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

[CoffeeHorse]

Static sighs.

[I guess this just wasn't meant to be the night for meaningful conversation.]

"Hey, you two! Been waiting for ya. What's up?"

---

Misty takes notice of the stallions. "Melon Hide, are these friends of yours?"

---

"Wooden antlers." Snowy stresses as they wave to the newcomers. "Hiya!"

---

"Oh! Well, when you put it that way!"

---

"You've been away from Barometz for so long, you've already forgotten him? In most cases that would suggest a honed survival instinct, but given the antics you get up to when he's not around, I don't think that's quite right."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"'Friend' isn't the word I'd..." "What are ya talking about? We've known Melon for years. Way back when he was a blank flank, his mom used to have a sandwich board on him to help advertise her shop. Colt could barely walk." "'Sandwich flank!'" "Yeah, you remember that Melon?" "Maybe you two should continue your game over in your lane." "And what if we don't?"

---

Misty leans over to whisper in Maple's ear. "Maple... I don't think I like these guys... they're making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up." She lifts up the back of her mane to show Maple that it was, indeed, the case.

---

Maple's eyes narrow in the direction of these meanies. A wingtip reached up to rub the back of Misty's neck... she couldn't tell if hers was just as bristly, but she didn't like these fellows either.

"I think Mr. Hide doesn't like them very much either."

---

"You've been away from Barometz for so long, you've already forgotten him? In most cases that would suggest a honed survival instinct, but given the antics you get up to when he's not around, I don't think that's quite right."

"Oh, Barometz! You see, in that case I'd have just gone with a big tree. But I never thought of a bowling ball as something to notch out enemies with. Beside's, what's crazier: jumping out of a helicopter without a parachute or going up one on one against something that completely demolished our team the first time around."

"..."

"Serious question, because I'm not putting either one of us on the list of ponies with the best survival instincts personally."

Static's kidding smile quickly vanished as he nudged everyone's attention at the scene brewing between Melon Hide and his "friends." "What's going on over there?"

---

Wingston Blues shook her head in disbelief. "I saw a giant wolf hanging out around the museum. Sometimes this job gets stranger and stranger." "That's half the fun. Though, speaking of fun, Aunt Brisk has some plans in store for...

...hm. You may have a point Static. I've seen those two around and they're the type to skirt the edge of a ponies nerve then hang back and act innocent as you get riled up."

Spoiler

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static's eyes narrow. "I've known too many ponies like that," he says with a sneer.

Static walks determinedly towards the unfolding scene. "Hey, Mr. Hide...sir," Static says putting on a subordinate air. "I hate to interrupt you sir. I just saw you had some company. Are they friends of yours?"

---

"Nice to meet you two," Scarlet said to Winston and Dusty. However, before he could say more, his eye was caught by the two stallions approaching Melon Hide. From his own experience, and Melons reactions to them, Scarlet recognised the type. The tough and the weasal. The 'friendly' types who can act all chummy, yet whenever others are around. Especially others that you might be friendly with, are quite to bring up belittling stories or 'accidental' putdowns that make you feel small. At Statics words, Scarlet grimaced.

"I don't like bullies," he said gesturing at the stallions. "I think we should go and, intervene."

Striding forward, Scarlet walked up behind the two, catching the tail end of what they were saying.

"If you don't leave us to our game, then we will, politely, ask you to leave again."

---

"Aww, now don't be that way Scarlet!" Static said feigning concern. "I don't think anypony wants a fight." Static's concerned look melts into a fiery gleam in his eyes and a cheshire cat grin as he looks the ringleader in the eyes. "Or at least, I'm fairly certain you two don't."

---

Snowy rolls his eyes. "Subtle as ever, Static." He mutters. Still, if they were going to force the issue, he may as well make certain everything ended the way they wanted it to. His eyes start to twinkle and he turns to Wingston "A giant wolf, you say? I can't say I've ever met one of those. I have met a giant badger, though. He was an old codger. Batty, we used to call him. I don't even know if he'd be able to fit through the door." Behind them, a massive badger, nearly twice the size of any pony in the room, carefully wedges itself through the front door and pads over to the cluster of ponies. "Honestly! I come her to bowl a round with my old chums, and I find! them engaged in, what? Some sort of preposterous standoff?" though he talked differently, his voice was clearly Snowy's, and his eyes matched the pony's as well. He raises one massive paw and gently rests it on Static's back, so lightly that Static can't even feel it. He levels a sharp gaze at Melon's harassers. "We're all here to bowl, are we not? So let's all just go back to bowling, yes?"

Spoiler

---

As the giant SnowyBadger made its presence known, Scarlet was again impressed by the unicorns illusion magic.

"Yes, that would be best," Scarlet said.

---

Though Static couldn't feel the 'badgers' paw, he could still see the stares of the ponies in the bowling ally being focused right at the empty space right above his shoulder. Expecting Snowy to have done something, he's able to hide his surprise when he sees the badger.

[Dang I like having Snowy on our side!]

[Yeah...Misty, Maple, Me, Snowy, Scarlet, Night Cap...all against two lone stallions...I reeeeeeally don't think we needed to bluff on this one!]

[*shrug*]

Statics grin widens (if that were possible) as he turns back to the stallions. "I think that's the best offer you two are going to get tonight."

---

Static raises an eyebrow as Night Cap leaves to get a bowling ball.

[Hey! Escalating situation here, Night Cap!]

[Thanks for the solidarity bro!]

Static shakes his head.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Colts ... Maple rolled her eyes as the mood in the room shifted. Maybe Mr. Night Cap had the right idea... while there were obviously enough ponies now to help Mr. Hide... it might not look good on a report slid across the director's desk that said... "majority of stomp team thump local jerk faces" ...

---

After careful investigation, Black Night discovered the maintenance door for the ventilation system. Some buildings in the city had things setup so pegasi or some ponies with special gear could enter a building through the roof or window. And it seems like the last maintenance pony put the padlock on but was too careless to actually lock it.

Spotting the door to the Ventilation system Black Night walks up to it and checks the lock, even if it had been shut she could have removed it fir a bit of force, doubting that it would be heard from inside. She toss the Lock aside and enters the building, making sure to keep to the shadows as she looks down from the rafters.

Spoiler

---

Melting into the shadows, Black Night secured a hidden perch and observed the criminals assembled. They were sitting around a conference table engaging in idle chatter as they waited for the meeting to start. The head of the table was notably absent despite time winding down for the meeting to start.


The two stallions nervously smiled in an attempt to hide their terror. They slowly backed away until they took off running back to their lane. Several other bowlers and some of the staff were staring at the giant badger. "No need to worry folks, the Keep hires all sorts of creatures!" Deciding to take Plaid Paisley's words as the truth, the rest of the bowling alley returned to what they were doing. "You okay Melon?" "Yeah, I'll be fine." "Good, museum ponies gotta stick together. I was going to challenge those two to a bet...but I can't top a badger." "I would have slipped glitter in their saddlebags. Fine grain glitter."

---

Static grinned. He patted Melon on the shoulder. He then walked over to Snowy. "Badger was a nice touch. Bully's dealt with and not a single punch thrown. Already it's been a good night."

"..."

"Remind me never to play poker with you."

---

Maple folded her wings so only the longest two feathers faced forward as she looked at Static...

"Who is she and why does she need poking?" the adrenaline from the almost fight must not have run its course yet in the tiny pony - because she started jabbing Static with alternating soft feather pokes and giggling.

"teeheheehhee poke poke!"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static raised a very perplexed eyebrow while trying to fend off the pokes. "Can't tell if you're kidding."

---

"I'm not done yet." Snowy replies evenly. "Can't have them knowing they were tricked, now can we? They'd come back with a vengeance" Keeping the badger between him and the pricks at the other end of the alley, he walks up behind his illusion as it booms "Bowling, eh? I'd best get settled into something more reasonable." The badger settles back down onto four paws and begins to glow, shrinking until Snowy steps out of the fading light. "Not bad for a batty old codger, eh, wot?" he says with a grin, before awkwardly reaching out to squeeze Melon Hide's shoulder. "They're fools who don't know when to shut up," Was all he could offer as countenance. "Like some other! ponies we know," he says with another roll of his eyes, turning to Scarlett and Static. "Honestly, you two. Were you trying to start a fight?"

---

"I hope a fight wouldn't have started but I'm glad all of you were here. It's almost as good as having Brisk Iron here. There was this one time I was walking home and this guy started giving me a hard time. She happened to be nearby, flew over to him, and starting talking about his grandmother. But not trash talk. No, she spoke highly of her achievements and what she's done for the city. Brisk then proceed to make an itemized list of every single way he didn't live up to that legacy. Once she finished, she told him 'Now go home and think about what you've done'. He ran home crying. It would have been terrifying if it weren't for the fact that,you know, I was quietly cheering her on."

---

"Whoa... that's amazing." Misty physically reels back from the thought of Brisk Iron's awesomeness.

---

Maple stopped and folded her wings back flat against her sides

"I'm not playing poker with Ms. Iron."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

As the stallions ran off and things settled down, Scarlet began to calm down.

Then he blinked in surpride.

"Wait, what. Start a fight? Me? No, of course not. I was just trying to get them to go away. Not a fan of that type of smiling bully. So, uh, did i say something wrong?"

---

Maple smiled at Mr. Hide and then at Scarlet... "I think it's fine, it all worked out."

---

"I thought you would've figured that out by now." Snowy replies with a grin. "But I'm not done yet. Can't have them knowing they were tricked, now can we? They'd come back with a vengeance" Keeping the badger between him and the pricks at the other end of the alley, he walks up behind his illusion as it booms "Bowling, eh? I'd best get settled into something more reasonable." The badger settles back down onto four paws and begins to glow, shrinking until Snowy steps out of the fading light. "Not bad for a batty old codger, eh, wot?" he says with a grin, before awkwardly reaching out to squeeze Melon Hide's shoulder. "They're fools who don't know when to shut up," Was all he could offer as countenance. "Like some other ponies we know," he says with another roll of his eyes, turning to Scarlett and Static. "Honestly, you two. Were you trying to start a fight?"

Static gave Snowy a deadpan look. "Misty, Maple, Me, You, Scarlet and Night Cap plus any of the other Keep employees standing right behind him against two bullies? No bully I have ever met has been that brave. The badger was a nice touch, but they'd have had to be downright stupid to not take our warnings."

---

"We're trying to start a bowling league. We can't be causing disturbances in here." Snowy retorts. "Didn't you hear Dusty? Those two like to play innocent when you get confront them. They might be slimy, but they're not stupid. Something like the Brisk Iron Approach would have been much quieter, and wouldn't have necessitated a giant badger for a hasty end!"

---

"So Misty, should we get to bowling ..or do we wait and see if we need to stop another fight." Maple looked at the boys out of the corner of her eye.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static turns on Dusty, eyes glaring daggers. "I...do...not...cow...to...bullies! You can either ask me about it and I'll be more than happy to discuss it in-depth...or we can bowl."

---

Misty shrugs. "I think I'd rather be bowling..."

---

[Caldwin]​

Snowy! I meant Snowy. It's been edited.

---

One of the Keep accountants walked in, soon followed by Steel Flint. She had a bowling ball bag and a stack of papers. "Good evening everypony. How are you all doing?"

---

Static turns on Snowy, eyes glaring daggers. "I...do...not...cow...to...bullies! You can either ask me about it and I'll be more than happy to discuss it...in-depth...or we can bowl."

Snowy sighs. He was tired, sore, and starting to sound like Rhapsody. They all knew how well that worked with Static. "No one is asking you to bow down." He says gently. "But letting your anger get the better of you just makes it easier for them to take advantage of you." He holds out a hoof. "Now let's bowl. I wanna knock you down a peg." He says with a grin. Last he checked, Static couldn't resist a challenge.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static smiled.

[Good! Drama's over. Let the trash talking resume]

Static puts on his biggest grin. "You...are going to knock me down a peg? That tumble you took must have left you delusional!"

Steel Flint enters. Static's grin vanishes as he leans over closer to Snowy to he can whisper. "Umm...something tells me trash talking her won't end well for me."

In his normal voice he regards Steel Flint. "It's...been a very odd day...ma'am."

---

Steel Flint playfully arched an eyebrow. "A good odd or an odd odd? I did meet Amaroq briefly."

---

"Uh...Amaroq was a good odd. She was pretty cool." Static leaned in to speak in a hushed tone. "Also, I think we all just found out why Melon Hide might be so shy. I think...some wounds kinda run deep."

---

"Oh. *sigh* The reassurance I use is to remind him that he worked for his position. He's one of the department managers held in the highest regard from those under him and he has all of the publically viewable parts of the Keep committed to memory. I always tell him to remember that ponies do think he matters. That's probably why we should do more things like the bowling league so we can unwind. From the looks of things, it seems Hazel might be the only one still missing but we can do some practice rolls in the meantime."

---

"He has respect within the Keep," he agreed with Steel Flint. "Between you and me, he may need some pointers on how to stand up for himself outside the Keep." Static returned to his normal, unhushed voice. "But yeah, let's bowl. I've been looking forward to beating some of Accounting's records."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Maple agreed that now was the time for bowling ... but while she moved over to her lane to begin the practicing... she kept an eye often on the door for Miss Naught

---

Melting into the shadows, Black Night secured a hidden perch and observed the criminals assembled. They were sitting around a conference table engaging in idle chatter as they waited for the meeting to start. The head of the table was notably absent despite time winding down for the meeting to start.

Black Night watched looking over the gathered criminals, noting the head of the table is missing she guesses the Tulip likes to make an entrance.

---

"It might be better in the long run to have your own. Static and Snowy can tell you about how they got they're balls."

---

Static raises an eyebrow. "Wow, Maple! That's really none of...oh...you meant..."

*ahem*

"No big secret. Just go to the same counter you rented the ball from, tell them what you want, they tell you the price, fill out a little paper work...viola!"

---

Having decided to letthe conversation flow without him for a bit, while he consideredwhether or not he had overreacted towards the bullies. Scarlet nodded at Static as he explained about ball prices.

"I have a hunch i'll be requesting a custom bowling at the end of tonight. Hmm, Emerald and silver i think," he mused.

"Hey Steel Flint!"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static gasped as his jaw hit the floor. "Scarlet! Her first name is 'Ms.'!"

---

"...I thought it was Tinder?" Maple mumbles out of the side of her mouth... as she makes faces trying to figure out what part of her comment had initially confused Static...

---

Steel Flint playfully scoffed as her bowling ball orbited around her. "Scarlet has certainly earned the right to be informal and I generally don't mind it unless somepony is using that to be rude. Though I'd say 'Steel' flows better if you are to be informal." Just then, Hazel Naught quietly slipped in the door with her bowling ball.

---

Maple waved, happy to see Ms. Naught again today.

---

"Thanks, Steel," Scarlet said. "I always appreciate the allowance of informality. You and tge Chief were always good to me."

Goving Steel Flint a jaunty salute, Scarlet hefted his own ball, nodding towards the lanes.

"I intend to bring victory to the Antiques and Restoration department. More importantly though, i hope we all have fun!

Hello Ms. Naught."

---

Snowy always found himself amused by Scarlett's carefree side. It was refreshing. He smiles and nods at Hazel Naught. "Now that you're here, we are ready to bowl!"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Maple sets out her little pencil and score card on the table closest to her lane.

---

Snowy always found himself amused by Scarlett's carefree side. It was refreshing. He smiles and nods at Hazel Naught, spinning the ball near his horn. "Now that you're here, we are ready to bowl!"

---

Hazel Naught seemed somewhat absent minded as she walked over and sat near the other accountant. Finally starting, Steel Flint stepped up to the lane and made several measuring motions with her hooves and horn before making her roll. She then confidently rolled a strike. Smirking at the other departments, she said, "Top that."


Minutes passed until the room of criminals fell silent. Black Night could see the far wall rotate downward to reveal a platform and short staircase. At the top was Rough Carmine, an earth pony of a shade of red that matched his namesake. Adorning his shoulders and shrouding his body was a luxurious, dark indigo cloak. He had a proudly indignant look as he purposefully walked down the steps and looked over the ponies in the room. The type of emotion that not even King Sombra could respect...

Though he might be jealous of the cloak.

Finally reaching his seat, Rough Carmine spoke with a deep, commanding voice. It sounded vaguely like he was from Trotsylvania but lacked the pronunciation differences. "Fillies and gentlecolts, we have pressing matters to attend to."

---

Static's ears drooped and sheer panic filled his eyes. He leaned over to Night Cap in a whisper. "We may be in some trouble."

---

"I gotta admit... I don't think there's a department I haven't trash talked tonight. We lose, I may have to hide out in the projection booth for a couple weeks."

---

"Oh! You haven't trash talked my department!" Misty offers helpfully.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static snapped his head back to Misty. Dang these ponies had good ears! "Oh...umm...sorry Misty."

"..."

"I...honestly don't know what to do. I don't want you to feel left out, but I don't think I'm much in a position to trash talk anyone at the moment after Ms. Flint made that strike."

---

"She's good."

---

Scarlet stares as Steel Flint strikes on her first roll.

Oh dear sweet merciful... I have to follow that! With a rental ball?

Hiding his sudden trepidation as best he can, Scarlet steps up to the lane confidently. Ish.

He eyes the pins.

Spoiler


And misjudges.

Spoiler


Misjudges his throw, completely.

As he stares, Scarlet uses his impressive knowledge of languages to construct a variety of flowery insults and curses. All of which are grumbled under his breath, so that nopony (especially Maple) will here.

---

Static takes a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding after seeing Scarlet's rounds. Maybe they can still pull it off. After all, Steel Flint couldn't pull off strikes all the time.

He gathered himself as he got his ball.

Spoiler


[Craaaaaaaaaap!]

He shakes it off as best he can. "That's okay," he announces. "New ball. First roll. The night's young."

He gathers his ball again for a second roll.

Spoiler


[Well...at least a got some that time!]

Static stumbles over to the table numbly and plops his head down. "Sonova!" He looks meekly up at Night Cap. "Umm, your turn." He plops his head back down on the table.

---

"Good rolls Everypony!" Maple clapped her hooves together.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static can barely contain an excited hug...barely...but he does. Instead he offers Night Cap a hoof bump. He really was not expecting to have things start out so well. "Yeah...we got this."

---

Minutes passed until the room of criminals fell silent. Black Night could see the far wall rotate downward to reveal a platform and short staircase. At the top was Rough Carmine, an earth pony of a shade of red that matched his namesake. Adorning his shoulders and shrouding his body was a luxurious, dark indigo cloak. He had a proudly indignant look as he purposefully walked down the steps and looked over the ponies in the room. The type of emotion that not even King Sombra could respect...

Though he might be jealous of the cloak.

Finally reaching his seat, Rough Carmine spoke with a deep, commanding voice. It sounded vaguely like he was from Trotsylvania but lacked the pronunciation differences. "Fillies and gentlecolts, we have pressing matters to attend to."

Black Night remained silent as she watches the red Earth pony enter and take his seat and begin the meeting.

---

Spoiler

Maple got to go next, I guess Mr. Hide had written my name in first.... he is a nice colt.

Spoiler

Maple moves up to the line and takes very little time to line up the shot... you wouldn't know it to look at her but she must eat her oaties... the ball launched from her hoof and rolled down the lane as fast as fast could be... and while it was close to the edge the entire way, the force of the impact on the far left pin was enough to knock the others over... possibly out of fear.

"YEAHHH! I GOT THEM!" Maple squeed.

---

"Way to go, Maple!" Hey! Sure she wasn't on the Document Departments team. That doesn't mean he couldn't be happy for a friend! "Whenever we go bowling again, we need to make sure we get this lane."

---

"Thanks Static." Maple bent her foreleg and kissed the tiny muscle bump.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Melon Hide nervously walked up to the lane with ball in hoof. Carefully positioning himself, he rolled the ball...right into the gutter. Trying to strengthen his resolve, he rolled again and this time knocked over several pins, this time seeming proud of himself. Next up was the Marketing Department. Bold Standard did poorly but seemed to be in a good mood about the whole thing. However, Plaid Paisley rolled a strike and had the most smug expression possible as he looked at the other groups. Now it was Hazel Naught's turn. She stepped up and rolled a gutter ball. Twice. She wander back to her seat depressed while the other accountant only knocked over a few pins. Dusty Winds rolled a spare then waved Snowy Skies over for his turn, all the while worringly eyeing Hazel Naught.


"No doubt all of you have noticed a change in the wind. The events that seemed to have happened in Petrichor Falls have made it hard on everypony. If you disliked Boss Vine before, she's cracking down even harder than used to. The local hero has been extra...persistent. But the biggest problem is the ripple effect and what's happened as a result: My sources tell me that Tipsy Tulip's train will not be passing near Caballuston for the next three months."

Murmurs of worry and outrage filled the room. "She can't do that! I planned to make a lair and I needed the parts for a ceiling gator trap." "She can do whatever she wants and I could care less about about your plans. I'd advise everypony to leave. This city may be quite the prize but it's like a jewel...in the middle of a wasp's nest...that you have to grab with your mouth...and a net is dropped on you as you try to run away. The point is that it's simply not worth the effort. Me? I'm abandoning this region permanently. Manehattan certainly has nicer weather."

---

Spoiler

Maple didn't know what to say to Ms Naught right away, but she tried to figure out what was wrong

---

From what Maplejack could surmise, Hazel Naught was in a similar mood as when she encountered Amaretto Swirl earlier in the day.

---

Melon Hide:
"Hey, not bad. We still got a looooooong way to go."

Plaid Paisley:
"Way to go, Plaid! Manehatten group is three for three!"

Hazel Naught drew some concern. Static couldn't remember if he'd actually formally met her before, but knew who she was. Not that it mattered. Rival or not, she was a member of the Keep and she was bothered by something. Static walked over. "Your heart doesn't seem to be in it. You okay?"

---

On a good day, Snowy would be more or less bamboozled by the open melancholy Hazel Naught was displaying. On a day like today, he gave up fast, and went to bowl, still spinning the ball near his horn.

Spoiler

In his focus on aiming and winding up, he forgot to stop spinning the ball, and as soon as it hit the floor it careened into the gutter. He winced, and took a little more care with his second shot.

Spoiler

3 pins. Meh. "It's like I have to learn the sport all over again." He grumbles.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"I don't think I should have come but I do believe I'll manage." "Hazel, how about a friendly office wager to get your mind off of your troubles?"

"No!"

"I was just trying...I didn't mean to..." Startled, Plaid Paisley glanced over to Steel Flint in worried confusion. "Hazel, perhaps you should tell us what's going on." "I-I don't know if I should."

---

"It's fine if you don't want to talk about it, just know that we all want to help if we can."

---

"Believe it or not, we have a rather nice track record where that's concerned." Snowy offers as he returns to the bench.

---

Scarlet could see something was really bothering Hazel Naught. However, everything that could be said had been said by ponies who knew her better than he did. So he simply waited to see if she opened up about what was wrong before trying to offer a friendly hoof.

---

Misty notices the commotion but doesn't want to hold everyone up when it's her team's turn, so she goes ahead with her rolls.

Spoiler

She got a couple pins! Amazing! She fetches the rental ball and goes ahead for another roll.

Spoiler

Well, that lucky streak couldn't last forever...

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"I don't want to but... *sigh*

When I was young, my father tended to gamble. It got worse and worse until we got deep in debt. We wished we had enough money but it seemed hopeless until a neighbor bailed us out on the condition that we pay it back over time--with interest. That neighbor's daughter was Amaretto. She used to constantly tease me about the debt but somewhere around high school it switched from speaking ill of my father to being ill of me. We went to different colleges so for the longest time, that was the last I saw of her. The debt was handled with bank deposit but we didn't have direct contact...

...until about a year ago when she became head of the Marketing Department for this branch of the Keep. I've done my best to avoid her and she hadn't gone out of her way to seek me out. I even finally paid off the debt a few months ago. But when she talked down to me in front of Maple, it brought back all of those bad feelings, especially when she patted me on the head. The last time she did that was in high school." "Oh wow, I'm sorry. I used to look to up Amaretto since it seemed like she could sell anything to anypony. I couldn't sell free coffee to Night Cap but I bet she could have. Now...I don't think I'd want her to. What she did isn't cool."

---

Not cool, Static growled. "You've come too far in life to be brought down by such juvenile nonsense...especially because of a mistake your father made. You're Hazle bucking Naught! You wouldn't hold the position you have now, particularly in the Caballuston branch of the Keep, if you didn't deserve every bit of it!"

---

"I might not ever get any bigger, but she doesn't seem to have grown up." Maple thought on it for a second longer and then added, "Though, if it's as you say, and the two of you haven't had much contact ..she could have just slipped into an old behavior... Maybe you two should talk about it."

Maple moved closer to Hazel. "Seeing her do that changed my opinion of her, not you... if anypony knows how hurtful foalalizing like that can be, you're looking at her."

---

Snowy was familiar with loan sharks and crushing debt. It was a side project of some of his old partners. Hazel's father was probably lucky that a neighbor had offered to take on the debt, but poor Hazel had taken on the punishment instead, it seemed..."Does Amaretto have any foals?" The question was out of his mouth before he knew it was there. Some very old wheels were turning in his head...

---

"Snowy?" Static asked voice dripping with suspicion.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Snowy looks sheepish. "Yeah, sorry. Not the best time for that question."

---

Scarlet walked over to Hazel Naught with a reassuring smile.

"Statics right. You wouldn't be where you are if you weren't really good at what you do. I mean, as the Accountant. Without you, we wouldn't be able to do what we do," he said in an oblique reference to STOMP. "So forget about Amaretto and her childishness." And, before he could think better of it, he added.

"Cheer up Ms. Moneypony. You're with friends."

Please laugh at that. Please laugh at that. Please laugh. Please, please, don't be insulted!

Before his instant worry could cross his face, Svarlet was distracted by Snowys question. Turning to the Unicorn, eyebrows raising, he said slowly.

"You're not thinking, what i think you might be thinking. Right?"

---

"I've thought about going to Brisk Iron but after calculations I decided against it. Amaretto is good at bringing funds in. If she wasn't here and the Keep went under because of..." "You're important too. One bad apple can't be allowed to bring others down." "More importantly, harassment isn't allowed. I trust Brisk to make a fair decision and I'm sure we'll manage like we always have. The most recent advertisement pushes haven't even been her initiatives. You're more than just a number ! and your friends care." "That's just you and Zig..." "You have more than just two friends. Ask any of the ponies here." Unsurely, Hazel Naught looked to her fellow coworkers.

---

Static chuckled under his breath. "I've known you for...what? 40? 50 seconds? You seem like a decent pony I'd like to know. You've certainly got the respect and friendship of friends of mine...ponies whose judgement I trust."

"One of my most valued friendships I have right now began with far less than that," Static said, clapping Night Cap on the shoulder. "I'd be proud to call you a friend."

---

"No doubt all of you have noticed a change in the wind. The events that seemed to have happened in Petrichor Falls have made it hard on everypony. If you disliked Boss Vine before, she's cracking down even harder than used to. The local hero has been extra...persistent. But the biggest problem is the ripple effect and what's happened as a result: My sources tell me that Tipsy Tulip's train will not be passing near Caballuston for the next three months."

Murmurs of worry and outrage filled the room. "She can't do that! I planned to make a lair and I needed the parts for a ceiling gator trap." "She can do whatever she wants and I could care less about about your plans. I'd advise everypony to leave. This city may be quite the prize but it's like a jewel...in the middle of a wasp's nest...that you have to grab with your mouth...and a net is dropped on you as you try to run away. The point is that it's simply not worth the effort. Me? I'm abandoning this region permanently. Manehattan certainly has nicer weather."

Black Night perks her ears at how Tipsy seems to be avoiding the city for the near future, however the next bit was more surprising. Carmine advising the criminals to leave, and that the Big Boss himself was completely abandoning this region... that could be potentially very bad... Without him, their is going to be a Power Vacuum... now maybe if Vine could take that spot things could get interesting... but it also leaves it open for much worse ponies to try and take the spot... even potential gang wars, because she doubts everypony is gonna leave with this kind of opportunity sitting before them.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Back in control of himself, Snowy nods. "I find this all more or less in line with what I've seen of Ms. Swirl. You don't deserve a whit of what you've experienced with her. I, uh," An idea he most certainly is not in control of springs to mind, and he rubs his neck with a forehoof as his cheeks grow warm. "I don't have a great many avenues of comforting you, but I, uh, make some great stuffed peppers. If you ever want to try some, just ask." He feels his cheeks grow yet warmer, and resolves to see this through to the end. "I'm not your friend, but I'd like to be."

In any other situation, Static's expression would be a thing of beauty right now, and Snowy would feast on it. But just this once he was very pointedly not looking at the yellow earth pony.

---

After hearing Static say that Mr. Night Cap was his 'most valued' friend ...Maple was about to point out how ms Naught had been the one to set her on the course to meet her forever best friend Misty... but when Mr. Skies spoke ... all the other emotions she had had...fled at the sight of it.

It was so beautiful... she just scrunched up he face as tight as she could to give as much room as possible for her smile to grow.

---

Suddenly, the room went dark. Black Night immediately noticed that unlike normal darkness she couldn't see into it. However, it almost immediately reverted to normal and revealed a newcomer to the room. It was a green, earth pony stallion who wore a matching fedora and tie in the shade of vanilla ice cream. He was standing between two seated criminals with one asking, "Who're you? Never seen..." Before the sentence could be finished, the question was answered with a punch to the jaw, the table was flipped, and all pandemonium broke loose. Some ponies ran while others tried to attack the newcomer. Rough Carmine shook his head in resigned annoyance, calmly got up, and started to slowly walk away.

---

"If you're a friend of my friends, then you're my friend too!" Misty adds.

---

Suddenly, the room went dark. Black Night immediately noticed that unlike normal darkness she couldn't see into it. However, it almost immediately reverted to normal and revealed a newcomer to the room. It was a green, earth pony stallion who wore a matching fedora and tie in the shade of vanilla ice cream. He was standing between two seated criminals with one asking, "Who're you? Never seen..." Before the sentence could be finished, the question was answered with a punch to the jaw, the table was flipped, and all pandemonium broke loose. Some ponies ran while others tried to attack the newcomer. Rough Carmine shook his head in resigned annoyance, calmly got up, and started to slowly walk away.

At the impenetrable darkness Black Night blinked and was taken aback, she certainly wasn't used to not being able to see through any kind of darkness. Once thw world corrected itself, she noticed the new player in the room. At first she wondered if this was the start of the battle for power, if it was the pony was certainly getting a jump start. Though as she notices the mask with the pony trying to hide his identity, she became more curious. A new hero barging in? Or maybe something worse. Either way she dropped from the rafters in front of Rough Carmine. "Going somewhere?" She asks, while she kept an eye on the newcomer and the ponies going after him.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Spoiler

"I KNEW IT...!" Maple yells, while alternating hoofbumps to the sky with her forelegs.

"...it was one of my interview questions." She mumbles as she calms down under some of the swiveled gazes...

---

Static winces as he leans away from Maple and tries to cover his ears. "Crap, I'm deaf!"

---

Maple examines Static's head and thinks she can fix some of what's wrong

Spoiler

---

"Oh for crying..." Static waves Maple away. "I'm fine. Just don't scream in my ear like that. It hurts."

---

"Sorry Static." Maple shimmies back up into her seat... they should really make these chairs shorter.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Scarlet backed off speedily, shaking his head vigorously.

"Pony feathers Maple! Shouting for joy is great. Just, dial down that megaphone volume. Please?"

---

Static offers Night Cap a hoof to help him up. Mare's got a set of lungs on her, doesn't she?"

---

As the night progressed, it was clear that everypony was having a ball. After all of the scores were tallied up, the Documents Department was the winner. "It seems like the Documents Department is the one to beat. I'll certainly be keeping an eye on you for the future." Soon, everypony began to gather their things for the walk home.

Spoiler

---

Maple hung around apologizing and giving out medical attention to those who needed it ... thank goodness they bowled here, Manehatten branch use to blow off steam with Karaoke... not that many remember. Maple winced, She's much happier now not doing that to her friends anymore.

if they ask me to sing though, it might still be for the best

---

Static grinned and gave Night Cap another hoof bump. "Ready Quill's gonna be ecstatic."

---