FoE PNP G-Platypus Session 50

[19:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****G-Platypus: The City of Broad Withers - Session 50*****
[19:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Lazy.
[19:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It's a constant struggle to survive in Buckago.
[19:11] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  But on some rare occassions, the day passes by without a struggle and the night eases through til morning.
[19:12] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****Session Start*****
[19:14] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Snack_Cake and Thunder_Strike wisked the injured foal to the Clinic. With no Blackberry_Jam or Splotches around, they were left in the hooves of Chastity.
[19:14] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The young mare managed well enough on her own once the necessity of the situation forced her past her trepidations and worries and she set the leg with ease.
[19:15] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star and Scrap spent the evening along the wall, out of sight and talking in easy conversation.
[19:15] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The quartet of closeknit ponies spent the night in their car.
[19:15] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam spent the night somewhere else.
[19:18] * North_Star got up rather early in the morning, thanks to actually getting some sleep and a halfway decent hour.
[19:22] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star is the first to wake up in one of the cots at the far end of their railcar.
[19:22] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam is warm and toasty where she is.
[19:23] * Blackberry_Jam stirs, but does not wake.
[19:24] * Thunder_Strike looks at the foal hopping he's ok.
[19:24] * North_Star rolls out of his cot and began gathering his things, namely his hat and .44.
[19:24] * Scrap gets up and stretches when he wakes. He slept in his armor again. Only habit now that he doesn't have anything to cover up.
[19:27] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The foal is curled up with a cast on his hind leg. He stayed the night, his mother having been out of town with the caravan that is due back today.
[19:27] * North_Star walked over to the foal, making sure everything at least looked okay.
[19:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The foal, Jimmy Locks, looks in good health except for the cast. He's breathing regularly
[19:29] * Thunder_Strike is glad to see he is ok.
[19:31] * North_Star nods, leaving the foal to rest up to dig a mutfruit breakfast from his satchel.
[19:31] * Snack_Cake is setting out to see about getting something for everypony to eat. Nothing fancy, but she definitely wants everypony to get some food in their belly.
[19:32] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  As North_Star eats, he notices the cot he'd offered to Scrap is empty, the stallion nowhere to be seen in the room.
[19:33] * North_Star nudges his way out to the rest of the car with mutfruit in mouth, looking around.
[19:34] * Scrap had opted to stay outside longer in the night to think things over. It's nice out at night. He had found a nice spot in the open air to sleep for the night.
[19:35] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The critter-who-shall-never-be-named-ever sticks its head out of Thunder_Strike's saddlebag by the door. It falls its way freen and hops up on Snack_Cake as she starts her search for food.
[19:36] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star and Snack_Cake can see that there's very little going on out in Railyard yet. Slash is by the southern tracks, packing a wagon. The door to the Dining Car is hopen.
[19:39] * North_Star pats Snack_Cake on the back. "Mornin' Captain."
[19:39] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Scrap lays up on the roof of the covered overpass. The sound of labor nearby as Slash loads the cart.
[19:39] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The creature hisses threateningly at North_Star when he goes to pat Snack_Cake.
[19:40] * North_Star grumps, before offering a bite of mutfruit to the critter.
[19:41] * Thunder_Strike walks to the foal and says, so kiddo, how'd that happen to ya anyway?
[19:42] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The critter snatches the fruit and sinks its fangs in. The mutfruit shrivels to a dry husk.
[19:42] * Scrap looks toward Slash. It would be nice to see him again, but he's not sure that he should say hi and risk word getting out about him. Still, he can't keep up this lie forever.
[19:42] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It is very warm where Blackberry_Jam is.
[19:43] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Jimmy looks up at Thunder_Strike. He blinks owlishly as he wakes. "Stuff... fell on me..."
[19:43] * North_Star sighs and gives up the fruit. "Satisfied?"
[19:43] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The critter gives a noise between a yip and a bark.
[19:45] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash works at his task with single-minded determination. He doesn't notice he's being watched.
[19:47] * Thunder_Strike giggles at him slightly. I see. I'm glad to see your ok.
[19:47] * North_Star looks over to Slash, giving Snack_Cake another back pat before walking over towards him.
[19:48] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Jimmy smiles and scoots over toward Thunder_Strike. "Mommy will be back today. She's helping the train ponies."
[19:50] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash doesn't notice North_Star either.
[19:51] * North_Star strolls up behind Slash before speaking up. "Need a hoof, there?"
[19:52] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash motions to the last few crates. "Alroight, yeah?"
[19:53] * Scrap starts to walks toward Slash when North greets him. Maybe later. He turns the other way and just walks.
[19:53] * North_Star takes hold of a crate, hefting it over to the wagon. "Whatcha packing up for here, if you don't me askin'"
[19:53] * Thunder_Strike gently hugs jimmy. then smiles at him. that's good.
[19:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Jimmie wraps his forelegs around Thunder_Strike's leg and squeezes hard.
[19:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash looks to North_Star. "Packing up a favor."
[19:57] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Lariat steps out of the Dining Car, several cups balanced on her back as she trots toward Snack_Cake.
[19:58] * North_Star tilts his head, passing a crate to Slash. "A favor you say?"
[19:59] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash nods as he stows the second to last crate. "Yep. Gave Jam a deal on that armor in return for a favor, well, this is it."
[20:00] * Snack_Cake is definitely distracted. She's thinking about the colt, about Blackberry_Jam, among other things. She's barely paying enough attention to getting breakfast, much less any of the ponies around her!
[20:00] * Thunder_Strike smiles at him then pets his mane while she waits by his side.
[20:01] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Lariat gives a friendly "Howdy, Snack." As she passes on her way back to Slash and Slag's with their own breakfast.
[20:01] * North_Star pushes the last crate into the wagon, raising an eyebrow, "Would it be out of line to ask what that favor was?"
[20:02] * Scrap skirts the wall as he makes his way back around, thinking. He can't help but think about Berry. He misses her already. He was happy to learn at least one thing from her. Maybe if he could see her again, he could tell her about it. But, then again, wanting to impress her only goes against what they've all been telling him about standing up for himself. Maybe that was the point. Maybe not.
[20:03] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash grins, patting the wagon after closing the door. "Didn't specify, really. But I figured delivering this would do, roight? Prefer to do it ma'self, but with all the hubbub with the new ponies around, I'm needed here. Yeah?"
[20:04] * North_Star nods. "I suppose you've got a point there."
[20:06] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Jimmy looks up to Thunder_Strike. He bites his lip. "Are... all the ponies coming back for breakfast? I wanna say thanks again to... um..." He's struggling with names. "The pink lady."
[20:08] * Snack_Cake nearly jumps at the greeting. "Oh! Good morning... Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind, I didn't see you there..."
[20:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Lariat smiles. "S'alright, Sugarcube. Out and about?" She stops a few paces from Snack_Cake.
[20:12] * Snack_Cake nods. "Just trying to think of something for breakfast. We've got some extra company this morning. A colt was hurt, and he's staying with us for the day."
[20:13] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash nods. He moves to the front of the wagon and starts hitching himself up. "Yeah. Caravan comes in soon and makes a quick turnaround. Need to make sure this gets where it's going."
[20:14] <Scrap> Maybe that is the point... He stops, looking at the ground. She never explained stuff, but maybe that wasn't because she was mean, maybe that was the point. Come to think of it, his Master often wouldn't explain things either. He understood about helping ponies yesterday because he thought about it instead of just doing what North said. The realization strikes him. He really was an idiot just like she said. He's never been con
[20:15] <Scrap> He's never been confident to stand up for what he thinks, but that's probably why she was hard on him. She wanted him to get frustrated and work to figure things out.*
[20:16] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Lariat motions back to the Dining Car. "Well, the've got fresh donuts and pancakes. Simple stuff, cause I reckon they are short on things what with the caravan coming back in today."
[20:18] * Thunder_Strike looks at him and thinks. ''dunno buddy.''
[20:18] * North_Star gives Slash a bit of a smile, "Alright then, you be careful with that stuff then."
[20:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Slash nods. He leans into the harness and the wagon hops forward. He makes a looping turn and starts backing it onto a flatbed railcar.
[20:21] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  "Jimmy." The colt corrects as he leans against Thunder_Strike's side.
[20:28] * North_Star walks off after a few seconds of watching, deciding to find out who else could possibly be awake.
[20:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star can see Snack_Cake talking to Lariat between their railcar and the Dining Car.
[20:29] * Snack_Cake smiles at Lariat. "Thank you very much. Things have been a little... hectic lately. I'm glad for an easy answer to such a mundane problem!"
[20:32] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Lariat smiles. "Glad to help!"
[20:38] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Lariat starts to walk off when she notices North_Star and offers a friendly wave.
[20:39] * North_Star returns Lariat's wave with a tip of his hat.
[20:40] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Lariat moves on with breakfast for Slag and Chastity on her back.
[20:44] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Scrap wanders around in his thoughts, following the wall. He can see North_Star and Snack_Cake in the center of the square. Jimmy's stomach growls as he holds onto Thunder_Strike.
[20:49] * Scrap looks over at them. He should go say hi. It would make him feel better to be with others. He puts on a smile and heads toward them.
[20:53] * Snack_Cake gives a little sigh. She trots next to North_Star. "We can get something to eat from the Dining car. A little more sparse and simple than usual, but we can manage."
[20:54] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Jimmy looks up at Thunder_Strike sheepishly. His stomach rumbles again. "Can we get something to eat?"
[20:55] * North_Star shrugs, "Grub your little friend here doesn't eat is fine with me."
[20:55] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The critter hisses at North_Star.
[20:56] * Thunder_Strike smiles at him. ''of coarse.'' she says standing up. then offers him a ride.
[20:56] * Scrap makes his way over to North_Star and Snack_Cake. "Good morning."
[20:57] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Jimmy raises his forelegs up to her neck. He needs a little help getting on with his injury, but he manages.
[20:57] * North_Star offers Scrap a smile. "Morning, Bucko. Sleep well?"
[20:57] * Scrap nods. "Mhm."
[20:59] * North_Star nods. "Good to hear."
[21:02] * Thunder_Strike makes it easy for him by using her wing to help him on. ''comfy?'' she asks starting to walk to the door.
[21:02] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  As Thunder_Strike carries Jimmy out of the car, she can see North_Star, Snack_Cake, and Scrap all talking nearby.
[21:04] * Thunder_Strike looks over at the others and heads to them. ''wazzup guys?''
[21:07] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The smell of fresh pancakes wafts from the Dining Car. Jimmy's tummy rumbles loudly enough that the critter growls back at it.
[21:07] * Scrap waves at Thunder_Strike. "Good morning, Thunder."
[21:08] * North_Star gives Thunder_Strike and Jimmy a smile, "Morning, Thunder. Youngin', how's the leg?"
[21:10] * Scrap looks at Jimmy. "Who's the colt?"
[21:12] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Jimmy looks over at his plastered up leg. "It's not too bad..." he looks over to Scrap. "I'm Jimmy Locks."
[21:13] * Scrap looks at his leg. "What heppend?"
[21:14] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Jimmy looks over Thunder_Strike's other shoulder sheepishly. "I was playin' on the rock pile and it shifted and I got covered up..."
[21:16] * Scrap 's ears flatten a bit. "Ouch. Thunder found you then?"
[21:16] * North_Star chuckles. "Youngins will be youngins. Gotta be careful 'round that loose ground.
[21:16] * Snack_Cake hushes the critter and heads over to ask about getting everypony something to eat. She motions everypony to come to the dining car with her!
[21:18] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Jimmy nods, he looks abashed. "Yes, Mister..."
[21:20] * North_Star starts to follow Snack_Cake. "We all make mistakes, the trick is to learn from 'em." he advised the colt.
[21:21] * Scrap smiles at Jimmy as he follows Snack_Cake. "At least you're ok now."
[21:24] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Just inside the Dining Car, Stiffy is cleaning a glass. The waitress is fiddling with the knob on the radio. Light music is playing in the background as she comes up to the group. "Take a seat, I'll take your order when you're ready."
[21:25] * Scrap takes a seat by a window.
[21:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  As the rest move into their seats, the waitress disappears into the back. The announcer on the radio introduces the next song and a familiar sounding voice can lightly be heard. "Son. You've got a way to fall. They'll tell you where to go, but they won't know..." ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9hagVL-__c )
[21:28] * North_Star takes a seat next to Scrap, hanging his hat on the seat's corner.
[21:32] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam's voice drifts lightly through the DIning Car.
[21:34] * Scrap looks up. "Is that... Berry?"
[21:34] * North_Star looks up from the table, wondering where that voice is coming from.
[21:39] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Jimmy sits between Thunder_Strike and Snack_Cake.
[21:43] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The meaningful melody floats through the nearly empty dining car.
[21:45] * Scrap keeps looking around, hoping that Berry'll walk out to greet them at any moment.
[21:45] * Snack_Cake gives a confused look around the car. "Berry is on the radio...?"
[21:51] * North_Star looks over to the radio. "What..?"
[21:55] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The soft, emotionally charged song comes to an end.
[21:57] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The waitress appears from the back. "Sorry about the wait, what can I get you? We have fresh baked goods this morning." She flashes a warm, inviting smile
[22:01] * Thunder_Strike ''pancakes for me please.'' she says smiling.
[22:01] * Scrap looks around a bit before his ears droop, not seeing her emerge anywhere. "I'll have an apple sandwich."
[22:02] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The DJ's voice, or one of them as his voice is higher than the normal one, speaks as the song's outro fades. "A beautiful song for a son lost. That new music brought in by a lovely mare searching for something. I hope she finds it. Next is a classic from..."
[22:07] * North_Star rests his head on his hoof, "Coffee and eggs, scrambled."
[22:08] * Snack_Cake frowns a bit. "I uh... pancakes are fine." She turns to North_Star. "You don't think she went there, do you?"
[22:08] * Scrap listens to the DJ, not sure what to think. He wishes he could help her find what she's looking for, but he's not even sure how much of the problem he is.
[22:11] * North_Star looks to Snack_Cake. "Mare on a mission, she'll go damn near anywhere."
[22:12] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  THe waitress heads back out with their orders and comes back a few moments later. The next song is a Sapphire Shores piece.
[22:15] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  She slides the food in front of each of you. Jimmy dives into his food.
[22:16] * Scrap eats his sandwich silently, lost in thought again.
[22:16] * Snack_Cake starts eating, a bit slowly. After a few moments, she says, "I'm worried about Berry..."
[22:17] * North_Star takes a drink of coffee. "Me too, Snack. We all are."
[22:19] * Thunder_Strike nods after taking a bit. ''yes. we all are worried.'' she says then looks at jimmy. ''slow down little one. or you'll choke.''
[22:22] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Jimmy slows down, slightly. His pancakes are already mostly gone.
[22:24] * Snack_Cake gives a little sigh. She offers her critter friend some of her pancakes. "I just... I guess I'm still not used to the idea of all my friends being so readily in danger! Especially if I can't be there to help."
[22:24] * North_Star started to dig into his eggs, "Still.. We keep our eyes to the north and hope for the best.."
[22:26] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  There's a bit of commotion in the back and a big group of ponies comes in from the back. It's a lot of the former slaves along with Lug, Tug, Mush, and the three Bar brothers. Looks like the Caravan is back. The car fills up quickly.
[22:29] * North_Star looks up at the hustle and bustle. "I'll rather she wasn't alone out there, but she's made her choice clear.." He says, shifting his leg.
[22:30] * Scrap remains quiet, finishing up his sandwich quickly.
[22:32] * Thunder_Strike nudges Jimmy. ''see your mom anywhere?''
[22:35] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Jimmy's eyes light up and he turns to look at the ponies filing in. "Mommy!" A very large mare the group remembers as Mush from a brief introduction what seems like ages ago turns her head. She heads over. "Jimmy? Why are you bothering these poor ponies?" A brow is quirked.
[22:36] * Thunder_Strike looks at the mare. ''oh he's not bothering us. we dig him out of a pile of rubble.
[22:38] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The mare's eye twitches. Jimmy cowers back. "You /what/?"
[22:39] * Snack_Cake frowns. "He was pretty hurt when we found him... he was lucky we were nearby."
[22:41] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mush gives the colt a rather severe look. "Come on, Jimmy. It's time to get you home then." He hangs his head and starts to rise. Mush noticing his cast.
[22:45] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mush's eyes go a bit soft, and she stretches her neck over Snack_Cake to grab him by the scruff of the neck and deposit him on her back. "I suppose I owe you something, Doc?" She looks over to Scrap.
[22:45] * Scrap just shakes his head.
[22:46] * Snack_Cake gives Mush a soft smile. "He was a sweetheart the whole time. A very well-behaved colt!"
[22:48] * Thunder_Strike holds up her hoof. ''you don't owe us anything. it wouldn't have been right to leave a colt trapped like that. so don't worry about it.''
[22:50] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Mush sighs. "Well, I appreciate it. Little guys got too much adventure in him, like his father." She shakes her head and leaves, offering a friendly smile to the mare she almost runs into. The colt with the cast offers the mare a little subdued wave and "Pardon us."
[22:51] * Thunder_Strike smiles then looks at Snack_Cake. ''with my curious streak... are you sure you want a foal?'' she says laughing.
[22:53] * Scrap finishes up his sandwich and asks North_Star if he can let him out.
[22:54] * North_Star stands up, letting Scrap get out.
[22:58] * Scrap tracks down the waitress to pay and then heads out.
[22:59] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The waitress takes his caps. "Come again!" She turns to take more orders, suddenly swamped. Scrap makes his way easily to the door.
[22:59] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The food the others are eating is rather tasty.
[23:00] * Snack_Cake gives a bit of an embarrassed smile. "Well... I like foals. They're the cutest things. But... I'm not sure how ready I am. I know I'd want one someday... but I don't know when..."
[23:00] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Scrap is hit by the heavy set of cigarette smoke when he opens the door to leave.
[23:01] * Scrap coughs once and looks for the source.
[23:02] * Blackberry_Jam stands upwind of Scrap, locking eyes with him. She's armed and armored, a cold steel in her eyes.
[23:05] * Scrap looks at her, unsure. He walks to her. "Berry, I'm glad you're ok. We've been worried. Did you find what you were looking for?"
[23:07] * Thunder_Strike giggles and gives her a quick peck on the cheek. ''I was teasing sweety.''
[23:07] * Blackberry_Jam takes a step back. Scrap can tell that it's taking every ounce of her resolve to look at him. "I did."
[23:08] * North_Star didn't sit down, he kept his eyes toward the door.
[23:09] * Scrap 's ears flatten and he takes a respectful step back. He forces a smile. "And, w-what was it?"
[23:10] * Blackberry_Jam isn't pretending to smile in the slightest. Stone faced, she says, "Closure. Nothing more. I'm surprised North didn't tell you. It's what I told him."
[23:11] * Scrap 's smile falters under the weight of the stone. "It's not too surprising that he didn't. I had to talk him out of going after you again."
[23:12] * Blackberry_Jam doesn't smile at that, but there's a change in her eyes. A small, small change. "I appreciate that. I'm... not sure what I would have done if you all followed me."
[23:16] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  North_Star can't see where Scrap has gone, having made a right right outside the door and walking aways. The waitress comes around and takes their plates and caps.
[23:16] <Scrap> "Well, I could see that you needed to find your own answers.  I realized it after thinking about the last few times that I got overprotective. But, being overprotective can only make things worst when you end up getting in the way."
[23:17] * North_Star sits back down, scooting closer to the window.
[23:18] * Blackberry_Jam rubs her foreleg with a fetlock. "I'm glad /somepony/ could." She looks him over. "You... You don't look like him. Don't sound like him, either... It's..." Her facade crumbles. There's a smile. "It's nice."
[23:19] * Snack_Cake takes a deep breath and hugs Thunder_Strike. "What about you? What do you think about foals?"
[23:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Scrap's voice is indeed younger sounding, higher. That and his vocabulary and cadence make him sound completely different than Splotches.
[23:20] * Scrap looks confused a moment, but smiles back. "I can never be him, I know that. And, I don't want to be. Each person has a place. I just want to find my own. I'm just not very good at it."
[23:20] * Blackberry_Jam turns around and looks towards the north. "Did you hear it?"
[23:21] <Scrap> "The song?"
[23:21] * Blackberry_Jam gives a slow nod.
[23:22] * Scrap nods, smiling wider. "Yeah, it was beautiful. You're a good singer."
[23:23] * Blackberry_Jam chuckles a little. Smoke rises through the air slowly. "Hardly... But, a mare I once knew told me that it's pretty easy to sing when you sing from your heart."
[23:26] * Thunder_Strike smiles at her. ''I love foals Snacky.''
[23:26] <Scrap> "If that was from your heart, then your heart is beautiful too. But, I guess it would have to be for all the good that you good for others."
[23:26] * Blackberry_Jam turns her head slightly. "Did you see the sign?"
[23:27] * Scrap tilts his head. "Sign?"
[23:27] * Blackberry_Jam motions for him to follow.
[23:27] * Scrap follows, curious.
[23:27] * Snack_Cake smiles and gives Thunder_Strike a gentle kiss on the nose. "That's good to know." She stands up, preparing to leave. "You ready to go?"
[23:28] * North_Star catches himself staring out the window, blinking to return from reality from his thoughts.
[23:28] * Blackberry_Jam leads him back to their railcar. "You might have missed it in the dark." She says, nodding to the sign hung above the door. Painted in his old mane and coat colors is the word "Scrap's".
[23:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  From out of the shadow of the car, North_Star can see Scrap walking with Blackberry_Jam as then walk toward 'Scrap's'
[23:30] * Scrap 's eyes widen. "You named it after me?"
[23:30] * Blackberry_Jam gives a slow nod. She taps her cigarette, then takes another puff. "Well, we weren't going to name it after Hot Shot."
[23:31] * Scrap chuckles and looks at her smiling wide. "Thank you. That means a lot."
[23:31] * North_Star sighs, getting up from the table. "Don't run up a bill, you two." He advises Snack_Cake and Thunder_Strike as he leaves the dining car.
[23:32] * Blackberry_Jam stands there for a little while. "So... I wanted to ask you something."
[23:32] <Thunder_Strike> x/me nods ''ready as you are.''
[23:34] * Scrap looks at her. "Yes?"
[23:36] * Blackberry_Jam looks up at the sky. She just sort of... stares for a while. "I've been thinking about settling down... Starting a family... How much do I mean to all of you?"
[23:37] * Snack_Cake tugs Thunder_Strike along as she leaves the dining car, trailing after North_Star.
[23:37] * North_Star strolls over to the wagon the group brought over from the north, looking it over.
[23:39] * Scrap 's ears flatten again. "Y-you can't leave. We need you. I need you."
[23:39] * Blackberry_Jam looks back down to the ground. Through the ground. Into hell. "You mean that?"
[23:40] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The wagon the group brought from up north is still around. It's a simple covered design. A tarp has been secured over thin ribs arching over the bed of the wagon. It stands empty.
[23:42] <Scrap> "Of course. I lost everyone. I lost my Master, I lost my Mother. I didn't know what to do, but then I found you and you've helped me. I've learned things from you. I know I'm not good at learning and that I'm slow sometimes, but I want to learn more. I really do."
[23:42] * North_Star kicks a wheel, it lasted the journey from one town to another, maybe it could last a few more?
[23:42] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Snack_Cake and Thunder_Strike both see Scrap talking to Blackberry_Jam as they exit. They also see North_Star heading off to the side to look at the wagon.
[23:45] * Blackberry_Jam smiles faintly. "Then I have to know... Does everypony else feel that same way?"
[23:45] * Snack_Cake is suitably stunned. It lasts a few moments, but once she fully comprehends just /who/ it is she sees, she /runs/ over. She barely slows down at all as she reaches, and forcibly hugs Blackberry_Jam. "BERRY! We were worried SICK about you!" She's tearing up a little bit.
[23:46] * Scrap had opened his mouth to answer just as Snack_Cake did it for him.
[23:46] * North_Star sighs, finding it hard to avoid the inevitable, he walks over to join the rest of the group.
[23:47] * Blackberry_Jam collapses. "Ack! Sn-Snack! Y-You're ch-ch-ch..." Ahhh screw it, she thinks let her have it.
[23:48] * Snack_Cake eases up, just a little. She doesn't let go, though. "I couldn't stop worrying... For all we knew you could have had all sorts of horrible things happening to you!"
[23:50] * Blackberry_Jam coughs a few times, her cigarette fell off to the side somewhere, and she doesn't seem happy about that at first. "You don't need to worry about me, any of you, ever."
[23:54] * North_Star walks up to the rest of the group, barely offering a smile to Berry. "I hope your walk was safe."
[23:54] * Blackberry_Jam looks to his leg. "And I hope yours is, too." She mutters.
[23:56] * North_Star rubbed the back of his neck. "Look.. I know I ain't the greatest stallion to be around, but.. I'm sorry for being on your case like I was."
[23:57] * Snack_Cake shakes her head against Blackberry_Jam's neck. "There's no way I can /not/ worry... After all the horrible things that... thing... said to me..." She pauses, giving a little sniffle. "It was right... I wasn't trying hard enough for my friends... So I have to try harder. I have to give everything I can to help you, just as much as you've helped me... no matter what happens."
[23:57] * Blackberry_Jam is still pinned under Snack_Cake, and doesn't look like she's up to chew him out right now. "Snack... Please..."
[00:00] * Snack_Cake reluctantly lets go, backing away a bit.
[00:02] * Thunder_Strike walks over and hugs blackberry.
[00:02] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The blue mass hanging onto Snack_Cake's neck during the charge collects itself enough to growl.
[00:03] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It's hackles rise as it puffs up.
[00:03] * Blackberry_Jam stands up and dusts herself off. "All of you... I know you care about-" She blanches at the thing on Snack_Cake's back. "What. Whaaaat the fuck is that thing..." She says, mouth gaping.
[00:05] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It gives a bark with an underlying chirp that hits high in pitch. It's scorpion tail curled up aggressively.
[00:05] * Snack_Cake tries to hush him. "Easy. She's our friend. Growling at friends isn't nice." After a few moments, she says to Blackberry_Jam, "We found him, stuck in a trap, of all things... he was hurt. We wanted you to look at him and make sure he was okay."
[00:06] * Blackberry_Jam steps back, eyes wide. "I'm... I'm not a veternarian, Snack... And... I don't think it likes me..."
[00:06] * Snack_Cake starts petting him to help calm him. "He's really sweet... just a little shy of new ponies."
[00:06] * Blackberry_Jam is a little flustered... Being reunited, the overwhelming feeling of dread, this animal thing...
[00:07] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The-beast-with-no-name locks eyes with Blackberry_Jam as Snack_Cake soothes it.
[00:07] * Snack_Cake is a little bit disappointed. "You can't even... just look? I mean... if he was hurt, you'd still know, right?"
[00:07] * Thunder_Strike ''how do you think I feel blackberry? I can't even touch her anymore.'' she says looking back at it.
[00:08] * Blackberry_Jam grits her teeth. "I'm worried about /my/ safety here, Snack... It doesn't look like it /wants/ to be examined..."
[00:08] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  As Blackberry_Jam grits her teeth, it does the same. Lip pulled back in a silent snarl.
[00:09] * Snack_Cake keeps petting. "All you need is to be gentle. Try feeding him one of the snacks from my bag... That worked for Thunder!" She gives Blackberry_Jam a pleading look. "Please? I'll make sure he behaves. I just want to make sure he's alright."
[00:11] * Blackberry_Jam looks really doubtful. "I..." And all this after her worrying about Berry's health. "Fine..." She sighs.
[00:14] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  A constant growl rumbles out of it.
[00:16] * Snack_Cake is sure he won't hurt her! She give Blackberry_Jam a big smile. "Thank you!" She starts to focus all her attention on the disgruntled critter, giving all kinds of pets and belly rubs to calm him down. "You'll be nice for Berry, won't you? No growling, sit still while she looks at you! You want to be healthy, right?"
[00:17] * Blackberry_Jam looks at the thing dubiously. "What, does it have a name?"
[00:18] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It rolls to it's back at Snack_Cake's urging, accepting hte bellyrubs begrudgingly.
[00:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It could be purring... or a different growl... but most likely a purr.
[00:19] * Snack_Cake hesitates, and shakes her head. "We haven't really thought about that yet..." She keeps up the belly rubs.
[00:21] * Blackberry_Jam remains dubious.
[00:22] * Thunder_Strike leans on snack cake.
[00:22] <~Blackberry_Jam> "Snack, I can't exactly examine it if you're rubbing it's belly. Let's bring /it/ inside." She looks as though she can't believe what she's seeing. Then again? She'll just chalk it up to the group selectively ignoring her advice.
[00:23] * Snack_Cake nods, and lifts him back up onto her back. "Come on. Time to get a checkup. Berry will take the best care of you! You'll like her, I promise!" She takes him inside.
[00:24] * Blackberry_Jam looks to Scrap, the defeat obvious in her face. Slowly, she follows.
[00:25] * North_Star follows the group inside, keeping in his chuckles*
[00:25] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It huffs.
[00:26] * Blackberry_Jam pulls her beret down and sighs as she throws back the curtain to her OR. "Do we even know what it is?"
[00:27] * Scrap looks back, unable to help and not entirly sure what to think about it. Their talk was so nice. He follows the others in.
[00:28] * Snack_Cake shakes her head. "We found him in one of..." She hesitates a moment, deciding it better /not/ to say anything about Toil. "...One of the abandoned buildings a little bit away. He was trapped in a bit, nasty trap. He was lucky to be alive... It was the kind of trap that could take a pony's leg right off..." She frowns.
[00:28] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It jumps off Snack_Cake's back and glides past Blackberry_Jam into the OR. It lands on the examination table and circles counterclockwise three times before plopping down.
[00:29] * Blackberry_Jam sighs again. "What were you doing in a building out of town, anyway?" She asks, cautiously apporaching the creature.
[00:31] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It locks eyes with Berry and its growl increases with each step nearer.
[00:32] * Snack_Cake takes a moment to answer. "Me and Thunder were on the way to go visit Toil and Golden... It was right after we'd gotten back... I was a little worried and wanted to make sure they were alright." She steps over to the other side of the table, making soft 'shh' noises, trying to calm the critter.
[00:33] * North_Star strolls over to the saddle-bag, digging out on of his stale snake cakes and offering it to Berry. "'Ere. Thing's food driven from what I've seen."
[00:33] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It's a pretty passive growl, but it's constant.
[00:33] * Blackberry_Jam look to Snack_Cake. "Snaaack... This is a /terrible/ idea. Did it ever /look/ hurt? Was it favoring any of it's legs? Anything you can tell me before it stabs me?" She takes the cake and inches closer still.
[00:35] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Blackberry_Jam can see the critter's tail is scored where something clamped down on it hard. It doesn't look physically injured anywhere else from what she can tell.
[00:35] * Snack_Cake frowns. "He was /in/ the trap, Berry! It was one of the most horrible things I've ever seen... If I'd stepped in one, my leg would be gone!" She pauses. "He's sweet, really, he is!" She keeps trying to calm him.
[00:37] * Blackberry_Jam grumbles. She'd been back for /two minutes/ and... Bluh. "Look Snack, it's just got a few dings on the tail... It might be best if you do it."
[00:37] * Scrap winches a little. He knows from experience that having body parts severed sucks.
[00:38] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It continues to growl, but is now stalking toward Blackberry_Jam and the cake.
[00:38] * Blackberry_Jam freezes in place. "Snaaack..."
[00:39] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Two quick steps, a few more, picking up speed as it runs down the gurney.
[00:41] * Snack_Cake starts moving right after him. "Don't worry! He's friendly... Just offer him the cake! Maybe pet him a bit!" She starts talking to the critter, next. "Easy... You're scaring her... You shouldn't scare friends like that!"
[00:42] * Blackberry_Jam stands perfectly still. She's absolutely unsure how to handle this situation. She always hated pets...
[00:42] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It looked about to launch when Snack_Cake actually yells at it. It freezes before plopping down in a sit.
[00:43] * North_Star blinks at the scene in front of him before turning to Blackberry_Jam. "Just a thought, but do you think a healing potion works on a critter like that?"
[00:43] * Snack_Cake didn't yell! Just maybe... raised her voice a little bit. She starts petting. "Easy... Easy..." She looks toward Berry. "Now, give him the cake! This will work, I promise..."
[00:44] * Blackberry_Jam slides Snack_Cake a roll of bandages and sets the cake on the floor. "Here, Snack, take this and put it on the fifth and sixth knuckle on it's tail. Make sure it can still bend it, though. It /clearly/ doesn't want anything to do with me... And I'm starting to reciprocate the feelings..."
[00:44] * Blackberry_Jam pauses. That was her last bandage...
[00:46] * Snack_Cake gives Blackberry_Jam one last pleading look.
[00:49] * Blackberry_Jam shakes her head. "Sorry, Snack, but that thing isn't... trained. Domesticated, whatever you want to say. It's... still sort of a wild animal. I doesn't want me to touch it, I won't."
[00:52] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It leaps from the gurney with a flap, making a bee-line for Blackberry_Jam! It's tucks its wings and drops on the cake, snatching it up. It rolls with the momentum, ending up on its back with the cake in it's paws. It rocks back and forth happily as it starts licking off the sweet frosting
[00:52] * Blackberry_Jam jumps back. "Sweet Luna!"
[00:53] * North_Star watches the critter preform it's acrobatics. "Yup, food driven."
[00:53] * Snack_Cake is about to answer Blackberry_Jam when the creature jumps for the cake. She gives a loud, surprised gasp.
[00:54] * Blackberry_Jam tosses her hooves in the air. "Back for /five/ minutes..." She mutters, heading outside for a smoke.
[00:56] * Scrap eyes the thing as he follows her out.
[00:56] * Blackberry_Jam drags North_Star out with her, too.
[00:58] * North_Star is dragged outside. He leans against the side of the car, looking out at the town.
[00:58] * Snack_Cake gives a bit of a sigh and takes the bandage, walking over to where the critter is eating the cake. "What am I going to do with you...? I told you not to scare her... Now she's going to think you're vicious..." She tries her best to bandage the tail, like how Blackberry_Jam told her. She's not very good at it.
[00:58] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The critter continues to rock as it eats the cake itself.
[00:59] * Blackberry_Jam stares North_Star in the face. "That? In there? That's exactly the kind of thing I was talking about when we last talked. The /exact/ situation."
[01:00] * Scrap stands to the side, seeing that they're having a discussion.
[01:00] * North_Star nods as he turns to return Berry's stare. "Alright. What do you propose we do with it?"
[01:01] * Blackberry_Jam rolls her eyes. "Not even consider bringing a potentially dangerous and unkown creature back with her in the first Celestia-damned place?!"
[01:02] * North_Star looks back towards the door. "You know how she is. Always willing to lend a hoof to a stranger, for better or worse."
[01:02] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It starts licking it's wingclaws of the sticky sweetness, it's scorpion tale wagging.
[01:03] * Blackberry_Jam pokes North_Star in the chest. "I also should have known how /you/ are. Are you /physically incapable/ of being responsible?"
[01:03] * Scrap watches them argue, actually paying attention to their arguments and thinking about them this time.
[01:04] * North_Star blinks. "She wasn't along with me when she found the thing, she was with Thunder." He paused for a second, "And by that logic, maybe with Toil too."
[01:05] * Blackberry_Jam hangs her head. "I was being irresponsible, too, it seems. A /responsible/ pony would have realized that /none/ of can be responsible yourselves!"
[01:05] <~Blackberry_Jam> none of you*
[01:06] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The critter rolls to its paws, getting a running start and pouncing up against the wall to bound off and take into the air. A weight lands a few moments later on Blackberry_Jam's back.
[01:07] * Blackberry_Jam pauses mid-rant. She slowly picks her head back up and slowly, every so slowly... Reaches for her shotgun... And then rolls on to her back, off to the side.
[01:08] * Snack_Cake follows, a little alarmed.
[01:10] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It gives a quick flap of its wings as Blackberry_Jam rolls. Just enough lift to adjust and land on her stomach. It tilts it's head quizzically before plopping back down on her stomach.
[01:10] * North_Star was about to agree with Blackberry_Jam, instead, he looks over at Berry on the ground. "Berry, easy! You got any food on you at all?"
[01:11] * Blackberry_Jam is two seconds from jamming her shotgun in this thing's mouth and pulling the trigger till it goes *click*. "Get. It. OFF!"
[01:13] * Snack_Cake is more than just a little alarmed, now! "Please! Don't Berry! He won't hurt you!" She runs over.
[01:13] * Blackberry_Jam grunts. "Then get it off me, so it can not hurt me /somewhere else/!"
[01:14] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It draws its moist, sandpaper tongue once over Blackberry_Jam's chest and then curls back into a ball.
[01:14] * Blackberry_Jam is gonna shoot it. She is. She's already thinking about it.
[01:17] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The critter seems to not care so much, looking rather comfy.
[01:17] * North_Star reaches over to pick the critter up and pass it to Snack_Cake.
[01:17] * Snack_Cake practically envelops the critter when she reaches Blackberry_Jam. "He's friendly... please, please, please, be nice to each other... I don't want this to keep happening!"
[01:18] * Blackberry_Jam rises, takes a good look around at them, and gives a heavy sigh. "I need a drink." She looks at her cigarette, now on the ground where it was before. "And a new cigarette."
[01:19] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It sticks it's head out from Snack_Cake's embrace, giving a yip.
[01:20] * North_Star sighs. "Alright, Snack, you and I are going to settle this critter. Berry..." He digs into his cap pocket, giving Berry an uncounted hoofful of caps. "Drink's on me."
[01:20] * Blackberry_Jam doesn't accept the offered caps.
[01:20] <~Blackberry_Jam> "Go away, North."
[01:21] <~Blackberry_Jam> "I don't think I got quite enough time to myself..."
[01:21] * North_Star sighs. "Alright.. Just.. Say in town, alright?"
[01:21] * Scrap looks between them desperation begining to rise. It was going so well!
[01:22] * Snack_Cake gives Blackberry_Jam a sad look. "I'm sorry, Berry..."
[01:22] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The critter starts to wiggle in Snack_Cake's grasp.
[01:22] * Blackberry_Jam shakes her head as she calls back to Snack. "Don't be. It'smy fault, really."
[01:23] * Snack_Cake starts to pet him a bit, to try and calm him. She keeps holding him, though.
[01:24] * North_Star leads Snack and the critter towards the gatehouse. "Come on, Snack. Maybe Caboose has seen somethin' like the fella.
[01:25] * Blackberry_Jam slides into a stool at the bar. "Stiffy... I need to forget the last few hours. Help a mare out?"
[01:25] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  Stiffy is able to help with a nice Aviation-er... one of those.
[01:25] * Scrap follows Blackberry_Jam and sits next to her. He's not sure what to say.
[01:25] * Blackberry_Jam shakes her head. "Make it a double."
[01:26] * Snack_Cake gives a sad little sigh, and follows North_Star, critter in tow.
[01:26] * Blackberry_Jam turns to Scrap. There's a wry, sad smile on her face. She toasts an invisible glass. "Welcome back, Berry. Welcome. Fucking. Back."
[01:27] * Scrap 's ears flatten all the way. "I'm sorry. I wish I could help them understand. I kinda do now."
[01:29] * Blackberry_Jam puts her hoof on Scrap's shoulder. "Some ponies, Sc-Splotches, some ponies will never understand. They just can't. Look at North. Do you think it even /fazed/ him that I called him irresponsible and childish? Do you think he'll make an effort to change?"
[01:29] <~Blackberry_Jam> "Do you?"
[01:31] * Thunder_Strike has no clue what's going on.
[01:31] <Scrap> "Yeah, I do. I was an idiot. Just like you said. I didn't think about things, I just went with what the others were doing. But, North wanted to go after you and I thought about what you tried to teach me. I realsized that leaving you be was the right thing to do. I realize now that all I needed to do was to just think about things instead of just following. And, to stick to it like what North and Slash said."
[01:32] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The critter looks to Thunder_Strike imploringly, caught up in Snack_Cake's grip and unable to escape!
[01:32] * Thunder_Strike looks at the critter a moment then flips open her empty saddle bag
[01:33] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  The critter tries it's best to scrabble free of Snack_Cake's time-out-stranglehold and into the safety of it's mobile bed!
[01:34] * Blackberry_Jam raises a brow. "That's great... but... That's... We're talking about North here. From the second you told me that you talked him down, outside, I knew that you'd made more progress than any of them. But... This isn't about you and I anymore."
[01:34] <~Blackberry_Jam> "This is about them."
[01:34] * Blackberry_Jam looks deep into her Aviation. "And... when I look back at what just happened..." She looks into his eyes. "I'm scared."
[01:35] * Snack_Cake lets the critter crawl away, now that they're away from Blackberry_Jam. But first, she tells him, "Just... be careful about Berry, alright? She's a little scared, you need to let he be, okay?"
[01:36] <Scrap> "Well... maybe since I've learned, I can help. Maybe if thay see mee learning and that you know I am, maybe they'll start learning. North listened to me when he wanted to follow you, maybe I can start making him listen more."
[01:36] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  It nearly leaves a blue trail behind it as it ducks into Thunder_Strike's bag. It's eyes the only thing visible under the flap.
[01:38] * Blackberry_Jam sighs a little. "Scrap..." She says quietly. "I'm tired, Scrap... I'm tired of everything."
[01:39] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  *****Session End*****
[01:39] <Mister_Clacky|GM>  500xp, no karma changes.