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#Post#: 1335--------------------------------------------------
An Unusual Suspect
By: Azure Karla Date: October 20, 2016, 9:44 pm
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Azure groans, stirring ever so slightly as she curled up into a
tight little ball on the floor. Her entire midsection was on
fire, wracked with a rather sobering pain as if somepony shoved
a smoldering hot blade through her gut... For the moment, the
crumpled mare didn't even open her eyes, hesitant to find out.
Perhaps she's dead...? No... The pain snapped the mare back to
reality. Pain means she could feel, which in turn means she is
certainly alive. Good... With another groan, Azure shifts once
more, finding difficulty in propping herself up as she opens her
hazy, purple eyes and stares hard at the cold ground, eventually
tilting back onto her side with a soft thud. She almost seethes,
clenching her teeth as the pain returns. Looking down, she is
pleased to see that there was no discernible wound, but relief
soon turned to confusion as she discovered herself bound and
restrained. A frown plays at the corners of her lips, eyes
twitching in mild frustration as she looks over her
surroundings. A bright, LED lantern sat plainly in the corner,
illuminating what looked to be a makeshift tent. Just a couple
feet in front of her was a portable, square table with a few
folded up chairs nestled neatly underneath. And then there was
nothing...
Other than the aforementioned items, the tent lay barren,
leaving Azure even more confused as she tussled quietly against
her bindings. Certainly there must be more evidence as to why
she lay bound on the floor, or who her captors are and what they
wanted. The mare digs into her recent memories, searching for
clues or events that could possibly help. The last thing she
remembered... A dog. Not just a dog, really, but the most
vicious hell-hound she had ever had the pleasure to cross paths
with, and that was quite the understatement. She was teasing the
beast. Poking at it. Playing with it like a fearless matador
squaring off against a bull ten times her size, at the very
least. Growing tired of her game, the mare had conjured a spell
in an attempt to put the beast down. At least... she thought she
did. Everything after that was blank. Gone. Missing... And now
she has wound up here.
Perhaps... Perhaps she can just... ask? Surely she can tell them
that she means no harm, and it was all just a big
misunderstanding. If only it could be that easy... Azure could
hear voices roaming to and fro outside of the tent, but not well
enough to pick up specific words or follow conversations.
Growing weary of her predicament and rather irked at the lack of
service, she uses her magic to break her bonds. She could just
slip out, and nopony would even notice. Except... Nothing
happened. Not even a hum of energy. Azure tries again,
attempting to muster up some modicum of strength, but as soon as
she grasps it, her power fizzles out like a tiny, choking flame.
Scowling with a snort of contempt, her mind races for a
solution... And that's when she heard the cries and howls of
timberwolves, which were almost immediately silenced by gunfire.
The sudden rapport causes Azure to rethink her stance on the
matter. Only two groups of ponies were able to acquire numerous
firearms: bandits, or more likely, some sort of military force.
If memory serves, Azure was too close to a nearby town for
bandits to be an issue, and she severely doubted that a group of
thieves would be this well equipped. So that means...
Azure rolls her eyes, rolling herself into an upright position
with a deep, disgruntled sigh.
"Oy! Which one of you boneheads is in charge of service around
here!? No complimentary breakfast!? I'm wasting away here!"
#Post#: 1360--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Unusual Suspect
By: Equinox Date: October 22, 2016, 7:37 am
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The howls of the nearby timberwolves were slowly silenced, until
no more howls in the immediate area could be heard. Silence
filled the area for a moment before more yelling could be heard.
Equinox soldiers yelling orders to each other. Soon enough, one
such pony comes into the tent. He pulls out both chairs and
folds them out, along with placing some documents on the table.
"Come, sit. We have some questions for you, and you don't have
much of a choice." he says. The changeling would soon notice
that the are armoured guards outside both entrances of the tent,
and any attempt at escape this way would instantly fail.
#Post#: 1375--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Unusual Suspect
By: Azure Karla Date: October 22, 2016, 5:16 pm
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The following silence was rather unnerving after the howls and
the gunshots ceased, prompting Azure to stare hard at the
entrance, barely breathing in a sort of anticipation. Perhaps...
Perhaps they didn't hear her? She was at least expecting a "shut
up", or something along those lines. Maybe they were all busy
with the timberwolves? Hmm... Azure inches herself forward bit
by bit, interested in poking her head out of the tent to see
what was going on. Before she even got to the table, however,
the voices returned, barking orders left and right, and then...
Somepony actually came inside! Well, it was certainly better
than nothing.
Being asked to "sit" earned a respectable chuckle. Having her
front hooves bound, it wasn't like she could just roll over and
stand up on her hind legs straight from the ground. Instead,
Azure props her chin up on the table, giving the pony a fanged
grin as she attempts to hoist her body into the chair. "Easier
said than done, you know. My movement seems to a bit...
restrained." Her grin widens, now trying to blow messy strands
of her mane out of her face. "And believe me, I know that choice
has no part in this equation... You have questions? I might have
answers." The Changeling eventually pulls herself into the
chair, propping her hind hooves on top of the table, a bit off
to the side so she could see her would-be interrogator. She
payed little to no mind to the guards, having no interest in
escaping now that she has somebody with her.
#Post#: 1387--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Unusual Suspect
By: Equinox Date: October 24, 2016, 1:46 am
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The soldier simply watches as the changeling climbs her way onto
the seat. "Good, maybe you can give us some answers as to what
just happened." the pony says, pulling out a bunch of papers
that wouldn't make any sense to the changeling. "Lets start off
with a few simple questions, and we'll work from there, shall
we?" he says, pulling out two documents but withholding them for
the moment. He also pulls out what looks to be a tape recorder
and hits the record button on it. "Alright, for the sake of
formalities and the recording, my name is Sergeant Trail Blaze
of Recon Team 'Pathfinder' of Equinox, of course I doubt you
will know that, and that's something I won't be discussing at
this time." he says, pausing before continuing. "Ok, two
questions to start off. Please state your name and occupation
for the record." he says, before pulling out two images,
mugshots of Isabelline and Ebony, with no name to identify them.
"After that, may I ask if you have seen either of these two
ponies before, and if so, can you please identify them?" he
asks.
#Post#: 1408--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Unusual Suspect
By: Azure Karla Date: October 24, 2016, 7:39 pm
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Azure blinks slowly as the Sergeant speaks, studying his
features in an attempt to discern some sort of personality aside
from what he was currently hiding behind. The military ones were
always difficult to dissect properly, likely having been through
years of training and grown hardened by conflict. Still, there
was a unique pony underneath that military visage that she would
like to get through to... With her hazy, purple eyes barely
distinguishable from her slightly darkened pupils, it was
difficult to tell just what the Changeling was focusing on.
Really, the mare focused on nothing in particular, letting her
eyes wander across his features as he asks his first couple
questions. Same old song, same old dance... This wasn't the
first time she was stuck in a position like this, and it most
certainly won't be the last time. "Azure Karla, at your service.
I am a free Changeling, and I am somewhat of a wanderer, so to
speak, picking up odd jobs and performing as a street magician
on the side to bridge the gaps." Perhaps it was apparent that
she had done this many times before; her voice was smooth and
confident as well as concise and to the point, and her fanged
grin remained set across her lips.
The two photos that were presented to her did manage to give the
mare some pause, her grin fading somewhat as her eyes studied
the images. It wasn't very often that Azure came across a
Noctral, much less have the chance to speak with one. Many of
them would have connections to the Lunar Guard, and all things
considered, Changelings and military organizations don't tend to
get along. Case in point- her current situation. The one on the
right was certainly male... Riddled with numerous scars and a
gaze that could bat down a mighty Manticore, Azure could only
guess that he sat up higher on the chain of command. That was a
face that has been through numerous battles, fitting of a
general... Or a crazed warrior. The one on the left, however,
rings a faint bell in Azure's memory. Her face was young, but
once again, her gaze was nearly unrelenting, even on paper.
There was certainly something behind those gentle, yet decisive
eyes, but why was it familiar? Azure was fairly certain she had
not seen or spoke to any Noctrals recently, spanning at least
several months or perhaps a year or two.
The mare simply stares at the picture, eventually placing a hoof
on it and slides it forward with an audible snort. "The male,
no. This one, however, I might have seen before, although I fail
to recollect where or when. I have no name for you, but one
certainly does not forget that kind of gaze." Azure's ears perk
up, driving her attention elsewhere as a faint yell seemed to
echo out from the forest. Or perhaps that was her imagination?
Regardless, her first instinct would be to fly towards it,
but... She was a bit tied up at the moment. "By the by, it seems
you have a Daring Do playing hide and seek from the
Timberwolves, Sergeant. I am unsure how many of those
treacherous beasts you and your team have put down, but surely
you are aware the only way to drive them off is to eliminate the
Alpha, correct?"
#Post#: 1417--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Unusual Suspect
By: Equinox Date: October 25, 2016, 7:02 am
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The pony watches silently as Azure says that she doesn't really
know the two. "Curious, very curious." the soldier says before
his ears also perk up, hearing the very faint sound of someone.
"Your concern is noted, but my team can handle this." he says,
turning his head to outside of the tent, where two more soldiers
are outside. "Ranger, Tracker, I want you two to go out there
and see what that was, then report to me on radio." he says, the
two soldiers giving a salute before heading off. "Back to
business. I find it quite curious actually, how you claim you
don't know who either of these two are. I was actually told by
these two that the three of you had met together not too long
ago just outside here. To what business somepony like you would
have with the Lunar Guard I cannot surmise, but its strange how
you would not know the names of the ponies you were doing
business with. Now that of course, leaves me with the only
reason for this: you're hiding something, and I'm going to find
out what it is." the pony says, taking a pause. "Now I'll ask
you again, you have no idea on who these two are, and what
business you had with them?" he asks her.
#Post#: 1431--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Unusual Suspect
By: Azure Karla Date: October 25, 2016, 9:13 pm
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Azure visibly frowns at the accusation. Same old song... Same
old dance. She was a Changeling. Of course she had something to
hide. It was kind-of what they do... She sighs, blowing the blue
strands of her mane out of her face as she levels her gaze with
her interrogator. "Yes, quite curious indeed, as fraternizing
with the likes of the Lunar Guard and other law-abiding, justice
wielding organizations tends to put me in this exact
situation... So forgive me for sounding a little cross with your
allegations, Sergeant." Azure sighs again, dragging her hind
hooves off the table as she leans forward in her chair, inching
herself a little bit closer as her fanged smile returns. "I have
not spoken, nor conducted business with these two Noctrals. And
for that matter, I'm not sure where outside here is,
specifically speaking. Last I remember, I was traipsing about
the Everfree, playing with what looked like a red-headed
step-child of Cerberus that had its skin torn off and left to
dry in the hottest level of Tartarus. As you can probably
imagine, it was not happy and kept trying to tear my face off. I
move to cast a spell aaaaannnnd I wind up here." Azure huffs,
only now realizing just how difficult that would be to
believe... She was going to be here for a long time...
#Post#: 1433--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Unusual Suspect
By: Equinox Date: October 26, 2016, 7:08 am
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Runner simply watches as Azure gives her outburst, and he can't
help but be amused. "It seems as though we are not on the same
page in the context of my reasons for suspicion. You may think
that I find you suspicions because of your... Changeling
background. Believe me, this is not the case, I'm not exactly
the kind of pony who brings in race when it comes to things like
this, and I don't think any of us are." he says, not losing his
composure from her outburst. He then pulls up a piece of paper
for himself, continuing on with "This leads me to my next point.
What I find curious and suspicious is that I actually have
eye-witness testimony from these two, saying that you had met up
with them not too long ago. They had both said that they were in
a meeting with you in the Everfree Forest, when the hellhound
attacked. According to them, it all seemed to be staged by you."
he says, putting the paper down and leaning in close to the
Changeling, her fanged smile not affecting him. "So now, I hope
you see my reasons for me being suspicious of you, as I find it
hard to believe that you didn't remember a meeting which
happened only a matter of hours ago, and the fact that you
effectively attacked these two ponies here, both of which gave
eye-witness testimony that it was you." he says, leaning back in
his chair. "So, would you care to explain this little
contradiction?" he asks, waiting to see what she would respond
with.
#Post#: 1448--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Unusual Suspect
By: Azure Karla Date: October 26, 2016, 8:19 pm
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Azure's grin fades once again as the Sergeant explains the
situation a bit further in depth... The pieces of the puzzle
were finally starting to fit together, but the mare still had no
clue where she fit into it all. Her last statement was truthful;
there was no memory between fighting the beast and waking up in
this riddler's den. But she entertained the thought for a
moment, casting her eyes to the upper, leftmost corner of the
tent. Speaking with the pair, Azure imagined that she might have
asked for directions, or perhaps what the town up ahead was
like. Maybe she was warning them about the beast. But staging
the attack itself? That was not something she would be inclined
to do, no matter how much she might have been wronged in the
past. The Changeling levels her gaze again, mirroring her
interrogator as she leans all the way back in her chair. "My
apologies, Sergeant. I know you have a job to do and a mystery
to unravel. However, it seems that neither of us hold the key. I
slay beasts, Sergeant; I do not invite them to a tea party to go
frolicking with its two Noctral pals. If anything I would have
helped them."
Azure sighs, feeling like she's going nowhere with all of this.
Despite telling the truth, Trail Blaze had every right to hold
her under suspicion. Even then, the mare wasn't going to back
down so easily. "Not that it counts for much at this point, but
if I had been a few moments sooner, I might have been able to
save the owner of that booted leg it was gnawing on. Perhaps one
of your own, considering the chewed up, bloody gear that was
strewn all about the place." The mare pauses, grimacing at the
scene as it plays fresh through her mind, her darkened eyes cast
down to the floor. "And there was more than that bloody mess...
Bones charred black beyond recognition. Tattered bits of
clothes, some still a cinder. Jewelry, ripped and torn, some
still gripping onto its owner's bones. A teddy bear, eerily
whole and unscathed..." Azure's gaze suddenly snaps back to the
Sergeant, almost alight with pain and sorrow as she relives the
moment. "An artificial beast like that does not hunt for
itself!" the mare practically yells, almost tipping her chair
over. "It is not driven by hunger or survival... It hunts for
sport, preying on anything it can get its mangy claws on before
dragging it back to its den and decorating the walls like a
trophy. I would not wish that fate upon even my worst enemies...
There would be no mercy..." Azure ends with barely a whisper,
taking a deep breath to recollect her thoughts as her gaze
drifts down to the table.
She lets her mane hang in front of her face as she remains
silent for a moment, almost swaying in place. "I feed off of
life and confidence, Trail Blazer. Not death and despair. I
don't know how you found me, but I have no part in this
excursion. Considering you're conducting this investigation
after-the-fact, that tells me that the beast was put down... Did
somepony carve out its runestone?" Azure's darkened eyes meets
the Sergeant's once more, pleading for an answer. "If its source
of power remains entombed within itself, the beast will
return... You can't truly destroy what wasn't alive to begin
with. The runestone must be taken and disposed of... Before it's
too late."
#Post#: 1464--------------------------------------------------
Re: An Unusual Suspect
By: Equinox Date: October 27, 2016, 7:19 am
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Runner looks at Azure intently, trying to see if there was
anything hidden in her testimony. He winces when she mentions
the dead body found, the images fresh in his mind. "Yes, the
body. I can guarantee you that pony was not one of ours. Casual
clothing, no records on him identifying him as one of our own,
well, from what remained of them at least." At Azure's outburst,
he is more taken aback, shocked at her outburst of the
hellhound, and how she knew so much about it, yet very little
information was given to her throughout the interrogation. "How
do you know about the runestone we found in the hellhound? For
that matter, how did you know about the body?" I never said
anything about either until you brought it up. So how did you
know?" he asks, getting more and more suspicious as he leans in,
staring intently at her. Before either of them can say anything,
Runner's radio buzzes to life. "All Equinox units in Everfree,
this is Tracker. We need immediate combat and medical
assistance. Just listen for the fighting!" Picking up his radio,
he turns it on. saying: "Squad A and C, go help out Tracker and
Ranger. Squad B and D, hold this area until I say to go. Over."
he says. With that, around ten to twenty soldiers are seen
rushing into the forest. The remaining soldiers all fortifying
defenses.
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