Post by The Wastelander on Jun 28, 2015 16:11:43 GMT
Ocarina remembered only terror when she opened her eyes, the wind stinging them as the lids peeled apart. Where was once the crystal kingdom, standing proud and tall against its own destruction, the structures that stood before her eyes were not those of her home. A sense of horror began to sink into her before she could stop it, and she turned her eyes about her as she pushed herself up to stand, looking for her parents, her friends, anyone. "Hello?" she called out, ears swiveling in hopes of a response. Nothing yet. No, nonono. "Mom?" she made for the nearest building, peeking inside it's ruined archways. "Dad?" the tears were already forming in her eyes as she turned to gallop clumsily to the next building, and the next, and when she stood at the gates of the ruined village, staring out at the wasteland that was once her home, she realized she was well and truly alone, and her parents were not there. Her friends were not there. She hadn't even noticed herself yet, the changes made to her physique, the soft and feathery wings ruffling against her back, or the bad feeling slowly creeping into her flesh from the air, saturated with dark magic that poisoned the very earth. "Hello?" she mumbled one more time, at a loss for how to cope with the end of the world.
Copter wasn't all that pleased with the job he'd been given. Reinforced armor or not, going into Ponyville was something only an utter madpony would do... And there he was, meandering through the forest-claimed ruins. Welp. He tread carefully, breathed carefully, and kept his eyes and ears - moreso his ears, given that they weren't currently addled by the visor's fogged visibility - open for signs of anything at all. Anything at all, there suddenly was. Shouting caught his attention. Out of ingrained-since-birth habit he slid his knife out of its holster and kicked it up into his mouth before continuing onward. When he got to the corner of the street the other was on, however, the sight of the stranger caught him off guard. Not only had that last shout been one sounding lost rather than angry as he'd initially mistaken... this pony wasn't wearing a damn thing! What kind of fool?! Against his better judgment he sheathed the weapon as swiftly as he'd drawn it, and walked toward the weirdly underdressed figure. "Hey, kid!" he yelled gruffly, the sound muffled by his helmet... and only then did he notice there was a horn on her head as well as wings on her back. Wh... what? His brain processed the bizarre occurrence on hyperdrive out of a looming sense of urgency, and he stomped one front hoof as he brought himself and his thoughts back to the situation at hand. "Or whatever you are," he mumbled more to himself than to her, before continuing to yell, "I don't care if you're here because of a dare or whatever reason you could possibly have for being this deep into Ponyville, but you should know better. Get out of here and go home before it kills you!"
Ocarina flinched when a voice rang out, and she turned her head and....stared. What? "I'm not a k-," 'whatever you are'. "Excuse me?" she turned to face him fully, not exactly registering that her royalty didn't extend here but she didn't exactly know where 'here' was. She rushed to brush her tears away, refusing to be caught crying to avoid the humiliation. She was a grown mare! The man was speaking gibberish, she cold barely hear him, and what in gods name was he- did he say ponyville? She went stock still mid tear wipe, wide and shocked blue eyes shooting up to the armored stranger. "This is-?" no. No it couldn't be. She turned her head to inspect the buildings again, more horrified than before. He was right. "No....," she had friends here, what about Twilight? She didn't want to accept that the wasteland she was standing in was truly her home, destroyed. Then the thing he'd said after finally clicked. Wait, what? She slowly started backing through the archway, out of Ponyville, just now realizing the sickly feeling in her flesh, settling in like it belonged there. Oh god he wasn't lying. But where? Where was she supposed to go? She had nothing now, everything was gone. Something clicked inside of her, something unfamiliar and odd and...strangely warm? It surged and roared into a flame and suddenly she was shaking herself out of her stupor of fear. "I-I have nowhere to go I-," she stopped, taking a deep breath to steady herself and eye the stranger. "I need help."
Copter. Of all the reactions to have expected of some wasteland delinquent, this particular reaction was not among them. The tears were noticed distantly, but upon closer inspection the poor kid already seemed lost and confused so he saw no reason to draw attention to it and add humiliation to that list of unfortunate emotions. She was acting like she'd never seen the wasteland before! Still, now was not the time to ponder such bizarre behaviour. Those last three words were all he needed to kick into action- the job would have to wait. "Let me show you to a nearby camp," he offered as he took a few steps closer still, slowly so as not to spook her, "I might have some spare supplies too... Maybe. Wasn't exactly expecting to run into somepony all the way out here." He rolled his shoulders, indicative of a shrug. "If nothing else, you can rest there until you figure out what to do next." If she lived that long- surely the exposure would be getting severe by now.
Ocarina forced herself to breathe calmly, though she was a tad disturbed at how calm she was about this whole dilemma. She prepared herself to follow him, more worried about the state of the world than the fact that he was a stranger in a relatively unknown place. She just needed to get out this air so she could breathe and get some time to think. She could feel the poisonous intrusion clearly now that she knew it was there, burning her skin and lungs, her eyes and mouth. She hoped this wasn't permanent, maybe it was already too late. Still no acknowledgement of those wings though woops, tally ho!
Copter. Some wandering in a dreary silence later - he wasn't much for small talk, honestly, not even to ask an alicorn what the hell they were doing not even trying to hide their alicorn-ness - the sound of the live campfire ahead caught his ears. "Stay put for a second," he whispered sharply, ducking in between a tree and a section of thick undergrowth to eye the campsite. He hadn't expected it would be occupied, to be honest. Whoops. "Looks like it's just one pony," he noted, still whispering, "Stay close to my tail, since you don't have anything to defend yourself with." And with that he'd stand up and step forward confidently into the clearing as though he hadn't just been spying on the other unknown figure. "Hail, wanderer," he surmised by a lack of obvious faction livery anywhere near the unicorn. "We're in need of supplies- you seem to have quite a few. Trade?" Getting right to the point. "In particular, have anything that cures Wind poisoning?"
Ocarina was keen to simply watch the wasteland of Equestria go by quietly as they walked, though at least the air was significantly clearer now and she could open her eyes all the way without it burning. The only thing that pulled her attention back to him was him suddenly whispering. Why whispering? She opened her mouth to speak but he was already gone. Dangit. She sat down, disgruntled. How dare he treat a princess this way, she was royalty! When he came back, still whispering and being strangely cautious and incredibly bossy, she had a mind to reprimand his treatment of her, but fuck all sorts of things there he went again! Whatever. She stepped out after him, carefully picking over broken glass and other unsavory things, and following his lead as ordered. It's not like she had anything else to do and at least she was smart enough to know when someone was being cautious for a reason. She was content to remain quietly there until he mentioned the cure. That brought a frown to her face, but she'd already registered the danger she was in when he'd chased her out of the apparently heavily toxic remains of Ponyville. God, what happened here?
Bits n' Pieces. ''Got some rocks, knifes... Where did I put that kazoo?'' At first, Bits didn't see the older pony approach, or even enter the camp with the other. He had been going through his stock, trying to see what he had lost, what he could salvage, and whatever ever else to do as he recovered from running from bandits. ''Hm? Ah. Hello there friend.'' Bits lifted his head, taking in the appearance of the two. Huh. An alicorn? Now he could say he saw everything. ''Supplies for a demon and NPR Ranger? Now I have sunk to a new low. But, as a merchant I do not discriminate my potential customers.'' Bits flashed a light amused smile. ''Well. I have a nice packet of Maniway. Purges the system of the uglies, however..'' Bits sat up, lifting the item out with simple levitation, ''Side effects could be headaches, stomach pains, hair loss, and if it's the li' alicorn here taking it I would highly recommend neither flying or using magic within' the first twenty four hours.''
Spring Serenade moved at a steady walk across the Equestrian wastelands, taking her time until she could reach her next destination. She was sure she could head home afterwards, but until them she wanted to help as many ponies as she could. It was the least she could do, after everything, wasn't it? She could only hope. The mare turned her head a little to the small saddle bags upon her back after a moment and pulled out a rudimentary map, checking her location. It looked like her route was taking her near Ponyville.. She felt a little pang of sorrow, but pushed it away and focused on the fact that she would reach the Rusty Shoe before she knew it. Spring put away her map, and as she turned back around to look ahead, she spotted what looked like a campfire some distance on her right. Huh. Briefly, she debated on approaching it- it could be a raider camp... or there might be friendlies. I.. suppose I could take a look. I could use the rest. Spring thought, biting her lower lip and veered towards the camp, walking calmly and hoping that the denizens didn't see her approach as a threat.
Copter's tail flicked. "The Republic were forced out of Canterlot, actually," he noted factually, as if it hadn't just been meant as an insult against his old armour. "The only ones left holed up in Canterlot are the jackasses who want to reinstate the monarchy. Call themselves an Empire, now." He snorted. "I would have expected a walk-the-wasteland scumbag like you to be aware of that much." Why were merchants always so unpleasant to deal with yet so irritatingly essential when traveling? Ugh. "But... I'll conveniently forget to inform my superior officer of your ignorance, as well as insulting his esteemed guest, if you cut us a deal on your stock." He reached around to snatch a small pouch off his belt, which jingled as he brought it back in front of him and threw it on the ground between him and the merchant. "You can have that bag of gems, and we'll take the Maniway, a cloak and some armour for the lady, and whatever you've got in the way of hoof-mounted weaponry." He then moved to sit on one of the ruin-ridden seats surrounding the fire, watching the merchant carefully. Your move, asshole.
Ocarina's head snapped like a fucking owl when the man called her a demon, raged boiling up, wings unknowingly bristling and spreading and display. Again, she opened her mouth to put this...this... commoner in their place when the second word flew carelessly out of the merchant's face like a fly buzzing about in the air. The fuck did he just call her? Again, that owl like turning, she twisted her neck and head around to stare wide eyed at the wings she had just now realized were mounted on her back. She tensed up, breath catching and panic rising. Oh god. Oh god oh go d oh god. She stumbled forward, tripping over herself as if to escape the offending appendages. "Woah those aren't mine, these aren't mine," she reiterated the second verse after gaze snapped in panic to the more familiar stranger, a tangle of alicorn on the ground trying to figure herself out. Woops, culture shock.
Bits n' Pieces was not at all shocked by the small history lesson the other gave, instead he just let himself smile wider at the earth stallion, giving a thoughtful hum. ''Charmed. Scumbag tends to be a sort of pet name for me compared to what other tiddles ponies decided to call me.'' Bits chuckled, his unusual tail curling around himself thoughtfully as the big talker was so sweet to offer himself a deal on his stock. What a true prince charming the heavens have presented him. And he even managed to piss of the alicorn before she freaked out about her wings.. Interesting. "So uh. Is the esteemed guest aware that she's a walking symbol of nightmares?'' His day was getting better and better, if anything. ''No one is going to believe me. Listen. I'll give you what you want, I have it.'' Bits raised his hoof, pausing, ''However.. I think you're a bluff. So on top of the small amount of gems, you see.. I lost my kazoo.'' The unicorn sighed dramatically, ''Without my kazoo, I'll waste away! So, since I know such a rare, priceless item in it self is hard to find.. I figure it'll be an iou.'' Bits settled in, laying on the ground, smirking at the stallion. ''An iou that if you refuse to pay, I'll sing alicorn and watch magic play.''
Spring Serenade's ears were perked forward the closer she came to the little camp, but she heard no shouts of alarm. She took the time she had to study it, noting the few dead trees at its edge and the sparse snarl of remaining, woody undergrowth. There was little else she could see but the ponies at the camp itself, particularly the white one. Spring approached the edge of the campsite cautiously, picking her way carefully over the ground. There were no magical traps that she could sense, so she assumed she would be fine.. until the ponies proved themselves to be not-so-friendly. Spring paused long enough to study the three ponies a moment longer, feeling nervous about announcing herself to strangers.. and she couldn't help but notice the pony who seemed to have fallen. Her eyes roved from her overall appearance (which seemed oddly familiar), to the horn.. and as they reached her wings, her heart seemed to leap into her throat. An alicorn! It was enough encouragement she needed to introduce herself to this little group. Spring cleared her throat. "Ah, excuse me? Might I join you awhile? I seek only a place to rest, but I am sure I can offer something up should you want payment.. ?" She let the sentence hang on the air, body tensed just in case the others found her less than welcome.
Copter barely reacted as his bluff was called- thanks in no small part, he was sure, to the alicorn suddenly flipped her shit over having wings. "She's clearly delusional from Windblight," he said, dismissing the snide remark out of hoof. As far as he knew, that was the truth. Whatever he'd been about to retort as far as the jackoff merchant wanting to send him on a fucking fetch quest, however, was lost the instant a new figure stepped into the picture. Well... that was a pretty face if ever he'd seen one. Damn. It took him a good few seconds to formulate a response, at which point he gestured for the new unicorn to join them at the fire. "By all means." Turning back to the other stallion, though, "We can argue payment later. Now, you help her. Or you will die when she does." He'd probably have to concede his lie once the kid was safe, but for now her safety was all he cared about.
Ocarina was a little confused, and terrified and....okay no she was freaking the fuck out, staring silently at those wings as if she could make them go away out of embarassment or something. When Bit's voice drifted to her, calling her a damn nightmare, she turned her head and frowned. "I am not a nightmare pony," she quipped. Was this guy blind? She looked nothing like a nightmare! However her mind was easily drawn by his need for a- oh! Wings and stress forgotten, she tried to heave herself to her feet, that spark of warmth in her suddenly blazing up again. What in the world was it? Who knew? She was shuffling around the camp as the newcomer came up, failing to notice them as she picked up item after item with her magic, turning things over and inspecting them until she came across what she was looking for, if only a bit wobbly because of the Windblight still settling into her. She'd have to get that stuff soon, probably. All she'd picked up was a regular looking tin cup, buried discretely under other shapes of debris that had not met her prestigious qualifications. This didn't either to be honest but, it was the end of the world and she would have to make due. "Now stop using me as a bargaining chip," she hissed out of frustration, the metal twisting and ripping, shaping and molding as if it were hot and malleable until it was clear what she was doing. The kazoo slowly shaped itself, magic running over its surfaces, smoothing out kinks and softening corners, making minor adjustments here and there before she seemed to tense up and glare at the damn thing. Shoot. Head whipped around, grumbling under her breathe as she, from where she was standing near them, pulled a ragged plastic bag from a pile near the nearby ruins of the structure. She sliced it with magic, shaping it the way she needed it and making sure it passed yet more of her ridiculous standards before slipping it into place and finishing the kazoo. Afterwards, she levitated it at Bit's face a bit less gently than she could have been and fixed him with a stare. "Happy now?"
Bits n' Pieces. ''Honestly wouldn't be the first time I heard that, champ.'' Bits hummed, not reacting much to the new face much less with a glance and smile. Ah. Perhaps another to look at his wares? Bits' opened his mouth, before promptly closing it as the nightmare- no.. Goddess craft him a kazoo. How could a demon craft him an instrument from the heavens? The unicorn stood as he took over the levitation, grinning ear from ear looking over the within' seconds of handiwork. Marvelous! Just...! ''You know big man you could learn a thing or two from your companion. Take the supplies you need- And hurry before she freaks out again from her.. Apparent Windblight episode.'' Bits wasn't smart, but hell if he was stupid. After carefully putting away his new treasure, he quickly drew out the Maniway first, passing it over to the stallion, as well as the other supplies with quick magic. All before casting a glance to the new arrival once more with a much more welcoming smile, ''Is there anything you need other than rest? There's no charge for that, but if you have gems I have some supplies at a fancy silver spoon price.''
Spring Serenade felt she could relax once none of them showed any hostility- the most she'd gotten was a passing glance. Friendlies, this was good. "Thank you." She replied, forcing herself to relax as she entered the campsite proper and gingerly climbing onto one of the worn cloth seats. As she folded her limbs beneath her, she kept a curious eye on the alicorn as she presented something she'd crafted to the white unicorn. "Windblight?" Spring echoed softly. She supposed she knew a few spells to help with that, but.. as medicine was passed over she supposed it wasn't needed yet. She turned back towards the white unicorn, frowning a little. "Oh, I do not believe I do, although I am sure I can take a look. One never knows if they may find something of use." Spring replied kindly and glanced back towards the other two. "So, ah, I am Spring Serenade. What might be your names.. ?"
Copter was relieved once the supplies were handed over, and no longer felt the need to be a vague sort of asshole about the exchange. "It's probably just as well, because those were all the gems I had anyway," he conceded with absolute calm- and if there was any expression to accompany that confession, it was hidden behind his uninviting helmet. He stood up from the seat to move toward the given supplies, and scooped them up to shift them closer to the alicorn. "Not gonna lie, kid, this isn't going to be pleasant," he informed her while pushing the apparent IV-drip kit toward her. "But you'd better get on it quick before the Winds do any permanent damage." D'aw look at the gruff stallion being all caring and stuff. He'd then turn to leave her to herself - perhaps foolishly assuming she even knew how to apply one of those things - and looked toward the one now known as Spring Serenade. "I don't recall," he said as if it was not a big deal at all. "When you've been alive as long as I have, names start to lose meaning... and eventually they vanish entirely." If only he knew.
Ocarina s frown turned upside-down at the merchant's reaction. Ocarina could never have a sour face over a pleased customer. It fueled her pride and there was that damn spark again. No matter, she had other matters to attend to like... getting rid of this...Windblight or whatever. She eyeballed the package levitating in front of her, frowning. Ugh, needles. She huffed, frustrated, raising the bag up over and behind her head where it wouldn't be a nuisance, grimacing at the injection of the needle. Magic allowed for rather astounding precision, especially when you were an instrument crafter and had to make everything to certain specifications. She made herself comfy on the cushion, now ready to join the conversation and meet their... strangely familiar new presence. She couldn't put her toe on it but she knew that face. Well, anyway. "My name is Quartz Ocarina," she somehow got the impression that mentioning her 'princess' title would come as a rather negative surprise. Ocarina went right on back to being proud of her handiwork, attention returning to Bits for a moment as she remembered that he'd lost his other one. Well, now he had a better one but...she knew she could find it and why shouldn't she? It's not like she had anything better to do while sitting there waiting for this strange medicine to cleanse her poisoned body. So many questions racing through her head as she whipped up a little tracking magic, tilting her head this way and that before pausing and pursing her lips. Really? Bits would likely feel a slight... shift in his seating, as she lifted one side juuuuust a little and, nyoom, out came a kazoo as if tugged along by a string! It had likely rolled under the low to the ground seating and gotten stuck there while everything was moving and shifting. Huzzah conveniently cliche helpfulness. The shit eating smile on Ocarina's face was too good to try and suppress.
Bits n' Pieces seemed pleased that the new arrival glanced as his wares. What a polite mare! Surrounded by wonderful ponies.. Even the grumpy old man was something to keep memory of. When was the last time he was surrounded by an oddly caring group? ''Thank you- The thought definitely counts.'' Bits shifted a little, before introducing himself as he lain lazily, tail lightly brushing over the tape covering his cutie mark. ''I'm as they call me Bits and Pieces, but feel free to call me Bits.'' Names were important.. Important enough to hide. ''Ah- Quarts-'' He noticed too late. She began using magic with the iv in her despite his first warning to them, thankfully nothing terrible seemed to happen, only instead another miracle- Had.. Had he been on his kazoo this entire time?! Forgetting how to present himself as a business man he only chased after it, jaw dropped and looking like a young colt that hadn't seen death and loss of grace. ''M-My kazoo! You found it! I- I can't.'' He couldn't contain himself, gently taking it under his own glow, bringing it to him, placing it back in its personal pocket on the inside of his jacket, next to the new one. ''You have my loyalty. My trust, and my horn when you need it.'' Bits whispered, possibly only loud enough for Quarts Ocarina to hear, ''I... I need to be alone for awhile.'' Very uncharacteristic compared to earlier, regardless he shuffled away but had a little hop to his trot, his odd tail swinging back and forth dusting the path behind him. He'd return sooner or later to the group. Maybe not today, but another.. As he left his trade wares. And gems. Whoops.
Spring Serenade. Her eyes went to the earth pony when he was the first to speak. She wasn't sure she could share that sentiment, when it was more often other things, rather than names.. but he was a mortal, so she could forgive it. "I can imagine the feeling." The mare said with sympathy. The alicorn spoke before she had a chance to ask for a nickname of some sort, and the name she heard was enough to send a sharp jolt through her chest. A gasp erupted from her before she could stifle it, her eyes widening in shock at Ocarina. It is her! Yet how? Why is she here, of all places? I thought she had perished! Spring thought, shaken, and tried to compose herself before the others notice, but they probably had. She gave the exiting unicorn a mere glance from his joy over the kazoos, and noticed he'd left his stuff. Maybe she'll chase him down to give him his bags later.. She had a more pressing matter at hoof.
Copter was too busy watching the peculiar merchant fuck off with his new musical prize to notice the other unicorn's weird reaction to his companion. He stood up from the seat again and moved over to grab up the rest of the things he'd... at least half paid for. He stepped into the hoof-mounted weapons - these would be so much easier than using a knife when you only had a mouth to hold it with - and then moved the light leather armor and cool long coat in Ocarina's direction. "Here, you should put these on. Well, maybe Ms Serenade should help, since you're not supposed to be using your magic right now." He glanced toward the purple horse in question, before looking back to Ocarina. "The coat's to hide your wings. Bits was friendly enough -" aside from the demon comment, of course "- but not everypony is going to take as kindly to the idea of an alicorn." He paused to kick at a release mechanism on the underside of his body, and the knife and its holster slid from his back and hit the ground. He added it to the pile of items gathering in front of the young pony. "And it'd mean a lot to me if you took this blade. It's seen me through some rough times, but I think you need it more than I do." He had his shiny new hoofshoes to play with, anyway. "You'll probably put it to better use than I ever did." Dexterity wasn't something earths were gifted with, alas.
Ocarina was starting to get a bit woozy, and his reminder she wasn't supposed to be magicking kind of clicked. Oh, right. She couldn't just drop the iv bag though. Eyes turned on the pile curiously, noting the gear and most notably...the knife and mechanism. Was...she supposed to use that? The idea was appalling I mean... sure now she didn't have big strong heroes for parents to watch over her and...the world was pretty rough now and... her ears fell in discouragement. She'd have to hurt people. Attention shifted to Spring, since she'd need the other unicorn to take over holding the IV bag and...probably help with the gear, though she imagined it wouldn't be too much longer until it was finished. Still, 24 hours he'd said. Had also not noticed Spring's reaction cuz I forgot to respond to it initially and she's dizzy anyway so she would've missed it.
Spring Serenade took the hint and rose from the old seat to approach the two. She crawled gently onto the chair beside Ocarina, her horn glowing as she took over the levitation of the IV bag. The unicorn also divided her attention long enough to levitate the cloak up and over Ocarina's back- better now than later just in case any other Wastelanders happened upon them. She found it awfully nice of the earth pony to show such kindness to a very obvious alicorn, considering what Wastelanders thought of them.. He seemed like an okay guy. Spring wouldn't trust him with her secret quite yet, but she definitely would have to tell Ocarina soon. She and Aubade had much to teach her, and... perhaps they could even welcome her into their home, if she would have them. Spring desperately hoped Ocarina wouldn't hate them for what had become of Equestria. "Ocarina.. ? I have much to speak to you about, but this is not the place to do so, not out in the open like this, but I do have one thing. My sister and I have a cave we live in. We.. We can help you with your new alicorn status.. perhaps you would like to live with us? I know a cave does not sound ideal, but we have made it nice enough."
Copter looked curiously to Spring as she was suddenly offering the kid... a home? There was a slight tang of jealousy somewhere in the depths of his grizzled heart. He'd never been offered a safe place to stay by anypony, especially never by a pony he'd just met! Still, the clueless child was much more in need of shelter than him. He'd done fine thus far on his own. "Sounds good," he offered toward Ocarina. He smiled behind his helmet, though it could be heard in his voice as he continued. "I don't think I'd be much help about anything to do with magic."
Ocarina's posture immediately fell apart the moment she wasn't the one holding everything up, back bowing and head drooping as if she'd been holding the weight of the world on her shoulders. Yep, no magic for 24 hours, geez. She eyed the coat as it was draped over her shoulders, though eventually she'd have to get into the light armor as well, at least before they left this place anyway. The offer startled her, and she lifted her gaze from the fabric to Spring, confused. What could this stranger teach her in a time where alicorns are obviously demonized. Maybe she was just a really powerful unicorn? "I...guess," she frowned. She missed her parents mostly, but she wasn't going to lie and say she didn't miss the castle, the sun, the colors, being pampered. It was all nice...and now it was all gone. "What choice do I have," she looked to the stranger. "I don't even know how to use this, so what good would I be on my own?" she spoke pointedly gesturing to the knife. Uh oh, exhaustion leading to incoming breakdown.
Spring Serenade looked back at Ocarina with sympathy as she drooped, briefly glancing away at the old guy as his voice drew her attention. Maybe making such an offer in front of him wasn't very tactful, but how was she to explain it to him? In time, maybe.. for now she could only offer him an apologetic look before she turned her attention back to Ocarina. "I am sorry." Spring said, with more feeling than would be understandable to the other two. "We will take care of you though, be your teachers.. All will be made clear in time." Spring said soothingly. I only hope you will forgive us. The thought was on the tip of her tongue, but she dare not say it without provoking questions she didn't want to answer yet.
Ocarina kind of felt hurt when the stranger did not respond to her plight, though there was no logical reason for her to do so besides the fact that he'd pretty much just saved her life and.... no no that would just about do it, nevermind. Discourage further she turned her weary attention back to Spring, only confused further. She wasn't from this time, and could not judge, but somehow she didn't think people of this era said things like 'all will be made clear in time'. Who was this mare and why was she so familiar? What could she possibly know? Guess there was only one way to find out. It's not like anyone was waiting for her. She was alone now, she had gone from the top of the food chain to the bottom in the amount of time it took her parents to cast her off into the future, probably thinking they were saving her life. Honestly, she wasn't sure she wouldn't have prefered dying proudly beside her family, though she was sure that was just the fatigue talking. "I'll go with you," Ocarina didn't sound very excited, in fact her entire body was full of sorrow and surrender. This was all too much, she was.... she was just a filly what did the world expect of her? Why her? What was going on?
Spring Serenade felt such sympathy for Ocarina, and pity too. She probably shouldn't feel that way, specifically, but once she learned what happened to Cadance.. or what they think happened to her. Her sorrow would probably be worse. The unicorn swallowed a painful knot that had formed in her throat, merely nodding at Ocarina's agreement to come with her. "Alright." Spring said quietly when she managed to speak again, once she was sure her voice wouldn't shake even a little. "So, how did you come to be here?"
Copter's expression had grown grim, though as with any other expression he'd held this entire time it was largely impossible to know thanks to that helmet he'd declined to take off. "Maybe I should come too... at least until you reach your destination. To ensure your safety, and all that," he chimed in after an extended silence he hadn't entirely noticed he'd drifted into. There was a lot to think about here. "I'll leave if Ms Ocarina thinks my presence is no longer required... but not before." Spring's attitude was foreign, even for a unicorn. It was giving him a strange feeling. Not mistrust, it wasn't that strong... just a little reservation in letting the obviously lost kid wander off with somepony he didn't even know from a grain of wasteland dirt. Only if she was totally comfortable with Spring would he step back and move on with his drifting path. There was always a choice.
Ocarina her downcast eyes turned back up when the strangers voice finally range out again and to be honest, she felt that warm little spark again, a feeling like anything was possible, like maybe she had a chance. Even as tired as she was, as low as her lids drooped and as heavy her burdens, she managed a small smile in return for his initiative. He was still a stranger but he'd done more for her in the last day than many of her friends in Equestria had ever done in her entire life. Many...but not all. At Spring's new question, the smile vanished. She was sure the mare meant no harm, it was just hard to stay optimistic right now. She turned her attention to the fire, growing comfortably numb now. How would they take such information? Should she lie? No, no. Her mother's sacrifice would not be covered up for Ocarina's personal comfort. She lifted her head, shaking, but somehow hauntingly steady. Ocarina took a deep breath and let it out slowly before she spoke words that could very well condemn her if she'd learned anything about the wasteland thus far. "My mother is Queen Mi Amore Cadenza of the Crystal Empire, my father is King Shining Armor," she admitted, her voice breaking and shaky out of fear of what they could do to her if they decided her presence decidedly unwelcome now. "Something...," she shook her head. "Something attacked the kingdom, I-I didn't get to see it it was just nothing but smoke and fire and lightning a-and-and everyone was running and screaming," she was quite obviously a child, unable to hold her composure. "And...my mother she," the first tears fell as she finally broke under the final straw, crying out her anguish. "Sh-she cast me into the future to save my life," she sobbed brokenly through her tears, weak and defeated.
Spring Serenade did not react the way Ocarina might have expected her to react, not with anger, fear, nor surprise. She knew this all already. All her face could show was grief at the first-person account of Cadance's fate. She never really knew what exactly had happened, but now she did- something she could relay to Autumn later so Ocarina didn't have to a second time. "I am sorry." Spring murmured a second time, but softer, and leaned her shoulder against the young princess for comfort. She was tempted to extend a wing from beneath her cloak to embrace her, but she dare not yet in front of the masked stallion. Speaking of.. Spring regarded him appraisingly for a moment and slowly nodded to him, his earlier statement. "You would be certainly free to join us until our paths should diverge." Spring said- hopefully to make up for not offering him a home too, like she'd done Ocarina right in front of him. Maybe some day he could join them too. "We are very grateful for your kindness and all your help."
Copter didn't even blink at the bombshell. Time travel? Cool. That explained a lot, actually. He'd heard time travel used to exist back in the Before Times, but its secrets were lost to the war... or maybe that was just the Archivers' excuse to keep that incredible power all for themselves. Either way. "You saw it happen," he noted grimly. "The end of Equestria..." That bit was more shocking to him than the fact she was an alicorn or that she'd used time travel- albeit apparently being an unwilling passenger, rather than the instigator -to get here. The last thing she'd seen of Before... was the end of it. That must have been pretty hard. It clearly had been, if the fact she was suddenly in tears was anything to go by. He picked up one foreleg and then placed it down again, showing uncertainty as best he could without a facial expression to assist the others in reading it. What do?? He'd never had the blessing of a family, so a crying child was new... and confusing, to the poor old man.
Ocarina could be thankful for their reactions if she wasn't busy shaking like a leaf crying her heart out. She'd held it in all this time, too busy taking everything in to let anything out, and the first chance she had, she let everything out, her face a mess of agony and despair. Her pain was not stemmed solely from the end, or the death of her family. But at the warm and loving smile that had been on her mothers face before everything went white and she woke up in the future...alone. Her mother had specifically not wanted her very memories of her to be unhappy ones, though nothing would quell the sorrow of knowing she was gone. She was just a kid, just a kid. Again, Spring's voice drew her attention up but... not to Spring. Ocarina's sad eyes fell upon the stranger where he stood hesitant, heartbreak for her kingdom in every tear. She coughed, her sobbing taking up time she should be spending breathing, reminding her to stop. Magic wiped her tears though her eyes were still red. Ocarina gave one last heavy, shaking sigh as she drew herself back in, then one more, smaller sigh. "Thank you," she mumbled quietly, still shaking but considerably less so. "Neither of you even know me and you've done so much," she added, looking to either of them one after the other. Surely the IV drip was done by now.
Spring Serenade flattened her ears back against her mane as the masked pony mentioned Equestria's end, that was start of the war. If only there was more they could have done, but neither her nor Autumn could have foreseen the Crystal Empire's fall. If they could have, if they were given that one chance, they would surely go back and prevent it from happening at all.. But what was done, was done. They had only the future to look to, now, and it would hopefully be a bright one. Spring heaved a sigh, fighting back her own emotions. "It is the best we can do in such trying times, and the least we can do is be there for each other." Spring said, smiling faintly.
Copter gave a nod at Spring's words. Probably the first thing he'd outright agreed with that had come out of her mouth so far. "It's the only thing to do," he concurred. "There are enough lowlifes scattered across the land. I see no reason to contribute to their cause." A hint at why he was no longer Republic? Maybe. "Perhaps we should go in search of food. I don't have enough for all of us in my pack. And as irritating as that Bits was, I'm not going to steal from his hastily forgotten stock." Tempting, though. "There should be something to eat at the Rusty Shoe. They're always up for helping a pony in need." He no longer had gems, so he was going to have to rely on their generosity- as would Ocarina, really. Unless Spring had enough gems to feed them all. Who knew?
Ocarina was out of words and out of tears, she was exhausted and ready to lay down and foret this ever happened... but oh sleep was so temporary. She wanted this needle out of her and she wanted to go home. She eyed the light armor, supposing she'd have to put it on eventually and... that thing. The weapon was an unwelcomely harsh reality that toto i don't think we're in kansas anymore. At the mention of Bits, she suddenly perked up, however. She opened her mouth, then closed it, frowning at the mans forgotten stock. She didn't want to just....leave it here. She rememdered Bits' words of loyalty her and it felt kind of wrong to just...leave. She cast the thought from her mind, they'd probably just think her a fool anyway. "Can you help me get this on," she mumbled at Spring, nudging the light leather armor sitting next to here where the coat draped across her shoulders too had been.
Spring Serenade cast an approving glance towards the nameless stranger, although she wasn't quite sure about moving Ocarina yet. But then again, in the Wasteland, it wasn't wise to tarry in one place too long. This camp was too open, despite the rocks, sparse trees and small thickets of branches that littered the area. Spring rose from her seat at Ocarina's need to first check the IV bag- empty. The unicorn set about gently removing the needle from Ocarina and setting both it and the bag aside. She removed her cloak too, temporarily, and picked apart the armor to start with the first thing to help the new alicorn into. She studied the front half first and used her magic to slit open some holes for her wings. That done, Spring held it over to Ocarina to slip into.
Copter would just kind of chill and wait for the others to get ready, since there's nothing for him to really respond to atm. [semi skip lol]
Ocarina felt tired and numb but forced her limbs to move, clumsily attempting to control these strange appendages and get them through the holes- god how did pegasi even... No matter. She got it on eventually, head turned to stare with disdain at those wings. Why her? Why did she have to be the alicorn? She didn't even know if she was ready for this. Then again, she could recall all she wanted that she didn't really have much of a choice. At least the stranger was braving the wastes with them for her safety, and that brought her a comfort that Spring, in all honesty, simply could not. Prolly something to do with the whole 'saving the alicorn instead of killing it' thing. She looked tiredly at Spring, waiting for the next piece of armor
Spring Serenade levitated the back half up, which luckily required no such modifications, for Ocarina to step in to. She would be there to help here pull her tail through the hole that was provided once they reached it. And of course, all there was left were the boots, the knife, and the cloak. [herp]
Copter wandered off around the other side of the bags as the magic users did their thing, looking into the forest to see if he could see that eccentric merchant. He didn't want to leave the stuff unattended, but... It would also be Bits' own fault for running off like that. Le shrug.
Ocarina stepped carefully into the garment, frowning at how it bulked her up and made her naturally thick body type look even thicker, if only by a margin. As if she needed to look any more like a stallion. She flicked her tail once it was free out of habit, just to reassure herself it wasn't caught on or in anything. The rest of the garments were eyed disdainfully. She couldn't complain, the stranger obviously knew what he was doing and he was only looking out for her wellbeing, which is better than can be said for a lot of ponies. "This doesn't look weird on me does it?" she mumbled negatively, staring down the line of her body, now encased in leather armor.
Spring Serenade stepped back once she'd done her job in helping Ocarina and gave her a quick look-over. "You look like any other Wastelander, I think. You will blend in well enough, and you look fine." The unicorn offered reassuringly, smiling faintly. "Are you ready to move?" Spring questioned, and glanced across the dying fire to the nameless stallion. He was dithering over the discarded pack left by Bits. "It would be a shame to leave it for others to pick over, but I feel it pointless to chase him down and waste daylight." Spring said with a thoughtful 'hmm.' "I suppose we can leave a note and bring them with us as far as the Rusty Shoe. Surely they will hold it for him until he gets it back.. ?"
Copter's ears twitched at the suggestion. "As long as I'm not the one to carry it," he said plainly. "Excess weight will make me ineffective in combat. Not a risk I'm willing to take." Not with Ocarina in the party.
Ocarina was tired and worn, but she was glad it was brought up when she hadn't the nerve to say it herself. Alas, she hadn't the nerve to offer to carry it herself. It sounded horribly miserable on her already extremely uncomfortable body, incased in all sorts of places in thick, hot fabric and none of these places were very pleasant. She shuffled her feet, uncomfortable with all these layers but she'd have to in order to hide her identity. From a princess to an outcast... joy. She'd sit quietly as a child should while waiting for adults to make decisions, eyes staring at the ground.
Spring Serenade looked ponderously at the pack that Bits had left behind, glancing up first to the masked stallion and then to the sad Ocarina. After a moment of standing there, she bounced a little on her rear hooves to test the weight of her own saddlebags. She carried very little, usually just some water and food rations, as well as any useful tidbits she found.. "If Bits' pack is not too heavy, then I will bear the burden. The Rusty Shoe is not that far from here, as long as we stick to the train tracks, we will reach it in no time." Spring announced, approaching the pack. She paused briefly to pull out a scrap of paper, using a small stick of charred wood to write a brief note, and stuck it to chair Bits had occupied with a small thorn of debris. That should do it! She hefted his pack next, slinging it across her back to test its weight. Typical merchants, but she was sure she could handle it.. and carry it in her magic if she needed the rest. "Alright. Shall we?"
Copter wasn't all that pleased with the job he'd been given. Reinforced armor or not, going into Ponyville was something only an utter madpony would do... And there he was, meandering through the forest-claimed ruins. Welp. He tread carefully, breathed carefully, and kept his eyes and ears - moreso his ears, given that they weren't currently addled by the visor's fogged visibility - open for signs of anything at all. Anything at all, there suddenly was. Shouting caught his attention. Out of ingrained-since-birth habit he slid his knife out of its holster and kicked it up into his mouth before continuing onward. When he got to the corner of the street the other was on, however, the sight of the stranger caught him off guard. Not only had that last shout been one sounding lost rather than angry as he'd initially mistaken... this pony wasn't wearing a damn thing! What kind of fool?! Against his better judgment he sheathed the weapon as swiftly as he'd drawn it, and walked toward the weirdly underdressed figure. "Hey, kid!" he yelled gruffly, the sound muffled by his helmet... and only then did he notice there was a horn on her head as well as wings on her back. Wh... what? His brain processed the bizarre occurrence on hyperdrive out of a looming sense of urgency, and he stomped one front hoof as he brought himself and his thoughts back to the situation at hand. "Or whatever you are," he mumbled more to himself than to her, before continuing to yell, "I don't care if you're here because of a dare or whatever reason you could possibly have for being this deep into Ponyville, but you should know better. Get out of here and go home before it kills you!"
Ocarina flinched when a voice rang out, and she turned her head and....stared. What? "I'm not a k-," 'whatever you are'. "Excuse me?" she turned to face him fully, not exactly registering that her royalty didn't extend here but she didn't exactly know where 'here' was. She rushed to brush her tears away, refusing to be caught crying to avoid the humiliation. She was a grown mare! The man was speaking gibberish, she cold barely hear him, and what in gods name was he- did he say ponyville? She went stock still mid tear wipe, wide and shocked blue eyes shooting up to the armored stranger. "This is-?" no. No it couldn't be. She turned her head to inspect the buildings again, more horrified than before. He was right. "No....," she had friends here, what about Twilight? She didn't want to accept that the wasteland she was standing in was truly her home, destroyed. Then the thing he'd said after finally clicked. Wait, what? She slowly started backing through the archway, out of Ponyville, just now realizing the sickly feeling in her flesh, settling in like it belonged there. Oh god he wasn't lying. But where? Where was she supposed to go? She had nothing now, everything was gone. Something clicked inside of her, something unfamiliar and odd and...strangely warm? It surged and roared into a flame and suddenly she was shaking herself out of her stupor of fear. "I-I have nowhere to go I-," she stopped, taking a deep breath to steady herself and eye the stranger. "I need help."
Copter. Of all the reactions to have expected of some wasteland delinquent, this particular reaction was not among them. The tears were noticed distantly, but upon closer inspection the poor kid already seemed lost and confused so he saw no reason to draw attention to it and add humiliation to that list of unfortunate emotions. She was acting like she'd never seen the wasteland before! Still, now was not the time to ponder such bizarre behaviour. Those last three words were all he needed to kick into action- the job would have to wait. "Let me show you to a nearby camp," he offered as he took a few steps closer still, slowly so as not to spook her, "I might have some spare supplies too... Maybe. Wasn't exactly expecting to run into somepony all the way out here." He rolled his shoulders, indicative of a shrug. "If nothing else, you can rest there until you figure out what to do next." If she lived that long- surely the exposure would be getting severe by now.
Ocarina forced herself to breathe calmly, though she was a tad disturbed at how calm she was about this whole dilemma. She prepared herself to follow him, more worried about the state of the world than the fact that he was a stranger in a relatively unknown place. She just needed to get out this air so she could breathe and get some time to think. She could feel the poisonous intrusion clearly now that she knew it was there, burning her skin and lungs, her eyes and mouth. She hoped this wasn't permanent, maybe it was already too late. Still no acknowledgement of those wings though woops, tally ho!
Copter. Some wandering in a dreary silence later - he wasn't much for small talk, honestly, not even to ask an alicorn what the hell they were doing not even trying to hide their alicorn-ness - the sound of the live campfire ahead caught his ears. "Stay put for a second," he whispered sharply, ducking in between a tree and a section of thick undergrowth to eye the campsite. He hadn't expected it would be occupied, to be honest. Whoops. "Looks like it's just one pony," he noted, still whispering, "Stay close to my tail, since you don't have anything to defend yourself with." And with that he'd stand up and step forward confidently into the clearing as though he hadn't just been spying on the other unknown figure. "Hail, wanderer," he surmised by a lack of obvious faction livery anywhere near the unicorn. "We're in need of supplies- you seem to have quite a few. Trade?" Getting right to the point. "In particular, have anything that cures Wind poisoning?"
Ocarina was keen to simply watch the wasteland of Equestria go by quietly as they walked, though at least the air was significantly clearer now and she could open her eyes all the way without it burning. The only thing that pulled her attention back to him was him suddenly whispering. Why whispering? She opened her mouth to speak but he was already gone. Dangit. She sat down, disgruntled. How dare he treat a princess this way, she was royalty! When he came back, still whispering and being strangely cautious and incredibly bossy, she had a mind to reprimand his treatment of her, but fuck all sorts of things there he went again! Whatever. She stepped out after him, carefully picking over broken glass and other unsavory things, and following his lead as ordered. It's not like she had anything else to do and at least she was smart enough to know when someone was being cautious for a reason. She was content to remain quietly there until he mentioned the cure. That brought a frown to her face, but she'd already registered the danger she was in when he'd chased her out of the apparently heavily toxic remains of Ponyville. God, what happened here?
Bits n' Pieces. ''Got some rocks, knifes... Where did I put that kazoo?'' At first, Bits didn't see the older pony approach, or even enter the camp with the other. He had been going through his stock, trying to see what he had lost, what he could salvage, and whatever ever else to do as he recovered from running from bandits. ''Hm? Ah. Hello there friend.'' Bits lifted his head, taking in the appearance of the two. Huh. An alicorn? Now he could say he saw everything. ''Supplies for a demon and NPR Ranger? Now I have sunk to a new low. But, as a merchant I do not discriminate my potential customers.'' Bits flashed a light amused smile. ''Well. I have a nice packet of Maniway. Purges the system of the uglies, however..'' Bits sat up, lifting the item out with simple levitation, ''Side effects could be headaches, stomach pains, hair loss, and if it's the li' alicorn here taking it I would highly recommend neither flying or using magic within' the first twenty four hours.''
Spring Serenade moved at a steady walk across the Equestrian wastelands, taking her time until she could reach her next destination. She was sure she could head home afterwards, but until them she wanted to help as many ponies as she could. It was the least she could do, after everything, wasn't it? She could only hope. The mare turned her head a little to the small saddle bags upon her back after a moment and pulled out a rudimentary map, checking her location. It looked like her route was taking her near Ponyville.. She felt a little pang of sorrow, but pushed it away and focused on the fact that she would reach the Rusty Shoe before she knew it. Spring put away her map, and as she turned back around to look ahead, she spotted what looked like a campfire some distance on her right. Huh. Briefly, she debated on approaching it- it could be a raider camp... or there might be friendlies. I.. suppose I could take a look. I could use the rest. Spring thought, biting her lower lip and veered towards the camp, walking calmly and hoping that the denizens didn't see her approach as a threat.
Copter's tail flicked. "The Republic were forced out of Canterlot, actually," he noted factually, as if it hadn't just been meant as an insult against his old armour. "The only ones left holed up in Canterlot are the jackasses who want to reinstate the monarchy. Call themselves an Empire, now." He snorted. "I would have expected a walk-the-wasteland scumbag like you to be aware of that much." Why were merchants always so unpleasant to deal with yet so irritatingly essential when traveling? Ugh. "But... I'll conveniently forget to inform my superior officer of your ignorance, as well as insulting his esteemed guest, if you cut us a deal on your stock." He reached around to snatch a small pouch off his belt, which jingled as he brought it back in front of him and threw it on the ground between him and the merchant. "You can have that bag of gems, and we'll take the Maniway, a cloak and some armour for the lady, and whatever you've got in the way of hoof-mounted weaponry." He then moved to sit on one of the ruin-ridden seats surrounding the fire, watching the merchant carefully. Your move, asshole.
Ocarina's head snapped like a fucking owl when the man called her a demon, raged boiling up, wings unknowingly bristling and spreading and display. Again, she opened her mouth to put this...this... commoner in their place when the second word flew carelessly out of the merchant's face like a fly buzzing about in the air. The fuck did he just call her? Again, that owl like turning, she twisted her neck and head around to stare wide eyed at the wings she had just now realized were mounted on her back. She tensed up, breath catching and panic rising. Oh god. Oh god oh go d oh god. She stumbled forward, tripping over herself as if to escape the offending appendages. "Woah those aren't mine, these aren't mine," she reiterated the second verse after gaze snapped in panic to the more familiar stranger, a tangle of alicorn on the ground trying to figure herself out. Woops, culture shock.
Bits n' Pieces was not at all shocked by the small history lesson the other gave, instead he just let himself smile wider at the earth stallion, giving a thoughtful hum. ''Charmed. Scumbag tends to be a sort of pet name for me compared to what other tiddles ponies decided to call me.'' Bits chuckled, his unusual tail curling around himself thoughtfully as the big talker was so sweet to offer himself a deal on his stock. What a true prince charming the heavens have presented him. And he even managed to piss of the alicorn before she freaked out about her wings.. Interesting. "So uh. Is the esteemed guest aware that she's a walking symbol of nightmares?'' His day was getting better and better, if anything. ''No one is going to believe me. Listen. I'll give you what you want, I have it.'' Bits raised his hoof, pausing, ''However.. I think you're a bluff. So on top of the small amount of gems, you see.. I lost my kazoo.'' The unicorn sighed dramatically, ''Without my kazoo, I'll waste away! So, since I know such a rare, priceless item in it self is hard to find.. I figure it'll be an iou.'' Bits settled in, laying on the ground, smirking at the stallion. ''An iou that if you refuse to pay, I'll sing alicorn and watch magic play.''
Spring Serenade's ears were perked forward the closer she came to the little camp, but she heard no shouts of alarm. She took the time she had to study it, noting the few dead trees at its edge and the sparse snarl of remaining, woody undergrowth. There was little else she could see but the ponies at the camp itself, particularly the white one. Spring approached the edge of the campsite cautiously, picking her way carefully over the ground. There were no magical traps that she could sense, so she assumed she would be fine.. until the ponies proved themselves to be not-so-friendly. Spring paused long enough to study the three ponies a moment longer, feeling nervous about announcing herself to strangers.. and she couldn't help but notice the pony who seemed to have fallen. Her eyes roved from her overall appearance (which seemed oddly familiar), to the horn.. and as they reached her wings, her heart seemed to leap into her throat. An alicorn! It was enough encouragement she needed to introduce herself to this little group. Spring cleared her throat. "Ah, excuse me? Might I join you awhile? I seek only a place to rest, but I am sure I can offer something up should you want payment.. ?" She let the sentence hang on the air, body tensed just in case the others found her less than welcome.
Copter barely reacted as his bluff was called- thanks in no small part, he was sure, to the alicorn suddenly flipped her shit over having wings. "She's clearly delusional from Windblight," he said, dismissing the snide remark out of hoof. As far as he knew, that was the truth. Whatever he'd been about to retort as far as the jackoff merchant wanting to send him on a fucking fetch quest, however, was lost the instant a new figure stepped into the picture. Well... that was a pretty face if ever he'd seen one. Damn. It took him a good few seconds to formulate a response, at which point he gestured for the new unicorn to join them at the fire. "By all means." Turning back to the other stallion, though, "We can argue payment later. Now, you help her. Or you will die when she does." He'd probably have to concede his lie once the kid was safe, but for now her safety was all he cared about.
Ocarina was a little confused, and terrified and....okay no she was freaking the fuck out, staring silently at those wings as if she could make them go away out of embarassment or something. When Bit's voice drifted to her, calling her a damn nightmare, she turned her head and frowned. "I am not a nightmare pony," she quipped. Was this guy blind? She looked nothing like a nightmare! However her mind was easily drawn by his need for a- oh! Wings and stress forgotten, she tried to heave herself to her feet, that spark of warmth in her suddenly blazing up again. What in the world was it? Who knew? She was shuffling around the camp as the newcomer came up, failing to notice them as she picked up item after item with her magic, turning things over and inspecting them until she came across what she was looking for, if only a bit wobbly because of the Windblight still settling into her. She'd have to get that stuff soon, probably. All she'd picked up was a regular looking tin cup, buried discretely under other shapes of debris that had not met her prestigious qualifications. This didn't either to be honest but, it was the end of the world and she would have to make due. "Now stop using me as a bargaining chip," she hissed out of frustration, the metal twisting and ripping, shaping and molding as if it were hot and malleable until it was clear what she was doing. The kazoo slowly shaped itself, magic running over its surfaces, smoothing out kinks and softening corners, making minor adjustments here and there before she seemed to tense up and glare at the damn thing. Shoot. Head whipped around, grumbling under her breathe as she, from where she was standing near them, pulled a ragged plastic bag from a pile near the nearby ruins of the structure. She sliced it with magic, shaping it the way she needed it and making sure it passed yet more of her ridiculous standards before slipping it into place and finishing the kazoo. Afterwards, she levitated it at Bit's face a bit less gently than she could have been and fixed him with a stare. "Happy now?"
Bits n' Pieces. ''Honestly wouldn't be the first time I heard that, champ.'' Bits hummed, not reacting much to the new face much less with a glance and smile. Ah. Perhaps another to look at his wares? Bits' opened his mouth, before promptly closing it as the nightmare- no.. Goddess craft him a kazoo. How could a demon craft him an instrument from the heavens? The unicorn stood as he took over the levitation, grinning ear from ear looking over the within' seconds of handiwork. Marvelous! Just...! ''You know big man you could learn a thing or two from your companion. Take the supplies you need- And hurry before she freaks out again from her.. Apparent Windblight episode.'' Bits wasn't smart, but hell if he was stupid. After carefully putting away his new treasure, he quickly drew out the Maniway first, passing it over to the stallion, as well as the other supplies with quick magic. All before casting a glance to the new arrival once more with a much more welcoming smile, ''Is there anything you need other than rest? There's no charge for that, but if you have gems I have some supplies at a fancy silver spoon price.''
Spring Serenade felt she could relax once none of them showed any hostility- the most she'd gotten was a passing glance. Friendlies, this was good. "Thank you." She replied, forcing herself to relax as she entered the campsite proper and gingerly climbing onto one of the worn cloth seats. As she folded her limbs beneath her, she kept a curious eye on the alicorn as she presented something she'd crafted to the white unicorn. "Windblight?" Spring echoed softly. She supposed she knew a few spells to help with that, but.. as medicine was passed over she supposed it wasn't needed yet. She turned back towards the white unicorn, frowning a little. "Oh, I do not believe I do, although I am sure I can take a look. One never knows if they may find something of use." Spring replied kindly and glanced back towards the other two. "So, ah, I am Spring Serenade. What might be your names.. ?"
Copter was relieved once the supplies were handed over, and no longer felt the need to be a vague sort of asshole about the exchange. "It's probably just as well, because those were all the gems I had anyway," he conceded with absolute calm- and if there was any expression to accompany that confession, it was hidden behind his uninviting helmet. He stood up from the seat to move toward the given supplies, and scooped them up to shift them closer to the alicorn. "Not gonna lie, kid, this isn't going to be pleasant," he informed her while pushing the apparent IV-drip kit toward her. "But you'd better get on it quick before the Winds do any permanent damage." D'aw look at the gruff stallion being all caring and stuff. He'd then turn to leave her to herself - perhaps foolishly assuming she even knew how to apply one of those things - and looked toward the one now known as Spring Serenade. "I don't recall," he said as if it was not a big deal at all. "When you've been alive as long as I have, names start to lose meaning... and eventually they vanish entirely." If only he knew.
Ocarina s frown turned upside-down at the merchant's reaction. Ocarina could never have a sour face over a pleased customer. It fueled her pride and there was that damn spark again. No matter, she had other matters to attend to like... getting rid of this...Windblight or whatever. She eyeballed the package levitating in front of her, frowning. Ugh, needles. She huffed, frustrated, raising the bag up over and behind her head where it wouldn't be a nuisance, grimacing at the injection of the needle. Magic allowed for rather astounding precision, especially when you were an instrument crafter and had to make everything to certain specifications. She made herself comfy on the cushion, now ready to join the conversation and meet their... strangely familiar new presence. She couldn't put her toe on it but she knew that face. Well, anyway. "My name is Quartz Ocarina," she somehow got the impression that mentioning her 'princess' title would come as a rather negative surprise. Ocarina went right on back to being proud of her handiwork, attention returning to Bits for a moment as she remembered that he'd lost his other one. Well, now he had a better one but...she knew she could find it and why shouldn't she? It's not like she had anything better to do while sitting there waiting for this strange medicine to cleanse her poisoned body. So many questions racing through her head as she whipped up a little tracking magic, tilting her head this way and that before pausing and pursing her lips. Really? Bits would likely feel a slight... shift in his seating, as she lifted one side juuuuust a little and, nyoom, out came a kazoo as if tugged along by a string! It had likely rolled under the low to the ground seating and gotten stuck there while everything was moving and shifting. Huzzah conveniently cliche helpfulness. The shit eating smile on Ocarina's face was too good to try and suppress.
Bits n' Pieces seemed pleased that the new arrival glanced as his wares. What a polite mare! Surrounded by wonderful ponies.. Even the grumpy old man was something to keep memory of. When was the last time he was surrounded by an oddly caring group? ''Thank you- The thought definitely counts.'' Bits shifted a little, before introducing himself as he lain lazily, tail lightly brushing over the tape covering his cutie mark. ''I'm as they call me Bits and Pieces, but feel free to call me Bits.'' Names were important.. Important enough to hide. ''Ah- Quarts-'' He noticed too late. She began using magic with the iv in her despite his first warning to them, thankfully nothing terrible seemed to happen, only instead another miracle- Had.. Had he been on his kazoo this entire time?! Forgetting how to present himself as a business man he only chased after it, jaw dropped and looking like a young colt that hadn't seen death and loss of grace. ''M-My kazoo! You found it! I- I can't.'' He couldn't contain himself, gently taking it under his own glow, bringing it to him, placing it back in its personal pocket on the inside of his jacket, next to the new one. ''You have my loyalty. My trust, and my horn when you need it.'' Bits whispered, possibly only loud enough for Quarts Ocarina to hear, ''I... I need to be alone for awhile.'' Very uncharacteristic compared to earlier, regardless he shuffled away but had a little hop to his trot, his odd tail swinging back and forth dusting the path behind him. He'd return sooner or later to the group. Maybe not today, but another.. As he left his trade wares. And gems. Whoops.
Spring Serenade. Her eyes went to the earth pony when he was the first to speak. She wasn't sure she could share that sentiment, when it was more often other things, rather than names.. but he was a mortal, so she could forgive it. "I can imagine the feeling." The mare said with sympathy. The alicorn spoke before she had a chance to ask for a nickname of some sort, and the name she heard was enough to send a sharp jolt through her chest. A gasp erupted from her before she could stifle it, her eyes widening in shock at Ocarina. It is her! Yet how? Why is she here, of all places? I thought she had perished! Spring thought, shaken, and tried to compose herself before the others notice, but they probably had. She gave the exiting unicorn a mere glance from his joy over the kazoos, and noticed he'd left his stuff. Maybe she'll chase him down to give him his bags later.. She had a more pressing matter at hoof.
Copter was too busy watching the peculiar merchant fuck off with his new musical prize to notice the other unicorn's weird reaction to his companion. He stood up from the seat again and moved over to grab up the rest of the things he'd... at least half paid for. He stepped into the hoof-mounted weapons - these would be so much easier than using a knife when you only had a mouth to hold it with - and then moved the light leather armor and cool long coat in Ocarina's direction. "Here, you should put these on. Well, maybe Ms Serenade should help, since you're not supposed to be using your magic right now." He glanced toward the purple horse in question, before looking back to Ocarina. "The coat's to hide your wings. Bits was friendly enough -" aside from the demon comment, of course "- but not everypony is going to take as kindly to the idea of an alicorn." He paused to kick at a release mechanism on the underside of his body, and the knife and its holster slid from his back and hit the ground. He added it to the pile of items gathering in front of the young pony. "And it'd mean a lot to me if you took this blade. It's seen me through some rough times, but I think you need it more than I do." He had his shiny new hoofshoes to play with, anyway. "You'll probably put it to better use than I ever did." Dexterity wasn't something earths were gifted with, alas.
Ocarina was starting to get a bit woozy, and his reminder she wasn't supposed to be magicking kind of clicked. Oh, right. She couldn't just drop the iv bag though. Eyes turned on the pile curiously, noting the gear and most notably...the knife and mechanism. Was...she supposed to use that? The idea was appalling I mean... sure now she didn't have big strong heroes for parents to watch over her and...the world was pretty rough now and... her ears fell in discouragement. She'd have to hurt people. Attention shifted to Spring, since she'd need the other unicorn to take over holding the IV bag and...probably help with the gear, though she imagined it wouldn't be too much longer until it was finished. Still, 24 hours he'd said. Had also not noticed Spring's reaction cuz I forgot to respond to it initially and she's dizzy anyway so she would've missed it.
Spring Serenade took the hint and rose from the old seat to approach the two. She crawled gently onto the chair beside Ocarina, her horn glowing as she took over the levitation of the IV bag. The unicorn also divided her attention long enough to levitate the cloak up and over Ocarina's back- better now than later just in case any other Wastelanders happened upon them. She found it awfully nice of the earth pony to show such kindness to a very obvious alicorn, considering what Wastelanders thought of them.. He seemed like an okay guy. Spring wouldn't trust him with her secret quite yet, but she definitely would have to tell Ocarina soon. She and Aubade had much to teach her, and... perhaps they could even welcome her into their home, if she would have them. Spring desperately hoped Ocarina wouldn't hate them for what had become of Equestria. "Ocarina.. ? I have much to speak to you about, but this is not the place to do so, not out in the open like this, but I do have one thing. My sister and I have a cave we live in. We.. We can help you with your new alicorn status.. perhaps you would like to live with us? I know a cave does not sound ideal, but we have made it nice enough."
Copter looked curiously to Spring as she was suddenly offering the kid... a home? There was a slight tang of jealousy somewhere in the depths of his grizzled heart. He'd never been offered a safe place to stay by anypony, especially never by a pony he'd just met! Still, the clueless child was much more in need of shelter than him. He'd done fine thus far on his own. "Sounds good," he offered toward Ocarina. He smiled behind his helmet, though it could be heard in his voice as he continued. "I don't think I'd be much help about anything to do with magic."
Ocarina's posture immediately fell apart the moment she wasn't the one holding everything up, back bowing and head drooping as if she'd been holding the weight of the world on her shoulders. Yep, no magic for 24 hours, geez. She eyed the coat as it was draped over her shoulders, though eventually she'd have to get into the light armor as well, at least before they left this place anyway. The offer startled her, and she lifted her gaze from the fabric to Spring, confused. What could this stranger teach her in a time where alicorns are obviously demonized. Maybe she was just a really powerful unicorn? "I...guess," she frowned. She missed her parents mostly, but she wasn't going to lie and say she didn't miss the castle, the sun, the colors, being pampered. It was all nice...and now it was all gone. "What choice do I have," she looked to the stranger. "I don't even know how to use this, so what good would I be on my own?" she spoke pointedly gesturing to the knife. Uh oh, exhaustion leading to incoming breakdown.
Spring Serenade looked back at Ocarina with sympathy as she drooped, briefly glancing away at the old guy as his voice drew her attention. Maybe making such an offer in front of him wasn't very tactful, but how was she to explain it to him? In time, maybe.. for now she could only offer him an apologetic look before she turned her attention back to Ocarina. "I am sorry." Spring said, with more feeling than would be understandable to the other two. "We will take care of you though, be your teachers.. All will be made clear in time." Spring said soothingly. I only hope you will forgive us. The thought was on the tip of her tongue, but she dare not say it without provoking questions she didn't want to answer yet.
Ocarina kind of felt hurt when the stranger did not respond to her plight, though there was no logical reason for her to do so besides the fact that he'd pretty much just saved her life and.... no no that would just about do it, nevermind. Discourage further she turned her weary attention back to Spring, only confused further. She wasn't from this time, and could not judge, but somehow she didn't think people of this era said things like 'all will be made clear in time'. Who was this mare and why was she so familiar? What could she possibly know? Guess there was only one way to find out. It's not like anyone was waiting for her. She was alone now, she had gone from the top of the food chain to the bottom in the amount of time it took her parents to cast her off into the future, probably thinking they were saving her life. Honestly, she wasn't sure she wouldn't have prefered dying proudly beside her family, though she was sure that was just the fatigue talking. "I'll go with you," Ocarina didn't sound very excited, in fact her entire body was full of sorrow and surrender. This was all too much, she was.... she was just a filly what did the world expect of her? Why her? What was going on?
Spring Serenade felt such sympathy for Ocarina, and pity too. She probably shouldn't feel that way, specifically, but once she learned what happened to Cadance.. or what they think happened to her. Her sorrow would probably be worse. The unicorn swallowed a painful knot that had formed in her throat, merely nodding at Ocarina's agreement to come with her. "Alright." Spring said quietly when she managed to speak again, once she was sure her voice wouldn't shake even a little. "So, how did you come to be here?"
Copter's expression had grown grim, though as with any other expression he'd held this entire time it was largely impossible to know thanks to that helmet he'd declined to take off. "Maybe I should come too... at least until you reach your destination. To ensure your safety, and all that," he chimed in after an extended silence he hadn't entirely noticed he'd drifted into. There was a lot to think about here. "I'll leave if Ms Ocarina thinks my presence is no longer required... but not before." Spring's attitude was foreign, even for a unicorn. It was giving him a strange feeling. Not mistrust, it wasn't that strong... just a little reservation in letting the obviously lost kid wander off with somepony he didn't even know from a grain of wasteland dirt. Only if she was totally comfortable with Spring would he step back and move on with his drifting path. There was always a choice.
Ocarina her downcast eyes turned back up when the strangers voice finally range out again and to be honest, she felt that warm little spark again, a feeling like anything was possible, like maybe she had a chance. Even as tired as she was, as low as her lids drooped and as heavy her burdens, she managed a small smile in return for his initiative. He was still a stranger but he'd done more for her in the last day than many of her friends in Equestria had ever done in her entire life. Many...but not all. At Spring's new question, the smile vanished. She was sure the mare meant no harm, it was just hard to stay optimistic right now. She turned her attention to the fire, growing comfortably numb now. How would they take such information? Should she lie? No, no. Her mother's sacrifice would not be covered up for Ocarina's personal comfort. She lifted her head, shaking, but somehow hauntingly steady. Ocarina took a deep breath and let it out slowly before she spoke words that could very well condemn her if she'd learned anything about the wasteland thus far. "My mother is Queen Mi Amore Cadenza of the Crystal Empire, my father is King Shining Armor," she admitted, her voice breaking and shaky out of fear of what they could do to her if they decided her presence decidedly unwelcome now. "Something...," she shook her head. "Something attacked the kingdom, I-I didn't get to see it it was just nothing but smoke and fire and lightning a-and-and everyone was running and screaming," she was quite obviously a child, unable to hold her composure. "And...my mother she," the first tears fell as she finally broke under the final straw, crying out her anguish. "Sh-she cast me into the future to save my life," she sobbed brokenly through her tears, weak and defeated.
Spring Serenade did not react the way Ocarina might have expected her to react, not with anger, fear, nor surprise. She knew this all already. All her face could show was grief at the first-person account of Cadance's fate. She never really knew what exactly had happened, but now she did- something she could relay to Autumn later so Ocarina didn't have to a second time. "I am sorry." Spring murmured a second time, but softer, and leaned her shoulder against the young princess for comfort. She was tempted to extend a wing from beneath her cloak to embrace her, but she dare not yet in front of the masked stallion. Speaking of.. Spring regarded him appraisingly for a moment and slowly nodded to him, his earlier statement. "You would be certainly free to join us until our paths should diverge." Spring said- hopefully to make up for not offering him a home too, like she'd done Ocarina right in front of him. Maybe some day he could join them too. "We are very grateful for your kindness and all your help."
Copter didn't even blink at the bombshell. Time travel? Cool. That explained a lot, actually. He'd heard time travel used to exist back in the Before Times, but its secrets were lost to the war... or maybe that was just the Archivers' excuse to keep that incredible power all for themselves. Either way. "You saw it happen," he noted grimly. "The end of Equestria..." That bit was more shocking to him than the fact she was an alicorn or that she'd used time travel- albeit apparently being an unwilling passenger, rather than the instigator -to get here. The last thing she'd seen of Before... was the end of it. That must have been pretty hard. It clearly had been, if the fact she was suddenly in tears was anything to go by. He picked up one foreleg and then placed it down again, showing uncertainty as best he could without a facial expression to assist the others in reading it. What do?? He'd never had the blessing of a family, so a crying child was new... and confusing, to the poor old man.
Ocarina could be thankful for their reactions if she wasn't busy shaking like a leaf crying her heart out. She'd held it in all this time, too busy taking everything in to let anything out, and the first chance she had, she let everything out, her face a mess of agony and despair. Her pain was not stemmed solely from the end, or the death of her family. But at the warm and loving smile that had been on her mothers face before everything went white and she woke up in the future...alone. Her mother had specifically not wanted her very memories of her to be unhappy ones, though nothing would quell the sorrow of knowing she was gone. She was just a kid, just a kid. Again, Spring's voice drew her attention up but... not to Spring. Ocarina's sad eyes fell upon the stranger where he stood hesitant, heartbreak for her kingdom in every tear. She coughed, her sobbing taking up time she should be spending breathing, reminding her to stop. Magic wiped her tears though her eyes were still red. Ocarina gave one last heavy, shaking sigh as she drew herself back in, then one more, smaller sigh. "Thank you," she mumbled quietly, still shaking but considerably less so. "Neither of you even know me and you've done so much," she added, looking to either of them one after the other. Surely the IV drip was done by now.
Spring Serenade flattened her ears back against her mane as the masked pony mentioned Equestria's end, that was start of the war. If only there was more they could have done, but neither her nor Autumn could have foreseen the Crystal Empire's fall. If they could have, if they were given that one chance, they would surely go back and prevent it from happening at all.. But what was done, was done. They had only the future to look to, now, and it would hopefully be a bright one. Spring heaved a sigh, fighting back her own emotions. "It is the best we can do in such trying times, and the least we can do is be there for each other." Spring said, smiling faintly.
Copter gave a nod at Spring's words. Probably the first thing he'd outright agreed with that had come out of her mouth so far. "It's the only thing to do," he concurred. "There are enough lowlifes scattered across the land. I see no reason to contribute to their cause." A hint at why he was no longer Republic? Maybe. "Perhaps we should go in search of food. I don't have enough for all of us in my pack. And as irritating as that Bits was, I'm not going to steal from his hastily forgotten stock." Tempting, though. "There should be something to eat at the Rusty Shoe. They're always up for helping a pony in need." He no longer had gems, so he was going to have to rely on their generosity- as would Ocarina, really. Unless Spring had enough gems to feed them all. Who knew?
Ocarina was out of words and out of tears, she was exhausted and ready to lay down and foret this ever happened... but oh sleep was so temporary. She wanted this needle out of her and she wanted to go home. She eyed the light armor, supposing she'd have to put it on eventually and... that thing. The weapon was an unwelcomely harsh reality that toto i don't think we're in kansas anymore. At the mention of Bits, she suddenly perked up, however. She opened her mouth, then closed it, frowning at the mans forgotten stock. She didn't want to just....leave it here. She rememdered Bits' words of loyalty her and it felt kind of wrong to just...leave. She cast the thought from her mind, they'd probably just think her a fool anyway. "Can you help me get this on," she mumbled at Spring, nudging the light leather armor sitting next to here where the coat draped across her shoulders too had been.
Spring Serenade cast an approving glance towards the nameless stranger, although she wasn't quite sure about moving Ocarina yet. But then again, in the Wasteland, it wasn't wise to tarry in one place too long. This camp was too open, despite the rocks, sparse trees and small thickets of branches that littered the area. Spring rose from her seat at Ocarina's need to first check the IV bag- empty. The unicorn set about gently removing the needle from Ocarina and setting both it and the bag aside. She removed her cloak too, temporarily, and picked apart the armor to start with the first thing to help the new alicorn into. She studied the front half first and used her magic to slit open some holes for her wings. That done, Spring held it over to Ocarina to slip into.
Copter would just kind of chill and wait for the others to get ready, since there's nothing for him to really respond to atm. [semi skip lol]
Ocarina felt tired and numb but forced her limbs to move, clumsily attempting to control these strange appendages and get them through the holes- god how did pegasi even... No matter. She got it on eventually, head turned to stare with disdain at those wings. Why her? Why did she have to be the alicorn? She didn't even know if she was ready for this. Then again, she could recall all she wanted that she didn't really have much of a choice. At least the stranger was braving the wastes with them for her safety, and that brought her a comfort that Spring, in all honesty, simply could not. Prolly something to do with the whole 'saving the alicorn instead of killing it' thing. She looked tiredly at Spring, waiting for the next piece of armor
Spring Serenade levitated the back half up, which luckily required no such modifications, for Ocarina to step in to. She would be there to help here pull her tail through the hole that was provided once they reached it. And of course, all there was left were the boots, the knife, and the cloak. [herp]
Copter wandered off around the other side of the bags as the magic users did their thing, looking into the forest to see if he could see that eccentric merchant. He didn't want to leave the stuff unattended, but... It would also be Bits' own fault for running off like that. Le shrug.
Ocarina stepped carefully into the garment, frowning at how it bulked her up and made her naturally thick body type look even thicker, if only by a margin. As if she needed to look any more like a stallion. She flicked her tail once it was free out of habit, just to reassure herself it wasn't caught on or in anything. The rest of the garments were eyed disdainfully. She couldn't complain, the stranger obviously knew what he was doing and he was only looking out for her wellbeing, which is better than can be said for a lot of ponies. "This doesn't look weird on me does it?" she mumbled negatively, staring down the line of her body, now encased in leather armor.
Spring Serenade stepped back once she'd done her job in helping Ocarina and gave her a quick look-over. "You look like any other Wastelander, I think. You will blend in well enough, and you look fine." The unicorn offered reassuringly, smiling faintly. "Are you ready to move?" Spring questioned, and glanced across the dying fire to the nameless stallion. He was dithering over the discarded pack left by Bits. "It would be a shame to leave it for others to pick over, but I feel it pointless to chase him down and waste daylight." Spring said with a thoughtful 'hmm.' "I suppose we can leave a note and bring them with us as far as the Rusty Shoe. Surely they will hold it for him until he gets it back.. ?"
Copter's ears twitched at the suggestion. "As long as I'm not the one to carry it," he said plainly. "Excess weight will make me ineffective in combat. Not a risk I'm willing to take." Not with Ocarina in the party.
Ocarina was tired and worn, but she was glad it was brought up when she hadn't the nerve to say it herself. Alas, she hadn't the nerve to offer to carry it herself. It sounded horribly miserable on her already extremely uncomfortable body, incased in all sorts of places in thick, hot fabric and none of these places were very pleasant. She shuffled her feet, uncomfortable with all these layers but she'd have to in order to hide her identity. From a princess to an outcast... joy. She'd sit quietly as a child should while waiting for adults to make decisions, eyes staring at the ground.
Spring Serenade looked ponderously at the pack that Bits had left behind, glancing up first to the masked stallion and then to the sad Ocarina. After a moment of standing there, she bounced a little on her rear hooves to test the weight of her own saddlebags. She carried very little, usually just some water and food rations, as well as any useful tidbits she found.. "If Bits' pack is not too heavy, then I will bear the burden. The Rusty Shoe is not that far from here, as long as we stick to the train tracks, we will reach it in no time." Spring announced, approaching the pack. She paused briefly to pull out a scrap of paper, using a small stick of charred wood to write a brief note, and stuck it to chair Bits had occupied with a small thorn of debris. That should do it! She hefted his pack next, slinging it across her back to test its weight. Typical merchants, but she was sure she could handle it.. and carry it in her magic if she needed the rest. "Alright. Shall we?"
End.