[IC] Equestrian Radio Show's Adventure Variety Hour: Explorers of STOMP

[CoffeeHorse]

Static cringed. "I hope that doesn't include baths and showers."

---

Misty - Maple (Flair)

A microphone was passed to Duchess De Luge.

Wanderlust - Symphony AND Scarlet (Darty - Hazel)

Spoiler

Delivering orders as needed, Wanderlust and Symphony worked thier way over to the table where Scarlet Spectrum and the others were about to start playing. As Wanderlust was setting down their orders and Symphony was about to ask Red what he wanted, Red gently rested a hoof under her chin, smiled, and said, "My my, aren't you the fragrant flower. I already know exactly what I want, my dear...a tall glass of horchata. Extra cinnamon, please."

Meanwhile, Scarlet Spectrum saw two things. First, the stack of cards was thicker so presumably there was more than one deck mixed in. Second, he saw that Red had been playing two hands instead of just one.

Static - Night Cap (Square - Keen)

A knock was heard on the door.

---

Static's eyes narrowed in suspicion. He wasn't expecting any visitors. He crouched down into a fighting stance and motioned Night Cap to stay quiet. "Who is it?" he called out.

---

As Scarlet was considering whether he could, not to mention should, attempt to play two hands himself. Their orders arrived. Scarlet smiled, as he was looking forward to the spicy chips. The pegasus was just anout to open his mouth and thank Symphony, when ‘Reds’ smooth words cut him off.

Hastily converting what could have been an ill-asvised scowl into a raised eyebrow, Scarlet said.

”I see you have a silver tongue ‘Red’.”

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Scarlet (Darty - Hazel)

Red put his hoof down and chuckled, "Better honey than vinegar. I figure you get better results that way." The dealer then began to deal out the cards. Red had a face card face up for the first hand and a 7 face up for the second. Hazel Naught had an ace face up while the new stallion and the dealer had an ace and a 6 respectively. Finally, Scarlet had a 5 face up and a 6 face down.

Red calmly asked, "So, what brings you out here, Scarlet? Are you the gambling type?"

Static - Night Cap (Square - Keen)

"Iiiiiiiiiiiit's room service! Looking to see if you needed anything delivered to your room," a cheerful female voice said from outside the door.

---

Static whispered back "It'll keep you up late and we have a 6:10 wakeup call," he reminded Night Cap, though not exactly denying permission. "Though I'm not exactly sure she's actually room service anyway."

Static speaks up for the mare outside the room, looking to make sure Night Cap's prepared for whatever's behind the door. "One sec, I'll be right there."

Static cautiously opens the door.

---

Taking the mic, Duchess De Luge began to address the audience. Every sentence she spoke was accompanied by exaggerated poses and sweeping gestures.

"Well, well, well, what a lovely audience we have here tonight! I am ever-so-delighted that you all have come out to see me in my grand debut. And how grand it shall be, for I am none other than the grandest, the glorious, the gorgeous, Duchess De Luge!"

She turned her attention to her opponent.

"How delightful! I must indeed thank you for coming out here, Masked Mystery Mare. I could think of no better pony to stand opposite of my oh-so-amazing self. You should be honored to be part of my first-ever victory! Ahahahaha!"

Passing the mic back to the announcer, she strode over to meet the Masked Mystery Mare's proffered forehoof with her own. Though it appeared to be a civil gesture, Triple-M could feel that this was not a light touch by any means; there was a definite show of strength behind it. De Luge gave a wicked grin.

"Don't hold back, darling." Up so close, Triple-M could see herself reflected in De Luge's visor. "I want everything you've got."

---

'oooh strong...' Maple thought... as their hooves met.

when De Luge came close and spoke to her Maple could only think of one word to use as response... and she made sure to look at the referee to confirm it would be understood.

"Shoot."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Letting out a lo chuckle of his own, Scarlet nodded at ‘Reds’ words, while inwardly feeling that this mysterious colts ‘honey’, seemed layed on a little thickly. Catching Symphonys eye, he smiled and waved a wing. Partly in thanks for their orders and partly to (he hoped) offer a bit of reassurance.

Then he looked down at his cards, pleased with his starting total of 11. On the verge of requesting another card, Scarlet held back as ‘Red’ spoke.

”i gamble here is riddle of luck and chance. Do you wish to make wager then?”

---

Static - Night Cap

Static Signal opened the door to see a mare who wore a crisp uniform similar to the receptionist of the hotel and a big smile. Next to her was a small pushcart with drinks and snacks. "Good evening sir. I have refreshments if you'd like. Alternately, if you need fresh soap or perhaps some light cleaning, I can do that as well."

Scarlet (Darty - Hazel)

"Here in the casino. Wondering if you were a regular I simply never saw before. Though I must say, riddles are only as interesting as the secrets they protect. As far as wagers..." Red calmly pushed a few bits forward. Hazel Naught seemed worried about this as she glanced towards Scarlet Spectrum.

---

"I didn't even check to see if we had soap. A shower would be nice after a day like today. Onesec, I'll see if we already have the soap or not." Static goes to check. "By the way, a hot bedtime herbal tea would be nice."

[Did you just say herbal tea?]

[Anchors influence. Must be.]

[What has she done to me?]

---

Static - Night Cap (Square - Keen)

Static Signal saw that there was fresh soap in the bathroom. The mare said, "I have a tea kettle and some packets of wonderful night time tea right here. It's a delightful mix of chamomile and a variety of mints. As far as the morning coffee, what time and how would you like your coffee?"

---

Static comes back in from the bathroom. "We seem to be doing fine on the soap front. I'll take some of the tea please. Coffee...I mean, we're going out for breakfast...but I guess a cup before we leave wouldn't be a bad idea. I like mine black and strong. Is 6:10 too early?"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static - Night Cap (Square - Keen)

She quickly scribbled a note. "6:10 is perfectly fine. And here's your tea, sir. Will there be anything else?"

Misty - Maple (Flair)

Once the bell rang, the Masked Mystery Mare stood ready with hooves up for a test of strength. Duchess De Luge lifted a hoof as if she were to engage in clean, honorable wrestling. But it was a ruse as she quickly whipped the Masked Mystery Mare into a hooflock! Just what grievous harm might she be attempting?!?

Spoiler

---

"I was hoping you'd go for the first move, but, since you twisted my foreleg... oh, wait... that's me twisting yours! Ahahahaha!"

Spoiler

---

”Just passing through with my friends. Hoping to play some cards and have some fun,” Scarlet said with a grin. Then he winked at Hazel, having noticed her concern. He made a show of considering ‘Reds’ profferred wager, then cocked his head.

”Hold off on your bits for now though, ‘Red’. I think i’ll hone my game a little more before starting a bet i may not be able to afford. Although...

How about you tell me your name, should my cards roll higher than one of your two hands?

Scarlet looked again at his 11 and waved for another card...[/
Spoiler



...getting a 9!

Trying to keep a sense of satisfaction off his face. Scarlet hoped his 20 was enough.

---

Scarlet (Darty - Hazel)

As Hazel Naught requested another card, Scarlet Spectrum spotted the briefest flinch from Red. "Well, if I win, you'll need to tell me about where you work." Then the hands were revealed. Hazel Naught had two aces and a face card, causing a situation where in order to not bust, the two aces would automatically downgrade to 1s. The dealer had a 6, 4, and 9. Red revealed an ace and a 7 for one hand but two face cards for the other, meaning he tied with Scarlet Spectrum! He was about to comment but then the stallion at the end who had been quiet about all this revealed his hand--a face and an ace for a perfect blackjack! He grinned and said, "A shame really, I actually did want to know the answer to the question. But some days luck is more slippery than a roulette wheel covered than melted shortening."

Just then, an alarm went off and a tall stallion announced, "Everypony out!" Poinsettia Prim stormed over and asked, "What is the meaning of this?" "You hear that alarm. You aren't going to argue with the fire marshal are you?" She grumbled but waved for the employees on the floor to follow her to the emergency exit. Red seemed annoyed at all this. "This game will likely resume in the morning, thus I shall retire for the night. Farewell." As he got up, Dart Noveau bumped into him. After she apologized, he stormed off. She then waved for the others to follow her out of the building, though with Poinsettia Prim out of sight, she quickly gave the dealer from earlier a hug, then dashed off. She whispered to the others, "Back to the hotel, there's a lot to talk about."

---

"I can't think of anything," Static said as he sipped the tea. "Delicious, thank you."

He then remembered the document he'd been working on. "Actually, one last thing. I realize it's kinda getting late in the evening, but is there some place nearby where I can get this notarized?"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Wanderlust's eyes flick between Prim and Darty, and gears churn in his head. The idea that the building is actually on fire never crosses his mind. He quickly grabs Symphony and pulls her into the back area, near the kitchens "We have work to do." He hisses. "Let's get upstairs, then try to look lost."

---

Scarlet (Darty - Hazel)

As Hazel Naught requested another card, Scarlet Spectrum spotted the briefest flinch from Red. "Well, if I win, you'll need to tell me about where you work." Then the hands were revealed. Hazel Naught had two aces and a face card, causing a situation where in order to not bust, the two aces would automatically downgrade to 1s. The dealer had a 6, 4, and 9. Red revealed an ace and a 7 for one hand but two face cards for the other, meaning he tied with Scarlet Spectrum! He was about to comment but then the stallion at the end who had been quiet about all this revealed his hand--a face and an ace for a perfect blackjack! He grinned and said, "A shame really, I actually did want to know the answer to the question. But some days luck is more slippery than a roulette wheel covered than melted shortening."

Just then, an alarm went off and a tall stallion announced, "Everypony out!" Poinsettia Prim stormed over and asked, "What is the meaning of this?" "You hear that alarm. You aren't going to argue with the fire marshal are you?" She grumbled but waved for the employees on the floor to follow her to the emergency exit. Red seemed annoyed at all this. "This game will likely resume in the morning, thus I shall retire for the night. Farewell." As he got up, Dart Noveau bumped into him. After she apologized, he stormed off. She then waved for the others to follow her out of the building, though with Poinsettia Prim out of sight, she quickly gave the dealer from earlier a hug, then dashed off. She whispered to the others, "Back to the hotel, there's a lot to talk about."

Wanderlust's eyes flick between Prim and Darty, and gears churn in his head. The idea that the building is actually on fire never crosses his mind. He quickly grabs Symphony and pulls her into the back area, near the kitchens "We have work to do." He hisses. "Let's get upstairs, then try to look lost."

As the Alarm went off Symphony looked around in a panic, and when she saw the other Employees heading out, she was about to dart off to follow them... that is until Wanderlust grabs her and drags her off. "Hey... Ow... But what about the Fire? We gotta get outta here!" She says flailing as she's pulled to the kitchens.

---

Around a corner and out of sight from the rush, Wanderlust pauses. "There's...not really a fire, right? I mean, the kitchens are fine. Where else is a fire going to happen? I think someone else has a plan." He grins. "So I'm making their plan my plan!"

---

”Awww. And just when things were getting interesting,” Scarlet said with a mischieveous grin. Refardless, he waved a wing at Hazel and headed for the door.

’Let’s get outta here, Hazel.”

---

Misty - Maple (Flair)

The Masked Mystery Mare was initially caught off guard by the hooflock. Most newcomers wouldn't open with a move like that. Well, at least now she knew the competition was no slouch. Still, how much of that was good fundamentals and how much was devious trickery? Instinctively flipping out of the hooflock, the Masked Mystery Mare grabbed Duchess De Luge by the foreleg and swung her towards the ropes!

Spoiler

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"The First move? My friend the first move is never with the opponent, the first move is getting the audience to side with you or against you." The Masked Mystery Mare smiles as she sends this new filly toward the ropes... a good way to judge her agility and ring awareness. Would she resist, use the momentum to her advantage? Perhaps clutch the ropes and stop herself... Maple even watched to see if she'd take note of which turnbuckle she might be closer to... all good things, and could be valuable lessons to pass on later. Maple had noticed De Luge hadn'! t seemed to catch on- when MMM had said 'shoot' - so she'd have to remember to pull -some of her punches.

---

"In one of the other rooms? Maybe someone dropped one of those really expensive cigars or something?" Symphony suggests nervously as her rainbow eyes dart about, seeming to look at things that aren't there... She lets out a soft sigh. "So, what is it you're planning?"

---

Wanderlust shrugs. "Same thing we were already planning: go snooping. If we don't see anybody, we get out unnoticed. And if we do see someone, we follow them and find out why they're still here. We both know something in this building is fishy, and it's not the shrimp, is it?"

---

Wanderlust shrugs. "Same thing we were already planning: go snooping. If we don't see anybody, we get out unnoticed. And if we do see someone, we follow them and find out why they're still here. We both know something in this building is fishy, and it's not the shrimp, is it?"

Symphony huffs softly and nods. "Alright, whatever you say." She says Still not really sure about this, but doesn't seem like there's any other option here. "So where do we start?"

---

Wanderlust looks Symphony right in the eye. It's the same appraising gaze he gave Scarlet a few days ago. "We're a team; if you don't want to do this, we'll leave. But if you do...we'll see less ponies upstairs."

---