat. "Thanks. They don't make things for folks'a my size no more."
[2013-02-27 15:53:51] <Kkat> 3The white sheet tugs down, providing a much nicer surface for the picture.  Horizontal black bars shift as the projector works to switch slides.
[2013-02-27 15:56:03] * CopyCat shuffles over to make room. "My pleasure. I'm sure you could have found a way to do it if you wanted to."
[2013-02-27 15:56:25] <Kkat> 3Kid, Mitzi and CopyCat soon find themselves treated to a series of beautiful, idyllic images of pre-apocalyptic Equestria.  Smiling, happy ponies.  Sun-drenched modern cities.  The beauty of an unharmed Whitetail Woods in the autumn...
[2013-02-27 15:57:35] <Kkat> 3The series of sides is clearly meant to be accompanied by the words of a lecturing pony, but they tell a fair tale even without context.
[2013-02-27 15:57:59] <Kkat> 3Meanwhile, Bookwright and Noble_Heart are learning about Crystal Pony physiology.
[2013-02-27 15:59:12] <Kkat> 3Following the research of the Ministry of Peace, the research into the crystal ponies seems to divert into a study of something called "The Crystal Heart".
[2013-02-27 16:00:14] <Kkat> 3After nearly half an hour of reading, Bookwright finds a researcher's document that states:
[2013-02-27 16:01:59] * Kid giggles. "Yeah. I would'a totally done, like, a zebra ninj-ee flip of th' blackboard n' caught the handle on th' side." Her laughter got kind of killed whenever pictures of pre-apocalypse Equestria. She always had some sort of reverence that found it's way in her heart and hung around when pictures of pre-war Equestria were brought to her attention. Something about seeing an age she couldn't...
[2013-02-27 16:02:01] * Kid ...possibly hope to understand filled her with something solemn and respectfully somber.
[2013-02-27 16:02:33] <Kid> (pre-apocalypse Equestria shone on the nearby white sheet.)
[2013-02-27 16:03:04] <Kkat> 3"The unique, geometric layout of the Crystal Empire is not merely one of aesthetics.  The entirety of the city-state is designed as a sort of conduit in a manner that bears resemblance to a magical matrix.
[2013-02-27 16:03:32] <Kkat> 3"The purpose of this specific design is singular, to allow the ponies of the empire to focus emotional energies to amplify the casting of a particular defensive spell, for which the Crystal Heart is the centerpiece and magical nexus.
[2013-02-27 16:06:38] <Kkat> 3"The use of positive emotional energies as a magical amplifier has long been documented -- perhaps most significantly in the 'communal casting' effect of the Elements of Harmony -- but the specifics of the design and scale of the effect seen for the emotional matrix and the Crystal Heart is beyond anything previously studied...
[2013-02-27 16:09:01] <Kkat> 3"One hesitates to even call such a 'spell' anymore.  Until a proper classification for such intensified magic is determined, I shall hereby refer to such enhanced magic as a 'mega-spell'.  Needless to say, further study of the Crystal Empire matrix is suggested.
[2013-02-27 16:09:59] * Get_Lost is still trapped in her coffin, with stuff making bad things to her leg
[2013-02-27 16:12:24] <Kkat> 3"As to how this ties to our current studies of Crystal Pony physiology: it would appear that the amplified power of a 'mega-spell' results in a side effect beyond that associated with the base magic.  The casting of such a spell generates a subtle sub-energy that bleeds off into the surrounding area.  A sort of 'magical radiation', if you will.
[2013-02-27 16:14:30] * Kid blinks, then moves another slide in. "The Crystal Fair." Sounds nifty!
[2013-02-27 16:15:11] * Noble_Heart tapped her chin with a frown as she read the entries over Bookwright's shoulder.
[2013-02-27 16:15:26] <Kkat> 3"The effects of this radiation are physically transformative.  Temporarily so for a single exposure, as was apparently witnessed by the Ministry Mares themselves upon their first visit to the Crystal Empire.  However, this 'magical radiation' accumulates in the body until a threshold is reached and the transformation becomes permanent.
[2013-02-27 16:16:30] <Kkat> 3"Furthermore, the transformation holds on a genetic level, and is therefore passed on to the next generation.
[2013-02-27 16:17:50] <Kkat> 3"It is worth noting that the Crystal Heart is activated annually.  It is my conclusion that the Crystal Ponies were, originally, normal Earth Ponies.
[2013-02-27 16:19:25] <Kkat> 3"At this point, further study would require permissions to perform investigative autopsies on Crystal Ponies.  I request that you obtain sanction from Princess Cadence so that this research may proceed.
[2013-02-27 16:19:40] * CopyCat quietly watches the images on the screen. "Equestria looked beautiful in the past. Do you think that it'll be like that again one day?"
[2013-02-27 16:20:00] <Kkat> 3"Chief Caretaker Bedside Manner"
[2013-02-27 16:20:05] * Noble_Heart frowns, furrowing her eyebrows. "We cannot help but wonder how this may have affected the zebras staying within this city's walls. We have seen what balefire radiation does. But this... This does not sound like the same thing." She blanches slightly at the prospect of sanctioned autopsies, as her mind works on something more... Disturbing. She shakes her head in an attempt
[2013-02-27 16:20:06] * Noble_Heart to put it out of her mind.
[2013-02-27 16:21:52] <Kkat> 3The timer on the autodoc reaches zero and beeps.  The "coffin" opens.  Get_Lost is inside, looking none the worse for wear.  In fact, it appears that she has fallen asleep.
[2013-02-27 16:22:06] * Bookwright isn't sure he wants to know, but...
[2013-02-27 16:22:19] * Bookwright >crystal pony autopsies
[2013-02-27 16:23:17] * Kid frowns at CopyCat. "I don' think so. It'll be different. Bit worse for wear, maybe. I dunno. I don' think I'm gon' be around t' see that day." Upon saying that, she felt a lot older than she should. You name is Kid for god's sake! Well, not really, but it
[2013-02-27 16:23:24] <Kid> 's the principal of the matter.
[2013-02-27 16:28:08] <Kkat> 3The autopsies are detailed typed documents, and make several references to photos.  The photos, perhaps mercifully, are not included.
[2013-02-27 16:28:41] <Kkat> 3There are a few audio files, however.
[2013-02-27 16:32:20] <Kkat> 3Meanwhile, Kid switches the slides for those of the Crystal Fair and now the trio are treated to images of the Crystal Empire in its full glory.  Once again, the show lacks a clearly intended audio component, but the pictures are quite informative.  The trio learn many things about the Crystal Empire, including...
[2013-02-27 16:33:29] <Kkat> 3...they held jousting tournaments, with ponies in Crystal Heavy Armor...
[2013-02-27 16:34:04] <Kkat> 3...the Equestrian Embassy was still under construction at the time of the 25th Annual Crystal Fair...
[2013-02-27 16:34:20] <Kkat> 3...they had a very colorful flag...
[2013-02-27 16:35:49] * CopyCat 'Ooooo'es at the flag.
[2013-02-27 16:36:23] <Kkat> 3...there was no hint of the SRAC in that year.  The area it now covers was picturesque hillside with what looks like a race track.
[2013-02-27 16:36:43] <Kkat> 3...they had a petting zoo with colorful tiny ewes...
[2013-02-27 16:37:10] <Kkat> 3...there were treats like crystal corn and crystal berry pie...
[2013-02-27 16:37:44] * Kid suddenly had a craving for some of that. Crystal berries look right and plain tasty!
[2013-02-27 16:37:45] <Kkat> 3...everything sparkled and shined so beautifully in the sun...
[2013-02-27 16:40:22] * Kid smiled. It was the castle. It was beautiful. Kind of. There comes that feeling again.
[2013-02-27 16:40:47] <Kkat> 3...their national instrument was the flugal horn.  It was apparently an acquired taste...
[2013-02-27 16:42:34] <Kkat> 3...the end of the festival involved a massive magical lightshow that colored the night sky...
[2013-02-27 16:44:19] <Kkat> 3...the final photos reveal that the lightshow is part of what appears to be some sort of proto-megaspell involving the citizenry and a large, heart-shaped crystal.
[2013-02-27 16:44:57] * Kid blinks. Wait a minute. "Copycat. That thing. That thing in the middle right there. You seein' what I'm seein'?"
[2013-02-27 16:46:55] * CopyCat peers at the projection. "That heart? It's very pretty."
[2013-02-27 16:47:43] * Kid shakes her head. "Naw-Naw. That thing, to have that much power?" She grins. "I'm thinkin' we have our way back home!"
[2013-02-27 16:52:43] * CopyCat tilts her head slightly. "To get back through the barrier you mean? Actually, that crystal heart might be what powers them in the first place."
[2013-02-27 16:53:40] * Kid shakes her head more vigorously. "Even more n' that! We're out t' find a megaspell? I think we found one!"
[2013-02-27 16:54:53] * Kid races out of the classroom! "Bookie! Noble! Everyone! Get yer flanks in here, I got somethin'!" She shouts.
[2013-02-27 16:55:48] * Bookwright looks up, countering Kid's exuberance with the mildest tone he could muster, "Hmmm? All right, show us."
[2013-02-27 16:55:52] <Kkat> 3The surface implications of the research are pretty clear.  Everypony already knew that the radiation from balefire bombs created ghouls.  And that the Pink Cloud created its own sort of ghoul as well.  This suggests that *all* megaspells produce some sort of magical radiation...
[2013-02-27 16:56:34] * Noble_Heart looks to Bookwright as she reads the notes about the creation of Crystal Ponies. "The first Megaspell..." She looks up as Kid comes rushing in. She blinked a moment then glanced back at the terminal again, jarred out of her thought process. Slowly she stood and moved towards the doorway. "Alright. What have you found?"
[2013-02-27 16:56:35] <Kkat> 3... and that Crystal Ponies could be loosely defined as a type of ghoul.
[2013-02-27 16:57:01] * CopyCat shuffles her hooves quietly. "Oh, um, I thought we needed a zebra one for the necromantic effect..."
[2013-02-27 16:57:02] <Kkat> 3Beyond that, however, the medical research is a bit beyond both Noble_Heart and Bookwright
[2013-02-27 16:58:46] * Kid starts ushering them into the classroom and attempts to manually flip back the slides to the one featuring the Crystal Heart. "This thing! This thing! I'm thinkin' we gotta grab this thing!"
[2013-02-27 17:01:53] * Noble_Heart tilts her head to one side, looking at the slide with a frown. "The Crystal Heart from the report, We would presume." She shook her head. "The heart alone would do Us no good. We would need the entire city to utilize its powers. Though Our magic may be mighty, We could not hope to transport an entire city! We doubt that even Celestia's magic could accomplish such a feat."
[2013-02-27 17:01:53] * Noble_Heart She paused briefly, "Perhaps the Elements of Harmony might manage such a thing. But We have Our doubts about even that." She shook her head. "But moreso, the radiation would not be right. Ghouls are created by Balefire. They would need Balefire to remain healthy. This place creates crystal ponies, not ghouls."
[2013-02-27 17:01:56] <Kkat> 3Kid manages to flip the slides back, showing everyone the Crystal Heart.  However, when Kid looks up, she sees something rather different...
[2013-02-27 17:03:06] * CopyCat puts a hoof on Kid's shoulder. "But it is pretty. Maybe we could grab it anyway?"
[2013-02-27 17:03:25] <Kkat> 3Standing in front of the movie screen, staring into the light, is a ghostly form wearing an outfit of purple and black with a full facial mask, a cape and a large-brimmed hat.
[2013-02-27 17:04:01] * Noble_Heart contemplated this a little harder, tapping her chin. "But... If the crystal ponies here are some kind of ghoul, and the ones we have seen are merely feral ghoul equivalents, perhaps activating the heart might be enough to return some semblance of normalcy to some of them..?" She certainly sounded skeptical about that prospect.
[2013-02-27 17:04:22] * Kid blinks, and then stumbles back in surprise. "Gah!" She falls back on some desks. "That pony! There's that fuckin' pony!"
[2013-02-27 17:05:24] <Kkat> 3The caped pony cocks her head, narrowing her eyes at Kid's reaction.
[2013-02-27 17:05:33] * Noble_Heart blinks and looks down as Kid freaks out, then looks up at the screen again, then back down to Kid. "A pony in the picture? We do not recognize any of them."
[2013-02-27 17:06:52] * Kid created quite a clatter metallic clatter. "Ya'll don't see 'em? No, no. No! Fuck you, the zebra ghosts ain't real, but this one is!" He huffs. "You seriously don't see 'em? She's right there!"
[2013-02-27 17:07:28] <Kkat> 3The ghost facehoofs.
[2013-02-27 17:07:59] * Bookwright continues to be as mild as possible, if only to annoy Kid further. "Ghost? What ghost?"
[2013-02-27 17:08:40] * Noble_Heart steps forwards, reaching a hoof out in the direction of Kid's ghost, waving it around in front of the screen. "We do not see anything. Perhaps your new eye is suffering from some kind of feedback?"
[2013-02-27 17:08:48] * Kid pointed at what seemed to be empty space. "Th' one right there! Th' one..." She cocked an eye. "Okay, that's a lil' rude."
[2013-02-27 17:10:00] * Kid shakes her head. "Naw, naw. I saw her before we got here. She jumped on th' robot a couple've time." She seems to feel a wave of fatigue hit her. "Ya'll seriously don' see 'em?"
[2013-02-27 17:11:31] * CopyCat closes her eyes. "You mean the one wearing a fetching hat?"
[2013-02-27 17:11:33] <Kkat> 3The ghost shakes her head, muttering, "They can't see ghosts, kid.  Rare to find somepony who does."
[2013-02-27 17:12:31] * Kid nods. "Holy shit! You can see 'em?" She looks at the ghost. "Holy shit, ya'll can talk?" Her mind has been blown. /Twice/.
[2013-02-27 17:13:08] * Noble_Heart blinks and looks to CopyCat curiously, lowering her forehoof. She frowns slightly and moves away from the screen. She was definitely missing something here.
[2013-02-27 17:16:29] <Kkat> 3The ghost blinks.  Then spreads her wings and zooms across the room to (virtually) press her nose against Kid's, staring.  "Wait, you can /hear/ me?"
[2013-02-27 17:16:52] * CopyCat replies to Kid. "Well... no. You can see him and I can see that."
[2013-02-27 17:17:29] * Kid backs her head into the tile floor. "Y-yeah. I-I can. Sorta."
[2013-02-27 17:18:18] * Noble_Heart taps her chin and tilts her head to one side as Kid continues to treat the ghost-pony as real. "We believe you." She reaches out a forehoof to gently place it across Kid's shoulders.
[2013-02-27 17:18:37] <Kkat> 3The ghost hang in the air, slowly flapping her wings.  "Whoa."
[2013-02-27 17:19:05] * Bookwright decides it would be impolitic to continue the levity, and drops the act.
[2013-02-27 17:20:41] * Kid blinks. She seems legitimately frightened, although a tad soothed that someone else believed her. She looked to the side, and then got up on wobbly hooves. "Y-yeah. Woah. Alright, so... Um. What's yer angle? Why are ya'll followin' me? What'd ya'll hop on that robot fer?"
[2013-02-27 17:21:46] * Kid announces last, but definitely not least. Not if a volume change and a crack of her voice meant anything. "Who are ya'll?"
[2013-02-27 17:23:23] * Bookwright "Furthermore, what is your intent?"
[2013-02-27 17:26:00] <Kkat> 3The ghost admits, "I figured helping you guys would be my best ticket outta here.  I've been stuck in this place foreeeeeever."
[2013-02-27 17:27:15] * Bookwright patiently waits for Kid to relay what the apparition is saying.
[2013-02-27 17:28:35] * Kid blinks. "Uh. Okay, so you've been here a while, then? Um. So wait. Ya'll c'n even get trapped?" Her head was starting to feel a little light. "Um. Alright, alright. Again, who are ya'll?"
[2013-02-27 17:29:07] * Noble_Heart blinks and looks down at Kid curiously at the one-sided conversation, frowning a little bit.
[2013-02-27 17:30:53] * Kid spots the quizzical look on the other ponies' face. "Oh. Uh. They're sayin' that they think helpin' us is their way out of here. An' that they've been here, uh." She kicks her forelegs. "Foreeeeever."
[2013-02-27 17:32:25] <Kkat> 3The ghost nods.   "The shield keeps ghosts in.  Kinda like the barrier keeps you in.  Shut 'em both off, we all can go."
[2013-02-27 17:34:06] * Kid looks at the rest. "She says she's trapped here 'cause th' shield traps ghosts and us in." She looks at the ghost. "Noticin' ya'll ain't tellin' us who ya'll are."
[2013-02-27 17:34:07] * Bookwright muses, "Interesting. I've read stories about ghosts being tied to physical locations for various reasons, but they've always been stories. The ghosts, I mean. Why would an insubstantial entity, assuming it exists, not be able to leave a location?"
[2013-02-27 17:34:14] * Noble_Heart taps her chin, pondering that. "A means to trap ghosts..? That is strange. Either few ponies here have died in a very long time, or most of them have not left ghosts. Or perhaps you can only see this one ghost..?" She shook her head with a sigh. "We do not know. Ghosts and spirits are not something We have experience with."
[2013-02-27 17:34:15] * Bookwright "...oh."
[2013-02-27 17:35:17] <Kkat> 3The ghost's eyes narrow, then she chuckles.  "Kid, do I look like somepony who goes about tellin' people who I am?"
[2013-02-27 17:38:33] * Kid rubs her temples. "... Usually, when this happened back in th' bog, th' zebra ghosts don' bother you if ya'll pretend not t' notice they're there. But they c'n get nasty." She grimaced. Foalhood wasn't kind. "Uh. Naw. But, y'know. Guessin' ya'll have a name! An', well. Yer a pegasus! That's a start. Kinda. M'dad was one, too. So, if yer' one o' them Enclavers, please, uh. Don' get too angry?"
[2013-02-27 17:39:53] * Kid wrinkles her brows. "'Sides, ya'll have me at a disadvantage by knowin' my name, and me not knowin' ya'll's. Jus' not fair."
[2013-02-27 17:40:25] <Kkat> 3The ghosts eyes widen, wings flaring. Then narrow.  "Hell no I'm not part of the Enclave."
[2013-02-27 17:40:48] <Kkat> 3The ghost blinks.  "I don't know your name."
[2013-02-27 17:41:08] * Kid blinks. "Funny. Ya'll called me by what I go by."
[2013-02-27 17:41:56] <Kkat> 3The ghost looks lost. Then, "Wait... your name's 'kid'?" <snicker> "Really?"
[2013-02-27 17:42:04] * Noble_Heart was definitely surprised by that, even more than the news of them being a ghost. A pegasus ghost, way out here? In the Crystal Kingdom? "I wonder what would have brought a pegasus here of all places..." She tilted her head to one side.
[2013-02-27 17:42:29] * Bookwright "Y'know kid, if this ghost is gonna be so recalcitrant to tell you its name, maybe you should just ignore it until it does?
[2013-02-27 17:42:31] <Bookwright> "
[2013-02-27 17:43:25] * Kid nods. "Uh. Good! My daddy was kinda a plot hole." She coughed. "Well, yeah. That's what ah go by, at least. Figured, y'no. Hey, everypony calls me Kid already, might as well make it official."
[2013-02-27 17:47:02] <Kkat> 3The ghost clearly struggles against the urge to fall over laughing... but to her credit, she succeeds.
[2013-02-27 17:47:03] * CopyCat speaks up a little. "Can she hear us? I'd like to ask where she got her hat from."
[2013-02-27 17:47:29] * Kid tilts her head towards CopyCat. "I'm guessin' she can."
[2013-02-27 17:47:41] <Kkat> 3"I can... respect that."
[2013-02-27 17:48:52] * Kid chuckles awkwardly, ears flattened against her head. "So, uh. What do ya'll go by? And what brought ya'll out here?"
[2013-02-27 17:49:03] * Noble_Heart contemplates a little more, tilting her head to the side. "We cannot imagine that spending very long in a state where none could see or hear you would do well for one's responsiveness to others. Nor for their happiness. To be cut off from every pony? It would be a nightmare. Worse, perhaps, even than the Unity." She shudders at the possibility that anything could be worse
[2013-02-27 17:49:04] * Noble_Heart than that.
[2013-02-27 17:50:07] * Kid frowns. Yeah. Getting cut off from everypony you know. Nightmare. "... It must be rough on ya'll."
[2013-02-27 17:50:11] <Kkat> 3The ghost pauses, shrugs, "I'm the Mysterious Mare-Do-Well."
[2013-02-27 17:50:54] * Kid looks at Noble_Heart. And with no sense of irony whatsoever, she says "She's th' Mysterious Mare-Do-Well."
[2013-02-27 17:52:12] * CopyCat nods as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
[2013-02-27 17:52:16] <Kkat> 3The ghost looks about.  "Enclave were headed this way.  I thought if the Crystal Empire was still out here, somepony needed to warn them.  Turned out, place is a trap."
[2013-02-27 17:53:30] * Kid nods. "She says she's against th' Enclave. She came here 'cause th' Crystal Empire needed warnin', and th' place turned out t' be a trap."
[2013-02-27 17:55:08] * Noble_Heart gets a deadpan stare before face-hoofing at the name. "Well, We suppose it is nothing if not direct." She sighs, then tilts her head to one side. "Has she been inside the palace, by any chance..?" Not that she expected to get any useful information without going there, but no sense in not asking, right?
[2013-02-27 17:57:03] * Kid furrows her brow. "Ya'll've been here since th' first Dashites left th' Enclave durin' th' Civil War way up there. That's... a couple hundred years ago. Shit."
[2013-02-27 17:58:08] * CopyCat looks excited. "Oh, yes, Mysterious Mare-Do-Well, have you been in the palace? Is the Princess still there? Is she nice?"
[2013-02-27 17:58:11] * Bookwright attempts to recall history, but gets distracted and begins to think about various pre-war comic books he's read.
[2013-02-27 17:58:28] <Kkat> 3"The first what now?"
[2013-02-27 18:01:41] * Kid blinks and rears back. "Wait, ya'll don't know what a Dashite is? They're like, folks that get their hind-parts branded wi' Rainbow Dash's old cutie marks. M'dad used t' say that she started a rebellion up there by not wantin' t' leave th' surface ponies behind, an' when she did, a lot more came down too since they figured it'd been wrong." She scoffs. "Figures that's what helped kill 'em."
[2013-02-27 18:05:09] * Kid rolls her shoulder. "Dad used t' say that's what doomed 'em. If she hadn't have left, th' sky would'a never fell."
[2013-02-27 18:06:07] * Noble_Heart mostly remains quiet, doing her best to comfort and encourage Kid by her presence. Which... Probably wasn't much of a comfort considering their usual relationship.
[2013-02-27 18:06:43] <Kkat> 3The ghost just stares blankly for a while. Then flaps her wings, flying upwards through the ceiling.
[2013-02-27 18:10:03] * CopyCat peers up at the ceiling, looking a little lost.
[2013-02-27 18:10:41] * Kid blinks, then all of a sudden attempted to leap after her. "Wait. Wait! Come back!" She was rewarded by a nasty fall. "Ow! Shit, she went right through th' ceilin'!"
[2013-02-27 18:11:44] * Noble_Heart blinks in surprise as Kid suddenly starts moving, reaching out to help Kid back to her hooves after flopping on the ground. "Perhaps you said something which upset her?" She shook her head. "We do not know. We have never met a ghost pony before. But if she believes We can help her escape, she may come back on her own."
[2013-02-27 18:13:00] * Kid coughs, rubbing her chin where she's clocked her jaw something good. "I didn't say nothin' too bad! She didn't know what a Dashite was, so ah told her!"
[2013-02-27 18:15:32] * Bookwright "Huh... Well, that was... odd."
[2013-02-27 18:18:43] * Kid frowns. "What kinda pegasus wouldn't know about Dashites?" She mentioned with the vacant cadence of somepony who said a thought out loud. The question hung in the air for a little while,
[2013-02-27 18:19:03] * Bookwright "Clearly, her kind."
[2013-02-27 18:21:07] * Kid didn't respond to that. She just looked rather lost in thought. "... I must be lookin' mighty crazy."
[2013-02-27 18:21:32] * Noble_Heart shrugged her wings. "One who had been a ghost since before the end of the war, perhaps? Or who had never joined the Enclave above the clouds to begin with?" She shook her head. "We are uncertain if any such as those might exist at all. But We do not know much of ghosts."
[2013-02-27 18:22:05] * Noble_Heart gently leaned down to nuzzle Kid's cheek. "We do not believe you are crazy. We merely believe that this is something We have never seen before. There are many things like that in this world, We have learned."
[2013-02-27 18:24:16] * CopyCat nods reassuringly. "You definitely saw something Kid. We know you aren't crazy. Perhaps that ghost was one of the first ponies to leave the Enclave and go to the ground and they only started being called Dashites some time afterwards."
[2013-02-27 18:25:14] * Bookwright "Something we still have yet to see, or hear, in fact. Kid is the only one who can see and hear the ghost in question. If CopyCat says you saw this ghost, I believe it. If this ghost truly need our help, it's sure to show itself again sooner or later."
[2013-02-27 18:27:32] * Kid felt something in her mind click. A puzzle piece to a rather impressive jigsaw. "... Somepony who never joined th' Enclave t' begin with." That... That was something. She got back up and put a foreleg on the back of Noble's head and brought her closer, nuzzling back more out of her own comfort than anything. Ghost of the first ponies to leave the Enclave. Never joined the Enclave. Didn't...
[2013-02-27 18:27:34] * Kid ...know what a Dashite was. "... Noble, Bookie, Copycat, Mitzi, Shatara. Thanks fer bein' m' friends. I mean it."
[2013-02-27 18:28:45] * Shatara continues working alone.
[2013-02-27 18:29:14] * Noble_Heart smiles and wraps a foreleg around Kid. "We would never have it any other way."
[2013-02-27 18:32:02] * Kid hugged her back, then vacantly walked to the slide-show, trying to find a picture of Cadence before coming back and attempting to hop onto Noble's back. "She's th' key t' all this. Ah know it." She mentions, looking rather out of it. "... Yer comfy."
[2013-02-27 18:32:44] <Kkat> 3--- End of Session ---