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#Post#: 2745--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Banquet
By: Sona Nocturne Date: June 22, 2017, 5:21 pm
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After hearing what Valentine had had to say about the sloppiness
of others' presentations, Sona kept a sharp eye out for any
obvious errors. To her surprise, she found none. Valentine was
clearly incredibly intelligent. She applauded enthusiastically
when the presentation ended, a bit of thoughtfulness entering
her gaze. There would be a few minutes in between each
presentation, to give the audience time to discuss the previous
one.... Plenty of time for Sona to ask some questions.
"That was an incredible presentation," she complimented
Valentine, the comment a bit more... calculated than it
generally would have been. She leaned in slightly. "'What you
work on' is exactly where my curiosity lies, Doctor. Correct me
if I'm wrong, but it seems like you left... quite a bit out.
Especially concerning your work for the military. The question
is: why? Surely that work is just as important, if not more so,
than the projects you have just shown."
#Post#: 2746--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Banquet
By: Valentine Date: June 22, 2017, 6:26 pm
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"Thank you Ms.Nocturne. Praise from you actually means a lot to
me. I'd be lying if I said I didn't envy you ever since you
funded one of my projects as a... student." She looked Sona
directly in the eye when She asked about her true work.
"Ms. Nocturne... if you noticed, I make other ponies quite
uncomfortable. Thats because they know what I work on already
and they don't approve of it. They already call me murderer. You
are right to say that my true work is more important. However,
they don't want to hear my about my real work. My work is
considered different from their work. A lot different. They
consider my work dark. Besides, hearing them talk about how I
'wasted my potential' or how im 'some mad scientist' or monster
annoys me."
She raised her brow though. "Pardon my curiosity and don't take
this the wrong way, but why would a pony like yourself be
curious about my work in the miltary?"
#Post#: 2747--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Banquet
By: Sona Nocturne Date: June 22, 2017, 7:45 pm
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Sona nodded thoughtfully at Valentine's answer. "That's a good
question. It's not so much your work in the military that
interests me, as finding out what sort of work you're passionate
about... Where your talents truly lie." She glanced around
making sure nopony was nearby before continuing. "You see,
Doctor... I'm considering fully funding a personal project of at
least one of the attendees here tonight. For something in
return, of course. I find myself in the position of needing some
help with a personal project of my own." She smiled slightly.
"The details will remain confidential until I can find a
suitable pony."
She lowered her voice. "Of course, I can't fund everypony's
projects, so let's keep my intentions quiet for now." She
levitated her glass over, taking a sip and regarding Valentine
over the rim of her glass before she put it down. "That request
for secrecy won't be an issue, will it?" If Valentine paid close
attention to Sona's expectant tone, she might get the impression
that the white-maned unicorn was testing her.
#Post#: 2748--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Banquet
By: Valentine Date: June 22, 2017, 8:51 pm
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"Miss Nocturne... I work with weapons even the princesses have
never even heard about before. Secrecy is never a problem. I
rarely speak about work I do for other ponies unless I am given
permission. " Valentine was certainly intrigued. "You will not
find a more capable scientist in this room I can tell you that
right now. However, I would like to hear at least something
about the project before I agree to it... I must say you caught
me at a great time... I had just finished my latest gas...and my
plate is empty at the moment."
#Post#: 2751--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Banquet
By: Sona Nocturne Date: June 22, 2017, 9:57 pm
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Sona gave an ever-so-slight nod of approval. "I like your
confidence. And rest assured, if I decide you are the right pony
for the job, I will find you. Details will be disclosed at that
point... no sooner, I'm afraid," she said with a slight smile.
Valentine was looking like a promising candidate, but further
research would be required. Fortunately, Sona had a friend that
would be able to help with that.
"Also, you said that others consider your work 'dark'," she
added, and shook her head. "One must find their way through the
darkness to find the light of success. Suffice it to say, I
don't think you are a monster, Valentine." Whether the use of
her informal name was intentional, or a slip of tongue, was
unclear.
The next speaker was announced, and the presentation began. Sona
was quiet as she listened, letting Valentine ruminate on her
mysterious proposition.
#Post#: 2753--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Banquet
By: Valentine Date: June 22, 2017, 11:14 pm
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When she heard her name just called Valentine, she didn't change
her gaze from the stage, but it did feel strange. She... felt
immediately a bit closer to Sona. Nopony ever her just Valentine
out of respect to her or ponies just being afraid of her, but
she would be lying if she said she didn't like it. Whatever the
case she quickly let it slide and forgot about it.
Her attention returned to the stage and she already knew that
the scientist up there was going to run into future problems.
She couldn't correct him though.
When he finished she applauded and turned to Sona. "I appreciate
the words Sona... You certainly have the unpopular opinion. Even
my employers believe I am... but... there is not light for me...
and I can acknowledge that..." Why was she telling Sona this?
It's like something that was repressed inside her was taking
over.
#Post#: 2756--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Banquet
By: Sona Nocturne Date: June 23, 2017, 11:40 am
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Sona applauded as well, then turned to Valentine, looking
faintly startled at hearing her first name. It had been a long
time since she had been addressed by anypony that way...
She tilted her head thoughtfully at Valentine's words. "If
success does not serve as a light in your work, you will find
something that does." She suddenly shifted her hoof to grip
Valentine's. "I'm sure of it." Sona suddenly seemed to realize
what she was doing, and for the first time that night, looked
unsure of herself. She quickly withdrew her hoof, but said
nothing, just looked away.
#Post#: 2757--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Banquet
By: Valentine Date: June 23, 2017, 11:53 am
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Valentine was blushing slighty and looked at both their hooves.
She actually cracked a small noticible smile. She hasn't been
able to do that in a long time.
"Thank you... You know... I'm glad you decided to stay... Most
would take any opportunity to leave." She realized what she was
saying and blinked.
"Excuse me... I need to use the restroom," the doctor hurried
away. Once inside she made sure nopony else was in there she
pulled a small canister from her bag and was about to inhale it,
but instead she dropped it as it fell to the floor with a clank
and rolled away from her. Valentine herself looked in the mirror
and slid down the wall and sat on the floor. She glanced at the
canister lying in front of her.
"What...are you doing Cassie." She whispered to herself. It was
rare she ever addressed herself by her real name, but tonight
wasn't a normal night.
#Post#: 2761--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Banquet
By: Sona Nocturne Date: June 23, 2017, 2:03 pm
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Sona glanced back, giving Valentine a small smile at her thanks.
How long had it been since someone thanked her for a reason
other than giving away money? Sona's smile faded as Valentine
rushed away, but she simply turned her attention to the stage as
the last presentation began. However, her thoughts were
elsewhere.
#Post#: 2764--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Banquet
By: Valentine Date: June 23, 2017, 3:20 pm
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Valentine sat there alone, she was just looking at the canister
on the ground. Where were all these feelings coming from? Even
when she took the gas, it didn't make her feel this way. For the
first time in a while, her emotions and feelings all felt so
natural. It was as if a paint can exploded inside her brain and
heart. The feeling was overwhelming to her right now. For what
reason? The mare offered her a project, she's been offered
projects from many more ponies. It was a simple nothing else....
Or was there something else? What is it about Sona Nocturne
specifically that made Valentine feel this way. Was there
something in the past? They barely even talked that much
tonight.
She was trying to dissect herself on the floor of the bathroom
clutching her head.
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