Isle Del Sol Session VII

15:30] <%Somber> It was a long night for many of the friends.  Losing two members to a giant leech... yeah... not pretty.  But then it was the wasteland.  And many people have a number of ways to deal with such loss.  Sex.  Love.  Consolation.  Alcohol.  Tears.  Everyone deals in their own way.  But eventually the sun must rise again, the alcohol must metabolize, and the
[15:32] <%Somber> hangover must be endured.  Sonata awoke in Strifer's bed wearing a tutu and party cap while Strifer had a hoof hoofcuffed to the head of the bed while wearing half a liesure suit and a sign around her neck reading 'Love doctor'.  That island rum punch had rendered the details to a blur.... a sharp contrast to the hoof hammering thunder on the door to their
[15:32] <%Somber> room at the Sex on the Beach.
[15:34] * Candlelight_Sonata groans awake, having a splitting headache and vague memories of the night before.  She looks around, trying to find Naphtha and hoping to not find herself covered in Strifer.  She was wrong.  So very, very depressingly wrong.
[15:35] * Candlelight_Sonata lets out a shriek and flails out of the bed, finding that the world did, indeed, hate her skull, and whatever bastard was pounding on the door was likely to get bit.  She stumbled over to teh door.  "What?"  She asked, nausea welling up inside of her.
[15:36] * Strifer blinks hard, shaking the blurr out of her head. Ashe tries to sit up she notices she's hoofcuffed to the bed. "Oh fuck.. Not again.." She mutters. Jumping slightly at Candlelight_Sonata's sudden shriek. "Oi!"
[15:38] * Strifer shakes her head in disbelief she turns herself around, pushing with her hindlegs to try to dislodge herself from teh hoofcuffs. Or atleast them from the bed. "Cmon...!"
[15:38] * Medikit ([email protected]) Quit ( Connection closed )
[15:39] * Candlelight_Sonata looks over at Strifer.  "When did we get here?  Why are you hoofcuffed?"  She smells herself.  "Oh heavens I smell like that drink we kept having.  Just a sec, let me help..."  She says, holding a hoof to her head as she limped over to Strifer's aid.
[15:42] * Strifer keeps pulling. "Uuugh, have you always been this talkative after bedding a mare or is it just something special about me?" She says, a slight grin on her lips
[15:43] <%Somber> Thundering booming knocks rolled through the room as Consuela rapped on the door with Naphtha on her back.  The green griffoness gave a smile and wink to the little dragon.  "This is why you don't drink mama's rum punch."
[15:43] * Candlelight_Sonata squeaks and turns bright red, an impressive feat considering how dark her coat is.  "I... I... we did... I'm pretty..."  She looks herself over and thinks a moment.  Nope, that frustrated feeling was still there.  "I'm pretty sure we didn't."
[15:43] <%Somber> Strifer manages to pull the hoofcuff off the bed.
[15:45] * Calamine returns, her new enchanted cloak flowing around her with tiny, wave like ripples. Walking up to Consuela, she purses her lips. "What's the matter in Candlelight_Sonata's room? I brought her upstairs last night and she was just a little drunk then."
[15:45] * Naphtha yawns quietly a few moments and blinks. "Oh... W-well I've always heard alcohol stunts your growth. So I've never had any..." She fidgets a little bit nervously, uncertain whether that was a good thing or a bad thing.
[15:46] * Strifer comes crashing down into the bed again. Managing a victory cheer. "Haha!" She leans over to look at Candlelight_Sonata. "Yeah, yeah, and Im pretty sure you remember everything that happened last night, eh? Liking the tutu, you should keep it."
[15:46] * Calamine stops and her eyes widen. "She didn't drink more, did she? The warriors always warned that alcohol was good for mourning, but too much can lead to more mourning."
[15:47] <%Somber> Consuela grinned back at her.  "It stunts worse than your growth.  You should see what it does to your wits, young lady."  She banged a fist on the door.  "Oi.  You two.  I'm coming in.  You rent by the night, and there are people for you to meet."  And she opened the door so that Calamine and Naph could take in the pair in all their... glopry.
[15:48] * Calamine blinks. "Um... Are those Equestrian Warrior Mourning Garbs? They don't seem... appropriate."
[15:48] * Strifer leans her head down along the backside of the bed, looking at two entering upside down. "...yo."
[15:49] * Naphtha blinks a moment as she takes in the scene, then squeaks, blushes through her scales and covers her eyes with her hands.
[15:50] * Candlelight_Sonata looks down at herself and hastily tosses off the tutu, looking around the room for her duster.  "I don't...  Strifer.  You.  I..."  the pounding in her head is not helping the situation.  "ARGH!"  She dives at Strifer. "WHAT DID WE DO LAST NIGHT?!"
[15:51] * Calamine looks to Consuela. "I was with Seabreeze, mourning our fallen friends. Do you know, Miss Consuela?"
[15:52] <%Somber> Consuela rolled her eyes.  "Oy.  You lot.  I talked to a few people and found some folks that might be interested in helping you out.  It's dangerous being on your own and if they work with you then there's better chance to things working out for all of you.  They're down stairs."
[15:52] * Strifer snerks giggles. "Hey, easy fluffyears! I don't fucking know what happened, buuut I can assume there where plenty of this." She leans forward slowly, puckering her lips as to kiss Candlelight_Sonata.
[15:52] * Candlelight_Sonata attempts to tackle Strifer
[15:53] <%Somber> Consuela sighs and carries Naph back down stairs, remarking to Calamine,  "Oh yes, she's a very nice zebra.  You're an odd people, but eh, who am I to judge?"
[15:53] * Naphtha peeks out from between her fingers and blushes a little more as Strifer kisses Sonata. Just briefly getting a view before being carried off by Consuela. "I'm... Um... I'm sure they'll be fine, right?"
[15:54] * Strifer acks, not expecting the tackle. "Watch the suit!"
[15:54] * Calamine blinks. "We are odd?"
[15:55] <%Somber> As Sonata tackles Strifer, the loose end of the hoof cuff swings around and closes around the end of Sonata's forehoof.  It clacks firmly closed around the end of her hoof.
[15:55] * Candlelight_Sonata ends up on top of Strifer and stops, not expecting the turnabout.  She glares down at the hoofcuffs.  "BUT WHY?!"  she cries out from on top of the earth pony mare.
[15:55] * Calamine stares at what just transpired. "How is that even possible?"
[15:56] * Strifer looks down at the hoofcuff, then up at Candles face, then down again. She breaks into hysterical laughter. "Bwwahahah~!"
[15:56] <%Somber> Consuela gets Naphalena a breakfast of coral with pearls.
[15:57] * Candlelight_Sonata glares down angrily at Strifer, and tries to bite her.
[15:57] <%Somber> Down in the bar common room were two new faces...
[15:57] * Strifer bites right back, on the ear! "Calm the fuck down!"
[15:57] * Naphtha digs around in her small pouch for the buttons to pay for breakfast, before digging in. Coral and pearls weren't exactly the most normal foods for a little dragon, but they were good enough, probably.
[15:58] * Callie is a striking yellow pegasus with a complementary pastel orange mane, and light blue eyes. She'd be downright pretty if bits of her mane weren't starting to fall out, and her coat wasn't starting to peel in some spots. Either she's got some kind of really bad flesh eating disease, or she's turning into a ghoul. Underneath the straps of her leather armor, you can make out a colorfully...
[15:58] * Callie ...decorated white object surrounded by what looks like flowers as her cutie mark. She's got a lever shotgun holstered, but she doesn't look like the type to reach for it. Her demeanor is extremely cheerful and optimistic.
[15:58] * Calamine rushes over and tries to seperate her friends as best she can. "Please stop fighting! We are friends!"
[15:58] * Candlelight_Sonata squeaks as she's bitten on the ear and stops moving.  "Oww... ow ow... Please let go.  Ow.  Fine.  We'll get out of this.  Just... let go of the ear."
[16:00] * Strifer lets go of the ear, she pushes Candlelight_Sonata off her. "Right!" She lifts the cuffed hoof. "What should we do about this then."
[16:00] * Callie "Hi y'all! I Consulea here was just telling me that you folks needed some help with what you were doing, so I'm here to offer my assistance! For a share of the money of course." Her cheerfulness fades a bit, but then her face brightens again. "I've had a few lean days... weeks... months... but I'm sure with my help we can all get rich again!"
[16:01] * Callie finishes her prepared speech and finally notices that none of the group is paying attention. "Uh. Um. Do you need help getting those off...?"
[16:02] * Harris just glances over the group from the bar, his dark brown crest laying low then moves over to the hoof cuff pare "Let tack a look at that." pulling out a bobbypin
[16:02] * Calamine looks back at the molting pegasus before looking around. "If we cannot find the key, I could try to appeal to a spirit of metal to remove them for us."
[16:04] * Candlelight_Sonata looks up at the faded yellow pegasus and Harris.  "I... uh."  she coughs into her hoof.  "That'd be great.  I'm Candlelight_Sonata, and this thing connected to me is Strifer."
[16:04] * Harris with a talon and a bobbypin the cuffs onlock, then he palms them and slinks back to the bar
[16:04] * Naphtha takes a slow bite of a piece of coral and swallows it as she realizes that Callie's talking to, or at least at, her. She fidgets a little bit nervously. "Oh. Um. I'm... I'm sure we'll manage to do fine..? Getting rich isn't... isn't really the point... we're trying... um... trying..." her voice gets a little low and sad, like she wasn't sure what she should be saying.
[16:05] <%Somber> "That is a very good point."  She raises her voice.  "Perhaps if everyone gets together, you can discuss your goals, yes?"
[16:05] * Callie "Ooh, I like guessing games! Uh.... a farm! A house! A boat! A lot of rum!"
[16:07] * Naphtha proceeds to nervously stuff her face, as it gave her an excuse not to talk. What was taking those three so long up there? Someone else should be doing this, not her!
[16:07] * Harris downs the last of his drink and stands on his hind legs to give a bow "The names Lightwing, Harries Lightwing. And at this time I maybe... available for service."
[16:08] * Callie keeps guessing. "Um. Even more rum! Uh, money! Wait, no, you already said no. Um. Is the answer bigger than a breadbox?"
[16:09] * Strifer goes back up the stairs, to the room gathers her stuff, stuffs the suit into her saddlebags. Who knows, it might come in handy.
[16:09] * Calamine stops, hearing a commotion downstairs. "Perhaps we should meet the mercernaries Consuela spoke of?"
[16:11] * Callie "C'mon little lizard lady, gimme a hint! I'm dyin' here!"
[16:12] * Naphtha swallows nervously, glancing around towards the others who were still apparently sorting themselves out. "Um. W-well... we're mostly just... looking for a way home. I think? M-maybe..?" She fidgets nervously. That definitely -was- their objective, at one point, at this point she wasn't quite so certain.
[16:12] * Calamine turns and heads downstairs only to see the strange molting pegasus verbally accosting Naphtha. "Is everything alright, Naphtha?"
[16:12] * Naphtha looks up to Calamine in relief. "Sh-she's one of the people Miss Consuela got to maybe help us."
[16:13] <%Somber> Now all six were together.  Consuela puts together a meal for each of them and lets them get to things.  "Oh.  by the way," she adds brightly.  "I have found someone who might be able to help you.  They're in Costa Del Luna, but they have information connections in the Black Market.  They might be able to find who attacked the silo."
[16:13] * Calamine smiles at the three newcomers. "Hello, my name is Calamine. It is a pleasure to meet you both."
[16:14] * Callie "Hello! You can call me Callie. I'm here to help y'all get rich!"
[16:15] * Callie frowns. "Or... something, I guess. The little dragon lady here wouldn't tell me what you guys wanted, and none of my guesses were right either. Can you give me a hint? Is it larger or smaller than a barrel of rum?"
[16:15] * Harris perkes up at the part about a silo "And what kind of silo are we talking about here?"
[16:16] <Harris> "Oh like I said, the names Harris."
[16:17] * Candlelight_Sonata perks up at Consuela's statement about information.  "That... might be good to know, Consuela.  Costa Del Luna's at the opposite end of the island, right?"  She looks at Callie.  "We want to go home, is what we want, Callie.  Ain't much more complicated than that."  She nods in greeting to Harris.  "Candlelight Sonata 's the name."
[16:17] <Calamine> "Costa Del Luna? That's the pleasure town your sister told us about, right?"
[16:17] * Callie is confused. "Go home? Where is home?"
[16:17] * Calamine points to herself while addressing Callie. "I am from the Summersand Isles."
[16:18] * Naphtha finishes off her breakfast. "I'm... Um... I'm from Equestria..." She fidgets a little bit, looking to Sonata curiously.
[16:18] <%Somber> "Not so much pleasure, but it's the only ingress to the island.  All ships coming and going from the island must land there." Consuela explained.  "As such, it's very... busy."
[16:19] * Harris looks over to the pegasus "Equestria, form the sound and look of them. But then maybe don't know that."
[16:19] * Callie "The whatter-where islands? Equestria? I haven't heard of that town before. Is it new?"
[16:19] * Callie smacks her face. "Wait, you mean the mainland that I've never been to and know only about by little foals stories? You mean it's real? I always thought it was made up!"
[16:20] * Candlelight_Sonata nods herself.  "I'm from northwestern Equestria.  Near a little bombed out burg called Stormgate.  My family made their home in the warren under Stormgate.  Named it Stormshadow.  So i guess that's where I'm from."
[16:21] * Callie "Wooow. Coooool. You guys are cool ponies. And zebra. Are you sure I can join you guys?"
[16:21] * Calamine blinks. "Um, well, Miss Consuela vouches for you. I do not see why not."
[16:22] * Naphtha fidgets nervously. "W-why wouldn't you be able to..?"
[16:22] * Callie "Yay! Okay! I'll be happy to help. I'm pretty sneaky, and I got a shotgun, and I can fly, and... uh. Oh yeah! I can talk to spirits. OoooOOOoooOOO! Pretty cool, huh?"
[16:22] * Candlelight_Sonata holds up a hoof.  "Hold on a sec.  I know what you're after, Callie, and that's money.  It's all fine and dandy, but I don't want you to get the wrong impression.  We ain't treasure hunters.  We just wanna get home."  She looks to Harris.  "And what's your business in this?"
[16:23] * Callie shakes her head. "No, no silly! I just assumed you guys were after money, 'cause most people I help are after money."
[16:23] * Harris rolls a talon and his eyes "The cut for the most part. But we all need... friends from time to time."
[16:24] <Calamine>  /me blinks a few more times. "You can too? I am a shaman, just so you know."
[16:25] * Strifer stomps down the stairs, takes a look at the party gathered and snorts. Then stalks outside, for anyone watching her leave they can plainly see her fishing out an inhaler of dash from her  saddlebags.
[16:25] * Naphtha bit her lower lip gently and looked towards the floor.
[16:25] * Callie deflates a little. "Aww... darn. Story of my life. Special talent is talking to spirits... on an island full of ponies and zebras that can talk to spirits. Bleh. Comes in useful though, even though I can't make a living off of it. Too many charlatans clogging the job market."
[16:25] * Candlelight_Sonata looks at the griffon and wills herself to not show fangs.  "Friends are good.  I suppose we need it.  Not sure what Consuela told you bout us, but we just lost a pair.  I guess we could use an extra two hooves, but..."  She trails off.  "I don't want your deaths on my hooves."
[16:26] * Candlelight_Sonata watches Strifer leave and sighs quietly.
[16:26] * Callie "Yeah, Consuela told me, but she didn't say anything else. You... uh. You wanna talk about it? I can lend an ear."
[16:29] * Naphtha bit her lower lip and mumbled, "... they got eaten doing something really stupid..." she does her best to hide the fact that she said anything at all.
[16:30] * Harris nods to Candlelight_Sonata and then shots a look at Strifer as she leaves out the door "That one's got a habit, right?" as he jesters with a talon, looking back to Candlelight_Sonata
[16:31] * Candlelight_Sonata stops and looks at Callie, then trots over to put a wing around Naphtha.  She snugs the baby dragon close.  "I made a mistake, and our friends died.  This place is far more wild and dangerous than even the wasteland back home.  I take it ya'll are from around here, but if you come with, do you mind listening to..."  she trails off at Harris' question.  She sighs and nods.  "Do you mind listening to what you're
[16:32] * Naphtha leans slightly into the wing, swallowing nervously and trying to prevent herself from crying again, with mixed success. She wipes a tear from one eye and blinks a few times in an attempt to regain her composure.
[16:33] * Callie 's bright demeanor dims slightly. "Wait, eaten? In one go? Wow, you learn something new about the jungle every day!"
[16:34] * Candlelight_Sonata looks at Callie.  "You say you can sense spirits.  Let's just say that thanks to Calamine and what happened to our friends, we need to know when things are going wrong.  But I guess if you want to travel with us, that'd be fine."  She trots over to Harris.  "Yes, she's got a habit.  Ain't a problem, is it?"
[16:36] * Calamine looks ashamed. "I just wish we could have saved them."
[16:36] * Naphtha fidgets uncomfortably, uncertain what to say about what happened.
[16:37] <%Somber> Consuela shakes her head.  "No use dwelling on the past.  What are your plans for the future?"
[16:37] * Harris gets up on all four looking down as the batpony mare comes up to him "Not as long as it don't get me killed."
[16:38] * Callie nods eagerly. "Yeah, sure. Okay! We got ourselves a deal! I operate on contingency, so I'm ready to go when you are!"
[16:40] * Candlelight_Sonata looks at Harris levelly.  "It won't.  I swear it."  She beams at Callie.  "Alright then.  Welcome aboard."  She turns to Conseula.  "Now about thsoe contacts...?"
[16:42] ->> Connection closed from chrysalis.canternet.org
[16:43] ->> You re-joined channel #FalloutEquestriaPNP2
[16:43] ->> Topic is: * Current rulebook:  http://derpy.me/foerp | Dicebot/OOC: #FalloutEquestriaDice2 | Character sheets:  http://derpy.me/mk17k | All the forum threads you could possibly need!: http://derpy.me/pnpboard
[16:43] ->> Topic set by Dimestream on 1/29/2014 3:13:58 AM
[16:43] * Harris ([email protected]) Quit ( Killed (NickServ (GHOST command used by Jackelmandingo)) )
[16:43] * Jackelmandingo is now known as Harris
[16:46] * Splendid ([email protected]) Quit ( Ping timeout: 121 seconds )
[16:46] <%Somber> Coupon is meeting with another much better dressed mare when the six trot in.  "No no no!  I'll find somepony to handle it.  I don't know who these bandits are, but I swear to you we'll the shipment back!"  the paunchy stallion said from his armored cage.  The earth pony mare gives a soft hrrrmph, and replies, "I certainly hope so."  And turns, walking out of
[16:47] <%Somber> the shop.  The heavy stallion mops his brow with a rag, smiling at the lot of them.  "Oh!  Ah.  Welcome back.  Did you manage to get the compressor out of the mine?"
[16:48] * Naphtha fidgets uncomfortably at the mention of the mine, sticking close to Sonata.
[16:49] * Candlelight_Sonata shakes her head.  "Ain't had a chance to.  Lost two friends trying to get the damned thing.  We will try to get it, but..."  She shakes her head.  "Not without significantly more firepower.  Something down in that mine ain't right.  Don't suppose you've got more work for us?"  She asks, sidling up to the counter.
[16:51] <%Somber> "More work?"  He blinked and then grinned ear to ear.  "More work!  Of course!  Yes!  Ahem!  I have a job.  Simple little job.  Getting back some incredibly valuable merchandise from some nasty, wicked, totally undeserving bandits!"
[16:52] * Harris looks around without really looking over the place
[16:53] * Candlelight_Sonata beams.  "Sounds like the sort of thing we could take care of.  Don't want the good folks of the merchant guild to lose hard earned wares!"  She glances back at Harris and Callie.  "We'll take the job.  See how our new partners fare with us."
[16:53] * Callie grins and nods eagerly. "I won't disappoint!"
[16:54] * Calamine pulls her cloak in around her closer as if she's cold. "Bandits..."
[16:55] * Naphtha fidgets nervously and glances towards the door. This sounded like more fighting. Which didn't seem to go well for them last time around...
[16:56] <%Somber> "Right.  Right!"  He said eagerly, getting a piece of paper and scribbling out directions.  It was in the opposite direction as last time.  To the north of the town.  "Follow the train tracks north till you hit a spur.  Down that spur you should find the bandits near the coast.  Several crates.  You should just be able to pull the cart back to the switch and
[16:56] * Harris points to the door the mare left out of "What for that upper crust missy that was just here? We could just do the job for her and cut you out. But if you say... like to help us help you help us?" waving an open talon at the stallion
[16:56] <%Somber> my friends will take it from there!"  He said with a grin.
[16:56] * Somber he blinked at Harris, and then grinned.  "If you think she'll give you the time of day, by all means.  Try."
[16:57] * Candlelight_Sonata looks down at Naphtha.  "Hey, don't mean we gotta fight 'em.  I'm pretty good at sneaking.  Ever play hide and seek?  It'll be like that, only a bit more dangerous."  She admits.
[16:59] * Callie "You can sneak! I can too!"
[16:59] * Calamine shivers. "Just don't get hurt if you try sneaking, alright?" Calamine says worriedly to Candlelight_Sonata.
[16:59] <%Somber> He waves his hoof.  "I don't care how you get it.  Just get it."  He then blinked.  "Oh!  Oh!  Most important.
[16:59] * Naphtha swallows nervously. "... I was never any good at hide and seek..." She muttered quietly.
[16:59] * Callie "Let's sneak together! Sneaky sneaky! But quietly."
[16:59] <%Somber> Don't TALK to them.  Okay?  Just... don't even try."
[17:00] * Calamine sighs. Talking was always out of the question in the "Wasteland" it seemed.
[17:00] <%Somber> "I'm sure if you do they'll have some horrible sob story, but it's a lie.  Those goods aren't theirs.  So just get them back."
[17:01] * Calamine glances around the store. "Do you have any potions or bandages for sale?"
[17:01] * Candlelight_Sonata gives Coupon a narrow eyed look.  "Right."  she lay her ears back.  "Look, we'll just try to get the stuff back for you.  Easy like a lion."
[17:02] * Candlelight_Sonata looks to the two newest party members.  "I don't know what kind of capital ya'll have, but if you need anything, just holler.  I've got a few spare bits to help if I can."
[17:03] * Somber nods.  "Indeed I do.  In fact, if you promise to get it back for me soon, I'll give you a ten percent discount!  How's that sound?"
[17:04] <%Somber> "Make that a fifteen percent discound!"
[17:04] * Calamine smiles appreciatively. "Thank you. I shall take two, please."
[17:05] * Harris puts down the talon, and gives Candlelight_Sonata a smile "Oh that would be most knid of you, thanks." goes back to looking over the shop
[17:11] * Candlelight_Sonata points a hoof at a brown leather duster that looks like her own at the back of the shop.  "That duster armoured?  I sure do like the colour..." she asks Coupon.
[17:13] * Callie cheerfully browses the shop, not looking for anything. Just looking at all the neat stuff.
[17:14] <%Somber> "I could get it armored for twenty five buttons.  Some metal plates.  Some rivets.... yeah... no problem at all."
[17:17] * Candlelight_Sonata hoofs over the buttons for the duster.  "Yes please.  That'd be grand, Coupon."
[17:19] <%Somber> He trots to a door and walks upstairs.  There's the sound of some hammering and banging.  Ten minutes later he comes back down with the duster having a few strategic metal plates hammers in... and holes for the wings of course.
[17:20] * Calamine pockets the two Healing Potions and triple checks to make sure her packs have a good amount of medicine and potions.
[17:21] * Calamine of course gives Coupon the buttons owed to the merchant pony.
[17:22] * Candlelight_Sonata shrugs off her tattered old duster and places it in her saddlebags.  She hoofs over the buttons for the new duster, and smiles down at her new, armour reinforced brown coat.
[17:26] * Naphtha fidgets nervously as the others get better equipped for coming confrontation. She felt a little less than confident in her own security at this point.
[17:27] * Candlelight_Sonata wraps a wing around Naphtha and kneels down to let the dragon onto her back.  "Ready, everyone?"  She asks from her spot on the floor.
[17:28] * Callie "Yes! Totally ready! Ready for adventure! And stuff!"
[17:28] * Naphtha climbs up onto Sonata's back and settles in as best she can. "Uhuh."
[17:28] * Calamine touches the clasp of her cloak and says a simple prayer to the sea. "I believe so."
[17:29] * Strifer stomps her forehooves twice. "Lets go!"
[17:29] <%Somber> Leaving the town for the north, they come across much more intact farms.  These still look like near fortifications, but at least they also showed signs of being worked.  Indeed, it looked like most of the town were farmers.  Hard to believe given how the rest of the world looked.  If it weren't for the guard towers at the corners and the spike tipped
[17:31] <%Somber> walls...  about a quarter mile outside town, they come to a building besides some train tracks.  A flag flutters above it of three brass buttons and the profile of a mule.  Ponies in bright red barding are in some guard, but nothing too serious.  Indeed, it'd probably be possible to trot around them, unless somefolks would like to say hello.
[17:32] * Naphtha fidgeted a bit nervously as she watches the uniformed ponies doing their thing.
[17:33] * Candlelight_Sonata trots slowly and unthreateningly toward the guardsponies.  "Afternoon folks."
[17:33] * Callie cheerfully walks besides Candlelight_Sonata. "Hello!"
[17:34] * Harris just sits in the back keep ing an eye out for trouble
[17:35] * Strifer says nothing, hangs back in the rear of the group with Harris. She shoots the griffin and the other newcommer judging glances every so often.
[17:35] * Candlelight_Sonata passes by the guards, watching them out of the corner of her eye, and listening for any signs of upsettedness should the guards not want them to take the tracks.
[17:35] <%Somber> Instantly they jump to their hooves, fumble for weapons, and try to bring them to bear.  The collection of scruffy ponies, donkeys, and mules is hardly... um... terrifying... except that there's at least twenty of them.  "Halt!  In the name of the baron, identify yourself!  Where are your papers!?!"
[17:36] <%Somber> A donkey officer demands as they try to simply trot on by.
[17:37] * Callie "I don't have any papers. Sorry! I'm just going somewhere with these ponies. Sorry! Can we go now please?"
[17:37] * Candlelight_Sonata stops and holds up her hoof.  "We're not from around here and haven't been given papers yet.  My name is Candlelight Sonata, and these folk are under my protection."  She says slowly, trying to look nonthreatening.
[17:39] <%Somber> "Haven't been given papers?  HAVEN"T BEEN GIVEN PAPERS?!" The donkey screams, his ears rocketing right up like flags.  "What else are papers for but giving?!  Spies!  Saboteurs!  Murderers!  I'll see you hoisted on your own petards... and if you don't have petards, then shame on you!"  He almost bounced on his hooves in his fury.
[17:40] * Candlelight_Sonata eyes widen at the outrage.  "Um... sir, if... if I may.  Perhaps you could be the one to give us said papers?  We haven't met such dutious individuals such as yourselves since we arrived on this island."
[17:40] * Naphtha squeaks a little bit at the ongoing yelling. Well today was working out just great so far.
[17:41] * Callie "Wait, um, mister donkey sir? You can't hoist us on our own petards. That's not what that phrase means. Only I can hoist myself on my own petard, 'cause 'hoist on her own petard' means 'to be done in by ones own doing'!"
[17:41] * Callie digs in her saddlebags briefly. "Oh, actually, I do have papers. Here they are, mister donkey sir!" She presents them.
[17:42] <%Somber> "I!?  I?!  I am not for the giving of the papers!  I am for the checking of the papers!  For the giving of the papers, you must see the custom officials at Costa Del Luna or Costa Del Oro!"  He then stopped and looked at Callie, one eyelid twitching.  "I... you... do not be telling me what the phrase is meaning!  The phrase is meaning what I am saying it is
[17:43] <%Somber> meaning for that is what we are to do!  I..." He blinks as she pulls out her papers.  "Oh!  Well!  Why didn't you say so?!"  And he snatched the little booklet out of her hoof and started to flip through it.
[17:43] * Callie shrugs. "Okay mister donkey sir. Here's my papers. Can I go now please and also can you let these people go too please? I only just met them but they seem really nice."
[17:44] <%Somber> "Nice!  Nice!?  They are without papers!  Only spies and saboteurs and nefarious villians are without their papers!  How else could they be?"  He said, huffing like he was about to blow his gut.  "But you have your papers..."  He blinked and then clutched his head.  "Ah!  What am I to do!  You have your papers but they do not!  There was nothing in the book
[17:45] <%Somber> about what to do if you had some with one but none with another!"  He then peers at Callie.  "What... if... your papers will be for all six?  Yes?  Then if any of the others commit a crime, you will have commited it as well!"
[17:46] * Callie is not perturbed by this thought at all. "Okay! I'm sure they won't, 'cause I know they're all so nice and won't cause any trouble!"
[17:46] * Candlelight_Sonata cocks an ear to the side.  "Uh... thanks Callie?"
[17:46] * Callie beams. "You're welcome!"
[17:47] * Naphtha bit her lower lip and swallowed nervously. She didn't like where this was going...
[17:48] <%Somber> He takes her booklet over to a little table, scribbles a note in it, and then stamps it with a seal.  Trotting back, beaming, he returned it to Callie.  "There!  A note I have been making for the record that you are now to blame for anything that they do!  Thank you for being a good and loyal citizen of the isle!"  Then he glowered at the others.  "But they
[17:48] * Calamine blinks. "What's going on?" she whispers in Candlelight_Sonata's ear, unable to understand the donkey's outrageous accent.
[17:48] <%Somber> should be getting papers for their own!  What will the world become if people are allowed to walk around unaccost without papers!?"
[17:49] * Naphtha mumbled quietly, "... more friendly?..." before she let out a quiet 'glrk' and covered her mouth like she hadn't really meant to say that outloud.
[17:49] * Callie can't quite make out what the donkey means through his grammar mangling, but smiles anyways. "I'm sure they won't be any more trouble for you mister donkey sir!" She turns to the rest of the group. "Okay! We can go through!"
[17:50] <%Somber> The guards all trot back to their position.  It was a good thing there were a lot of them.  Otherwise the Colonel's troops could probably wipe them out in a day or too.
[17:51] * Candlelight_Sonata nods to the guards and trots away, confused as hell as to what just happened.
[17:52] * Harris follows past the guards with thew rest giving them look over his shoulder
[17:53] * Callie is smiling. "That went better than I expected! Sometimes these guys are unreasonable."
[17:54] * Naphtha fidgets a little bit. "I wouldn't think there's be a rebellion if they weren't..."
[17:55] * Candlelight_Sonata pinches the bridge of her nose.  "And I thought  Portlandia was weird..."
[17:55] <%Somber> Once past the train station, they approached a northern jungle.  This one was a good deal less... mmm... trying to eat and kill you.  There was far less menace to the place.  It was a dangerous place, of course, but it wasn't actively trying to kill them."
[17:55] * Calamine looks around. "Why does everyone think different is weird?"
[18:00] * Callie looks around the jungle. "Ahh, quieter out here. Not like towards the town."
[18:00] * Candlelight_Sonata nods quietly in agreement as she trots along the tracks, trying to resist the urge to count her steps.
[18:01] * Naphtha fidgets a bit as she looks up and down the line. "I hope these raiders aren't too dangerous..."
[18:05] * Candlelight_Sonata grimaces.  "I'm hoping they ain't, either, Naphtha."  She admits.  "I'd really rather just sneak in, get the cart, and get out.  No fighting invovled."
[18:06] <%Somber> The rail line cuts its way through the jungle, but it's been maintained and the bush cut back.  Even though there's some rust on the rails, it's still quite intact, despite the rain and greenery.
[18:06] <%Somber> There's also a few bushes with large cantalope sized red fruits hanging from the branches.
[18:07] * Callie "Ooh, those are pretty. I wonder if they're good eating?"
[18:08] * Naphtha looked to Callie a little skeptically. "A-aren't you supposed to be the local guide and expert..?" That did not instill confidence.
[18:09] * Callie shakes her head. "Nope! I can talk to spirits, and shoot a shotgun, and fly!"
[18:09] * Candlelight_Sonata looks to Calamine.  "Calamine, are we allowed to take one?  Or would the jungle spirits rather leave it be?"
[18:09] * Strifer ([email protected]) Quit ( Ping timeout: 121 seconds )
[18:11] * Calamine squees with delight! "These are Bwanga fruit! They are fresh fruit that makes you feel stronger for a short time and then make you a bit inebriated after! I now know what that means!" She then hears Candlelight_Sonata's question. "Oh, this should be fine to pick. It'll take a while for them to ripen though."
[18:13] <Calamine> "We will be able to take the three early ripe ones and leave the rest in peace."
[18:13] * Candlelight_Sonata nods.  "Well... um, only take what we need.  I don't want to anger the shaman again."  She trots close to Calamine.  "And... um, let me know if you ever need help with the spirits.  I don't know if they can be calmed by song, but..."  she trails off and shrugs.
[18:14] * Calamine perks up. "Some angered nuetral spirits can be soothed by song. I will be sure to let you know if you can help with your lovely singing, Candlelight_Sonata."
[18:15] * Callie "Some angered neutral spirits can be smoothed by adding sweet fruit juice to them and drinking them as a drink called a 'cooler'."
[18:16] * Callie "Wait, you're talking about ghosts. Right, sorry. Nevermind.
[18:16] * Candlelight_Sonata giggles at Callie's remark.  "I think I'll avoid those kinds of spirits for the time being, Callie."
[18:16] * Harris puts some of the cantalopes into his bags, still kepping an eye on the jungle
[18:17] * Callie "I don't have any neutral spirits on me right now though, just some rum."
[18:18] <%Somber> After about an hour of walking, they saw a train on the tracks... or rather, three train flatbeds.  They were loaded up with a variety of crates and barrels.  Two ponies stood near by with guns, while a dozen more were harnessed to the front of it, pulling it along towards them.  It was clearly sweaty work.
[18:20] * Candlelight_Sonata holds up a hoof to stop the party.  "Ok, there it is."
[18:20] * Naphtha blinks and looks down the rails curiously. "Um.. I don't... I doubt that's what we're looking for... Is it? H-how would you steal something like that..? It only goes where the rais do..."
[18:20] * Callie "Clearly, that's what they did though. I bet if we just ask nicely they'll give it all back!"
[18:21] * Candlelight_Sonata looks to Naphtha.  "Hmm... good point.  Did we cross the bend to where we needed to go?"  she asks, trying to think of Coupon's directions.
[18:21] <%Somber> One of the two guards pulled a lever on the flatbed and the breaks squealed and it came to a halt.  The ponies pulling it were clearly glad for the break.
[18:21] <%Somber> "Hey!  Who are you guys?" The stallion with the rifle asked
[18:21] * Callie "Well, I'm Callie!"
[18:23] * Calamine smiles brightly. "And I am Calamine... We are not related in any way, we just have similar names it appears."
[18:23] <%Somber> "Right...." he drawled.  "Better question.  What are you doing on these tracks?"
[18:23] * Candlelight_Sonata nods toward the party.  "We are merely travellers passing through."
[18:24] * Callie "Walking! We're walking. I'd be flying if I were alone, but I'm with these wonderful people, so I'm walking!"
[18:24] <%Somber> "Alright then.  If you're no trouble to us then we're no trouble to you."
[18:24] * Naphtha squeaks and bites her lower lip, watching the weapons nervously.
[18:25] * Candlelight_Sonata bows her head slightly.  "Thank you.  It looks like you've journeyed a ways on these planks.  Don't suppose you passed by a spur on your way?"
[18:26] * Calamine bows her head like Candlelight_Sonata. "Yes. Thank you both."
[18:28] <%Somber> "Yeah, we did, but you don't want to go down that way.  Bunch of banditos down that way.  Hit the last transport.  I was worried they were going to go after us too.
[18:29] * Candlelight_Sonata frowns.  "We'll keep an eye out.  Again, thank you for the advice."  she says as she begins to move past the train.
[18:29] * Harris nods at that
[18:32] <%Somber> "Alrighty!  Move!"  He snapped, undoing the break.  The pullers groaned, but heaved into the harnesses and with a grind of metal, got the train cars moving again.  "Pull!  Pull!  No half button for you if we don't make it to the station before noon!  Pull!"
[18:33] * Candlelight_Sonata grinds to a stop.  "Excuse me... half button?"
[18:33] * Callie "Yeah, that doesn't seem like a lot of pay."
[18:34] * Naphtha winces and looks down sadly. "I.. Um... I don't think... I mean..." she stumbles over her words. Getting involved in this...
[18:34] <%Somber> "Yeah.  Half a button per trip.  Both ways." he said with a frown.  "What.  Ain't like they're slaves."
[18:35] * Candlelight_Sonata mentally does the maths and realises that it'd be impossible to make it to the station by noon, even if the poor ponies sprinted.  She takes on a rather dark look.  "Then what are they.  Considering 1 whole button couldn't feed a pony."
[18:35] <%Somber> "Employees.  Under contract.  They're free ta quit anytime, but they forfeit their pay if they do," he said with a dismissive wave of his hoof.
[18:36] * Callie refuses to be dismayed.
[18:39] * Harris smerks "Bad contracts if you ask me. But then you didn't make them sine it, right?" he half heartedly asked the lead pony
[18:39] * Candlelight_Sonata looks at the guardspony, thankful Harris decided to talk.  She works on smiling without baring her fangs.  It's working.  Sort of.
[18:40] <%Somber> "Nope.  Course, not like they had much of a choice.  Pull a cart for half a button.  Work a field for half a button.  Dig a mine for half a button."
[18:40] <%Somber> "Me.  I knew a foreman.  So I run the team.  From up here."  He said with a grin.
[18:40] * Calamine realizes what's going on. "Oh! They are laborers. I see."
[18:41] * Candlelight_Sonata grumbles to herself.  "Laborers paid in shit wages with no hope of moving up."
[18:41] <%Somber> "Well duh.  That's what they're for.  Now if you don't mind, it's a long pull back to Costa Del Sol."
[18:41] * Callie "Tough, tough work, tough ponies, toughness... Hey! Calamine, weren't you just telling us those fruits made you tougher if you ate them?"
[18:43] * Calamine nods. "For a bit. They would feel weaker and a little drunk after they wear off though. Usually lasts about an hour."
[18:45] * Candlelight_Sonata finds it harder and harder to smile.  "So... who do they work for again?"  she asks quietly, realising that the pony in charge isn't really in charge, nor worth her time hurting as it'll make no difference in the long run.
[18:45] * Naphtha chewed her lower lip and just fidgeted nervously. Watching the worker ponies a bit. Wondering if they were still, well, pulling while the conversation was going on.
[18:45] <%Somber> "The silver house in Costa Del Nord.  They control all the markets and business on the island."
[18:48] * Candlelight_Sonata nods.  "Good to know.  Good to know..."  she says, trailing off.  "Might have to make a trip up to Costa Del Nord..." she says, looking at the poor ponies who are only slightly better treated than slaves with sadness.
[18:49] * Callie "Well, these aren't the ponies we're looking for anyways."
[18:53] * Candlelight_Sonata sings softly to the ponies of the train.  "I hear your voice on the wind... and I hear you calling out my name.  'Listen my child' I say to you, 'I am the voice of your history..."
[18:55] <%Somber> The pulling ponies seem appreciative for the song, as its better than nothing but a half button.
[18:55] * Naphtha is now known as Ilushia
[18:58] * Callie is now known as Scorch_Mechanic
[18:58] * Scorch_Mechanic is now known as Callie
[18:59] * Callie is now known as Scorch_Mechanic
[19:00] * Harris is now known as Jackelmandingo
[19:11] * Scorch_Mechanic is now known as Scorch_Mechanic[A]