[IC] Equestrian Radio Show's Adventure Variety Hour: Explorers of STOMP

[CoffeeHorse]

"I do not know how long I've been here. I just feel it would be wrong for me to leave.

I can not make demands but I do have a request of you, Snowy Skies. I do not want another like Barometz to get a hold of a wand. It could spell disaster if used by someone with greater ambitions than he."

I believe that, and I think it's already in my job description, so you don't have to worry about it. I promise. Snowy responds with an inward smile. I'm more worried about you. He confesses. Barometz was brutal, but at least he wouldn't give you up to someone more dangerous. We made waves back in the cavern, and the ponies you're worried about might come after you instead of another wand. That puts all of Nightmare Heights in danger. Are you sure I can't convince you to come back to Caballuston with me? I promise to keep you company if you do.

---

"Well, what I say next can either be soul crushing or a ray of hope. Given what you've told me so far, I hope you except it as a ray of hope."

"The world survived for long before Night Cap and Static were ever born. I reckon it'll survive for a long after we're gone."

---

"And what would happen to Nightmare Heights if they came looking for me and I was not here. Also, I worry. I have the feeling that there are wands more dangerous than I.

But I do not seek to leave your mind in stress. You've received a new life. Shouldn't you be spending that with your friends?"​

---

I count you among my friends; You saved my life. Snowy says with the mental equivalent of a nuzzle. He thought COIN might follow the trail away from Nightmare Heights with relative stealth, but he could tell he wasn't going to convince the wand to leave. Most of my friends are halfway across the continent right now, fighting a tornado last I checked, but I'll try. In the meantime, take care of yourself, okay?

---

"I will. Thank you for everything."​

Scarlet Spectrum, Snowy Skies, and Splash Flaunt arrived in the center of town to see the outside of the guest house was finished and that Brisk Iron and Veldfire Green were talking. "Glad to see you're back in one piece. We'll need to get packed up before the air ferry gets here."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

The Maples disgusted by another failure swing back toward the central building and pick up the supplies one of them had left there.

"I'll take it, it will fit better on me since I didn't actually eat all those chocolates last night."
"Oh... then why are you so pudgy? hmm?"
>_> <_< "errr"

After a moment of stern looks past between herselves the Maples giggled and fell into a rolling ball of hugs eventually wrapping the saddlebags over a shoulder each and flying back to the hospital happily self distracted from not catching Casino's friend.

---

While he had not tried talking to the Wand of Incomparable Green himself, Scarlet had seen Veldfire Green. So he was pretty sure that Snowys silence was actually him conversing withe Wand. Smiling to himself, Scarlet turned to Brisk Iron.

"All went well. We return with information, odd findings, and another puzzle piece Chief," Scarlet said.

---

"Well, it sounds like we'll have things to discuss during the trip back. I'm hoping the 'odd' doesn't turn out to be anything too dangerous. We could all use a rest from that part of the job."

---

"Win?" Static asked curiously. "I don't think it has anything to do with winning or loosing. It's just...finding your place in the world...and not letting it drive you crazy. Your job...your...night time...job...it's a big responsibility I'm sure. I realise I have no frame of reference to really understand what you do. But it does seem to weigh on you. I just..."

Static huffs. "No job is worth being miserable your whole life. I've spent most of my life miserable, Night. It sucks. I don't know what it would take, what you'd have to do. I just...my hope for you is that you find some way to not let it drag you down."

---

"I guess that depends on your point of view. Splash Flaunt found what turned out to be the seemingly long abandoned, long decayed cottage of a pony named Moonbeam Writ. An architec who is connected to a gpfew other Keep mysteries, from what Snowy Skies has mentioned. We can eloborate more on the air ferry," Scarlet said in a slightly lower voice.

---

Rhapsody looks to Grape Vine. "I'm guessing that Maps show the way to something important?"

---

"That would be my guess. I could never make any sense of them but I guess Casino saw something I didn't.

Once again, thank you. I'll be sending Ode to Ocean along with you since I now know Casino just gave it to me to soften me up. I also have some things I'll need to send later for study but this will be enough on the train as is."

Soon, everything was loaded onto the train. Static Signal and Flairvoyant were carried to a separate train car by the medical staff and were attended to on the uneventful ride back. Upon arriving, Rhapsody made a beeline for Brisk Iron's office in order to give her report.

Spoiler

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

He pauses.

"Actually, you do have some frame of reference. You remember what happened to Zig Zag. You surely noticed that the princess recognized me. That is my business. A bad example, unfortunately, as I prefer to prevent such messes rather than clean them up, but still an example. You may also remember that I did not get much cooperation."

Static nodded. "Well...even more so then than now, we could hardly be considered a team back then...more like a random group of ponies," he said with a huff. "I hope we've gotten somewhat better," he says, considering how he managed to broker a deal to spare Flairvoyant, only to have somepony decide to press the issue. Now both he and Flairvoyant were badly hurt...didn't even manage to capture the perps. "Somewhat," he repeated with a huff.

"But that's not the point. I'm just saying...don't let the job drag you down. You only get one life. Don't live it miserably."

---

Static raised an eyebrow. He was looking back up at the ceiling, so Night Cap probably didn't see it. But he thought that was something that had already been established. It was the first word he'd addressed Night Cap as.

After the argument he had with Raphsody on the way to Nightmare heights, the way they satirized the documentaries together, the pancake house, the way Night Cap went with him to face Dazzling, the way he disobeyed orders twice to save his neck, the sunglasses...how was that even a question?

"I think I have a few discriptors I'd use for you: Comrade, friend, brother. You are most definetly my friend. But I think I like to consider you more a brother."

"When I first used the terms brother, sister and family with Raphsody, I'm not sure if she got my meaning. Friends drift apart. Life gets in the way of friendships. But brothers? It doesn't matter what happens, how many years pass...brothers are brothers."

---

"Anything that needs to be said I'd imagine. I've never actually had a brother before..." [...that I know of.] "What's on your mind, Night?"

---

Static chuckled and smiled broadly. "Night, Anchors and I have been dating for a little more than a month now. I've learned a lot about her and she about me. But to say I understand anything about mares...I have yet to hear any stallion to claim that.

"Hardest part is the introduction, letting her know you're interested. After that, it's just building on what you've started...not that that's easy, mind.

"I don't know, Night. I can give advice. But I'm actually trying to figure out that very same answer myself."

Waves of pain ripple over Static as he turned to Night Cap with a grin on his face. Worth it!

"Soooo...who you got your eye on?" he asked in a singsong tone.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Nighmare Heights? Well, shoot! Why didn't you see if you could join Snowy and Ms. Iron? Well... I guess if you had, I'd be dead now. But hey! Maybe on a weekend or something you can go there and try to find her."

---

"Soooo, c'mon, Night! Don't keep me in the dark. What's her name?"

---

...

"You don't know her name?"

---

"I'm pretty good with maps! You wouldn't happen to have any copies lying around?" Misty asks, trying to find some other way to be helpful.

---

Static frowned. "I can't give you her name" always meant that the pony does in fact know the name. Night Cap was hiding something. That kinda hurt.

[Dang this group was full of secrets!]

[Tartarus with it! Let him have it his way. I'm too tired to probe for it.]

"Well, I hope you find her. If you do, start simply. Compliment her eyes or her mane or something. Something simple. Ask her to coffee or something. Not dinner, not a movie. If you don't hit it off, you're still stuck next to her with no escape. Coffee or a brief snack is just long enough to to see if you want to pursue her. And if you do, you can always invited her somewhere else.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Grape Vine sighed. "Sadly no. I just wish I knew what the escape plan was or some sort of clue about who they are. There's limited ways out of the city. They might be waiting for things to die down before making a run for it. Actually...if they originally arrived legitimately, it's not impossible they plan to simply walk out when their trip is over instead of drawing attention to themselves."

---

"Well... be careful, okay, Miss Grape Vine? It'd be terrible if they tried to hurt you or somepony else after we left."

---

Static sighed. He was growing tired of this...not least of all because he knew Night Cap was hiding something from him and that irked him. But besides that...

"You realize this is like the blind leading the blind, right? I can repeat the same 'easier said than done' advice I've heard my whole life. But I've never been that great with the mares. Anchors? I don't know what in Equestria she saw in me that made her decide to give me a chance, but it sure couldn't have been my suave demeanor."

"I don't know how you invite someone to something. I know it's easier said than done. But I don't think there's any secret to it. You just have to stallion up and do it. You just say 'hey, if you're not doing anything later, want to get a drink?' She says yes, she says no...you go from there."

---

"Besides the jumping out of a helicopter without a parachute thing? I don't know, Night. You really want to know what I'm thinking about?"

"I'm thinking I should be dead. I jumped out of that helicopter with hardly a thought. And that should've been the end of me. No more dates with Anchors, no more arguments with Trade Wind, no more coffee, no more pancakes, a Luna documentary left incomplete...all that thrown away with barely a thought."

"In fact if I'd have thought about it, I'm not so sure I would've done it. Or at least, I may have hesitated, maybe a bit too long."

"I mean...there was a unicorn and a pegasus that could've saved Flairvoyant just as easily as I could've with less collateral damage. I'm not sure. Does that make my actions heroic or just plain stupid?"

---

Static smiled.

"Heh! I like that. I'll have to remember that one. Thanks, Night."

And just like that, any suspicions Static had were abated...mostly.

File "suspiciously dodging question.nightcap"
delete
save to "ponies to distrust"
save to "not important"
remind me later

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Brisk Iron and the others at Nightmare Heights gathered their things as they prepared for the air ferry's arrival. Ready Quill had a large box full of paperwork and looked fairly tired. When the air ferry arrived, he doved off almost as soon as he sat down. Once airborne, Brisk Iron addressed the group with, "Things went well enough in town. The ponies seemed amicable and I had interesting discussion with Veldfire. What all happened in the swamp?"

---

After getting himself settled in the air ferry, Scarlet considered Brisk Iron. Keeping his voice low so as not entice anypony to eavesdrop, Scarlet began.

"Oddly quiet really. After Snowy Skies dispatch of Barometz, there were no immediate threats... Apart from Snakes, but we'll get to that. Plenty of mysteries though.

The Wand of Incomparable Green actually allowed us to bypass the long slog through the swamp, and give a high speed seed ride to the Cave system. With Snowy leading, and lighting, the way, we headed for the only tunnel not previously explored by your team the last time they were here. Sadly not much to see apart from some strange bioluminescent growths. And this," Scarlet said, passing the strange puzzle piece. "It was partly buried, in the ceiling. Snowy said you have about 50 of these already, plus some puzzle boxes too?

After that, it was on to an underground pool which Ms. Flaunt discovered not only lead back to the swamp, but also an old, very old, lone house out on an island. Another seed ride later and we started to investigate. Well," Scarlet said with a wry smile. "We did after Snowy trapped the Cottonmouth hiding in the house. You know how i love snakes Chief. Anyway, apart a suspiciously intact mirror, considering how rotten the rest of the place was, i did found some carving work with the initials 'MW' on them that Snowy identified as belonging to a missing pony architect named Moonbeam Writ."

Turning to look over at Snowy Skies, Scarlet added.

"Why don't you take it from here Snowy."

---

Snowy shrugs. "There's not much left to take, really. Moonbeam Writ is the current sole resident of the alternate dimension that Night Cap rescued Desert Rose from. I believe he's the architect of said mansion as well, and given his stylistic preferences we suspect he's the architect of The Castle of the Two Sisters. His cottage in the swamp was so old it rightfully should've collapsed by now, but it wasn't well preserved. I suppose he built it too, and that's why it's still standing. Anyways, the mirror had small traces of magic and looked like it was under a Gentle Repose spell, or something similar. It was in perfect condition, except for some splotches of ro! t at the bottom. There were a few scorch marks on the floor, and they all had the same magical signature as these bizarre puzzle pieces, but I couldn't get any magic to flare up and I didn't want to risk the structural stability of the house. We also found the third puzzle chest in cottage, so we took that and left everything else intact."

---

Brisk Iron adjusted her glasses while looking over the rose gold and alabaster square. "I worry about this. We could be on the verge of a grand discovery or toying with something we don't fully understand. In other words...the usual. What I'm trying to figure out is just what we're missing."

---

Brisk Iron adjusted her glasses while looking over the rose gold and alabaster square. "I worry about this. We could be on the verge of a grand discovery or toying with something we don't fully understand. In other words...the usual. What I'm trying to figure out is just whatwe're missing."

"We're not out of leads yet." Snowy replies. "This puzzle box should hold the last piece of the building plans we found in the other two, if Amber can open it. But it seems like it was moved to Moonbeam's cottage from a spot in the cavern. It might hold something more important, maybe the scale to describe the dimensional stretching that Desert Rose described. Then there's the matter of the puzzle pieces, and the fact that we haven't looked up Moonbeam Writ himself yet. If he built the Castle of the Two Sisters, there must be something written about him."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"I've even heard of the pony, despite knowing of the Castle and its distinctive design. Although i guess my interests lie in other, much older directions."

Nodding towards the puzzle piece, Scarlet continued.

"It is an enigma certainly. After finding that lodged impossibly in the cavern ceiling, along with how Snowy descirbed the way you found tye other pieces and boxes, i wondered much the same thing. It could that Moonbeam Writ Did this to himself. Tried to scatter the pieces as he retreated to this 'Manorspace' in order to throw off or slow down pursuers. Although how he scattered everything the way they are, as well as the fact that he now seems to be stuck in 'Manorspace' do shoot holes in that theory.

Alternatively. Moonbeam was deliberately tricked and trapped in 'Manorspace' by parties--and for reasons--unknown. Parties who then went to extreme lengths to scatter the pieces of the puzzle," Scarlet gave a 'no pun intended' grin, "thus preventing or delaying any rescue attempts.

Although the way Snowy described how several unconnected ponies have been pulled into 'Manorspace' muddles things further. Whatever is going on, somepony seems to have very deliberately scattered anything connected to Moonbeam Writ."

Scarlet huffed in frustration.

"So many questions, and to few answers. I'd like to help Ms. Sparks solve these puzzle boxes if i can Chief? We could try and assemble the puzzle pieces into...whatever it is they were built for too. Not without precautions of course."

---

"It would be better if you contacted Amber herself or the department head, Steel Flint. Otherwise you have my permission to work on it."

---

"Thanks Chief. I'll see if i can find them when we get back to the Keep."

---

"While you had a bit of an adventure, things in town were actually relatively relaxing. It was an odd change of pace to my usual "out of office" days."

---

"You never do get to relax much do you Chief. Challenge and strife always seem to know where you are. So its good to hear you got a break," Scarlet said, giving Brisk Iron a wry smile.

"Speaking of the town. How are Veldfire Green and the rest if the town reacting to the demise of Barometz and the Wand of Incomparable Green? Will it remain with them? I got the impression that it wanted to, um, make amends for Barometz? Maybe even do some good for Nightmare Heights."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static returns his attention to the ceiling. At first he tries to count the cracks. Then he tries to make out pictures in the stucco patterns.

Mind numbing. How long had he been glaring at the ceiling. How many hours?

He lifted his head to look at the clock...barely 3 minutes.

"I hate being inactive," he growled.

---

Static glanced over at Night Cap. He could hear the grumbling stomach from where he was.

"I'd say that's a distinct possibility."

It made sense. They hadn't eaten since breakfast. In fact, now that his attention was drawn to it, Statics own stomach felt rather empty.

Still, he was too grumpy to eat. Empty stomach, no appetite. That can't be a good mix. Still, maybe he should at least try keep up his strength.

"What kind of food do you suppose they have here?"

---

Static shrugged. "Dunno. They were expecting us to be gone soon. We may have been meant to wait till we were on the flight home...maybe. I don't really know. Have any of those bugle chips left?"

---

"Well, I'm sure you can call a nurse and ask. Not sure my voice is strong enough for the task. If they do have food, I guess I'll just take whatever they have that's ready. I'm hungry, but I don't have much of an appetite."

---

"So do we go investigate? We have a suspect ..and a location and that's more than we had the last time." Maple asks.

---

Maples flanked the others, keeping far enough apart to not chide each other about their bellies this time... am I even that same copy? or do I just have copied memories of that copy from the original Maple... or am I the original Maple and these aren't copied Memories but my actual memories... maybe the other me knows..? Maple was about to ask herself out loud, but they had arrived at the door.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

First Ivory knocked very loudly on Double Dusk's door. "Double Dusk, are youse in there?" The door cracked as the athletic pony poked her head out. She was wearing a golden silk dress with two jump ropes tied around her waist as a belt. "What is it?" "We need youse to come with us to da police station to answer some questions. You're a suspect in this morning's bank robbery." "Preposterous! What makes you think I'm connected?" "We found a jump rope at the crime scene." "Just because I have the current world record in double dutch, that doesn't mean every jump rope makes me a suspect. I participate in many extreme sports you know." "Youse coming quietly or are we gonna have to use force on youse?" Instead of backing down, Double Dusk chuckled and smirked. "How about 'youse' listen up. You and I both know I have world famous credibility. We also both know Petrichor Falls has a reputation. It would be quite a shame if all of Grape Vine's plans for improving that reputation...like inviting those silly little ballerinas to perform here...suddenly went down the drain. Lay a hoof on me and think of the consequences. Nopony would believe you. Nopony would be willing to help any of you. And I'm sure the royal guard would show up to investigate why this 'reformed' crime city is harming foreign visitors. Now run along. Don't you have others to chase down, like Casino Soufflé?"

"I never mentioned Casino. Boss Vine's announcements didn't neither."

"Oh. I uh..." Double Dusk suddenly threw down a smoke bomb, then dashed towards the window! Meanwhile, the door to the opposite room swung open and a unicorn mare dashed down the hallway!

Spoiler

---

Spoiler

Each Maple thrusts a hoof into the smoke... "Double Clothesline!"

---

Misty, also unhindered by the smoke, can clearly see Double Dusk heading for the window.

"She's going for the window! Aha! I'll head her off!" she says, apparently conversing with herself. Within seconds, the other Misty appears just outside of the window.

"Hiiiii!"
"Hiiiii!"

---

"That's good. I hope things start to look up for them now that dark cloud has been lifted from them, thanks to Snowy Skies," Scarlet said with a smile.

"Oh yes. I hear that Flairvoyant has finally gotten out of the office. I hope she's doing alright."

---

With Double Dusk bolting to the Window, the figure of the heroic Black Night dives through the window to tackle her. "Surely, you're not turning down an interview? I thought you liked talking with your fans." She says in a gruff voice looking down to the pinned athlete.

Spoiler

---

Maplejack's double clothesline bowled over the unicorn that was trying to escape. Meanwhile, Black Night leaping through the window caused Double Dusk to freeze up. She almost immediately shifted to a softer and almost confused voice. "W-what's going on? Why are..." "Don't even try it. I've read up on youse and I know that despite becoming famous for sports, youse went to college for acting. Face it, there's no way youse are getting out of this. Black Night, help me tie her up."

Spoiler

[Something was edited in here.]​

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Hospital budget means you can only have one. You wouldn't want to deprive your fellow patients of their meals, would you?"

---

Black Night nods and grabs one of Double Dusk's jump ropes, and quickly dashes around her binding the foe. "Maybe you should look into a profession that will leave you less tied up." She states as she looks to the rest of the group. "Glad to see others have figured out her rouse as well. I've been investigating several cases, and a few leads brought me here. Learning that Miss Superstar here was in town, I wanted to question her about always seeming to be around when robberies occur."

Spoiler

---

While the Maples were both flabbergasted at the arrival of a real life super hero ... the sprawled out Unicorn between them needed attention...

"Grab a front hoof and a back hoof and keep the pointy end looking the other direction."
"Yeah okay."

---

Static fought his gag reflex when the menu was listed. His stomach told him he was hungry and needed to eat, yet the thought of food made him sick...especially when the thought of the pasty, goopy mess of green that were the mashed peas already made him think of what he was specifically trying not to think of at the moment.

Fighting back down the feeling that had already made it to the top of his throat he regarded the nurse. "I'll take the carrots please."

---

Misty is absolutely beside herself.

"Wooooooow! Black Night is here! A real, live superhero, all the way from Caballuston! This is so cool!"
"Wooooooow! Black Night is here! A real, live superhero, all the way from Caballuston! This is so cool!"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Brisk Iron nodded to Scarlet Spectrum, "I'm sure Flairvoyant is doing fine. She's resourceful and she's with a good team."

Snowy thought that it Scarlet's informal, easygoing attitude around Brisk Iron was fascinating; it was unique, as far as he had seen, and idiosyncratic, since Scarlet was in the same position as everyone else who ever spoke to the director. "Not that this can be that much of a surprise, director, but the Petrichor Falls mission is not going as planned. At the very least, there's a tornado and some hostages at a! bank vault...we're going to need some thorough reports to sort this one out, it sounds crazy." He massages the back of his neck with a forehoof. "I'm thinking I might have chosen the easy mission." Easier, anyways.

Spoiler

---

Seemingly not awake enough yet to put up a fuss... the unicorn between the Maples made no attempt to struggle as they shuffled their way over to Misty and Misty.

"It really is kinda Neat isn't it!?"
"and She's really strong too... took down un-doubled dutch all by her self."

The Maples swoon -slightly however with the captured would-be escapee between them they sort of just end up leaning slightly inward. [ /-\ ]

---

Static notes Night Caps disappointment. "I'm sure they have enough that you can have whichever one you want. I think she just meant they don't have enough for everypony to get both. If it helps any, my stomach's kinda testy. Seeing the portion size from here, I doubt I'll want more than half of mine if you want the rest."

---

The nurse happily nodded. "That's right, both would be too much but there would be enough for either." She gave Night Cap his peas then paused at Static Signal. "Considering the extent of your injuries, Mr. Signal, will you require somepony to feed you?"


The second rope was used to tie up the unicorn mare Maplejack was holding. With both Double Dusk and her associate detained, First Ivory and First Ivory looked over to Black Night. "Youse want to l! ead this or should I?"

---

Static looked up to the nurse. "Nah, I can..." Static tries to lift his hoof to take the food. "I can get..." His hooves won't move. "I totally got..." He can't even move his hooves so much as an inch. "Yeah, I guess I'm going to need a little help," he finally admitted begrudgingly.

[Ponyfeathers!]

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Seemingly not awake enough yet to put up a fuss... the unicorn between the Maples made no attempt to struggle as they shuffled their way over to Misty and Misty.

"It really is kinda Neat isn't it!?"
"and She's really strong too... took down un-doubled dutch all by herself."

The Maples swoon -slightly however with the captured would-be escapee between them they sort of just end up leaning slightly inward. [ /-\ ]

"Wait till we tell Static and Night Cap about this. They'll never believe it!
"Wait till we tell Static and Night Cap about this. They'll never believe it!

---

the maples, -now with their hooves free... hold them up for an epic hoofbump with Misty

/)*
/)*

---

Brisk Iron arched an eyebrow. "How exactly do you know all this about the other team, Snowy?"


The nurse looked over to Flairvoyant. "And what would you like ma'am?" "Tomatoes would have been nice but carrots are fine." "Tomatoes are contraband within the city. But I'll get you those carrots right away." After serving Flairvoyant, the nurse directed her attention back to Static Signal. Spooning up some of the mashed carrots, she cheerfully said, "Alright, down the hatch!"

---

Static turned a stunned look to Flairvoyant. "Oh hey! You're awake. How you do...mpgh!" Static was cut short as his mouth was suddenly full of mashed carrots. It had the consistency of baby-food. And worse yet, it was being fed to him like it was baby food. He didn't like it. It was humiliating. What was going to happen when he had to go to the...well...better not to think about thatuntil he had to.

He could take the pain. He even could've taken being a pasty splatter on the ground. But he hadn't considered the possibility of being an invalid.

[Intolerable!]

---

Scarlet cocked his head at Brisk Irons words, thinking back to their trek through the cave system.

"You blurted out something about a...Tornado? When we were down in the caves. Something got your attention, and you said it was to do with the Petrichor team, right?"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Black Night looks over to the doubled Ivories. "You lot got here first, and probably have more knowledge to the current situation then I do, so you take the lead." She replies, figuring it would be wrong for her to seem to know everything that Rhapsody would. She then looks over to the pair(s?) of fangirls. "Good work with her accomplice."

---

"thank you." One maple managed to get out while using her wings to fan the other who was just giggling and prancing in place

---

Scarlet cocked his head at Brisk Irons words, thinking back to their trek through the cave system.

"You blurted out something about a...Tornado? When we were down in the caves. Something got your attention, and you said it was to do with the Petrichor team, right?"

"Oh, right." Snowy says, looking oddly satisfied with himself. "Before we left I pulled together some magical emergency communications for the Petrichor Falls team. I was worried about them, and I wanted a line into the situation, so I built myself into the communication network. Whenever they sent emergency signals, I received them just like everyone else on the team. I will say that they still have at least 6 single-use communicators on hand, and there hasn't been a transmission for a while now. Since they also have a good handful of distractions left, the collection of unused resources suggests that they completed their mission." If they had actually...lost, whatever that may entail, surely they would have used everything he had given them. "I meant to tell you at some point, but I never got around to it." He finishes, apologetic.

---

the maples, -now with their hooves free... hold them up for an epic hoofbump with Misty

/)*(\
/)*(\

Black Night looks over to the doubled Ivories. "You lot got here first, and probably have more knowledge to the current situation then I do, so you take the lead." She replies, figuring it would be wrong for her to seem to know everything th! at Rhapsody would. She then looks over to the pair(s?) of fangirls. "Good work with her accomplice."

"thank you." One maple managed to get out while using her wings to fan the other who was just giggling and prancing in place

The two Mistys share a look.

"Wahaha! Can you believe that?"
"Wahaha! Can you believe that?"

---

"woo..."
"hoo..."

Maple smiled at Misty while Maple continued to fan Maple

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Well, I see somepony who's never actually met her."

---

The Mistys both raise a hoof.

"I haven't met her either."
"I haven't met her either."

---

Static glared at Night Cap between being force fed spoon fullest of the goop. "Are you not entertained?"

---

"Just answer the questions lady!"
"We'll be just fine."

The maple's stomp a hoof in tandem and point with the opposite one back in the direction of first First Ivory and second First Ivory

---

"So what of TAKE?" "What about them? It's some side group Casino hired as a distraction. I honestly feel a stealth plan might have gone better but it seems things came up." "So you're only in COIN?" "Only when they contact me. A bit of cloak and dagger work is an exciting hobby on the side. I have no need for the money since I'm rich already." "I guess that's why youse are so calm." "Yeah. I should have gotten out sooner but that's the gamble called life." "What do youse know about Tipsy Tulip?" "I've heard the mad scientist rumors but I've never met her nor needed her products."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Spoiler


"That is a truly excellent level of forward planning Snowy. Wish i'd thought of something like that back when..." Scarlet trailed off, looking a little downcast for a moment, but hid it quickly with a smile.

---

Brisk Iron listened intently to Snowy Skies' explanation. "Hmm. Such a thing could prove useful on other expeditions.

The extra communication, not the nosiness."

---

"Nosiness has its uses too." Snowy says with a grin. "With all my new magical channels I might be able to churn out more of them at a time. We'll have to see."

---

"I'm glad I got a few swamp peppers before we left. Should add a little kick to a few meals. Do you have any cooking preferences?"

---

There were few topics that could make Snowy Skies an animated conversationalist without his say-so, but cooking peppers was one of them. "I actually have several delicious recipes for stuffed peppers." He says, clearly excited. He suddenly looks crestfallen, but he keeps jabbering. "I didn't think to bring any swamp peppers back myself. And at their size, they might make better appetizers...either I need to give you the recipes or you should give me some swamp peppers, this could be huge!"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"I usually add peppers to something else instead of eating them directly. But the recipe does sound like a good idea, especially since you sound so excited about it. Veldfire mentioned sending some swamp peppers back with all of you. Was there not enough?"

---

Statics glare deepened.

*annoyed grunt*

"I'm eating all my carrots," he growled in response. Not that he regained his appetite by any means, but being treated like some unweaned foal was making Static a tad bit spiteful.

---

"I heard that when it first came up, but events since then put it out of my mind. Dicing never does the pepper flavors justice, I've found. I'd just bite into them raw if I wouldn't get a mouthful of seeds."

---

"If they have a kick to them, then i'd try them in any meal thats spicy. Just to give it that extra little spark," Scarlet musee as Snowy talked of stuffed peppers. Which made him start thinking of recipies.

---

"For me, it's the opposite. Instead of adding it to something already spicy, I'd rather add it to something that's not. There's a point where a flavor can be overpowered and you generally don't want that."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Very true Chief. I would only want to add them if they enhance the flavour, not overpower it. When food becomes more about endurance than pleasure, then somethings been overdone."

---

Snowy shakes his head. "When there's so much of something that it makes your head spin, that's when it has true flavor. The richest gravy, the spiciest curry, the nuttiest peanut butter. Those are the foods worth having!"

---

"I can see where such a thing could be nice with individual ingredients but not for a full meal. At least, not always. Hmm. It's sorta like teambuilding. Stacking a lot of the same thing has its uses but there's a point where it becomes overspecialized."

---

Snowy nods vigorously. "You're getting closer to the right of it. Each team member has to be good, awful good, but at completely different things. Same as how a meal shouldn't just be spicy, but the bits of it that are had better be damned spiced. Of course, if that much spice isn't to your taste, you mix it in with the rest, and they mask each other." He wasn't quite certain when he'd left the metaphor, not really.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

As Flairvoyant grimaced through her carrots, she remarked, "Well, this is something I certainly don't miss from field work."


"I don't know if there's an exact 'right' to it. It's...it's like coffee. Those who drink it have different preferences." "Do you still drink your's with cinnamon and cayenne?" "Yes."

---

Black Night looks over to Double Dusk. "Dazzling Midnight shouldn't be happy, she she be worried that some very powerful ponies are coming after her." She states and walks forward. "She might think she's untouchable after that little prison break of hers, but that just makes her blinded by her own grandeur. She might have you and others scared, but those that buy their own hype are the most likely to never see their downfall." The costumed mare looks down on Double Dusk. "So maybe you should make things easier on yourself, and rather then make veiled threats about how the boogeymare is going to get us, and actually tell us what you know about her and her whereabouts. Maybe the police will go lightly on you."

---

Static winced at Flairvoyant's words. "Spend a lot of time in places like this?"

He couldn't deny that what they did was dangerous. But..."I'm beginning to wonder how much of this being my first time in a hospital is a fluke and how often I should look forward to it in the future."

---

"If things go well, injuries are rare. It's just that...you remember hospitals that aren't in certain cities."


Double Dusk watched Black Night before replying with, "I don't know the full extent of Dazzling Midnight's magic but I do know it's strongest when the clock strikes twelve. She's told this to very few ponies directly so I think she's actually fully aware of her weaknesses. I think the main thing that sets her apart from other higher ups in COIN is that s! he's so calm. Most others are loud and bombastic. I always get the feeling she's planning for something more than all of the others. She even seems to value those who work for her. It's standard operating procedure to leave others behind but I heard about that stunt she pulled, breaking Silent Belle out of prison. Dazzling once let slip that Silent Belle is like the daughter she never had so I think that was actually personal instead of for business. I didn't question her about it, though."

---

Spoiler


Scarlet raised both eyebrows.

"Yeah," he said slowly, not entirely sure he'd completely followed Snowys metaphor. Although he had gotten the gist of it.

"Take you me and Ms. Flaunt for example. We all have carying degrees of experience with journeys into the more peculiar corners of Equestria. Yet we all have unique skills and knowledge that compliment each other, like any good meal should.

As to food again. While i agree with you on peanut butter or gravy. I must disagree on the super spicy curry. While i respect those who can eat and enjoy burning hot curries, i've never had the stamina for it. Regular spicy is usually strong enough for me. Although, if we ever get the chance to cook one up, i'd try it. However, i think i'd need a bucket if ive water on standby," Scarlet said with a chuckle.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Snowy idly wondered how well the other mini-teams he'd seen in his STOMP career fit these ideas, but he quickly set the question aside. It was unlikely anyone was going to ask his opinion on the subject, anyways.
"If we ever end up in Neighlem, I have a restaurant for you." He responds with a grin. "They have the spiciest curry imaginable, and these mango drinks to cool you down afterwards. It is the standard against which I measure all other curries."

---

"You're on," Scarlet said with a smile. "Have you eaten and survived their super curry then?"

---

"If things go well, injuries are rare.

[If things go well, injuries shouldn't happen at all.]

[Yeeeah, remember what business you're in.]

It's just that...you remember hospitals that aren't in certain cities."

[Note to self, get a list of cities with the five-star hospitals.]

Static nodded trying to fight back the snark. He may be in a bit of a mood, but Flairvoyant didn't deserve it.

"I never thought I'd be in a position where I was wishing for one of those museum documentaries to pass the time," he said with a sigh. "Still, I guess it's better the hospital than the morgue. Glad we all made it through."

---

Spoiler
Zam

"Are you Afraid of her?"
"Is that why you wont tell us how to find her?" the Maples ask.

---

"You're on," Scarlet said with a smile. "Have you eaten and survived their super curry then?"

"Dozens of times. It was an old tradition." Snowy retorts. "If you were heading out on a dangerous mission, you eat there beforehand. After all, if you can survive that, what could possibly be worse?"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Scarlet simply stared.

"A tradition, really? That..., actually makes a crazy kind of sense."

Looking at Snowy a mixture of curiosity and respect, Scarlet mused on just how more complex this Unicorn life was compared to his.

And then there's how he got tangled up with the mythical Wendigoes.
Hm. A question, and converation, for another time i think.

"So, uh," Scarlet said, then hesitated. "How dangerous were these missions, if you wanted to face the internal fury of a red hot curry, first?"

---

Double Dusk scoffed at Maplejack. "I won't tell you how to find her because COIN comes to me with instructions, I don't go to them. I do know she travels a fair bit and almost always has high end accommodations. She has a purple carriage that is instantly recognizable.

As far as being afraid of her, of course I am. You'd have to blind or lacking basic common sense not to be. It's almost like meeting with Celestia. Even if she's wholly on your side, you can immediately tell she's far above your level. Unless she's trying to downplay that, which she'll often do the fir! st time she meets you."

---

A unicorn with delusions of Princess-Dom, no wonder she got under Mr. Signal's hide so deep.

well she came to the right town to make a purple carriage harder to spot

The maples pondered ... and even ruminated a little

---

Scarlet simply stared.

"A tradition, really? That..., actually makes a crazy kind of sense."

Looking at Snowy with a mixture of curiosity and respect, Scarlet mused on just how much more complex this Unicorns life was compared to his.

And then there's how he got tangled up with the mythical Wendigoes.
Hm. A question, and converation, for another time i think.

"So, uh," Scarlet said, then hesitated. "How dangerous were these missions, if you wanted to face the internal fury of a red hot curry, first?"

"My expectations of danger have certainly been re-scaled in the past few days, but those missions were never safe." Snowy says thoughtfully. He felt at ease around Scarlet, and trusted him not to make snap judgements. "Whether he wants to or not, a good thief gets famous, and it does him no favors."

---