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Post by Asterian Starfall on Feb 9, 2014 16:48:08 GMT
Asterian saw many thousands of buildings, some tall, some shorter, some with ledges and decorative protrusions, others closely spaced next to each other with narrow alleys running between. Occasionally, there were poles and signposts on walls, and far below piles of hay stacked at the bottom of various towers, such as in the kitchen storage area under the ledge outside the window where he was. An eagle that had been resting on a nearby cloud woke up as it heard him approach the window, blinked and took off with a screech. The sun-crystals shined over the city, making the buildings gleam like so many jewels and gemstones in a chest. Ponies, griffons, diamond dogs and deer milled about the streets, going about their daily business, and usually not paying heed to the rooftops. The perfect environment for a little... exercise. (( I know you're probably rolling your eyes at my idea for an Ezio type character. )) The young stallion prepared himself. He shook his legs out in turn to begin his run. The son of Jace climbed into the windowsill, perching himself along the edge. Many feet below, a small wagon filled with hay rested just under the tower. There's the way down... Now to make the jump. Fear dissolved. Time slowed. Everything was gone, save the soft pitter-patter of his own heartbeat. Asterian pushed off with his hind legs and defied gravity -- even if for a second -- before he began to fall to the ground. |
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Post by Bane Emural on Feb 10, 2014 13:44:51 GMT
"I'll have some if you would please. I have been travelling for a day without food looking for another settlement and haven't had the time to replenish my supply before heading out. In fact, I didn't think of food 'til now." Aldorn approaches Warm Heart. |
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Post by wanderingmagus on Feb 10, 2014 21:02:16 GMT
The wind rushing through his mane, his own breathing, and his heartbeat was all that existed. The feeling of weightlessness, like he was an alicorn, flying through the air in wonder and glory... Three hundred, two hundred, one hundred, fifty, position! The hay rose up to meet him as he hurtled out of the sky, miraculously cushioning his fall in ways that wouldn't have made sense- if it weren't for his training and epic {skills}lol . ***** The Lieutenant smiled and nodded, opening a compartment and getting out a circular disk-like object. Turning her body to shield it from the wind, she cracked it in half, and a flash of light briefly lit up the hollow before fading, revealing that the disk had turned briefly into a magically shielded box of nice, warm muffins with steamed vegetables on the side. " It's not much, but it's filling, and tastes pretty good, I think," smiled Warm Heart, offering it to Aldorn. |
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Post by Midnight_Aurora on Feb 10, 2014 22:25:56 GMT
Frost saw the muffins and said, "Ohhh Muffins! I think I once loved those and then forgot their taste. Dang cold adaptation. May I get one please?" Frost Holds out a hoof for one of the muffins.
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Post by Bane Emural on Feb 10, 2014 23:10:41 GMT
Aldorn smiles underneath his mask and gives a muffin to Frost. He removes his mask and hood, ignoring the cold, and eats his meals. Finished, he puts his mask and hood back on. He slightly bows his head in thanks. "Thank you for sharing your rations with me. I was rather surprised that sort of food would be made out here as a ration. Surprisingly warm and good. I believe that was my first taste of muffin."
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Post by Asterian Starfall on Feb 11, 2014 0:51:24 GMT
The young colt climbed his way out of the hay wagon - to his surprise yet expectation - unscathed from his fall. He brushed a few loose strands from his robe and shook himself off before regaining a sense of his surroundings. Instantly, he had his route. A small pile of crates along a building. A long archway. A small courtyard walled in by a brick structure. The colt ran towards the crates, jumping from box to box as he scaled the cityscape. Leaping from building to building felt... freeing.
He was on top of the world.
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Post by Wavelength on Feb 13, 2014 8:35:30 GMT
The blue unicorn almost didn't notice Coffee Joe, but managed to return the wave on his way past. Quickly enough, he buried his conflicting thoughts and focused on his current task.
Roughly an hour and a half later, Mr. Brown had returned home, cleaned, and polished his client's first-found diamond, and he was on his way to show the diamond dog just how amazing it had turned out. He could scarcely hide the diamond's powerful reflections from everypony on the street; he didn't want to call too much attention to it, but concealing the big gemstone was like trying to cover a flare. It could be done, but the slightest hint of light was nearly amplified in its reflection.
Mr. Brown managed to reach the mines without incident and waited for one of the diamond dogs to check in. The mining groups had a tendency to periodically send a member to the entrance to check for news during longer digs.
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Post by wanderingmagus on Feb 13, 2014 23:53:49 GMT
The Lieutenant smiled and passed the box over to Frost, then nodded to Aldorn. "It's a pleasure to share what we have with you. That's why we serve, to give hope to others, and to protect those who are in need."
*****
Leaping and flipping across the rooftops, Asterian could see all the denizens of Duchy Fancy milling about below or flying above. There was, perhaps, one young filly that did a double take as he sailed past, staring wide-eyed and open-mouthed, but besides that his tricks and antics were his own, and the skyline of Orod Khazad his playground.
He presently became aware of a slight chilly breeze, and looking up he had a feeling that for some reason, the Front Gate had opened briefly. It might not be of great concern now, but he had time, and the Front Gate opening was a rare event these days.
*****
Scotty was on lookout shift today, a young pup and a grandson of Rover who had grown up in Duchy Fancy (dogs bred much faster than ponies, though some breeds often lived as long as, or longer than, the average pony). He grinned and waved as the pony approached.
"Welcome back, Mr. Brown! Grandpa Rover said to give you this when you came."
He took out a large bag of bits and gave them over to the stallion, standard pay and a bit extra.
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Post by Bane Emural on Feb 14, 2014 1:56:43 GMT
"Well somewhere along the line my purpose converges into yours. My goal is to find out why and how the Gods and Goddesses have disappeared and find a way to restore this world back to where it once was. Although, seeing how I have lived in a small village near a volcano for most of my life, I don't know where most of the main towns and cities are at, or where to start looking. I have only gone up far north past the border to meet other Blacksmiths like myself." Aldorn sits down against a frozen wall.
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Post by Asterian Starfall on Feb 14, 2014 2:01:30 GMT
Asterian moved along the urban jungle with speed and silence. The slight draft in the air left him curious as to who might have arrived in the city. Come to think of it, it had been a while since he had seen an outsider; perhaps now would be the perfect time to meet one.
He picked up the pace, racing against time to make it there.
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Post by Midnight_Aurora on Feb 14, 2014 11:55:23 GMT
Frost nods in agreement with the Lieutenant and says, "That is why I have been trying to find out more about the sisters and why they left. once this task is taken care of, would y'all like to join me in searching? Maybe together we can save this world and hopefully find the sisters and bring them home." Frost accepts all muffins offered to her. the one from Aldorn was quickly covering in frost as she ate it fast trying to enjoy it while it was warm. she got one from the Lieutenant and it held for longer because it came from the heated box and she actually got to truly enjoy it warm. She then said,"It reminds me of Mom's Muffins. Back before the cold Mother and another mare would always have a muffin off with me as the taster. I always said they both are winners in my book because I loved their muffins. I think the other mare had bubbles for a cutie mark."
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Post by Bane Emural on Feb 14, 2014 13:23:20 GMT
"Not only bring the Sun and the Moon, but the other gods and goddesses of this world." Aldorn pulls out a necklace. It contains a symbol of Gaia, Goddess of the Earth. "Gaia has disappeared from our temple's shrine without any trace or reason why. All but one instructions set for us: Survive. With Gaia gone, my forge became melted into the volcano and the volcano itself froze into nothing more than molten ice. And without the protection of Gaia, Rowan became nothing more than a cold desolat wasteland." He puts the necklace back into the cloak and looks at Frost. "I will join you in restoring the land, in return, we rescue the two sisters and the other gods and goddesses of this world."
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Post by Midnight_Aurora on Feb 14, 2014 16:44:10 GMT
" Not only bring the Sun and the Moon, but the other gods and goddesses of this world." Aldorn pulls out a necklace. It contains a symbol of Gaia, Goddess of the Earth. " Gaia has disappeared from our temple's shrine without any trace or reason why. All but one instructions set for us: Survive. With Gaia gone, my forge became melted into the volcano and the volcano itself froze into nothing more than molten ice. And without the protection of Gaia, Rowan became nothing more than a cold desolat wasteland." He puts the necklace back into the cloak and looks at Frost. " I will join you in restoring the land, in return, we rescue the two sisters and the other gods and goddesses of this world." Frost nods in agreement, "Yup! That was the plan. Though I only thought about finding out what happened to them first. Then Do what I could to restore what was lost. Then I think we got ourselves a partnership. Maybe even a friendship or the start of a fellowship to find the lost gods and goddesses. I think it would now be a good time to continue our path to help this group of ponies find a home." Frost Waits for the others to agree. Then she begins to lead them in the direction of the group of ponies she promised to help. |
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Post by Wavelength on Feb 14, 2014 18:10:45 GMT
" Welcome back, Mr. Brown! Grandpa Rover said to give you this when you came." He took out a large bag of bits and gave them over to the stallion, standard pay and a bit extra. Mr. Brown gave a silly smile. "Isn't it a might early for him to be paying me?" he asked with a laugh before lowering his voice. "Though I'm quite sure the end result won't make him think twice," he whispered as he leaned in and uncovered part of the diamond for Scotty to see. Even in the shadow of a pony and a diamond dog, the diamond still caught light and reflected a rainbow of colors on their faces. Mr. Brown covered it again after a moment and held it out to Scotty. "How many more did you come across?" he asked. "If you found many more of these, I wager you could decorate a castle." |
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Post by wanderingmagus on Feb 15, 2014 6:30:39 GMT
Asterian could just walk like a normal citizen. But then he would take quite a long time to get there. The faster, more direct route called for a few... leaps of faith.
For some reason, the eagle from outside his window always seemed to be taking a nap just as he reached the top of each tower, waking up and screeching in annoyance as he came up before flying off.
*****
The diamond dog grinned at Mr. Brown, and pulled a few finger-sized lumps from his pockets. "Grandpa wasn't just being generous today, sir. You really saved our hide with that tip about the motherload. You get first dibs if you want, of course."
Very, very impressive diamonds, including gold-tinged and pink-tinged diamonds that were more rare than the conventional white diamond. There were also a few rubies and sapphires along with the standard gems; this place was probably a magma tunnel at one point.
*****
The soldiers looked at each other, contemplating Frost's proposal, then nodded. "We'll have to okay it with the Commander, of course, but if we're given permission, yes, we will help you in your... quest."
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