The Trotting Dead - s1e006 - The Caged Magpie

[20:06]<LuckyLeaf>	===========================================
[20:06]<LuckyLeaf>	The Trotting Dead - Season 1 - Episode #006
[20:06]<LuckyLeaf>	===========================================
[20:15]<LuckyLeaf>	It seemed easy, amidst all that commotion, to just go into one of the empty houses to get what she needed. But as the glassy-eyed ponies gathered around the house and perch on the balconies, the situation didn't seem so simple anymore.
[20:17]<LuckyLeaf>	Junette was alone and surrounded, and all ponies seemed to have gone mad. Even the one she could see through the window, galloping full speed down the street for who knows what reason
[20:20]?	Junette blinks at the pony running like a batpony out of hell as she scratches her head unsure of what to do, she keeps an eye on the fast moving pony with a talon in her pack
[20:22]?	Swift_Hurddle breaths even, if heavy, practiced breaths of a athleat as he sprints down the road, slowing only occassionally to spare a glance behind him and take in his surroundings. His eyes also sweep the roofs for any more flyers. Dressed in slightly bloodstained school jacket and hat he looks to have had a rough time of it.
[20:23]<LuckyLeaf>	The glassy-eyed ponies flail at the entrance door, their knock less welcome than any salespony.
[20:24]?	Junette darts to a window and looks for a way to follow that half mad pony, it was a better bet the the fully mad ones
[20:27]?	Swift_Hurddle dodges and weaves through the street.
[20:28]<LuckyLeaf>	Junette can't find any exit, as some of the fliers await by the windows, but as Swift_Hurddle makes his way down the street he notices you running from window to window.
[20:30]?	Swift_Hurddle slows his pace and doubles back around as he calls out, never fully stopping as he reverses direction. "Hey, Anypony not out of there gord in there? Hello?"
[20:32]?	Junette pokes her head out into view of the stallion "Ah yes, helpless little me in here, do all ponies go insane after a while?" she deadpans
[20:33]<LuckyLeaf>	Punch Clock offers his back to help Backlash climb the fence back. She has her bags full and carries a thick book with her, The Lighthouse in the Nebula.
[20:34]?	Backlash smiles gratefully and gingerly takes his offer, hopping the fence.
[20:34]?	Swift_Hurddle waves a hoof as he reverses direction again, glancing away from the window to look out for any more trouble coming his way. "They do if they catch whatever it is these ponies have, some sort of sickness according to the guard we have talked to. Makes sense really I guess from what we saw at Glowrod Hospital... oh, by the way are you a griffin?"
[20:35]<LuckyLeaf>	A few  of the wanderers turn to Swift Hurdle, moving away from the window they were surrounding.
[20:35]?	Star_Spotter still keeps watch, ready to take out any crazies that come thier way.
[20:36]<LuckyLeaf>	The opening is in the lower floor, through the study.
[20:37]?	Junette frowns "No, I am a talking chicken, what do you think?" she keeps her eyes on the windows for a way out
[20:37]<LuckyLeaf>	Punch Clock leaps just after her, making his way to the home. "That should keep us going for a while."
[20:38]?	Swift_Hurddle rolls his eyes, "Well sorry but I have only ever seen one and he was a foreign exchange student that didnt talk to me much. Anyway are you ok up there?"
[20:39]<LuckyLeaf>	The fliers face away from the windows, turning their eyes to Swift_Hurddle
[20:39]?	Backlash breathes a sigh of relief as she hustles back to home base. "Thanks for your help. Feelin' a lot better 'bout things now't we got some goodies."
[20:40]?	Junette looks at the opening "no... butt I think I will be okay out here" she darts for the new opening bursting out of the house she was... borrowing... supplies in... and sleeping in...
[20:43]?	Swift_Hurddle nods, "Oh thats good, See me and my group of friends dont even really have much anyway. Sure we have that guard and Miss Star has the gun, and with my distraction maybe some more food, oh and the house with the gate! .... but ya, your probably ok out here right?
[20:44]<LuckyLeaf>	Punch Clock smiles. "Anytime." He opens the door to the home. "We are back, how is everypony here?"
[20:45]?	Junette kicks her legs while in the air and smiles down at the young pony "how about you show me where your little group is kiddo?"
[20:45]?	Star_Spotter sighs happily at Punch Clock. "We're doing fine. Hopefully Swift made himself scarce and is coming back."
[20:45]?	Cambiance nods.  "And Rosebee is also doing okay for now.  I just checked up on her."
[20:46]?	Swift_Hurddle looks unsure, "Ummm.... sure, I guess so. I mean were just waiting for the guard to show up and take care of this anyway... but then again the rest havent seen all this yet", he says motioning towards the shambling sick ponies, "were not to far off though, can you keep up?"
[20:48]?	Junette grins and nods "just show me the way"
[20:49]<LuckyLeaf>	She flies like an arrow and the ponies only notice after she has a good Headstart. The crowd charges after her and Swift_Hurddle.
[20:49]?	Backlash is busying herself with stashing the supplies.
[20:50]?	Swift_Hurddle Turns with a Grin, "Well alright, here we go!"
[20:50]?	Swift_Hurddle turns again and bolts away from the crowd
[20:52]?	Junette follows after the earthbound stallion
[20:52]<LuckyLeaf>	You both leave the crowd behind, it moves after you but loses distance as you make your way back.
[20:53]?	Swift_Hurddle Turns a corner onto Rosebees street and clammers up to the large gate around the home and makes to jump the fence, "Welp, here it is!"
[20:53]?	Cambiance smiles.  "Swift!  You made it back!"
[20:55]?	Junette lands quietly and looks around "nice place... so what you ponies have some illness that turns you insane?"
[20:55]?	Star_Spotter looks out. "Swift you're back!" And then she sees the griffon. "With a friend."
[20:56]?	Swift_Hurddle jumps and lands with a thud on the other side of the fence, waving as he approches the building, "Hey Cambiance!", Hearing Junette he gives her a odd look, "What? well we dont bu- Oh, Hey Miss star look who I found, A griffin!"
[20:57]?	Star_Spotter nods lightly. "What's your name miss?" She asks the Gryphon.
[20:58]?	Junette smiles and nods to star "ah, hello, your... friend here showed me where you are hiding out, My name is Junette" she bows her head, a faint trottingham accent can be noticed on her
[20:59]?	Cambiance smiles.  "Hello Junette.  I'm Cambiance."
[21:01]?	Star_Spotter nods and smiles. "I'm Star Spotter." She says happily, looking over the Gryphon. "Rare to see you all to often here." She smiles lightly, trotting around and looking over Junette. The mare would be rather attractive if it were not for the fact she has small rings under her eyes.
[21:01]?	Swift_Hurddle leans against the building, still breathing a bit heavy. "Real nice to meet cha', Im Swift, sorry for not introducing myself earlier but better to keep things breif when out and about today it seems".
[21:01]?	Junette bows her head to Cambiance "hello, nice to meet sane ponies, Had an awful wakeup call" she smiles to Star_Spotter "well most griffins stick to there clan"
[21:02]?	Star_Spotter nods. "And what happened to yours?
[21:03]<LuckyLeaf>	"I am Punch Clock." Says a strong earth pony wearing a tie. "There are other two fillies with us. Upstairs, I think."
[21:04]?	Junette shrugs "Got board and left, not much fun back home and thats before the silly traditions we need to follow" she turns to Punch Clock "okay thanks" she keeps looking around for entrances, exits and anything of value
[21:04]?	Swift_Hurddle smiles and looks around, "So, how were things while I was out? Seems to be less of them around now"
[21:05]?	Backlash wanders in silently after she finishes putting away the supplies.
[21:07]?	Star_Spotter looks at Junette very closely. She didn't exactly trust her. She didn't trust Backlash much either, but a new person poses a bigger threat to her students.
[21:10]?	Junette takes a step back from Star_Spotter and meets her eye, she knew that look, it was the look of a authority figure who had a stick up there plot and a thing for putting perfectly honest thieves in prison
[21:10]<LuckyLeaf>	Junette sees the house has a front and a back door, and a balcony that could work as an exit. Most windows are covered, though. She also sees a pricy music player and a watch.
[21:11]?	Swift_Hurddle leans over to Cambiance, whispering, "Whats up with miss star?"
[21:12]?	Cambiance frowns slightly and whispers back "I'm not sure.  She seemed fine earlier."
[21:13]?	Swift_Hurddle shrugs and continues the conversation as he moves away from Star, "Weird, did anything happen when I left?"
[21:14]?	Cambiance walks with Swift.  "Hmm... not too much.  Backlash went out to search a few of the houses, and I..."
[21:14]?	Cambiance blushes.  "Listened to some music and checked up on Rosebee.  Not too much else than that."
[21:15]?	Backlash smiles at Cambiance. "Thanks fer keepin' an eye on the li'l ones. S'easy ta forget the simple stuff like that."
[21:15]?	Swift_Hurddle sighs, "Oh, well shoot I was hoping you all could find something nearby to eat while I was gone. So much for breakfast then"
[21:16]?	Star_Spotter stares down Junette for a moment. "Excuse me Junette, if you would be so kind to help me upstairs real quick? I need a fellow flier's personal advice on... preening." she feigns a blush.
[21:16]?	Cambiance smiles back.  "Heh, thanks.  I'm just... trying not to cause too much trouble."
[21:17]?	Junette nods "sure thing" she looks around then follows Star_Spotter upstairs
[21:18]?	Swift_Hurddle flops on the sofa, "Pretty intense run....saw allot more of those things out there, allot more!"
[21:19]<Backlash>	After the other two leave the room, Backlash asks, "So, you guys doin' alright? Everything good in here?"
[21:19]?	Star_Spotter shuts the door to her balcony after Junette comes in. She looks at Junette. "Alright, I'm going to point something out to you right now." She says quietly. "I don't care if you go ahead and just take off tommorrow morning. If you wanna do what you want, thats fine. But listen closely to me."
[21:19]<Star_Spotter>	"Hurt my students. I hurt you." She says.
[21:19]?	Cambiance sits down next to Swift.  "Really?  How many more ponies do you think are infected out there?"
[21:19]<LuckyLeaf>	Punch Clock trots to Swift_Hurddle. "We got some food from that house." He pats his shoulder. "That was some brave work you did."
[21:19]?	Junette backs up to a wall and blinks hard "Woah, what makes you think i want to hurt anypony?"
[21:20]?	Star_Spotter looks over her and trots up to the wall as well, close on her. "I'm pretty good at feeling out people." She says to her. "And I just get this gut feeling from you. You're a loner right?" She asks, remaining close.
[21:21]?	Swift_Hurddle smiles to Punch awkwardly, not used to being called brave. "heh, thanks. Just though I would put my morning run to use". Looking back to Cambiance he nod, "Lots! four city blocks both ways and All I saw not trying to eat me was Junette"
[21:22]?	Cambiance frowns.  "That's... concerning.  But I am happy you made it back alright.  Hehe."
[21:22]?	Backlash raises an eyebrow, but smirks. "So she's got promise."
[21:22]?	Junette scratches her plumage as she looks away from the mare "well, I do keep to myself..."
[21:22]<LuckyLeaf>	Punch Clock raises an eyebrow. "Maybe they are just hiding too. I wouldn't blame them."
[21:23]?	Swift_Hurddle gives his slighly achy side a rub, "Yup, also now that I thik of it its probably not a good sighn nopony has shown up yet to put out the fire at the old Town hall... oh ya, which reminds me, thats where all the smoke is coming from. There were even more of theme there"
[21:23]?	Star_Spotter gives a nod, pressing her hoof to Junette's chest. "I expected as much. But listen closely, It's not only my job to protect my students, they might as well be my foals right now. I care for each of them." She stares daggers at Junette. "You got me?"
[21:25]?	Junette nods quickly "you got it... Look I am just trying to get by..."
[21:26]<LuckyLeaf>	Punch Clock trots to the gate, glancing to either sides of the street.
[21:26]?	Star_Spotter nods. "So are we." She sighs lightly and looks over Junette a bit more closely. "So if you're going to stick with us, please do so." She thinks for a moment and gives a smirk. "Also." She leans in and whispers something
[21:26]?	Swift_Hurddle groans a bit as he gets more comfortable, "Had a proper sized army of them following me actually, for a bit anyway. Put on the steam and lost em easy, would take them forever to catch up. Probably just got lost"
[21:27]?	Backlash shakes her head absent-mindedly. "We're gonna hafta move at some point if they keep doin' what they're doin'."
[21:28]<Cambiance>	"Hmm.... I hope so."  Cambiance smiles.  "Sore?  You sound a bit tired."
[21:29]?	Swift_Hurddle nods, "Just a bit, going to kick back a bit and rest before I get myself a bite... if thats ok that is. Something about running for my life just took the wind out of me allot faster than usual, though I do think I might have set some personal records out there today for speed"
[21:30]<LuckyLeaf>	Punch Clock leaps out of the fence.
[21:31]?	Backlash leaves the two students, trots off to the kitchen for some quiet space and opens up her book.
[21:31]?	Junette blushes and nods "y-you got it" she turns to the door
[21:31]?	Star_Spotter nods lightly. "Thank you Junette." She says before looking out of her post.
[21:31]<Cambiance>	"Sounds alright.  Things seem fairly calm for now.  I think I'm going to go find Raven real quick.  Tell her who the strange new griffin in the house is.  See you in a sec."
[21:32]?	Cambiance stands up, and heads upstairs where she last saw Raven."
[21:32]?	Swift_Hurddle nods and waves, "Tell her I said Hello"
[21:32]<LuckyLeaf>	Raven is not on the second floor right now.
[21:33]<Cambiance>	"Hmm... where could that filly be..."
[21:33]?	Cambiance goes back downstairs to search.
[21:35]?	Swift_Hurddle has put a pillow over his head and gotten nice and comfey.
[21:35]<LuckyLeaf>	Raven is on the Study, sleeping with her head resting on a notebook.
[21:36]?	Cambiance considers waking the filly for a moment, but decides to let her be.  It's been an exhausting day for everypony... er, would that be everyone now?
[21:37]?	Star_Spotter keeps watch diligently, making sure to check behind her every so often.
[21:40]<LuckyLeaf>	Rosebee trots out of her bedroom, prancing carelessly to the living room
[21:40]?	Swift_Hurddle pulls the pillow off his face, "Oh, hey Rosebee, how are you doing?"
[21:42]<LuckyLeaf>	"I'm great!" She looks at the food and smiles. "Oh, did you do groceries?"
[21:43]<Swift_Hurddle>	, me shrugs as he stands and stretches, "Ummm, sort of? I guess I helped from what I hear distracting the lot outside so the others could grab some stuff"
[21:44]?	Junette keeps close to Star_Spotter looking board as she keeps an eye out with the mare
[21:45]?	Star_Spotter raises an eyebrow at Junette. "Sticking close already?" She asks with a faint giggle. "Good job."
[21:46]<LuckyLeaf>	"That's good! I guess..." Though it seems it went completely over Rosebee's head.
[21:47]?	Swift_Hurddle blinks, "Ummm... Rosebee, has anypony talked to you about what has been going on since you passed out on the train yesterday?"
[21:49]<LuckyLeaf>	"Yup, I was sick." She nods. "I'm so glad you helped me!" She opens a big smile.
[21:49]?	Junette looks at Star_Spotter and grins rolling her eyes
[21:50]?	Star_Spotter chuckles a bit. "So what are your skills?" She asks.
[21:52]?	Swift_Hurddle Smiles but there is clearly worry in his face, "Riiiight, well yes. You were but Rosebee there was also some other things that you missed. I umm.... boy I wish I had some help for this", he began as he rubed the back of his neck awkwardly.
[21:52]?	Cambiance returns to the living room after discovering the sleeping Raven."
[21:54]?	Junette crosses her talons and sits back "well, I did come from the griffin kingdoms... so i do know how to look after myself, I was also an... apprentice locksmith... yeah, got rather good at it but had to move on...
[21:54]?	Swift_Hurddle Grins awkeardly to Cambiance, "Oh good, Cambiance Im glad to see you, I was just about to catch Rosebee up on what all has happened..."
[21:56]?	Star_Spotter nods. "Alright then." She says. "So you know how to lock pick. In this time I'd say that's useful." She sighs as she looks for any possible sign of the police mare from earlier.
[21:57]<Cambiance>	"Ah.  Well, Rosebee..."  Cambiance internally sighs as she thinks of how best to describe the situation to the young filly.
[21:58]?	Swift_Hurddle rubs his chin, "See... well there are some other sick ponies to, but its not with what you had but something diffrent"
[21:58]<LuckyLeaf>	All Star_Spotter  can find from the police mare is the gun that remained with her
[21:59]?	Cambiance nods.  "Their eyes are all glassy, and their blood doesn't flow right.  It looks sticky and viscous.  And these ponies aren't... right in the head.  For whatever reason, they want to hurt us.  I'm sure the Princesses and the guard are thinking of how to solve it, but for now, stay away from any pony acting like the groaning ones you see outside, okay?"
[21:59]?	Junette sits down and sighs "So what about you 'teacher' what do you do?"
[22:01]?	Swift_Hurddle winces at how Direct Cambiance was but he supposed it was for the best, "Bassically yes, we saw them at glowrod before we got your medicin from a pharmacy. We dodged them till we got here and locked ourselves up for saftey with some others"
[22:02]?	Star_Spotter looks to Junette. "I'm sorry what was that?" She smirks.
[22:02]<LuckyLeaf>	She tilts her head. "Huh?" She peeks outside confused and worried, there is nothing to be seen. Her face slowly changes into a smile. "You are joking."
[22:04]?	Cambiance blushes. "Er, the ones that were outside, rather.  Just stay away from any strange acting ponies, okay?"
[22:04]?	Junette crosses her hindlegs looking up at the sky as she talks to Star_Spotter "what are you good at?"
[22:05]?	Swift_Hurddle moves to the window and peeks out, "Were being very serious I assure you, there not out there right now becouse they chased me off a while ago before you came downstairs"
[22:05]?	Star_Spotter nods. "I heard that, but I think you used the wrong title." She giggles before smiling. "I can relate to others easy. I'm also not bad with a gun. Add to my rather good flying skills and you've got a trifecta."
[22:09]?	Junette nods, not trusting herself to speak as she relaxes
[22:10]<LuckyLeaf>	Rosebee turns back to them and realizes they look too serious to be joking. "Okay, so-" with a low whistle, a flier crashes through the living room window.
[22:11]<LuckyLeaf>	"Ahh!" Rosebee stumbles backwards
[22:12]?	Cambiance gets up and yanks the filly back telekinetically.  "Stay behind us Rosebee!"
[22:13]?	Swift_Hurddle Curse loudly as he ducks, showered with glass. "BUCK! Cambiance get her out of here!". Turning Swift tries to line up a buck to the thing.
[22:14]?	Star_Spotter curses and starts to shoot at the remaining divers.
[22:14]?	Cambiance gets a tight grip on Rosebee, and starts to take her toward the study."
[22:15]?	Backlash is shaken from her reading by the sudden sounds of combat and dashes to the other room, leaving her book behind.
[22:16]<LuckyLeaf>	Swift_Hurddle's hooves strike with a loud crunch, sending the flier out of the window again.
[22:18]?	Swift_Hurddle looks out the window after it to see what is going on, "By Celestia it just flew right in on us!"
[22:18]?	Cambiance barges into the study and gently, but firmly, shakes Raven awake.  "Raven!  Get up!  There are some sick ponies breaking into the house."
[22:18]<LuckyLeaf>	"Where?!" The pegasus hops up, startled
[22:19]<LuckyLeaf>	The house grows silent again.
[22:19]<Cambiance>	"One popped in through the living room window.  Swift should be taking care of it."
[22:20]<LuckyLeaf>	The pony lies on the grass outside, unmoving.
[22:20]?	Backlash arrives just in time to not do anything. "What happened? I heard gunfire too, I think. Is your teacher okay? Are you okay?"
[22:21]<LuckyLeaf>	Rosebee pants , scrambling back up. "Wh-what...was..."
[22:22]<Cambiance>	"Don't worry, Rosebee.  It's okay.  It's just one of those sick ponies.  Swift has it handled."
[22:23]?	Swift_Hurddle shakes his head, "I dont know but I need help putting something over this open window! Help me prop the sofa up over it or something"
[22:24]?	Backlash 's ears flatten back. "The - the sofa?! Uh, alright, I'll try..."
[22:25]?	Swift_Hurddle looks about, "Well unless you see something ells big and heavy, im open to suggestions", he says as he looks around.
[22:27]<Backlash>	"'S not that, I just, y'know, I ain't the heavy liftin'-type."
[22:28]?	Swift_Hurddle shrugs, "Then could you check on Miss star or everypony ells in the study?"
[22:28]?	Swift_Hurddle turns and starts trying to put the sofa over the now shattered window.
[22:31]<LuckyLeaf>	This window is blocked
[22:31]?	Backlash nods and trots upstairs towards the perch. "Star?"
[22:32]?	Swift_Hurddle gos back to check on Cambiance and Rosebee, "Everypony ok?"
[22:32]?	Junette blinks and sits down on the sofa "ah this is nice"
[22:32]?	Cambiance nods.  "Yeah.  We're a bit frazzled, but everyone's okay.  Everything good out there?"
[22:33]<LuckyLeaf>	"I'm okay." Rosebee says, still catching her breath.
[22:33]<LuckyLeaf>	Raven nods. "We are all still here."
[22:34]?	Swift_Hurddle looks behind him to the living room, "I think so. I got it back outside and blocked the window... I dont think its getting back up"
[22:34]<LuckyLeaf>	Rosebee blinks. "Raven, you are here too?"
[22:34]?	Cambiance nods grimly.  "Good.  That was certainly a scare."
[22:35]<LuckyLeaf>	Raven flutters back to the study.
[22:36]?	Backlash calls out again as she walks into the balcony room. "Star_Spotter? You okay up here?"
[22:36]?	Swift_Hurddle nods to Cambiance as she watches Raven fly off, "She sure is, along with Miss Star, a nice pony named Miss Backlash, and a Griffin I found outside today Named Junette... oh yes, and a guard who come to think of It I havent seen around".
[22:39]?	Junette waves at Backlash looking tired as she lays down
[22:40]<LuckyLeaf>	"So... what are we gonna do?" Rosebee asks the others.
[22:41]?	Backlash looks visibly relieved, if a little wary. "Oh. Hi. You're... a griffon, right? ...What's your name?"
[22:43]?	Swift_Hurddle looks a bit awkward now that he is put on the spot, "Ummm... well I think Miss Star should decide but im not so sure this place is a as safe as we thought.... maybe"
[22:45]?	Junette looks at Backlash " Junette, you?"
[22:50]<Backlash>	"Backlash. ...I never seen many griffons, outside-a stories. You from around here?"
[22:51]<LuckyLeaf>	Rosebee peeks outside, still shaking a bit. "We have to call the medic."
[22:54]?	Swift_Hurddle looks away, "ummm.. im not sure we could get one right now, this is sort of happening all over, or at least everywhere we have been so far"
[22:54]?	Junette shakes her head "no, all the way from the griffin kingdom"
[22:55]<Backlash>	"Oh, wow. That's a long way... What're you doin' here, then?"
[22:57]?	Swift_Hurddle looks around, "ummm... Cambiance can you hold the fort here while I look for that guard? we need to talk about what we are going to do". Swift starts walking out of the room to look for the guard.
[22:58]?	Swift_Hurddle calls out, "Mr. Clock, are you around here anywhere?"
[22:58]?	Cambiance nods.  "Rosebee, I'm sorry, but we don't really have a doctor with us, and we don't know how to make those ponies better yet.  I'm sure the Princesses are working on a solution, but, for now, all we can do is try to stay safe."
[23:01]<LuckyLeaf>	Swift_Hurddle finds a note saying "Thank you for your hospitality. I need to get back home. The best of luck to you. Punch Clock."
[23:02]?	Junette shrugs "found my way here after a few years... one city is like the next you know" she yawns"
[23:03]?	Swift_Hurddle frowns and glances at the door, "Well... that solves that mystery"
[23:04]?	Backlash raises a brow. "You 'found your way' across the sea? How's -that- work?"
[23:08]?	Junette looks at backlash "well there was a ton of trade in silver seven years back, we had entire fleets of airships to transport the stuff to equestria" she sighs
[23:09]<LuckyLeaf>	~~~
[23:11]<Backlash>	"Oh! You're a trader?"
[23:13]?	Junette thinks on that "well i have sold a thing or to but not by trade no"
[23:14]<LuckyLeaf>	The morning gives way to the afternoon. Raven and Rosebee peek into each other, not saying much. The wanderers show themselves again, little by little, limping aimlessly along the street. You hear fireworks coming from far west.
[23:17]?	Swift_Hurddle ears perk as he trots out to the back yard, "Fireworks?"
[23:19]?	Cambiance walks out with Swift.  "Who would be setting fireworks off?"
[23:21]<LuckyLeaf>	==============================