//------------------------------// // Chapter 71: Ryan // Story: Forbidden Places // by Starscribe //------------------------------// Ryan was doing pretty good at this spy stuff. Yeah, she didn't know exactly how unicorns acted some of the time, and that meant a few awkward looks. Her ability to imitate their magic to move objects around was obviously weaker than it should've been, judging by the way people stared. She didn't do it for very long at a time, and things got even better. But as eager as she was to charge right into the mansion and look for Kaelynn, she had to resist the urge. Getting dragged out by the guards and thrown onto the street would not help get her friend freed, and it might end up with her slumped in an Equestrian prison. Somehow she didn't think the American Embassy would have her back on this one. All she had to do was work her way through the crowd, making convincing small talk with the unicorns present. Aerial had given her at least one unexpected advantage: while she didn't have a lifetime of experience with infiltration, she did have a smattering of university biology courses, and a lifetime spent watching Netflix nature documentaries. So it was she bluffed her way into a crowd near the house. Without having ever seen the old pony who kidnapped Kaelynn, she could tell that this was her. Everyone watched her for approval, everyone laughed at all her jokes. It wasn't love they felt for her, but something almost opposite. Fear mixed with respect. "My colleagues all agree: seaponies aren't apex predators, the structure of jaw remains clearly show flattened molars without predator incisors. They couldn't hunt fish with a mouth like that." Ryan spoke with confidence, the way she'd done everything. Nothing was better for convincing bullshit than sounding more convinced the stupider it was. The circle turned to Morningtide for approval, waiting to see what she would say. "Your colleagues may be working on incomplete samples then, Miss Axiom. Your specimen might be from an earlier period, or maybe it represents the freshwater variety of seapony. I can assure you that the saltwater fish have pointed incisors, even more pronounced than a thestral’s. They quite enjoy fresh fish, so long as its provided in moderation. They don't seem to enjoy being carnivores, but they can't stay healthy like an earth pony when fed on grass alone." "That would be... revolutionary," Ryan said. "There's so much you can learn about a species from the structure of its jaw alone. The tragedy of studying seaponies is just how few fossils have survived to examine. The ancient seas must have been a hostile place to leave so little behind." The other ponies muttered to each other, impressed. One, an older stallion with a lopsided monocle, watched her with something that was half intellectual interest, half something else. Ryan's changeling senses did not leave a lot to the imagination. "You'll have to tell me more about your work, Axiom. Fossilized teeth for identification of ancient biological niche—that's entirely novel." It's probably not, even here, she thought. "Later," Morningtide said. "Miss Axiom, I think there are some things that are best observed, rather than speculated. Besides, I think you'll find it unnecessary to interrogate the bones of a creature when you can simply ask your questions and obtain a response. There's another group forming in the study, and I believe you should join it. I am assembling a detailed physiological text of the species, in case the worst should happen to the program. I think it could benefit from your expertise." Ryan pretended to consider—but only for a second. It helped that she was supposed to be a very junior scientist, who would probably never get a chance like this in her lifetime. It was a series of Ariel-engineered happy accidents that she had even made it this far. If this works, I'll invite Aerial to the wedding. "That sounds like a rare opportunity," she said. "I would be honored!" She turned, bowing her respect to the unicorn stallion. She didn't know his name, but anyone important enough to be in this conversation was obviously not someone to upset. "Later tonight, perhaps?" "Of course," he grumbled, feeling obvious disappointment. He barely let it show in his face. "That makes sense. Observe Morningtide's exhibit, and we can speak more seriously about the matter of preservation." Morningtide pointed up a cobblestone path towards the mansion. "Through those doors into the study, dear. My assistant will be taking you through. There will be others, so think carefully about any questions. You'll be lucky to get one." Ryan nodded profusely, then darted up the intended path. She caught herself after just a few steps, adjusting her dress. This wasn't the kind of party where people ran around. She made a show of relaxing, then walking the rest of the way. The older ponies chuckled, watching her go. She felt at their emotions until she was completely out of reach. There was plenty of indignance—she was a stranger to this world, far too lowly to be welcome here. A few wondered when she would be politely asked to leave. Others were impressed by her work, and felt eager to have her around.  Morningtide was harder to read, and Ryan couldn't quite tell where she was located on that spectrum. She barely felt anything about Ryan at all, like she was completely beneath her notice. Well that was exactly where a changeling felt the safest: so far beneath Morningtide's attention that she wouldn't even think about her again. Let the mare keep thinking she would make a few quick notes in the book about seapony teeth structure or diet in the wild, and Ryan could hastily escort Kaelynn to safety in the meantime. There were servants already waiting just inside the house, so there was no chance for Ryan to "accidentally" get lost, wandering off another path. She tried anyway, but didn't make it more than a few steps before one of them stopped her. "Miss? It's this way," said an earth pony in a red-orange uniform.  "Right, right. Forgive me, I'm just so excited to be here... I didn't think I'd actually get invited to something like this." She turned, and she could feel their many eyes on her this time. Suspicion was a scent she seemed particularly attuned to, like the stink of rotten food. It might be the most offensive emotion to her magical senses. Hate was only subtly different from love, after all. She found the study surprisingly empty—there were less than a dozen ponies inside. Most looked like academics, though there were some who were obviously just here for the spectacle. All radiated eagerness and anticipation, and barely even looked at her. "They're extinct," a bat whispered to her companion. "Extinct, can you believe that? Only missed them by a century." "No," said the little pegasus beside her. There was something strange about her scent, but it was probably nothing. "I don't believe it." "It's true," said someone else—a stallion this time, wearing an oversized jacket and hat. "They were thought extinct more than once before, of course. But the Storm King made it official. A terrible hurricane, right over their capital. Ripped up all the water for miles around." No he didn't! she thought, indignant. But while Ryan was running over the mental math for how much energy it would take to lift up a whole sea, someone stepped in through the opposite door.  Where Morningtide was elegant, this pony was the same age, yet shrunken in on himself instead of stretched thin. He wore glasses as thick as his hooves, and his horn glowed constantly, but Ryan couldn't actually see anything magical happening around him. "Alright everypony, it's time to begin. My name is Red Sky, I’ll be supervising this meeting today. There are some instructions for you to follow, so listen closely." They fell silent. Everyone spread out into a roughly even circle, so they could all see him. A bulky earth pony stallion lingered in the doorway just behind him, out of sight. He watched everyone inside, looking intimidating. "The seaponies are extremely temperamental. We can't guarantee a very long sighting. Sometimes they'll linger with us for an extended conversation, other times they'll grow bored and swim away after just a few seconds. There's nothing I can do to bring them back if they decide to leave. They're sheltered here, this isn't a zoo." A wave of nods passed through the group. Ryan was the last, inclining her head so shallowly it was barely even a flick. Liar. It's a prison. "If they decide to speak with you, you'll have to write your questions for me on a slip of paper. I will approve your questions, or not. You will not ask anything I do not approve, or..." He trailed off, flicking his tail towards the open doorway. A few ponies shuffled around awkwardly, moving closer to each other. Yet when he finally spoke, it was something far less threatening. "Or you'll be asked to leave, and you won't get your answer." "That seems harsh," said someone—the bat. "Why not just let us have a conversation with the seapony?" "Because they're very easily frightened," he snapped back, eyes narrowing at the finely-dressed bat. "Their mental health is extremely delicate. They're the last survivors of a nearly extinct race. I have a list of topics I'm forbidden to let you bring up. If you want your questions approved, don't ask them about their dead relatives, I won't allow it. Don't ask them about leaving the tank either, as they're unable to do so yet. Do you understand?" Ponies nodded again. "One final matter." He pointed towards the table. "You'll find release forms waiting for you. I know they're eight pages, but I can tell you what it says. You will not share what you see here tonight with anypony. You have been permitted an early chance to enjoy Lady Shimmer's remarkable discovery. How she chooses to make that final reveal to Equestria is her decision, not yours." There was a little more debate about that, more energetic than previously. But Ryan barely paid attention. They were about to stage a jailbreak, getting into a legal contract with a pony was the least of her concern. What good does she think this would do if Equestria realizes she kidnapped Kaelynn? Ryan waited her turn, then signed her fake name like so many others. She had a brief spike of fear as the squat little pony squinted at her signature, then he shrugged and tossed it into the pile with the others.  Only when this was finished did they descend the stone steps of the manor, down past a few basement floors. Ryan could smell the water before she saw it. There was a heavy metal door swung open, like something out of the most secure bank. Two thugs waited outside.  One of them actually carried a sword, the first weapon she'd seen in the fancy manor house thus far. The guards barely paid them any attention as they passed inside—they didn't check Ryan's purse. And inside, inside was a tank. It was big enough that even a large Earthside aquarium would've been jealous, an outward-facing bubble of something thick—crystal, maybe? It didn't reflect like the acrylic a human tank would've used. There were grates in the floor in front, and two rows of seats looking in.  Kaelynn wasn't inside, nobody was. There was a single metal rod hanging down on the inside, along with gravel on the bottom with a few underwater plants growing to try and make it look more alive. "You'll find slips of paper and pencils on the seats," said their guide. "Please, any questions you have. Send them to me." Ryan squeezed her way through—not to the front of the crowd, but the back, so she could sit up against one of the stone walls. While the others started scribbling their frantic questions for a creature that might not even appear, she levitated the tracker out from inside, peeled the double-sided tape, and pressed it up against the wall under the desk.  Their guide pulled something beside the tank—a bell. The sound was muffled, barely audible from where Ryan was sitting. After a few seconds, a creature drifted in through the attached tunnel, making Ryan freeze in place to stare. It was Kaelynn, looking the worse for wear. Her scales were faded, her eyes distant and unfocused. Her emotions were so muted he could barely sense her. This was defeat. "Questions here," said the assistant, passing a little basket down the row. Ryan scrambled to write something, then tossed it in amid the others, before returning the basket to the front.  Then she watched.