Session 3.2

12[00:49] <@Damhoof>  -----Session 3 second edition-----Wishing_Star finally arrives back at camp, his former taxi driver gives him a confused look but ultimately remains at his post. Two griffins have begun shoveling away snow from the tentline and making a proper pathway to the command tent and outposts.
15[00:52] * Retrieving #Foesnow2 modes...
15[00:52] * Damhoof sets mode: +m
15[00:52] * Damhoof sets mode: +v Wishing_Star
08[00:52] * +Wishing_Star moves through the camp with purpose to give the illusion that he has returned with good reason. He makes his way over to the supply tent and slips inside
12[00:53] <@Damhoof>  Heartless, also known as Ruby ghasps at Wishing_Stars return but ultimately settles quickly. "What did you do? What have you done?"
08[00:54] * +Wishing_Star shakes his head; "Set myself up to get to the heart of the issue. However, your help would be appreciated."
12[00:55] <@Damhoof>  The mare openly grabs for a can of party time mintals labeled with Emergency. "What sort of help? I have a job taking the inventory you know? Provided I still have my cover."
08[00:57] * +Wishing_Star shakes his head; "The talons around here might be getting suspicious, so the Brotherhood wants to switch you out for the real Heartless before it gets too hot to get you out. At that time, you'll be well suited to take me right to the Brotherhood so I can introduce myself."
12[00:59] <@Damhoof>  The mare frowns, clearly debating whether she should take the candy or not. "Alright." She grabs her cloak and a set of stuffed bags, clearly she`d packed for the occasion already. "lets go then."
15[00:59] * Cranberry_Cookie ([email protected]) has joined #Foesnow2
08[01:01] * +Wishing_Star nods; "One moment." He sticks his head out of the tent and looks around. He eyeballs the distance to the treeline and smiles. He could do this. Barely. "Okay, it'd probably be wierd for you to be seen just walking away, so we can either wait until nightfall, or... have you ever travelled by teleport?"
12[01:02] <@Damhoof>  She looks at him as if he were crazy. "Teleport? You have that spell?"
08[01:04] * +Wishing_Star nods; "I have a lot of tricks up my sleeve. I just can't use too many of them before I exhaust myself."
12[01:05] <@Damhoof>  "Then lets get on with it." Heartless extends her hoof to wishing_star.
08[01:06] * +Wishing_Star shakes his head; "You don't strike me as a very touchy mare, and we don't actually have to be in physical contact." He pokes his head out of the tent once more to double check the distance to the treeline.
08[01:09] * +Wishing_Star starts pumping magical energy into his horn, focusing on himself, Heartless, and their intended destination. He visualizes the gap in the treeline he had spotted and flare's his horn with a layer of overglow. It was all he could do to keep from yelling; he had never tried using this much magical energy at once. With a flash, the two of them vanish from the tent
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12[01:10] <@Damhoof>  "I would very much touch.. To know you. Now that you know more of me than anypony else in this camp." She looks to Wishing_Star now that they are out of sight from the camp. "Generally speaking, my rudeness was merely a fasade." The two head towards the metro.
08[01:11] * +Wishing_Star blinks; "Oh, was it? Erm... one moment. It would appear that your mane is... a mess. And a little singed." His was as well, but he didn't notice.
12[01:13] <@Damhoof>  The mare giggles. "As is yours." She stops, pulling her hoof through Wishing_stars mane. Heartless gives him a devious smile. "Well, since we are clearly lacking a mirror. Could you fix it."
08[01:14] * +Wishing_Star nods and lights his horn up again, casting a simple clearning spell to get the soot out of her mane. "Well, I'm glad that went as planned. That was actually my first time attempting that... with a tagalong that is." He totally didn't want to admit he had never done it before at all
08[01:18] * +Wishing_Star wobbles a little as they start walking; "How long will it take to reach the metro? So long as I'm not actively casting I should be able to recover a bit on the go."
12[01:18] <@Damhoof>  "My, what amazing spellwork, hiding behind such a simple unicorn." Her flattery seems genuine, and Heartless appears impressed. The mare whips out a brush to do the same onto Wishing_Stars mane in return. "Why on earth did you join with the talons as a common grunt? It is not far."
12[01:19] <@Damhoof>  "The good thing about the metro is that the entrances are everywhere. Provided you know where to look."
08[01:21] * +Wishing_Star nods; "I joined up for experience. I've been rather sheltered most of my life, and when given the opportunity to get out and experience what regular ponies do, I took it. It seems I was perhaps a bit hasty in my choice of employers, but that is a result of simple wasteland naivity."
12[01:26] <@Damhoof>  "Well, it matters little. You are here now, you can do the right thing. You can discover the truth, and all of its ugly sides. I`ll take you to her." Heartless giggles. "I have yet to properly thank you for not blowing my cover outright. You may request any one thing from me, and I will not ask much in return. Except perhaps a kiss.." The mare is indeed beautifull. The two reach the metro entrance in due time. Crossing the path where Wishing met with his team. Gore and blood has been washed away with snow. Soon they come across a recently used entrance. Footprints similar to the ones that had laid traps in the mud greet them. The mare lifts the lid of the entrance and gives off a flourish. "After you."
08[01:29] * +Wishing_Star blinks and pinkens; "K-kiss? Um... er, that is... oh! Actually, there is somethign I'm curious about." He's quite clearly flustered and trying to change the subject. "I can only assume that when there was a reference to a 'real' Heartless, that you are an impersonator. Obviously a very good one to fool talons. What's your secret? Some kind of advanced illusory magic? An alchemic glamour perhaps?"
12[01:33] <@Damhoof>  "My illusionary abilities are simple and humble tricks compared with your gifted spellcasting, and I might share them with you. Provided you gave me the correct incentive." Her flanks brush against his, and her confident poise speak volumes of experience. The coy, sexual smile. "Why i could show you right away, but you would rather enjoy it in a comfortable bed no?"
08[01:34] * +Wishing_Star turns bright pink; "Erm, that is... you're very forward. Perhaps we sh-should focus on the t-task at hand before considering more... personal pursuits."
12[01:37] <@Damhoof>  "Oh? One would think this dead forest would bring out the wolf in you, but you are quite right." The mare speeds up her pace. "The sooner you know the truth the more you can help the brotherhood."
08[01:41] * +Wishing_Star nods; "H-helping is good." He was really far too flustered at the moment to consider why this mare was so interested in him. a small voice at the back of his head insisted she was a talented illusionist caster who appreciated his diverse magical talents. However, he was far too flustered to take up the offer so quickly
08[01:43] * +Wishing_Star has never been approached by a mare in this manner before
15[01:45] * Mirage ([email protected]) Quit (Connection closed)
12[01:47] <@Damhoof>  The mare and wishing_Star decend down into the metro and are instantly greeted by the scent of black musky underground, while only modestly working lights flicker to provide enough sight to move on. "Helping is good. You are helping me already, I will make sure that they know of your gifts to make proper use of you. A rare case, of pony pinnacle. To think you can teleport. How wonderous." She grasps him by the neck with her tain and giggles with confidence as the tail then sensually flickers towards his nose. A tickling of honeyed perfume. "But first you must meet them and her."
08[01:51] * +Wishing_Star is on the verge of melting, or at the very least overheating. This was very... enjoyable. "I'm g-glad you th-think so. SO, um... who are them? and Who is 'her'?"
08[01:56] * +Wishing_Star apparently can't grammar good when flustered
12[01:56] <@Damhoof>  "Why the brotherhood of course, and their leader is without equal. The stunning Wild Cumulus, she might very much appreciate your intellect. They make water you know? If they had a the basis of a working matrice they might even be able to craft water talismans." She ditches her manticore robes and walk in front of Wishing_Star. Intentionally revealing the fullness of her bare white flanks while swaying deeply. The gemstone cutiemark, expands, and detracts in an almost hypnotic gaze as the two continue forward. their steps echoing in the damp metro. "Dont you feel warm Wishing_Star? You might want to undress for me."
15[01:57] * Cranberry_Cookie ([email protected]) Quit (Killed (NickServ (GHOST command used by DamnfoolBrony)))
15[01:57] * Cranberry_Cookie ([email protected]) has joined #Foesnow2
08[01:58] * +Wishing_Star removes the insulated armour that Heartless had given him oddly enough. His coat was even whiter than hers, as was his mane. His cutie mark, revealed by the undressing, was a comet.
08[01:58] * +Wishing_Star doesn't feel any cooler; "So, hydromancy eh? Sounds... impressive. I might take a hoof at learning how it's done."
12[02:04] <@Damhoof>  "Indeed, you will see it soon. The primary reason the talon company have yet to brave the metro. A marvellous wall of ice. The only one that might manage to get within would be that accursed hellhound of theirs, but fret not I have the key." She brings out a small bronze necklace. a chained icon of celestia raising the sun and show it to him by means of tail, so that he might never take his eyes of her flanks ever again as it sways with them. "when activated it will extrude such heat that you might think Celestia herself banished you to the sun, or a more proper analogy would be that it sets your heart ablaze with love. An unquenchable, everliving love. That is if you`ve ever felt such a thing. I have." She lets out a longing voulnerable sigh. "What I would ever give to meet my special somepony."
08[02:07] * +Wishing_Star actually has steam coming out of his ears right now; "Y-you don't say." He really hoped this trip wasn't too much longer, lest he do something... unbecoming
15[02:14] * Cranberry_Cookie ([email protected]) Quit (Killed (NickServ (GHOST command used by DamnfoolBrony)))
08[02:16] * +Wishing_Star nods; "S-so, how much further. The sooner I meet the Brotherhood and their leader, the sooner I can... um... do the thing..." he has no idea how to finish that sentence
12[02:18] <@Damhoof>  The two approach the ice wall. A gigantic frosty construct that seem to stretch endlessly before them. A rising fog of moist metro air and humid water leaks from the top of the roof. She smiles at him expectantly. "Here. Impressive is it not?" She practically bathes in the small drops that fall from the ceiling and then gets close to him. "I would give you this." The medallion waves in the air in front of them. "I will let you use my heart for this moment. My most precious item. I would leave in your hooves, so you may feel my love burn bright. However i must insist, that you touch lips with me to properly rekindle it." Wishing_Star knows, that this is an act. That the medallion will work regardless of kiss or no kiss, but she`s been at the forefront of his head this whole time. Seductively furthered her own agenda. He clearly knows now, but the moment is big, and its at this moment the mare expects him to rise to the occasion. TO follow her, and probably his own wishes. He wants this right? She obviously wants him?
08[02:23] * +Wishing_Star raises an eyebrow; "Okay, you may be pretty, but there is no way a scrawny little buck like me could have piqued that much interest that quickly? Are you trying to butter me up? What is it you really want?"
12[02:27] <@Damhoof>  Heartless sighes. "Really now, you ruined the moment. Have you no sense of romance? You did want to get to know the real me, and here I am. An actor for all intents and purposes. Might have pulled it a bit too far, but was it so awful that you`d not spare me a kiss?" Heartless sighes again, and this time looks to him in a serious, rather polite manner. "Well, at any rate, I do fancy you, and I would very much appreciate it if you`d visit me later for getting to know each other in proper." She grins, placing the medal at the ice wall and a passage begins to melt instantly. "I have books, plays mostly."
08[02:32] * +Wishing_Star sighs; "There's something you're not telling me, and i'm afraid I'm not goign to do anything unless you tell me. It's not that I don't find you appealing, but considering such a thing, I would have preferred some honesty." He narrows his eyes slightly; "I don't like liars."
08[02:36] * +Wishing_Star notes; "If you're willing to be honest with me later, we can talk. For now, just take me to meet this Wild Cumulus."
12[02:36] <@Damhoof>  "And the less that know /my/ truth the safer I am." Heartless grows a saddned and oddly fearful expression, and then turns to face the newly made entrance. "Not here. Maybe when you visit me. You have already proven yourself to an extent. If Wild Cumulus accepts you then I will tell you everything. I am sorry."
08[02:37] * +Wishing_Star nods; "As you wish. I'm sorry to disappoint, but despite my youth and certain naivity, I do have things I hold onto."
12[02:41] <@Damhoof>  "You and me both." Heartless giggles and continues forward. Giant rats scree with hunger but flee as the two arrive on the other side. A set of stairs lead up to a balcony and a guard stares at the two, his mounted machinegun at the ready. “Flash?!” he yells out. “Thunder!” Heartless responds, and he relaxes his gaze. "Why if it isnt Ruby and her guest. Groundskeeper Nosalis wants to see you after the usual briefing. he wants to know how long the guest will be staying."
08[02:44] * +Wishing_Star waves; "Hello. Name's Wishing Star. Miss Ruby seems to think I might be of interest to you down here, and I'm admittedly curious as well." He falls in behind Ruby and lets her lead the way
12[02:53] <@Damhoof>  "First Cumulus, then the Nose. They might think we lucked out due to the strange circumstances of your arrival." Ruby rolls her eyes and continues forward. "Church is in session?" The guard shakes his head. "You just missed it." Rows of tents greet them in the next section of the metro. A whole station filled with ponies. Only exception is a shared fireplace and something resembling a garage, guarded by a pony. There is more. Rows of old convenience stores and a subway diner that has been repurposed as a city kitchen. A strange world that makes one wonder why they didnt just rebuild on the surface like the ghouls. The mare continues onward as onlookers stare, and they enter a sidepath were trains obviously go to stop permanently for the day. The scent of fresh trees and the sound of trickling water hits his ears and nose.
08[02:57] * +Wishing_Star sniffs around; "Fresh trees... astounding. I didn't think anything healthy grew around here."
08[02:58] * +Wishing_Star looks to Ruby; "I don't suppose this is one of the fruits of those hydromancers, is it?"
12[03:03] <@Damhoof>  "You`ll see." Ruby points him further forward, and Wishing_Star can spot a train. Tools lie spread around it. A complex work in progress. The designer clearly intended to run it on spark battery, but its not finished. Another guard looks at them as they enter the side room. Immideately the pony is almost blinded by a series of amber globes on the ceiling that shine brightly with what is obviously resembling sunlight, and a large metal image of Celestia raising the sun stare blankly at them. Surrounding it is plantlife, clear and green. Fresh as. A Cool, light blue mare lifts off an orange and looks to Wishing with expectant purple eyes. She picked it for him. "You`ve been expected for some time."
08[03:06] * +Wishing_Star looks around and marvels at what he sees; "This is amazing! Fresh fruits, growing plants. Simply. Astonishing." He trots forward and offers a hoof to the mare; "My name is Wishing Star, and this is all... just so wonderful to see. All my life I was sheltered and told the wasteland was a barren place. This is the most genuine natural beauty I have ever seen."
12[03:11] <@Damhoof>  The mare nods and stretches out her hoof in return. While offering the fruit for him to taste. "I am Cumulus, and this is my small refuge from the world. I fear it has become quite the mintal for me." The statement is blunt, as if she has no intention of changing it. "The message you gave over radio was confusing, just how did Ruby`s cover get breached? She is not one to lack sublety."
08[03:12] * +Wishing_Star shakes his head; "Admittedlty, I was digging for information. Inadvertently, I was the one who might have blown her cover, so I took it upon myself to include her safety as part of my gathering of intel."
08[03:13] * +Wishing_Star notes; "In otherwords, it was my fault." he looks to Ruby, "And I'm sorry to uproot you like that, but I had a sincere desire to get to the truth of this matter."
12[03:18] <@Damhoof>  After a moment of gazing between Ruby and her leader she suddenly flops back to Wishing_STar. "Why?" Cumulus asks bluntly. "What truth is there that you wish to find? Your talon company has as much truth in their poster as you will ever find down here. We are besieged, and they are outside. Resourceful, yes. Trained. Yes. Numerous and growing with each passing week? Yes. They even offered therms of surrender. Very good ones too."
15[03:18] * Sgt_Apricot_Tarts ([email protected]) Quit (Quit: Verlassend)
08[03:20] * +Wishing_Star shakes his head; "I was led to understand that those down here were, first of all, innocent, secondly, those who originally dwelled in this city, as well as beneath it, and that the talons were only attempting to seize the area for resources and personal profit. If that's true, then I want nothing to do with them."
12[03:29] <@Damhoof>  "Heh, innocent.." She shakes her head. "The stable dwellers are guilty of ignorance. They would let the world rot while shutting themselves inside a vault, and those that left. That now call themselves brotherhood are guilty of being too few. While the ghouls lack resources. All of us are selfish, and in our greed warred amongst ourselves to advance our own agendas. The talons have all our strengths and drove the brotherhood and the ghouls together to make up for our weaknesses, but it is not enough. have yet to uncover the heart, and the stable dwellers have yet to realise that once we are gone, they wont be able to keep their vault shut for long." She pats him on the chest. "How would you change the course of this future painting i have drawn you? Wishful thinking?"
12[03:30] <@Damhoof> (we have yet to uncover)
08[03:31] * +Wishing_Star chuckles; "Maybe a little, considering my namesake, but ultimately
[03:31] <+Wishing_Star> (oops)
[03:31] <+Wishing_Star> *ultimately, the Talons are guilty of taking that to which they have no claim, are they not?"
08[03:34] * +Wishing_Star notes; "Selfishness, greed and weakness may be something of a guilt, but are they crimes worthy of being decimated for? Worth giving up what little you have just to avoid being killed for having something someone else wants?"
08[03:36] * +Wishing_Star continues; "I know something of being sheltered; I spent my entire life up until a few weeks ago under the constant watch of my parents. However, when the call to do more came, I took it. From my understanding, all must and will, when the time comes."
15[03:40] * Cranberry_Cookie ([email protected]) has joined #Foesnow2
12[03:41] <@Damhoof>  "So you would stick a flag in the ground and say they have no right to our resources? They have as much right as we did when the war started over coal. Take it by strength, what which you cannot get with love or tolerance." She pushes her hoof into Wishing_stars chest. "You are not the element of honesty. Nor are you celestia, and even she did not have the capacity to stop either side in the end. What makes you think you can succeed were i failed?"
08[03:43] * +Wishing_Star blinks; "Well then, what is your intended solution? Negotiation? You say they offered surrender terms. I get the feeling you'd have taken them if you felt they were fair as presented. How much would it take to make the terms satisfactory for all?"
12[03:49] <@Damhoof>  "Because it meant abandoning this place. It meant abandoning my work." She looks back to Celestia with a knowing smile. "Much like her, I would rather see it burnt to ashes around me." A laughter spills from her body and she looks him straight in the eye. "Give up? Surrender? Did you hear this pony Ruby? Did you hear his suggestion Ruby?" She lets out a sigh and wipes the sweat of restraint from her brow.
08[03:51] * +Wishing_Star shakes his head; "I did not suggest surrender, I was merely looking for confirmation that you felt doing so was ill advised. That being the case, what -do- you intend? And as for this place, I would as soon destroy a priceless work of pre-war art as a paradise such as this, small though it may be."
12[03:53] <@Damhoof>  "We must reach the heart. Activate the outer defences, and send every securitron and weapon it can muster at our enemies." She plucks another fruit from the orange tree. "The overmare should have the codes on her terminal or something. It was very clearly that the stable dwellers were intended to have control over it."
08[03:55] * +Wishing_Star nods; "How do we do this?"
12[03:56] <@Damhoof>  "By virtue of hydromancy she calls me witch, and has barred us entrance. Why the brotherhood itself formed from banished stable dwellers. That is why I recruit talons, for even if we are banished, outsiders are not." She looks to him expectantly. "They like to think they are the good guys while cowardly hiding behind their silly door."
08[03:57] * +Wishing_Star tilts his head; "Have you sent others in before?"
08[03:58] * +Wishing_Star adds; "Or were they all denied entrance?"
12[03:59] <@Damhoof>  "Yes, the previous talons gained entrance, but were sent away soon enough. Nopony ever managed to convince them of their dire predicament. Nothing short of blowing up their stable door might actually provoke some action on her side as they have all the comforts that are denied us within. Even a very convincing armory of magical weaponry."
08[04:01] * +Wishing_Star nods; "Interesting. What about a covert operation? Get in, throw the switch and get out."
08[04:02] * +Wishing_Star does still have his own magic recharger rifle handy.
12[04:03] <@Damhoof>  "We dont have the means." She looks around her. "Water and life, is what we have. No stealthbucks."
08[04:04] * +Wishing_Star smiles; "And if you had a teleporter?"
12[04:05] <@Damhoof>  "Even if you could teleport, it is a far fetched solution to think you`d be able to sneak into the overmares office, past all her security. it`s not like they allow guests to roam freely after all."
12[04:06] <@Damhoof>  "Maybe with Ruby`s help. Maybe." She nods, as a plan takes place in her head. "It could work."
08[04:07] * +Wishing_Star nods; "And if you had something to offer them perhaps? A bribe or gift. Something to incite them to at least hear you out. Unless... did you think of something?"
15[04:07] * Zuri ([email protected]) Quit (Quit: )
12[04:08] <@Damhoof>  "Please.. I`ve had years on this and the best i could do was lure out the gullible and naive ones. The overmare wont budge, and they are many. Big stable, lots of technology. They have no issue with their genepool yet."
08[04:10] * +Wishing_Star sighs; "No, I suppose that's true. I would ask you forgive my ignorance; I am not as wisened to the wasteland as most would be by my age."
12[04:14] <@Damhoof>  "At least you know that you know less, and are greater for it. The best course of action would probably be to send you and ruby in wearing pipbucks, from there you might be able to breach the overmares office." She frowns and looks to Ruby. "Though I dare not risk you, the greatest of our infiltrators or you, the newest addition to our cause just yet. The overmare is not so lenient as I. She would kill you both if you were discovered."
08[04:16] * +Wishing_Star nods; "I would prefer to avoid that. Not to devalue your cause, but I can't do much for anypony if I'm dead."
08[04:18] * +Wishing_Star sighs; "I spent most of my life being fed nowledge, now I want to see it put to use."
12[04:20] <@Damhoof>  "It is perhaps too soon. The surface still holds. Ghouls are fierce fighters, and they are lead by perhaps Equestrias greatest fighter of all. With our intel and the surface to air flak cannons we have managed to stem the tide, but it just for now. I hear the talon leader is bringing tanks, and we can do little against machinery or We`d have used it to gain access into the heart long ago."
08[04:21] * +Wishing_Star nods; "Well, then what would you have me do?"
12[04:25] <@Damhoof>  "We would either steal from the talons and use it to lure our ignorant stable dwellers to action, or pray for some luck. Maybe with time and the talons that came before you, she might soften to a persuasive mind. You should stay the night with Ruby and we shall think about this until tomorrow."
08[04:26] * +Wishing_Star nods; "Very well, I had something I wanted to discuss with her anyways."
12[04:26] <@Damhoof>  "I think it is time to release the real Heartless at any rate. Show him how you work. He might be needed for your infiltration of the stable should it come to that.
12[04:27] <@Damhoof>  Ruby nods at that and they prepare to leave with a small batch of oranges.
08[04:28] * +Wishing_Star follows Ruby, curious about her and somewhat eager to taste fresh fruit for the first time.
12[04:33] <@Damhoof>  The white coated mare with blood red hair and ruby cutiemark leads him back the way they came, and into another, smaller sideway called security. It has been redecorated with old carpets and the wall has been tagged with a simple little word. "Library." She rubs her hoof and blushes expectantly after opening the door, revealing a rather humble yet private abode. Theres a shelf with books, candlelights for lighting, a bathroom with no shover and a large locked dresser. In the end theres a matress on top of a table serving as bed. "In you go."
08[04:35] * +Wishing_Star steps inside and looks around; "Living in a library, now this does feel familiar. Reading books was one of the few pastimes I had, and most of those were textbooks and manuals my parents procured for my betterment and education. Unfortunately their overprotectiveness caused the knowldege I gained to be kept away form those who could actually benefit from it."
12[04:36] <@Damhoof>  "Its not much, i barely found any books worth keeping that were intact, but its something. I do like to pretend my shelves are bigger though."
12[04:38] <@Damhoof>  Ruby shakes, trembles with fear. She shakes it of herself. "Sorry. Right, lets get it on with." A green, magical fog has begun extruding from the closet, its not much but clearly visible from the unlit room.
08[04:39] * +Wishing_Star nods; "Though small, the sense of familiarity is comforting. So, are you ready to talk? If not I can... um, what is that?" He gestures to the green fog; "It's not a reactor leak or something is it?"
12[04:41] <@Damhoof>  She closes the door, locking them inside the darkness while growing bright green eyes almost radiating with a dim, cruel light. "No. It is merely the emotional residue of heartless as she lays dormant in a magical stasis." She sighes deeply with pleasure as the smoke begins trickling towards her. Ruby bring out a key. "You open it."
08[04:43] * +Wishing_Star nods and floats the key over to the closet, grateful as well for the light provided. He was honestly getting a little uncomfortable, unsure of what he might find. He inserts the key and opens the lock, the opens the closet.
12[04:46] <@Damhoof>  Inside the closet is a large coocoon, Heartless lies inside, her body fed nourishing liquids to the beating of a drum. Built up maisma from days of captivity flow out like a thick green mist and the former heartless. Ruby moans with joy, her body becoming black, and growing an insectoid carapace. "I`ve missed you." She lets out with a mirthfull laughter.
08[04:47] * +Wishing_Star takes a few cautious steps back from Ruby; "What is all this? What's going on?"
12[04:49] <@Damhoof>  The former Heartless, now a repuslive hideaous creature of black, green and complete with ugly insect wings looks to the ground with sadness. "This is the truth that you longed to see. I am not a pony. I am what they call a changeling."
08[04:51] * +Wishing_Star blinks; "A changeling?" He trots up to her, looking more curious than afraid. "I thought they were just a myth." He examines her from a few different angles. "A foal's horror story used to get children to do their chores and homework and go to bed on time. To think you actually exist."
08[04:55] * +Wishing_Star is now invading Ruby's personal space instead, curiously examining her wings, horn, carapice, and even the 'holes' (which he pondered the purpose of) in her legs
12[04:56] <@Damhoof>  "With good reason," she nods and seems to grow at least a size as the last of the green miasma is absorbed into her skin. "I could be anyone you`d ever desired, even Celestia and then." She wrings her hoof in the air so as to make a snapping sound. "I`ll wring your mind and suck you bone dry, or I could be gentle and spare you the pain. Leave you with the fantasy, at the cost of some emotional food in return."
08[04:57] * +Wishing_Star looks to Ruby, then to the cocooned Heartless; "She's alive right?"
12[04:59] <@Damhoof> "Wouldn`t be a good disguse if I left the original to rot would it? She is alive. Dreaming about love so as to gush out enough emotion to be worth keeping her like that. Why would I ever kill a pony?" She shakes her head and takes a cautious step towards Wishing_Star. "Unless i needed to in order to protect myself."
08[05:00] * +Wishing_Star shakes his head; "I see. I must admit, seeing somepony like you... to be perfectly honest it makes sense of your previous actions, but also opens up numerous curiosites. The desire to separate fact from myth, as it were."
12[05:03] <@Damhoof>  "I shall bring her up to speed, and then we get her back home where she belongs, but first i would need another disguise." Ruby answers matter of factly as she touches the cocoon. "Ruby on Ruby is fairly revealing, and nopony but you and Cumulus knows of this."
08[05:06] * +Wishing_Star nods; "So you just plan to release her then? I suppose that's alright, but now I want to know. The stories say changelings feed off of love by kidnapping ponies and taking their place beside the loved ones. Clearly there's some basis to that, but how does it actually work?"
12[05:07] <@Damhoof>  "Do you want to experience it?" She goads him on. "I can be gentle."
08[05:08] * +Wishing_Star looks contemplative; "Mostly I'm curious abotu how sustainance can be derived from an emotion. And is it just love, or can any emotion provide energy, with love just being the greatest for sustainance?"
12[05:11] <@Damhoof>  "I could leave you emotionless if that is what you ask. Love is just the greatest, the sweetest and to be blunt the emotions we suck out do affects our bodies in various ways."
08[05:13] * +Wishing_Star raises an eyebrow; "Such as?"
12[05:15] <@Damhoof>  "I`ve been living of Desire and greed for years, pawning my body just for a miniscule amount of emotion for these talons, occasionally returning here for my coocoon. The only safe haven for love. Already i can sense it empowering me way beyond that of ordinary emotion." Ruby cracks her neck and her wings seem to glower brighter. her hideous insectoid traits become reduced or get hidden behind sleek black exosceleton and the growth of a third and fourth eye, seemingly sticking out next to her other two vanish with a pop.
08[05:17] * +Wishing_Star blinks; "Fascinating."
12[05:19] <@Damhoof> "Aye, if possible i would leave her here, and screw the consequences." She cuddles the cocoon.
15[05:19] * Cranberry_Cookie is now known as Damnfool
08[05:20] * +Wishing_Star continues his inquiry; "And your mix of insectoid and equine traits; do you have some kind of heirarchy? A queen perhaps?"
12[05:22] <@Damhoof> "That time is far past, it was said that we all got together as one hive, my mother remembers, yet she is not here. She told me that with enough love. The love of a city, it would be possible to grow into a new queen. Dark and beautiful as the night sky, commanding a swarm of her hatchlings she`d break the cloud cover and all would love her or despair."
08[05:23] * +Wishing_Star feels a little awkward at that; "Curious; do you actually feel such emotions, or simply just emulate them in order to procure nourishment?"
12[05:26] <@Damhoof>  "There was never a time I didnt. What i do know is that a drained changeling is a dead changeling. Some fell prey to what you might refer to as cannibalism and what grew within their bodies was horror incarnate. Who is to say that my first emotions were my own and not somepony elses? It might be that it was merely given to me by my mother so as to sustain me like mothers milk? I think, I feel, and i get hurt just like you."
08[05:28] * +Wishing_Star nods; "I see. And you say you've been feeding off of greed rather than love... is it painful? Taste bad? It is a most curious way to derive sustainance in any case."
08[05:30] * +Wishing_Star notes; "And your attempt to seduce me earlier, that was driven by a desire for your favourite food? Or your most nourishing one it seems."
12[05:33] <@Damhoof>  She chuckles and invades Wishing_Stars personal space. "You leak curiosity, and other emotions have overcome your fear. Desire is, a fast food. You give of it freely and a lot more intensely than now. It feels like love, yet when it comes down to it does not last. What you gave me out there is most likely gone within the day. What came from that closet will stay with me for months."
08[05:34] * +Wishing_Star nods; "I see. So were you actually feeding on me that whole time? Strange, I should have thought I would feel something other than the emotion itself."
12[05:37] <@Damhoof>  "Just feasting on the mood. A treat for myself while we walked. I played to it to make it more intense, but you are right. It is much like watching somepony else eat while you sip water. I could show you proper feasting, but it would leave you strangely drained. Like mintal withdrawal and I need your help to transport Ruby out, unless you`d rather I kept her here indefinately."
08[05:38] * +Wishing_Star sighs; "Where are you returning her to?"
12[05:40] <@Damhoof>  "To the camp of course, after sharing selected memories with her of this past week." She heads back to the coocoon and continues to cradle it. "IT is strange, had you kissed me out there, we might not be having this conversation."
08[05:41] * +Wishing_Star blinks; "How so?"
12[05:41] <@Damhoof>  "I would have sucked you dry, pulled you inside and put you besides Ruby, and then fed you the fantasy of whatever you wished to achieve."
12[05:44] <@Damhoof>  She cradles her coocoon further as if hugging a giant teddy and looks at him with truthful eyes. "After feasting, i`d find out who you`d told. Taken your identitiy and done the same to them."
08[05:45] * +Wishing_Star looks taken aback; "That seems a little extreme, don't you think? I've been nothing but helpful to you from the moment I found out there was more going on than what the talons said."
12[05:48] <@Damhoof>  "You forced me to leave my life as Heartless behind. You made me beg, and then proceeded to put a price on the truth" Ruby looks at him. "What was i supposed to believe that you`d do once you had the information you felt you needed?"
08[05:50] * +Wishing_Star facehoofs; "I did nothing of the sort. I did not make you beg, you did that on your own. I only wanted the truth, and nothing more. I only asked for the items you gave me to cover for you."
08[05:52] * +Wishing_Star notes; "I assumed you were begging because you felt I was loyal to my contract with the talons, and did not wish to be exposed. The contrary was the truth; I told no one what I had seen because I wanted to get to the truth before passing judgement."
08[05:53] * +Wishing_Star continues; "I can understand your paranoia, now that I know what you are and what you have to hide, but I had no intention of exposing you before, nor do I have one now."
12[05:54] <@Damhoof>  "You said nothing of the sort, and even if i do believe you now, i didn`t back then. I`ve been around mercenaries far too long to suddenly blindly start trusting the guy supposedly only after the truth. Your naivete and selflessness was unpresedented. I begged because i felt you threatened my entire existence, and already before you left I had made preparations to liquidate you in the event you`d tell the major."
08[05:56] * +Wishing_Star nods; "I understand your predicament, and can forgive your presumptions given what I now know. However, I would appreciate honesty in the future. I won't assume I've earned your trust, but at the very least I was true to my own word."
08[05:58] * +Wishing_Star smirks; "I am called Wishing after all; naivity seems to be implied."
12[06:00] <@Damhoof>  The changeling laughs. "You have the truth now. About me, and what is going on here. You might talk with the other water workers, or hydromancers as you call them. Even get Icicle to tell you his version of how i slipped him party time mintals and helped convince the major of his scavenger trade. I will not tell a lie to you again."
08[06:00] * +Wishing_Star smiles; "I'm glad. I'd really much prefer having you as somepony to talk to, particularly when you intrigue my curiosity."
12[06:03] <@Damhoof>  "I guess its the time to tell you one last thing. The ghouls have been assembling at the northern tunnels for a couple of days now. They intend to launch a sneak attack on the main camp, and cause as much havoc as they can. Which is why I feel inclined to keep Ruby here. Might be that the major will pass her off as dead or dragged off as a prisoner."
12[06:05] <@Damhoof>  The words are spoken hesitantly, as if she cant believe it herself. Its a fools game. She just wants the emotions at this point.
08[06:06] * +Wishing_Star nods; "At which point you would what... keep her here for yourself? Or release her
[06:06] <+Wishing_Star> ?"
12[06:08] <@Damhoof>  She cradles the coocoon. "Theres enough sustenance in here for a year. If not her then I`ll need somepony else. Why not her? Why do you care? I need her." She speaks quickly, fearing the answers. Fearing that she will loose the one source of love she has left. "I dont ask for much. Just a year of their lives. I need this Wishing. Without Love how can I live?"
08[06:10] * +Wishing_Star feels conflicted; "Okay, so you need nourishment to survive. So does everypony, but what right do you have to place her life above your own?"
12[06:13] <@Damhoof>  She blinks at him with puppydog eyes. Lost in a half paranoia. It cant be helped. "Because I need it to live. I keep their bodies safe, they live happily and ignorant inside of it. Its fine really. What does the wasteland compare to what the mind creates for itself?"
08[06:14] * +Wishing_Star shakes his head; "Perhaps, but there's still two things wrong. It's not real, and it's not her choice."
08[06:19] * +Wishing_Star looks to the Changeling; "You're afraid I can tell, but have you given no consideration at all to even just somethign as simple as asking? True, you would have to choose your disclosure carefully, but this isn't something I can abide."
12[06:19] <@Damhoof>  "its true, i cant defend it on moral grounds, but what kind of animal would I be if i gave up water because somebody else might need it? I caught her, she`s my prey, and you cannot order me to commit suicide." She nods, agreeing to poor darwinistic logic. Resorting to a crude, survival of the fittest while hugging the coocoon like a drug addict clings to his dash or a drowning pony clings to a piece of driftwood.
12[06:20] <@Damhoof>  "ASking? Are you insane? Who would willingly submit their emotions to me? Most would kill me on sight!"
08[06:21] * +Wishing_Star notes; "You said you could be gentle didn't you? Or was that another lie in the attempt to justify your deprivation of another's choice?"
08[06:25] * +Wishing_Star is radiating disappointment and frustration
12[06:27] <@Damhoof>  She nods. "I can be gentle. The best method would be with a sweet candy at the sides, to combat the emotionless state you experience after a drain. Even so, not many would submit their most precious feelings to one such as me. I have gone starving before. I have been desperate, and I have done despicable, horrible things. Taken their love and turned ponies into raiders or worse. Thats why Cumulus easily found me out and thats why the rules were made. One year is nothing compared to how driven I was before. Do not judge me by your sheltered standards."
12[06:28] <@Damhoof>  "Only her year isnt up yet. Who am I to replace it with? WOuld you part with your happy thoughts?"
08[06:31] * +Wishing_Star snorts; "Just because I'm sheltered doesn't mean I don't know what's right and wrong. This isn't morally grey territory, it's wrong, plain and simple. If you can live with yourself for that, then I pity you." He turns away and moves towards the door.
12[06:33] <@Damhoof>  "Wait. Please. I know what I am, and.." She cringes and moans as if just pulling away from the coocoon hurts. "I need you to help me."
08[06:33] * +Wishing_Star stops and turns around; "I was hoping to hear that."
12[06:36] <@Damhoof>  She lies on the ground. "I shared the memories with her. She`s done. Pop the coocoon, then we taketh her away. I cannot do this on my own. Not after such time spent on the surface begging for scraps."
08[06:38] * +Wishing_Star nods; "If you're sincere, then I'd be willing to help. You're an intriguing mare, and it always pains me to see others suffering for things beyond their control." His horn glows briefly and ap air of bolts of magical energy shoot out, puncturing the coccoon.
12[06:44] <@Damhoof>  The changeling transforms in front of his eyes. Becoming Heartless once again, except the cutiemark is changed. The ruby is still there, only a cats paw has replaced the rain of caps. Ruby wipes her tears as the coccoon pops, and a wet mare falls to the ground next to her. Ruby brings out a clean towel and begins to rub the real mare down. "You are correct. I cannot live with myself. To live with /this/ weakness.."
08[06:49] * +Wishing_Star nods; "Alright. I'll do what I can. I'm grateful that you chose to give her back her choice. Where are we taking her?"
12[06:52] <@Damhoof>  "Back to camp. To her life as wretched and livid as it is." Ruby dons the manticore cloak over her near clone and thugs the mare limply over her own body so as to hide her features to an extent. "And now we go."
08[06:53] * +Wishing_Star nods and follows behind Ruby
12[06:55] <@Damhoof>  Ruby and Wishing_Star head back towards camp and pass the guards without much trouble. They dont make a habit of questioning Ruby Shade. The best infiltrator they have and as such they pass trough the icey barricade with no sweat broken and back into the metro.
08[07:00] * +Wishing_Star speaks with Ruby as they travel; "To answer your question, I might be willing to provide you with sustainance. However, you would have to promise me that you would only take what you need to survive, and leave me with the time I need to recover between feedings. And you must realize that I'm not just a feedbag; I'm a pony who's trying to help you kick a bad part of yourself."
12[07:02] <@Damhoof>  "I should manage." She expands hesitantly. "So long as you`d not leave me to starve. Hunger is a very powerful thing, and going hungry too long means i`d be.. Tempted to prolong my feasting, suck more until you spend even longer time to recover. It is a vicious cycle."
08[07:04] * +Wishing_Star shakes his head; "I have no intention of letting anypony starve, and yours is a food source that seems to be renewable."
12[07:05] <@Damhoof>  "Have you ever been in love?" She looks to him expectantly. "I mean real love. That burns so bright that.. Well, you get my point."
12[07:08] <@Damhoof>  "If you have a powerful memory, and use it to fuel your emotions so that i may feed easily then that emotion will burn less with each time, unless you had a partner ready and able to renew it with. I could easily change into your love interest and we could have a proper go at it, but somehow i dont believe you`ve had one."
08[07:10] * +Wishing_Star nods; "You are correct. The only ones I presently have any real love for are my parents, although I suspect that to be a different form than what you are speaking of."
12[07:13] <@Damhoof>  "Incredibly different. Parents are a hard nut to devour because while you hold them dear and love them with all your heart. That love cannot be rekindled at the same rate. We`d do best to find a third party source or you would have to find a lover that you actually love."
12[07:14] <@Damhoof> (Once you are done with your childhood that love usually never gets rekindled, as you are expected to find a special somepony to bond with on a higher level).
08[07:15] * +Wishing_Star nods; "I see. I... havenoexperienceinthosematters." he says that part rather quickly.
12[07:17] <@Damhoof>  "Then in the long run your offer is relatively useless to me, but the sentiment is appreciated."
08[07:19] * +Wishing_Star sighs; "Well, I'm still pleased you're willing to make the effort."
12[07:22] <@Damhoof>  "Yes, well.. There is one option.. If you`d be willing to try kindling that emotional tie between the two of us. Romantic dinners, sunset, reading each other books. Then again why bother if there exists an alternative? hmm? Would you go the extra mile for poor widdle me?"
12[07:23] <@Damhoof>  "Do you have sisters?" She asks plainly, as if the conversation they are holding is positively normal.
12[07:24] <@Damhoof>  "The baby ones tend to invoke emotional ties. The bigger ones tend to be objects of desire and lust. Either would work as a passing fancy."
08[07:25] * +Wishing_Star shakes his head; "Only child. Wait... romance? With... you? That's... a little bizarre don't you think?"
12[07:27] <@Damhoof>  "I`ve seen worse. My mom once told me she coccooned a child so she could drain the mother for affection and once the mother was done she went the other way around."
08[07:27] * +Wishing_Star grimaces; "That;s awful."
12[07:28] <@Damhoof>  "Well, we did what we thought we could live with, eventually you just collapse in on yourself. Like a flan in a cupboard."
12[07:29] <@Damhoof>  "At least give it a try. Should make for a positively livid change in pace dont you think?"
08[07:29] * +Wishing_Star looks intrigued; "What... happened to your mother, if you don't mind my asking."
12[07:30] <@Damhoof>  "Well, if you could imagine what its like for one changeling to have to constantly feed herself, then imagine carrying a child with you. Eventually she couldnt bear it anymore and left me to my own devices once i figured out the basics."
08[07:31] * +Wishing_Star feels sympathy for the changeling; "I'm sorry. I was somewhat resentful of my parents' over protectiveness, but that must have been terrible for you."
12[07:33] <@Damhoof>  "So why`d you leave?" She asks while hauling her ass out of the metro entrance and back into the snow.
08[07:35] * +Wishing_Star nods; "I felt what I had was being squandered. There were a lot of ponies out there worse off than my family and me, and I wanted to share what I could with them."
12[07:36] <@Damhoof>  "How did that work out for you?" She puts on the menticore cloaked Heartless as a jacket against the cold and looks to Wishing. "Never met any pony that cared to share as much as you."
08[07:38] * +Wishing_Star puts his armour back on. "At the moment, not so well, considering I joined up with the talons. However, hopefully I can do a better job with the Brotherhood now."
12[07:40] <@Damhoof>  "Maybe, somehow i just doubt a pony can change much. I`ve seen too many of them squander their gifts and turn to despicable acts."
08[07:41] * +Wishing_Star sighs; "If that's the case I hope I never lose my naivity."
12[07:42] <@Damhoof> "I dont either, its one of the better things I adore about you. Kind of like a comicbook hero or one from several plays."
08[07:44] * +Wishing_Star perks up at that; "You read comic books?"
12[07:45] <@Damhoof>  "I`ve come across a few, and I`ve kept the best ones. Mostly Superpony, but I`ve got a few Korzan the zebra savage issues too."
08[07:47] * +Wishing_Star smirks "Iron Mane is my personal favourite. Pony Stark is so brilliant."
12[07:49] <@Damhoof>  "I have no real preference. The villains never win in the end so how can i root for a hero that has a pre determined outcome?"
12[07:52] <@Damhoof>  "The way i heard it, authors went on mintals just to impress their fans with clever ways to solve a plot. I can go on mintals and make my own heroine too. Except she`d be tragic, dark and broody. I`d call her snakemare. She`d have lost her parents in a tragic accident that was infact the government and then wow vengeance on crime or something."
08[07:53] * +Wishing_Star shakes his head; "They still have to put forth a lot of effort. Admittedly, comics were one of the rebellous escapes I had in my foalhood when I felt my parent's study routines to be oppressive."
12[07:54] <@Damhoof>  "They were just a pasttime to me. Sorry for your loss. I`d let you read mine once we`re done here."
08[07:56] * +Wishing_Star smiles; "That sounds great. I would love the opportunity."
15[07:56] * Damnfool is now known as Cranberry_Cookie
12[07:57] <@Damhoof>  Gunshots can be heard up ahead, and a giant explosion rocks echoes through the heavens as they approach camp. "Looks like things got started. Put heartless in her tent. I`ll wait outside. You can do that right?"
08[08:00] * +Wishing_Star nods and runs Heartless to her tent, easily able to slip unnoticed through the chaos. After depositing her in the tent, he teleports back to Ruby to make their escape quickly
12[08:02] <@Damhoof>  The two make they way as louder more heavier weapons are employed on both sides. Ghouls roar with hunger and rage as griffin mercenaries cry bloody havoc and commands through the snow but above all of them a combat horn is heard, and timberwolves howl loudly.
08[08:05] * +Wishing_Star looks to Ruby; "I'm quite ready to get out of here and get some rest. Today has been... interesting."
12[08:06] <@Damhoof>  Ruby looks back at him. "Maybe. Could you sleep with me tonight? Knowing what you know?"
08[08:09] * +Wishing_Star nods; "I have no objection to sleeping on your quarters."
12[08:11] <@Damhoof>  "Its not a very long bed. I might be tempted to do lewd things to you. Like draw a mustache on your white fur with my pen." She says it jokingly, and even finishes with a laugh. "I guess i can sleep in the closet."
08[08:12] * +Wishing_Star shakes his head; "I can't grow a mustache." He chuckles
15[08:14] * Cranberry_Cookie is now known as Damnfool
12[08:14] <@Damhoof>  "I can draw one on you, with great flourish too." She then hesitates. Maybe thinking the joke has outlived its purpose. "Dont you have spells for it too? I`ve never heard of bald ponies."
08[08:15] * +Wishing_Star shrugs; "Or maybe I have a mustache but it's so white as to be unnoticable against my coat."
12[08:17] <@Damhoof>  "Maybe" She opens up the metro entrance and they head inside. "Maybe a mustache would help you find your special somepony. An authoratative one. Like a sheriff. The girls always fall for that."
08[08:20] * +Wishing_Star rolls his eyes; "Who knows."
12[08:23] <@Damhoof>  The mare rolls her cloak into her saddlebags and smile back at him. "You wouldnt fit into a mustache though. Not nearly as mature as you`d need to be to wear it properly."
08[08:25] * +Wishing_Star chuckles; "I thought not."
12[08:27] <@Damhoof> "It`d squash you with its hidden male powers." Ruby lets out a last laugh before activating the frost passage as before. "Thank you. For doing this and reminding me of why. I`d keep forgetting it if not for ponies like you."
08[08:32] * +Wishing_Star nods; "I'm glad to help, and thankful that I was able to."
12[08:33] <@Damhoof>  "We were to visit Nosalis, but he can wait for tomorrow. Its not important." SHe utters as they pass the guard. "He just doesnt like freeloaders and talons is all."
08[08:38] * +Wishing_Star nods; "I don't intend to be a freeloader if I can help it."
12[08:39] <@Damhoof> "Then you have nothing to fear." She heads for their room, and puts the oranges his way once they get inside. "Eat eat. It`s pretty tastey or so i hear."
08[08:41] * +Wishing_Star nods and attempts to bite into an orange with the peel still on
12[08:42] <@Damhoof>  Its sour, yet oddly sweet at the same time and the peel gets everywere in his teeth. Ruby laughs. "You`re supposed to peel off the skin silly."
08[08:42] * +Wishing_Star blinks; "You are? Then why does it have a skin?"
12[08:44] <@Damhoof>  "It probably doesnt want to be eaten so it pretends to be a poisonous fruit, thats why the initial part tastes so sour, but he soft inner core is sweet and juicy."
08[08:46] * +Wishing_Star uses his telekinesis to peel the fruit befor taking another bite. Wow! That was delicious
12[08:49] <@Damhoof>  "Just goes to show how nature is weird as hell." She yawns and climbs into the far end of her bed with a piece of blanket, yet leaves a majority share to him. "Just sleep with your back against mine. It`ll probably be fine. Else i can sleep in the closet. Coccoon remains are soft."
08[08:50] * +Wishing_Star floats out another one and peels it, then devours it thoroughly. He repeats this twice more before finally deciding it was time to sleep. "That was delicious. Such a treasue alone is worth protecting this place."
12[08:51] <@Damhoof>  Ruby remains silent on the issue. Even if it`d feed him, it does nothing for her.
15[08:53] * Damnfool is now known as Cranberry_Cookie
08[08:54] * +Wishing_Star lays down with his back to Ruby and goes to sleep
12[08:54] <@Damhoof>  Maybe his enjoyment of food, and derriving pleasure from something she cannot enjoy is enough to drive Ruby in a corner. Find out what Wishing_Star will discover the next morning. Find out in next session as the two go to sleep for now ---Session 3 end.----
15[08:55] * Damhoof is now known as Damhoof|sleep