[OOC] STOMP Remembrance Project

[CoffeeHorse]

Now that sounds interesting.


On a related note:

---

Destron D-69:
OH JIVE SON!

---

Shadewing:
Yes, and in the morning you can tell everyone how you had a date with the mare stalking Static. I'm sure that will win you everyone's trust and forgiveness!

---

Destron D-69:
<_< I think Maple's going to side with Static and Rhapsody on this one.

---

Caldwin:
"So, Rhapsody. Yeah, you remember that argument we had on the ride over? Yeah, that one. Umm...you wanna forget the whole thing and just throw him off a cliff?

---

Caldwin:

"I've never heard of you but I'll be sure to do my research. My name is Dazzling Midnight. How is your friend Static Signal doing?"

"Don't you tell her. DON'T...YOU...TELL...HER!!!!"

---

Zamuel:
"It's just a friendly question."

---

Caldwin:
[deadpan] "Riiiiiiiiiight!"

---

Destron D-69:
best dream ever!

---

Copper Bezel:
I am. So happy.



Midnightcap: Status: NOT JOSSED

---

Destron D-69:
step one: Maintain relative normalcy

step two: ship Midnight Cap

step three: profit ... which is of course the opposite of no profit





"Mr. Destron you're silly."

---

Caldwin:

Fnu Aw:
"Call me old fashioned but I still rather prefer Celestia. All the kids today say Luna but she has no sense of humor."

*glares daggers*

---

Destron D-69:
Maple would have laughed at the question and said Shining armor

---

Caldwin:
*face hoof* Please don't give the enemy tactical advise!

---

Shadewing:
Still don't believe he's a potential double agent?

---

Destron D-69:
if he keeps her talking He might get some information she might not realize we don't know

---

Caldwin:
Static would be reeeeally pissed if he knew about this IC.

---

Zamuel:

Destron D-69:
see, she's a sweetheart after all

I chuckle at the timing of your post.

---

Destron D-69:
Waiter ... O_O

---

Caldwin:

Fnu Aw:
"That sounds a lot better than my job. I really don't do a whole lot. Again, I'm not sure the job actually exists. I don't think they had a secretary before; I have no real responsibilities, and I don't even have a desk. I mostly follow Static around all day, waiting for him to toss me a few crumbs of work. When he's done with me I go back to his boss to see if he has any crumbs to give. It feels like they've been asked to foalsit me, and they're just taking turns keeping me busy."

You've only been there for two days. You're...in...TRAINING!!!! You don't just throw the new! guy into the deep end of the pool!

Easy there, Stasi. You know him. He just has no idea how the world works.

---

Destron D-69:
"Actually Miss Midnight, there are a number of reasons why Mr. Night Cap would be in your dream." Maple tries to do the "shame shame" motion with her hooves but fails do to not having fingers.

---

Shadewing:
I'll be over here, enjoying being right...

---

Destron D-69:
successful date was successful

---

Caldwin:
Gee! And here I thought if anypony was going to go dark, it would be Static.

---

Destron D-69:
looks like love to me

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static in the Caballuston Hospital:

---

Motionless.

The air might have been a pleasant temperature and the Caballuston nursing staff might have been friendly but Static Signal was in another hospital with little ability to move. Flairvoyant was on another bed nearby and clearly she was still a little dizzy. However, a smile crept across her face as she stared at the ceiling. "Heh, shame I didn't get to see that crazy stunt you pulled. But all the same...thanks. It takes a special something inside a pony to put it all on the line for others."

---

Static winced. "Thanks...but...don't give me too much praise. I mean, I'm glad I did it. I wouldn't change that. I'm glad it worked. It's just..."



[Don't say it!]



"I didn't really have time to think about what I was doing. I...dread to think what might have happened if I had."

[Cripes! Do you have to say everything that comes into your mind?]

---

"But that's just it. Your reflex was to save somepony. That's good for this job. Anchors and I sure didn't have time to plan when that storm hit years ago."

---

Static was comforted by Flairvoyants words. "Thanks!" He said. "There's kind of an odd thing when you live alone and work alone...basically being a loner for most of your life by circumstance rather than by choice. When you finally do gain a friends...especially a group of friends you literally entrust your life with...well...it makes you loath to risk losing any one of them."

"Like I said, I'm glad it worked. It was one of those moments I wish I wasn't an earth-pony...but I'm glad it worked."

"I remember Anchors telling us about the time about the storm. Don't suppose you have any other stories? Like maybe...not necessarily but maybe...when did you first find out she was a seapony?"

---

"I actually met her as a seapony first so I didn't get a reveal moment. I do remember how happy she was when she first got that spell or whatever it was that allowed her to walk on land. She was far more unsteady than she is now but she was so happy. It was as much of a new discovery for her as any expedition. She would sit in Brisk Iron's office for briefings with a cup of water and the biggest smile on her face."

---

Static smiled at the thought of a newly transformed Anchors. "It must have been really something for her, a whole new world with new horizons to pursue! Kinda makes me wonder what things are like under the sea."

Static sighed. "I've lived in two cities so far that are bordered by water. One of these days I really should learn to swim."

---

"Yeah, you probably should learn soon. I mean, what if one day something happens and Brisk Iron gives you that look, you know, the 'you know what you did' look, and you start walking backwards to get away and fall in a canal? And what if the canal had three sharks, five sea monsters, and a changeling that looked like a really angry Brisk Iron?" Flairvoyant asked all this with a look of mock horror before laughing. "But seriously, there are tons of ponies i! n the city who can teach you how to swim. You should probably ask Brisk Iron about getting you signed up for something. It'll certainly be good to know on this job."

---

Static laughed as Flairvoyant went through the list. "Ha ha oww ha oww ha ha ha oww! Ngh! Yeah...somehow I think if that happens, drowning will be the least of my troubles. I mean...have you ever been in trouble with Brisk Iron before?"

---

"Not me but I saw her chew somepony else out once. Ouch. And there was one time I had a dream about it. Come to think of it, it was that time I ate a whole carton of Quintuple Peanut Butter Oat Surprise ice cream and the dream did have sharks and sea monsters in it. Huh."

---

"I would bet Brisk Iron would be the hardest one of those to face. I...actually have been on the wrong side of that once. I was a pretty different pony then. Hopefully different enough I never have to face it a second time." Static sighed as he thought that Night Cap might be facing it at this very moment. "Wait a minute! Quintuple Peanut Butter Oat Surprise? That sounds...well...that sounds delicious! But it sounds like a heart attack waiting to happen. You're brave!"

---

"I think I got a little less brave afterwards. And I've heard they don't make it anymore so that might say something about it."

---

"Shame! And here you had my curiosity piqued." Static's grin was unmissable. "I'm sure it's quite good...in small doses. But a whole carton?"

"Actually, I've had quite a few interesting meals lately. Having been used to tasteless oat bars and bottom-shelf chimicherrychangas, this job can be fascinating from the cuisine standpoint alone. The stew of Nightmare Heights, the pasta of Petrichor...heck...even some of the food I've had around Caballuston...it's quite the experience in itself."

"It makes me wonder...the food, the culture, the sites...how does a pony take a desk job after experiencing being in the field?"

---

"Look at where you are.

[Fair point]

Now...ask me that question again. Also, I'll still help out from time to time. Just not always. It's a change of pace. Besides, now you have somepony in the office who understands field work."

"That's actually a fair point. It's another odd thing. When my mind's on the food, culture and sights, it's all too easy to forget the Dazzling Midnights, ancient undead Anugypt princesess and Bar...umm...other things." Static said, still not knowing that it was safe now to talk about Baromets. "Of course it works the other way too."

Static shrugged. "I guess I can see why a pony would want a desk job after seeing the dark side of the job for too long. But if I told you about the life I used to have in Manehatten...believe me, field work can be a blessing! At least for a while."

---

"But you're not in Man! ehattan. I mean, has the same job been the same job as it was back there?"

---

"It...started out that way. Different faces. Better tech. But the basics were the same. I didn't realize just how badly corrupted the Manehatten branch was, how badly they were screwing the employees with their paychecks. That can affect a pony's outlook on life. And Stiff Feather was hardly better than Mr. Celluloid. At first...it kinda was the same...only I got to get out of Manehatten."



"That's not to say it's still the same, though. A pony's outlook on life can change how he views the work place dramatically. I mean, you can change the ponies a pony works with...you can change a lot of things...but after having a negative outlook for so long, sometimes something a bit more dramatic is needed."



"I think it's because of STOMP that I was actually able to take a step back and appreciate it all. STOMP wasn't just a simple change in location and atmosphere. It was a change in absolutely everything I was used to."



"And with the STOMP team, you, Ready Quill, Anchors, Dusty...*heh* even that uppity little breezie...well, my outlook's been a lot better than it used to be."

---

Flairvoyant smiled at Static Signal's assessment of his current state. She paused to think for a moment before asking, "Static, what are your goals?"

---

"My goals?" Static asks, not quite sure where the question came from. "I...haven't really thought about it. I mean, the only real goal I've ever set for myself was to get out of Manehatten. Now that I've done that?" Static shrugged.



"I mean, I guess I have a dozen or so small goals: learn to swim, improve cooking skills, finish that Luna documentary."



"Long term: Well, my relationship with Anchors is still pretty new. There's a few different ways that could grow. I want help Skivey revise his menu, get him to the point where he's more competitive with those restaurants around him. And if that Luna documentary works out, I hope Night Cap and I can really make a name for ourselves. I don't know, today museum documentaries, tomorrow a multi-million bit summer blockbuster?"



Static smiles broadly until he really thinks about it. There was only so much of that he could achieve while still working at the Keep, especially that big named director thing. The Keep could give him documentary work, maybe help him have the opportunity to get that director's chair. But he couldn't do both. Eventually, he'd have to chose. And that wasn't a choice he was sure he could make. His work with STOMP was just too important.



"Well, that last one's probably more a wild dream than an actual life goal. Teachers always said not to let your reach outgrow your grasp." His smile slowly turns downward.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

"Even if it's a far off goal, it's good to have one. Just learn what you need to achieve it and..." "Stasi, is that you?" Sticking his head into the doorway was Skivey Dives. He didn't seem any cleaner than the last time Static Signal saw him but he did seem to be in a livelier mood.

---

[Wow! Speak of the Tirek!]



"Skivey!"



[Something witty. Something witty. Something witty.]



"..."



[You're usually better at this.]



"How's business?"



[I was under the impression they try to keep things clean in a hospital. How'd you get in?]



[Is what you should've said!]

---

"It's great, things have really picked up. Really appreciate whatcha did for me." He stepped inside and set a piece of paper on the nightstand. "So much in fact, that I got a coupon for you. Adding something new to my menu and I'd like you to have it on the house--Skivey's Butter! What I do is take a stick of butter and cut it into thin slices. Then, I sprinkle each slice with brown sugar, dust it with flour, and put them in the freezer. After a while I pull 'em out, drizzle them with melted butter, roll 'em in flour, then! stick 'em back in the freezer. Then, I dunk the slices in melted butter, sprinkle them with sugar, add more flour, then deep fry them. Twice! I told ol' Semolina about the idea and she was left speechless!"

---

[Oh dear Luna, my arteries are hardening just listening to the description!]



[I think I've actually seen them do that at the Manehatten City Fair]



[But that's at the fair!]



Spoiler



"You know...I think that might actually have merit." [As much as it scares the living Tartarus out of me to say] "I'd probably put it on the desert menu though...the section we have with the disclaimer at the top?"

---

"Oh hey, that reminds me, Skivey." Static looked around himself looking for something he soon figured out he wouldn't be able to retrieve, even if it was there.

"Gah! I must've packed it with my other stuff. But while I've been traveling I've had the chance to sample quite a few things. I've been working on changing them up a bit. Don't want to outright steal someone else's recipe after all. Besides, I've noticed ingredients tend to taste different when they're fresh than when they have to be shipped somewhere. So I've been working on a few things."

"I just had some penne pasta with pesto sauce I'd like to start working with. But I think I've just about nailed down a swamp pepper stew you may want to try. I had to replace the swamp peppers with something a bit more regional to Caballuston...but the ingredients are cheap. A little makes a lot. And it's healthy. I'll bring you the recipe whenever I get out of here and see what you think."

---

Skivey Dives thought for a moment before asking, "Can you deep fry it?"

---

"Uh...no," Static replies cautiously. "Actually...just as an outside observer...you may...want to...consider...getting-away-from-so-much-deep-fried-food."

Static winces at having said that out loud to Skivey. "Not to say you should get rid of it completely," he adds quickly. "Some ponies are always going to have a taste for things that are less than healthy for them. It's just..."

"You know, I'm just trying to think of ways to not have you get shut down by the health board...again. Plus I think with a few menu changes...not to get rid of anything necessarily, but add on a few more healthier choices...eventually...maybe...you could even expand. You know, like how Semolina has a kiosk at the museum?"

---

"Kiosks in that fancy museum..." A grin slowly crept across Skivey Dives' face as he contemplated his options. "Yeah...gettin' ideas already. Like a new slogan, 'The best part of waking up is butter in your cup' or offering salad to go with the triple fried squash. I'll catch you later Stasi. Next time you stop by, I found some Quintuple Peanut Butter Oat Surprise in the back of the freezer if you want some." He rushed out the door, mumbling various recipe ideas as he left.

---

"That isn't quite what I had in m..." Static sighed and dropped his head back deep into the pillow. Pony Feathers! He was getting used to this bed thing. He may have to start making more use out of his own.

Static turned his head back to Flairvoyant. "Uhh...yeeeeeah. I wish I could say 'it's not as bad as it sounds'...but...yeeeeeah." Static sighed. "If he's serious about the Quintuple Peanut Butter Oat Surprise...I'll share it if you want some. Kinda scared to think how far past expiration it could be though...fair warning."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Flairvoyant shook her head. "Oh no, that ice cream is for you to enjoy...or avoid...on your own. To Skivey's credit, at least his food seems more interesting than the hospital food at Petrichor Falls."

---

I'd probably be okay with it. I used to eat at Skivey's all the time even before he started getting the place cleaned up. I'd bet I've built up quite the immunity to some of the lesser pathogens: salmonella, e-coli, sepsis...bubonic...

...

"That was a joke...I hope..."

---

Flairvoyant chuckled. "Just chalk it up to earth pony strength."

---

Static chuckled. "It's gotten cleaned up quite a bit recently. But to have seen it before...it could put even an earth pony's strength to the test."

"I really don't want to say anything too negative about his diner though. Like I said, he's turning it around. Plus, he was the first friend I made when I first moved to Caballuston. That's why I'm trying to help him with some new recipe's."

---

"I try to do what I can. I mean, like you said, Skivey was my first friend when I was new in town. Amber was the first team mate I got to know when I first join STOMP. Tangerine Sands and even Ms. Iron were far more lenient on me than I deserved in probably the worst night of my life. Night Cap helped me face Dazzling Midnight when there was nopony else around. And Snowy...Snowy's a hard one to pin down. But he has a habit of telling me exactly what I need to hear when I need to hear it."

"It seems I owe a lot of ponies."

...

"Not complaining. Just making an observation. Not sure what I'd do without any one of them."

---

"Well, it seems you owe those ponies for the right reasons, Mr. Signal."

Somehow, a stallion was in the far corner of the hospital room. An older earth pony stallion with pale green coat and a greying mane that was probably some shade of yellow in his younger years. His shirt was heavily starched and pressed as if he had never seen a day of field work in his life. He had a droll, almost apathetic look on his face and at that moment Static Signal realized this was the pony who originally interviewed him when he was about to join STOMP.

---

Static was startled as he saw the stallion. Where did he come from? Static remembered having a really hard time reading this pony. He thought he'd totally blown the interview and yet here he was, a full member of STOMP. Should this pony's appearance be taken as a good omen? A bad omen? How should he start up a conversation with him? Should he start up a conversation with him? Should he wait to be spoken to before speaking?

"Umm...hello!"

[What are you doing here?] [Have my injuries gotten me dropped from the team?] [What's your name?] [How do you like your pancakes?]

"Long time no see!"

[Really? That's what you're going with?]

---

He nodded. "I try to keep out of the limelight."

---

Static grinned in spite of himself. "A useful skill in this walk of life."

---

"Perhaps, though you and I aren't in the same line of work. I was hired to be Brisk Iron's...bodyguard?...'guardian' is probably more accurate, by her father. While she's long since outgrew such a direct need, I still give my opinion on various matters when requested and I try to watch over those in her employ when possible. Case in point, I was here on a regular check up and heard what happened to the two of you from a nurse, so I decided to stop by."

---

"Yeeeeah, something tells me I'm going to need more practice before trying out for the Wonderbolts. I think I'm really close though," Static says with a grin. "Thanks for visiting. I wasn't sure I'd ever see you again after that interview. But now that you're here, I did want to say thanks for granting me the opportunity. I was...actually pretty sure I bombed the interview."

---

"Confidence in one's self is as much of a part of success as any physical feat or magical spell. If there's anything a pony should emulate from Ms. Iron, it's that.

And you're welcome. I felt you were on the edge of going either way and I felt you would fare well if pushed towards your positive side. STOMP needs intelligence but there's times it needs more than just intellectuals."

---

Static nods stiffly. "In that case, I think I owe you more than any of the others put together. I...don't think I realized myself just how on the edge I really was until that first night. Ms. Iron does have a way of inspiring ponies."


"Umm...one thing before you go?" Static said hesitantly. "On the subject of watching over those in Ms. Iron's employee...Night Cap could be in a bit of trouble right now. I just...I don't know if I'll have a chance to talk with Ms. Iron before a decision is made. But if you see her, could you just tell her for me that what he did, he did to save my life and that even though he did technically break some rules...so did I at one point and with a heck of a lot less defense?"

---

"Night Cap is a curious sort. If this meeting is going on right now, there's no way I can get over there during it. However, I will speak with Ms. Iron later on.

As far as my name," the stallion said in the same even voice he maintained throughout the conversation. "it is a matter of security that too much information about me is not shared but I will divulge that it's Sunny Smiles."

---

[Sunny Smiles? That's...fitting!]

Static grinned.

"Nopony will hear it from me. Thanks...sir!"

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Static Signal and Flairvoyant heard a knock on the door to their room and an earth pony nurse stepped in. In that short of a distraction, Sunny Smiles was already gone. The nurse was a green so dark that it was almost black with a slightly lighter green mane. She shut the door, locked it, then blocked it with a chair. Looking the two over slowly, she then spoke with the sort of strained weariness you'd hear from a pony without a week's sleep. "First up, I know. I handle Keep injuries for their special expeditions. Next, I will see if I can do something to help you. It may be unpleasant so do I have your permission?"

---

Static looked the pony over somewhat suspicious. If all she was here to do was help heal, why did she have to block the door? Still...if she wasn't from the Keep and was here in any hostile capacity, there wasn't much either he or Flairvoyant could do to stop her. So the fact that they were even given a choice...

"I...doubt there's much you could do that would put me in much more pain than I've already had. I suppose whatever you gotta do. What...is it you're planning on doing?"

---

"There are a multitude of pressure points on a pony's body that can cause a variety of reactions. Some can relieve aches and pains but it's not an A to B process. There are detours that may cause more pain on the way to relieving it."

---

"Ah! Deep tissue message. Gotcha! Never tried it before. I hear it hurts like Tartarus." Static sighs. "Well, guess there's always a first time." Static looks over to Flairvoyant. "Don't tell Anchors!"

---

"Anchors is trained in basic first aid and she's a fully accredited lifeguard. She's not going to have problems with a medical procedure...especially not if Nurse Nightheart here is giving it." Nurse Nightheart rolled Static Signal onto his stomach and began to massage his sides.! So far, nothing hurt outside of the aches and pains he already had from the fall.

---

It was a jo*oomph*! No pain! All he could see now was the white of the pillow his face was buried in. "Well this is different!" His voice comes out muffled through the pillow.

---

I'm going to need you to stay awake for this, Nurse Nightheart said as she kneaded her hooves down Static Signal's spine.

---

"Shouldn't be too much of a problem. This is kinda relaxing but i'm not about to fall asWEET BUCKING MOTHER OF LUNA!!!!" Static grits his teeth and presses his head down hard into the pillow. He wouldn't be surprised if he managed to force his head through the bed and out the other side.

---

"Exhale." Nurse Nightheart lightly massaged Static Signal's forehead before swiftly stretching and rotating each of his limbs.

---

Static breathed out. He hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath. Exhaling actually wasn't as easy as he though it would be.

[broken spoiler tag]Roll(1d20)+9:
20,+9
Total:29

Hey! Crit![broken spoiler tag]

Static winced before realizing the sudden stretch and rotating didn't hurt. Every single joint snapping and popping wasn't too reassuring, but at least he wasn't sent into a whirl storm of tourette's "Well, that wasn't too bad."

[And you're about to regret saying that in 3...2...1]

---

Static's ears perked in surprise as he cautiously tested out his mobility. "Wow! Thanks. You're a miracle worker."

---

"Just don't get injured like that too often. There is a threshold for this treatment."

---

Static smiled sheepishly. "I try to not make a habit of these things. If something like this happens too often, I think there'd be even more of a threshold for my continued existence." He turns his sheepish look to Flairvoyant. "What do you think...parachutes next time?"

He turns a more serious look back to Nurse Nightheart. "Don't worry. I may be thick-headed. But the lessons I buy at great cost I usually only have to be taught once. Thank you."

---

I believe that's it.

 

[CoffeeHorse]

I came across something while collecting the hospital posts. This was happening simultaneously...

---

When Scarlet offered to introduce them, Snowy's head had looked like it was going to explode, but by the time they had exited the aircraft he looked more normal, though he still had something of a goofy grin on his face. He looks at Misty and raises an eyebrow. "A tornado?" Is all he says.

---

Misty shrugs her shoulders. "It was taken care of."

---

"That's a problem that I hoped would never happen. I'll definitely need to read the reports...and visit the two of them at the hospital. For the moment, I at least have some good news from our side of things. This is Scarlet Spectrum. He's a former employee who will be rejoining the Keep and will be joining your team."

---

Maple gave the new Stallion a quick look ...

Looks a little distinguished,

oooh not a Unicorn...

another Redhead yeah!

"Welcome Back Mr. Spectrum, my name's Maple... Maple turned her attentions to Mr. Skies.

"Thank you for the Magic items Snowy, they were Amazing and helped me catch a super Bad Guy!"

---

Rhapsody looks over to Brisk as she comments about Scarlet. "Ah, its good to see we already will have a replacement in line..."

---

"Replacement? I don't understand what you mean."

---

Rhapsody closes her eyes for a moment and takes a breath. "Chief Director, We need to have a serious talk about Night Cap; he continues to prove a liability for the team."

---

Brisk Iron looked over to Night Cap then back to Rhapsody. "Come with me to my office so we can discuss this. Scarlet, you know the procedures for donations and post mission protocol so you handle things for now."

---

"Guess it's going to be an oral report..." Maple scrunched her nose... foiled again, one day she will get to read one.

"Do you need help getting there Mr. Night Cap?"

---

Scarlet blinked. Looking in surprise from the retreating back of the Chief, to the rest of the Petrichor Falls team, to the boxes containing the donations, and back again.

"Oh, uh, ok. Yeah, i can do that." Clearing his throat, Scarlet addressed the remaining ponies. "Hello, i'm Scarlet Spectrum. Pleased to meet you. Snowy Skies has told me a lot about you," he said, and couldn't stop a slight grin from crossing his face. "Now, i guess we'd better get these boxes unloaded, and their contents sent to be catalouged. While we do that, i'd we can swap info on your time in Petrichor, and our time up in Nightmare Heights.

Shall we?"

---

Though Rhapsody's statement had been ominous, nothing could dampen Snowy's good mood right now. "Slow down, Mr. Head Honcho." He says playfully. "Let's wheel all of this over to Acquisitions before we start dragging things."

---

Not being able to help Night Cap, who apparently wasn't invited to go defend his own honor... Maple gave him a quick sneaky side hug, and then went to Follow Mr. Spectrum.

"Excuse me Mr. sir? ...um Mr. Spectrum... did you get to try any swamp peppers?"

---

Scarlet eyed his Unicorn friend for a second, then started to laugh.

"Careful Snowy, you might give delusions of grandeur if you make me sound too important," he replied in a similarly playful tone.

"Hm, yes, taking to Aquisitions is more what i had in mind Snowy. The Chief kindof threw me offkiler by saying 'you know what to do' and heading off. Glad you've still got your head screwed on." Then he grinned. "More or less.

But yes, lets got these to Aquisitions."

Turning to Night Cap, Scarlet nodded to the dreamwalker. "I know that sentiment well Night Cap. Don't worry though, despite what Rhapsody said. I am not here to replace you. Merely returning to duty on the team." Looking back and Maplejack, Scarlet shook his head.

"No, I've not tried any peppers yet Ms. Maplejack, though Snowy, the Chief, Ms. Flaunt and I did have an interesting culinary discussion on the air ferry here."

---

"I Live at a Candy Store...do you like Chocolate? You should Meet my Friend Miss Sweet!" Maple liked meeting new ponies, but she was also desperate to not think about Mr. Night Cap's potential doom.

---

"You do, do you? Well then, when i get settled in, you will have to show me this Candy store. I do like a nice chocolate every once in a while. Does your friend run the store?"

A Candy store eh?

---

"Oh yes, she's the owner, and primary ... Maple struggled to remember the big word Miss Sweet used to describe herself that wasn't Maple's go-to 'candyologist' ... Confectioner and Master Chocolatier, though I help when ever she needs an extra set of hooves. I normally have samples with me to help promote the shop... but the didn't last the trip."



*gurrr*



Maple's tummy rumpled as if the memory was stored there instead of her head.

---

Snowy picks a carts and hooks himself in, humming quietly. "So it sounds like Petrichor Falls was a sight more eventful than Nightmare Heights. What in Equestria happened?"

---

"Oh, I'll help with the carts!"

"A lot of stuff happened, Snowy! We got to eat dinner, and then we went to sleep, and then we woke up, and then we had breakfast, and..."

---

Upon arriving at her office, Brisk Iron sat at her desk and addressed Rhapsody. "What are your concerns with Night Cap?"

---

Once Rhapsody was in the privacy of Brisk's office she looked to the older mare. "Chief, as you know I've had issues with how Night Cap handles himself since the very beginning. Running out on Battles, not participating in battles, being overly friendly with known enemies, among other issues I've mentioned in my reports. Every mission, he continues to show no ability to actually work as part of a team. But this past mission has pushed my willingness to just let him be and hope his incompetence would make other realize what I already had. We had a hostage crisis, a bunch of Bank staff locked in vault. I told Night Cap to Handle that, because I thought he'd be able to handle it quickly and professionally, considering his cutie mark is a Key and all, while the rest of the team dealt the TAKE ponies. But I forgot the fact in that he is Night Cap, and as such He constantly refused to do so, despite repeated reminders, further endangering the ponies in the vault. A pony that can not not follow simple orders is going to be be a liability to this team in the long run."

---

Brisk Iron frowned upon hearing the news. "This is a serious concern that needs to be resolved before another expedition comes up. One question--did he give any indication to why he didn't obey the order?"

---

"He continued to participate in the battle, despite it not being the priority. The hostages had priority over anything else, and every time I told him to go free them he ended up continuing to fight TAKE instead."

---

"But did he give indication..." Brisk Iron paused for a moment and thought quietly. She then said, "What we need is peer mediation. Both sides in a neutral environment where they can air grievances. I know of a way to make this work, though it may wind up a little different than usual. Once this is done, I can determine the appropriate course of action is to finally resolve this."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Scarlet Spectrum gets Night Capped.

---

Scarlet worked very hard to hide his smile and his life under a cough and sorted out a good grip on a trolley.

So that's another Perfect description of a team member.

"So, is that limp from the bank robbery incident you mentioned, Night Cap?"

---

Scarlet's curiosity was piqued.

"The security system? Sounds more like an ancient tombs booby trap than bank security. What was it like?"

---

Scarlet cocked his head at Night Cap.

"Ok, i'll bite. How did you 'accidentally' set it off? I take it you were trying to get into the Vault."

---

Scarlet blinked. Incredulous, he asked.

"You were trying to break in?!

I thought you said this happened during a bank robbery. Why were you trying to break in to the Vault?"

---

For a few seconds, Scarlet was left speechless as he tried to work out what was, and wasn't, saying. Since there had to be something more to this somewhere.

"Soooo, let me get this straight. There's a bank robbery in progress while the STOMP team are at the Petrichor bank. And you're getting injured while fighting the security system, and trying to break in to the Vault! seriously, why?

Please tell me you weren't the ones robbing the bank, right?"

---

The more Night Cap explained, the less Scarlet understood. Brow furrowing, he looked from Night Cap, to Snowy, to Misty, and back again.

"Protect the...valuables? why not simply stop the robbers before they get to the Vault, then go see what they were after. Why did this Rhapsody send you to open it?

I mean, its not like the money is going anywhere."

---

"Why didn't you say you were sent to rescue the bank staff in the first olace?"

Scarlet felt a twinge in the back of his head that promised--or should that be threatened--a headache was brewing as he tried valiantly to wrap his head around Night Caps oddly backwards explanation of events.

"Honestly Night Cap. The way you tell it makes it sound like you were sent to bust open a bank vault so the STOMP team could 'protect' some endangered jewellry. And on this Rhapsodys orders too!" Scarlet shook his head and sighed heavily. Then winced and made a mental note not to do that again.

"If you'd said you were on a rescue mission cause the bad ponies had locked the bankers in their own vault...

Hang on. Did you just say you might've just left them to it. How do you know that vault wasn't airtight? Based on the overly elaborate security that wouldn't've surprise me in the least," Scarlet said sharply, without realising how it might sound.

"I'm sorry, that came out wrong. But, and i'm not trying to question your methods after the fact, did you not think about that possibility?"

---

"Yeah, at the time- someponies... weren't sure who to trust, since everything seemed to happen all at once. Maybe the team just wasn't thinking fast after such a big breakfast and Dinner the night before... but I didn't seem to think we should abandon Boss Vine outright... when she could have -> and was, a target of take and coin." Maple shrugged, "That's partly why I wanted to go with you Mr. Night cap... to save time since I might have been next on the list. Sometimes we need to be a little looser with the team structure then I think Miss Rhapsody would like. When I took off to help the Mayor... everypony was sanding around deciding a course of action... and we we loosing time. In you situation Mr. Night Cap, it seems to me that a moment to debate options didn't happen..and maybe it should have. " Maple grinned, as she ruffled her feathers a little.

"We're a team made of a number of very different ponies after all. It makes sense that our experiences and skill sets might lead to differences in tactics and how we prioritize."

---

Night Cap saw Brisk Iron walk up to him and say, "Come with me, we need to talk." They walked to her office with Zig Zag silently slipping in behind them.

[...]

---

"Is he always like this?" Splash Flaunt asked the team after Brisk Iron led Night Cap away.

---

"No, sometimes he doesn't let you see that he needs a hug."

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

The mediation

---

Night Cap saw Brisk Iron walk up to him and say, "Come with me, we need to talk." They walked to her office with Zig Zag silently slipping in behind them. "There have been concerns about conduct on several expeditions. I will be conducting a peer mediation session so that both sides can air their thoughts and so that hopefully this can be resolved. Zig Zag, I believe this is where you come in." Zig Zag nodded and stepped forward.

"Just relax your minds.
An office may be too stiff,
So let's go elsewhere..."

Rhapsody and Night Cap fell asleep to find themselves in a snow white room that was softly lit but lacked any actual lights, doors, or windows. Each sat on comfortable pillows across from each other with a pastel green coffee table between the two of them as the only object of color other than themselves. The table and wall corners were all subtly rounded and slightly soft despite their firmness. All this was punctuated with a very subtle scent of chamomile. Brisk Iron's voice projected into the room though she was unseen. "Now we can begin. Rhapsody, please explain to Night Cap your grievances with his actions during the trip to Petrichor Falls. Night Cap, allow her to finish, then respond with your reasoning. We will start with this first and then move to broader concerns. Honesty, cooperation, and understanding are of the utmost importance. I am here if needed."

---

"Just Petrichor Falls?" Rhapsody asks with a huff and shakes her head a bit, her grievances extending way further then that... "Fine. Night Cap. I have no bucking clue why you are on this team. You can't follow orders and you contributes are nearly in the negatives. Just this past mission, I tell you to free the Hostages, you kept saying you would, but you never did. You kept pushing the into the fight, when that wasn't the important thing. Hostages are more important then criminals. Even if TAKE escaped, and they did; as long as they were freed, that was have been fine. They thought the Hostages were an ace in the hole, and we would just give them an easy win; I wanted to show them that we could handle both. A display to make them know they couldn't underestimate us as a team... and you undermine that completely. You have a bucking key on your flank, so I thought surely you could manage such a simple bucking task. But no. You couldn't. You have to do whatever the buck you want to do, because that's what makes sense in Night Cap Land! The ONE time I actually try to put a little faith and trust in your supposed abilities, because everypony else on this team somehow thinks the world of you, and you prove to me that I CAN NOT trust you in the least bit."

---

Rhapsody huffs and shakes her head. "I'm not sure if you're lying, or stupid. 'Oh it doesn't feel good to think I go through with just the barest amount of work.' Well you certainly go out of your way to convince ponies otherwise on that point. Always just happily failing through life." Shouldn't that be flailing? No, Not with Nightcap. "Every mission, every time I see you. You're doing whatever the buck you want, and completely oblivious to the world around you; and now you want me to believe that its all some kind of elaborate act? Or is this just another attempt to dodge responsibility and consequences, because you go 'Oh look at me. Poor little thing, can't do anything right.'" She says with mock sympathy. cocking her had and batting her eyebrows dolefully, before returning to her normal stern expression. "Well, it's not working. If you've ever had concern for how minimal an effort you have in these mission, you've never voiced it, somehow waiting to pull this card til JUST NOW when you're in front of the Chief Director with you're job on the line. Even when I have brought it up in the past, you still remained oblivious. You've never been a team player, and you certainly don't try." She says and hehs before actually chuckling faintly. "You can't even do a bucking singalong right!" She says with brief laughter and shaking her head.

She takes a moment to recompose herself, as she addresses the next bit. "There is a big difference between playing in the snow when your teammates are getting beaten up by hordes of enemy agents, and being told to ignore the battle. The former is just you being you, the latter is actually being given a mission that is considered more important then the battle. Yes, we getting hammered, and the fight could have gone better; but I told you multiple times; that it wasn't your priority. The one time I actually give you a valid excuse to miss the fight, and you suddenly decide that you want to actually fight? Or is it more likely, you just refuse to take any sort of orders but what you yourself decide? As for Static..." She shakes her head. "He did more damage to himself then any of the TAKE ponies did, with him deciding that maybe Earth Ponies CAN fly..." She says in such a way that makes it sound like Night Cap gave Static that idea. "And then leaps to his doom to try and save Flairvoyent, rather then letting the actual flyer attempt the death defying stunt."

"A pony can understand you not being there, when you have a more important task to do. Static would have understood. Ponies were trapped in a vault, with a limited air supply that grows smaller each passing minute. The needs of the many out weight the needs of the few, or the one." She states firmly and shakes her head once more. "They're the ones that needed your help more immediately, so you should have be apologizing to them." She says and turns away from Night Cap, just tired of looking at him at this point. "I had half a mind to ban you from even trying to help them after the fight was over, and probably would if not for other pressing concerns because you already proved you didn't care about helping them and I really didn't want you anywhere near them, in hopes that some pony actually competent could free them."

---

Rhapsody looks to Brisk Iron as she speaks, and once she is finished speaks up. “I have been trying to get better on the whole 'teamwork' bit ever since the first expedition, ma'am. After it was done and I had time to think, I felt that certain things would have gone better if we'd been more of a team, rather then a group of individuals; but there understandably wasn't time for any team building beforehoof. I feel I have made some progress with Amber, Static, Snowy and maybe Maple. As for the Gym issue happened before Nightmare Heights, which seems so much longer ago then it really has been, so it doesn't feel like such a 'recent' thing and even while the desire for Night Cap was Negative, the fact that he proved my expectations wrong is what helped win him some respect. It is certainly not something that will happen again; as I have since then, been trying to either ignore him when he frustrates me, or try and give him tasks I felt he could handle.”

She then turns to look to Night Cap. "I can not say that I noticed, but... in your defense... there was a lot going on and you and I were separated for quite a bit of that, and when I returned... I was too busy trying to not get us all killed to notice your actions. So... if you had shown a desire to do differently... that mission just wasn't the right place for it to get noticed." She explains casually, clearly trying to make him feel better about the idea that he tried and maybe no one noticed, just due to how badly that whole expedition went.

---

Sadly my half is lost, and some of Zamuel's posts are missing too somehow. I checked OOC emails but no luck.

 

[Caldwin]

I distinctly remember being the one to suggest "Rhapsody ordered me to" in response to Scarlet's questioning.

I'm glad you were able to find Static's deep tissue massage. That always makes me laugh.

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Indeed you were. It was great.

My favorite part of the hospital scene is:

"Can you deep fry it?"

"No."

*immediately leaves*

 

[Zamuel]

GM's Cut: Dazzling Midnight threatens Amber but reveals quirks

Similar to the wholly dropped idea of Dazzling Midnight popping up at the end of the the Fiesta Caldera arc, I had an earlier dropped idea of Dazzling intimidating Amber. This was far earlier and while I had rough plans for the encounter, the entire mission wasn't planned out. It died that cleanly that it never got tied to an actual location. But the idea was that if STOMP got defeated on a field mission and COIN was there, Dazzling would show up. If Amber made a comment about COIN being just thieves, Dazzling would find the artifact at the site that was most obviously be worth the most money, grab a hammer or other tool with her magic...

...and slowly...

...deliberately...

...smash the artifact to bits.

All while calmly having a condescending conversation with Amber. Probably giving Amber the pieces after. The point of this would be to foreshadow that's she's not in it for the money and to hint that she's searching for something different from the rest of COIN. I devised it with Amber in mind due to her status as the "company mare" of the team. A lot of why it dropped is that I noticed tons of ways this scene could go wrong. For as much as Static was scared of Dazzling Midnight, what happened with Silent Belle and Double Dusk made me somewhat terrified to put Dazzling in front of the players.

One separate but sorta related dropped idea was having Brisk Iron discover that Dazzling Midnight was in the background of one of her childhood pictures. Like, at a fair or something. This was meant to be a way to show Dazzling's true age but I never thought of a good time to set it up. Plus, I didn't want too many coincidental connections.

 

[CoffeeHorse]

But the idea was that if STOMP got defeated on a field mission and COIN was there, Dazzling would show up.

This is proper videogame logic and I'm all for it. The trouble is we tended to win pretty decisively. The Petrichor Falls bank battle was our first really mixed outcome with Strolls Choice and Silver Clouds getting away.

The point of this would be to foreshadow that's she's not in it for the money and to hint that she's searching for something different from the rest of COIN.

From a character standpoint, I think that absolutely would have worked, if this were a controlled narrative without player unpredictability. It's good writing.

A lot of why it dropped is that I noticed tons of ways this scene could go wrong. For as much as Static was scared of Dazzling Midnight, what happened with Silent Belle and Double Dusk made me somewhat terrified to put Dazzling in front of the players.

This is fair. I do think it would have been excellent to see this scene with Amber, if it could have been done with Amber away from the group. Especially if the artifact in question were some gizmo of unidentified function. Amber would be horrified.

Though if avoiding a fight was a concern, I can see this being a concern even with just Amber. She had as many Leeroy Jenkins moments as anyone.

One separate but sorta related dropped idea was having Brisk Iron discover that Dazzling Midnight was in the background of one of her childhood pictures. Like, at a fair or something. This was meant to be a way to show Dazzling's true age but I never thought of a good time to set it up.

My suggestion would have been to work it into a larger Caballuston history lesson. Maybe during a visit to Town Hall in what seems like a lighthearted breather arc, until we see Dazzling Midnight in that picture. Or do it the other way around and reveal that picture first, and use that as a hook to get us to dig into the town's history for clues.

Plus, I didn't want too many coincidental connections.

[Victor Hugo disliked that.]

 

[Caldwin]

There is a point in Horror movies of not showing the monster too often, so it worked out. Though that scene with Amber does sound like it could have been awesom.

 

[Zamuel]

It's worth noting that Light Fantastic's friends discovering Dazzling Midnight's carriage was part of the original plan to have a lot more background and foreground appearances for Dazzling. In the end, she wound up being A New Hope's Vader in appearances. I will counter Caldwin's comment though. The aim for Dazzling Midnight was mostly mystery. It was the Snow Shark that I was deliberately aiming for horror. I made a point of having it antagonize the party but always stay out of reach.

This is proper videogame logic and I'm all for it. The trouble is we tended to win pretty decisively. The Petrichor Falls bank battle was our first really mixed outcome with Strolls Choice and Silver Clouds getting away.

It's worth noting that mentally I was wholly prepared for them to be defeated. Strolls Choice didn't announce her name until turn three because I was fully prepared to dismiss her to jobber status if she got knocked out quickly. I forget where I heard it but there's a piece of GM advice that goes "don't put your villains in front of your players until you're ready for them to die" that I finally mentally adopted. This gets turned on it's head by the fact that now I have more than one situation across both campaigns where enemies weren't defeated on first encounter.

[Victor Hugo disliked that.]

I still have a number of "coincidental" connections. Including a major one upcoming over in Mey Hem whenever everyone posts.

 

[CoffeeHorse]

We will absolutely obliterate our foes on first encounter unless you expect us to.

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Since we're talking about dazzling Midnight...

---

After a few uneventful hours passed, the work shifts for Static Signal and Amber Spark ended. However, while work had ended, there was still work to be done...

---

As Static finishes his shift, he puts things away and cleans up as quickly as possible. He had a lot to do and he wanted to get home as soon as possible to get it done.

He grabbed his equipment and went to the door. He opened the door and saw Night Cap on the other side.

You could've nocked! he said, closing the door and locking it behind him. I have a lot to do before the performance tonight. A bit of it is... Static paused. If Night Cap so clearly didn't trust him, how much should he trust Night Cap with what was going on? He shook his head with a sigh.

Maybe if he showed some trust in Night Cap first? This is just between you, me and the other members of STOMP, he said in a hushed tone. Before the ballet tonight, I have to get something to wear. But before I can even do that...

He gave another sigh. There's a COIN operative in my apartment that needs...taken care of. The police are already there. You can come with me if you want, but it would probably be better if you stay out of site. She's only expecting me and it wouldn't do well to get her spooked so she doesn't show up. He turns to face Night Cap with as serious of an expression as he can muster. Can I trust you?

---

["I could be your new boss!" presumably happened here.]

---

Static resumed his pace to the front door of the museam. You couldn't be any worse than my last boss, he grumbled.

Anyway, this COIN operative, her name's Dazzling Midnight, tried to recruit me last night. I led her to believe I needed time to think about it. Mean time I came here and told the Ms. Iron about what happened. Tangerine Sands told me earlier that the police already have my place cased. Dazzling should be back to get my answer.

I'm not quite sure what the police need from me, and I'm pretty sure they won't be expecting you. We'll part ways a couple blocks from my apartment. You can...as discreetly as possible...stay hidden and back up the police however you can. I don't want her seeing anypony but me.

---

"She might have backup. Perhaps they've tried planting someone close to you in order to sabotage any plan like this. Someone who watches you while you work and knows where you've been today. Someone you trust. Does anything ring a bell?"

---

I mostly work alone. You're not telling me anything I haven't already thought several dozen times today. This isn't something I'm looking forward to.

But if you're suggesting I shouldn't trust anypony...well...not to put too fine a point on it, but that would also include you.

It's like I said, if you can't trust anypony, you're better off going it alone...and I sure as Tartarus don't want to go this one alone.

I trust Mr. Sands. So this is the plan I have to go on. Confront Dazzling Midnight like nothing's amiss and trust the police to be there when things go south.

Oh, and by the way, I may not have your training, but one thing I learned last night, I'm not totally helpless in a fight.

---

Static raises an eyebrow, stops mid-stride, and turns to face Night Cap. Miles? He could feel his jaw drop. I only live like...5 blocks from here. I did little more than a brisk jog last night and was completely out of breath by the time I got here. I think I need to find out what kind of exercise regimen you're on!

Static starts off again and almost makes it to the door but stops again. Do you think Amber would like to come with us? He thinks about it. After last night, I kinda like having her as a partner. But then, I really should get going. I take too long to get to my apartment, Dazzling might get suspicious.

---

You're right. I can't afford to dilly dally. Static leaves the museum with Night Cap. And I don't like arrogance.

I'll need to separate from you a couple blocks before we get there. Like I said, I don't want to be seen with anyone. Just find the police and help them however you can.

I live on Hidalgo lane. We should probably part ways at Mane Street.

---

Static Signal stopped mid-stride, causing Night Cap to stop short, nearly running into him.

Do I detect sarcasm? Because if you contacting the police would only result in a confrontation...maybe you should go back and find Amber...or at least someone a bit more reputable who could vouch for you. I don't want to start a conflict with a police squad...especially if it's going to distract them from guarding my back.

---

Pony feathers! That's actually a fair question. Static sighed.

Now he was wishing he had sought out Amber before leaving the Keep. Somepony, anypony, that was more reputable...somepony he wouldn't have to convince the police about. Never mind the fact that he barely even knew Night Cap and was becoming less and less certain he was a pony he'd want to vouch for.

Okay, well...I honestly don't know how this is supposed to go down. If we happen to meet the police before we reach Mane Street, I'll talk to the cops and see what you can do. But if we don't meet them before Mane Street, maybe it's better if you go prepare yourself for the ballet tonight. I'll go it alone. If I can, I'll be at the ballet tonight. If not, it was nice knowing you, however briefly.

---

Thanks for your help. And don't worry too much. I trust Mr. Sands. I have no reason to think he'd steer me towards any unnecessary danger.

Static starts walking again. They start to get close to Mane Street.

---

As Static Signal reached Mane Street, a unicorn businessmare walked by him. In the back of his mind he heard a voice, "We're watching for Dazzling Midnight so just act natural. You and your friend are just hanging out for a few ciders after work."

---

Static tried to not react to the voice in his head, though it was a very unexpected and surreal experience. In a hush toned, not even turning he warned Night Cap. Just act natural and come up with me to my apartment.

In a more normal voice he added, come on. After a day like this, I need a drink. Gotta warn you, my apartment's kind of a mess.

Static leads Night Cap to his apartment and opens the door.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Walking a bit more, Static Signal soon arrived at his home. Things were exactly how he left them, including the cool beverages that chilled within his icebox. However, an incident of inebriation would have to wait as an ever so gentle knock upon his door and a familiar voice asked, "Hello, is Static Signal home?"

---

Static gives a slightly horrified look at the door. Ponyfeathers, that was quicker than I expected! In a slightly louder voice he called out, It's unlocked. Please, come in. I was just getting some cider out of the icebox in inticipation of your arrival. He goes over to the icebox and takes out three bottles, whispering to Night Cap. Don't actually drink any until later. It dulls your senses. He hands Night Cap a bottle and walks over to the door as it opens.

[OOC thread:
You know, the upright, responsible side of me says that we need to keep a clear head for later tonight and that at most Static should only give Night Cap a small taste of cider.

But then there's the side of me that just wants to see what Night Cap is like absolutely jivefaced.]

---

Mane partially covering one side of her face, Dazzling Midnight calmly walked inside, "Sorry to interrupt this time with your friend but I had hoped to speak with you in private since it's matters of business."

---

Static closes the door behind Night Cap. "Please be giving the cops the signal to move in," he thinks to himself. He turns his attention to Dazzling Midnight. Sorry about that. New friend I just met. Come on in.

He hands Dazzling Midnight one of the ciders. Just started in myself just before you knocked on the door. Here!

He directs Dazzling Midnight to sit down. I was hoping you'd come by again. Last night was just...it wasn't a good night by any stretch of the imagination. How did that operation of yours go?

---

Dazzling Midnight picked up the cider bottle with her magic and sat down, "It didn't go as planned but c'est la vie. Seems a little restructuring is in order and more help would be appreciated. Hopefully you've come to a decision on the offer to join us?"

---

Static moves to the windows to open the curtains, seeing if he could see any of the police. He waves Dazzling Midnight over. It's a beautiful sight, isn't isn't it? Static makes a subtle move behind Dazzling so she can't see, hoping that whatever cop is looking in on them gets the idea. I mean, I'm just on the other side of the street from living in the slums, the only diners anywhere close are all dives and this building itself I truly think should be condemned. [Come on! Bust through the door already!] So you can see why your offer truly intrigues me. In fact, only a few doubts remain, a few...questions. I'm sure you'd be able to clear them up real fast and we can put all this business behind us and I'll be on my way to a heck of a lot better future. [Come on! There's only so long I can stall.]

The thing is, as much of a rat hole as this may be to live in, it's my rat hole. It's my place of safety. It's where I can go at the end of the day and leave the whole world out there. That doesn't work if I start making a lot of enemies who know where I live. [Come on! What are you waiting for?]

That having been said, you told me that I wouldn't have to quit my current job..."and to be honest it would be...advantageous...if you didn't" he quoted, putting as much emphasis on the word 'advantageous' as he could.

What did you mean by advantageous? Would my job be to actually spy on my present employer? Because I gotta tell you, I've gotten to know very few people at the Keep. But the one's I have gotten to know have made it very clear to me that you do not buck with the Keep. And like I said, I'd hate to have to move because I've made too many enemies.

---

Dazzling Midnight chuckled, "You're doing a marvelous job of stalling. Well...I guess there's no more point in needlessly obstructing my vision..." While there was a smile on her face, her tone of voice had a harsher edge to it. There also seemed to be subtle accent as if she were from Prance or Loisianeigh. She rather casually moved her mane out of her face only to hear, "FREEZE! YOU'RE UNDER ARREST!" The curtains shut as a unicorn officer turned visible, a pegasus officer flew out of the closet, and an earth pony officer dropped down from the ceiling. The smile didn't leave Dazzling Midnight's face as she looked directly in the eyes of Static Signal, "For your sake, I hope we never meet again." She then disappeared in a puff of black sparkles, leaving the cider bottle suspended in midair.

---

Static looked around at the officers bewildered. Right...well...I don't think I'll ever have the hiccups again for the rest of my life. Static looked out the window to the view outside his window he'd never even looked at until tonight.I guess it's time to think about finding another place to live.

He looked around at his apartment. The fridge belonged to the landlord. That left him with a table and a couch. That was it. Not even a bed. He slept on the couch. Well, at least it shouldn't be too hard to pack.

With a sigh he called out. Night Cap, if you're still within earshot, you can come back in. It's over.

He grabbed the bottle from out of midair. Didn't even bother to open it. He took his cider over to the sink and poured it out. He also opened Dazzling Midnights bottle. Pony feathers, I've been needed one of these ever since last night. With a heartfelt sigh, he poured Dazzling's cider down the drain. He could get to the rest of the cider later. These two bottles were meant to be symbolic.

He looked at the clock. He still had plenty of time to get to the ballet. He needed to get something to wear. He wasn't sure how long that would take.

But first, he had visitors. He looked to the police force filling his apartment. What now?

---

The unicorn mare spoke up, "We've got a watch over the area. There was a field put up to prevent teleporting so it should have stopped her outright or at least reduced her distance. The blinds were closed so she wouldn't be able to use line of sight. It's just that...

When she winked out, something about it was just wrong. I think I'm going to be sick."

The officer started out pretty level headed but by the time she was finished speaking, she sounded like she was on the verge of tears. The earth pony officer then spoke up, "There's something rather worrisome about the mare you encountered. In a situation like this, you will be relocated. The city will cover rent at your new home for the first three months. We will also assist in helping you move."

---

If you need to throw up, the bathroom is down the hall and to the right. If you don't make it...no worries. I have a history of heavy cider drinking and...well...the floor has a bit of a history with that as well.

---

Night Cap reenters, still holding his unopened cider.

"Did I miss the whole thing?"

---

There wasn't much to miss. The police ran in and she ran off.

And there it was again, the adrenaline rush that accompanied these STOMP assignments, the feeling of being truly alive. And this time...nopony got hurt! Static couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

When the officer looked at him strangely because of the chuckle, he could only shrug. I'm alive, Static said simply, how can I not laugh?

---

Static came back down to reality and turned to the police officer in charge.If we're done here, we should probably get going. Night Cap and I are working security for another function tonight and I need to get to a tailor.

---

"I don't know if you told us too much information or just enough that we know to come through here with bleach, soap, and bleach. Besides, I'm sure you may have clothing or paperwork from your job, though admittedly it shouldn't be that heavy. We'll seek you out later but your new home will be at High Street W. As far as Dazzling Midnight," The earth pony officer rather seriously looked at Static Signal, "She mentioned 'stalling'. She figured out that this was a trap and was just toying with you. It's nothing to take lightly. Aside from that, I hope it's a good tailor.

---

Static looked down at the ground for a moment. Yeah, this meeting was a lot less pleasent than the first time we met. She's quite impressive...in a psychotic sort of way. Best I never meet her again. Static took a deep breath, meeting the earth pony officers eyes. High Street W. Thank you. You all really saved my neck. Celestia knows what could have happened if...well...I think I'm going to have more nightmares at any rate. But thank you.

Static walked to his closet and got out his old suit from when he was interviewing for jobs. It was smaller than he remembered, certainly wouldn't fit. He had hoped that the tie would at least be usable, but it was too small as well. It was a faded, tattered mess. He wasn't sure what he could get for it on a trade in, but there was only one way to find. out.

Static took out the note Ready Quill had given him and gave a look to Night Cap. Right...off we go. Don't want to be late to the production. Static picked up his equipment and walked out of the apartment. What a rat hole! Can't say I'll miss it.

---

["Do you think she bought my lie?']

---

Static looked puzzled. What lie? I thought she had a perfectly fine mane...along with other fine...assets. Too bad she was a complete psycho.

---

Honestly, it's possible. She was toying with me. I mean, I was toying with her as well, but it seemed she was doing a better job at it. Static sighed. How did a museum projectionist make so many enemies in the space of two nights?

But I seriously doubt you're a target. For one thing, aside from just being there, you didn't really do anything. I'm her real target...maybe the police after me. But she'd have to be really petty to go after someone who was basically a bystander. I figure she's got bigger issues.

---

 

[CoffeeHorse]

 

[CoffeeHorse]

Since we're talking behind the scenes info there's a few things to address in this section.

Some of the dialog is lost (though the comic was mostly accurate here and preserved some of my dialog) but Night Cap was genuinely worried about being present for this sting operation, first because the police didn't know he would be there, and second because Dazzling Midnight didn't know he would be there. But he went anyway. This was a rare moment of Night Cap having a heroic streak and I'm not sure what got into him.

So... "I love your mane." It's funny now but this was actually never intended to start something. Night Cap was panicking a bit when Dazzling Midnight saw him in the apartment and said whatever popped into his head to keep her from regarding him as suspicious, just in case. It was just a throwaway line. That's all. But he did mean it.

 

[Caldwin]

Oh sweet! It's another I didn't re but I'm so glad you posted. Thanks!