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

[CoffeeHorse]

Rhapsody

"As I said, your medical leave is mandatory. You can't help anypony like this. Don't worry, I'm making sure everything is in order."


Night Cap - Scarlet

After some searching, Scarlet Spectrum and Night Cap found that they could not find Brisk Iron. Tired, they headed home since they knew there was a meeting the next morning and they wouldn't want to displease the Chief Director by being late. This was just as well since the situation meant that Scarlet Spectrum had been locked out of his apartment.


Static

"Hopefully, you'll be able to join me one day. But your right, we're probably worrying too much. What I want to know is, how'd you pick the ingredients for tonight?"

---

"Well, when you said breakfast food, my mind automatically went to pancakes and hash browns. Then you said nothing too salty...so hash browns were out. When it comes to pancakes, blueberry has always been my favorite. Whip cream has always been optional on pancakes too. So when I came up with the idea to make them look like you, that only left me looking for something yellow. I never tried lemon zest on pancakes before. But it made the most sense. "

"As for the tea, I don't usually have tea for breakfast, so I wasn't sure what to go with. So I kinda just covered my bases there: Matcha for something strong, Rooibos for something light and subtle, Jade Citrus Mint for an in between."

---

At first, Scarlet was ready to take Night Cap up on his offer of busting the lock, as he was almost steaming with frustration that his door was locked

Until he remembered the reason his door was locked. I.e. He locked said door himself when he'd gotten home and left the key on his desk before he'd settled down for the night.

"Ponyfeathered dream teleportation thingy," he grumbled.

Turning to Night Cap with a grin, he shook his head.

"While i appreciate the offer my friend. I think i've inadvertantly broken enough of your things. Plus, we both need to be sharp for the mornings meeting. I'll find a cloud to nap on and let the cool air clear my head.

Have a good night, Night and thanks again."

---

As Maple slept, her mind drifted back to that night on the rooftops long ago when she'd first joined Stomp... not even sure what she was doing there... except this time Rhapsody and her were standing together proudly looking out over the sleeping city ... an ebony wing extending out to pat her head...
"You... you did good... maple..."

"You... you did good... maple..."

"You... you did good... maple..."

the words repeated over and over, but not only in that first memory ... but also in the aftermath of the Brussellsprouts fight ... then again when she helped Boss Vine save the day... and again when she tried to help Snowy get away...

The best Dreams ... are the ones that make waking up the nightmare.

---

Rhapsody huffs. "Fine." Not having any choice in the matter, and not really liking it, she struggles to get on her hooves one more to flop back into bed as she doesn't really have a choice otherwise.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static

"The mint sounds great. And thank you for a wonderful night."


Everyone

After receiving a night's rest, the STOMP team got ready for the next day.

Spoiler

---

Maple wakes up early and places a vase full of a very particular Flower on the side table next to Rhapsody's bed...

she then slips out and heads to work, hopefully without waking the resting Pegasus.

---

Static woke up a bit bummed. Anchors didn't leave for another couple days. But given that the first thing on the docket was a STOMP meeting concerning their next adventure, he had serious doubts of seeing her again before either he or she left.

Still, it was a good night he'd had before. He was going to try to not let anything that happens get him down. After all, if they were to face Dazzling, this was a mission he'd been waiting for for a long time.

He put the coffee pot on, got some of the remaining pancake batter out of the refrigerator and made a quick breakfast. He put another cup of coffee into a travelers mug and set out for the Keep.

---

Outside the hospital the next morning a deep blue boxy tent could be found, and from that tent emerges a soft gray mare, mane and tail as white as snow... except for the streaks of teal near the base. Thought what really stood out about her were her eyes; they weren't the normal solid colors most ponies had... Her irises were like a rainbows and the colors seemed to shine and shift around occasionally. On her flank was a full note cutie mark with beams of colored light emanating from it. "Oh yes, I'll be fine. It's just a simple visit." She says to someone else inside the tent as she makes her way across the street and into the large building. Once inside she walks up to receptions. "Yes, Hi there... I'm here to see Rhapsody. I heard she was admitted last night?" her voice soft and mellow to the nurse as she gets the pegasus' room number and heads up.

On her way she nearly bumps into the smaller pegasus. "Oh... I'm sorry... I... uh... didn't quite see you down there..." She says with a soft blush. "I guess you know Rhapsody as well? I heard about her accident and wanted to make sure she was alright..."

Spoiler

---

"Good Morning. Yes I should really consider just being taller... oh Rhapsody- yeah she's still sleeping but I'm sure she'll be awake shortly. I've known her for a few months now and this is the first time I've seen her eyes closed for longer than a blink." Maple liked this Pony, she seemed nice.

"If she does wake up while you're visiting, would you let her know I stopped by and I'll be back to check on her later to fill her in on the meeting if I'm able.."

 

[CoffeeHorse]

The Unicorn mare looks down to Maple and smiles softly. "Being short is perfectly acceptable, it can give a unique perception of things that other ponies miss, and trust me; some ponies miss a WHOLE lot." She giggles and then nods with a sigh and listens to Maple's words. "Yes, Rhapsody is... um... well.. she is rather... oh.. I guess relentless would be the right word?" She says and shakes her head. "She has been ever since we were foals." She says with a soft huff as several memories hit her at once. "Always active, always getting up to something... dragging me into those things.. I'm not sure she'll ever change."

"Not sure if she'll be up either... that is once Rhapsody is asleep... she's... um... she's not fond of getting up... and you really don't want to be the one that wakes her." As anyone that's been to the black pegasus' home would attest to seeing the graveyard of alarm clocks. "I think its because her body knows better then she does with how badly she pushes herself... However I'll not be here long either, I'm afraid. I have business in town to attend to as well, but.. well... I have to check up on my Sister, somepony's gotta keep an eye out for her, ya'know?" She says with a gentle shrug. "If she's not awake, I'll least leave her a note."

---

Scarlet came too on a fluffy cloud that was, conveniently, floating scudding along over the Keep. He yawned and stretched mightily, not really feeling that well rested despite having dropped off quite quickly.

"this is gonna be a looong day."

Flaring his wings out, Scarlet fell forward into the air and spiralled down to the Keep entrance. Quickly, he sped through the corridors to his 'Office', as he had finally remembered (now that he was calm and collected) that he did in fact, have a spare set of keys stored in one of the drawers. Having picked up a cup of Tea from the cafeteria,
Scarlet arrived to the sound of music and saw a pony asleep at a table on a collection of maps. Brow furrowed, Scarlet to remember the names of the new STOMPers. This one was one of those of Rhapsodys team. His name began with...W?

"Wanderlust?"

---

Scarlet arrived to the sound of music and saw a pony asleep at a table on a collection of maps. Brow furrowed, Scarlet to remember the names of the new STOMPers. This one was one of those of Rhapsodys team. His name began with...W?

"Wanderlust?"

Spoiler

Wanderlust wakes up slowly, as usual, but is pleased to find his face mashed against the same thing it was when he went to bed. As he tries to turn and see who's calling him without taking his head off of his paper pillow, he realizes that he has been sleeping (and drooling) on his finished maps, and jerks away from the table, falling over the bench and landing with a *CLONK* and a puff of more paper. "Could you turn on the lights?" He croaks, slowly struggling to his feet.

---

"OH my Gosh!" Maple's face goes beet red. "I'm sorry, I guess her sister would already know all about how she is." Maple makes a decent attempt at a curtsy and move s out of the way of the door. "If you have other business to get to please don 't let me keep you any longer"

---

With a low chuckle, Scarlet moves to turn on the main lighting, as it seemed (like him) Wanderlust seemed to work in low light. Once done, he set to work 'tidying' (See: moving papers from one spot to another, making more space but larger mounds of paper) up. Ish.

"Don't worry, i've dozed off mid-work more times than i can remember."

Having reached the desk on which his two pictures were placed, as well as pocketing his spare keys. Scarlet stared at the picture of Rain for a few moments, last night odd experience coming back to him and being no less vivid for the intervening hours sleep.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Wanderlust manages to stand, but doesn't say anything for a moment, just staring straight at the lights until his eyes are watering and his brain is moving again as Scarlet cleans up. Eventually the throbbing bump on the side of his head cuts through the fog of sleep, and the first thing his brain registers is Scarlet staring at the battered photograph. "Who is she?" He asks, stepping close behind Scarlet.

---

Scarlet took a deep breath and sighed.

"That...is a long story.

Her name is... Rain Juggler. She used to work here until..." Trailing off, he picked up the picture of Rain turned to face Wanderlust.

"It's...complicated. Although i think you'll here some of at todays meeting because of...recent developments.

'cough'

Lets just say i'll explain later.

---

Wanderlust would have liked the full story now, but he knows not to push in this situation. He simply gives Scarlet an appraising look, then pats him amiably on the shoulder and says "I'll take you up on that." Before turning to roll up his maps and head for the meeting room. "I like your office. Very organic." He adds on his way out the door.

---

Misty is looking forward to having a great day. Everything is swell. After waking up bright and early, she arrives ahead of time for the meeting. With a smile on her face, she takes a seat in the meeting room and waits patiently for the others to arrive.

---

After having excused herself from the other pony Maple hurries to the Keep finding Misty Sitty Quietly in the Meeting room.

"Good morning beautiful, how was your night? are you excited for the meeting?"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"I think the meeting's going to go well," Misty says, the smile on her face widening upon Maple's arrival.

---

"I hope you're not upset with me, I know we haven't really seen a lot of each other these last few days... have you been keeping busy?" Maple says, as she tries to get up into the seat next to Misty. Yes, just being taller really should be a thing she just does at this point.

---

"Busy? Oh, yes. I mean, no. I mean, yes. Well, it's kind of yes and no."

---

Spoiler


As Maple just trudges off, Symphony heads into Rhapsody's room to check on her, and leaving a note about the encounter before telling her she'd see her later and heading off to deal with the rest of her day.

---

Scarlet grinned slightly at Wanderlusts words. That very well might be the first time anyone had complimented him on the state of his 'Office'. He also realised he had no choice but to open up more about Rain. And yet today that didn't seem quite such a bad thing today.

Downing the last of his Tea, Scarlet hurried of to try and freshen up a bit and not look so unkempt. Then headed to the Chiefs office for the meeting.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static arrives at the meeting. Maple seemed quite content sitting next to Misty and didn't want to barge in by taking his normal seat next to Maple. So he just took some random other seat and waited for Night Cap, and hopefully Anchors.

---

"Good Morning everypony!"

---

Everyone

Splash Flaunt waved to Maplejack as she entered the room. As the rest of the team and the department heads all entered, Brisk Iron sat at the front of the room and addressed everypony. "Before we discuss anything involving the expeditions, I would like to let you all know that Rhapsody is currently in the hospital. While it initially stemmed from an accident, her stay is primarily due to exhaustion. This means that though she'll recover, she won't be going on the expedition.

That makes it somewhat bittersweet in the introduction of our newest team member. Everypony, this is Symphony, Rhapsody's sister."

---

Symphony smiles weakly as she waves to the room as she steps up to take a bit of center stage. "Um.. Hi everypony. I'm... I'm Symphony, and well... I'm sure my sister will be fine soon. I'm not quite the... um... fighter she was... but I am sure I can at least help pick up the slack while she's... she's recovering from all this." She says, being much more nervous in front of a crowd then she was just talking to Maple one on one.

---

"Rhapsody has a sister?" Static couldn't help but blurt out. *ahem* "Sorry! She...doesn't talk much...about personal...stuff."

[Or anything at all if she can avoid it.]

[Behave!]

"Glad to hear it's just exhaustion and she'll be okay. Meanwhile, welcome to the team."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Wanderlust felt a stab of guilt when he heard Rhapsody had been injured. He was the medic, he was supposed to be around for these things! He'd have to start going to those training sessions at the gym, just in case.

That makes it somewhat bittersweet in the introduction of our newest team member. Everypony, this is Symphony, Rhapsody's sister."

Another gray Unicorn? What are the odds? Wanderlust sheepishly waves across the table.

---

"Oh, wow! It's really awful that she's in the hospital! I hope she gets better soon, but I'm glad that you're here to join us. Did she tell you anything about us? Because being on this team is super fun! You're going to have a great time," Misty excitedly gushed.

---

Symphony looks around with a half smile and mild look or worry as every seems to be shocked by her existence. "Well I'm... um.. her other sister." She says with a soft blush. "We're... uh... triplets. Sorta..?" She adds with another deeper blush. "We were... " She pauses for a moment trying to find the right way to explain without being over detailed. "We were all from the same pregnancy... Born only minutes apart, but We're all different tribes... As... um I guess you can imagine Harmony, our middle sister, is an Earth pony. Rhapsody is the 'oldest' and that leave me... as the youngest I suppose." She says with a slight giggle.

She sighs softly as the looks to the yellow pony. "Oh, yes... Um... Rhapsody is kinda a private pony... She keeps everything um... close to the cuff, I think the expression goes... She um... puts her duty as 'big sister' before everything, and... well... she's always been rather serious about keeping us safe... um... after Harmony nearly died when we were foals..." She says the last part a bit more softly then usual with a another sigh and a shake of her head... "Honestly... this isn't the first time she's driven herself to the point of exhaustion... Um... Third or fourth time really..." She says and then blinks and adds really quickly "N-Not that I'm keeping count..." She shakes her head again taking the topic back to her older sister. "Rhapsody always puts her all in trying to keep those she cares about safe and fighting monsters... To the point that.. well... she never has time for anything else. Harmony and I would usually have to force her to relax and have fun... Maybe we still do..." She says with a slight frown...Another shake of her head trying to keep her attention on the group.

She looks over to the drab earth pony. "Well She's probably not gonna be outta things for too long... But she's probably gonna be be asleep a lot for the next couple days... maybe rest of the week... As I was telling... um..." She blinks and blushes again. "That one." She says sheepishly and pointing to Maple. "Oh dear, I don't think I ever got your name this morning... Sorry..." She says with another blush. "As I was um... telling her... My sister, once she IS asleep... well she stays asleep... Her body I think knows better then she does... So it kinda refuses to wake up for anything... under pain of death." She says with a playful giggle, obviously not totally serious about the death part. "Once she's fully rested, She'll likely be up and about like she usually is..."

She gives a soft waves back to the other gray unicorn. And then looks over to the blue pegasus that seems to need a haircut badly. "Oh... um... Well... Not really... I kinda... um... joined of my own reasons... But... I can't really go into why... um sorry... Even I have a few things I um... need to keep private..." She says with a bright, but slightly nervous, smile.

---

"I'm Maple!" She says as she waves... standing up a little on her seat to be seen better. "Sorry about rushing off earlier- I just didn't want to take up time you could be spending with Rhapsody... also there was this meeting." Maple blushes too, sitting back down on her haunches... "I guess you already knew about the meeting though."

"I'm really sorry Rhapsody got hurt last night, but I want every pony to know she was really brave, and she and I saved two other ponies who were trapped despite how injured we both were. " Maple looks down at herself and sighs... "I'm afraid she's the more worse for wear though given my changeling magic."

---

Symphony giggles softly and absently waves a hoof. "If I'd known we had the same business, I probably would have had you wait for me..." She then double-blinks as Maple mentions changeling magic. "You're a changeling?"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

[Bucks sake! She's got to stop leading with that!]

Static facehoofs but says nothing.

---

Acarlet mentally groaned.

Does she just not register that other than her, Changelings have been uniformly evil and...
So much for all our talk before about being careful and secretive about it.
'sigh'
Oh boy. You could at least have let the Chief tell her.
Calm down. This Symphony seems to be talking it in stride.
There's one good thing then

It's a pity then, then you look like a wreck this morning, eh Scarlet?
I tried!

"Pleased to meet you, Symphony," he said with a nervous smile. Deciding then to stay modtly quiet for the duration of the meeting. Then remembered he couldn't stay quiet as he had semi-good news for the Chief regarding Rain.

---

Everyone

"Maple, while this group should be more understanding than most, it would likely be for the best if you were more careful about revealing you're a changeling," Steel Flint commented. "But speaking of reveals and discoveries...Wanderlust, did you manage to find anything last night?"

---

Maple writes that down in her notes. adding a few Underlines as she looks at all her friend's reactions.

---

Wanderlust perks up. "Oh, yes." He unrolls his map and raises it overhead for everyone to see. "The Casino and the Hotel were both built over some of the most famous dig sites. The sports arena was built later, but is over another major dig site, farther away from the center of the city. Nothing worthwhile was ever discovered anywhere on the island...or at least, nothing was announced. I'm most suspicious of the sports arena; it wasn't important enough to cover up at first, but now they've put real effort into erasing it. What changed their minds?" He rolls the map back up to signal that he's finished talking.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

*horse scribble noises*
"oh, sports part added later than rest, Mr. Wonderlust is suspicious."
"Never, got anything from archopopcicle digs so why cover them up...?"

---

"Hmm. Whatever is the might have found at that dig site, it must be important. Why else would they be so seemingly desperate in their attempts to erase it in such a rush.

It seems very counter-productive of them, since they've obviouslyy put effort into hiding said digsites beneath innocuous businessess.

COIN are in a rush to get away withtheir find perhaps?"

---

Symphony takes a seat and listens to the other as they speak of the mission, not really having anything to add, being very new to all this.

---

Everyone

"Good work. That sounds like something worth looking into. Did anypony have anything else to bring up before I begin assigning teams and going over goals for this?"

---

Taking a deep breath, Scarlet waved a wing.

"Chief. I've found her. I've found Rain.

Well, i sortof found her."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static sat there stunned. He'd just learned more about Rhapsody's family in the last minute from Symphony than he'd ever began to hear from Rhapsody herself in all the time he'd worked with her.



He didn't really have any questions. Sports arena's, casinos, libraries...the objective was the same. Find out what you could find out and don't get caught doing it.

He just made a mental note to get to know Symphony and waited for the teams to be assigned.

Oh hey, Scarlet found his friend? That's good. Still Static said nothing.

---

Everyone

"What do you mean by 'sort of'..?"

---

"Well, you see. I didn't find her, in this world..."

Scarlet the started recounting the odd, momentary dreams he'd been having. How Rain seemed to be calling out to him. Then he described the full-on 'Dream' he'd had the previous night. The strange fog-filled 'cavern', being able to hear and talk to Rain, but not reach her. How she seemed to, hypothetically, be suffering the same kind of mental degradation that Moonbeam Writ had suffered from as part of being trapped alone and out of time. Since she seemed to both remember him and yet, Not remember him at the same time. Finally, he recounted his fall thro! ugh the dream, out of the dream, into the waking world, into Night Caos apartment, through his table. And all of this despite falling asleeo in his own apartment.

"So it seems that Rain is, thankfully, very much alive and," he hesitated and looked down briefly, "not well.

It appears that whatever that trap spell we--i--misfired. It has somehow trapped her somewhere between the Waking world and the Dreamscape. So i found her!" Scarlets smile was happy and sad, and a little forced. But mostly positive. "Just, not completely."

He then gestured at his unkempt look and mad hair with an ironic smile.

COLOR=#ff0000]"This whole incident also explains why i look like a mess. Well, more of a mess than usual i mean. I kinda...got locked out since me weren't on me when i got, uh, dream teleported?"[/color

---

Static stole a glance at Symphony to see how she was taking this. Working with a changling, ponies stuck between the waking and dream world, unexplained teleportation while sleeping...

Just another day in the world of STOMP. But to somepony who's only been a part of the team for barely more than five minutes?

"Welcome to the team!"

---

"It's so much fun to hear good news Scarlet! ... It was a rough night for me last night too, Does any pony remember what all was needed for getting a pony out of there last time?" Maple asked as she started a new item in her notes for Rhapsody.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Everyone

Brisk Iron pondered for a moment. "I don't think this is quite the same situation. Moonbeam Writ was trapped in a pocket dimension of his own creation due to an error in something he invented. This sounds like she may actually be trapped in the dream world. That said, we're closer than we were before. Scarlet, make sure to update Zig Zag after the meaning so she can be looking as well. I'd assume it's safe to assume Night Cap has already begun a search?"

---

Static stole a glance at Symphony to see how she was taking this. Working with a changling, evil underground syndicates with the clout to buy buildings just to hide what they're doing at dig sites, ponies stuck between the waking and dream world, unexplained teleportation while sleeping...

Just another day in the world of STOMP. But to somepony who's only been a part of the team for barely more than five minutes?

"Welcome to the team!"

Symphony seems to take this all in stride, to be honest, She didn't seem bother and shocked by any of it, maybe a little confused as there was a lot of news hitting at once, but otherwise she seemed almost as reserved as you might expect Rhapsody's sister to be. Though she does occasionally glance at maybe... maybe peers is more the right word. Not glares, she's not scowling or anything... Its more like she's trying to look past Maple, or maybe through her... like she was trying to see what the little bug looked like under the ponyguise.

At Static's words to her she jumps a bit with a soft gasp, and blushes. "Oh.. um... yeah... Thanks." She says with a smile.

---

Everyone

"I see. Very well. Brisk Iron said in response to Night Cap.

With the information presented, I now have made a final decision on teams for the upcoming expeditions. First and foremost, you're not on this, Splash. The chance of you being recognized by COIN is far too high. You will instead be temporarily filling in for Flairvoyant on Morse Code transmitter duty. Flair will get you up to speed.

For Louisianeigh, it will be Sta! tic, Night Cap, Moonshadow, and Square with Static in charge. However, you have an additional task before seeking out the library. The museum there is where the Ode to Extravagant Ocean was stolen from. You're to return it to its rightful owners.

Fiesta Caldera will have two separate teams. Flairvoyant, Misty, Maple, and Keen are to investigate any information you can find at the sports arena. Flair is in charge. Darty, Scarlet, Hazel, Symphony, and Wanderlust are to investigate the casino. Scarlet is in charge but Darty is co-lead. If either group has a chance to investigate city hall without looking suspicious, also take that opportunity. Hazel will be in control of your spending stipend while you're there. While teams are slightly shifted from what I would prefer, I feel this will work well with the skills available."

---

"I'm sorry you won't need to pack a fancy dress Misty." Maple says, leaning over slightly as she wrote her notes... trying to give a lingering look at her marefriend while also making sure not to have words drift off the page...

---

Symphony perks up and listens to the team orders and divisions. "I suppose my Sister's absence is hurting the teams' layouts?"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Everyone

"In some ways, yes. However, this was likely to be a difficult expedition to plan out for some of the innate concerns involved."

---

Ode to Extravagant Ocean
"Several of us have already had dealings with COIN," Static elaborated. "So getting a team together that could infiltrate unnoticed was going to be...tricky...in any case." Static turned to Brisk Iron. "So you found the owner of Ode to Extravagant Ocean? That's great!"

...

...

"So...what should I tell them? Compliments of Boss Vine? Mayor Vine? Grape Vine of Petrichor?"

---

Everyone

"I'm not sure so I'll leave that up to your judgement based on how the return is received."

---

"He was hanging out with Dazzling and said 'there's no profit to be made from the end of the world'," Static said, quoting the catchphrase in a mockingly prim and proper tone. "I can't imagine that he doesn't at least know something."

---

Wanderlust shrugs. "It's a very intellectual and sophisticated-sounding way of stating the obvious. I can think of a lot of ponies that would start saying it because they like the way it sounds." He glances at Sqare Fun "Er, no offense."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Everyone

"None taken. And yeah...I'm thinking we might have stumbled onto something a little deeper. Like maybe source of where they chose the saying," Square Fun said.

---

Static raises an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"

---

Everyone

"When I was there, it didn't strike me as him being with her. It's got me wondering if it's a local saying. That said, that's just one theory. That librarian could be anything ranging from an innocent bystander, someone tricked by COIN who bought into their rhetoric, an agent, or even their leader. We don't know."

---

Everyone

"When I was there, it didn't strike me as him being with her. It's got me wondering if it's a local saying. That said, that's just one theory. That librarian could be anything ranging from an innocent bystander, someone tricked by COIN who bought into their rhetoric, an agent, or even their leader. We don't know."

Symphony looks over to Square, and closes her eyes for a moment. What would Rhapsody do... "Well... that kinda um... sounds like what a COIN spy might say... maybe?" She says and then in a totally un-Rhapsody fashion apologizes meekly for the accusation and hides under the table so no one will be mad at her before anyone can even reply. Clearly far from the interrogator her sister is...

---

Static smiles and tries to hide his chuckle. "Well the words are almost there. But don't worry about trying to be your sister. No offense, but it's kinda refreshing to have someone who's not so...serious."

[Pot, this is kettle calling!]

[I know, right?]

---

"Coin would have a hard time recognizing me... if I didn't show up... can anyone think of Somepony who might be able to help us get into the Sports center easier?" Maple asks...

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Everyone

"I don't think that will be particularly needed. Splash used to be part of COIN. Dazzling Midnight has directly seen Static and Night Cap so she could spread that information. Rhapsody mentioned tangling with a few one morning. None of the rest of you should be recognized. For any individual situations, you should be able to play it by ear.

Speaking of Rhapsody, I'm sure some of you may want to visit her in the hospital, though she may still be sleep. With knowledge of today and tomorrow's schedule, I believe the Documents department would have a free moment first."

---

"Sure. I'll go as soon as we're done here."

[What are the chances she'll accept visitors?]

[Probably tell me to buck off before I even get the chance to knock on the door.]

[Still, team mate in the hospital. I should at least try.]

---

"Well I could always put my uniform on if they do recognize me." Suddenly Maple's eyes light up... she had completely forgotten about her other Uniform...

"We could easily get our hooves in the door at the sports center if, The Masked Mystery Mare was sent there to scout the facilities for an upcoming event."

---

"Can the Masked Mystery Mare scout facilities without prior approval from the wrestling league? And...are you forgetting that you can be absolutely anypony you want to be in Equestria? Like...anypony!

---

"Maybe we could find somepony who's going to be part of the upcoming event at the arena and have them scout it out for us?" Misty suggests. "But I don't know who we could get to do that, hahaha..."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Former and current Champions are given some freedoms to promote and scout without direct approval since they often get asked to come to various locations for fan events and such. The recent tryouts here, for example, were originally suggested by the current champ I do believe." Maple says.Static will need to know these things if he sticks with the life.

"Yeah, do they have... shows there? maybe Miss Fantastic has toured there?" "... if she had though, we'd likely already have more information on it."

Maple sighs. It looks like she's just going to have to be herself.

---

Symphony blinks a bit as the mention of departments are brought up. "Um... What department am I?" She asks softly

---

Scarlet had remained mostly silent as the Chief layed out the teams and objectives. Still not totally comfortable being in charge of a team on such a potentially risky operation as searching out this COIN group. The news of Darty being there to pick up the slack and keep him on point was therefore, very reassuring.

Walking over to Symphony, Scarlet gave her a wry smile.

"I know i'm not presenting a bery good image of myself but please, trust me when i say i'm not as bad as i look."

---

Everyone

Brisk Iron informed Symphony that, "You're in the Antiques and Restoration Department along with Scarlet. Steel Flint is your department head. Did anypony have any other questions or should I dismiss the meeting? Most concerns about the locations can't truly be addressed until you show up and assess the situations."

---

Static thought the mission parameters were pretty straightforward. Gather information without raising suspicions. A lot was being played by ear. Probably for the best. No plan ever survives first contact with the enemy. This made things amazingly straightforward.

When asked if there were any more questions, he shook his head negatively.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Scarlet had remained mostly silent as the Chief layed out the teams and objectives. Still not totally comfortable being in charge of a team on such a potentially risky operation as searching out this COIN group. The news of Darty being there to pick up the slack and keep him on point was therefore, very reassuring.

Walking over to Symphony, Scarlet gave her a wry smile.

"I know i'm not presenting a bery good image of myself but please, trust me when i say i'm not as bad as i look."

"Oh it's okay, I've seen and been partnered with ponies that look just as bad or worse on first glance." She smiles, and looks over to Brisk. "Oh, seems like we might be working a lot with each other..."

---

"Wow, this mission's really going to be a doozy! COIN, and the casino, and the sports arena, and..." Misty looks around, seeming ever-so-slightly anxious.

---

Static smiled reassuringly over at Misty. "Don't worry too much, Misty. It's an important mission, especially for some of us who have been around a while. For me, it's possibly one of the most personal. But it's what we do. It doesn't matter how important or how personal this turns out to be. Individually, it just means the same thing every mission always means. We do everything we can, we give it our all and at the end of the day that will have to be enough."

---

"And this time we'll both be right at each other's side ... they don't know how much trouble they're in." Maple says, giving Misty a big hug.

---

"Ahahaha! Yeah..."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Unless you don't think I can hold my own." Maple says with a smirk and then starts grunting and doing wrestling poses

---

At the Chiefs words amd then Symphonys, Scarlet could do little but smile nervously.

Messy look. Messy workspace. This just isn't my day for first impressions is it?
I hope Rhapsodys not too badly hurt. I was hoping too...

Rhapsody!

Oh criminy! She is just gonna love this!

"i...don't think your sister will not be happy about that," Scarlet commented wryly. "We didn't get off to a good start, Rhapsody and i. She wasn't in a good place and i, made a lot of wrong assumptions.

Still, i am hoping to make amends eventually. So i'll have to drop by the hospital and say 'hi' before we set off.

I can't think of any questions right now Chief, although i do think making Darty co-lead on my part of this mission was a good call," he said without realising fully what he'd said.

---

"Yes, well... Rhapsody's not usually happy about a lot, not outside of a few hobbies she has or knowing those she cares about are safe." She replies with a soft chuckle.

---

"I have a question, Um... should I just wait around until we're ready to go?" Maple asked... fairly sure she wasn't to go back to her stand yet.

---

Everyone

"Meeting is dismissed. However, with how early it is I'm going to say for all of you to use this time to visit Rhapsody and the department heads can visit after."

Spoiler

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

[Something missing]

---

Static smiled. "You know, before I met you, nopony would ever have accused me of being sentimental. But since I've met you...well, everything you've ever given me, everything I have that has some association with you..." He gave a slight chuckle. "Yes, I promise I'll do everything to keep it safe."

---

Anchors Away took off her necklace and placed it around his neck. He could feel her practically hanging on him until he realized...her hooves had swiftly turned to fins once she did this. She was leaning on him to try to maintain some sort of balance.

---

Static stood there stunned for a split-second before realizing he should be getting her into water. As he helped her into the water, he could only stammer. "Anchors...wait...your necklace? That's how you...? Are you sure?" He was hit with the enormity of what she'd just given him. "I...I don't know what to say."

---

Everyone

"How about...we make sure to return to each other in one piece?"She smiled, nuzzled him, then dove into the water.

---

Static considered what he was going up against, the possible reunion with Dazzling Midnight. Could he really say he'd make it back in one piece? Then he looked down at his new good luck charm. Yeah, he was going to make it back in one piece. No matter what, he had to get this back to her. "Definitely," he said, though the water had already gone still where Anchors had dove into the water.

With a sigh, Static turned to go catch his train.

---

Everyone

As Static Signal caught the train, they were off to their destination. Was it to be a journey with an eventual rendezvous or would the team run into ramshackle and ruin? Tune in next time folks for more of the Equestrian Radio Show's Adventure Variety Hour!

*static crackle*

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

It occurs to me that Static is now wearing 3 necklaces: the one that allows him to teleport, the lantern he made from the glowing rock and now Anchor's necklace.

That must look rather interesting.

---

*static crackle*

Good evening folks! It's time for another exciting Saturday night with the Equestrian Radio Show's Adventure Variety Hour! This week we once again bring you to the explorative exploits of the Explorers of STOMP. Last time, the team engaged in practiced peril as they endured through a training mission with another team. As they prepared for an upcoming expedition, situations eventually led to varied farewells.


The departures were similar but different for the teams. For Static Signal, Night Cap, Moonshadow, and Square Fun, their train was of a noticeably older model in that it was smaller and the horsepower was achieved by strong ponies pulling it along the track. After an uneventful train ride, they arrived in Louisianeigh. Some of the surrounding region seemed slightly swampy but unlike Nightmare Heights, it was a vibrant and bustling area. A flyer flying by in the wind advertised an upcoming parade while spices from delectable meals wafted through the air. However, there was little time for sightseeing as the Keep employees were headed to the museum. The shape of the exterior almost gave off a haunted house vibe...if not for being being bright pink with a gold fleur-de-lis above the entrance. The group knew the museum director would be expecting them for the return of Ode to Extravagant Ocean and that they would also be briefly helping them with another goal Brisk Iron assigned--some basic research of the town's clock tower--before the team investigated the library.


Meanwhile the other team rode on the Friendship Express through arid lands to what initially seemed like a large plateau. Upon riding closer, the track wove around to reveal an embedded lake and an island designed to catch the eye with neon colors and numerous firefly displays. Spotting a tent overhang that was setup for greeting newcomers, Symphony was reminded of the Professor. Something had been bugging him recently that he couldn't quite put a hoof on. It was the oddest sensation that there was something wrong with the world. He'd try to look into it when he got a chance.

But for the moment, it was time to get checked in. Flairvoyant exited the train first with the rest following. Almost immediately, the team saw one pony with a heavy sack enter the train in celebration while another pony lamented their poor fortune and lousy luck.

"Well...at least we know we're at the right stop," Keen Craft dryly commented.

---

As the smells wafted through the air, Static breathed it all in deeply. If there was one thing this town was famous for, it was the food.

[I have to eat there...and there...there too.]

*deep sniff*

[I am never leaving this place.]

He comes back down to earth as Night Cap makes his request. ”I hope so. There’s some places I’d love to check out. But I can’t make any promises, though. It depends on how much time we have left after we’re done with what we came to do.”

---

"OOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooo" Maple's face squeaked along the window glass as she took in the sights

---

"Wooooooooow!" Misty is similarly enthused about the scenery.

---

"This place looks almost as pretty as the way you describe your Island Misty." Maple says... as the window seems to squeal with joy as she pulls her face free of it.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"It's actually kinda different... but still really pretty."

---

"Oh, okay... I've never been so far south." Maple says, scootching closer. "How is it different?" Maple asks.

---

Fnu Aw:
"Let's be quick about it then. They're not paying us by the hour."

"Are they?"

"You know, I never was quite sure how they figure pay for these expeditions. But hey! I can afford to be making a boat, so how can I argue?

"You're right though. Best not to waste daytime. That cajun cuisine is calling and I aim to answer."

Static takes up a side of the box containing the painting and gets ready to be on their way.

---

Static - Night Cap - Moonshadow (Square)

Upon meeting the museum receptionist, they requested to speak with the museum director, Marmalade Zest. Being led down a hallway to an office, they were introduced to a cheerful middle aged, earth pony mare with thick, black glasses, a light orange coat, a frizzy, dark pink mane, and green leaves tucked behind each ear. "It's finally here? Oh, I missed it so much! Thank you thank you thank you!" She gave Static Signal an excitable hug that clearly showcased her earth pony strength. Square Fun swiftly moved the painting aside with his magic so it wouldn't get crushed during the display of gratitude.

---

"Urmph! It's really no trouble. I'm just happy to see it back where it belongs. Boss Vine of Petrichor was surprisingly quick to make things right when she found out where it came from. She did the hoofwork finding out who it belonged to.

He gave a nervous glance to the others as if to say "how do I get out of this?"

---

Meanwhile the other team rode on the Friendship Express through arid lands to what initially seemed like a large plateau. Upon riding closer, the track wove around to reveal an embedded lake and an island designed to catch the eye with neon colors and numerous firefly displays. Spotting a tent overhang that was setup for greeting newcomers, Symphony was reminded of the Professor. Something had been bugging him recently that he couldn't quite put a hoof on. It was the oddest sensation that there was something wrong with the world. He'd try to look into it when he got a chance.

But for the moment, it was time to get checked in. Flairvoyant exited the train first with the rest following. Almost immediately, the team saw one pony with a heavy sack enter the train in celebration while another pony lamented their poor fortune and lousy luck.

"Well...at least we know we're at the right stop," Keen Craft dryly commented.

Spoiler

Wanderlust had seemed...different, that morning. He still didn't seem to understand that staring was rude, and he still didn't say much, but he seemed...more at ease. He had trotted up to the train station that morning with a pep heretofore not seen in his step before noon, then flopped into his seat and fallen asleep within minutes. As the train shuddered to a halt, he blinked awake, sliding smoothly back into the job at hand. He was arriving at a casino built on top of a volcano (which sounded like the basis of a good Con Mane film), and next to him were a secret changeling (?!?!?!???), a pegasus with a mysteriously missing marefriend (mmm...), another pegasus who was equally blue but otherwise very different, Darty (hard to describe), a bunch of ponies he didn't know, and Symphony, who he really didn't know, but who seemed nice. Oh, and this mare from accounting. Having her on the trip made everything feel a little more ominous, like they would have to account for...there on account of...

Wanderlust mentally shrugs. He didn't write books, he read them. And he was getting distracted by his mysterious comrades. Their mission was to uncover the secrets of this town, which meant they would have to be subtle, and blend in. Maple and Misty were already doing an excellent job at the window. Though he doesn't say anything, Wanderlust slides closer and looks interested in their conversation.

---

"Oh, I'm Sorry Mr. Wanderlust ... I got a little distracted, did you want something? ... or were you just interested in hearing about Misty's home, the way she describes it... its like you're almost there." Maple Shrugs... "Though apparently a Northern filly like me's maybe seen too much snow in her day to get the details looking right in her head." she smiles, patting Misty's hoof with her own before turning back to smile at their teammate.

---