[IC] STOMP Super Spooktacular Special!

CoffeeHorse · Dec 4, 2024

Amber smiled as Scarlet produced the rope, tugging Harmony's unconscious body back out of the Ballroom. "Excellent, Mr. Spectrum," she said, heaving her in his direction and leaving her to his expertise.

Turning to Maple, Amber exchanged their (by all appearances identical) amulets and passed hers to Maple, then attempted to cross a hoof into the Ballroom herself. "If the amulets' magic is the same as that of the sanctuary, I can't understand why the sanctuary would keep you out, Miss Jack. I know it can't be chief among our priorities, but it may be important to find out just what is going on here."

She shook her head, putting a hoof on Maple's shoulder, as she spoke about Harmony and her own Changeling nature. "Oh Maple, dear, some ponies hate everypony they can't use to their own advantage."

Spoiler

Attempting to exchanges amulets causes them to reject the other pony like similarly charged magnets, however Amber has no issues entering the ballroom either.

Spoiler

Growing annoyed with the door being a big meanie to Maple, Misty picks up the miniature mare and attempts to push them both through.

Spoiler

As the amulet forced itself back to her, Amber scoffed. "How rude," she said, scowling at it. "You keep that attitude up and you'll find yourself transmuted into a holepunch, mister."

She nodded gravely at Night Cap's warning. "It sounds dreadful," she said, as if grateful that he had survived.

"Woah! .... easy there Misty, wow you're stronger than I thought - remind me to let you lead more often." Maple says, before turning as crimson as Scarlet - without using her powers.

CoffeeHorse · Dec 9, 2024

Growing annoyed with the door being a big meanie to Maple, Misty picks up the miniature mare and attempts to push them both through.

Spoiler

"Night Cap, have you entered the sanctuary since you were ..." she struggled for words as she looked Green Night Cap up and down. "Decorated?" she finished.

Click to expand...

"I've been in the sanctuary after multiple layers of decoration. It was no problem."

"Don't try the tea. It tastes like... tea."

Green Night Cap pokes at the sanctuary threshold.

For all of Misty's strength, the barrier seems equally resistant to her efforts to the point that as Maple is shot across the hall just as Misty is slung into Ballroom at high speeds as the two lovers are forced apart in opposite directions as unstoppable force and unmoving object meet.

Night Cap finds, like most the others that the threshold isn't reject his scummy form, so its likely not the 'decoration' that is keeping Maple out.

Inside the ballroom Swift Tart blinks at the suddenly projectile pegasus. "Oh dear... I don't think that was supposed to happen." They say and trot over to misty as she lands, not so gracefully along the highly polished dance floor. "Are you alright?"

"I think I've had my fill thanks... no more for me." Maple says as she lands in a similar heap after bouncing off the adjacent wall and falling to the floor.

"Perhaps ... you could ... change your disguise?" Amber reluctantly stammered out.

"I'm fine, don't worry about me. But Maple... she can't get in for some reason. And she needs to!"

Scarlet frowned slightly at Maple and sighed.

”If that is the case, then all three sisters are, as unpleasant as it is, hating you for the fact that Changelings are and have been, evil and cruel . You on the other hand, are unique, in that you are a Changeling who lost all knowledge of herself and grew up around friendship and kindness and love. Can you really blame them for their disdain.

However, my point is this. While they might hate you for being A Changeling. You have the opportunity, slim as it may be, to prove to them by your actions, that you are heroic Maplejack. A Changeling unlike any other.

I know it doesn’t seem like much, but there is still hope.”

Unrolling his rope, Scarlet set to work binding Harmony. Though he was careful to ensure that her bonds would restrain her, but nit hurt her.

Spoiler

”Everpony check your amulets. The lower the glow, the more urgently you need to be in there and not out here.”

CoffeeHorse · Dec 9, 2024

"I'm fine, don't worry about me. But Maple... she can't get in for some reason. And she needs to!"

Swift Tart blinks. "That shouldn't happen... unless Maple isn't who she says she is..." They says cocking their head a bit and looks to the door. "The last time you all were here, Harmony told me that with everything going on that there might be an intruder of some sort looking to feed on the chaos and havoc that was going on... and then suggested that I strength the barrier so that only ponies can pass through it... I didn't seem like an unreasonable request at the time with all the survivors I'm trying to keep safe. So, are you sure that Maple is in fact Maple?"

Scarlet grimaced as his hooves and rope slid over Harmonys ectoplasmic covered self.

”Yuck!

‘Sigh’

Night Cap, while i applaud your using the ectoplasm as a means of helping ypu carry her here. Slimy Harmony is not conducive to safe binding.

Oh well.” Then a thought struck him. Turning to Maple, he said.

”Maple, did you visit the ballroom to recharge Night Cals amulet Before, or After you told Harmony you are a Changeling?”

Scarlet grimaced as his hooves and rope slid over Harmonys ectoplasmic covered self.

”Yuck!

‘Sigh’

Night Cap, while i applaud your using the ectoplasm as a means of helping ypu carry her here. Slimy Harmony is not conducive to safe binding.

Oh well.” Then a thought struck him. Turning to Maple, he said.

”Maple, did you visit the ballroom to recharge Night Caps amulet Before, or After you told Harmony you are a Changeling?”

"Slimy Harmony is not conducive to much of anything in my experience," Amber muttered under her breath.

"Like I said Mr. Spectrum, Rhapsody and Symphony told her all about me before I even met her tonight. I guess they wanted to make sure she knew in case I finally figured out not to tell anypony."

CoffeeHorse · Dec 9, 2024

GodSentinelOmega:
Scarlet grimaced as his hooves and rope slid over Harmonys ectoplasmic covered self.

”Yuck!

‘Sigh’

Night Cap, while i applaud your using the ectoplasm as a means of helping ypu carry her here. Slimy Harmony is not conducive to safe binding.

Oh well.”

"He got her here, didn't he?"

Scarlet looked at Maple quizzically, then shook his head.

”Thats not what i meant. Perhaps i didn’t ask the roght question.

Did you and Harmony talk about you being a Changeling and the reason for her and her sisters hatred of that fact Beforev or After you went to the ballroom to restore Night Caps amulet.

If Before. Then i’m not sure whats chamged about the barrier spell.

If After. It is possible that having to face up to her disdain of you, on top of her fears about Symphony. On top of her fears about Rhapsody. On top of her fears about our current predicatment and being stuck with a group of ponies she neither knows nor trusts. Could have lead her into implying that Swift Tart would do well to strengthen the barrier against ‘unknown threats’.

I don’t like that idea, or the idea that Harmony would willfully endanger you like that but... it is possible.”

Reaching for his rope, Scarlet again tried to bind Harmony. Though perhaps with a little less kindness than last time.

Dexterity check for rope binding
1d20=15
15+8=23
Total:23

”I hope Misty can convince Swift Tart to let you in. Because we need to get back to the search and i don’t want risk your safety.

Or Ambers.

Anyway. Amber, can you sort out your notes again please? With what we have now, i think we could have a few matches that should lead us to something important. Your notes can quickly let us cross-reference the clues and, hopefully, find that match.”

"I guess if she's the reason for it, then that would be why then. yes."

Amber nodded to Scarlet and drew out her notes, collecting the new ones from the others into her list. She didn't see any particular reason to blame Harmony for anything new but saw even less reason to defend her.

Spoiler

Scarlet shook his head .

”if, i said Maple. If. Even if this is because of something Harmony said. She may not have done it out of a true sense of makice. Just fear and desperation.

Now, you still haven’t answered my question, Maple. Stop dodging please.”

CoffeeHorse · Dec 9, 2024

"... didn't I say yes?" Maple picks herself off the floor on wobbly legs.

"You know, as the one who spent the better part of the night defending Harmony, this is too far no matter the reason. Maple could get killed if she doesn't get in there. If Maple gets hurt because of what she did..."

[I'll kill her!]

"let's just forget about it and go save the day."

"There's no need to blame Harmony for anything without evidence," said Amber in a monotone. "But I'm sure she'll give us ample chance if we do the same. How are you with knots, Miss Jack?"

"Not so good making, but really good at getting out." She says shaking her head

CoffeeHorse · Dec 9, 2024

Irritated, Scarlet scowled at Maple.

”No, lets not forget it. You need to be in there, recharging your amulet and safe. Not out here, where you are very much at risk. I am trying to figure out why you can’t get in. Because i am not letting you head off to continue searching like this.

‘Sigh’

Now, for the third time. Did you and Harmony talk about your Changeling nature Before, or After you last went to the ballroom to recharge Night Caps amulet?”

Swift Tart blinks. "That shouldn't happen... unless Maple isn't who she says she is..." They says cocking their head a bit and looks to the door. "The last time you all were here, Harmony told me that with everything going on that there might be an intruder of some sort looking to feed on the chaos and havoc that was going on... and then suggested that I strength the barrier so that only ponies can pass through it... I didn't seem like an unreasonable request at the time with all the survivors I'm trying to keep safe. So, are you sure that Maple is in fact Maple?"

Misty gets back on her hooves and shakes her head. "Maple is Maple. Maybe she's not quite a pony... but she's Maple. And she needs to come in here. That amulet she has needs to recharge! Or the g-g-ghosts will eat her right up!" she pleads.

*Maple topples over unconscious

Scarlet stated for a second, then leot forward.

”Ponyfeathers! Now we really need to get her inside that bucking ballroom!

Swift Tart looked to Misty, they were quiet for a moment. "I suppose I should go see for myself." The piebald replies, and heads back to the stage where a small group work to help strengthen the barrier. They have a quick double clop on the floor to get their attention. "Okay, enough for now. I need to go check this out, to see if this pegasus is... confused or correct." They state and the trio nods and to those looking, the edge of the barrier flashes and then shimmers. Swift Tart turns own more and this time exits the ballroom.

"So now, what appears to be the trouble here?" They ask and looks over the frighten witness who seems to be avoiding every pony now with all the arguing and unsure who is and inst allowed into the ballroom, a slimy unconscious Earth Pony, and seemingly unconscious tiny pegasus. "Well.. You lot have certainly had a productive night, yes?" Not sure who is doing more damage, STOMP or the ghosts...

CoffeeHorse · Dec 11, 2024

"Very," Amber sputtered, finding herself suddenly smiling nervously at Swifty's presence, once again unexpectedly at ease and caught off rhythm at the same time. "We've found quite a lot of clues out here and should be ready to gather the artifacts soon. But our Changeling friend, Miss Jack, can't reenter the ballroom. Something seems to have happened to it."

"Yes, well... That certainly would explain it. So... you KNOW she's a changeling?" They ask and looks down to the little Pegasus. "The whole time?" The piebald says with a sigh and shakes of his head. "Such things are good to know in advance. I am trying to keep a lot of ponies safe. We can't just have monsters running around... unchecked... We'd strengthed the barrier to try and keep more... non-pony elements away from the guests" They state, remaining ever calm and level headed in the face of all this.

"Not ... the whole time, myself, but...." Amber looked more flustered than angry, seeming to take the tone of a foal speaking to an adult who wasn't getting it. "If you want to keep the monsters away, I suggest you start with her," she said with a limp flop of her foreleg in Harmony's direction. "I think she may well be trying to get us all killed."

”Ok, the short, short version is this.

Yes, she is a Changeling, but she grew up ignorant of this fact for most of her life. Believing herself to simply be tiny Maplejack, the pegasus you see here. This is due to circumstances involving other Changelings, the Princessess and a lot of magic. No, she is not a monster, as she has not shown any twnswnci4s towards Changelings usual, parasitic behaviour.

She does however, have a seriously weakened amulet that needs to be recharged. Any more ghost attacks could be deadly to her.

As for Harmony. While i am not wholly convinced she actively wants us dead. Her stubborn desperation to find her sisters, fear of... pretty much this whole situation. Distrust of us and now open hatred of Maple. Is making her a danger to herself and everypony else. Which means that she will charge off into danger alone, should we not do things the way she wants.

Her fear is understandable, but her actions are becoming dangerous.

Which is now made worse since we know know that the Masque and its spectral minions have tge power to phychically manipulate any unprotected pony.”

Scarlet pointed to his amulet, then to Harmony.

”i think, that these amulets you have given us are the reason we are unaffected, though i can’t be sure. Regardless, Maplejack needs to be in there to recharge. While Harmony needs to be in there for her own safety.

She also needs to be restrained.”

"Now, now Miss Sparks. No need to accuse a poor frightened girl whose' lost everything. It would be a very cold mare that could go through such events and not feel a thing. Those sorts can be the real monsters." Swift Tart replies before looking over to Scarlet and listens to his explanation. "There are to some where such 'excuses' wouldn't matter Mr. Spectrum. There will always be those that see those with such... dark origins as the monsters that the rest of their kin are. And you can't really blame them, not in my eyes. One good one out of hundreds of bad ones? Very few are gonna believe otherwise." The piebald says with a heavy sigh, though their expression quickly changes as Scarlet moves on to restraining Harmony. "Oh, now, I'm not really much for Bondage... but I suppose we all have our kinks." They grin slyly to the blue pegasus. "Regardless, get everyone inside that needs help and I will certainly do my best."

CoffeeHorse · Dec 11, 2024

From anypony else, Swifty's talk of "excuses" would have sent Amber back into a snapping fury. Instead she merely looked deeply troubled and tried to rouse the little pegasus to guide her back to the sanctuary of the Ballroom, lifting Harmony with her magic once again to deposit her inside as she did so.

Static sighed. He was glad he had no part of that conversation. He was getting more and more irked with Harmony's attitude and he was trying not to say something he might regret.

He turns to Scarlet and Night Cap. "So...Study?"

Cocking his head at Swift Tart as th piebald spoke, Scarlet.

”While that is all, very sadly, true. Maple is Maple and that’s good enough for me.

Waaait, bonda...?

‘Ahem’

I meant restrain Harmony so she doesn’t injure herself or anypony else when she comes too. Depending on what, and how much, she remembers. She’s likely to be in shock.”

Turning as Static spoke up, Scarlet grinned. Though it couldn’t quite hide his growing worries as the night wore on. Nodding, he said.

”The Study. It’s the one place left we need to give the once over before we get down to using our growing list of clues to pull together the lost pieces of the counter-spell and Symphony. Lead on my friend.

‘sigh’

I need a drink,” he added in a low voive.

Static blinks. "Didn't I give you...I thought I...well...huh!" Static hands Scarlet one of the bottles he previously pilfered. "I was thinking maybe we should wait until this is all over and done with. You know, don't want to be in these life and death situations while impaired. But...yeah...it's been that kind of night."

Leaving his other bottle secured where it was, Static leads the way to the study.

*Maple twitches, her breathing grasping - at the ballroom*

CoffeeHorse · Dec 11, 2024

With a shake of his head and a self-deprecating laugh, Scarlet accepted the proffered bottle, but left it unopened.

”You’re right. Best to keep our wits sharp. I will make you a deal though Static. Once this night is over, we are going to get very, very drunk

C’mon Green Night Cap. Lets see what this Study is like.

Stowing the bottle away under his own caoe, Scarlet headed up the hall.

Study:

A pleasant looking room with plenty of chairs tables and sofas for ponies to lounge on while they read or pour over any of the books from the library. A chandelier hangs from the ceiling, and several pictures decorate the walls. It seems to be slightly in shambles after the previous ghosts ran everypony off.

As usual, Static looks for suspect clues. "Aww, but Scaaaaarleeeeeet! I'm on the waaaaagon!" Static says in a less than convincing tone.

Spoiler

Amber settled Maple and Harmony inside the Ballroom. She tried another pass at Harmony's ropes, first, but didn't make much headway; the goop saturated the ropes and left them slippery and uncooperative.

While Amber waited with the pegasus ponies, she hoped to make some progress with these riddles. She did love a good puzzle. But for now, she turned her attention to Maple.

"Are you alright, Miss Jack?" Perhaps the barrier had affected her somehow. It was impossible to know for sure without knowing more about this spell. Well, if Maple was hurt by the magic somehow, certainly Swift Tart would know what to do.

Spoiler

"Mizte nes hg... shz skrd." is all Maple manages to get out after Amber's prompt

CoffeeHorse · Dec 11, 2024

Statics unconvincing protestations only made Scarlet laugh.

”Technically, i am too. Somehow though, i feel tonight is an exception.

as to whether it’s fun? Thats depends on how your body reacts to the drink, Night. Either you’ll get tired—more tired—and really miserable. Which would be bad. Or, you’ll get so hyper and happy you’ll laugh at everything. Especially the fact that you’re laughing at the fact that you’re laughing.

Or you’ll just feel really jazzed.”

Scarlet then started a slow walk around the Study, as he looked fore more hidden scraps of paper. Maybe even a picture or something more substantial. Down the backs of the sofas, under he cushions. Even feeling round the backs of the pictures and floating up to spy around the chandelier.

2spoiler]Perception check for Artifact
1d20=13
13+8=21
Total:21[/spoiler]

Was Maple slipping into her native Changeling? Maple's accent sounded a bit like Breezie, and Amber regretted having never studied the dialect. The first word sounded quite a lot like "Misty", and sitting with one hoof on Maple's shoulder, she waved the other toward Misty. "I think Miss Jack wants you," she said, frowning in concern.

Around the room they manage to find what they were looking for. Scarlet yet another piece of paper with the phrase. "Following this thread will quickly get you to the point." while the slimy wannabe hero finds is own scrap. "Darkness can only be overcome mutually." While Static once more manages to find a witness huddled over in shock muttering. "Color of fear." over and over again, it seems the ghost attack earlier did a number on him.

Spoiler

Misty trots over. "Yes? Vhat is it?"

"lovu... dowtwerry" Maple's hoof reaches out as best she can manage and pats Misty's leg trying to comfort her.

CoffeeHorse · Dec 11, 2024

"Woah, hey! Take it easy. Everything's going to be okay. It's safe in the ballroom. Come with us, we'll make sure you get there safe." He looked back over to Scarlet and Night Cap and noted they got some clues. "Shall we look those over along the way? I want to get him to the ball room as quickly as possible."

[Before what happens to the last witness happens to him!]

Scarlet took one look at the babbling survivor Static had found and nodded.

”Agreed. We found clues, you found somepony. Lets roll Night Cap.”

The forest of the dead is where you learn to spell.

This one Mr. Spectrum had identified as a clue for the library. But what was hidden there?

Bask in Aw in the greatness of others.

This one could only mean the trophy room. But what was hiding in that "aw"? Surprise, disappointment, enchantment at a pet?

Conserve your efforts to reap what you sew.

She'd come to think that this must be a reference to the conservatory, where a pony could indeed grow and harvest herbs or vegetables. That left sew - perhaps a hint at the clue's pair?

Seek the Knife that makes pans flench.

A kitchen knife could flench meat for a pan - or make a pony flinch in surprise. Could this be the pair to the "aw" riddle about the Trophy Room, and would they find a kitchen knife hiding within?

Liquid Night runed the masque.

Amber had already decided that this one must be a riddle about ink of some kind, possibly an ink well. But she didn't think any of these clues would tell her where it was hidden. But runes were one way to spell - could it be hidden in the library? It didn't seem quite right. If it was "night" instead that was a hint about the clue's pair, she couldn't see a connection yet.

Friendship isn't the only kind there is.

Leadership, sportsmanship, a model ship? She shook her head. It could only be a clue about what the artifact was, but it didn't seem to fit with any of the locations, either. There weren't any obviously out-of-place hints hidden in this one; perhaps she would simply have to leave it for last once the others were found.

You can't hyd from these spikes.

It was the first clue she'd found herself and still as frustratingly opaque as when she had. That hyd meant something, but what? And what kind of spike had to do with finding things, or with hides? She frowned, scribbling some of her thoughts in the margins around the clues, and walked back to Misty and Maple. Perhaps one of them would see something she was missing, assuming Maple was speaking Ponish again.

Maple continues to softly pat Misty's foot, not having any idea that she's made it into the ballroom or if anypony is doing anything about their amulets.

"huvz thith purte shod styl beh danzin"

Misty kneels down and drapes one wing over Maple. "Don't vorry about it. Let's just enjoy a moment of being safe and sound."

CoffeeHorse · Dec 16, 2024

"I don't deserve you."

"Ah, Maple, you're speaking again!" said Amber, who seemed to materialize behind Misty to poke her head into the pegasus ponies' moment. "Are either of you much luck with riddles? I had hoped that one of you might see something I'm missing." She passed the page of notes in the air to first face Misty, then Maple.

"I'm Sorry, but I'm not so smart even when my head doesn't hurt this much." Maple said as she looked at the paper with all the dancing letters on it.

Hall:

The sausage party exits into the hallway with witness in tow, hoping to get to the ballroom without incident. Unfortunately for them, their luck has run out as a dread sense of deja vu hits Scarlet as suddenly all the lights start going out. Several moments pass as they all seem to be in total darkness, before they reignite with hellish dark red flames. "Oh Look, Its the Usurper, The Liar, and The Dupe all in one location." Rasophae has found them. "Nothing's gonna save you this time, better start running boys the slowest one will feel the HEAT of my wraith!" She luaghs.

It's close to midnight and something evil's lurkin' in the dark
Under the moonlight you see a sight that almost stops your heart
You try to scream but terror takes the sound before you make it
You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes,
You're paralyzed

'Cause this is thriller, thriller night
And no one's gonna save you from the beast about to strike
You know it's thriller, thriller night
You're fighting for your life inside a killer, thriller tonight

You hear the door slam and realize there's nowhere left to run
You feel the cold hand and wonder if you'll ever see the sun
You close your eyes and hope that this is just imagination, girl
But all the while you hear a creature creepin' up behind
You're outta time

'Cause this is thriller, thriller night
There ain't no second chance against the thing with the forty eyes, girl
Thriller, thriller night
You're fighting for your life inside a killer, thriller tonight

Night creatures call
And the dead start to walk in their masquerade
There's no escaping the jaws of the alien this time (they're open wide)
This is the end of your life

They're out to get you, there's demons closing in on every side
They will possess you unless you change that number on your dial
Now is the time for you and I to cuddle close together
All through the night I'll save you from the terror on the screen,
I'll make you see

That this is thriller, thriller night
'Cause I can thrill you more than any ghoul could ever dare try
Thriller, thriller night
So let me hold you tight and share a killer, thriller, chiller
Thriller here tonight

'Cause this is thriller, thriller night
Girl, I can thrill you more than any ghoul could ever dare try
Thriller, thriller night
So let me hold you tight and share a killer, thriller

I'm gonna thrill you tonight

BALLROOM

Swift Tart gazes out of the large window into the night sky the moon high as it shines down and they looks over those that are in their care.

Darkness falls across the land

The midnight hour is close at hand
Creatures crawl in search of blood
To terrorize y'all's neighborhood
And whomsoever shall be found
Without the soul for getting down
Must stand and face the hounds of hell

And rot inside a corpse's shell

The foulest stench is in the air

The funk of forty thousand years
And grisly ghouls from every tomb
Are closing in to seal our doom
And though you fight to stay alive
Your body starts to shiver
For no mere mortal can resist
The evil of the thriller

The events of the night seeming to get to the piebald, as even their cheery demeanor seems to fade some, as if they sense the dread from Rasophae's attack just outside.

Spoiler

Spoiler

"Blasted luck, this night just keeps getting better and better!" Static mutters. "RUN!!!!"

CoffeeHorse · Dec 16, 2024

Misty appears to make an expression indicating squinting at the pages of notes.

"Hmmm... nope, I can't think of a thing."

"Oh, Miss Jack, you don't give yourself nearly enough credit." But she let the lovers rest and returned to her puzzling.

Amber cocked her head at Swifty's odd poem. It didn't seem very reassuring. A part of her wanted to speak with them but she was unsure what to ask. She was beginning to feel excited in spite of herself, with so many of the clues finally coming together. Amber glanced at the slime-coated, messily tied-up unconscious lump of Harmony and imagined the look on her face when they'd rescued both of her sisters. Amber bet the mare would be simply furious at having to be so relieved.

The clues about Darkness that seemed to be about Symphony - "the music that you seek" - started to seem like instructions about what to do with the "Knight" and "Light". If she was right in her guess that there was a hidden doorway between the Library and Trophy Room, perhaps the armor from the Trophy Room and the torches from the Foyer were keys.

But stopping Rasophae had to be the first priority. If the others were checking the Study, that meant that every room had been checked at least once, but nopony had found any clues about the hidden artifacts in the Conservatory or Dining Room yet. Perhaps those were the best places to try again next.

"Maybe, you should ask our host... at least it'll give you a reason to chat with them." Maple smiled, she liked Ms. Spark, and thought she should find somepony special.

Maple wasn't wrong, of course. There were doubtless things about the mansion Swifty knew that they didn't, after all. Amber nodded with an only slightly reluctant smile and made her way across the room, feeling a soft buzz of nervousness growing as she did.

"Hmm, ah, Swifty?" she asked, a little more quietly than she intended. "I've been looking over these clues we've found so far and wondered if you might have any insights. Particularly this one about "hiding", spelled H-Y-D - does this remind you of anything?"

Maple Smiles as she watches Amber trot over, looking up at Misty the smile only deepened

"I'm feeling much better now Misty... but being this close to you is wonderful. Are you feeling any better about all of this?" Maple whispered, so as not to disturb Amber's flirting.

CoffeeHorse · Dec 16, 2024

Swift Tart looks to Amber as she approaches they chuckle softly, they're mood seeming to brighten some. "Oh Miss Sparks. I guess you're not up on your old ponish? Hyd is an archaic spelling of 'Hide', in this case referring to specifically to Animal Hides, stuff like Leather... I know that's mostly been replaced with the fake stuff nowadays, but this mask IS rather old and from darker times..."

It's still, ah, Spark, Swifty Amber didn't say, blushing under her fur and smiling sheepishly as she realized her obvious mistake. "Oh, ah, of course, Swifty, thank you," she said, nodding, "animal hides, I should have realized - thank you, ah," she nodded again, "Thank you."

Maple slides her wings forward and covers her face... "oh golly..." ... Hopefully, Ms. Spark has better luck socializing in her new home.

As a familiar darkness swept the hallway, only to be replaced by red fire, Scarlet heart sank. ‘Rasophaes’ words stung deeply, since he knew where the mask was leeching them from.

“Rhapsody, please!Fight this wretched mask!”

Scarlet lept into the air and flew after his friends. The wraiths heat buffeted him as fear chilled him to the bone.

Spoiler

And yet his fear for his friends was stronger than his fear for himself. Thus, Scarlet deliberately slowed himself so that ‘Rasophaes’ threat struck him and not Static or Night Cap.

"Hehehe Look at them go, just taking off as fast as they can; The Liar is especially quick, not that I expected anything less from that coward. So much for friendship, loyalty and teamwork eh?" She says looking to Scarlet as she looms over him. "First sign of danger and they'd rather save their own tails then yours or even that Witness you found. Some Heroes they are. Not that it will be any concern of yours..." Rasophae states as she unleashes a torrent of ghostly red flames that engulfs the blue pegasus and the hallway around them becomes a blazing inferno of hell fire.

Scarlet's only savior is the talisman of Olmek around his neck as the artifact encases him in a glowing golden bubble of magic, though the intensity of the flames continue to dance all around him. The talisman was powerful, keeping the flames at bay though their heat could still be felt. "Why. Won't. You. Just. DIE?" Rasophae roars as her magic battles the talisman's to a standstill eventually Rasophae seems to burn herself out, for a brief moment Rhapsody stands there weakened and falls over while Scarlet find his talisman completely drain and his hair a bit singed. Before he can do anything about Rhapsody, the flame of her mane reignites and glares to him as she stands up. "This isn't over, Usurper." The vengeful ghost says before disappearing in a puff of smoke to recover from the encounter.

Spoiler

CoffeeHorse · Dec 16, 2024

Static snarls as he looks back. Rhapsody disappeared, so it looked like it was safe to assume she was gone. He ran up to Scarlet and tried to get him back on his hooves. "Blast it all, move your ass!" he barks out as he nearly drags Scarlet to sanctuary.

Still smiling shyly and trying to look busy at correcting her notes in the hopes that Swifty might have some more advice to offer (but she didn't want to press them of course) Amber suddenly jumped with a yelp at the sound of the crash at the door. A split second later she had regained her composure and stared the door down with her head lowered, horn aura pulsing as she readied a strike against whatever supernatural horror was intent on menacing the survivors.

Having sagged to the floor, his strength gone from the intensity of ‘Rasophaes’ hellfire. It felt like every part of him was a little bit crispy around the edges. Scarlet also felt drained emotionally, again. When he and Amber had faced ‘Rasophae’ before, he’d felt the sting as the ghost used Rhapsodys darker feelings as fuel for its fire. Then hope that Rhapsody was still ‘awake’ inside the masks twisted vessel. Then fear again as he wondered they could stop such a thing.

Now though, he just felt sad and sick, hoping like hell that maybe, just maybe, the key to pulling Rhapsody out enough to sty,ie ‘Rasophae’ lay in those she deeply cared about. Amber, Symphony and...

‘sigh’

Harmony.

So long as they could keep that paranoid Unicorn alive of course.

Feeling, more than hearing Static, Scarlet felt himself moving. Trying to force his eyes open, the muddled pegasus wondered vaguely why his limbs felt both sluggishly heavy and far too light.

”s-Static...? What...about...the...W-Witness... where...are they? Tell me they’re alive? Tell...me, tell me you’re...ok?”

"Everypony's fine but you! C'mon!" Static helps Scarlet toward the door...where he gives Night Cap a raised eyebrow. "Really?" As if having to teach a newborn foal, he directs Night Cap in the ways of opening a door...only to be met with an Amber primed for attack. "NO WAIT! IT'S US! Sweet Luna, has everypony gone crazy?"

"Static!" said Amber, clearly relieved to see him and the others - if a little puzzled that he didn't seem to share the reaction. "Are you all alright? We heard a crash."

CoffeeHorse · Dec 16, 2024

Maple nuzzled Misty and then stood up, feeling better... at least enough to stand.

Maple turns into Pendulumnae and lifts Night Cap onto his feet with her magic.

Spoiler
Shadewing

"I don't think we teach this at Skylinx's gym." Maple's snicker breaks through her impression and she switches back to herself.

He throat still dry from the ghost fire sucking all the moisture from the air, Scarlet tries to talk to Amber through his coughing.

”We di—‘coughcough’—! We did... find some—‘coughcough’—more clues toa—‘coughcough’—!

‘deep breath’

And...another witness...?”

Looking over to Green Night Cap, then back to Static, Scarlet slowly sank to a sitting position and blinked. Pulling out the scrap of paper with his clue on it, Scarlet passed it to Amber.

”You... you did, uh, you did bring the witness. Right?”

Coughing again as he waited, Scarlet pulled out the bottle Static had given him earlier. Hesitating for a moment, he remembered why he hadn’t already opened it. Then he thought about ‘Rasophae’ and red fire.

”Oh to Tartarus with it!” the blue pegasus to a really, really long swig from the bottle. Sighing in relief he... twitched in shock. Grimacing as the aftereffect of the alchohol struck his face.

”Maybe that wasn’t such a good idea,” he choked out in a strained voice. ”Green Night? Give Amber the clue you found.”

CoffeeHorse · Dec 18, 2024

"I suppose the lot of you could probably do with a stiff drink after all you've seen tonight, but do try to keep your wits about you. Being drunk off your flanks does no good in getting your friends rescued..." Swift Tart ways as he watches Scarlet take a long hard drink from the pilfered booze.

Spoiler
Shadewing, GSO

"Oh that looks like it hurts a bunch Mr. Spectrum, let me help." Maple sets to work after pulling a first aid kit from her saddle bags

[Oh for cryin...grrrr]

"Here, let me try something." Static takes the paper and hands it to Amber. "YEAH! EARTH...PONY...STREANGTH!!!"

Amber watched astonished as Maple mastered the art of telekinesis, picked up Scarlet's clue out of the air as he passed it to her among his other, ah, gesticulations, and simply stared at Night Cap's note as he deposited it on the floor for Static to hoof to her. "Hmm, ah, yes," she said, with a nod.

Scarlet's clue sounded familiar as she copied it down. "Oh, I believe I see a pair!" she said.

Spoiler

as she finishes up what she can with Scarlet, Maple nods at Amber.

"If you've figured something out we should go and have a look and see if you're right. Sometimes knowing that you've done the correct steps to a puzzle can help you figure out the next parts." Maple says with a smile.

"But if you're going to be dealing with all of that paperwork and figuring, maybe I can be on Night Cap slip prevention duty." Maple looks over at him... and then almost transforms back into her Masked Mystery Mare form... but then remembers that there are non-stomp ponies around. Instead, opting to just turn into a normal Unicorn.

"I don't think anypony has seen me this way before." Maple's MMM voice comes out of this new Unicorn form but at a much softer tone -one that certainly wouldn't reach the back benches of an arena.

Spoiler
Anyone

CoffeeHorse · Dec 18, 2024

Amber glanced around a bit nervously, but of course, she had herself announced Maple's status as a changeling, and the other survivors hadn't seemed to react at that - but it took her a moment to adjust herself, and not just in looking up instead of down to meet Maple's eyes. After a moment, Amber nodded. "I believe I know what we're looking for in the Conservatory," she said, "and I think the torches in the Foyer may have something to do with finding Symphony from the location in the hallway we talked about next to the Library." She looked over the pad again, still not seeing any obvious connection between the remaining clues. "We still have two artifacts that we don't have any clues to the location of. Finding those last two clues might help solve the remaining ones."

Amber nodded to Night Cap. "And I will lead the team retrieving one of the artifacts," she said, looking around at the other ponies. "We will each need at least one more pony to be safe."

"If the room even lets me out." The Unmasked Unicorn Mare adds with a bashful hoof wiggle.

"I'll go with Cap to find Symphony. She's been gone way too long and if she's by or self...sooner we find her the better."

Though he now felt decidedly less singed than before, Scarlet did carefully close the bottle and put it away. He was about to stand up and insist on going back out to continue the hunt... until he remembered that, of course, he couldn’t. Not yet anyway.

Huffing in frustration, Scarlet turned to Swifty as a couple of questions struck him. Keep8ng his voice low, so that (hopefully) only Swifty could hear, Scarlet said.

”Swifty, i have two questions for you. Well, three uf you count my asking if you have something non-alchoholic to drink?

Ahem...

Anyway. How long will i have to wait for my amulet to recharge? More importantly though. If the amulets magic comes from the same power as that which protects this ballroom sanctuary. Is there a danger that our repeared recharging trips could weaken the barrier?”

CoffeeHorse · Dec 18, 2024

"I can help too, Amber," Misty volunteers.

Amber nodded. "Capital, Miss Monsoon!" she said with a smile. "Shall we begin with the library?" she said, stepping toward the door, then hesitating for a moment. Before she stepped outside, she turned around to check over Harmony and see how she was doing.

Spoiler

"Goodluck Misty." Maple says, not looking up so much as over. Her horn magic's aura showing up slight around Night Cap's feet like little sack booties over-top of the ghost slime.

Spoiler

Amber finds her medical skill to be completely subpar, the slimy goo covered Harmony continues to resist all efforts to effect her. Maybe Night Cap truly is invincible now as well? The Thick goo prevents Amber from being able to determine anything about how well the still unconscious pony is doing.

Swift Tart looks over bemusedly. "Oh dear, Miss Sparks. I don't think you're ever gonna get anywhere with her in that condition. Perhaps cleaning her off would help in your ability to examine and possibly restrain her?"

Amber nodded, quietly noting "Spark."

It did seem rather rude of them to leave Harmony in her congealed state, though Amber didn't feel inclined to give the mare a sponge bath on the spot, either. "Hmm, ah. Miss Monsoon, might I have your assistance with Harmony for a moment?"

CoffeeHorse · Dec 18, 2024

"Oh, sure! Vhat do you need?"

"I believe Miss Harmony could use a bit of a shower," said Amber. "She's been unconscious for some time and I'd like to be certain that she's alright. And properly restrained, of course," Amber added.

Misty looks up, down, and all around at the luxurious ballroom. "Are you sure it's okay to do that here?" She looks to Swift Tart as if asking their approval.

"Hmm. Well, needs must, Miss Monsoon. I don't think we can risk dodging ghosts to the nearest washroom."

Swift Tart looks to the pair as they discuss their plans.

"While I was hoping our dear Miss Sparks would put up more of a show, I suppose we really don't have the time for that." They say with a sly grin and then looks to Misty. "If its just water, then my team has cleaned worse. We should be able to handle it, so go ahead and do what you wish.

[IC] STOMP Super Spooktacular Special!

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.

Exhausted, but still standing.