FoE PNP G-Platypus Session 23

[18:17] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****G-Platypus: The City of Broad Withers - Session 23*****
[18:17] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Usefulness.
[18:17] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Doesn't if feel great to be useful?
[18:18] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  There was a peaceful time in the seemingly distant past where pleasantness and friendship was commonplace.
[18:18] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Where being there and helping a friend was the best feeling one could think of.
[18:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  But in the wastes... usefulness has a different value.
[18:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  How can /I/ gain the most from /using/ you.
[18:20] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Will our wastelanders make themselves useful? To each other? To somepony else? Something else? Perhaps...
[18:20] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****Session Start*****
[18:21] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Our wastelanders are on top of a watertower near a recently repaired dish. Darkness is washing heavily over the wastes and it will soon be time to sleep. Although that trick might be hard for some of them...
[18:22] * Blackberry_Jam sighs a little. As she looks over her battered, confused comrades, she simply hung her head and began to settle into a comfortable looking piece of concrete.
[18:23] * Scrap looks around at the others, still holding Strawberry_Daiquiri.
[18:24] * Blackberry_Jam looks back at him as she lays down. "I'm... too old for this shit."
[18:25] * Snack_Cake is still pretty stunned. She'd been used to do Celestia-knows-what... It's things like this that make her wish she'd never left the stable.
[18:25] * Strawberry_Daiquiri Is still in shock and has her head in Scrap's chest
[18:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  TOM remains silent after declaring Snack_Cake an 'important asset'
[18:29] * Scrap looks down at Strawberry_Daiquiri and tries to be as comforting as he can, "uh... are you ok?"
[18:31] * Strawberry_Daiquiri "I just feel so sad for all those ponies I helped kill"
[18:31] * Blackberry_Jam keeps looking at Scrap, or maybe throught him, into the night. It's hard to tell, but either way, he can practically feel the scorn. "We... we don't know if anypony actually died, kid..."
[18:32] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  There wasn't a visible rain of corpses, so what exactly fell is a mystery.
[18:33] * Strawberry_Daiquiri turns to look at Blackberry_Jam and weekly says "I supose your right."
[18:34] * Blackberry_Jam nods slowly, and flicks out her lighter. "Just... try not to think about it."
[18:35] * Scrap does indeed feel the scourn and intentionally doesn't look at Blackberry_Jam. "We should try and sleep."
[18:37] * Blackberry_Jam wiggles out of her gear, all while lighting a cigarette. Seems like she's had some practice doing it. With a book in her hooves, she lays back on her bundle of armor and prepares for bed. "Snack, come get some rest. You'll feel better in the morning."
[18:37] * Snack_Cake glances at Blackberry_Jam. She doesn't know if she even /can/ stop thinking about it.
[18:40] * Strawberry_Daiquiri "sence we are going to be spending the night here don't you think we should set up a watch?"
[18:41] * Blackberry_Jam remembers the last time they established a watch. "Already on it. You all get some rest."
[18:41] * North_Star looks up from polishing his rifle and to Blackberry_Jam. "I thought I took first watch?"
[18:42] * Blackberry_Jam glares at him. "Oh, don't worry. You're taking watch with me. We need to talk."
[18:42] * Scrap letting go of Strawberry_Daiquiri to get his bedroll out, "you can't stay up all night by yourself."
[18:42] <Scrap> "Oh."
[18:43] * Snack_Cake gets ready to sleep... She's not sure if she'll be able to get some sleep, but she'll try.
[18:43] * North_Star tilted his head, but nodded all the same. "'Ight. I suppose it's important."
[18:44] * Blackberry_Jam is already situated near the entrance to the rooftop, shotgun in her lap and a book in her hooves. "Come here and take a seat."
[18:44] <Scrap> "Who's taking the other watch?"
[18:44] * Strawberry_Daiquiri trots over to Blackberry_Jam and sets down.
[18:45] * North_Star walks over to the enterance, rifle over his shoulder. He plops down next to Blackberry_Jam, "'Ight, what's on your mind, Doc?"
[18:46] * Blackberry_Jam rolls her shoulders and looks between the two of them. "Kid, you go take a look over the other side of the dish. I'd like to speak to North in private. That okay?"
[18:49] * Strawberry_Daiquiri looks at Blackberry_Jam puzzed, but says "ok" then she goes and looks at the other side of the dish.
[18:49] * North_Star watches the filly walk away then looks back to Blackberry_Jam.
[18:50] * Blackberry_Jam pulls North_Star in close and puts on a very stern face. "You're an idiot. Anypony ever tell you that?"
[18:50] * Scrap follows Strawberry_Daiquiri, not quite sure if she's over the incident or not.
[18:51] * North_Star blinks twice. "You're not the first."
[18:52] * Blackberry_Jam looks at the other stallion in the troupe and nods. "Both of you have this serious problem when it comes to thinking in stressful situations."
[18:53] * North_Star sighs. He knew it. "You know, I was thinkin' the same thing."
[18:54] * Blackberry_Jam nods to her bandaged legs. "And to be honest, it's starting to become dangerous to my health."
[18:55] * North_Star waves a hoof towards the rest of the group, "Look, don't get on the kid for doin' what he thought was best. But..." He sighs, shaking his head. "Ah've no excuse. I paniked, Ah admit."
[18:56] * Blackberry_Jam looks at him expectantly, but says nothing. It -looks- like she's saying "...and?"
[18:58] * North_Star brings his head up to look at Blackberry_Jam. "Ah... Ah didn't know what else to do. I have the gun in my tail, and I did what I do best."
[19:00] * Blackberry_Jam looks him in the eye and shakes her head. "So what are you going to do next time something like that happens?"
[19:02] * North_Star meets her eye contact. "Consider the options before going guns a'blazin'?" He leans to one side, the sound of empty bottles rattling from his satchel. Clearly, he's been having a talk with a bottle fairy.
[19:02] * Snack_Cake is lying down off to the side, nibbling on one of her cakes. More out of anxiousness than actual hunger. She's trying to relax so she can get some rest, but it's not working very well...
[19:03] * Strawberry_Daiquiri sees Scrap following her, and turns her head to look at Scrap and says "When I left home I did not expect to cause so much damage. Now I know the world is harsh crewel, but I did not want to be the casuse of so much."
[19:04] * Blackberry_Jam nods. She sniffs a little as he talks, noting the clinking bottles. "As for Scrap, he listens to you when you give advice, so tell him that he needs to do the same. And, if you do something stupid like that again, I'm not responsible for what happens."
[19:04] * Thunder_Strike is sitting down staring at the satellite dish. "Why.... Why would the unicorns of MAS do this?
[19:06] * Scrap in reply to Strawberry_Daiquiri, "at least you have skills that help instead of only causing harm."
[19:07] * North_Star returns the nod. If his slight swaying is any indication, he recently finished his jug of Moonshine. "I'll have a talk with the kid. Don't worry 'bout it."
[19:08] * Strawberry_Daiquiri to Scrap "yea I know, and I also know I can't change what has happned, but I just feel so bad"
[19:09] * Blackberry_Jam glares at him. "So... when did you find the time to get hammered? Was it in the middle of the fight, or just before two little fillies blew up half of the damn city?" She says, raising her voice a little.
[19:09] <Scrap> "Feeling bad is actually good, it means that you still care."
[19:12] * North_Star shrugs. "Somewhere inbetween. I needed some time to myself." He roots around in his satchel, taking a bottle out and chucking it. "After the recent messes, I... Needed to clear my head."
[19:12] * Blackberry_Jam maintains her glare. "Sweet Celestia... you've got to be the dumbest moron I've ever met..."
[19:13] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The shattering of glass echoes in the still wasteland air.
[19:14] * North_Star watches the glass shatter, "You'll meet worse."
[19:15] * Blackberry_Jam says sternly. "Not likely."
[19:16] * Blackberry_Jam blinks, following the trajectory with her eyes. "You've got to be fucking kidding me... Did you just..."
[19:16] * North_Star looks over at Jam, "Well, if I'm such an idiot, why give me this talk? Why not just send me on my own way?"
[19:18] * Blackberry_Jam stands up and peers over the edge, hoping that she's not going to see what she thinks she's going to see. "Because... It's not my place to make you leave. Clearly, nopony in this group cares what I have to say about who stays and who goes. Why bother?"
[19:19] * Strawberry_Daiquiri responds to Scrap "yea I supose so"
[19:20] * North_Star shakes his head. "That ain't true. From the start, you could've told me to piss off."
[19:20] * Blackberry_Jam rears up on her hindlegs, weapon drawn and eyes peeled. "I didn't think you'd be... well... you, from the start."
[19:21] * North_Star picks up his rifle, looking out towards were Jam is looking. "
[19:21] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The broken bottle sits on the cement of the parking lot. There is a second crash of glass. One of the ghouls inside the facility next door seems to have heard it and busted through a window to investigate.
[19:22] * Blackberry_Jam blanches. "But now... I'm seriously considering it."
[19:22] * Scrap looks over at Blackberry_Jam and North_Star when he hears the bottle shatter.
[19:22] * Thunder_Strike still staring at the dish it is soon snapped out of it by the busted glass.
[19:22] <North_Star> "I didn't think I'd grow to care for y'all like I do." He says, looking down at the ghoul. "Well, shit."
[19:22] <~Blackberry_Jam> "Yeah. Well played."
[19:24] * North_Star sighs. "Forgot those things like noise." He watches it. "Think if we keep it down, it'll just move on?"
[19:24] * Strawberry_Daiquiri quitely says "that's bad", and draws her 9mm pistol.
[19:24] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The ghoul sniffs the air around the bottle, it stares  toward the base of the stairway. It stops, simply staring, unmoving.
[19:24] * Blackberry_Jam gives a nod in the affirmative, and silently loads a magazine of slug rounds into her shotgun.
[19:25] * Snack_Cake glances toward the sound of shattered glass. She's a little lost in her own head, so she's a little confused about what's going on.
[19:25] * North_Star waves a hoof back towards the group, signalling them to keep their heads down. He raises his rifle, keeping the barrel pointed towards the ghoul.
[19:27] * Thunder_Strike walks to Blackberry_Jam. "W...what's going on?"
[19:27] * Scrap not sure what's going on, but trusting North_Star, keeps still and waits.
[19:27] * Blackberry_Jam shushes Thunder_Strike by putting a hoof over her mouth. "Shhhh."
[19:28] * Strawberry_Daiquiri ducks down
[19:30] * Snack_Cake has no problems with keeping her head down. Doesn't stop her from being confused, though!
[19:31] * Thunder_Strike looks at her then starts to speak but thinks about it. She's being quiet so something must be close.
[19:35] * North_Star keeps his eyes on the ghoul, making sure it stays where it is, or better, goes back to it's friends.
[19:35] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The ghoul stands still, returning to the blank, statuesque pose of earlier. Just standing, waiting...
[19:37] * North_Star shoots a glance at the empty moonshine jug hanging from his satchel, then to Blackberry_Jam. It's not the best idea, but neither is keeping quiet all night.
[19:38] * Blackberry_Jam lowers her weapon and shakes her head. It's a hell of a lot easier to keep quiet than it is to murder a horde of zombies.
[19:39] * North_Star nods, keeping an eye and a sight on the ghoul.
[19:42] <Thunder_Strike>  /me just starts thinking then whispers into BJ's ear. "Maybe we could distract them somehow?"
[19:42] * Blackberry_Jam settles down and opens her book. "No." she mutters.
[19:44] * Thunder_Strike "I could lure the ghouls away." She says to her still whispering.
[19:44] * Blackberry_Jam flips a page slowly. "No."
[19:45] * Scrap seeing Blackberry_Jam relax a bit, quitly approaches to see what's going on.
[19:45] * North_Star shakes his head. "Too risky," He says, keeping his voice low. "I'd rather watch one than deal with the rest."
[19:47] * Snack_Cake doesn't say anything. She just glances around at everypony, patiently waiting for somepony to tell her what the problem is.
[19:51] * Scrap takes a look over the edge and sees the ghoul then asks Blackberry_Jam, "does it have a path to get up here?"
[19:52] * Blackberry_Jam nods, and says very quietly, "Yes. But let's not give it a -reason- to get up here, okay?"
[19:53] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The Ghoul is sedientary at the bottom of the water tower. The stairs are near it, but it hasn't made a move toward them, or any move since coming out.
[19:53] <Scrap> "No, I just mean that if we maybe lock that gate and stay quiet, it'll likely stay down there."
[19:54] * North_Star looks over at Blackberry_Jam. "It's my fault, I'll watch it. You go get some shut-eye."
[19:56] * Thunder_Strike sits there staring at the ghoul.
[19:56] * Blackberry_Jam is already ready for bed. "Everypony should do the same. I'll take the second watch."
[19:57] * North_Star looks back at the ghoul, keeping his rifle close at hoof. Well... More in his hooves, and pointed at the ghoul.
[19:58] * Snack_Cake bites her lower lip out of nervousness. So something's down there. She doesn't know what. And it scares her. They've been dangerous places before... but never had to sleep with something dangerous so close by!
[19:59] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The lethargic ghoul hasn't moved since its dash from the facility. It just stares and waits, oblivious and alert at the same time.
[20:00] * Scrap while finding a corner and laying out his bed roll. "I'll take second watch too."
[20:00] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  A faint voice comes through Snack_Cake's speakers. "Biometrics indicate stress, are you alright, Snack_Cake 'D'?"
[20:01] * Snack_Cake is even more stressed at the sound of that voice. She hides her head between her hooves and mutters quietly, "Go away... go away... please go away..."
[20:01] * North_Star blinks, sighing. This was going to be a long night.
[20:01] * Strawberry_Daiquiri quietly says "Somepony shut that thing up"
[20:02] * Blackberry_Jam lowers her beret over her eyes and rests her book on her chest.
[20:06] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The night goes by uneventfully as the ghoul at the base stands his silent vigil, never venturing from its spot. The black of night gives way to the grey of the morning.
[20:06] * Thunder_Strike has been watching the ghoul the whole time. So it's clear she's taking the first watch.
[20:08] * Blackberry_Jam slowly rises to take the second watch with Scrap. She's slipped regualr buckshot back into her gun, after noticing a certain feature a certain stallion forgot to mention.
[20:09] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Considering her bartering methods, it isn't surprising something might be lost in translation. Although it was most likely mentioned.
[20:10] * North_Star had shifted off the sleep, not moving from his spot, when Jam took the watch. When morning came around, he was still there, curled up in the corner with his rifle.
[20:10] * Scrap pulls out his book when it becomes bright enough to read.
[20:10] * Blackberry_Jam eyes the literature in Scrap's hooves.
[20:11] * Scrap hoofs it too her to take a look at, it'sthe Lord of the Reigns.
[20:11] * Blackberry_Jam blinky blinks. "Well... hot damn..."
[20:12] * Scrap happy to have an actual pleasant conversation with her. "What are you reading?"
[20:13] * Blackberry_Jam offers her book to him. The simple cover reads "Faust."
[20:13] * Scrap takes it and opens it, "what's it about?"
[20:15] * Blackberry_Jam puts the Lord of the Reigns in her lap. "Well, it's about an author who tries to write the best story she can to please her massive, raving audience. Slowly, thinking she's unable to satisfy anyone she... Well... I don't want to ruin the ending."
[20:15] * Thunder_Strike eventually falls asleep. Giving her position to Scrap.
[20:16] * Snack_Cake took a long time to fall asleep. She hasn't woken up yet, either.
[20:17] <Scrap> "Can I borrow it? You can have that one, I've already read it, but I'll want it back eventially."
[20:18] * Blackberry_Jam chuckles, muttering something about how she isn't a library, but nods and tucks the book away. "Sure. Just make sure I get that one back in one piece."
[20:19] * Scrap smile, "thanks. I love reading, even if I'm not that good at it."
[20:20] * Blackberry_Jam smiles just faintly back. "It's nice to see some other ponies that enjoy reading. Oh... some bits of that book are in Germane, so if you need help with any of the words, just ask."
[20:21] * Scrap after a few seconds. "Hay, Blackberry? Can you read some of it to me now?"
[20:22] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The light of the sunrise breaks through the hole in the clouds, with no pegasi to close it, it remains open. Three days...
[20:25] * Blackberry_Jam shrugs a little. "I... guess." She flips open to the first page, which is entirely in Germane. "Hören Sie, Freunde, ich eine Geschichte von Leid zu erzählen haben... That means... something like 'Listen friends, for I have a sad story to tell.'"
[20:26] * North_Star stirs when the light hits his face, he grumbles a string of obsenities while he turned away from the opening to rub his eyes.
[20:26] * Scrap lays down, still with a smile, and listens intently, enjoying sharing a moment with her that doesn't involve yelling and insults.
[20:27] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  A cosmic coincidence occurs, the sunlight hits the dish iand is magnified as it is redirected to North_Star's eyes.
[20:29] * North_Star shields his eyes with his hoof, swearing again as he stands up. With a stretch, he looked back to Blackberry_Jam and Scrap, kinda happy they were getting along.
[20:30] * Blackberry_Jam continues down the page. "Mein Name ist nicht von Bedeutung, aber wenn Sie wissen müssen, bin ich Faust... Which is 'My name doesn't matter, but if you have to know, I am Faust."
[20:31] * Scrap looks at North_Star after the commotion still listening the Blackberry_Jam.
[20:34] * Blackberry_Jam turns slightly. "Hangover, I bet."
[20:35] <Scrap> "Oh, that's one of the reasons that my master gave for staying away from that stuff."
[20:35] * North_Star shook his head, turning to face the two when he reaches the safty of the shade. "I ain't used to all the sunlight around here, especially in the morning."
[20:36] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The solitary ghoul remains at the base of the stairs.
[20:36] * Thunder_Strike sits up and rubs her eye. She looks at Blackberry_Jam then stands up. "Take it he's still there huh?"
[20:37] * Blackberry_Jam frowns and nods to Thunder_Strike. "Yep..."
[20:38] * Snack_Cake is probably gonna be asleep for a while yet, judging by the time it took her to fall asleep in the first place.
[20:39] * North_Star sighs, still bummed about that. "Well. What're we gonna do about our little, rotting friend down there?
[20:39] <Scrap> "Is there another way down? We should leave him if we can."
[20:39] <Thunder_Strike> "See told you he isn't going to move. You apparently haven't read "escape from zombie island." Have you?" She says softly.
[20:40] * Blackberry_Jam scrunches her nose. "No... no I haven't. How much can you carry, Featherduster?"
[20:43] * North_Star walks back to the enterance, shielding his eyes from the light. "We could try to take it out without making any noise."
[20:45] * Blackberry_Jam looks around, noticing the lack of suppressors on any of their firearms. "Doubtful."
[20:46] * North_Star shrugs, "Well, I know of two of us that could punch it out, and one of us that could charge it before it can blink."
[20:47] * Thunder_Strike "um... I dunno... Why?" She asks softly.
[20:47] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam and Thunder_Strike can hear a voice from down below.
[20:47] * Blackberry_Jam shoots him a glare. "Well, you are thinking, but you're still not thinking clearly. Any sort of commotion and that thing will probably start screeching and-"
[20:48] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The voice calls. "Mrs. Tapioca! There you are!"
[20:49] <Thunder_Strike> "Hmm?" Looks over the edge. "Where's that voice coming from?"
[20:50] * Blackberry_Jam looks over too. "What in the hell..."
[20:50] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Down below, another ghoul has come from inside the old retirement home, the tattered remains of a nurse's uniform partly covering her.
[20:51] * Blackberry_Jam blinks again. "So... do we all remember that ghoul from the Graveyard?"
[20:52] * North_Star doesn't notice the sound, he does notice the two of his group looking down. "Ghoul? Graveyard? No, I don't seem to."
[20:52] * Thunder_Strike "yeah... Why? Wait... That ones talking. There not zombies."
[20:53] * Scrap simply keeps quiet.
[20:53] * Blackberry_Jam waves a hoof at North_Star dismissively. "You weren't around yet... but we met a talking, sentient ghoul... with a sledgehammer."
[20:54] * North_Star blinks twice. "Ghoul? Sledgehammer? What in the fuck?"
[20:55] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "You know you aren't supposed to leave the residence! I was so worried! Let's get you inside..." The nurse nudges the other old ghoul, who gives some kinda garbled, inaudible response from your location.
[20:56] * Blackberry_Jam blinks too. "I think... these might be some more of them..."
[20:57] * North_Star nodded. "Is that one at least not going to smash our heads in?"
[20:57] * Thunder_Strike "you really thing so?" She says watching the ghouls.
[20:57] * Blackberry_Jam shakes her head. "It doesn't look like it." She slowly moves towards the entrance.
[20:59] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The "older" ghoul, while not resisting, isn't that swift to be corraled. The group could make the few spiraling laps required to get to the ground level before they get back inside.
[21:01] * Blackberry_Jam begins to slowly descend the staircase. "Somepony get Snack and tell her we're leaving." She thinks for a moment. "Don't mention the ghouls."
[21:01] * North_Star follows Blackberry_Jam, getting alongside her. "Hey, about last night."
[21:03] * Strawberry_Daiquiri follows the heard
[21:03] * Blackberry_Jam flicks an ear at North_Star. "What about it?"
[21:03] * Scrap follows after making sure that Strawberry_Daiquiri is awake and aware.
[21:05] * North_Star tips his hat to protect against the morning sun. "I don't remember a lot from my drinking endevors, but I remembered enough." He says, "Ya've got every right to be pissed at me Jam."
[21:05] * Thunder_Strike follows Blackberry_Jam down. "I can fly you down BJ."
[21:05] * Strawberry_Daiquiri says quietlly "I am awake" to scrap
[21:06] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The nurse gets the confused Mrs. Tapioca back into the facility.
[21:07] * Blackberry_Jam shakes her head. "It's fine, Featherduster." She continues a bit before nodding to North_Star. "Then you understand that I -am- pissed at you. You've proven that you're not as responsible as I thought you were."
[21:09] * North_Star nods, "And I understand not every situation calls for a simple bullet." He says, "I appreciate you sayin' something before I did something I would regret, again."
[21:09] * Thunder_Strike looks between them. "Uh... Ok then. I think I'll fly down and catch the nurses attention." She says then lifts off and flus down to the ground.
[21:10] * Blackberry_Jam reaches out and yanks Thunder_Strike's tail. "Cripes, Featherduster! Have we -all- stopped thinking?"
[21:11] * Scrap seeing Thunder_Strike go down, gives Blackberry_Jam a look hat asks if he should follow.
[21:12] * Snack_Cake remains asleep and un-awoken.
[21:14] * Thunder_Strike is yanked back up. "Says the mare that's shouting. I wasn't gonna land." She says pulling her tail from BJ's mouth.
[21:15] * Blackberry_Jam pulls the silly pegasus back on to the stairs. "We don't need to get her attention. We're just going to get out of here and never come back, all right?"
[21:16] * North_Star sighs. "She's right. Let's just git out while the gittin's good."
[21:16] * Thunder_Strike "alright." She says then whispers. "I'm giving you and north time alone. I'm not gonna get her attention.
[21:18] * Blackberry_Jam sighs too, but turns her attention to North_Star again. "Well... you're welcome. We need as many clear, -sober-, heads in this thing as we can get... With Stripes gone..."
[21:20] * North_Star wasn't finished. "However. If I see any of you in danger, and I mean serious danger, not everyday danger, I won't be pulling any punches." He says, looking up at Blackberry_Jam. "And I hope you do the same for me."
[21:22] * Blackberry_Jam returns the look. "I don't think you understand what I'm asking of you, if that's how you're going about it."
[21:24] * North_Star nods. "I heard you. You aren't the first to try to sober me up Jam." With a sigh of resignation, he nods again. "I'll quit, if you say it's best, but I'll tell you it's bad luck, for everypony."
[21:27] * Blackberry_Jam looks him in the eye again. "I'm not talking about your drinking problem. Pulling punches when we're in danger is -exactly- what I'm asking you to do."
[21:28] * Thunder_Strike lands on the stairs and walks ahead of Blackberry_Jam.
[21:29] * North_Star blinks twice. "I'll be honest, you might as well be giving me a lecture in Zebra... But, I've been told it's a good idea to listen to the ponies who keep my insides... Inside."
[21:34] * Scrap follows just behind Blackberry_Jam and North_Star, listening to every word of the conversation.
[21:34] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Snack_Cake's PipBuck crackles. "Snack_Cake 'D'."
[21:34] * Blackberry_Jam stops in the middle of the staircase. "So. Nopony woke up Snack, huh?"
[21:35] <Scrap> "No, I got Strawberry_Daiquiri."
[21:35] * Blackberry_Jam facehoofs. "Mother of Celestia..."
[21:35] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Perpetrators' frequency shows activity. Do you wish to intercept?"
[21:36] * North_Star shakes his head. "I'll get her." He says, heading back up the stairs, "Good talk, Jam. Good talk."
[21:37] * Snack_Cake groans a bit at the sound of the voice. Morning came way too soon. She hasn't processed what the voice is saying yet, instead focusing on exactly how tired she is. She sits up, yawning.
[21:39] * Thunder_Strike didn't hear them stop. She continues down the stairs.
[21:40] * Scrap pokes Blackberry_Jam and points at Thunder_Strike continuing.
[21:41] * North_Star trots up to the sleeping mare, giving her a nudge with his hoof. "Rise n' shine, Greenhorn. We're rollin' out."
[21:43] * Snack_Cake isn't sleeping anymore. The voice woke her up. She yawns again. "Is it... morning already?"
[21:44] * North_Star nods. "In all it's glory. Come on, the others are ahead of us."
[21:44] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  TOM repeats, "Snack_Cake 'D'. Perpetrators' freuency shows activity. Do you wish to intercept?"
[21:44] * Blackberry_Jam trots after. "Right, we're moving. We're moving."
[21:45] * North_Star looks down at the Pip-Buck. "What's TOM going on about now?"
[21:46] * Snack_Cake blinks as she finally comprehends what the voice is... and what it's asking. "No... No! No more! You won't get any... anything else from me, TOM." She's shaking a little as she gets to her hooves.
[21:48] * North_Star gives Snack_Cake a hoof to help her up. "Still shook up, I see."
[21:48] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Do you wish to stop tracking the Perpetrators?"
[21:49] * Thunder_Strike walks along glancing back. She slows down to let them catch up.
[21:50] * Snack_Cake gladly accepts North_Star's help. "Just... go away, TOM! Please... I don't... I don't want to talk to you!"
[21:52] * Blackberry_Jam pauses for a smoke as she waits for the rest.
[21:53] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  TOM doesn't respond.
[21:54] * North_Star gives Snack_Cake a pat on the back. He wasn't the best when it came to tech, but at least he remembers a few things. "Snack, ask if he's got some sort of sleep mode, or something."
[21:58] * Snack_Cake just shakes her head. "Not... not right now... I just... I want to forget he exists..." She starts heading down the tower.
[22:00] * North_Star follows behind her. "Greenhorn? Snack? Got a minute?" He asks, not every day he gets to give the talks, but this is something a little close to him.
[22:02] * Snack_Cake glances back at North_Star. "Y...yeah?"
[22:03] * North_Star catches up to her and begins to walk alongside her. "I know you're a bit shook up, 'specially after what... He did."
[22:03] * Blackberry_Jam pats Thunder_Strike on the back, signalling that it's tome to move.
[22:04] * Snack_Cake nods slowly.
[22:05] * North_Star takes a second to find the right words. "You might know this more than I do. Doc always said ponies have feared things they don't understand or can't control."
[22:06] * Thunder_Strike has been moving the hole time. Just slowly
[22:07] * Scrap follows Blackberry_Jam, moving and stopping when she does.
[22:07] * Snack_Cake frowns a bit. She doesn't understand what that has to do with TOM.
[22:30] * North_Star looked up at the frown. "Wartime proverb: He who knows his enemy has nothing to fear." He recites from an old book he had picke up once. "TOM knows about you, yet you know nothing about him. You see what I mean?"
[22:33] * Snack_Cake knows what he's saying, but doesn't know what that has to do with what TOM did. "I understand that... but... what does that have to do with... what happened?"
[22:37] * Thunder_Strike walks along. She glances back at the others wondering what taking so long.
[22:38] * North_Star taps the Pip-Buck. "It happened because you're still new to TOM. You don't want that to happen again, so you're afraid to use him, right?"
[22:41] * Snack_Cake mutters quietly, "He took advantage of me... to do something horrible. I don't... I don't want that to happen again!"
[22:42] * North_Star nods, "Then instead of letting him go to waste, learn about him. Find a help function, some instructions, anything."
[22:49] * Snack_Cake definitely doesn't like the sound of that. "I don't know... I just... Not now. Just... not now." She gives North_Star a pleading look. "Please... Just give me some time..."
[22:53] * North_Star pats Snack_Cake. "Alright. If you need any help with it, I'm always around." He assures, giving him his rare smile.
[22:55] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The group waits nearby as North_Star and Snack_Cake  converse
[22:56] * Strawberry_Daiquiri has been listing to the conversation that North_Star and Snack_Cake_ have been having and says "If you want I can have a look at TOM"
[22:58] * Snack_Cake would prefer to have some time without TOM existing.
[22:59] * Strawberry_Daiquiri "Oh I can take care of that too."
[23:00] * Snack_Cake mutters, "Just... don't talk about him. Please."
[23:00] * Strawberry_Daiquiri "Ok"
[23:00] * North_Star shot a glance at Strawberry_Daiquiri, "I appreciate the offer, Kid. Could you tell Jam we'll be there in a couple?"
[23:02] <Strawberry_Daiquiri> "shure. Hey Blackberry_Jam North_Star and Snack_Cake are going to be there in a little bit."
[23:02] * Blackberry_Jam is pretty far away.
[23:03] * North_Star shakes his head. "I ment go down and tell her and not make so much noise."
[23:06] * Blackberry_Jam isn't happy to hear this news, if she can, even.
[23:08] * Thunder_Strike is standing next to Blackberry_Jam.
[23:09] * Strawberry_Daiquiri quietlly trots to Blackberry_Jam, and says "North_Star and Snack_Cake are going to be there in a little bit."
[23:10] * Blackberry_Jam frowns. "I thought we -just- got through talking about thinking... fine. Let's just stay here all day, then."
[23:11] * North_Star taps the Pip-Buck again. "I've seen these things do a world of good, Snack. This 'upgrade' could make it even better. You just need to conquer it." He looked down towards the stairs. "Just don't forsake it altogether, okay?"
[23:12] * Scrap remains silent behind Blackberry_Jam.
[23:13] * Snack_Cake mutters, "I don't think it's an 'upgrade', North... But I'll try... Just, after I can... get over what happened. Alright?"
[23:16] * North_Star nods. "Alright. Come on, the others are getting antsy." He says, staring back down the stairs.
[23:18] * Thunder_Strike pokes Blackberry_Jam. "Not that I wanna be that pony... But weren't  we going somewhere?"
[23:19] * Snack_Cake nods and heads down with North_Star.
[23:21] * North_Star walks up to Blackberry_Jam, "Sorry for the wait, I wanted to have a word with the greenhorn."
[23:22] * Blackberry_Jam rolls her eyes. "Yeah, Thunder, we were. Emphasis on 'were'."
[23:23] * Snack_Cake mutters a quiet 'Sorry' as they return to the group.
[23:24] * North_Star waves a hoof. "My fault, let's get back on the road."
[23:24] * Blackberry_Jam huffs a little as she takes the lead. Operation GTFO is go.
[23:25] * Scrap follows right behind her.
[23:25] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The group resumes their westwardly trek, they have three days to get to Slaughterhouse, and a two day hike.
[23:27] * North_Star takes up the rear of the group, as usual.
[23:27] * Thunder_Strike walking near Snack_Cake as usual.
[23:28] * Strawberry_Daiquiri is walking close to Scrap.
[23:28] * Blackberry_Jam intends to march all day. She looks around at the ponies behind her, and a smile crosses her face. "We stand alone, but stand together, strong as the mountain Currahee!" She sings, picking up the pace a little.
[23:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The group travels through the unfamiliar, but similar wastes. It is still dreary, deadly Buckago, but they manage to avoid trouble into the late afternoon.
[23:31] <~Blackberry_Jam> "Come on, we all know this one."
[23:32] * Snack_Cake doesn't feel much like singing. Instead she listens to her radio.
[23:35] <Mister_Clacky|GM>   The radio plays out, "Through the wind and the rain she stands, hard as a stone. In a world she can't rise above..."
[23:36] * Blackberry_Jam frowns at the apparent lack of enthusiasm. Last time she ever tries to play cheerleader. "Well, fine."
[23:37] * Thunder_Strike isn't good at singing anyway. Unless it involves screaming.
[23:38] * North_Star was busy covering the rear, since trouble liked to follow them instead of meet them. He never considered himself a singer, that was his Ma's specialty.
[23:38] * Scrap seeing the opening, "I'll sing, but I don't know the words."
[23:39] * Blackberry_Jam frowns. "It's not a song, really. It's called a cadence. Something you march to, you know?"
[23:40] * North_Star looked to the front. "Marchin' tune, eh? I might've heard it, hum a few more bars."
[23:40] * Thunder_Strike stays quiet. She's not really in a talkative mood right now.
[23:42] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Snack_Cake's PipBuck crackles. "Warning, Perpetrators in close proximity."
[23:42] * Blackberry_Jam smirks a little and lifts up her head. "It's something the MoP would sing on marches. Well, that's what the book said, anyway. It goes like... 'First in the fighting, friendship uniting, the vanguard of the MoP! Our group will neve know defeat, we are the toughest the-" She stops. "Perpetrators..."
[23:43] * North_Star rolls his eyes and looks around. "Well shit. Not this crock again."
[23:46] * Blackberry_Jam has her shotgun raised in a flash.
[23:46] * Snack_Cake doesn't like the sound of that. She looks around for the mark on her EFS.
[23:47] * Thunder_Strike "again?" She says looking back at Snack_Cake
[23:48] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Perpetrators' frequency in use. Do you want to gain access?"
[23:50] * Blackberry_Jam looks to Snack, her eyes a little pleasing. "Snack, I know that you really want TOM to go away, and never use you again... but we need to be on that frequency before we... get blown up again."
[23:51] * Snack_Cake doesn't like it, but... If Blackberry_Jam wants her to... "Y...yes please... TOM."
[23:52] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Accessing
[23:52] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  ...
[23:52] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  ..
[23:52] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  .
[23:52] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Low garbled voices come out, it's not understandable. "Boosting signal."
[23:53] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The audio is staticy, but discernable. "Are you sure?" Comes a female voice.
[23:53] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Are you questioning an order?" A stallion replies.
[23:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "No... Never, Master."
[23:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  There are a few moments of silence.
[23:54] * Blackberry_Jam readies herself for... something.
[23:55] * North_Star approaches the front of the group, listening into the conversation.
[23:55] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Take the shot."
[23:55] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****End Session*****
[23:57] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  1000 XP. No karma changes.