FoE PNP G-Platypus Session 38

[18:25] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****G-Platypus: The City of Broad Withers - Session 38*****
[18:25] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Diplomacy
[18:25] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It's a foreign concept to many.
[18:26] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  To most others it's defined as "Give me your shit, or I'll kill you" or "I'll give you everything, don't kill me"
[18:27] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  There are few left who understand or care for nuance or compromise. Negotiation is what you do when you have less firepower.
[18:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  but sometimes, even in the wastes, it falls on cooler heads to prevail. To do otherwise is to relive the past.
[18:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM> And we all know how /that/ turned out...
[18:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****Session Start*****
[18:30] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star_, Blackberry_Jam, and Slash have been invited into a private crypt by Periwig, the head of the ghoul council. Golden_Eye is enjoying some refreshments with Toil in the Dining Car. Snack_Cake and Thunder_Strike are enjoying each other's company in the group's as-yet-unnamed car-place-home-thing.
[18:32] * Blackberry_Jam folds her hooves, furrowing her brow in thought. That place really did need a name... She shakes herself. Task at hoof, Jam.
[18:35] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Periwig walks slowly to the far side of the crypt. He removes the white wig from his head and places it on a lifesize statue of a regal looking unicorn recessed into the wall. He turns, the right side of his skull behind the brow ridge is just... gone.
[18:36] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  He gives a frail smile. "To answer your question, Miss, Yes. The council makes all the decisions."
[18:38] * Blackberry_Jam nods slowly, removing her pack of cigarettes from a pouch on her armor. "Mind if I smoke?"
[18:39] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The old ghoul shakes his head. "Not at all, whatever makes you comfortable."
[18:41] * Snack_Cake does things with Thunder. Sexy things.
[18:41] * Blackberry_Jam feels /very/ comfortable smoking. Once the cancer-stick is burning in her mouth, she sits up a little straighter. "And it seems that your council is divided."
[18:42] * North_Star_ leaned against something that didn't look important while Berry talked, and waited his turn.
[18:45] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  He slowly lowers himself down onto his haunches. "Yes. Mr. Service has always been the voice of the opposition as it were. At least the opposition to me."
[18:45] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Mrs Protocol now holds the swing vote on the issues, and her decisions are becoming more erratic."
[18:46] * Blackberry_Jam looks around at the crypt, frowning in concentration. "It seems that he's not happy with your current condition down here... Do you know how Mrs. Protocol feels about it?"
[18:50] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Mrs Protocol was a strong supporter of mine and of the isolationist agenda, but she's allowed herself to be swayed."
[18:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "She labels herself a moderate expansionist! She's the reason our citizens our out in harms way on the service even now! Supervised release... an ignorant program... Dangerous and foolhardy!"
[18:55] <Mister_Clacky|GM> (...our citizens are... ...on the surface...)
[18:57] * Blackberry_Jam touches her hoof to her chin. "I agree with you... It's not particulalrly safe for either you or us to have your citizens up there."
[19:00] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Just today we lost two citizens. It's bad enough to lose a fractured mind... but we lost a lucid as well."
[19:01] * Snack_Cake leads Thunder_Strike to the medical bed, since it's the most comfortable place in the car! She hops on up, making space for Thunder_Strike to settle in right next to her.
[19:02] * Blackberry_Jam nods, then turns to North_Star_. "I think it may be time to talk to the other members of the council... They can't ignore those kinds of casualties."
[19:02] * Thunder_Strike hops up onto the bed with her and cuddles. into her side.
[19:03] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Periwig growls. "And of course that leads to Mr. Service putting up the call to go after the breathers. He resents being down here, where we belong!"
[19:06] * Blackberry_Jam rises and nods again. "Right... It's probably time to find out why that is."
[19:09] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Periwig shakes his head. "you are free to seek him out, but it's pointless. The only thing that would change the course of his mind is a bullet. Mrs Protocol, however, could be swayed. Or indebted."
[19:09] * Snack_Cake smiles and returns to kissing Thunder_Strike. In their new spot on the medical bed, she can start getting a little more physical. She drapes a foreleg over Thunder_Strike and tugs her in closer.
[19:10] * North_Star_ looks between Blackberry_Jam and Periwig.
[19:11] * Thunder_Strike happily snuggles closer to Snack_Cake returning her kisses aswell as draping a wing over her.
[19:11] * Blackberry_Jam shakes her head a little. "That's not a bad thought, but even if you get the majority, he'll just keep harboring resentments against you... and likely us... We'll talk to Mrs. Protocol, but if you /really/ want to solve this, you'll need to do something about Mr. Service as well..."
[19:14] * North_Star_ got to his hooves, stretching his neck. "We'll come to that bridge. Maybe talking to Mrs. Protocol will give us an idea or two."
[19:15] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Periwig stands, heading over to a battered old chest. "You are quite right. Mrs Protocol needs to be brought to heel, and Mr Service needs to be removed. Luckily, neither of those will be hard to engineer, with some living legs to help me. Speaking to them is moot, controling them is better. Will you help me?" He gives a crooked smile.
[19:16] * Blackberry_Jam takes a puff of her cigarette and looks Periwig over. "We're not going to kill him, if that's what you're implying."
[19:17] * North_Star_ looked off to the side. "We could bring him close, if it comes to that.."
[19:20] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  He shakes his head. "Of course not, ghouls do not end the unlives of ghouls. That's a law we've held for as far back as the bombs. But his mind is slipping. He is fragile. I believe his desire to expand to the surface is due in part to find out about his grandfoals. If I could prove they died in the cataclysm, I could break his mind. A new lucid would be selected."
[19:21] * Blackberry_Jam thinks that doesn't sound any less malicious. "What were their names?"
[19:21] * Snack_Cake drapes her tail over Thunder_Strike's flank and leans into the kiss. She's feeling very warm and cozy, and she loves it!
[19:23] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Mrs Protocol is a sentimental sort, a trinket from her past would suffice to buy her good graces. With her in my pocket, I could ensure the selection of someghoul who would stay in lockstep." He opens the chest, rummaging around a moment. He comes out with a ledger and three orange packets. "All of what I know about their pasts are in here. I'll entrust it to you. Get me what I need to resecure power, a
[19:23] <Mister_Clacky|GM> nd I'll ensure you breathers have nothing to fear from Cryptholme."
[19:26] * Thunder_Strike shivers and hugs her friend close with the wing. the feeling of her tail on her flank makes her Squee cutely.
[19:27] * Blackberry_Jam looks them over curiously before slipping them into her bags. "All right... We'll get right to it."
[19:29] * Snack_Cake finally pulls away from the kiss. "You have no idea how happy you make me, Thunder." She nuzzles into her neck. "Happier than I've been in a long time."
[19:30] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  He nods, heading toward the crypt's heavy steel door and opening it. "A pleasure. I'll do what I can for as long as I can. Be safe." He smiles, the green glow from his exposed brain reflecting off the door.
[19:34] * Blackberry_Jam waits till she's out of earshot to say to North_Star_. "I don't like this."
[19:34] * Thunder_Strike blushes heavily. ''r...really? wow. I didn't think I could make anyone so happy.'' she says smiling then nuzzles her back.
[19:36] * North_Star_ gave Berry a nod. "Me neither... Can't think of any better way to take care of this, though."
[19:36] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash follows along, willing to just let them discuss it. The old ghoul reminded him of a few particularly nasty traders he'd known. He feels greasy just hearing him talk.
[19:37] * Snack_Cake smiles. "That's the best part. You don't even have to try, and I feel giddy!"
[19:38] * Blackberry_Jam rubs the back of her neck. "We're not killing Service, understood?"
[19:38] * North_Star_ nodded again. "Completely understood."
[19:41] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash grunts an affirmative.
[19:41] * Blackberry_Jam trots in a vague direction, really not sure where to go. "This whole thing just doesn't feel right."
[19:42] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The only options are up or down the spiral staircase. The rest of the council had stayed below when Periwig lead you up to his room.
[19:43] * Blackberry_Jam goes down, down, down, back to the Council Chambers.
[19:44] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  At the bottom of Cryptholme, Mr Service is addressing, with vigor, a group of ghouls. A ghoul in police barding stands off to the side near an open door.
[19:45] * Thunder_Strike squees hearing her say that. '' do I really make you feel that way Snacky?''
[19:45] * North_Star_ looks off to the police ghoul, judging them from where he stood.
[19:46] * Blackberry_Jam stops, listening to Service's oration. She doesn't see any need to interrupt.
[19:52] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "We have sstayed locked away, in thiss pit, for more than one hundred sseventy yearss. They tell uss it iss for our ssafety. They ssay we are monssterss! I am no monsster! Are you? You? They ssay our mindss will fail, we will join the fractured. But it iss thiss place that breakss uss!"
[19:53] * Blackberry_Jam gives North_Star_ a sideways glance.
[19:53] <Mister_Clacky|GM> "The ssurface... it could give uss meaning! Our livess... even asss they are... abnormal... are sstill ourss to live, are they not?"
[19:55] * North_Star_ returned the glace, the heavy sigh evident in his eyes while they listened on.
[19:57] * Blackberry_Jam looks around. "What if they're right?" she whispers. "What if there's radiation... or some other kind of diseases down here that's turning them?"
[19:58] * North_Star_ shrugged. "Something pure speculation can't help find the answer to."
[20:00] * Blackberry_Jam takes a long drag from her cigarette. "Yeah... Well... something just..."
[20:00] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "They ssay we will be hunted... and yess... we /know/ they kill uss. Today Ssassssy Sstrumpet wass gunned down, a mind two centuriess old, gone! Her killer allowed to leave with a sscratch becuasse of the old lawss! They would have our exisstance be /lesssser/ than the breatherss."
[20:00] * North_Star_ looks at the police ghoul again, just to be sure. "Something's just eating at you, I know."
[20:01] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The police ghoul has his eyes steadily forward, guarding.
[20:01] * Snack_Cake nods to Thunder_Strike. "You make me feel amazing, Thunder. You're one of the most kind and caring ponies I've met."
[20:02] * Blackberry_Jam grits her teeth as Service speaks. She's smart enough not to say anything, despite how badly she wants to... To tell this ghoul off...
[20:04] * Thunder_Strike snuggles into Snack_Cake smiling happily at her. ''it makes me happy to know you are happy when with me.'' she says smiling.
[20:05] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Sso... my friendss... we must continue our effortss. Mrss Protocol has acknowledged the wissdom of our wordss before. Ssway her, and we can resscind that old fool'ss laws and take our rightful place in Equesstria again!" He hammers his hooves down for effect, the assembled ghouls stomp their applause. He dismounts from the dias.
[20:06] * Blackberry_Jam nods to her companions and slips into the room proper, following after Service. "Excuse me, Mr. Service."
[20:07] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mr Service turns, looking like he just swallowed a rather unpleasant bug when he sees you. He screws on a weak smile. "Yess?"
[20:09] * Blackberry_Jam puts on an equally fabricated smile. "As envoys from the surface... we'd like to know what you plan to do if you /do/ leave."
[20:14] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Live. We are not asss ssequessterd asss Periwig'ss delussionss would indicate. You being here /provess/ there are ssome who would treat uss with the resspect we desserve! We would accept no lessss!"
[20:16] * Snack_Cake nuzzles Thunder_Strike. "Good... because I want to make you just as happy as you make me. Maybe even more!"
[20:17] * Blackberry_Jam gives a slight nod. "Well... not everypony out there is as accepting as the folks in Railyard... Do you really think it'll be safer up there?"
[20:20] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mr Service swallows, a puff of ichor bubbling out the wound in his neck. "Let me tell you a sstory. Once upon a cataclyssm, hundredss of poniess ssought sshelter in a maussoleum. They all died a horrible, lingering death. But many of them didn't sstay that way."
[20:22] * Blackberry_Jam gives Service a flat look.
[20:22] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Thosse that woke up appointed a council, their firsst law wass ssimple. Ghoul does not kill ghoul."
[20:23] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Then the firsst of them sstarted to losse their minds... to ssuccumb to the long death. They were dangerouss... sso they had to be dealt with... but ghoul doess not kill ghoul."
[20:24] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "They are sstill locked in the upper tombss. How is their fate different than ourss? A bigger tomb to be locked away in forever?"
[20:24] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "How many yearss would /you/ last locked in thiss dark place? How long would you hold on to /your/ ssanity, breather?"
[20:25] * Blackberry_Jam lowers her gaze a little. "You truly are a gifted orator, Mr. Service, but you didn't answer my question."
[20:30] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Periwig playss on the sself-loathing of every one of uss. There may be no mirrorss, but we ssee oursselvess well enough. Iss it sso wrong to want to be free of thiss place? I do not doubt it iss unssafe up there, but death comess to all of uss... eventually." He sighs, another puff of ichor. A bit of real emotion enters his eyes. "Iss it not our right to face it on our termss?"
[20:34] * Blackberry_Jam glowers. "That's not right. If all of you go to the surface, you're going to get into trouble. You're going to fight back, and even more ponies are going to die than if you didn't. What is up there for you that isn't down here? Ponies that hate you? Monsters that will eat you? Communities that will ostracize you?"
[20:37] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "A future? New facess? Knowledge? A chance to be /poniess/ again. A choice!"
[20:39] * Thunder_Strike licks her snout and giggles. ''you already do Snacky.''
[20:41] * Blackberry_Jam steps forward. "The world up there has nothing for you. There's no knowledge up there worth finding! None of those new faces will see you for what any of you might be. They won't see you as ponies."
[20:45] * Mister_Clacky|GM Mr Service scowls. "Obvioussly /you/ don't. To /you/ we are just monsterss, right? Ssomething to be /exterminated/. Do you know the ssound of a violin played by hoovess that have loved mussic for two centuriess? NO! And now you never will, becausse you /breatherss/ would rather murder than sspeak!"
[20:46] * North_Star_ takes his turn to step forward. "Then would you like to explain this delightful conversation, here?"
[20:46] * Snack_Cake smiles and hugs Thunder_Strike. "But I want to make you feel as amazing as I can! I want to do something really, really special..." She punctuates this with another brief kiss.
[20:47] * Blackberry_Jam snorts and nods to North_Star_. "You said it yourself. The fact that we're here at all shows that we're willing to talk."
[20:49] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "I ssupposse I wass wrong. You've sshown your true colorss. You are here to deliver your ultimatum. Sstay in your hole, monssterss! We won't sshare the ssurface with your ilk! There iss nothing for you!" He has worked himself up into a froth, glowing spittle dribbling from his lip. "Are those not your wordss?"
[20:50] * North_Star_ shook his head. "Those words nevr left my mouth, Mr. Service."
[20:51] * Blackberry_Jam stamps a hoof. "Nor mine."
[20:51] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "But they left /herss/, did they not? Or do you sspeak for the ssurface now?"
[20:52] * Blackberry_Jam steps forward. "Not with the intent you seem to take them with, at least. There is nothing for anypony, ghoul or not, up there."
[20:53] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  He looks back to Blackberry_Jam. "Then would you like a crypt? Will you sstay with uss? Here iss better, obvioussly, than up there."
[20:54] * Blackberry_Jam snorts a little. "If I was like you, I would. But I've been repeatedly told that it's not safe for 'breathers' down here."
[20:56] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Sstay long enough, I'm ssure that will work itsself out. Sstill, you would /choosse/ to sstay here, or elssewhere. I want nothing more."
[20:58] * Blackberry_Jam shakes her head. "I would choose to stay here because I can see that it's better for both my own people, and those above, not because of selfish want for things I can't have." She turns and trots off to find Ms. Protocol.
[21:00] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mr Service looks to North_Star_. "I'll leave you with thiss, Ssir. Is wanting freedom sselfissh?" He turns and trots in the other direction.
[21:16] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The only obvious exit is past the door the police ghoul is standing beside.
[21:05] * Blackberry_Jam coughs a little as she approaches the police ghoul. "Excuse me, Periwig told me to speak with Mrs. Protocol. Is she in there?" She asks, pointing to the door.
[21:05] * North_Star_ huffed out loud. "Freedom is a funny word nowadays, Mr. Service. It's a curse, a blessing, and a disaster wrapped into one." He said, turning to meet up with Berry.
[21:06] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The police pony nods, his throat completly missing, his spine visible through the gaping wound.
[21:07] * Blackberry_Jam gives a slight smile. "Can you let my friends and I in to see her?"
[21:07] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  He nods again, stepping to the side. the door is cracked.
[21:08] * Blackberry_Jam carefully pushes it open, nodding to the cop in passing. "Thanks."
[21:09] * North_Star_ steps in after Blackberry_Jam, tipping his hat to the guard as he passed.
[21:09] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Inside is a long corridor stretching out into blackness. There is light bleeding out from the first door to the left.
[21:09] * Blackberry_Jam checks there first, naturally. She knocks once, and pauses.
[21:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Enter."
[21:11] * Blackberry_Jam steps inside. "Excuse me, we'd like to talk to you about Mr. Service."
[21:11] * North_Star_ nudges his way in behind Berry, looking around the room.
[21:14] * Thunder_Strike blushes and kisses her back. ''I want to too.'' she says smiling.
[21:17] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mrs Protocol swivels her chair away from her desk, this room at least seems to have been something other than a tomb.
[21:18] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash continues to follow, trying to look the proper mix of friendly and intimidating.
[21:19] * Blackberry_Jam looks at Mrs. Protocol with a slight smile. "We'd like to know where you stand on the 'isolation' situation, in your own words."
[21:21] * Snack_Cake gives Thunder_Strike another kiss, then gives a playful smile. "How do you want to make each other happy, then?"
[21:23] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  She nods. "Understandable. I believe our citizens deserve their dignity. It is why I pushed to end confinement for the mentally fractured and instituted supervised release. It has been successful, for the most part."
[21:25] * Blackberry_Jam gives a low hum. "Then you no doubt considered the problems with that."
[21:27] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Of course, but except for one incident where a shepard deliberately lead his fractured herd outside the bounds, we've had no occurances of any merit. We've even seen shepards on the cusp of mental fracture increase their lucidity." "
[21:30] * Blackberry_Jam furrows her brow. "This isn't a permanent solution, though. Incidents will happen again... All we want is to ensure the safety of Railyard, and... with your ghouls roaming out there, we can't feel safe."
[21:32] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "I see your point, and share it. We can hardly feel safe with you breathers roaming outside your walls, either. /If/ there is a link between surface access and lucidity, we owe it to ourselves to explore it. Scientifically and on a small scale to start, of course."
[21:34] * Blackberry_Jam is refreshed by a logical line of thinking, but still isn't sure where to go with this. She grabs Periwig's evidence and makes for the door. "North, talk to her for me." She whispers. "I'm going to take a look at this stuff."
[21:36] * North_Star_ nods, walking closer to Protocol's desk. "So, you're thinking that having a relation with the surface can lead to something good?"
[21:38] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "I see no reason to dismiss the notion. Mr Service's zeal might be overblown, but his ideas shouldn't be discounted. With supervised release, we've even seen circumstantial evidence to support surface exposure being good for our psychies."
[21:41] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  When Blackberry_Jam opens the ledger, she sees a hoofwritten glossery of names. It's a big ledger, the header reading "Census 150 AB - Periwig Personal". More than 200 names are listed alphabetically.
[21:41] * North_Star_ nods again, "I've heard from most of the doctors I meet that socializing is good for a pony's mental state," He recalled, a bit distantly.
[21:44] * Blackberry_Jam scans the list. AB must be "After Bombs"... She looks at the other packets that he gave her, too.
[21:47] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The orange packets are three doses of Radaway. Looking through the ledger Blackberry_Jam can find entries for Proper Protocol and Civil Service and page numbers for the detailed information. .
[21:50] * Blackberry_Jam is impressed by the sophistication of the census as she flips to the noted pages.
[21:52] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The ledger is extremely detailed, listing known family, former addresses, aliases, and all manner of little additional notes.
[21:53] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mrs Protocol nods. "Yes, so you can see our interest in exploring increased surface exposure and perhaps even socialization experiments."
[21:54] * Blackberry_Jam looks for Civil Service's family, and addresses. "Almost unbelievable..."
[21:59] * North_Star_ nods. "I hope you do take the 'filly steps' approach with this. Ghouls don't exactly have the same kindly disposition like me and my compainions"
[21:59] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Civil Service - Deceased Age 63. Satus: Lucid. Wife: Stillwind: deceased -7AB. Daughter: Secret Service (pg. 107) Grandfoal: Morning Service:
[22:00] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Unknown, last known location Stable P04.
[22:01] * Blackberry_Jam blinks, doing a mental double take. "That's..." She turns to look into Mrs. Protocol's room. "North... I know where we can find Service's grandfoal. And... it's not good."
[22:03] * North_Star_ looks back at Berry and gives her a nod before turning back to Protocol. "I'm afraid that's my cue to step out."
[22:04] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mrs. Protocol looks confused. "What do you mean? What about Service's grandfoal?"
[22:06] * Blackberry_Jam points to the name on the ledger, then across to the last known location. "Another Stable."
[22:08] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  She brings her hoof to her chest. "She may have made it... I'd give anything to have that kind of hope for my son. Or just to know... one way or the other..." She sighs.
[22:08] * Blackberry_Jam gives Mrs. Protocol a smile. "As it so happens, we're very skilled at finding ponies. We could help you find your closure too, if you'd like."
[22:09] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  nods. "I would appreciate that. I'd owe you a great debt."
[22:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Protocol nods*
[22:11] * Blackberry_Jam flashes both North and Slash a smirk. "Consider it done. Is there anything you could tell us about him that this ledger wouldn't?"
[22:12] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  She flips to her page, looking through the entry with an ever deepening scowl. "This is... far more thorough than the census /should/ be... I have nothing to add... but that in and of itself concerns me. It's all there."
[22:14] * Blackberry_Jam nods slowly. "I... wasn't aware that you hadn't seen this... I'm sorry."
[22:16] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  She shrugs, her face returning to neutrality. "I suppose I shouldn't be shocked. Knowledge is power, and Periwig has had power or a long time. It makes sense to know all you can about those you are stuck with."
[22:18] * Blackberry_Jam gives a curt nod. "Thank you for your time, Mrs. Protocol. We'll find your son, you can count on that."
[22:19] * Mister_Clacky|GM "Logically, your chances are very slim. But I will hope. Be safe."
[22:21] * Blackberry_Jam chuckles as she heads for the door. "We're not the kind of ponies to not do something because its illogical. Once again, thank you."
[22:25] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mrs Protocol turns back to her work.
[22:30] * Blackberry_Jam takes her entourage to see Periwig, and to bid him thanks for allowing them to speak.
[22:31] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam and the rest of the group below have been feeling nausea creeping up on them as they have been below. It's very noticable at this point. Periwig is in his room, the door is slightly ajar.
[22:33] * Blackberry_Jam pokes her head inside and waves. "Mr. Periwig, we're leaving now. Thanks to your ledger, we should be able to find Service's granddaughter /and/ Protocol's son."
[22:34] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  He nods. "Excellent. Bring me what you find and I'll ensure that the result you desire comes to fruition."
[22:43] * Blackberry_Jam gives a firm nod, and excuses herself. "Will do. Thank you again."
[22:43] * Thunder_Strike licks her. ''we could do this, or alittle more personal.''
[22:51] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The group below can find their way up easily. They aren't accosted as they climb the stairwell
[22:52] * Snack_Cake gives a bold little nip on Thunder_Strike's ear, then whispers, "I'm up for anything you want. I want to make you feel extra special. What would make you feel extra special?"
[22:56] * Blackberry_Jam takes a breath of fresh(er) air as she exits the stairwell. She looks around for their ghoul guide from earlier.
[22:58] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Willow Bark has his herd standing nearby.
[22:59] * Blackberry_Jam trots over with a smile. "Willow, hello. Could you take us back to the gate?"
[23:00] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Willow looks at Blackberry_Jam, his brow knits in concentration, then comprehension. "... Blackberry_Jam... North_Star_ ... Slash... You're back. I'm... glad. It's not safe for breathers."
[23:02] * Blackberry_Jam keeps smiling. "Exactly. Can you take us back, please?"
[23:03] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Willow nods. "Yes... This way." He starts picking his way through the packs of ferals, turning the ones away he needs to.
[23:06] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Willow holds up as he nears the fountain at the entrance. "This is as far as we can go. Be... safe.... Blackberry_Jam... North_Star_ ... Slash..."
[23:06] * Blackberry_Jam follows. The nausea was setting in, and she planned to administer Rad-Away as soon as they left the graveyard. "You too, Willow. Be safe."
[23:10] * North_Star_ brakes into a low cough in an attempt to get his own insides to settle, and to hint to Berry that something was amiss.
[23:12] * Blackberry_Jam gets a safe distance away from the graveyard and pulls out the wonderful orange stuff. "All right, try one dose and tell me how you feel." She says, knocking back the medicine.
[23:22] * Blackberry_Jam grimaces a little. "Might need two..."
[23:23] * North_Star_ takes a dose for himself and downs it with a gulp.
[23:23] * Blackberry_Jam shakes herself. Eh... she'll live. "How about you, Hot Shot? How do you feel? Nausious? Any aches?"
[23:28] * North_Star_ rubs his head, "As much as I hate to say, I might need another shot. Gut still feels punched in."
[23:30] * Blackberry_Jam hoofs him one and sits back. She's not happy that Slash is obstensibly refusing her treatment, but is willing to overlook it... for now.
[23:31] * Snack_Cake snuggles close with Thunder.
[23:31] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash may be waving off using your supplies, but he'll let you administer his dosage later.
[23:33] * North_Star_ knocked the dose back, shaking off the taste. "I'll see if a siesta can't shake off the feelings, but I'll live."
[23:35] * Blackberry_Jam looks him over with a discerning eye. "You sure? If you're not feeling 100% when you wake up, see me and I'll hit you with another dose. Now... let's get back to the town."
[23:36] * North_Star_ nods waving a hoof towards Railyard. "Lead on."
[23:36] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash follows behind, steadfastly refusing to look ill.
[23:36] * Blackberry_Jam trots to Railyard at a brisk pace.
[23:37] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Sheriff Caboose waves them in.
[23:38] * North_Star_ returns the wave, starting for the brand-new infirmery slash dining car.
[23:39] * Blackberry_Jam starts too, giving Caboose a nod.
[23:41] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash heads off to Slash and Slag's to check in. The group car is unlocked.
[23:43] * Blackberry_Jam is wearing a smile as she pulls the door to the car open, and changes to one of horror when she looks inside.
[23:44] * Thunder_Strike strokes her cheek and kisses Snack_Cake passionately.
[23:47] * North_Star_ pokes his head into the car, sighing heavily.
[23:48] * Blackberry_Jam climbs up into the car and trots quietly to the edge of her operating bed. "So."
[23:49] * Snack_Cake is in the middle of returning Thunder's kiss... and she /jumps/ when Blackberry_Jam suddenly speaks. She pulls back and gives Blackberry_Jam a guilty look.
[23:50] * North_Star_ walks past Blackberry_Jam, heading for the corner he slept in last night.
[23:52] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star_ doesn't need to walk past the OR. The sleeping area is on the opposite end or the operating theater. The door into the kitchen, which takes up the center, is deadcenter.
[23:52] * Blackberry_Jam looks between the two of them. "I'm not sure if I should be angry, disappointed, or ashamed."
[23:54] * North_Star_ opened the door to the kitchen, immediately fleeing the scene and wanting nothing to do with the current situation.
[23:57] * Snack_Cake has a sad look on her face. She mutters a quiet, "...What about happy...? For us?"
[23:58] * Blackberry_Jam narrows her eyes, and rests her hooves on the foot of the bed. "Now, girls, I have /no/ problems with you two loving each other. I have no problems with you two having sex. What I /do/ mind, is you two having sex on my /sterile operating table/."
[23:59] * Thunder_Strike meeps and also has the guilty look. ''sorry, but we weren't doing anything like that.''
[00:00] * Snack_Cake still looks guilty. She agrees with Thunder_Strike! "We didn't do anything... just... cuddled a bit. It's the most comfortable spot in the whole car..."
[00:01] * North_Star_ begs to differ, as he settles down to nap in the far corner of the car.
[00:02] * Blackberry_Jam scrunches her nose. "Well... it doesn't take long till you get there. If you want, we can go find you a comfortable bed. Just... don't /ever/ do /anything/ on this table again."
[00:04] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash enters, a couple packs of radaway balances on his head.
[00:04] * Thunder_Strike looks at blackberry with sad filly eyes. ''ok. though I'm sure it's not like you could resterilize it. I mean. you do have to do that after every operation anyway.
[00:06] * Blackberry_Jam frowns at Thunder_Strike. "That's not the place for that, Thunder. It just isn't. Understood?"
[00:06] * Snack_Cake has an even sadder look. She's practically heartbroken! Her voice sort of squeaks as she says, "I'm sorry! It was my fault... Don't be mad at Thunder! I promise it won't happen again!"
[00:07] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash tilts his head. "I missed something, yeah?"
[00:07] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The radaway packs fall off his head.
[00:08] * Thunder_Strike ''yes I understand. and I'm sorry.'' she gets down from the table. ''I didn't mean to get carried away.''
[00:09] * Blackberry_Jam turns away and nods. "I'm keeping you to that." She pauses for a moment. "It's a wonderful thing that you two are in love, don't get me wrong. Just... be smart about it." She grabs Slash and drags him off for treatment/griping.
[00:11] * North_Star_ in the meanwhile, can finally enjoy his siesta in peace.
[00:12] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash is dragged away.
[00:14] * Blackberry_Jam administers Rad-Away. "I can't believe that... I mean... they're just kids... but they're kids who should know better!" She grumbles.
[00:14] * Thunder_Strike looks back at Snack_Cake. ''sorry Snacky. you didn't have to blame yourself. it was as much my fault.''
[00:15] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash agrees with Blackberry_Jam and whatever she is saying about the thing he missed.
[00:15] * Snack_Cake hops off the table and tugs Thunder_Strike over to sit in the kitchen. She mutters, "I'm the one who brought you over to the table... I just thought... maybe Berry would understand..."
[00:16] * North_Star_ can be heard snoring just next door, just to ruin the mood further.
[00:16] * Blackberry_Jam mutters. "Feeling each other up on the operating table... outrageous."
[00:17] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash nods. "Yeah. Outrageous, roight?"
[00:18] * Thunder_Strike lost the mood when she realised how much a bad idea that was. ''it is BJ. she takes that stuff seriously. I was a place that she operated on and we were probably gonna dirty it up. I take responsibility for it Snacky.''
[00:18] * Blackberry_Jam grumps some more. "There are cots /right there/, for that /exact/ purpose."
[00:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash nods. "Totally, and if not that then... yeah... cots... roight?"
[00:20] * Blackberry_Jam looks up at Slash with a flat expression. "You're just mindlessly agreeing with me, aren't you?"
[00:21] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash shakes his head. "No, you're just roight, roight? They should have used something else for a place to do... what they were doing?"
[00:22] * Blackberry_Jam already said. "They were cuddling, which leads to feeling each other up, which leads to screwing. On my operating table."
[00:23] * Snack_Cake frowns, but nuzzles against Thunder_Strike's neck. "See... this is why you're such an amazing pony, Thunder. Thank you..." She gives a gentle kiss to show just how thankful she is.
[00:25] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash nods. "And that's bad."
[00:26] * Blackberry_Jam sighs a little. "They really love each other... And it's a beautiful, wonderful thing..."
[00:28] * Thunder_Strike smiles at Snack_Cake. ''you're welcome Snacky.'' she says hugging her.
[00:30] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash smiles. "Good for them, yeah?"
[00:30] * Blackberry_Jam nods a little. "It's just... Why... of all places..."
[00:32] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash shrugs. "It's not like they knew about the... ... ... ...cots..."
[00:34] * Blackberry_Jam looks up at Slash again, confused. "You... may want to take another Rad-Away."
[00:35] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash nods and downs another.
[00:36] * Snack_Cake tugs Thunder_Strike over to cuddle closer. "Maybe we can pick up where we left off once we get ourselves a decent bed..." She gives a sheepish smile.
[00:38] * Thunder_Strike smiles at her and nods. ''sure Snacky. I want you happy.'' she says cuddling closer.
[00:40] * Snack_Cake giggles a bit. "Noooo, I want YOU happy!"
[00:44] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****Session End*****
[00:45] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  500xp, The negotiating team gains 1 karma for negotiating.