9 - Peaceful Sleep
Pinkie crept through the bushes, her eyes on the cabal of humans gathered in a circle. She wasn't entirely sure what they were doing, but her Pinkie Sense didn't like any of it. They were chanting funny words of magic and raising their hands into the air as lightning and foul smells swirled in the area.
Pinkie pulled her party cannon free and aimed it for who seemed to be the leader of the chant. With a loud bang, it fired its payload of glittering confetti towards his face. He shook off the sparkles, but it disrupted his spell, and the ground began to shake and tremble.
"Foolish pony! Now the forces are uncontrolled!" cried out one of the spellcasters, bursting into a run before several tentacles burst free of the ground and grabbed at them, snatching up the wizards too slow at teleporting away. One slick pseudopod grasped at Pinkie, squeezing her and forcing a little squeak out her.
"Hey there, easy boy! I know what you need..." She fished out a cupcake and held it out as an offering, only to have it slapped out of her grasp by another tentacle. Perhaps this would be harder than she first imagined.
The next day passed smoothly, with Silver taking the morning backpack, and Diamond taking the afternoon. As they settled in for the evening, Dark pointed across into the darkness, to where the faintest glimmer could be seen. "Tomorrow, we arrive."
Her words inspired giddy celebration. Silver clopped her hooves. "It'll be so nice to be among ponies again, lots of ponies. Will some of them be rich?"
Dark raised a brow. "Very, very few of them will be ponies, but yes, some of the people there will be quite rich. They have a district set aside for only the richest and most powerful."
Diamond thumped the ground. "We have a new goal. We'll rise to the top of this griffon heap, and live with their best. When daddy shows up, he'll find us practically running the place." She gave an eager little giggle, mind whirring with wild thoughts of economic domination. She pointed at Silver Spoon. "And you have a special part to play."
Silver Spoon blinked in surprise. "Really?"
"Yes, really." Diamond rolled her eyes before leaning in with a growing smile. "I was thinking. Your first wish, your cutie mark, and how you got it. It makes perfect sense to me."
Silver's heart hastened as she rubbed her forehooves together nervously. "Really?"
Diamond softly batted at Silver's hooves. "You can say more than that, you know. You like talking with ponies, important ponies. Even that hillbilly thug, you knew what to say." She put a hoof over her chest. "As a leader it's important to recognize and encourage the talents of those in your care, that's you." And to exploit them, but she didn't say that part.
Silver Spoon developed a bit of a smile as she regarded Diamond Tiara curiously. "Alright, but how does that help anypony at all?"
Diamond pointed at Silver anew. "You are going to be my spokespony. You're going to hobnob, socialize, and get in with all the ponies that matter. You'll... be the grease that gets me where I need to be. When there's trouble coming, you'll hear about it. When someone's talking about me, good or bad, you'll be the one telling me."
Dark listened quietly to their conversation before speaking, "There are worse positions in life. Not my personal selection, but my preferences lie elsewhere." She looked at Diamond directly. "Now tell me how you plan to overcome the basic fact that you are a pony and most you deal with will not be? You have never struck me as a very cosmopolitan soul in this regard. Even your words are pony-centric. I ignore it, but it will be a mark against you every time you spew them in polite company."
Diamond frowned with obvious irritation, opening her mouth to complain when an arrow interrupted her, plunging into the soft flesh of her right thigh. Her words became a squeal of pain even as a shrouded figure with a reptilian snout poking free of a cape came into view. "You are in the sights of my friends. Put down your weapons and lay down, maybe we sell you for spare coin, yes? Do not, and we simply take what you have from your bodies."
Dark's response was to launch into the air. Arrows fired after her, unseen but heard in a chorus of bow twangs. Silver drew her own bow with quivering hooves and drew back an arrow as quickly as she could even as the reptile marched towards her quickly. She squeezed her eyes shut and released, afraid to even look. She could hear bows still being fired, and she hadn't been pincushioned. Did it work?
She was suddenly tackled to the ground behind the log they were resting on. Diamond's voice whispered harshly. "I don't know how you did that, but they're busy trying to get Dark Streak. Come on, we have to get out of here."
Silver opened her eyes and nodded to the pained expression of Diamond Tiara. She rolled to her belly and started scampering away from the fire. On the way, she caught sight of the strange creature, her arrow lodged in its throat. She cringed, but kept moving, praying silently in thanks. Maybe Luminace had helped her? Or she was just lucky. She didn't question it, she just kept moving.
Diamond collapsed behind her, and Silver turned to see her pass out, blood still oozing from her leg wound. Silver Spoon drew breath sharply as she backed up and shouldered Diamond Tiara onto her back and rose to her full height, galloping into the near-complete darkness of the night.
Silver could hear the occasional arrow land dangerously close by as she zigged and zagged, only to stumble over something in the dark and pitch forward. She started tumbling downhill, and grabbed at the unconscious form of her friend, trying to shield her from further harm as they rolled.
"You really care about her."
Silver pulled herself up from where she landed, looking around in the dark for the source of the soft voice. She drew Diamond Tiara close, tears falling on her responsive head. "She's my friend, of course I care about her. Help us!"
"I can't do that. You have to help yourself. But if you call to me, I may lend some strength."
Silver Spoon felt the presence fade, and grit her teeth. Diamond Tiara was dying in her grasp. What could she do? She cradled Diamond tightly and prayed. She begged the otherworldly presence she had only recently learned of, that she could mend the hurt in Diamond Tiara before it was too late. Suddenly a pain exploded through her right thigh, and she knew. She was taking the injury from Diamond Tiara, and she welcomed it even as she cried in pain.
There was no arrow in her leg, but the wound was just as sure. Diamond Tiara suddenly woke with a sharp gasp. "Where are we? Silver Spoon? What's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Diamond heard the approach of others, and a language unfamiliar to her. It was time to go. She nuzzled under Silver Spoon and lifted her up before rushing away from the voices, picking her way as best she could through the darkness with only the stars and moon to light the way. Diamond carried Silver Spoon in silence, save for their labored breathing, for many hours. Whether or not Dark Streak had made it, neither knew, and could do nothing about it save to keep fleeing.
Diamond's entire body ached, and she slumped to the ground, heaving for breath and her heart thundering, but she didn't hear anyone following her. She let Silver Spoon gently slide to the ground before sitting up to look down at her. Her grey fur was matted with blood around her right thigh, where Diamond had been hit herself.
Thinking on it, she looked at her own thigh. Though there was the stain of blood, she was whole and intact. She put a hoof on Silver Spoon. "How?" Answers were not forthcoming from her friend and she settled in over Silver Spoon, curling in with her and looking out into the dark, terrified of going to sleep, but feeling so tired. At least Silver seemed stable. She wasn't bleeding anymore, and her breath was quiet and relaxed. Diamond Tiara listened to that quiet breathing, and fell asleep despite her fear.
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I'm dreading Pinkie's eventual reunion with the others, because it will mean the end of this vague absurdity. Each of these little vignettes raises a hundred questions and answers none. There is almost no explanation that could justify these situations, but no explanation is offered, so we try to imagine the rest of the story. It is so simple and yet so thoroughly Pinkie Pie. I think you can keep this going for a very long time without it getting boring.
That...wow... Lashie? Is that you?
Diamond and Silver both really got real in this chapter. Diamond trying to lead even when she was badly wounded, and Silver deciding that taking the injury on herself was a good deal. I'm really invested in both of them now. I wish we could upvote specific chapters, but until we can, just pretend I did.
Another oracle? Because that sounds like Life Link. These gods are so impatient.
6185954 There's also a short-leg feat that does that.
Oh, and I forget to mention: Silver Spoon got a throat shot with her eyes shut!? It's destiny; the girl has to be an archer now.
6185934 The intro bits? Easily becoming my favorite part to write of each chapter. What zany hijinks will Pinkie get into next? Not even Pinkie knows.
Diamond and Silver really got to show off their maturing potentials this chapter, and I'm proud of both of them. Even before sudden ambush time, Diamond was looking out for Silver and showing her how to exploit the talents she had. For all of Diamond's abrasive shell, she really cares for Silver Spoon.
On the bright side, by the time Pinkie does find the fillies, she will have gained so much experience. Pluripotent party pony powers practically prophesied.
The bad news is what it's going to take to get to that point...
Meanwhile, Silver Spoon appears to have somehow gotten the notice and sponsorship of a god. The specifics aren't quite clear yet, but it looks like somepony just took her first class level.
They grow up so fast...
It should be very interesting to see how Diamond Tiara reacts to this situation.
Also:
Pinkie should definitely be capitalized here. Sense... I feel that it should, but that's an aesthetic choice I leave to you.
6185971
Natural twenties are a truly powerful magic.
Interesting reveal on Silver Spoon's powers. I would guess she will become an Oracle, but it also seems like she is tied to that bow, and a bow isn't really an oracle weapon. Maybe she becomes an Urban Ranger? I also can't wait to see Diamond Tiara getting all Scarface on the big city as soon as she gets there.
When I started reading this Fic I was thinking of this pic
http://orig03.deviantart.net/8815/f/2015/105/b/b/apple_buruma_by_fantasyblade-d8pt4wx.gif
that is a huge step for Silver Spoon and Diamond both.
maybe just maybe AJ was right in sending them here.
6186927
6185954
6185999
Oracle is not the only divine class. If she were an oracle, it would be immediately obvious, since her cutie mark would change (and we already had an oracle, give David some credit for creativity). For someone like Silver Spoon that has dependency issues, cleric is an obvious choice. Silver likes being told what to do, as long as the orders are good for her too. She only objects to Diamond's orders when she is clearly being used. With a virtuous deity like Luminace, Silver would revel in the opportunity to let someone else make the decisions.
Any class can use any weapon if they train in it, and Silver has already put in some practice on the bow.
6186987 AJ was wrong to send them, but David was right to send them.
6186906 Typo fixed, and don't worry, Pinkie's on the case! She'll save the day, eventually...
6187004 The damage transfer isn't normal divine magic, but the Oracle of Life gets it as a mystery power (which I know because the oracle of life in my Saturday group uses it constantly). That's why I thought 'oracle'. That and the god saying 'worship me' in her mind implying that it was divine, although yeah that could be any divine class (but cleric or paladin wouldn't have transferred the damage).
Apparently there's a feat or something that does the same thing, though?
6187185
It's in the "Small Packages" expansion to Ponyfinder. It's supposed to be for the Short-Legs, but then again, SS's legs are pretty short. That's why I thought the deity at work might be Lashtada instead of Luminace; if anyone could bend the rules on who qualifies as a Short-Leg, it would be her.
Perhaps not an exact match, but this is a story, so some artistic license is expected. Lover's sacrifice is a Short-Leg innate ability that allows them to leap in front of bad things that target their allies.
6187004 You know what else is a divine class? Ranger. You're right that in theory any class can use any weapon if they put in the feats for it, and if Silver wants to spend her 1 first level feat on martial weapon proficiency lonbow, she can, but thematically the way she is called to using a longbow really feels like a Ranger, or some other class that is bow-heavy. You're right about her being a follower, and probably wanting a divine class as a result. That stuff Diamond Tiara is talking about having SS do translates really well into Silver being good at Sense Motive and Diplomacy, skills divine classes are good at. But unless Luminace's sacred weapon is longbow, it'd be kind of weird for her to use one.
What about a paladin? They can use bows, they're divine, their pretty lawful the way Silver seems to be, and they often come from snooty privileged backgrounds.
Will some "of" them be rich?
Put a comma after that first "very."
"Hobnob" is a compound word (with no "k").
Put a period after "relaxed."
6188149
Technically, yes. But they don't get any spells until level 4.
Something David said earlier implies that they might only be taking npc class levels at first, which would limit the choices to Adept, Aristocrat, Commoner (obviously not), Expert, and Warrior
6189425 Typos offered up to the kobolds.
6189453 Mechanically sure, but you were saying that a divine class works thematically for SS because of her personality, which I agree with. But a 1st level ranger or pally can still fit thematically with a newly-converted follower of Luminace, even if they can't cast spells yet. Maybe she could be a Warpriest? they get heals at 1st level and martial weapon proficiency.
You do have a good point about NPC classes. SS and DT could both be leveling in Aristocrat, since they seem to be relying heavily on social skills, and Aristocrat also gives you a martial weapon proficiency.
6189466 This was a very enjoyable chapter! After many instances of luck, the group's good fortune finally breaks as they're ambushed. The fillies are separated from their guardian, and forced to flee into the wild, injured and alone. Silver Spoon manages a miracle, but it doesn't leave them much better off than they were before.
Of course, as chagrined as I am to admit it, the best part of this chapter was Pinkie Pie. As a series of vignettes, her appearances are actually quite amusing, almost to the point of being endearing. That's because, to me, comedy relief functions best as relief; that is to say, a small, temporary break from the action. Putting the zaniest of ponies into these weird, dangerous situations and then letting our imaginations do the rest is probably the best way to handle her. That's not even addressing the fact that her absence allows us to focus more on Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who are much more interesting characters here.
That interest was on display in this chapter. Diamond was really in her element with regards to her plans; for all her issues and attitude problems, she does have a talent for business management, which includes employee resources. She was right about how to best deploy Silver Spoon in social situations, and even Silver seemed to like the idea that Diamond was coming up with.
Of course, all of that was forgotten when those thugs got the drop on them. Badly hurt, Diamond had to be carried out of there by Silver...who found religion exactly when she needed it. I'm a little surprised that the response to this was to use a spell/power to transfer Diamond's wound to Silver, as even the most low-level of spells should have allowed for a flat-out cure spell to be used. I suspect that this might be tied to some other class-based power in particular, as some other posters have noted, but I'm not so interested in deciphering the mystery as to try and solve that particular problem; far easier to just wait for the clues to pile up in subsequent chapters.
Still, it was very sweet the way Luminace's voice chimed in when she realized just how much Silver cared about Diamond. While it's tempting to consider that Silver's feelings for her friend are stronger than friendship, I strongly suspect that that's my own desires coloring what's here. As it was, the scene of Silver taking Diamond's pain for herself was touching. Even if it's not romantic, the two of them honestly seem like they're going to forge a stronger bond than "mere" best friends (of course, the closest friends have the potential to become the bitterest of enemies...but that's something that may or may not happen in the future).
As for Dark Streak...I'm trying to give her the benefit of the doubt, but I'm wondering if I should even bother. Are you really telling me she couldn't have scooped up the fillies and flown away with them, instead of by herself? Because this really, really makes it seem like she abandoned them. I suppose this could be spun as "I was trying to lead them away," but that strikes me as being hard to swallow, since they weren't chasing her so much as they were just shooting at her and keeping after the fillies. Moreover, the idea of her abandoning them if things got to be too bad strikes me as being perfectly in keeping with her character.
All of that, however, puts me in a rather awkward position. In terms of her character, it would make sense for us not to see her again. She's abandoned the fillies, fled from danger, and has no recourse for finding them again. In other words, she's gone. Fair enough, but from a narrative standpoint, that's rather awkward to have an important character just exit the story and never come back. I suppose the fic could try and split the difference, having her show up later (they were all headed to the nearby city, after all), but in the meantime her absence is sudden enough to be startling. It would help if the fillies remarked on it, at the very least.
For now, let's see if they can make it to the nearby town, or if things come to an end for them so close to their goal...
6189677 Ideally, David might just be making something up completely. The rules are only there for stability and fairness, and those are the last things you want in an adventure story.
6189682 Just in terms of action economy, picking one thing up is a move. Even if you let her grab both in one move, then stand up, then fly, well that's just too much to do without being full of arrows before take off. She stood up and flew, and she got a lot of arrows after her that would have just as easily been raining down on the fillies. Whether or not she'll return? We'll find out! I'm already typing out the next chapter and it amuses me that I just wrote them wondering about Dark Streak when I noticed this. Good timing or best timing?
Completely loving Pinkie Pie. She's adding a lot without actually being there.
6189871 Personally, I kind of like adventure stories to follow a set of rules, that's why I enjoy stories based of pathfinder or D&D, or fanfiction in general, because I feel like I have a lot more insight about what's going on when the author is using a common guideline to describe the world. I think that may be part of the appeal of fanfiction for everyone.
But yeah, I could also see SS getting some cool special abilities/class not normally in the rules. I mean, she's clearly being actively assisted by a god, and who breaks the rules more than the gods?
6189978
Well obviously, there have to be some rules (gravity is a good one), but it's more fun if you either don't know what they are or can't tell them apart from real life.
In a pantheistic system, nobody
6189682
There is a middle ground option, where she is coward enough to abandon them, but responsible enough to feel very guilty for doing so and to try to find them again afterwards.
6190019 I never saw her as cowardly, so much as self-centered. That is, she'd see them as "not my chicks" and abandon them. That said, I could see her feeling guilty about that and going back for them.
6190010 I personally disagree, I enjoy reading a cool action sequence and then thinking "oh, so-and-so must have the improved feat to pull that off, and that weapon must have the speed special ability." But I recognize that I'm not in the majority here.
I suspect it's similar to how I find spoilers, or even reading a synopsis before seeing a TV show or movie enhances my enjoyment, rather than detracting from it. I don't place a lot of value on being surprised, instead I find that understanding exactly what the author/creator is doing as they do it helps me appreciate it on a deeper level. (I'm a big fan of TVTropes).
6190025
There is no functional difference between cowardice and selfish caution.
Though the question of Silver's class may be answered by now, don't forget that David likes to use the less widely used classes for these stories. Twilight, if you remember, is an Archanist, a hybrid class of wizard and sorcerer. So it's possible Silver Spoon is something we wouldn't think of right off the bat.