{{{ * Now talking on #gabrio-shadow * 127.0.0.1 sets mode +n #gabrio-shadow * You've invited Shadow to #gabrio-shadow (127.0.0.1) * You've invited Gabrio to #gabrio-shadow (127.0.0.1) >Shadow< /join #gabrio-shadow >Gabrio< /join #gabrio-shadow * Gabrio (~Matthew@216.160.83.174) has joined #gabrio-shadow Hi Hi * Shadow (~raja@ool-4a59e697.dyn.optonline.net) has joined #gabrio-shadow Which direction do you fly>? (Shadow's in the lead, but I'd assume towards the city) (back the way we came, though hanging low towards the water) Okay. You fly low, and reach the shore. The palace walls loom large before you. Land, or fly higher? (let's land and look about) [Lands with Shadow] You're standing on the shore. Some large stones are here as a breakwater. About ten meters inland, the foundations of the palace are laid. [walks inland cautiously, looking about for signs of disturbance] It extends to the northwest and southeast. Seems quiet. It doesn't seem like this beach is used at all. [Keeps close and alert for potential attackers] [continues around the southeast part of the palace] You see some ponies up ahead. They are guards, but there are only two of them. One has a bandaged leg. They don't seem to notice you yet. (not changelings, I presume?) Not changelings. [approaches them quietly, listening to see if they're talking] You step on a mostly-buried snailshell. It cracks. [Approaches them openly] The ponies turn and see both of you. Guard: Oh no, they found us! Wounded Guard: You won't eat us, you scaly bastard! The guards brandish spears, but they are clearly at the Eat you?...I don't eat ponies! brink of a morale failure. ...what happened? Guard: Don't come any closer! [Steps in between them] Guard: You either! You're with them! Gabrio: Calm down, what has happened to you? Okay...we'll stay right here. The guard looks briefly at the other guard. Wounded Guard: ... you... we're still alive... They look confused. Gabrio: I would hope so Gabrio Gabrio: I have talked to enough dead ponies for this day Guard: You aren't one of the other dragons? What other dragons? I thought it was just me and the postmaster? Wounded Guard: This one is a lot smaller. Guard: The invading dragons. ...dragons invaded? Gabrio: What invading dragons? Guard: ... have you been somewhere else the last... I dunno, hour or so? Yes...we have just slain the changeling queen! Gabrio: yes, we were out at the fortress dealing with the changelings. Other Guard: changelings... there really were changelings? Guard: Hmm. Gabrio: Yes. What exactly happened? Guard: Well, yeah, dragons invaded while a lot of us were off to hunt changelings. Other guard: We thought it was all a ruse, or maybe they were working with the terrorists? But...I didn't think there were other dragons around... Gabrio: Is it possible the dragons were really changelings? Guard; Well, now, neither did we. They flew in. Guard: Dragons fly, you know. (He says to the winged dragon.) [looks up at the guard briefly, then to Gabrio] It's possible. Other guard: I saw dragons, not changelings. ALl this speculation about changelings seems to be causing a lot of trouble lately. Can you tell me what these dragons looked like? Are there any still around? Guard: I don't know. Probably they're still around. Other guard: Pretty big, about three times as tall as you, dark in color, big fangs. Other guard: They were eating people... We...we wouldn't do that... [looks up towards the top of the palace] Gabrio...do you think we could get a better view from up there? [Whispers] Gabrio: I do. [Prepairs to fly] Guard: Well, thanks for not eating us. [flies up to the top of the palace and alights on top to look over the city] Oh...like I said, I don't eat ponies. Just crystals. [Follows] Guard: Don't know if you're telling the truth or just not hungry, doesn't much matter to me. You get a better view. The palace looks mostly intact, although there are some signs of disturbance in the courtyard. [Heads towards the disturbance] Beyond, there are columns of smoke rising from some burning buildings in the city, but no more than six or seven in total. [follows lightly] [though keeping a distance from the actual disturbance] You see some dead guards on the ground. The guards have been burned to death. Behind and around them though are piles of dust. [Moves to get a look at each of the burning buildings, to see if he can spot anything three times shadow's size] Some of the piles of dust contain accessories and clothing... (Dust, like what the changelings left?) Gabrio sees no sign of dragons or other large creatures. The same kind of dust, yes. [Do the buildings look like they might still be occupied? And how active are the fires) Most of the fires look like they've been burning a while. Fortunately, most of the buildings nearby do not have flammable roofs, so it's unlikely that the fires will get totally out of hand in the near future. (does anyone appear to be doing anything about them) There are some pegasi in the distance fighting one of the fires. [flies towards that building] [looking around as she does so to see if she sees any dragons or changelings] Flying over the city, you narrowly dodge an arrow. There is a guard on a rooftop with a crossbow, shooting at you. (do I see where it came from?) She is reloading. [To Shadow] Gabrio: It might be better for you to stay out of sight. (is there anyplace I can hide?) Gabrio: I'll see if I can get them to allow you to land. [Flies towards the guard] Well, buildings and alleys. Guard: Stay back! [eyes wide, she puts her claws up in a gesture of submission] Guard: What were you doing with that dragon?! Gabrio: The dragon is a friend, we were out at the fortress dealing with the Changelings. The guard does not shoot, for now, but she's still pointing the crossbow. The guard looks at Shadow, then Gabrio. Guard: Changelings? That was real? Guard: ... okay, I guess you don't look like the other dragons quite... Gabrio: Yes, and it seems to me that they may be behind these so-called dragons as well. Guard: Look, if you're one of our dragons, I'd advise you stay clear of here. [cautiously flies closer to the guard, her claws still up] Gabrio: I can understand, do you know where we might find some pegasi carts? Gabrio: Much of the party at the fortress is stuck, and they could likely help here. Guard: Pegasus carts? I don't know, those are a rare thing in the best of times, but... try looking? A lot of ponies got caught in the streets by the dragons. Guard: Maybe something has been left behind. Guard: Maybe get a boat. Guard: ... when you were up there, did you see any other dragons? No, I didn't... [Shakes head] Gabrio: No I don't even know what they look like. Gabrio: We had only a vague description from the guards I wish I could see them....just to know if they were changelings or not. Could you tell me anything more about them? Gabrio: I very much think they were, even by air, things that large would be very noticable when traveling in bulk. Guard: Big black dragons. Fangs. Guard: Once in a while they breathed fire, but mostly they just... ate ponies. Guard: Sort of sucked them dry... it was awful. Guard: Only dust left... [looks down] Then it was changelings after all... [Blinks] Gabrio: A thought strikes me, the changelings mentioned their stores of food Gabrio: You don't think that's what this attack was for do you? I...I can only think... [tears start to well up] maybe I should have just let them be... this is all my fault... Guard: Are you okay? [Shakes head] Gabrio:This is not your fault, they were given ample opportunity to leave or to surrender without harm. Guard: ... I'm sorry I shot at you, I should have realized that you weren't one of those dragons... I...I was trying to help...I was trying to help get rid of the changelings... Gabrio: this is all by their choosing. But...they've caused so much damage as a result...if I had just let them be... Gabrio: Then how much more exstensive would the damage be when somepony else uncovered them? Gabrio: Do not worry about their past evils, we can only work to fix and repair them. [sits, silently, tears streaming slowly, for a few minutes. Then she wipes her eyes and stis up straighter] Yes...Saltclaw wouldn't sit around moping like this... Thank you Gabrio. [to the Guard] Don't worry...you didn't know. I would have shot too if I had gone through what you went through. [Pats shadow's back} Gabrio: De nada friend, you are a good dragon, you just need to trust in that. Guard: ... I should go now. I'll warn the others they see that you aren't one of them, but I don't know if they'll believe me. [smiles weakly] And you're a good hero... Guard: This still may not be a safe place for dragons... The guard leaves. Gabrio: We understand, it's probably best that we find a boat or cart instead. Yes...that would be best. Maybe towards the shoreline. I don't think we should bring the Princess back here... [turns towards the shoreline] Let's see if we can find a boat. [takes off] [Nods, and starts taking off towards the shore[ Gabrio: Possibly, though I think it best we let her decide that. These are her people. ...you're right. I...I should let these ponies decide for themselves... [scans for boats] [Looks for boats or carts] Searching, you find a pegasus cart, abandoned it's stocked with valuables, hastily packed. The harnesses have piles of dust in them, and there are a few more nearby, some intermingled with finery. This evacuation attempt came too late. [Lands near the cart and begins to carefully set them aside.] Gabrio: Lucky, this will be much quicker than a boat. [hanging her head, heaps the dust together and places it carefully on the ground, placing some of the valuables nearby in a sort of memorial] The family crest on the side of the cart reads "Popmare" [Sighs] Well...let's be off then. [takes one end of the cart] (Does it look like we would each be able to manage one unloaded?) A cart? You'd have to find another - it took some time to find this one. Pegasus carts are rare nowadays which is why only rich people like these slain nobles and their retinue had one. (Oh you meant dust piles, i thought you meant there were multiple carts nearby) Well, and emergency services, etc. (Derp) Oh, it's fine. [Dons the harness and takes off with the cart] You fly, without further attempts at archery by anyone on the ground this time. [flying silently, imagines the Popmares, whoever might be, scrambling in pure terror before their end] [tears begin to stream again, but she says nothing] Gabrio: Be strong, there will be time to mourn after this. }}}